Kays Translations

Chapter 47: The Knight’s Son and the Third Prince

Ulysses stood before Ren with the same helpless smile.

“Ulysses-sama!”

“It has been some time. And I owe you an apology. I truly did not want to involve any of you, so His Highness and I intended to resolve this ourselves.”

“Then…”

“You already understand, do you not? You have determined where we plan to wait for the enemy.”

Ren nodded.

“Come with me.”

Ulysses led him outside, the sound of their leather shoes echoing through the corridor.

“I should apologize as well,” Ren said.

“For what?”

“For trying to hear the plan merely because I was worried, even though you were keeping it from us out of concern.”

“I understand. In truth, it would have been more unsettling if you had never asked.”

“Unsettling?”

“You are far too courageous. We would be more worried if you learned something on your own and began acting in secret. I am relieved you spoke honestly.”

Ren knew that impulse was part of his nature. He sometimes acted even while understanding that his behavior might be unwise, and his expression became awkward.

“So that was another reason you tried to keep me away.”

“Yes, but I also refused to involve House Clausel, to whom I owe a tremendous debt. We shared what absolutely had to be shared, but I hoped the family would leave the rest to us.”

Ren and Ulysses apologized to each other, then laughed. A small misunderstanding had existed between them, and both recognized it.

“Between us, I have spent most of my life fighting alone,” Ulysses said with a bitter smile. “I had no true companions and never learned how to rely on anyone.”

Ren was much the same, though he would have denied it if confronted. He too had faced many battles alone and had carried too much by himself whenever the Demon King cult was involved.

The same tendency had appeared on the plains where he met Radius.

Both Ren and Ulysses were particularly prone to deciding everything by themselves.

“I heard you were worried about me,” Ulysses continued.

“You heard that part too?”

“Just in time. It made me happier than I can express. At my age, I did not expect words capable of warming my chest like that. They also forced me to reflect.”

“I am still sorry for interfering.”

“That is enough. Let us agree that both of us were too inclined to act alone.”

They shook hands while walking and felt that they understood one another better than before.

“We already have sufficient forces,” Ulysses said. “We have prepared carefully so that we can face the Demon King cult without causing you or House Clausel unnecessary trouble.”

Then his tone changed.

“Even so, I now have a proposal. If you assist us, we may obtain a better result.”

Outside the Lion’s Holy Office, Ulysses’s jet-black carriage waited. Edgar, who arrived shortly afterward, took the driver’s seat.

“We will discuss the details at the inn.”

Ren climbed aboard. During the journey, Ulysses repeatedly smiled to himself at the thought that Ren had worried for him.

◇ ◇ ◇ ◇

The inn was called Arnea. Owned by the Arnevelde Trading Company, it was one of the finest establishments in the Imperial Capital.

Radius and Lessard waited in one of its rooms. Both were surprised when Ren entered, but Ulysses explained what had happened.

The four sat together, and Ulysses opened the discussion.

“First, let us hear the answer Ren Ashton reached.”

Ren spoke without hesitation.

“Before Dean Chronois returns, the Demon King cult will act at Elendil’s Grand Clock Tower.”

The other three immediately understood that he had found the same answer.

“Next month, the magic stone on the tower’s highest floor will be replaced. I was told that the Grand Clock Tower must completely stop during the work.”

The systems protecting both the Imperial Capital and Elendil would appear to halt. The cult could only be planning to exploit that interval.

“The Grand Clock Tower was built using the technology of Mirim Altia, one of the Seven Heroes. By taking it, they intend to establish a foothold for an attack on the Imperial Capital.”

Ren listened for their response.

“Ulysses and I would prefer to eliminate the cultists before they ever enter Elendil,” Radius said. “We will do everything possible to achieve that. But they slip through defenses like mist. Their fanaticism does not make them any less troublesome.”

“So you will also wait for them at the Grand Clock Tower?”

“Yes.”

They could not guarantee that every enemy would be intercepted outside the city, nor did they know how many cultists would appear.

“We have scouts positioned throughout the area and arrangements to receive information continuously,” Radius continued. “If necessary, I will use my authority to mobilize the army. Elendil lies close to the capital, so reinforcements can arrive quickly. I will allow no harm to come to the people.”

“There is one more thing I want to ask.”

Ren wanted to understand why Radius had refused to make the information public and had tried to resolve the matter with only Ulysses and a carefully selected force.

“Why not involve the army from the beginning after preparing this thoroughly?”

“If the army openly waited in Elendil, the attack would be stopped with certainty,” Radius replied with unmistakable pride. “Leomel’s army is the strongest in the world. The cult’s refusal to confront us openly proves that.”

