Chapter 398 – Observation

000

“The marching side seems to be starting to move.”

Eusthes, who was looking around the royal castle with the telescope in his hand, spoke to Rubera who was standing behind him.

These two, since Eustes joined the battle maid, Lubera took over the training, and they often acted as a two-person team.

Since Ruba knew well about Eustes, he must have been the most suitable person to control Eustes, who had become a habit of overdoing it after he had changed her mind her.

Even after hearing what Eustes said, Lubera did not show any reaction for a while.

Just, with her eyes closed, recalling the conversation she had with Cleon a little while ago, she pondered once again what she had to do.

“…Lubera?”

Eustes calls out to Lubera as if she’s okay.

Lubera looks back at Eustes as she sighs.

“Okay. By the way, you seem to be very used to standing on top of buildings now. Until a few days ago, you were restless.”

As Ruba said, the place where the two are standing now is a tall bell tower a little far from the royal castle.

Climbing up was through the roof of another building, so if you stumbled, you would fall straight into a place where there were a lot of people.

Due to the nature of battle maids who have many missions to avoid people’s eyes, there were more cases of moving on rooftops than moving on the ground, whether at night or during the day.

Just after joining Battle Maid, Eustes was adept at jumping from rooftop to rooftop while watching the other members.

He was always restless, worried that he would make a mistake and fall to the ground.

Of course, for her, it’s not just that fall that worries her —

“Yeah, but. If someone looks up from below while standing in a place like this…”

While Eustes said that, pressing down on the miniskirt part of her maid dress, Ruba watched him with cold eyes.

“It’s actions and thoughts. I can’t help but think that I’ve lost my awareness that I was a man.”

“Ugh…”

At Rubera’s remarks that hit the mark, Eustes hesitated as if he had been stabbed by an invisible blade.

Then, if he tripped, he would almost fall, but thanks to his proper grip on the wall, he was able to hold on.

“…Eustes. Are you thinking of going back to being a man?”

“… Ah, yes. Of course.”

“That silence is eroding your trust…”

When her Lubera’s suspicious glance her turns to herself, Eustes turns her gaze away from her, tucking her own hair through her fingertips and talking.

“Th-Stop those useless doubts, Lubera. I’m trying to defeat the demons and return to my original body.”

“In the process, it seems that he is slowly losing his masculinity, which did not exist for a long time… “

At Ruba’s words his, Eustes cleared his throat, saying, ‘Kuh, keuhum.’

“Po, it’s abusive language. Do you have proof?”

“Ah, Cleon.”

“Where!?”

Eustes raises the telescope and tries to look in the direction Ruba was looking.

However, she soon recovered herself from being ‘hot’ and when she removed her telescope from her face her, her face her was flushed red.

“There’s no way Cleon could be around here. He should be by Princess Amelia’s side by now.”

“Uhhhhh!”

When Eustes, who felt so much shame that tears welled up, was unable to say anything, Lubera spoke quietly to him.

“Not really. It’s okay. Even if you don’t try to cover yourself up by trying to return to being a man. I think you look good now.”

“…Thank you for saying that, but…”

Eustes himself, probably thinking a lot about the matter, only sighed after listening to Ruba’s advice.

“Whether I’m a man or a woman, I’m me. I’ve promised myself many times… But lately, the manly part of me seems to be diminishing.”

Ruba thought quietly at those words.

‘I think it’s because I’m stuck among other maids, so I think it’s because I’m influenced by them… But for now, let’s leave it quietly.’

“Uh, maybe. Is this the process that I’m gradually losing control of my feelings for Cleon?”

“Even if you ask me that… Because I didn’t become a woman from a man.”

At Ruba’s firm answer, Eustes once again let out a voice that seemed to be indignant.

“…But, well. Like you said. You’ll stay who you are no matter what you look like. Then really. Rather than choosing which gender you are, maybe it’s better to think about how you’re going to be .”

“How will it be?”

