Chapter 35

The main force of the duchy army moved together with the guardians of the sky.

Heltlauta stood before an old knight.

The old knight, whose right arm was covered in something black, was Vandel, the former Black Knight.

Heltlauta responded to Vandel, who was kneeling before her, with a cold tone.

"Didn't I say that I can't give you permission to sortie?"

Vandel remained silent, and a dignitary nearby explained the reasons against it.

"Lord Vandel, if the kingdom targets us, it will be a direct assault on our main force. We need you to deal with that heretic knight."

Heltlauta narrowed her eyes.

(The enchanted right arm... In the end, only Vandel could use it.)

Over ten people had sacrificed their lives to choose a knight who could use the enchanted right arm, but in the end, only Vandel survived with it.

Cuts appeared on Vandel's black right arm, and eyes emerged from them, looking around.

It looked as if he had been invaded by something.

Vandel covered those eyes with his left hand and apologized.

"Excuse me. It seems I still can't control it completely. Princess Heltlauta, please, allow me to rescue my lady—Princess Heltrude."

"I've already sent a rescue team. Are you trying to run away from another battle with the heretic knight?"

The duchy believed that if the kingdom were to make a move, it would be a direct assault on their main force.

They couldn't fight the guardians of the sky.

Therefore, they thought it was highly likely that Leon would lead the charge. The communication situation of the duchy army was as poor as that of the kingdom, and they were on high alert, but they didn't know when the kingdom's army would arrive.

"I can definitely rescue the princess."

Heltlauta smiled slightly at Vandel's words.

"You were my sister's favorite. Well, I've already sent a rescue team. It's fine to have someone check on the results."

Despite the dignitary's objections, Heltlauta ignored them.

Vandel stood up.

"Then I will sortie immediately."

"I'll have a fast airship prepared for you."

"It's unnecessary. This body—no, this armor is enough. An airship would only be a hindrance."

As Vandel left the room, the dignitary wiped cold sweat, seemingly afraid.

His gaze was on Vandel's right arm.

The black, discolored right arm looked ominous, and Vandel's eyes were bloodshot.

"Is that part of the Lost Item [Enchanted]? It looks like a monster."

Heltlauta leaned back in her chair.

"It's said to grant immense power at the cost of the user's life, but I never thought I'd see it in person."

"Can you defeat the heretic knight?"

"We will win. Even if we can't, we won't lose."

Heltlauta closed her eyes.

(Sister, please be safe. Vandel will come for you.)

◇

The sky above the capital.

The battle had ended, and airships were gradually gathering.

On the deck of the Partner, the figures of friends who had come from their territories on airships were visible.

Raymond was stunned by the sight of the capital.

"...It's in ruins."

"There's nothing you can do when attacked from the sky."

"Can we really win? We're in ruins after being attacked by thirty ships."

Facing the worried friends, I tried to encourage them.

"Don't think I'm going into battle without a secret plan. I've prepared well. Look."

In the direction of my gaze, a white, glowing airship was rising from underground.

The royal ship.

Luxion named it for convenience.

Its name is [Vais], which apparently means something like 'white' according to Luxion. It's quite fitting. I'd like to know the meaning of Arrogance too.

It must be something that suits me.

"Is that airship the secret weapon?"

"It's smaller than the Partner."

"Does it carry some amazing weapon?"

My friends showed interest, but they complained a lot about it being smaller than the Partner. The airship itself doesn't have the same performance as the Partner.

But Lieba and Anje are on board.

If the two of them, who have confirmed their love, are on board, that airship will surely display incredible power.

...Still, it's a complicated feeling.

The fact that they love each other... What does that make my position?

Daniel looked at me with concern.

"You don't look good. Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. More importantly, once we receive supplies, I'll explain the plan—"

As we were talking, something flew towards the palace.

What is it? I hurriedly confirmed with Luxion.

"What happened!"

'It's being confirmed now.'

The response was slower than usual, and it didn't sound like Luxion.

"Prepare Arrogance."

'It's being supplied and maintained. Please wait about ten minutes.'

And it's not flexible.

Looking at the palace, smoke was rising.

◇

Walking through the palace was Vandel.

Holding the magic flute, which was kept in a secure treasure room, in his left hand, he took up his greatsword, Adamantis, made of a special metal, from the storage.

Holding the greatsword, which was larger than his body, he smiled.

"Partner, I've come to rescue you. The princess is just a bonus."

Shouldering the greatsword, he faced the kingdom's knights standing in front of the door.

"Who are you!"

"Drop your weapon and surrender!"

Through the hole Vandel had opened in the palace, the floating armor of the kingdom was visible.

