Chapter 485: Leaving the Raven Kingdom

Erwin-sama came to our secret hideout and officially named the armor “Rokia’s Armor.” He said he didn’t want to name it after some ancient hero because people might start comparing him to that hero… apparently.

It seems that Erwin-sama is surprisingly sensitive on the inside. I didn’t have any strong preference, so I agreed to the name.

This time, Erwin-sama put on the armor, and we conducted a test with it equipped. Of course, Sister-in-law Daniela and Sophia-sama objected to this, but if we didn’t do it, Erwin-sama wouldn’t be satisfied.

I decided to take their place and cast magic at him myself. I gradually stepped up from beginner to advanced magic. Once I had tested a few reasonably powerful spells, the test concluded.

“Magic really doesn’t work on it…”

Erwin-sama was left stunned. He didn’t expect it to be this effective. But hey, it is the legendary Rokia’s Armor. Let’s just say it makes sense for it to have this level of performance.

“With this, I think it can defend against Bone Dragon attacks to a certain extent.”

“Thank you, Julius-sama. With this, I can definitely fight the Bone Dragon on equal footing, or better.”

As Erwin-sama reached out for a handshake, I grasped both of his hands firmly in return. My grip also conveyed, “If you make Sophia-sama—Sister-in-law Daniela’s best friend—cry, I won’t forgive you.” Erwin-sama squeezed back firmly as well.

“I heard you could use all kinds of magic, Julius, but it was really true.”

Alex-niisan, is now the time to say that? I gave a wry smile, unsure how to respond, but Sister-in-law Daniela stepped in to help. She smiled sweetly at both of us.

“It’s the first time I’ve seen it, too. I’m sure he’s been keeping it a secret from everyone until now.”

After saying that, she giggled. But there was something forceful behind that laughter, almost like a heavy pressure. It felt as if she were saying, “Everything that happened here is a secret.”

It seemed I wasn’t the only one who noticed it. Sophia-sama and Erwin-sama also had stiff expressions.

“Of course, I won’t tell anyone what happened here. This stays between us. Right, everyone?”

“Y-Yeah, right. I won’t tell anyone.”

Sister-in-law Daniela nodded with a smile, clearly satisfied that her message had gotten across. Scary.

Never make Sister-in-law Daniela angry. Just don’t. Absolutely not.

Erwin-sama carefully stored Rokia’s Armor into a wooden box and, saying he would begin preparations for the Bone Dragon subjugation, left the secret hideout.

“At this rate, I imagine he’ll head out for the subjugation as early as tomorrow.”

“Yeah. The longer it takes, the more damage it causes. I’m sure the other countries are watching closely, too.”

“All the more reason not to let it drag on any further.”

Alex-niisan and Sister-in-law Daniela were right. We couldn’t afford to prolong the fight with the Bone Dragon any longer. The Kingdom of Raven was desperate. Even now, the royal castle’s alchemy rooms were likely filled with potion-makers crafting magical elixirs.

After having lunch at the secret hideout and taking some time to relax, we returned to the royal castle.

Inside the castle, more people were rushing about than when we had left that morning. Most of them were knights clad in armor or mages in robes. It looked like preparations for the subjugation squad were nearly complete.

Back in the guest room, I spoke up to Alex-niisan.

“Alex-niisan, now that we’ve done all we can here, perhaps it’s time we returned to the Heine Frontier Count’s territory?”

“Yes, I was just thinking the same. Let’s leave before noon tomorrow. Daniela, what do you think?”

“That sounds fine. Thank you both for going along with my selfish requests.”

Sister-in-law Daniela bowed her head to us. Why would she do that? We’re family now. There’s no need for her to bow her head.

“Please don’t do that, Sister-in-law. All you need to say is, ‘Julius, well done. You’ve earned some praise.’”

She lifted her face, momentarily surprised, then broke into laughter. That made me laugh, too, and so did Alex-niisan. That’s right. Smiles are far better than bows.

“You did great, Julius. I’ll give you a reward later.”

“I am most honored.”

I knelt before her, and Sister-in-law Daniela and Alex-niisan laughed at the sight. Lionel, Nero, and the other attendants in the room laughed too. Of course, so did I.

“You’re leaving already? You could wait until the subjugation party returns…”

“That’s not really an option. We have no connection to the subjugation party. We can’t impose any further.”

Sister-in-law Daniela and Sophia-sama were reluctant to part. But Sister-in-law Daniela didn’t seem willing to stay. She was surely concerned for Sophia-sama and Erwin-sama, but if we lingered any longer, we might cause unnecessary trouble. She understood that—probably even better than I did.

“Alex-sama, Julius-sama, thank you both for everything. Please come again when the country has settled down. You’re always welcome.”

“Thank you. We’d be happy to.”

“Take care, Sophia-sama.”

There probably aren’t many frontier houses that receive such treatment from royalty. It was an exceptional gesture. But with Sister-in-law Daniela being a royal herself, perhaps it was only natural.

With Sophia-sama seeing us off, we left the royal castle.

The subjugation party had already departed early that morning. We didn’t get a chance to say goodbye to Erwin-sama, but we’d likely see him again. I didn’t believe he’d die in this battle.

Our carriage moved smoothly along the road.

After a while, things suddenly became noisy around us. At the same time, the carriage came to a halt.

“What’s going on? What happened!?”

“Alex-sama, over there… there’s a pillar of light…”

“A pillar of light?”

Alex-niisan, Sister-in-law Daniela, and I stepped out of the carriage. In the direction of the Kingdom of Raven, a pillar of light was shooting up into the sky. Perhaps realizing what it was, they leaned in to ask me.

“Julius, that pillar of light—what is it?”

“I believe it means the Gatekeeper’s power has been released. That holy sword can open the gate to paradise.”

“The gate to paradise?”

“Yes. Any undead-type monster—no matter how strong—can be sent beyond the gate to paradise.”

Alex-niisan and Sister-in-law Daniela turned around to gaze up at the pillar of light.