His expression carried the authority of a prince.

“But would they attack after seeing the army? If they intended to challenge Leomel head-on, they would have done so long ago. An obvious deployment would only make them revise their plan. It is better to let them move within the range we can predict.”

He leaned forward.

“Ulysses and I do not intend to finish by merely repelling them again.”

“You intend to turn the trap against them.”

“Exactly. We will capture cultists alive and obtain information. That requires secrecy. We cannot begin with an army and announce our intentions to the enemy.”

The confidence behind the plan was tremendous.

It would have been a dangerous gamble for ordinary people, but these were Ulysses Ignat—famous for both power and strategy—and Radius Vin Leomel, widely regarded as a future emperor. In the game, they had ultimately killed each other. In this world, they had joined forces.

Their strength made it possible to use the cult’s intended attack against it.

“Baron Clausel has already received the plan,” Ulysses said. “His Highness and I will mobilize every force we can without compromising secrecy.”

“When the two of you say that, it sounds formidable.”

“I appreciate the compliment, but the force will remain small and elite. If the unexpected occurs, the army can move immediately. Consider this plan a demonstration of our resolve.”

Ren looked at Lessard and then returned his attention to Radius.

“Wait. Are you going to the site personally?”

“Of course.”

“That is unreasonable from beginning to end.”

“Under normal circumstances, yes. But I have a reason. Besides, Ren, you have done more than enough unreasonable things yourself. You are hardly in a position to criticize me.”

“I cannot deny that, but why expose yourself to danger?”

“For the same reason I went to the plains. There is something I never told you.”

Radius revealed a power that had never been disclosed in Legend of the Seven Heroes.

“I possess a Unique Skill called Analysis.”

It allowed him to investigate information about anything he touched.

The word information was broad. If Radius examined a sword, he could determine the metals used to make it. Words such as iron or steel did not simply appear in his thoughts; rather, his knowledge produced an answer that he understood intuitively. When he lacked the necessary knowledge, the result remained in his mind as unfamiliar information he might later identify.

“I intend to analyze the Demon King cult’s mark. I do not care how little I obtain. I want every fragment of information available.”

“Then wait somewhere safe until a captured cultist is brought to you.”

“And who will guarantee that the prisoner and the mark remain intact until then? Do you remember the expendable bandit whose body went out of control? I did not tell you this, but he died shortly after you left. His entire body suddenly decayed, and the mark vanished before I could examine it.”

Ren’s attack had not caused mortal wounds. The bandit had simply rotted away after the power forced upon him went berserk.

That failure was why Radius insisted on being present. Another prisoner might undergo the same change before reaching him, and he refused to lose this opportunity.

“If I deepen my understanding of the mark, following the cult’s movements may become far easier.”

“So no one will persuade you to remain safe?”

“No. I am a descendant of the Lion King. I will not stand aside while those people threaten my citizens.”

Radius wanted certainty, and no one could promise that a prisoner brought from the battlefield would provide it. His reasoning was sound, even if his decision remained dangerous.

“Lessard-sama,” Ren said, “you have heard every detail and accepted the plan?”

“I have questioned it closely,” Lessard answered. “I am convinced that their preparations are sufficient.”

“Understood. Then I will not object further.”

Ren nodded.

“Should I remain at the mansion and protect it?”

He had never intended to obstruct the operation. He wanted only to determine how he could move without hindering anyone and how best to protect Licia and the Clausel household.

“That is…” Radius hesitated.

“Ulysses, what have you told him?”

“Only that his presence might produce a better outcome.”

“Then may I explain the rest?”

“Please. It would be better coming from Your Highness.”

There was another reason Ren had been brought here. His strength would unquestionably be valuable, but it was not the central point. Lessard had not heard this part either.

“As you know, our operation cannot be allowed to fail,” Radius said.

“Because failure would deprive the Imperial Capital and Elendil of their defenses.”

“No. You may assume that there is no real danger of that.”

“What do you mean?”

“I will explain everything after the operation—to both you and Lessard. For now, remember only this: Mirim Altia was a legendary magic-tool artisan, but relying entirely on one magic stone in the Grand Clock Tower is a thing of the distant past. Leomel has not remained idle.”

He refused to reveal more.

Whatever secret protected the tower also helped make their covert plan possible. Ulysses plainly knew the answer, but Ren and Lessard accepted that they would learn it later.

“Now to the true issue,” Radius continued. “Your presence may improve our position, but hearing the explanation does not obligate you to cooperate. I learned this only yesterday from His Majesty, and Ulysses and I have barely had time to discuss it.”

“His Majesty? Why did the Emperor say anything involving me?”

“I will explain from the beginning.”