The knights, aiming their guns at him, pulled the triggers, but the bullets were deflected as if Vandel was protected by something invisible.

His right arm opened multiple eyes, which moved around, looking at the surroundings.

The knights were shocked by this sight.

"Monsters—shoot!"

The armor also entered the palace, trying to subdue Vandel.

But Vandel, jumping at the armor with his bare hands, swung the greatsword with one hand.

The armor was cut in half, and the knights were sliced.

The battle ended in an instant, and Vandel looked down at the knights.

"A weak bunch. Now, I must find the princess."

The eyes on his right arm moved and then all focused on one spot.

"I see, she's here."

Vandel walked, defeating knights and soldiers, until he reached the room where Heltrude was being held.

He roughly opened the door, and there was Heltrude, unharmed.

"Princess!"

All the eyes on his right arm closed.

"Vandel? Why are you here? I heard the duchy army lost."

The duchy army that had attacked had indeed been defeated.

Vandel regretted this.

"Pitiful fellows. They couldn't save the princess and lost to the spineless knights of the kingdom. Come, let's go back. Princess Heltlauta is waiting."

"...Lauda?"

Heltrude, handed the magic flute by Vandel, received it and saw an unbelievable sight.

"Princess, please step back a bit."

Suddenly, his right arm swelled, enveloping Vandel and transforming into armor.

The form resembled Arrogance in some ways.

However, the spiky, ominous appearance made it look more like a creature than a machine. It had bat wings, a reptilian tail with spikes.

Instead of mechanical sounds, the heartbeat-like thumping could be heard.

"Vandel, you wouldn't—use that right arm!"

Heltrude, who knew what it meant, shed tears.

This made Vandel a little happy.

(Please don't cry for me, Princess.)

"Why are you using such a thing!"

The voice of Vandel, now one with the armor, was muffled.

'Princess—this is the last service of this old man. Come, ride with me.'

He extended his left hand, and as Heltrude boarded, Vandel flew out of the palace.

There were many armors waiting, but—

'The kingdom's rabble! You are no match for me. Bring me the heretic knight!'

While protecting Heltrude in the air, he destroyed the kingdom's armors one by one with the greatsword in his right hand and fled.

Vandel saw the Partner, but Heltrude was in his left hand. His priority was to bring her back.

He could see Leon on the deck, but he decided to leave the battle to him.

'Von Baltz! I've retrieved the princess!'

Smiling as he saw Leon's regretful face, Vandel said,

'I'll settle things with you soon.'

The kingdom's army did not send a pursuit team after Vandel.

◇

Heltrude and the magic flute were both taken.

Actually, the black armor that rampaged looked familiar. I can't remember where I saw it, but it's bothering me.

Crossing my arms in thought, I was hit on the head by my second brother.

"Don't fall asleep!"

"It hurts. I'm not sleeping."

Holding my head, I looked at the airships floating around the Partner.

My friends, bound by contract, had come to help.

In the sky above the capital, there were also the kingdom's airships.

The airships of the lords who had rushed to help—nearly two hundred—were lined up and floating.

Father looked tense at the scene.

"I didn't hear that Leon would command this fleet. What's going on?"

From Father's perspective, he arrived to find his son as the commander-in-chief. It's understandable that he's surprised.

"I became the commander by momentum and enthusiasm."

"You can't just become a commander! It's not normal!"

My second brother was exasperated and shrugged.

"So? How are you going to defeat the duchy army? From a distance, that huge monster really looks like it can be defeated?"

Looking at the white ship, Vais, floating in the center of the airship fleet.

"I don't fight battles I can't win. I've prepared a trump card."

Father looked at me with a doubtful eye.

"Are you talking about Angelica and Olivia? You're sending those two to the battlefield? That's not right. It's not right. You like those two, don't you?"

...Don't say any more.

"I need those two."

Father was not convinced. Still, since I insisted, he seemed to give up.

"Make sure you protect them. If they die here, you'll regret it."

Does Father really see through things?

My second brother also looked at me with concern, so I smiled and replied.

"I know."

Interrupting our family conversation was Marie, shaking her head.

"Wait. Why am I on this ship?"

"Of course. The Partner will lead the charge. You'll be a shield, so work hard."

Reluctantly, I took the Holy Maiden's equipment from the temple and—

I need to make her work.

My second brother and Father tilted their heads.

"Who is this person?"

"I don't know either."

"This one? She's the Holy Maiden. I might use her as a shield when we charge."

The two of them looked at me with a "No way" expression.

"Using a girl as a shield, you're a disgrace as a father."

"Shut up. I use whatever works, even if it's a parent. I'll naturally use her too."

"You're the worst!"

I poked Marie's head and looked at her seriously.

