I caught the flu, so if the updates are delayed or can't be done, I'm sorry. I have some written in advance, so I think it should be fine.
"Damn...! Why did this happen?!"
It was the morning of the third day. While Erna was regretting, I felt that the decision was reasonable.
Because of what Krista said, I tried to stay as close to Kiell as possible while moving south. Erna, who was depressed on the first night, did not object to this decision. Her determination to win at all costs had faded.
As a result, the rate of encountering monsters drastically decreased from the second day. This was a natural outcome considering the habits of monsters.
Monsters have a stronger survival instinct than humans. Therefore, they avoid fighting individuals stronger than themselves.
"Al. Are you just going to stand here...?"
"Give me a moment. I'm thinking."
While saying that, I felt a sense of unease that things were going according to plan.
On the first day, Erna had wreaked havoc in the surrounding area. The sensitive monsters had judged Erna as dangerous and stopped approaching her.
This is common knowledge for adventurers, but as a knight, Erna lacked this knowledge. While she could defeat monsters, her understanding of them did not match that of adventurers. An adventurer would proceed cautiously and ensure they corner and defeat a big catch on the third day.
I had allowed this to happen because I wanted this scenario.
Currently, only our team, Gordon and Leo's team have defeated AAA-class monsters, and each team has only defeated one. We are provisionally in first place because we also defeated a pack of Bloodhounds, but that position is becoming precarious.
This is because I deliberately moved south. The reason is that only Leo and his younger brother are to our south. If Erna, who is being wary, moves south, the monsters that want to avoid her will also move south. This would effectively guide the monsters toward Leo.
When planning, I suggested using Silver to guide the monsters, but I implemented it with Erna. Thanks to this, Leo's team was also able to defeat an AAA-class monster.
While it is most certain that we will win, the best outcome would be for Leo to win. Our first day's achievements alone gave us a good chance of winning. Therefore, I switched to assisting Leo, but things are going too smoothly.
If Leo's team can defeat one more AAA-class monster, it would be perfect, but that might be asking too much.
A captain of the Royal Guard can defeat an AAA-class monster, but only the top captains can do so with ease. If Leo's team lacks the confidence, guiding the monsters would be futile.
Moreover,
"If we're going to move, I think it's about time..."
"Al...?"
"Hmm? Ah, sorry. I was just thinking that Eriq and Zandra are creepy..."
"Encountering an AAA-class monster is rare. I'm surprised we found three in the eastern region."
"That's true..."
"Captain! Your Highness! Look at this!"
While Erna and I were having this conversation, a knight showed us a crystal in a hurry.
It displayed the current rankings.
Our rank had dropped to second place. Above us was the name of the fifth prince, Carlos Lakes Arudler.
"What's going on?"
"That's... the rankings suddenly changed... They probably defeated two AAA-class monsters..."
"That's impossible! Only SS-class adventurers or top captains can do that! The captain with Carlos is the seventh. While not weak, it's impossible."
"They might not have fought head-on. They could have ambushed them or defeated AAA-class monsters fighting each other. There are various possibilities."
"Such coincidences can happen!?"
Of course, it's normal to think it's impossible. But it happened.
I see. So you couldn't hold back and showed your tail. I thought you were hiding for something bigger, but it makes sense for Carlos. He's simply being used by someone because he's stupid.
The fifth prince, Carlos, is 23 years old. He's an unremarkable man. He has never been praised as excellent or criticized as incompetent. However, he is dreamy and his conversations reveal a desire to be a hero.
If his hero complex can be stimulated, controlling him shouldn't be difficult.
"If it's not a coincidence, what do we do? Accuse them of cheating?"
"That's..."
"It's pointless to say it here. The deadline is the night of the third day. We'll do what we can."
While saying that, I had almost given up on finding monsters.
I'm sorry, but no monster will approach us with Erna around. It's impossible for us to make a comeback.
However, once Carlos is in first place, it doesn't matter anymore.
The old man said that winning the festival is not the goal. He, who won the throne through political maneuvering, is believable.
And the nightmare that Krista saw.
If we believe the nightmare where Kiell is surrounded by monsters, the scenario that unfolds is quite dire.
Of course, Kiell has a defense force, but the Royal Guard, who protect the emperor, are scattered in the eastern region with the emperor's children. The emperor is more vulnerable than ever.
The ones closest to Kiell are me, Leo, and Carlos. The rest are moving further away. The way they are maintaining a perfect distance suggests they are thinking about helping the emperor when Kiell is attacked. Carlos, I suppose.
What an idiot. It won't go as smoothly as he thinks.
"Please be smart..."
I whispered and prayed to the heavens that my brother would be smart.
ā ā ā
The ground was shaking.
Erna was the first to notice.
"Lie... this is..."
"Erna! What's happening!?"
I dismounted from the restless horse and asked Erna.
Something was definitely happening, but I couldn't grasp anything from where I was. I couldn't use magic in front of Erna either.
We had to rely on Erna.
Erna dismounted and put her ear to the ground.
Then she slowly stood up.
"...A large group of monsters is running... It's a 'tsunami'..."
"'Tsunami'...?"
