Chapter 64
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Chapter 64
At that moment, in the Prime Minister's Office.
The Knight who had forcibly sent the Guard Captain home returned and reported to Igraine.
"As you commanded, I have placed Curtis Rohan under house arrest."
"I do hope this opportunity will help Knight Rohan reflect on his actions. You've worked hard. You may go now."
The Knight bowed respectfully to Igraine and left the office.
In the quiet office once more, Igraine stared into empty space rather than at the documents before her, lost in thought.
Roper assumed this was due to the commotion Vivian had caused moments earlier.
'I thought she was quite capable, yet she causes a major incident on her very first day.'
He carefully broached the subject, gauging Igraine's mood.
"Your Excellency's reputation is at stake, and yet such an incident occurs on the first day. Perhaps I should speak with her and set her straight―"
But contrary to Roper's concerns, Igraine suddenly began laughing, her shoulders shaking.
The words that escaped Igraine's lips after laughing for some time were entirely unexpected to Roper.
"It reminds me of the old days."
"Pardon?"
"Vivian, that girl."
Overlaying Vivian's image from moments before, Igraine recalled her younger brother from fading memories.
"It reminds me of when Dain first joined the Imperial Knights."
Dain, who had shown innate talent in swordsmanship since childhood, became the youngest person in imperial history to join the Imperial Knights at the age of fifteen.
However, not everyone in the Knight Order had joined through merit as Dain had.
Among them were those who had entered through improper means via recommendations from their fathers, who were high-ranking nobles.
They resented Dain for joining through skill despite being younger than them, and eventually began doubting his abilities and consoling themselves with hollow victories.
That twisted inferiority complex eventually led to a confrontation with Dain, and....
'Dain defeated three senior members right there.'
And when the Knight Captain rushed over in shock, he even declared, 'How can knights protecting the Empire be so incompetent? We should recruit knights anew.'
Dain received disciplinary action for that incident, but as a result, it became the catalyst for making the Knight Order's recruitment standards more fair.
Perhaps that was why.
[I believe the Guard's purpose lies in helping those in need who live beyond the Emperor's gaze.]
[...And then?]
[I ask that you impose appropriate discipline on those who defy that solemn command and neglect their duties.]
The light in Vivian's eyes as she came to report the Guard Captain's negligence overlapped with the light in Dain's eyes as he returned home after receiving discipline in the past.
Back then, I had rebuked Dain for violating military law and acting recklessly.
Even though I believed in my heart that Dain was right.
Out of concern, and because I lacked the power to shield my brother's recklessness, I scolded that child.
And that memory became Igraine's wound after Dain's death.
Even the mundane moments I had passed over without thought were now pierced by regret.
And now, decades later, when I finally possessed the strength to shield my brother's recklessness.
Igraine resolved to become the shield she could not be for her brother in the past.
For a child who resembled that Dain of old.
"Though somewhat reckless and troublesome...."
Igraine, recalling those longing golden eyes that so resembled the child's own, let out a soft laugh and asked Roper.
"It seems like such fools are the ones who ultimately change the world, don't they?"
* * *
Vivian and her group had been dispatched to the Forest on the Outskirts of Jedo after receiving a report from a man.
[People who were cutting wood in the forest were suddenly captured by monsters that appeared! Please, please help us!]
While eliminating monsters was the Knight Order's duty, arriving early to assess the situation would certainly be helpful.
Hildegard sent one Guard member to the Imperial Knights and came to the forest with only Vivian and Lahedis.
"I thought monsters rarely ventured down this far, so this is quite unusual."
Hildegard strode purposefully into the forest, which was so dense it had grown dark.
Vivian followed close behind her.
"Your Highness, wouldn't it be better to wait until Lahedis returns?"
The corners of Vivian's mouth, which she was desperately trying to keep smiling, twitched with a spasm.
Not from fear, but from anger.
'Please, Your Highness, just listen to me!'
Just minutes ago.