"Work with your life on the line. If you do, I'll help with your pardon."

Marie held her head, tears in her eyes.

"If I die here, it won't mean anything!"

"How should I know! You take responsibility, no matter what. If you run, I'll kill you. I'll chase you to the ends of the earth and kill you."

Marie looked down, but I couldn't think of any other way to pardon her. If we lose, we die. Even if we win, she's a criminal who impersonated the Holy Maiden.

At the very least, she needs to fight with her life on the line—

"Marie, don't look so worried."

A rather flashy armor landed on the deck.

Seeing the red armor, I wanted to click my tongue.

"What are you doing here—guys?"

A red, blue, purple, and green—four pilots appeared and gathered around Marie.

"I, Greg Fou Sevarg, will protect you."

Marie, moved by the confident Greg, was in tears.

"You, you—"

"I can't be forgotten."

Chris took off his glasses and smiled at Marie.

"As long as we're here, everything will be fine."

Brad ran his hand through his hair and struck a pose, while Jilc extended his hand to Marie.

"Marie, this time we're with you. You're not alone."

"Everyone... I, I—"

Then, an armor landed on the bridge of the Partner.

"I'll join too!"

The white, glowing armor with a blue cape fluttering in the wind made me think.

"...No, go back."

The chest armor opened, and a masked knight emerged.

It's clearly Prince Julius.

In a tight pilot suit, with a mask and a cape. What are you trying to do?

Stop that ridiculous outfit. It's embarrassing.

However,

"Who is he?"

Jilc, who is supposed to be Prince Julius's foster brother and best friend, was genuinely surprised. No, it's a joke, right? He's just pretending not to know, right?

Greg stepped in front of Marie, protective.

His guard was up.

"Masked man, what are you doing here!"

...Huh?

I looked around. Everyone was genuinely surprised and on guard. Father and my second brother were surprised because they couldn't follow the situation, and the other four were genuinely surprised.

Chris even drew his sword.

"Marie, step back."

"Huh? But, that's—"

Brad summoned flames in both hands, ready to fight.

What's going on with you guys! That's clearly Prince Julius!

The masked Prince Julius landed in front of us.

As the four of them were on guard, he landed perfectly and slowly stood up—introducing himself.

"Who am I? Call me the 'Masked Knight.'"

"Masked Knight?"

Surprised, Jilc pointed his gun at the Masked Knight, and I really wanted to cry.

"Right. I was moved by your spirit. I'll help in my small way—what are you doing! Viscount Baltz, let go of me!"

"Come here, you idiot."

Putting my arm around the Masked Knight's neck, I separated him from everyone and we hid in a corner.

As I reached for the mask, Prince Julius held it with both hands to protect it.

"Why are you here, Your Highness?"

"N-no! I'm not Prince Julius. I have my reasons for not showing my face, but I've decided to participate in this battle as a knight. I'm not Prince Julius."

...Am I being made a fool of?

"Go back."

"Wait! Viscount Baltz, don't you need every bit of strength you can get right now!"

"I can't use a mysterious, unknown person. Go back."

"Wait! Fine."

He took off his mask, revealing his face to me.

"...I'm Julius."

"No, I know. I already noticed."

"What! My disguise was perfect."

"Are you making fun of me? Are you making fun of everyone else too?"

"Fine. I'll tell you the truth. I'm participating in this battle."

"Your return is that way."

I pointed to the exit, but this idiot clung to me.

"Please! I want to fight with everyone."

"If you die, it's my responsibility!"

"That's why I came in a mask!"

What's the point of wearing a mask?

"Go back!"

"No!"

If I send him back, he might follow and get himself killed. This bumbling prince is too dangerous.

What should I do?

Looking around, I saw Vais.

—Alright, then I'll gather them in one place.

If I put him on Vais with Lieba and Anje as his guards, it's the safest place. The defense is the strongest there, so the chances of survival are high.

However, if I tell him to stay back, he'll complain.

"...Are you serious?"

"Of course."

"Then, I'll put you in the most dangerous position."

"Front line? Ha, I understand, Viscount Baltz."

I wanted to punch this smiling face, but now is not the time.

"Don't be ridiculous. The key to this operation is Vais—the royal ship. We'll use the royal ship to defeat that huge monster. It's the place the enemy will target first."

Prince Julius's expression became serious.

If I put Marie there, she'll fight with all her might to protect them.

"I'll put Marie on board too. It's the most dangerous place where the enemy will surge. Do you have the resolve?"

The masked Prince Julius smiled.

"Leave it to me, Commander."

What a fool.

If I have to put Marie in the back, I'll endure if I can put those five in the back.

"Alright, go to Vais."

"Ah, I'll meet your expectations. ...By the way, I