Chapter 79

I might die today. As I gripped the reins, a fleeting thought crossed my mind.

Then, out of the corner of my eye, a black object spread its wings and headed toward the town below.

! The Rev bird flew gracefully through the sky...? A sign? Is it a sign? Does this mean my future today is filled with ominous omens...!

No, calm down, me. Nothing has happened yet, so why panic?

...Sigh.

I won't let my guard down, but I can't help feeling anxious. Can I really handle such a big responsibility? No, I have to...

Yesterday, I was informed that both princes would be inspecting the town. At the same time, I learned that Princess Octavia had requested me to join the security detail, and Prince Serius had agreed. Shortly after, it was revealed that Erel Barne, who had apparently been summoned by the squad leader, would also be joining the task.

When I found out I would be working with Barne, I was shocked.

Especially because it was Princess Octavia's request.

What is the princess thinking?

Erel Barne is the one who swung a sword at the princess in the training grounds, right? Although he was pardoned, it was officially treated as an accident. But anyone who witnessed it knows it wasn't.

When Barne heard about the task, he turned pale and came to the inspection this morning with huge dark circles under his eyes. But I understand how he feels.

Honestly, regarding Barne, is this also the Octavia effect? I used to think he was a fanatical supporter of Prince Alexis, and not just because he's a noble. I thought we didn't get along. But it wasn't as bad as I thought.

I had a prejudice that if I talked to him, he would just snort and walk away. But we had a normal conversation. In fact, we talked quite a bit.

We also had a meeting. In a way, our relationship is now closer than with some of my colleagues who aren't involved in this task.

Thinking about my colleagues, I felt a bit awkward.

One of my colleagues, after learning about my task, tapped me on the shoulder with a serious face and said, "I won't forget you, you hear?"

He even gave me his secret stash of alcohol. He was so kind...!

Can you stop making it feel like a final farewell? I'm not gone yet, you know? I'm still alive?

But despite that, he bet on both Barne and me in the new soldiers' bet about who would mess up during the inspection. And he bet a considerable amount.

"When it comes to betting, you must always be sincere. ...You can't lie to yourself," he said? What a cool way to put it!

Anyway, I was surprised, but having Barne around is psychologically comforting.

He's the only one among those assigned to this inspection security detail who has a similar background.

We were both appointed by Princess Octavia. He's from a noble family, but we're both soldiers. We're both just soldiers who have been temporarily promoted.

I still don't understand what Princess Octavia is thinking, though.

Speaking of which...

...

I swallowed hard and glanced at the man.

He's there.

--Anyway, Barne and I are treated like quasi-knights for Princess Octavia. We're just part of the security detail, not just blending in with the crowd.

But I think...

...only in my mind!

I can say whatever I want!

Princess Octavia, what are you thinking? I have some ambition, but there are steps to take.

And!

Why!

Why is the envoy from Ongalnu not part of Princess Octavia's security detail?

I heard he's accompanying the inspection as part of Prince Serius's security detail...

But, but!

The envoy from Ongalnu must be paying attention to Princess Octavia, right? Definitely!

There must be something behind this change in assignment.

Unfortunately, the envoy from Ongalnu is riding alongside the carriage, and I'm on the left, while he's on the right. When I look at the carriage, he naturally comes into my field of vision!

Ah. My stomach hurts. I feel like I'm going to throw up.

I just prayed the carriage would reach the town quickly. Normally, I would walk to this place, but on horseback, it's much faster. ...Okay, we're entering the Esphera Bridge. Just a little more! But something could happen just before we arrive.

I tried not to focus on the envoy from Ongalnu and instead kept an eye out for any suspicious individuals approaching the carriage.

...? There's no sign of trouble around, but there was a slight movement among the security detail. And they all looked in the same direction...

There's a small forest at the foot of the bridge, and two people looked over there for a moment, one after the other.

One of them is the envoy from Ongalnu...

I turned to look at the forest we had already passed. Nothing, right?

But if the envoy from Ongalnu noticed something, there must have been someone there, right? It's not a problem if they're just there.

The other person... I looked at the man who was originally Prince Serius's knight and is now in front of me.

Hugh Roberts. My current superior, Mr. Roberts. He's also been appointed as one of Princess Octavia's knights after the ball, for some reason.

But Mr. Roberts is Prince Serius's right-hand man. He's also popular among the men for his good looks and being single. I know a few soldiers who have a crush on him.

After I was assigned to the inspection security detail, I heard, "That's great..." with envy. --But it's just a task, right?

Since our first conversation yesterday, he has been just as rumored.

The common point between Mr. Roberts and the envoy from Ongalnu is that they are both skilled.