"It's a phenomenon that occasionally occurs in areas with many monsters, where their movements overlap and result in a mass migration... The monsters in the eastern region must have fled en masse because we cornered them there..."
I see. So that's how you interpreted it.
That's the most reasonable explanation and it makes sense.
It's easier than using a monster-controlling flute. Carlos probably intends to ride it out that way.
However, as an adventurer, it's odd for monsters to flee in the same direction. A 'tsunami' usually occurs due to natural disasters like volcanic eruptions or major storms. The only thing that could cause that here is Erna. If they're fleeing from Erna, it makes sense, but the footsteps are quite close. It's too unnatural for them to ignore Erna.
"Where are they heading?"
"If this continues... I think they'll reach Kiell..."
"Can Kiell's defense force hold them off?"
"I don't think so... The captains of the Royal Guard are escorting the empress and the emperor's children back to the capital for the results announcement tomorrow, and there are only a few guards left with the emperor... There's no way they can stop them..."
The emperor should flee.
He should have enough forces to ensure his safety. However, that would be meaningless.
This festival is meant to ease the discontent in the eastern region. If a 'tsunami' occurs and the emperor flees, the discontent will only increase.
At worst, it could lead to a rebellion. If someone is planning this, using Carlos would be malicious.
In a battle, one can earn military merit. Whether it's Eriq or Gordon, their strategies ignore the civilian casualties.
After winning the throne, they will become the emperor. They should have the duty to protect the people...
"Are they the kind of people who shouldn't be emperor..."
"Al?"
"...Erna. If I tell you to save Kiell, can you do it?"
"Of course. Protecting the emperor and the people is our duty as knights."
"The number of monsters is unknown. It might be a death sentence?"
"I don't fear death."
"...What about everyone else?"
"Of course! We will protect this life with all we have!"
"We will definitely save Kiell!"
Erna's subordinates spoke bravely.
Words like not fearing death and risking their lives. I hate those words.
I don't want to hear such self-satisfying words.
"...Swear one thing. Erna. On your sword."
"Eh...? What should I swear to?"
"Swear to live. Everyone, swear to your swords that you will not die. If you can't swear, no one will go."
"Al..."
Erna, surprised, said my name, then knelt, planted her sword in the ground, and touched her forehead to the hilt. Her subordinates followed suit.
Then,
"Knight Erna von Amsberg swears on her sword that she will not die."
Everyone swore not to die.
This should be fine.
"Let's go! Al! If there are many monsters, it means we have a chance to turn things around..."
"No... I'll be a hindrance. You go without me."
Saying that, I forcibly removed the armband I was wearing. The armband that should not be removed. At this point, I am disqualified for breaking the rules.
"Al...?"
"No, I accidentally took it off while fiddling with it. It can't be helped. I'll just have a drink in a nearby town."
"Why... There was still a chance to turn things around! Why!?"
"I'm already disqualified. Don't worry about it. You didn't disqualify me; I disqualified myself. Don't worry."
If I had said I would stay, Erna and the others would have hesitated. To cut off that hesitation, I quickly disposed of the source of doubt.
The ranking in the festival is secondary to the emperor and the people's crisis.
"Al... You are..."
"Tell Father that I broke the armband."
If the emperor used the term 'winged pair,' a knight disqualifying a prince should not happen, even on the prince's orders.
By removing the armband, it's my responsibility.
It won't be used as a reason to blame Erna or the knights. If Kiell is saved, it won't be an issue, but if it isn't, the blame game will start. I can't give them an opening.
Erna seemed to understand this and had a teary expression.
The other knights were also looking down.
To my knights, I said,
"I order the knights."
"..."
"Save the emperor and the people in Kiell. The city can be lost if necessary. Prioritize human life."
"Your Highness's order... Understood."
"Also, Krista and Fiene are there. They're probably scared, so please take care of them."
"Yes... I'll leave some subordinates behind."
Erna answered with a mix of frustration, helplessness, and sadness.
The other knights felt the same.
In the midst of this, Sebastian appeared silently behind me.
"I will guard Your Highness. Please don't worry about it."
"Sebastian... Why..."
"I was worried, so I came to take care of the living arrangements. Please leave it to me, Lady Erna."
Erna, who was told that a guard was unnecessary, seemed slightly shocked. She might have interpreted it as not being allowed to protect. It's not that, but there's no time to clear up the misunderstanding.
However, as expected of knights, they all switched gears and prepared the horses.
When they were about to leave, I sent them off with my final words.
"My knights. I'm counting on you. I can only trust you."
The moment she heard those words, a tear appeared in Erna's eyes.
But she shook it off and drew her sword to answer.
"Knight Erna von Amsberg will fulfill Your Highness's wish! I will destroy all enemies and save Kiell with this sword and my name!"
"Alright, I'm counting on you."
Erna and the others took off at an incredible speed.
I had felt they were fast when riding together, but they had been holding back a lot.
When they were out of sight,
I called to my one and only butler.
"Sebastian"
"Yes, Your Highness."
"Prepare. It's time to act in the shadows."
"Understood."
Wearing my usual black robe and silver mask, I became Silver and left the scene with a teleportation spell.
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