36. Strategy meeting (1)

　Gilbert was sitting hunched in the corner of the room, his back against the wall, his head in his hands.

　I had finally reunited with brother, whom I had chased with the sole intention of helping him, and even though that was the reason I came all the way here in the first place, I’m at a loss.

　─ ─ It’s strange, I was prepared to be scolded, but this…

　While asking myself this question, I timidly looked up only to see my brother smiling a smile filled with more kindness than I had ever seen before. Next to him was Dolph, his expression stern but also dismayed.

　–Your smile is scary. Also, you’re too close.

　I shudder at the feeling that this smile is definitely angry. I feel like a mouse cornered by a tiger. After all, with my body no longer able to hold a sword, I have dragged everyone else into the chase, and in the end, I have nearly died before we could meet again.

　I almost died, I am certainly aware of that.  

　Looking back, even though I was exhausted and paralyzed by the poison, my judgment at the end in that village was not very praiseworthy. Now that I think about it calmly, I don’t think a blow from the battle axe would have bought me enough time to retreat. It would have been a suicidal act.

　Whether it was pathetic or unbecoming, there seemed to be no other way but to shout for everyone there to get into the carriage, and to do the same myself. But that choice would have put my friends and loved ones in danger.

　That’s why my body moved.

　─ ─ At that time, for some reason, I was sure of what was going on. I would defeat the undead beasts, and  eat a big bowl of dinner prepared by Flora. And I  could even imagine the look of joy on Flora’s face when she brings out the huge dinner that she had made for us.*

　That excuse wouldn’t work on Lionel, I thought, glancing over at him. I still don’t really understand what happened after that, or why I’m safe and sound.

　A large hand reached out and placed itself firmly on my head. Then he stroked my head so hard that my hair became a mess.

“Gilbert, you made it out alive.”

　Lionel laughed so happily, which made me feel extremely uneasy.

　After a while, a butler came to the room by order of the lord and moved us to a large room.

　The lord of the house and the surrounding area, the city officials, members of the private army, clergy, mercenaries, Gilbert, Mr. Dolph and others were gathered in the room.

　Lionel, seated in the center of the room around a large table, exhaled deeply then looked up.

“…Well then,  let’s review the situation and discuss what to do from tomorrow onwards.”

　With that last word, Lionel’s demeanor changed completely.

　The charming smile he had been wearing just a moment ago was gone, and now his expression was serious and radiant, with a sharp light that dwelled in the depths of his eyes. The air in the room changes as well.

　But it was more out of encouragement than intimidation.

　It seems like a powerful ray of light in this increasingly anxious situation.

　a slight smile brushed onto Gilbert’s lips. He then turned his attention to the man he admired more than anyone else, his half-brother.

　Nowadays there are many types of knights. Some who pledge absolute loyalty to their lord, and others who pledge loyalty to their country and its people. Lionel is of the latter.

　He may have parted company with the king and paints his shield black, but the core of his loyalty will never disappear.

　The lord rose to his feet.

“I didn’t get a chance to greet you properly during the day. I am Yuan Kelvim. I am in charge of this territory and have been given the title of count, but in reality I am no more than a farmer. There is no need for politeness.”

　After saying this, Count Kelvim opened a leather map. The map roughly outlined the geography of the area around his domain.

“Until the annexation of the Kingdom of Ziemeld a hundred years ago, this territory was the northernmost tip of the country.”

　Hearing these words, Gilbert nodded his head in understanding. Both the private soldiers and the mercenaries were familiar with the original magical beasts and were accustomed to fighting them. The northern region of the country had a higher frequency of appearance of magical beasts than the others, and in addition, the knowledge they had gained over the years as the former northernmost territory was likely a valuable asset.

　In the northern part of Kelvim’s territory, a deep forest spreads out and extends all the way to the northern mountain range. The forest is unexplored and does not belong to any country. The forest, untouched by man, is the home of magical beasts.

　Diagonally adjacent to the northeast, where the Kingdom of Ziemeld once stood, is the Ziemeld Dukedom.

“Have you received any news from the Ziemeld territory?”

“No. I only heard through the rumor mill that annihilation of the remnants was completed immediately after the Royal Knights withdrew.”

　In response to Lionel’s question, Count Kelvim sighed with a sour look on his face.

“We had already wiped out all the large and medium sized monsters, but still, due to the nature of the undead immortal beasts, it was imperative to search for and check for any that had been missed But before we could do that, His Majesty ordered us to return…”

　Lionel frowned with regret.

“It was planned that the Knights of Ziemeld would take over the search after the retreat. But after our return, His Majesty said the strangest things.”

“That is ……?”

“He said that if the undead beasts were completely eliminated, the value of the holy sword would decrease. I asked him what he meant, but he didn’t answer.”

　Silence fell over the room.

“……, you don’t mean to say that His Majesty and the Duke of Ziemeld conspired to intentionally let us fail to finish the kill?”

“I don’t know yet. It’s just… ……”

　Lionel pointed to the easternmost point of the map.

“The virgin forest borders the neighboring country to the east. If the undead beasts are left unchecked, they will eventually spread through the forests and cause similar damage to neighboring countries.”

“Don’t tell me they’re not trying to make use of the Holy Sword as a political tool ……?”

　Lionel shakes his head as if to reply that he still didn’t know.

“The Prime Minister spoke some nonsense, saying that we might one day lend our Holy Knights to a neighboring country. I hope that was just a flippant remark from the Prime Minister. If not, it is very foolish.”

　Gilbert, who had been listening silently, clenched his hands in anger. The scene from the day flashed in his mind. It is hard to believe that the attack of that undead beast is something that can be used for human plotting.

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