60. At the Summit of the Purple Forbidden City, Imperial City PK

A few days later, in the town of Uncle Zerola’s fief.

Under the cover of moonlight, combined with the immense power that Louise wielded as the Queen of the Great Yinf Empire, and finally aided by the patrol led by Professor Moriarty providing us with “cover,” one night, our convoy left the town in the swiftest and most discreet manner possible.

Although this operation was rushed in every sense, our goal was clear: to protect and return with the Queen to the royal city.

The reason was simple: the sudden appearance of the dangerous pursuer before us—the Sword Saint Ludwig of the Great Yinf Empire—did not attack me and Kephiel as per the orders of the Moon Fairy Elisse. Instead, he spared us, citing “too much trouble” as his reason, and even provided us with a method to confront the Moon Fairy directly and reclaim the Queen’s power!

After much deliberation, we had no better plans, and since the other party had shown sincerity, we ultimately agreed to Ludwig’s proposal and hurried back. The Queen’s final decision came after I confirmed through the script that Ludwig was not lying. However, while we agreed, the matter still left a knot in my heart. Ludwig’s proposal made me feel that something was… off.

“Well, although it’s troublesome, I suppose I’ll repeat it for you once.”

In the next moment, Ludwig—the Sword Saint before me, who was as useless as a maid—interrupted my thoughts. To prevent her from doing anything sneaky, we arranged for her to sit with us, but we couldn’t let her get too close to Kephiel or the Queen. So, it ended up with one girl sitting on each of my thighs, watching Ludwig yawn across from me in an awkward situation.

“After we return to the royal city, I will ask Elisse to agree to a one-on-one duel between me, Kephiel, and you. If you can hold your ground, and of course, it would be even better if you happen to win, then Elisse will no longer pursue the previous matters regarding your identity as Oujilid. If she disagrees, I will definitely smash her…”

This was Ludwig’s proposed method of negotiating with the Moon Fairy Elisse! At first glance, such conditions and guarantees seemed very vague, but Ludwig’s identity as the “Sword Saint” gave her the confidence to negotiate with us. Moreover, if we had initially thought of “using Ludwig as a pawn,” now she was actively offering us a means, which indeed was the most perfect and smooth development.

“Please don’t use the word ‘happen to.'”

Kephiel clenched her fists, “I will give it my all.”

Of course, I had my concerns about Ludwig’s proposal, one of which was: this way, all the pressure was on Kephiel. Even now, I could feel her tense emotions under the pressure. Yet, in contrast, Ludwig still appeared relaxed.

“There’s no need to be so nervous, Kephiel.”

The elven maid squinted her eyes, her voice filled with weariness, “While dueling is certainly about winning, if I win, you will definitely resist again, and it will indeed be troublesome. So, I will let you tie with me to a degree that Elisse won’t understand, Kephiel.”

She scratched her head as if discussing something utterly ordinary, “So I hope you can give it your all. Of course, if I let you off too easily, don’t stab me in the back. After all, while I don’t want to win, I also don’t want to lose~”

With Ludwig’s strength, she could force the Moon Fairy to agree to this duel that would determine our future. Then, Ludwig would slightly hold back, maintaining a balance with Kephiel, and in the end, while everyone shook hands in reconciliation, the Moon Fairy would have no choice but to agree not to pursue the matters regarding the Queen and me and Kephiel any further.

Ludwig’s identity as the “Sword Saint” gave her the confidence to make such demands of the Moon Fairy, and this… was not much different from what we had initially speculated. As for the outcome of this matter, we naturally received the best option. As for Ludwig, it seemed she was just trying to avoid “trouble.”

It sounded hard to believe in her sincerity with such benefits, but… this elf really seemed to fear trouble. After all, even now, after explaining everything to us, Ludwig leaned back in her seat and fell asleep without any guard or concern for her image.

Everything seemed to be going smoothly, like a surprise from the heavens, yet I couldn’t calm down at all. Some hidden pricks in my heart always urged me to do something, to ask something, but I couldn’t figure out the direction or the goal.

“Ludwig, why are you helping us?”

Unconsciously, I hugged the two girls beside me, listening to Ludwig’s drowsy words, still

Ludwig yawned, “And, have you finished asking? It’s such a hassle, can I just take a nap?”

“Please, go ahead.”

Aside from agreeing, I couldn’t think of any other response.

After all…

【Elise spared Euclid!】

【Louis IV returned to the throne!】

【Kephir and Ludwig are at a stalemate!】

All the scenarios related to the two women beside me had unfolded with perfect outcomes. At this point, what reason did I have to be suspicious?

Though I wished I could think that way.

But, it was indeed necessary to be suspicious; after all, my decision could very well determine the future of Kephir and the queen.

Before I sensed anything, I might as well trust you once, Ludwig.

—