At Rubera’s words, Eustes tilted his head.

“Most people, including you now, live as things go and go with them. Whether you intend it or not, fate always forces you to make a choice.”

“…”

Ruba looked down at her own gloved hand her.

“The fact that I worked under your father, the Marquis Hughes, was the only path I had to choose from among the options given to me in such a fate. It was what you said.”

And, crap. When her fists were clenched, she could hear the leather of her gloves rubbing together, even to Eusthes.

“I am for the revival of the clan… Even now that my workplace and colleagues have changed. That has not changed. Eustes. What do you value most? As a hero, keeping the peace of the people? To keep?”

Eustes listens to Rubera, and she nods as if she understands what she is talking about.

“If I have the power to use for someone else. I want to use it properly. I hope the result will lead to protecting someone. As long as it’s for him, I don’t care which way this body is. There’s—”

Eustes shuts his mouth for a while, then speaks while looking at Rubera.

“Thanks to being in this body, Ruba. I think I know your thoughts better.”

“I see. You’re being arrogant about Eustes.”

Ruba dismisses her former owner’s story her as such.

“I was talking seriously.”

“Is that so. I also answered seriously. On the day you understand a woman’s heart, it might really be a good idea to change your name to Justina.”

Lubera is talking about looking back at Eustes.

“Did you know? Female creatures are much more jealous than you think. From the moment you declared that you might burn mine, you are my rival.”

“… Rubera’s?”

When I asked her back, as if she did n’t know what her Eustes was talking about, Ruba smiled, raising the corners of her mouth and smiling at her.

“If you don’t know what I mean. You’re still a man enough.”

“Uh, yeah…?”

To Eusthes, who smiled as if she was a little relieved by Ruba’s words from her, Ruba added a word from her.
“I won’t give it to you. Cleon.”

“What…!”

To Eustes, who is flustered, Lubera prepares to jump to the building across from her while showing her her back her.

“Okay then, let’s move too. Lavita is sending a signal over there.”

“…What?”

When Eustes asked cautiously, Ruba answered quietly.

“…Begin cleaning.”

001

A line of marching wagons enters the main street of the royal road.

The one at the forefront was the most splendid and gigantic carriage in the procession.

The king of the present kingdom, who appeared in a procession with an old and sick body, rode on top of a carriage driven by magic that had no coachman.

This is Lucius Chaldearis.

“His Highness Lucius! Long live!”

“His Highness Lucius, the guardian of the royal capital and the lord of the kingdom!”

Hearing the shouts of the people standing on the other side of the perimeter of the boulevard as the march proceeded.

Lucius sat in his prepared chair on top of the roofless carriage, looking down at the people, his dark face unhidden.

Beside him, sat his most recent concubine his —

Lucius, without paying attention to her at all, held her face as if it were a heavy statue, displaying the dignity of her lord her.

Some of the people, at Lucius’s expression and condition His, thought, ‘As expected, the rumor that His Majesty is not in good condition…’In their heads.

Don’t spit it out

Suspicion of the king’s health was an issue that should have been entered into the counseling room on good terms with the kingdom’s soldiers.

“It’s Prince Cassius!”

And— immediately following behind Lucius’s carriage was the carriage of Crown Prince Cassius.

He could n’t remember how many years he had n’t been in the same carriage as his father, but Cassius smiled and raised his hand.

Right now, his appearance was in a state where maximum measures had been taken to hide the deformed appearance due to erosion in another dimension.

In order to cover up his black half-body his, he wore a robe that never lifted his flesh from the neck down, and even his hands his were covered with gloves.

On the half of his face his, he was wearing a mask shaped like wings made of gold.

I had no choice but to wear it at the command of my servants that if I did not wear this, I would not be able to march or leave the room.

However, unlike Lucius’ time, whispers were heard among some of the nobles watching the procession.

The reason, of course, is because of what happened yesterday.

He said he would hand over the succession to the throne to Amelia.

