Well, this is the second update for the 100,000 points commemoration. I managed to write it somehow.
A few days after Sieg joined our forces, I was using people to gather information from all over the imperial capital. Strangers and newcomers inevitably become the subject of rumors. I was trying to find Rebecca through these rumors.
"So? When will it be my turn?"
"Not yet. Your turn will come once we confirm that Rebecca is in the imperial capital."
"But will she really come to the imperial capital?"
I nodded without hesitation in response to Sieg's question.
She is the knight who escaped after the rebellious Baron Sittenheim entrusted her with a letter. The content of that letter is almost certainly an accusation. If that's the case, her goal is the imperial capital. If the southern nobles are involved, the only person she can appeal to is the emperor.
"She will definitely come to the imperial capital."
"Quite confident, aren't you? But how will you find someone you don't even know?"
"That's not a problem. I've obtained information from people in Bassau who know Rebecca and had a portrait artist draw a likeness. It should arrive today."
"It's my brother's instruction, not mine."
"Ah, as expected of the hero prince. His work is precise."
"Of course, this is based on a scenario he anticipated... Leo feels responsible and wants to protect Rebecca."
Baron Dennis von Sittenheim rebelled because Leo approached him. There was probably some kind of break with the organization before that. The trigger was definitely Leo. If Leo had acted sooner or if Rebecca had stayed in Bassau, this situation might have been avoided. Leo would feel responsible.
Sieg stuck out his tongue and looked exasperated.
Yeah, I guess so. I don't think Leo needs to think that much.
"That softness can save people too."
"Maybe. But excessive softness can be a weakness."
Sieg pointed out sharply.
As a seasoned adventurer, he's always serious in these situations. Adventurers constantly deal with life and death. They don't hesitate to kill monsters even if their companions die. If they get distracted, they might fail their mission and have nothing left. Adventurers know how to control their emotions.
"Don't worry. Leo's softness is deep-rooted. It's not half-hearted."
"That's not what I'm saying... I understand. I won't let any weaknesses arise. That's why I'm here."
"Good. I don't want to be put in a dangerous situation because of your softness. I'm only responsible for my own life, especially now."
"That's enough. If Rebecca enters the imperial capital, it will almost certainly turn into a covert battle. The organization's pursuers, Zandra's assassins, and possibly other imperial candidates might send assassins. If they get the accusation letter, they might negotiate with Leo. I need someone who can act safely in this situation. Sieg is perfect for that."
Whether Zandra is directly involved or not, the south is her power base. She would want to avoid a blow to her influence. The easiest and most certain way to deal with this would be to eliminate Rebecca and dispose of the letter. Conversely, to strike a blow to Zandra, the letter Rebecca has is necessary. Therefore, once she enters the imperial capital, she will definitely be targeted by multiple organizations. The outcome of this search for Rebecca could change the power dynamics. It might even eliminate Zandra from the imperial succession.
"Hey, kid. Can I tell you the most efficient method I just thought of?"
"Want to guess? Deliberately do nothing, let them fight it out, and then snatch Rebecca and the letter at the last moment."
"What, you thought of it too? Why don't you do it?"
It's true that it's the most efficient.
Sebastian and Sieg would have a high chance of success. However, doing that would mean using Rebecca as bait.
"If you were Rebecca, would you hand over the letter to someone who conveniently shows up at the last moment?"
"I would. It's too much trouble. I don't want to put myself in unnecessary danger."
"It's a difference in perspective. She's a knight. Her goal is probably to restore the honor of the Sittenheim family. She wouldn't hand over the letter to someone she doesn't trust. No matter how much danger she's in, the letter is more important to her than her life. It's her pride."
"Pride over life? Ridiculous."
"Yes, ridiculous. Life should be the most important. Still, knights stake everything on this ridiculousness. That's what makes them knights. They're different from us."
Pride alone can't do anything.
It doesn't make you stronger, and it doesn't put food on the table.
Still, knights praise their pride.
"Pride is unnecessary if you just want to live. But people are drawn to that extra something. A knight's pride isn't just personal. It's also built up over time. She carries the pride of the Sittenheim family. She wouldn't hand over the letter to Leo unless she trusts him."
"Knights are troublesome creatures."
"Still, you have the pride of an adventurer, right?"
"No, adventurers don't have pride."
"Really? I know many adventurers who have pride."
Adventurers are free. That's why they never waver from their core beliefs.
The parts outside their core are often very casual and careless, which is why adventurers are often seen as lawless. However, many adventurers have a strong sense of responsibility for the quests they take. If they act carelessly, their reputation will suffer, and they don't like that.
Sieg doesn't talk in detail about the forest he went to, which is also a matter of pride as an adventurer. He should talk about it, but he doesn't. I can sense his integrity in that.
"Hah. An adventurer with pride isn't an adventurer at all."
Sieg put a cookie in his mouth and finished his tea.
At that moment, the door opened.
"The portrait has arrived. And there's information that someone who looks like her has entered the imperial capital."
She had shoulder-length hair, a shade of brown close to orange, and a lively face.
She could be considered beautiful. That's just based on the portrait.
I showed the portrait to Sieg.
"Well, it's easier to look for a beautiful woman than a monster. Good news for me."
Sieg got ready to go out with the portrait.
I stopped him and had Sebastian bring something.
"Hey, do you need more restrictions?"
"Not exactly. It's inconvenient to carry a spear in that form, right?"
Sebastian returned quickly.
He held a small stick in his hand, about thirty centimeters long. I took it from him and pressed a button on it. The small stick transformed into a spear about two meters long.
"A transforming magic tool. How's that?"
I returned the spear to its original form and threw it to Sieg.
Sieg caught it and transformed it back into a spear.
"It's light... but not bad."
Sieg started swinging it easily.
Despite the many objects in the room, he didn't touch any of them.
Sieg stopped swinging and thrust the spear forward in an instant.
The spear stopped just in front of the teacup he had been drinking from.
"Good spear. What's its name?"
"Magic spear 'Ruin.' Use it if you like it."
"Sure, I'll use it—oh, right."
Sieg stopped as he was about to leave the room.
Sebastian, who was also heading out, left without a word.
The room was left with just me and Sieg.
"If you can't help her... prioritize the letter."
"I said I'd leave the method to you, didn't I?"
"I can't handle criticism later. The top priority is the letter. Is that clear?"
I just looked at Sieg straight.
Sieg was asking me if I was prepared.
If so, I would answer with my own resolve.
"I confirmed that. I won't allow any shortcuts. Help her with all your might. If you can't, prioritize the letter."
I leaned on the desk, folded my hands, and gave the order.
Sieg, who didn't expect such a strong presence from me, looked surprised.
"Got it. You have a good eye. Expect results."
Sieg left with Sebastian.
Leo will also search for Rebecca, but the key will be the actions of Sebastian and Sieg.
Whoever gets Rebecca will control the future situation.
The stage will be the night for a while.
The enemy will come with everything they have.
"Well, it's time for you to leave, Zandra."