The order in which they looked at the forest was: the envoy from Ongalnu, then Mr. Roberts, but it was almost simultaneous.

Just to be safe, I looked back at the forest again.

There's no sign of smoke or any incident...

It's probably fine, right? From the envoy's reaction, it doesn't seem like there's any danger to Princess Octavia.

...But if it's not Princess Octavia, could there be a danger to someone else? That suspicion remains.

It's not practical for me to go back to the Esphera Bridge alone based on this suspicion.

Moreover, considering Mr. Roberts's reaction, the bridge is a key point. As the overall security coordinator, he might have noticed something. There could be a secret guard unit deployed, and he was just confirming visually. That seems more likely.

I focused on the road ahead and continued to ride the horse as planned.

When the carriage carrying both princes safely arrived at the designated location—the capital's square—I received a strange order from Mr. Roberts. Apparently, it was from Princess Octavia.

Orders are just about what needs to be done. As a low-ranking soldier who follows orders, I'm not supposed to ask why or how. Such questions are foolish. ...Honestly, I still haven't fully adapted to this. Plus, when it involves Princess Octavia, these foolish questions keep popping up.

But this order must have some meaning.

To buy a large amount of flowers, attach a red ribbon to a single rose, and give it to a soldier.

When the soldiers with flower baskets climb the stands surrounding the square, they are to signal Princess Octavia.

What kind of signal, Mr. Roberts didn't specify. Is a circle okay?

I stretched and made a circle with my arms above my head to make sure Princess Octavia could see it.

Did she get it?

The princess smiled and opened her mouth.

From her explanation, I understood that she was trying to select someone using the red rose.

The soldiers on the stands scattered the flowers to the crowd gathered in the square.

The flowers danced in the air. The people looked up and reached out their hands.

From the sky— from the heavens—meaning these are flowers from the Sky God.

"This year, the flower festival couldn't happen. I thought we'd have to wait until next year."

"Let's take them home and decorate with them."

"Definitely yellow, I'll get a yellow flower! It will bring good fortune!"

...I see.

I didn't get it at first, but Princess Octavia's idea was inspired by the capital's flower festival. Every year, there's a festival in the capital. One of them is the spring flower festival. It's a lively event from top to bottom. It's a festival to pray for a bountiful harvest, but it's also a time when love blossoms. People come from outside the capital as well.

--All this information comes from senior soldiers. Unfortunately, I've never participated.

This year, the flower festival didn't happen.

It was because of the war with the Saza religion.

There was a victory celebration, but a mourning period was also set up to honor the fallen. This period lasted until this spring, and the flower festival was replaced by a memorial service. Flowers were used, but for a different purpose.

Usually, during the flower festival, the royal family distributes flowers in the square. People believe that the color of the flower they receive determines their fortune for the year, and many look forward to it.

Looking around, I saw people of all ages reaching out with shining eyes for the falling flowers. --It's a small, out-of-season gift. I wish I could have been here on a day off...

But I'm on duty...

I need to track the red rose. I looked in the direction of the soldier I gave the rose to. Just as the rose left the soldier's hand, I followed its trajectory with my eyes.

It flew quite far. Then it lost height and began to fall—.

Oh, no! What do I do?

Barne, who was also watching the flowers from a distance, ran over.

"Pewts, you..."

His shocked call was very painful to hear.

The rose flew toward me. ...If I dodged, it would fall to the ground, so I caught it. But this is bad.

...What should I do?

Barne and I made eye contact. He sighed and said, sounding annoyed, "You're handsome, but that's your problem."

"Throw it again."

...Is that the only option?

The citizens around us are also looking at me with "Oh no" faces. It's like a bed of needles.

If I don't do something, it will be bad.

"...I will throw it again, so please don't worry!"

I got ready to throw the rose. As I was about to throw it again, I thought it would be better if a good person or someone who looks harmless picked it up. I should avoid anyone who looks suspicious.

While maintaining my stance, I quickly scanned the area. The flower is light and won't fly too far.

Among the people within a certain distance, who should pick it up...?

...Huh? There's someone with a hooded cloak hiding their face. Next to them is...

Oh no.

It's Stain, the red-haired guy I had dinner with yesterday. When I recognized him, I saw the elegant face peeking out from under the hood—Derek?

Next to them was another person, who seemed to be with them.

He had his hood down but was wearing a cloak like Derek. He was a blond man with an eye patch. ...A handsome guy that Stain would like. Moreover, he's not just handsome. He embodies a beauty that could be a work of art.

"Hey, Pewts. What are you looking at...hurry up."

Barne, who was urging me, froze when he saw where I was looking.

"Brother...?"

I heard him mutter.