Among the nobles and servants in the palace, there was even talk of stopping the march, and it was becoming a big fuss.

“…”

Originally, this march, I wanted to ride Amelia in my carriage.

In a situation where no one agreed and everyone was against it, even Cassius could not proceed with the work.

So at least preparing a chair for Amelia was the best he could do for now.

Besides- Cleon, the greatest adventurer he knew, was by his side.

‘I expected the chaos within the palace to some extent. No matter how small the number is, it is clear that there are people who have doubts about the rules of the royal palace set by Adam. …The problem is, I want Amelia to be safe.’

If the plan of Adam, the father of all things, revolves around him, the only thing that can break the cogwheel is Amelia, who has been thoroughly rejected and driven away because of Adam.

That is why Cassius never overlooked that her Amelia her might endanger her in the process, even though she was forced to drag her onto her stage her.

Rationalizing to himself that Cleon and her had come to know each other in order to prepare for her fate her, he asked him to take care of Amelia.

‘Originally, I wanted one more person… To help Mr. Cleon protect Amelia.’

The one Cassius sent his gaze while thinking so was a knight riding a horse right next to the chariot he rode on and assisting in the march.

A knight in full body armor who does not show his face even at such a commemorative ceremony.

The spear he held in one hand while riding a horse was a powerful weapon that was said to have been made from a dragon’s horn.

The color of the armor was based on red, and boasted a gorgeous color that was over-sewn with gold, but the horns that stretched upwards on both sides of the helmet—

Its appearance that gave off a sense of intimidation, with its humanity thoroughly reduced, to the point of being reminiscent of an insect exoskeleton.

Among the knights of the kingdom, he is a being who has been bestowed with the title “Drake Knight” [Drake], A title that can only be bestowed on a very small percentage.

Kingdom knights could name themselves by choosing an animal as a symbol to represent themselves, and many chose animals close to them to name themselves.

Lionel the Lion Knight, Rufus the Wolf Knight, and Tortoise the Tortoise Knight. … Sometimes even knights with names of animals that seem so weak that you can’t even think of them as knights have existed in history.

When knights are knighted, they swear allegiance to the king by choosing this name together.

When you stop being a knight, when you die, or when you are deprived of your knighthood for committing a crime.

I gave up this name and returned to being a citizen of a single kingdom.

This naming convention is somewhat flexible, and in most cases knights are allowed to name whatever they want, but-

There is only one Drake in an era, a knight given the name of a dragon, and he cannot wish for that name himself.

As much as the name of the ‘dragon’, which stands at the top of all living things on the continent, he had to have the best skills among the knights of the kingdom.

After overcoming various trials and proving your loyalty to the kingdom, you must receive the approval of the 12 noble families, including the Tromeia family and the ducal family, before you can receive the name Dragon Knight.

The duty given to the dragon knight is to escort the king, who is the most important person in the kingdom.

In other words, while taking on the role of commanding the royal guards, he is a royal guard knight under the direct command of the king, who normally follows and escorts the king like a shadow.

Since she doesn’t usually leave the King’s side, she didn’t show up at yesterday’s social party where the King didn’t participate.

Thanks to this, the palace guards were instructed by the highest officer, Lord Regent, who was present.

“Uh-that’s the Dragon Knight… Sir Drake…”

“I’m only walking on horseback, and it’s such a daunting feeling…”

The voices of the people came from the countryside and encountered the Dragon Knight for the first time.

Drake’s helmet, as his nickname suggests, was made in the shape of a dragon, and red eyes emanated spontaneously from the eyes of his.

As if, with the sense that something other than a human being had a human form, ordinary people gave up looking at him.

And, naturally, the line of sight moved to another fancy carriage following the royal carriage-

It is the carriage of the Tromeia family.

Likewise, Sir Percys and Aurelia Tromeia were sitting in their roofless carriages for the people to see.

Beside him, walking beside the carriage while riding a horse is Aruru Tromeia.