The operation had to remain secret, but Radius could not conceal it from the absolute ruler of Leomel. He had personally presented the plan to the Emperor.

“I told His Majesty everything Ulysses and I intend to do. He examined the operation and granted permission.”

The Emperor had also assigned knights from his own household to Radius, creating another safeguard around the prince.

“We discussed how the other factions would be handled. His Majesty promised to manage the political consequences after the operation. Only then did your name enter the conversation.”

Radius had spoken with his father in the audience chamber the previous night, after an earlier meeting concerning the plan itself.

“Ulysses and I considered every way to strengthen our preparations. I asked His Majesty whether she might assist us.”

She.

The reference was vague, but Ren immediately thought of the woman who remained near the Emperor.

“In the past, she refused to aid others even when His Majesty ordered it. This time, however, she offered help of her own accord—on one condition.”

“That condition was me?”

“Yes. If you fight beside me, she promised to provide assistance from the shadows.”

“I do not understand. Why would my participation matter to her?”

“Neither Ulysses nor I know. She answered almost immediately after I raised the matter with His Majesty.”

Radius looked genuinely perplexed.

“She will not stand in our formation, but she has promised to remain nearby in case the worst occurs.”

Ren looked toward Lessard, who appeared equally confused. Even Ulysses could offer no explanation.

One fact, however, was undeniable.

“With her support, the operation becomes far more secure,” Radius said. “Edgar must have concluded that bringing you here was the best course.”

“Edgar,” Ulysses sighed, “you are an exceedingly independent butler.”

“My apologies.”

“I was also uncertain whether to tell Ren, so I cannot criticize you too severely.”

Ulysses had hesitated to involve Ren, but the situation had changed. If Ren’s participation secured the mysterious woman’s help, ignoring that advantage would be difficult.

“Lessard-sama,” Ren said. “Please permit me to fight beside Radius.”

Lessard struggled to answer. Once again borrowing Ren’s power troubled him, and the scale of the matter was enormous for a baron.

Ren spoke before he could refuse.

“Then let my academy tuition be the reward.”

It was the first time Ren had ever requested compensation for himself. Everyone understood that the request was meant to ease Lessard’s conscience.

Ren was no longer the small boy who had lived quietly in a remote village.

“I will see that you receive an appropriate reward,” Radius said. “Ren, may Leomel borrow your strength?”

“Yes. Leave it to me.”

The answer came without hesitation.

Radius then turned to Lessard.

“Your involvement may cause people to mistake House Clausel for a member of the Imperial Faction. We will make it known that your friendship with House Riohard remains unchanged and that you have not abandoned neutrality, but rumors may still arise.”

“In that case, I ask that Your Highness continue to favor House Clausel.”

“What do you seek?”

“Political strength. Fine ideals alone will not prevent my family from being caught in another injustice. I must establish an unshakable position while remaining neutral.”

“Then would you consider joining the Imperial Faction?”

Lessard fell silent.

“That is a separate matter, I see.”

“Please forgive me for declining to answer here. I am still occupied with securing the foundations around me.”

His experiences with Viscount Given prevented him from changing factions lightly. House Clausel was growing steadily, and this was not a choice to make under the pressure of the moment.

Radius smiled at Lessard’s composure before a prince.

“Nobles should not exist merely as prisoners of faction. You embody that principle.”

“Call it disrespect if you must, but my loyalty to Leomel and my service to the Third Prince will never change.”

“I find no disrespect in it. I am delighted to know a loyal subject such as you.”

Radius made a promise.

“When this is over, I will speak to His Majesty and see House Clausel properly rewarded. Your neutrality is honorable, not opportunistic. I understand that you hold that position because you sincerely place Leomel first.”

He extended his hand.

“Continue to serve this country.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Though a handshake between a prince and a baron was highly unusual, the two clasped hands firmly.

Radius then faced Ren.

“Edgar was originally to remain at my side. Since she will provide support if you join us, Edgar should instead protect House Clausel. That will also allow you to fight without worrying about the mansion.”

“Thank you.”

“You will guard my back.”

Radius showed not the slightest doubt in Ren’s ability. On the contrary, he found Ren reassuring.

They had not known one another for many years, yet they already understood much about each other.

“I entrust my back to you. But I will not command you to stand beside me as my knight.”

“Then what am I supposed to be? A hired bodyguard?”

Radius smiled with fierce confidence.

“How about my comrade-in-arms?”

Ren briefly thought that friendship with the Third Prince was too presumptuous.

Then he realized it was far too late to worry about that. They already spoke to each other this way. Radius had merely put the relationship into words.

Ren and Radius extended their hands at the same time and clasped them.

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