Chapter 45

The hidden passage revealed by a mechanism in the throne. After descending a gentle, long staircase from its entrance, the path split into three directions. Each passage was wide and high, unlike narrow paths where only one person could pass.

Underground... Given the location of the 'Heavenly Paradise,' it might be like tunnels dug into the mountains, an artificial version of mole holes. It seems designed for a large number of people to pass through... Perhaps it had a military purpose as well.

The walls of the passage were lined with stones that glowed in the dark. The white stone walls emitted a faint light, aiding visibility. This was the same setup as the hidden passages in the royal castle. One could proceed without carrying torches or lanterns. While it was dark, it was not so dark that one couldn't see each other's expressions if they were close, and it didn't hinder walking.

Still...

I took a deep breath as I walked.

...Yeah. There's not much dust or mold smell.

I've walked through hidden passages in the royal castle before. While the active sections were fine, I was at a loss when I entered abandoned sections. I managed to push through with Alek! But the air would vibrate, and the thick layer of dust would rise, causing both of us to cough uncontrollably.

Compared to that, this hidden passage, which had been left untouched since King Usu's time, is too clean. Even if Rust is leading us to a path connected to Lady Sil, it seems too clean.

Did someone clean it to make it easier for those targeting Lady Sil to use?

However, it doesn't feel like a place that was hastily cleaned after being sealed for a long time.

Thinking about it, it's strange that mechanisms from hundreds of years ago would still work without any issues.

It's as if it has been regularly visited and properly maintained up until today.

--Even though it's a one-way path?

I recalled the hidden passage in the royal castle that I explored with Alek in the past. Remembering the time we got caught in a trap, I asked Rust just to be safe before entering.

Rust answered, "We won't know until we try."

I hesitated -- it would waste time -- but decided to test the mechanism again.

It turned out that the mechanism had a quirk.

From the 'Sky Room' side, it was possible to both open and close the path. Both operations could be performed.

However, from the hidden passage side, only closing was possible.

It was exactly the same mechanism as the door I got trapped in before.

The despair of not being able to open a door you just passed through is indescribable.

"If the entrance in the throne is sealed after descending into the hidden passage, it's impossible to return on your own."

"If you can reach another entrance, it's possible to escape."

"Another? Do you know where they are?"

"All I know is the location. The most obvious and reliable entrance is the throne in this 'Sky Room,' Your Highness."

I recalled the conversation with Rust after testing the mechanism.

Even if there are other entrances, I think you'd need a map to navigate without getting lost. If the entrance from the 'Sky Room' becomes unusable, you'd be trapped.

...What circumstances led Lady Sil to enter the hidden passage?

I stared at Rust's back as he led the way.

Even if I trust that Rust will lead us to Lady Sil, I should consider his motives.

I tightened my resolve and continued walking. Thanks to the easy-to-move dress and low-heeled shoes, I could keep up with the pace.

I was second in line behind Rust. Clifford was to my right, and Derek was to my left.

I was the weak point, so the formation prioritized defense. They considered the risk from the direction of movement to be higher than from behind.

So far, the only sound echoing through the hidden passage was our footsteps.

No one seemed to be about to jump out suddenly. The air was cold and quiet.

However, my judgment in such situations isn't reliable.

In such cases... judge by Clifford's behavior!

I glanced at Clifford to my right.

...He was as usual. His hand wasn't on his sword.

If he sensed the presence of another person -- if he detected a 'Follower' -- he would have acted immediately. So, it seems there's no immediate danger.

Still, should I ask for instructions just in case?

But even if it seems safe, we're in enemy territory, and talking might distract him or make noise...

"---Is something wrong?"

In the dim light, Clifford turned his face toward me. Our eyes met.

I took a deep breath and spoke.

"Is it okay to talk to you now? An enemy could appear at any moment."

"There's no problem. What would you like to talk about?"

"...I wanted to ask what I should do to make it easier for Clifford to fight. I can't fight, right?"

I have no clue about tactics! Once a battle starts, I'll just be in the way. If I know what to do in advance, I can reduce the burden on myself!

"In that case, just like usual when I'm guarding you. Your Highness can do as you please."

Contrary to my expectations, Clifford gave an unexpected answer.

"...Do as I please?"

"Yes."

That, is that okay?