“Aruru-sama~!”

“This is the only day in a year where you can see Aruru in the Hero’s Robe live…!”

When she hears the voices of the students she’s seen at the academy, Aruru blushes a bit.

Her gaze her rests on the dragon knight walking in front of her.

‘Sir Drake… Which side are you on?’

If he were an ally, he would be reassuring, but if he were an enemy, he would be strong enough to bring a feeling close to despair.

Even the hero of the unprecedentedly strong Tromeia family, Aruru Tromeia, wanted to avoid fighting the dragon knight in a 1:1 situation.

It’s not just about running out of power…

Previously, the only time I saw a dragon knight’s fight was-

The dragon knight was to fight like Cleon.

The high level of simple physical ability was also outstanding, but aside from that, the judgment ability to control the situation, and whatever was available – that’s what a warrior who uses even the enemy’s power.

Aruru couldn’t help but be wary of Sir Drake, an unknown being who had never shown the bottom of his helmet to anyone- except the king.

Lord Drake wears allegiance only to royalty.

That, too, was a knight who had directly sworn allegiance to the king – Lucius.

To put it simply, it would be better to think that he was following Lucius’ intentions of his.

If so, Aruru thinks she is rather fortunate.

Due to the power and position of his being his, Lord Drake cannot get involved in any political fight unless ordered by the King.

In the factional fight that is about to break out between the Tromeia family and the noble council, if he does not take sides and maintains neutrality.

It may be possible to prevent as many victims as possible.

Finish. Cassius was thinking the same thing as Aruru.

I tried to talk to Lord Drake and tell him something about Amelia.

Thanks to the authority bestowed by the king, the Dragon Knight is not punished for refusing orders or requests from Cassius, a member of the royal family.

He just said nothing, only that he left as soon as Cassius’ story was over.

‘However, he also swore allegiance to the kingdom. Now, what will he be thinking after seeing the situation in the royal castle, which is inevitable to change… Sir Drake. The time will come when you will have to choose too.’

For now, he thinks so and leaves the article alone.

Please, in the hope that we won’t become enemies in the future.

The dragon knight himself, who was gathering attention like that, was completely covered and his invisible face his was hidden.

Another angle, another angle.

Without showing any movement, except for the slight bobbing of the body up and down with each sound of the horses’ hooves.

It was to guard the king’s side.

002

“Whoa… Is it starting soon?”

Remilia was watching the march while mingling with the crowd.

Beside her is Ishtal, wearing glasses and completely mimicking a human.

At Remilia’s murmur, Ishtal quietly looked up at the sky.

“Yes. Probably, Lyla Flamewatch.”

“What should I do?”

“How? …Whoops. Remilia asking the strange question. Did you forget? We’re not attacking either side in this march. Neither Cleon nor Amelia. Even the nobles of the kingdom we hate.”

At Ishtal’s words, Remilia nodded her head knowingly.

“There is a saying that the enemy of an enemy is a friend. It is nonsense. How can an enemy of an enemy be a friend? An enemy of an enemy is just another enemy.”

Ishtar who is hostile to Amelia and Cleon. And even if there are nobles who are equally hostile to them.

Ishtal never goes hand in hand with them.

“What we have to do is… How can we safely take our share in this big move. Hey. That’s why I sent Evelynn to him.”

“…”

If Cleon had asked for that rice cake, things would have been a little easier.

Muttered Ishtal.

In the next moment, I see a group of people dressed in robes beside the two of them, making their way through the crowd with nimble movements, heading towards the back of the marching ranks.

“At first, it will be quiet. The battle between the defenders and the targeters… Will gradually intensify. The climax will arrive.”

“Let’s go to the bleachers.”

At Remilia’s words, Ishtar nodded and walked in the opposite direction from them.

“Cleon… Whoa. Please don’t die. That way, we can make a deal.

While muttering like that, the demons were tricking humans and moving on.