I never would have thought that the kid from back then would show up here. Haha.
Due to the Fiene being escorted by the House of Yushaku, we were able to move with peace of mind.
For two days, we had been warning the supporters that Zandra might target, but on the night of the second day, Zandra finally made her move.
"An enemy, it seems."
"They've come."
While we were riding in the carriage, Sebastian informed me of this.
Even though it was expected, I still sighed. She must be quite hot-headed. By attacking here, she's essentially giving the advantage to Gordon and Eric. With Sebastian by my side, even if they succeed in assassinating me, their forces will be weakened. They would then face attacks from two factions and be made a target for assassinating me.
"She can't see the bigger picture, can she?"
"In a sense, she can see it. Targeting you shows high standards."
"Thanks, but it's a real nuisance."
"Indeed. It would be nice if the strategists under Princess Zandra could do their job."
Zandra's faction is built on the foundation of mages.
Of course, there are others in her faction, but the best civil and military officials flow to Eric and Gordon. As a result, Zandra's subordinates lack politically savvy strategists. Despite having many powerful mages, she cannot surpass Gordon and Eric for this reason.
If she had an excellent strategist and could take their advice, it would be a different story.
"I'll take care of it."
"Got it. I'll head to the castle."
"Be careful. There might be ambushers."
"We'll deal with it when it happens."
After this conversation, Sebastian leaped out of the moving carriage.
Most likely, there are ambushers. I only have the carriage driver. From the enemy's perspective, they must think they've successfully lured Sebastian out. If that's the case, a well-informed assassin should appear next.
I'll use this opportunity to gather more information.
As I was scheming, the carriage driver screamed.
"Ah!!! Prince! There's someone in front of us!?"
"Never mind. Keep going."
"Bu-but! I don't want to die!"
He must have realized the person in front was an assassin.
The young driver stopped the carriage and fled, leaving me behind.
I sighed in the carriage. As expected, but this makes things easier. I'm just disappointed by my lack of popularity. If Leo were here, he wouldn't have run away.
"Come down. I don't want to drag you out of the carriage."
"Just want to confirm your face, right?"
I replied in a low voice to the assassin's plausible words and got out of the carriage.
In front of the carriage stood a middle-aged man with short brown hair. His face exuded a sense of authority, giving off the aura of a seasoned warrior. Zandra seems to be serious. He's probably one of the top five in her faction.
At first glance, he seems to have the strength of an A-rank adventurer.
For an assassin, who specializes in surprise attacks, to have this level of strength means he's quite skilled. If an A-rank adventurer suddenly appeared behind you, even someone of the same rank would find it difficult to survive. Assassins are different from adventurers; they are professionals at killing.
"Pity that your servant ran away."
"My lack of popularity isn't new."
"I see. You don't lose your composure over this. Is it because of your trust in your butler?"
"Exactly. Sebastian will come and take care of you soon."
"Unfortunately, even that butler will take time to deal with twelve assassins and reach here."
"Maybe."
I remained calm.
The man, perhaps seeing this as a bluff, approached me with a wry smile and created a short sword made of flame in his hand.
"My orders are to assassinate, but I won't kill you. I'll just incapacitate you and bring you to my master."
"I don't want to go to my sister, who loves torture."
What a considerate subordinate.
Kidnapping is better than assassination in this case. If I go missing, there are many possible responses. Eric and Gordon won't put all their efforts into rescuing me. If I'm lucky, I might be able to replace an advisor.
I just need to be taken out of the capital before the search begins and then be tortured. If my spirit breaks, it will be a win for Zandra. Even if I'm rescued, a broken spirit won't reveal anything about Zandra. Or, they could drive me to insanity, which would be more damaging and less risky than assassination.
"Pity. If you're going to blame anyone, blame your younger brother."
With that, the man threw the flaming dagger.
But I have a defensive barrier around me. That level of magic can't break through.
I was ready, but the flaming dagger was deflected by a sword from the side.
"!?"
"Who are you?"
"A passing adventurer."
I was surprised and turned to the intruder.
It was a girl with brown hair in a ponytail. However, with her deep cap and casual attire, she looked like a boy.
I recognized her.
She was the A-rank adventurer who had been tasked with slaying the Mother Slime in the Kleinert Duchy.
"If you're an adventurer, step back. You haven't been hired for this, have you?"
"No, I haven't been hired. I don't know who the person behind you is or why they're being attacked. I have no obligation to help them."
"Then why—"
"But it feels wrong to see someone killed right in front of me. And the servant has abandoned them. It would be unfair not to help, right?"
"You... siding with them means you're making an enemy of a noble. Is that fine with you?"
"Better to regret helping than to regret not helping."
The man immediately saw the girl as an enemy.
He took out two short swords and threw them at her. They weren't magical like before.
The girl deflected them with her sword, but immediately behind her, an ice dagger was waiting. If she dodged, it would hit me.
The girl responded with a remarkable move, transforming her sword into a shield and blocking the ice dagger.
"A sword that can change shape? That's a unique weapon..."
"I found it in a certain ruin. It can do this too."
She then transformed the shield into a spear and swung it around as she slowly approached.
At first, it seemed like an ordinary spear, but it soon became clear that it was not.
"Ugh...!?"
"The sound is impressive. It can even put powerful monsters to sleep."
"Sound...!"
The spear was emitting a sound that induced sleep. I couldn't hear it, but the man seemed to be hearing a lullaby.
A troublesome ability. Falling asleep in the middle of a serious fight is no joke. Even if he resists the drowsiness, he won't be at his best.
The man must have realized this.
He quickly put distance between himself and the girl, glanced at me, and then spat and retreated.
Sebastian arrived right after.
"What's the situation?"
"You saved me just in time. Thank you."
"No, I can't stand to see someone killed. By the way, you seem noble from the carriage?"
"Yes, sorry. I'm Arnold Reiks Ardler, the seventh prince of the empire."
"Seventh prince? I see, the imperial succession dispute. Helping someone can lead to unexpected outcomes."
She took off her hat and knelt on the spot.
A somewhat androgynous but well-featured face appeared. She was probably around my age.
"Prince, my name is Linfea. As a token of gratitude for saving my life, could you do me a favor?"
No, I never asked you to save me. I lost the opportunity to capture the enemy assassin.
Despite this, she doesn't know I'm Silver. As Prince Arnold, I can't refuse this favor. If I do, no one will help me or Leo.
But from experience, I know this will be a troublesome matter.
However,
"Let's talk at the castle. Please get in the carriage. I'm not sure if I can help, but—"
I invited Linfea into the carriage, setting up a final line of defense.
Truly, one problem after another never ends.
I sighed softly, unable to do anything but lament.
---
How about that, surprised?
The new heroine was already introduced!
If you were surprised, please consider following me m(__)m