Chapter 14

With a flood of complex emotions, I could barely manage to say that much.

The Earl, placing his hand on the table with a thud, hurried over to me and said,

"Mr. Reiji! You were alive...! I'm so glad, so glad, truly glad...!!"

He enveloped my face with both his hands.

"———"

I never thought he would do something like this.

I never thought he would show so much emotion.

I never thought he would have such—affection for me.

Our parting was far from good. I exposed the Earl's crimes alongside Miss Eva and said I would "take" her, the Earl's only daughter, and left the Earl's mansion.

I couldn't blame him if he hated me.

Yet, the warmth from the Earl's cheeks on mine was genuine.

"I caused you worry..."

Seeing the Earl's teary eyes, I unexpectedly felt tears welling up, but I managed to hold them back. On the contrary, the butler, Sebastian, had taken out a handkerchief to cover his eyes. The butler, who always put the Earl first, might have been overwhelmed by seeing the Earl so emotional.

"…I didn't expect such an emotional reunion."

When Wilhelm said this,

"Excuse me—I was just so surprised. Lord Wilhelm, could you explain why Mr. Reiji is here?"

"Of course."

Then we sat down at the table and continued the conversation.

Wilhelm explained that I had appeared near the Holy Knight Kingdom's camp, and he had arranged this meeting with the Earl because my appearance was inappropriate. He didn't mention the "duel," but I'm not that cruel a man to press the issue.

"I see… Indeed, with the current situation regarding the 'Heroic Armament,' it's convenient that you came as a knight of the Holy Knight Kingdom."

The Earl then explained the current situation.

Luluza had discovered the "Heroic Armament" and tried to lend it to various countries for research. However, they had disappeared, and some accused Luluza of making false reports.

The Emperor was undecided, and since he hadn't seen the "Heroic Armament" himself, he had Luluza detained to prevent her from fleeing. The "Silver Scales" were similarly detained, but the misunderstanding that they were "criminals" led to their escape.

(…What a terrible situation.)

Now, we need to figure out how to close the "Red Gate," but greedy people want the "Heroic Armament" for themselves.

I feel sorry for Luluza, Dante, Mimi, and Non, who got caught up in this. Muge was even directly harmed and is currently being treated.

(…I can't forgive this.)

Before I knew it, I was clenching my fists in my lap.

"The situation here is as I've just described. So… Mr. Reiji, can you tell us what happened?"

"Of course, I have no problem with that."

"What about the people who were sucked in with you, especially the High Elf, Anastasia?"

This must be a crucial point, as the Earl's voice was forceful, and Wilhelm leaned forward slightly.

Ashia, who came from the "Three Heavens Forest" in exchange for a magic airship, is a symbolic figure connecting the Kiesgran Federation and the Rev Magic Empire. As a High Elf, she is of noble lineage among the Elves who rarely leave the forest. Her whereabouts are extremely important for the future relations between the Empire and the Federation.

"Anastasia is safe."

When I answered, the knights let out a small gasp.

"She should be in the Muel Margrave's territory by now."

"What…?"

"!?"

Clearly, they hadn't expected this. The handsome Earl and the androgynous handsome knight looked shocked. I had said I came from the Margrave's territory, so they should have considered this possibility, but Wilhelm seemed surprised.

"Did you also come from the Margrave's territory, Mr. Reiji?"

"Yes."

"Why were the two of you who were sucked into the Red Gate—"

"Earl, please wait a moment."

I interrupted the Earl's rapid-fire questions.

"Before we continue, may I ask… Is Miss Eva here?"

"Oh, yes… That's right. Eva is on this ship."

I was taken aback.

I never thought I would have the chance to meet Miss Eva so soon after such a farewell.

"Sebastian, can Eva come here?"

"That… It would be better if she rested now…"

"Is something wrong with Miss Eva?"

When I asked,

"Actually, she has a role to play… She is quite exhausted. Of course, she isn't injured or ill, but—"

"Can I see her…?"

"That's fine."

I felt relieved.

"We'll arrange a time later. By then, 'Black Pirate' Lark will have returned, and Eva will have fulfilled her role."

"……"

I was stunned.

Did I hear that right?

"Black Pirate… Lark?"

Lark… That Lark?

My sister, Lark?

Come to think of it—right. Right, right, right! Lark was here. Lark was on this "Moonflower"! Why didn't I realize that? Lark stole the "Moonflower," and if the Empire is using this airship now, it must have been transferred from Lark to the Empire.

"Um, Lark—"

My heart rate was much higher than when I asked about Miss Eva. As I was about to stand and ask the Earl, I heard what I thought was a thunderclap.

Even in the soundproofed conference room on the airship, I thought I heard a tremendous thunderclap.

But it wasn't thunder.

A shockwave that shook the "Moonflower" hit us moments later.

"What—"

The Earl looked around, and the knights, including Wilhelm, stood up and placed their hands on their swords.

By then, I was already—

"Mr. Reiji!"

Rushing out into the corridor.

The Leif guide, who had been knocked down by the shock, was there. I dashed back the way I came, ran up the stairs, and reached the deck.

"——!!"

The first thing I saw was the Red Gate. It had expanded to about twice its size from yesterday.

Leaning out from it was a massive monster.

Purple fur with black stripes. If the purple had been yellow or orange, I would have recognized it immediately—but this was a color I had never seen before.

But the face was that of a tiger.

"Terminus Fang!!"

One of the eight giant species inhabiting the "Other World"—a super-giant tiger monster—had forcibly widened the Red Gate and was now descending to the ground of this world.