Chapter 95

Pulling the reins, Hugh stopped his horse at the Esphera Bridge. Dismounting, he approached the soldiers who were monitoring the bridge’s entry and exit for inspection.

“—It’s Hugh Roberts. I want to cross the bridge.”

“Yes! Please forgive me, but I must verify your identification.”

The soldier knew Hugh’s face, but unless one was of royal blood, no rules were to be bypassed.

Hugh took out his knight’s identification. As the soldier bent down to check it, Hugh punched him in the stomach, causing the soldier to double over and lose consciousness.

“You’ve done well.”

The other soldier, who had been slow to understand and react, was also knocked out. Then, Hugh raised his hand toward the trees by the side of the bridge.

“Move the regular soldiers and hide them. …There’s no need to kill them. I will return to the castle after crossing the bridge. Do not let anyone else pass after I have crossed.”

From among the trees, several of the ‘comrades’ who had been waiting since morning emerged.

They were soldiers serving the royal castle, members of the anti-royal faction intoxicated by their ideals—each one a subordinate who followed his orders.

Suddenly, Hugh felt like laughing. Though he called them ‘comrades’ and even spoke the words aloud, he didn’t believe in any of the ideals he had used to recruit them.

No, perhaps because he didn’t believe in them, he could speak them convincingly. He could decorate his betrayal with righteousness, making it sound appealing.

Moreover, if the person speaking had a certain status, it added even more persuasiveness.

The closest confidant of the First Prince Serius. His right-hand man. A trusted guard knight.

—Just like me.

Thus, Hugh had gained many ‘comrades’—even from within.

—Why?

A question about the ‘comrades’ always lingered in his heart. Why did you betray Prince Serius?

He knew he shouldn’t be the one to ask.

Perhaps Hugh simply hadn’t understood how easily people could be swayed.

He switched his thoughts. They were unnecessary.

He glanced in the direction of the town below.

No one was chasing him. …For now.

To ensure certainty, he should raise the bridge.

No, he quickly reconsidered.

If the Esphera Bridge moved, it would automatically be reported to the royal castle. This was due to an improvement made by King Us. Hugh didn’t understand the principle, but it couldn’t be stopped from this side.

Mounting his horse, Hugh gave the ‘comrades’ another order.

“If you cannot prevent the intrusion, raise the bridge.”

“Yes!”

“I leave it to you.”

Nodding in return, he kicked the horse’s flanks.

Crossing the Esphera Bridge, the royal castle came into view.

—The target is Sil Varks. To eliminate him.

To obey his lord’s command.

Hugh remembered it clearly, even now. But—though he hadn’t forgotten, it had been buried deep in his memory.

Until Prince Serius fell in love with Sil Varks.

Until the former lord’s fears came true.

“…What my father said is troubling.”

“The king’s?”

“My father, when he was the crown prince and after he became king….”

Staring into space, the prince murmured.

“What is nesting in Esphera?”

He closed his eyes, shook his head, and then gave an order.

“Hugh. If I change, correct my path.”

“……?”

At the time, he couldn’t grasp the meaning.

“Do you mean that the prince will deviate from the path? I don’t see it that way….”

“I hope it’s just a groundless worry. …I want to believe in my future self. But, Hugh, can you really say I won’t become like my father?”

He didn’t have the answer.

“Looking at my father, I can’t tell.”

Clenching his fist, the prince murmured.

“I want to break the system of Esphera. It’s fine to marry someone of the same sex. But if one gains rights, they should also bear the responsibility. It’s unacceptable to enjoy rights while abandoning responsibilities. Especially if one is the king. If the king, who should be a role model, is wrong, it’s a problem.”

He declared, as if questioning himself.

“Is it necessary to maintain the distorted form of same-sex marriage for the king? —Rather, I wonder why it has continued until now. In my reign, I will cut off this trend.”

—Hugh, if I start to go against this will, you must stop me.

“It’s not me….”

Derek Knightfellow.

The face of the young man who could be called the prince’s best friend immediately came to mind.

“I can’t ask Derek.”

Why, he didn’t understand at the time.

But now, he felt he understood.

Derek Knightfellow, the prince’s friend, was kind. He didn’t inherit the cold, decisive ruthlessness of his father, Duke Knightfellow.

That’s why, many times, he had tried to dissuade Hugh. Though he didn’t say it directly, Hugh knew he was being given opportunities.

—Including for Princess Octavia.

When she tried to avoid drinking what was probably a truth serum in the dining hall. He realized it was weak after she drank it. Thanks to that, dealing with the ‘comrades’ was easier.

The truth serum he was given after the semi-ball was much stronger. He could have used the same one.

—Stop, huh?

He laughed.

“It’s too late to stop now.”

There were countless opportunities to give up.

After hijacking the attack plan during the inspection, after the sabotage of the carriage failed, before and during the inspection.

Even now.

“I would choose the order I want to follow.”

—That’s right, Princess Octavia.

In his heart, he agreed.

“I will choose the order I want to follow.”

Choosing the order he wanted to follow, and achieving the desired outcome.

He decided.

He had no regrets.

Whether this plan succeeded or failed, his goal would certainly be achieved.