Yuna really didn’t do anything at all. How cruel… I shouldn’t have gotten my hopes up. It just makes the emptiness worse.
“Haaah.”
The night air is cold…
Now that I’ve even been kicked out of the room,
It feels like we’re some old married couple sleeping in separate rooms. We’re not even married yet.
“Ah.”
I couldn’t sleep, so I was staring out the window.
In the distance, I saw Dietrich and Jeff coming back from training.
They’re training this late? No wonder they’re so strong. They’re completely different from me, someone who compromises when it’s convenient.
Of course, I don’t rely solely on swordsmanship, so it makes sense I can’t pour all my time into it.
Anyway, that’s not what matters right now.
“Jeff.”
“Hmm? Oh, Johan? I heard you got back just yesterday. Hard to catch a glimpse of you.”
“Yeah.”
I did get back around dawn yesterday, but I was too busy to even say hello.
Well… I did spend nearly a whole day on that date.
Honestly, I spent more time being lovey-dovey with Ariel than I did infiltrating the Under Chain’s base.
“Anyway, I’ve got something to talk about, so stay there. I’ll come down.”
“I can come up.”
“You’re seriously going to walk into my room looking like that?”
“Since when is that your room…?”
“I use it all the time, so it’s mine.”
It’s technically a guest room, but it’s not like we get many guests.
Chris uses another room, and no one else really comes by except me, so it’s basically mine.
With that logic, I stopped Jeff from coming up and headed downstairs.
“Dietrich’s here too.”
“Ah, if it’s something I shouldn’t hear, I can step away.”
“Doesn’t matter.”
“Then I’ll just listen. I’m curious what you have to say, senior.”
“Sure, suit yourself. You’ll probably get dragged into it anyway.”
“I’ll head inside then.”
Dietrich immediately changed his mind and went inside.
He’s grown. He’s finally learned how to run away from troublesome situations.
Whether you listen or not, you’re going to be deployed in this battle anyway.
Two members of the imperial family charged in and still got crushed. So it’s only fair you get dragged into it too, right?
“Jeff, you know I went to the Under Chain’s base this time, right?”
“……”
Just mentioning the Under Chain made Jeff’s expression stiffen.
“Yeah, figured you had a hunch.”
Come to think of it, Jeff wasn’t exactly clueless.
Back at the Cradle, he noticed Melana’s betrayal and still chose to go along with her.
In the end, he was swayed by Kult and helped her escape…
But even so, you can’t deny that it was the best choice he had at the time.
Somehow, he’s the kind of guy who ends up getting used even when he knows it’s happening. Like he has no choice but to live that kind of life.
“Melana was there.”
“I see…”
“She said she wants to live. And that she needs the Great Sage’s help. I figured you should know. The rest is up to you two.”
“Thanks, Johan. When Melana comes back, I’ll try to persuade her.”
“Persuade, huh…”
Jeff abandoned his peaceful life to save Melana.
A man who gave up everything for a single person.
And now he says he’ll persuade her?
“What kind of persuasion?”
To accept her fate and let her die?
Or to follow her, even if that path leads straight to hell?
Neither would be strange.
“Haha.”
I wanted a clear answer, but Jeff just laughed it off.
Should I press him for it? Or trust him?
Honestly, it’s not an easy call.
Even I couldn’t say that dying is the right answer for Melana.
You can’t call it wrong to struggle to survive.
“Alright. I hope you make a choice you can live with.”
There’s a chance Jeff could turn against us because of this.
But even so, it couldn’t be helped. I chose to tell him anyway.
It’s better to know and be prepared than to stay ignorant.
I’d do the same.
I don’t want to leave behind the same kind of precedent as with Ollie and Raven.
Even if we end up becoming enemies, that would still be the better option.
“Take care.”
“Thanks, Johan.”
“If you’re thankful, then do it right.”
“I’ll try.”
Try, huh…
At least I don’t have to worry about Jeff turning against us right away.
A guy who seemed to live only for Melana still considers me a friend, it seems.
“I can’t beat Dietrich, so I’ll have to do my best.”
“What about me?”
“Haha.”
Why’s this bastard laughing?
***
I feel down.
I finally got to go on a date with Ariel yesterday, but the ending sucked.
I can’t believe Yuna played me like that. Was I just there for her amusement…?
On top of that, my conversation with Jeff was heavy and bitter too.
Ever since getting involved with the Under Chain, things like this have been happening more often.
It’s like a curse that drags your mood down.
I already knew that, but dealing with the Under Chain just feels unpleasant.
If they were simply a powerful or tricky enemy, it wouldn’t feel like this.
“Yuna, can I come in?”
I knocked first.
Just yesterday I walked right in, but after getting kicked out once, I couldn’t help being a bit cautious.
Meanwhile, Yuna just picks the lock and comes in even if I lock the door.
“Come in.”
“Yuna, how’s your body?”
“Hmm, still as attractive as ever today. My chest might’ve gotten a bit bigger too.”
“Not that, you idiot.”
I’m not curious.
…Actually, I kind of am.
But even if I ask, it’ll probably just end like yesterday, so it’s better not to know.
“I meant your injuries.”
“Oh, those? Got treated yesterday. I feel a bit sluggish, but thanks to Helena’s divine power, there’s no problem.”
“Really?”
I heard she was badly hurt, but maybe it wasn’t that serious.
Or maybe she’s built some resistance after being hit by Raven’s curse before.
Or she could just be pretending she’s fine.
“Hmm.”
“What?”
“You’re really okay?”
“Mhmm, I’m fine. Just a little tired, that’s all.”
“Alright. Then can you come out with me for a bit?”
“Oh? A date with me today?”
“Something like that.”
