Chapter 26

"Shall we walk? Are you okay with that?"

I thought it would be a long walk, given how worried he seemed, but it turned out to be only about ten or fifteen minutes.

Reuban walked at the front, and I followed behind him. Two knights walked behind me, and I was sure that the shadow or whatever it was followed behind them.

"Please explain what happened to Rias properly."

If Reuban couldn't, I would ask the knights. Thinking this, I addressed everyone, and Reuban, seeming to have regained some composure, answered.

"We caught almost all of those who attended the gathering of the more radical faction of the nobility within a few days."

It seemed various charges had come up. They were young and inexperienced, driven by youthful passion, and not much of a threat.

"His Excellency said he didn't want to leave even a fragment of concern. I told him it would naturally die out, but he wanted to resolve it as soon as possible. ——So, I became the bait."

If there were any remnants, Eidan and I wouldn't be able to return to the mansion. Rias must have wanted to end it quickly.

"We spread the rumor that Lady Cynthia had returned from the royal family, and I wore a wig..."

I see, that's why the makeup. The knights are all too burly. You're slender, Reuban.

"The enemy fell for the trap and was lured in. But in the end, the mansion and His Excellency were attacked with an explosion spell..."

That's why there was smoke.

My chest felt constricted.

"The damage was minimized with earth magic, but His Excellency shielded us at the front..."

It felt like everything went dark. I struggled just to move my feet.

When we emerged from the hidden passage, it looked like an ordinary house.

Apparently, it was connected to an abandoned house's basement in the capital.

We got into an inconspicuous carriage. From here, it was just a short distance to the Pensilnia residence.

"Please don't worry too much, ma'am. His Excellency has suffered much worse injuries on the battlefield. Today's injury is nothing compared to that."

I must have looked pale, as the knight tried to reassure me.

"But there was so much blood...!"

Reuban tried to say more, but another knight stopped him with a hand.

"Shut up, fool. ——Ma'am, Reuban has never accompanied His Excellency to the battlefield, so he was just shocked."

"You fought with Rias in the war, didn't you?"

"Yes. I don't know anyone as strong as His Excellency."

"I fought alongside him too. ——I might get scolded for saying this, but is it okay if I tell you something I've wanted to talk about?"

The knight sitting next to me, who had been hesitant, spoke up.

Ah, this is the captain of the Pensilnia knights.

I only realized it now. I must have been quite shaken.

The Pensilnia knight is young. The captain seems to be about the same age as Rias.

"——About the previous war, when the former crown prince passed away."

"My brother."

About four years ago. The neighboring country, Shan, suddenly declared war and began its invasion.

It was a military nation that had been invading other countries. There had been talk that it might eventually invade us, so we were prepared.

We quickly obtained the information, and Pensilnia immediately led the army. The main force, led by the crown prince, was dispatched to the border in full readiness.

It shouldn't have been a losing battle.

While there are no absolutes in war, it's ultimately about numbers. We had a clear advantage in both weapons and troops.

"The crown prince, upon arrival, launched a preemptive strike on his own initiative. ——The result was disastrous. We were too late, and by the time we arrived, the kingdom's army was almost completely destroyed."

"Why did my brother..."

"At the time, the Marquis Marcel was the crown prince's close advisor. It seems he was in a hurry for success."

Marcel was part of the noble faction. Was he close to my brother?

I don't remember.

"He was a kind person. He had no interest in war or politics."

The captain's face twisted in sorrow.

"His Excellency tried to save the crown prince, but he was already severely injured and unable to move."

The end of my childhood friend, who hated conflict, was witnessed by Rias.

What did Cynthia say to such a Rias?

You, who should have protected my brother, let him die and returned unscathed—something like that.

"The invasion by Shan was stopped at the border because Pensilnia's army, despite suffering devastating losses, held off the enemy's fierce attack. The main force of the kingdom's army was almost gone, and only a handful of Pensilnia's soldiers remained. Then, His Excellency charged into the enemy camp and took the enemy general's head."

How brutal the battle must have been. I can't even imagine.

"That's why Pensilnia's knights are all young."

The captain's quiet voice echoed in the carriage, almost drowned out by the sound of the wheels.

"......"

Taking independent action in war is a serious crime. It's not something a crown prince should do, let alone be allowed. Moreover, many soldiers lost their lives as a result.

The royal family had to provide substantial compensation to the families of the fallen soldiers.

And to Pensilnia as well.

Moreover, Pensilnia is the leading ducal family among the nobles. It wouldn't be enough to just compensate the family.

——That's why the marriage of Princess Cynthia.

Handing over the princess with the power of light to Pensilnia...

"His Excellency took on the role of the scapegoat and kept it a secret. To prevent Lady Cynthia's heart from being clouded, despite her admiration for the former crown prince."

That's what Reuban meant before. Who was to blame—because of the former crown prince, many lives in Pensilnia were lost.

"I'm just compensation, then."

The crown prince's independent action is kept secret. Only those who went to war and those close to the king know.

I didn't know how to react.

My vision blurred, and I felt like I was collapsing from my feet.

Where does it start? Where does it end? What is my truth, and what is everyone else's truth?

"You wanted to say that I was being selfish and not considering my position, didn't you?"

Looking at Reuban, he lacked his usual vigor.

He must have his reasons, but he didn't deny it.

"Ma'am, neither His Excellency nor we ever thought of you as compensation for staying in Pensilnia."

"That's right, ma'am. We are honored to have you as the lady of Pensilnia, and we are grateful for the privilege of protecting you. We have no desire to ask anything of you."

The two knights spoke with a strong, unwavering tone.

Indeed, I had never felt such an atmosphere from the knights or the servants in the mansion. They had always been warm and considerate.

But given the many sacrifices, there are those who think like Reuban.

The carriage began to slow down.

We passed through the familiar gates of the mansion.

"I know this isn't the time to talk about it, but... His Excellency seems to be possessed by something. He forced a marriage with you and then put you in a life-threatening situation. He wants to make amends to you. ——He wants you to take that heavy burden off his shoulders. I won't ask you to forgive him. I just want you to tell him that he doesn't need to blame himself anymore."

The carriage stopped in front of the mansion gates.