After discovering the monster's footprints, Lahedis had left, saying he would check ahead first since it could be dangerous.
And he had earnestly instructed her to wait until he returned....
"Why would I wait for that? The people who were captured might be in danger."
Hildegard ignored Lahedis's words and began heading deeper into the forest on her own.
Unable to let the Imperial Princess go alone, Vivian reluctantly had no choice but to follow her, though it pained her.
'True, when you think about the safety of those captured people, what she's saying makes sense....'
But that didn't mean she could put the Imperial Princess in danger!
'What on earth does this woman believe in to be so fearless?!'
As Vivian followed Hildegard, caught between her options, the woman leading the way suddenly stopped in her tracks.
At that same moment, a desolate wind blew from deeper within the forest.
The instant Vivian sensed an inexplicable ominous presence, Hildegard opened her mouth.
"...It comes."
Simultaneously, a tremendous resonance that seemed to make hearts pound began to be felt from within the forest.
And it was approaching at an incredible speed!
"Ugh, uaaaagh!"
Along with a scream filled with terror.
The Dark Spirit sitting on Vivian's shoulder sensed the danger and expanded its size.
Soon, a giant scorpion and a man being chased by it came into view.
"It finally revealed itself."
Just as Hildegard stepped forward with a satisfied smile.
"Blackie!"
"Meow!"
Understanding Vivian's intent, the Dark Spirit swallowed Hildegard in one gulp.
Then, swallowing the man being chased and Vivian in turn, it began to flee from the swarm of scorpions.
Hildegard, who had belatedly grasped the situation, twisted her body and cried out.
"What are you doing? Let go!"
"We've rescued the villagers, Your Highness. Our mission is complete. The extermination is the Knight Order's responsibility."
"...."
Hildegard exhaled an exasperated sigh, but upon seeing the terrified villagers, she quietly closed her mouth.
Vivian gazed anxiously in the direction Lahedis had gone.
'Lahedis must have fled as well, right?'
If I were alone, I could fight, but with people I need to protect, I couldn't afford to engage.
'First, I need to get these two to safety....'
That was when I was formulating my next plan.
Kuguguuu....
Along with the sound of the earth trembling, a colossal worm emerged from another direction.
'This makes escape difficult.'
The odds of being attacked while trying to flee were high.
As I froze at this unexpected turn, Hildegard suddenly tapped the inner wall of the Dark Spirit.
"Hey, spit me out."
The Dark Spirit then expelled Hildegard as if it had been waiting for the command.
"Gasp, Imperial Princess!"
Hildegard stood to face the approaching beasts.
'I have to stop them!'
Seeing this, I quickly escaped from within the Dark Spirit and rushed toward Hildegard.
'If you're injured, I'll be arrested for negligent endangerment of the Imperial Family!'
But even at full sprint, the distance was too great to reach her in time.
Meanwhile, the beasts drew ever closer to Hildegard.
'No!'
Just as a scorpion's stinger was about to pierce down toward Hildegard.
A massive magic circle unfolded before her, and a powerful spell pierced through the scorpion.
Having swiftly eliminated one beast, Hildegard turned to look at me rushing toward her.
"What, were you worried about me?"
At that composed question, my expression became almost tearful.
'This setting never appeared in the original work!'
Of course, since the narrative focused primarily on romance, the fantasy elements hadn't been emphasized....
'Damn Hildegard, I thought my heart would stop!'
Since we'd only just met today, I naturally knew nothing of Hildegard's abilities, and having worried myself sick, my legs gave out and I collapsed where I stood.
That was when it happened.
"Newbie, to your side!"
Hearing Hildegard's urgent voice and turning around, the colossal worm was approaching as if to swallow me whole.
As I, gripped by fear, barely managed to rise.
Someone appeared with a teleportation spell, wrapped their arms around me, dodged, and sliced the giant worm with their sword.
I recognized the face a beat too late.
"I told you to wait, but you never listen."
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