"For example, if I were to face an enemy? Wouldn't that be a problem for you?"

I wouldn't do something that scary!

"I'll take care of the enemy before that happens. Your Highness doesn't need to adjust to me. I'll adjust to you. So, do as you please. ---Of course, if you give me instructions, I'll follow them."

...Ah. I got it. I think I understand. This probably doesn't mean to act recklessly...

"Should I use you effectively, then?"

Clifford's lips formed a small smile.

While I understood, I thought -- this still relies on Clifford, doesn't it? Then, a voice came from ahead.

"A model of a guard knight. I'm impressed. Whether or not there are 'Followers,' it makes no difference to a guard knight."

Without turning around, Rust joined the conversation.

"While the guard knight may be fine, what does the next Duke of Knightfellow think about engaging in combat with a 'Follower'?"

"Would thinking about it change anything?"

In response to Derek's question,

"Indeed, the fact that the 'Followers' are targeting Barks doesn't change."

Rust concluded with a laugh. Derek, who had been deep in thought, looked at me with a serious expression and asked,

"Is it true that the 'Followers' are involved in this matter?"

When Rust mentioned the 'Followers' in the 'Sky Room,' Derek had voiced his doubts and looked stern. But this matter had been left ambiguous.

"...According to Rust, it seems so. Whether to believe it or not is up to you, Lord Derek."

"---Does Lady Octavia think the 'Followers' are involved?"

The pattern engraved on the protective ring flashed in my mind. Because of that, I couldn't dismiss it as impossible.

"Besides Rust's words, does Lady Octavia have any reason to believe the 'Followers' are involved?"

Derek pressed further. I thought, hmm?

The focus seems to be on whether the 'Followers' are targeting Lady Sil. Does Derek not have any doubts about the existence of the 'Followers' from the beginning?

"---Does Lord Derek know something about the 'Followers'?"

"Sazahism... No."

Derek, who had started to speak, seemed to reconsider and fell silent.

Sazahism? Sazahism and the 'Followers'? ...No. Recalling the original story, I couldn't think of any connection between the two, nor any relevant events from my life as Octavia.

"I'll talk about it when I have solid proof."

While I was very curious, I could only nod in response.

---The 'Followers.' In terms of connections, the link between here and the 'Followers' is also strange.

When the entrance to the hidden passage appeared in the 'Sky Room,' I wondered why.

"Why do the 'Followers'..."

The question slipped out as a whisper.

"Why?"

Rust, who was walking ahead, repeated my whisper.

"The mechanism in the throne, this hidden passage... How did the 'Followers' come to know about these things?"

Perhaps my father, the king, knew. The Duke of Knightfellow... my uncle might have known. That makes sense. I don't think it's strange for them to know.

I thought of Alek, but shook my head and refocused my thoughts.

But the 'Followers'? They are not the king, nor a noble family with a long-standing close relationship with the royal family.

This information shouldn't be so easily obtainable.

Is it related to the fact that the hidden passage seems to have been maintained?

"Because the 'Followers' served King Usu?"

Rust mentioned a widely accepted theory.

"I've heard that the 'Followers' have a strong sense of camaraderie. If information was shared and passed down for some reason, it could have continued to the present day."

"...Is that so? There's no evidence that the 'Followers' served King Usu and were favored. The stance of King Usu toward the 'Followers' was the opposite."

I had read the biography of King Usu and delved into the story of King Usu, but I couldn't agree with Rust's theory. If the 'Followers' served, it would mean that King Usu was their 'Master.'

I don't think that's the case.

King Usu is praised as the founder of the revival.

However, his evaluation is divided into two periods: the early reign and the rest.

He is mainly praised for his governance outside the early reign.

During the early reign, there is a popular theory that a 'Follower' was among King Usu's vassals and was favored.

The idea that a 'Follower' served a legendary king or hero is often fabricated in later generations.

This isn't unique to Esphera. In the old hero tales of the neighboring country Kangina, translated by Sisi, a nameless and mysterious 'Follower' appears and plays a role.

Returning to King Usu,

Outside the early reign, the existence of the 'Followers' was shunned due to their combat abilities being a threat. This is documented in multiple records, so it has high credibility.

The two opposing evaluations of King Usu.

