Feeling the pressure to the point of fear, Wilfred’s hair stood on end.
It was a familiar sensation somewhere. Perhaps when he had sparred seriously with his master before (Wilfred was thoroughly beaten in five seconds).
――Is this fighting spirit…?
He couldn’t take his eyes off Catherine.
Even a moment’s distraction felt like it would leave him vulnerable to a swift strike.
Though he understood how foolish that thought was rationally, Wilfred was terribly nervous.
“What business do you have with me?”
Catherine asked Dairei.
Her tone was calm, but there was a sharpness implying that she wouldn’t tolerate any uncertainty.
“If it pleases you, we would like your assistance in our empire.”
“It depends on what you intend to do.”
“I see, quite demanding.”
Dairei chuckled lightly.
It was a quiet conversation on the surface, but Wilfred, who was nearby, felt like his stomach was turning inside out.
“I have generally heard from Lord Lagerbeck up to now. Based on that, I have come to make a request. Would you please hear us out, even if it’s just a discussion?”
“…It may end up wasting your time, but is that acceptable?”
Catherine’s words, while considerate of Dairei, criticized the recklessness of the act, yet she showed a willingness to listen without outright rejecting her. It all depended on how things unfolded from there.
Wilfred even felt like he could hear phantom sounds of swordplay.
“Sorry, for bringing this up so suddenly.”
Bertil apologized lightly to Catherine.
She shook her head as if to dismiss it.
“No… I thought ‘this might be for my own good.’ That’s why I did this, right? You’re that kind of person. I trust you. I think it’s a bit thoughtless not to consult me beforehand.”
“Well, because if it’s related to the Empire, people usually run away. Sorry for ambushing you, but we’ll make it up to you another day, I promise.”
“That’s one favor, Lord Lagerbeck.”
“Yeah, I definitely owe you. So, is it okay to listen to the story?”
Catherine fell silent. It was an affirmation.
There was fire in her eyes.
Wilfred stood still, feeling as if he had been thrown into a battlefield naked, but Bertil’s shrewdness firmly supported him.
“Whoa!?”
“It seems they’ll take some time over there. So, I’ll be free until then… Would you like to hang out with me, Wilfred-kun, to pass the time?”
Bertil invited casually, as if they were old friends.
It was an unexpected stroke of luck for Wilfred, but he still hadn’t caught up with the situation.
“You’ve never drunk juice at the Golden Gear Hotel, have you? Me neither. I’ll cover it. It’s an expense anyway.”
“Yes! I’ll accompany you!”
“So, here’s the deal. Since the two of us are doing well together, if anything happens, leave a message with Sherry.”
With a nod that seemed to say ‘we’ll talk later,’ Wilfred was dragged away by Bertil.
* * *
The Golden Gear Hotel in Block Section 2-2 was one of the highest-rated accommodations in Saktamburg, even among lodgings for the wealthy or foreign dignitaries.
The bar on the first floor was open to anyone, not just guests. The space, made of strange, gleaming black stone for floors and walls, lacked conventional lighting fixtures; instead, diamond-dust-like light floated around, illuminating the area fantastically.
In the center of the bar, a stone miniature garden seemed to echo a philosophy, with flowing water represented by glossy gravel, and three golden gears floating in the air, interlocking and ticking away time rhythmically.
The bartender behind the counter exuded a refined aura through his gestures and posture. He poured two glasses of orange juice from elegant bottles (bearing the hotel’s logo on the label), and served them to Bertil and Wilfred.
This bar not only stocked alcoholic beverages but also non-alcoholic drinks of the highest quality at premium prices.
“You look like you have no idea why you’re here.”
As Wilfred was overwhelmed by the atmosphere, Bertil clinked his glass against Wilfred’s. It made a nice sound.
“Um… well, yes, that’s right. I didn’t expect to meet you here, let alone have a chance to talk, and certainly not like this…”
“Well, first things first, calm down and have a drink.”
Following his suggestion, Wilfred took a sip of the juice.
It was cool and refreshing, with a slight sweet and sour taste and a pleasant hint of bitterness.
Certainly a drink befitting a luxury hotel, but Wilfred couldn’t begin to imagine its actual price, especially since the menu didn’t list prices.
It was quite difficult to remain calm in this situation. But as he drank, the sugar seemed to calm him down a bit, allowing Wilfred to finally look at his own situation objectively, which had swept him away like a torrent.
“What’s going on here?”
“That’s a difficult question to answer succinctly, but if I had to say, I’m scheming.”
In response to Wilfred’s question laden with various meanings, Bertil replied with an answer equally laden with meanings.
“I’m still thinking about the people of Ciel-Terra. Not just Western Ayursa, but also the East. Honestly, I want to save everyone. If that’s impossible, I want to protect as many as possible. The return of René-chan is our mutual expectation, mine and Catherine’s. That will be the worst and final battle where no one benefits, as far as my current prediction goes. Not only for the people of Ciel-Terra but also for René-chan. Whether allies or enemies, many will die, leaving only scorched earth behind. So I want to somehow make it a slightly better outcome for everyone. But we don’t have much we can do. I’m busy with Western Ayursa, and Catherine is just a guild worker for now.”
Wilfred was slightly struck by Bertil’s words.
René.
A fleeting moment of memory.
That was the name of “Rose Princess of Hellrage”.
“How to stop the Rose Princess of Hellrage. For me… it would be good to end it appropriately, sprinkle some cold water to cool things down, and let her cool her head. Then, it’s René-chan’s problem. But getting René-chan, who’s still steadily building up her army, to think ‘let’s stop here’ is no easy task.”
“So… is that why you brought people from the Empire?”
“It’s the first move. It’s a tough one, but Catherine needs to unite the Federation and the Empire. Also, I want her to increase her allies. Dairei wants capable subordinates. While there may be some friction in policy between Catherine and her, I think if Catherine accepts this proposal, a lot of things will move in a better direction from my perspective.”
Bertil spoke as if it were a trivial matter, like placing traps in a field to keep away pests.
However, the idea of two major powers joining forces to confront a formidable named monster was a story of immense scale.
Bertil was planning and envisioning it, and Catherine was the key to it.
“That’s amazing…”
“What is?”
“I can’t help but say it’s amazing. To be able to move the world in such a way… First of all, just coming up with a plan like this is incredible…”
“No, no, it’s too early to praise me. I don’t even know if it will work out.”
Wilfred was speechless, feeling even more reverential, but Bertil laughed nonchalantly.
According to reputation, Bertil was highly skilled in martial arts, and his prowess as a commander was outstanding. Even away from the battlefield, it was enough to make one believe he achieved remarkable feats.
“As far as I know, you’ve always fought for someone with the dedication of dedicating your life…”
“Maybe so.”
“How can you do that?”
“Didn’t I tell you? I’m thinking about the people of Ciel-Terra. I love Ciel-Terra. A country is its people, the people living there are the country. Honestly, I want to save everyone. If that’s not possible, I want to protect as many as I can.”
Bertil said with a smirk.
Simple words, yet strong, not tragic but natural, and therefore surely unwavering in conviction.
“The former daughter of an earl whose family was destroyed, and the former princess who was banished from the royal palace as an outcast, are no exception. Of course, that includes you. If you don’t mind, could you tell me how you’re living now? In return, all I can offer is stories of my exploits on the battlefield…”
Tilting his glass, designed like a steam tank, Bertil flashed a smile that was too deep to be described as simply ‘cocky’.
Wilfred was on the verge of being swept away by emotions.
