Chapter 13

The chosen answer is——

"Yes. I am Raiji, a member of 'Silver Scales,' and also one of the people who was sucked into the Red Gate."

It was an admission.

The fact that I didn't hesitate seemed to surprise Referee-sama a bit.

"......Do you not know, Lord Raiji? Currently, 'Silver Scales' is being pursued by the Ref Magic Empire."

"I know they are being pursued. And there's one more thing I know."

"What is it?"

"'Silver Scales' is completely innocent."

"———"

This statement seemed unexpected, as Referee-sama's eyes widened.

"......Huh, huhuhu..."

After a while, he started to laugh, unable to hold it in.

"Huhuhu. I see, I see... huhu."

"Referee-sama...?"

Wilhelm-sama, taken aback by the sudden change, asked hesitantly.

Referee-sama, turning to him, opened his right hand and said,

"You may all leave. ——No, Wilhelm, stay behind."

"But—"

"This is an order."

Then, in unison, they all responded with a "Hah," took a salute, turned around, and disappeared somewhere, leaving Wilhelm-sama alone.

"I apologize, Lord Raiji."

"For what?"

"No... I wasn't testing you, Lord Raiji. The knights who remained there were worried about me. I certainly didn't mean to put pressure on you."

"......So you realized I was harmless?"

"Far from it!"

With a slap on his knee, Referee-sama spoke loudly.

"Admitting your affiliation and believing in your comrades from the bottom of your heart! That is the true form of a knight. I was deeply moved to meet such a fine man after so long."

"......Huh, huh."

"I will definitely take you to Count Series—though I intended to do so from the beginning. The messenger will take one to two hours to return, so you should rest for a while."

I responded with silence. The reason was that we had immediately engaged in battle, and after being brought to the tent, the questioning began. There was no way I could say, "Understood! I'll go to sleep!" in such a situation.

"I, too, would like to hear more, but I am restraining myself. How you returned from the Red Gate, for example? But I am not asking because I am thinking of your well-being. I will guarantee your safety. You won't be able to fight effectively if you're sleep-deprived, right?"

Indeed, if the Kingdom of Light Knights only considered their own interests, they would try to extract information from me right now. By not doing so and allowing me to rest, it was a consideration for me.

"......If that's the case."

"Wilhelm, show him the way."

"Hah."

Led by Wilhelm-sama, I was guided to a nearby tent. Inside, there was only a clean bed, and no one else was around.

After a silent bow, Wilhelm-sama also left. I sat down on the bed and fell back with a thud. Ah, this is bad. I'm really tired... Just as I was thinking that, I realized I had fallen asleep.

I guess I've become quite resilient.

"......Isn't it still strange?"

"There are young knights, so it's not strange."

"Me, a knight...?"

"Are you faltering now, Lord Raiji?"

The androgynous handsome Wilhelm-sama started to make sarcastic remarks.

I was currently under the magic airship "Moonflower."

I had been woken up by Wilhelm-sama and informed that we had made contact with Count Series. However, the meeting with the Count was to be part of the "diplomatic efforts of the Kingdom of Light Knights." Therefore, I had to play the role of one of the knights accompanying the disarmed Wilhelm-sama, which meant I had to wear the uniform of the Kingdom of Light Knights.

Since I had almost no luggage, I just needed to transfer it to a bag, but the uniform... It felt unfamiliar, and wearing a knight's uniform made me feel like I had to stand up straight.

"Wilhelm-sama, they are here."

Hearing this from a knight named Johann, Wilhelm-sama turned his face forward.

The swelling on his cheek, which had been hit by Referee-sama, had subsided. He must have used a healing spell.

This Wilhelm-sama, it turns out, is a distant relative of the royal family of the Kingdom of Light Knights.

However, in a kingdom where meritocracy is established, "skill is more important than bloodline," so he is not treated especially.

But when it comes to "diplomatic representatives," his "bloodline" comes in handy.

"Please, this way, everyone from the Kingdom of Light Knights."

A long, mobile staircase was attached, and a high-ranking official from Ref descended to guide us.

Normally, it would be unthinkable to allow people from other countries into the "Moonflower," a critical national facility, but given the current reliance on the military forces of the Holy Kingdom of Kurvaan, the Kingdom of Light Knights, and the Keithgran Federation, such considerations were no longer possible.

We were not asked to disarm—of course, if they had intended to attack, they would have done so already—and with Wilhelm-sama leading the way, we climbed the long staircase and reached the deck.

From there, we entered the ship and were guided through a narrow corridor to a room.

"This is it. I will wait here, so please call me if you need anything."

"Thank you."

After Wilhelm-sama nodded, Johann opened the door.

The room was a small conference room, surprisingly spacious. Wilhelm-sama entered, followed by his entourage, and I closed the door last—feeling the air become confined and the silence of soundproofing.

There were only two people in the room.

Across the long table was a handsome noble.

Next to him was the butler, Sebastian.

(Ah... nothing has changed.)

It had only been about two months.

Just two months ago, I was living with them.

The intense battles in the "Labyrinth of Nine Emotions," the Red Gate, and the "Underworld" made my life at the Count's mansion feel like it was from a long time ago.

"It is an honor to meet you, Lord Wilhelm. I am Viktor Series, who has been granted the title of Count in the Holy Kingdom of Kurvaan."

"I apologize for the sudden request to meet."

"Not at all, you are always welcome."

The Count smiled warmly, but even his suspicious smile felt nostalgic.

"Count, actually, the one with business is not me."

"......What do you mean?"

"Do you recognize him?"

I was pointed out, and for the first time, the Count and the butler's gaze turned to me.

Their eyes widened.

"It's good to see you again... Count."