“So not a date.”
Wow, she gets it instantly.
At this level of brushing it off, she doesn’t even react.
Well, it’s not actually a date anyway.
We’re heading to see Princess Cintia to get a new weapon today.
“I’m going to see Her Highness.”
“Am I getting arrested?”
“You should’ve behaved yourself.”
After trading a few light jokes with Yuna, we quickly got ready to head out.
“Still, the walk there counts as a date, right?”
“I don’t think so.”
“Senior, I’m ready.”
I’m bringing Dietrich along too. I called him since his weapon needs some work as well.
He’s someone who’ll be useful going forward, so I should take care of him a bit this time.
“Oh, would it be alright if we stop by a bakery on the way back? I’m thinking of getting Helena a gift.”
“That’s a good idea.”
Helena will like it too.
Not because it’s from a bakery, but because Dietrich is the one giving it.
I just hope things between the two of them work out without any friction.
They shouldn’t end up like me…
“So it wasn’t a date!”
“I told you.”
I dragged along the sulking Yuna as we set off down the road.
I wonder how things will turn out today.
I have a bad feeling about this.
***
If there’s one thing I’ve been satisfied with since becoming a strategist, it’s that meeting members of the imperial family has become easier.
Theseus and Lobelia. Due to their status, neither of them could receive treatment from Helena, so they were relying on the imperial medical staff.
It’s quite inconvenient. Though thanks to their situation, Helena can remain hidden…
“You’re here?”
“So you’ve come.”
The two of them noticed me and offered brief greetings.
Seeing them wrapped head to toe in bandages makes them look especially pitiful.
“Then let’s move right away.”
“Ah! Y-You shouldn’t move, Your Highness Lobelia.”
“I have urgent business. My apologies. Let’s go, Brother.”
“Alright.”
They brushed past the flustered medical staff and stood up.
They’re tough as ever.
Maybe I should’ve come with a bit more time to spare.
I feel a little bad for rushing them.
“What about Yuna?”
“She’s outside the imperial palace. Ah, I also brought Dietrich. Should that be alright?”
“Dietrich? Ah, that one. Come to think of it, what kind of weapon does he use?”
“He goes through cheap iron swords like they’re disposable.”
“That’s surprising in its own way.”
Dietrich possesses such exceptional combat ability that he’s been called a Sword Saint.
“Dietrich… you mean that boy from before? I do recall him being quite a skilled swordsman.”
“If we’re talking strictly swordsmanship, he might even surpass Your Highness Theseus.”
I talk Dietrich up a bit. The kid should be grateful I’m rating him this highly. He’d better keep working hard.
“Oh, I didn’t realize he was that good.”
Theseus responded with genuine admiration.
Unlike Lobelia, he doesn’t show any competitive spirit.
Should I call it composure or a lack of ambition? Either way, he doesn’t quite seem like someone suited to be emperor.
“To think I didn’t know the name of someone so skilled.”
“That’s understandable. He’s a criminal.”
“Ah.”
Theseus freezes with a smile still on his face. He really is quite innocent.
“Well, I’ll explain the details on the way. For now, please refrain from calling his name out loudly once we’re outside.”
“Yes, understood.”
Alright, it’s about time we head toward today’s objective.
That’s right. Today is all about equipment maintenance.
We’re going to see Cintia, who’s more famous as a blacksmith than as an imperial member.
“Come to think of it, Your Highness, you don’t really have a preferred weapon, do you?”
I’ve occasionally seen her wear something like gauntlets, but Lobelia generally fights with her bare hands.
Even in the game, she didn’t have a fixed design and would equip various weapons depending on performance or the situation.
That might make sense as a gameplay convenience, but things are different now.
“Originally, we receive a gift from His Majesty upon completing our coming-of-age ceremony.”
Theseus said, slightly revealing the sword at his waist.
It seems that sword is the gift he received back then.
“They’re all treasures of the imperial family. But Lobelia…”
“I refused it.”
“Why did you do that?”
“I was pissed.”
“I see.”
No further explanation was needed.
***
A place where one’s qualifications to survive in the imperial family are tested.
Meals with Abraham generally fell into two categories.
The first was failing to block Abraham’s surprise attack and dying.
“Clear it.”
More than twenty imperial family members who didn’t even leave their names behind. Every one of them was killed by Abraham.
He would draw out their complacency, ease the atmosphere, and in that moment, throw the knife in his hand with just enough force.
The biggest factor in the test was whether or not they could block that sudden strike, adjusted to their level.
To survive in an imperial household where casualties occurred daily, one could never let their guard down for even a moment.
That was why any child who relaxed in front of him, the most dangerous person in the palace, was immediately disqualified.
Then came the second category.
Those who successfully blocked Abraham’s ambush reacted in all sorts of ways.
“That was going too far, Your Majesty. You startled me.”
The First Prince Theseus Vicious von Miltonia accepted it calmly.
“I did it. You may judge me unqualified, but I survived nonetheless.”
The Second Prince Loki responded with a fierce smile, his obsession burning.
“This damn household! I’m done with this! I’m leaving! I quit everything, so erase my name from the family registry!”
The Second Princess Cintia flew into a rage and cut ties with the imperial family.
And the Third Princess Lobelia…
“Hup!”
She immediately launched a counterattack.
And got beaten down.
But to Abraham, that was the most satisfying answer of all.
“Lobelia, I’ve prepared a gift for you. Come collect it later.”
“I don’t need it.”
Barely able to steady herself, Lobelia glared at Abraham.
“When the day comes that I kill you, I don’t want to use power that came from you. So I don’t need it.”
“That is acceptable as well.”
And so, Lobelia refused the treasures of the imperial family.
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