It is said that these differences arose from the contrast between his early reign as a new king and his later growth as a king.

I suddenly thought,

It becomes strange when considering it as the actions of one person.

What if it was two people? What if the evaluations of different individuals were forcibly combined?

Who and who?

---The queen, King Usu's sister, and King Usu.

Then, if the theory that the 'Followers' were favored during the early reign is true, it would be during the queen's governance. It would mean the 'Followers' served the queen?

"---It seems that the 'Followers' were favored by King Usu during the early reign, but after a certain point, he began to shun them."

Rust's words brought me back to reality.

"After a certain point?"

"After King Usu was betrayed by the head of the Alderton family? ...Ah, by the way, Your Highness's guard knight is from the Alderton family. It's a very interesting symbol."

King Usu was betrayed immediately after his ascension... the first villain in the story of King Usu.

That was the Alderton family?

The rebellion and its end are described in just five lines. Rather, the praise for King Usu's lenient punishment of the conspirators who attempted a coup is much longer...

"Why did Your Highness choose a guard knight from the Alderton family, who, due to past actions, were distanced from the royal family?"

Without much thought, I had given up on thinking and just wondered which one to choose... as if asking the Japanese gods. Alderton... I only remembered that they were a family known for their martial prowess and that they only had daughters as heirs...! When I first heard Clifford's name, if I had continued to think, I might have remembered...

Was Alek concerned about this aspect when he heard Clifford's name?

But, the current Duke of Alderton and Clifford haven't done anything!

"...Is it something that needs to be asked? Is it because the Alderton family might turn against the royal family again?"

"Perhaps many were surprised, especially the old noble families."

Old noble families...

"---What about Lord Derek?"

Derek smiled wryly.

"Me? I don't have any particular thoughts about Lady Octavia's guard knight being from the Alderton family. It's not right to equate the past with the present."

I was relieved to hear the same opinion, but another concern arose.

"Is my brother different?"

The information I got from Derek during the opening dance: my brother has a bad impression of Clifford, possibly due to his family background.

"...I think it's the same as me. Even though Clifford is from the Alderton family, Serius doesn't see it as a problem."

...Is that so?

His tone seemed a bit off, as if something was stuck in his teeth.

While we were talking, we continued to move forward. When we turned left at a fork, Clifford was the first to react.

---There were multiple people lying on the passage.

They weren't dead. There was no blood.

There were six in total, all men, and they were armed.

Lady Sil was not among them. They seemed to be the ones who targeted Lady Sil.

They had been attacked by someone, tried to fight back, and were quickly defeated.

"...I don't understand why they were left alive."

Derek, who had examined the attackers with a practiced hand, similar to Clifford, said with a puzzled expression. It was unexpected, and when they took away the weapons and immobilized the attackers, they used the uniforms to gag and tie them up. Derek, who helped Clifford, also handled it with ease.

Rust, who said, "I might act suspiciously. It would be better for Your Highness to feel more secure if only the two of you handle it," did not participate in these tasks, both during the fake security and this time.

"Is it not because the attacker was overwhelmingly strong?"

In response to my question, Derek shook his head with a difficult expression.

"That might be the case, but if not to extract information, it would be safer to eliminate them to prevent them from talking. There's no advantage to keeping them alive."

He was saying that he would do the same.

"If they were close to them, they might hesitate to kill them."

Or...

"Is there a possibility that Lady Sil defeated them?"

"The fact that they weren't killed makes sense, but from the absence of any blood, it seems they were overwhelmed quickly and didn't get a chance to resist. It's unlikely that Lady Sil could do it alone, though. I thought it was possible, but..."

Because in the original story...

"Has Clifford noticed anything?"

Clifford, who had been kneeling next to one of the fallen, stood up.

In his hand was a long sword that the attacker had possessed. He smoothly drew it from its red scabbard. The blade, with patterns etched into it, glinted.

"All six are armed with weapons from Tahren. These swords are well-used, and the wielders seem to be skilled. Despite this, they were all incapacitated in this area without a chance to escape. The attacker might be a 'Follower.'"

"...I've heard that 'Followers' don't show such mercy."

Derek looked down at the six unconscious men. Clifford sheathed the Tahren sword.

"---Perhaps there are merciful 'Followers.'"

Clifford's face showed a mocking smile as he replied.