--The royal capital of Ad Astera, Kardia.

　The most prosperous place in the country was again bustling with activity today.
　People were buzzing about ...... but it also contained a kind of strangeness that was a little different from the usual.

　The reason for this is obvious.
　If you walk around the city even a little bit, you can hear whispers of its cause everywhere.

"Hey, did you hear that?
"Yeah. You're talking about the country making us ......, right?　That's something, really. ......
"Hey, hey, you don't believe a word the General (...) said, do you?
"It's not like that, but you know what ...... is?
"Well. I don't want to think that we've been duped (・・・・・). But...
"Well, if that's really the case, ...... what are we going to do about it?

　It may be part of the chatter of friends, part of a merchant's business meeting, or part of a lover's conversation, but the emotions of many of those telling the story are the same.
　Anxiety and fear.
　That's what makes the air in the city different from the usual.

　And in the face of them, the man lets out a loud sigh.

　The man let out a loud sigh.
　At first glance, you can understand that he has aged reasonably well, but his fearless and piercing eyes show no signs of weakness.

　The fact that he is a warrior is evident from the armor he wears.
　But even without such a thing, his body is filled with something that could be called supremacy.

　Edward Gautogordo.
　Knight Commander of the First Order of Ad Astera.
　He was a man renowned as the strongest man in the kingdom.

　Such a man now resides in his apartment in the royal castle.
　A knight leader can't just swing a sword, he is given a room for his office.

　As part of this, I received a report from my lieutenant.

"...... city is still ...... no, it's even worse than yesterday,
"Yes. It's safe to assume that the rumor has already spread to the whole city. However, the source of the rumor is the source, so I suppose it can't be helped to a certain extent, but ...... is a bit too fast for that. I think the speed of propagation is too fast.
"Someone dares to spread it,
I'm almost certain that

　There was no disagreement with that opinion.
　Or else it wouldn't be.

　The royal capital is not a small place, and the movement of people is also considerable.
　And yet, the same story was being talked about all over the city in just one day, something that would not have happened otherwise deliberately.

What about the agitators?
"I'm sorry, but we haven't found them. Considering the current situation, we believe there are quite a few: ......
"Hmm ...... I should think of it as a well-organized movement, after all, it's pretty big. That's pretty big, too.
"...... somewhere in the country, I suppose?
"Well, ...... I'm just a guy who came up here on my arm. It's just a hunch and you can't rely on it.
Humility. If you really came this far on your own, this country would have been invaded by other countries. No, in fact, it would have fallen into ruin.
That's too much of a compliment.

　This deputy officer has been very helpful for me in doing my paperwork and other tasks, but I find it hard to accept the fact that he tries to lift himself up needlessly like this.
　I appreciate the admiring look you give me, but it's just too much to handle.

　With a bitter smile, Edward decided to change the subject for now.

"So, what's going on with the general?
I'm sorry, but we're looking for you, too.
"Well ......, it seems that they were already in hiding by the time we heard about it. I don't know if I had to do it, but ...... was it really real in the first place?
"I understand your incredulity, but I've seen many others in the city. I think it's better to believe it's real than to think it's all a lie. ...... To be honest, I'd rather not believe it either.

　The first officer seemed to truly believe that, as he told me with his eyes down ...... Edward let out a small breath to avoid being recognized as such.
　Perhaps that's because what he thinks and what he thinks is different.

　The lieutenant would simply say that he can't believe that the general betrayed him (・・・・).
　This rumor originated from a person who is believed to be the general.
　It is said that the general would wander into the city's taverns and other places and tell them, "This country is about everyone.

　--This country is playing a trick on everyone.
　--I can't tell you what it is yet, but I have proof, and that we'll find out soon.

　If it was someone else, it would just be a story, but you're dealing with them.
　He is one of the most important people in the country and his influence is far greater than that of a lowly aristocrat.
　There was no way to ignore it.

　But whether it was true or false, it was clearly harmful to the country.
　Considering the current situation, it would certainly be natural to think that the general betrayed you and followed you to another country.

　But what Edward has in mind is something else and more fundamental.
　To be honest, Edward thought the general was long dead.

　After all, a man of the general's caliber had not been seen for months at all.
　He is called a general because of his gift, but his title is actually the Knight Commander of the Second Order.

　There are things to do at least as much as you have to do and above all, he is the key to the defense of the country.
　It's not possible to stay away from him forever.

　I've heard that Edward is in poor health and has been lying on the floor for some time now, but ...... was too long, no matter how long, if only for a month or so.


　That's why I always thought that the general was actually dead and was hiding the fact that he was dead.

"...... No, maybe not?　Or ......
"...... Commander?
...... Oh no, I'm just talking to myself. Don't worry about it.
"Huh. ......

　What if it wasn't because he died, but because he betrayed you and made you disappear? But then it occurred to me that I might be overthinking things.

　Or rather, it was more likely to be an imposter.
　Edward knew very well how much the general cared about the country.

"Well, okay. It's all right.

　As he said it, Edward slowly stood up.
　The second-in-command blinked his eyes a few times at the sudden movement, but he must have realized Edward's intentions right away.
　He asked as if in a panic.

And how did you get up suddenly?　The Commander still has some work to do--
"To do?　What could be more important to me than to fight a national crisis?
"A crisis of national survival. ......?

　Edward opens his mouth with a serious look on his face as his deputy looks at him black and white, as if he hadn't expected it.

The general could have betrayed you, right?　Then I guess I'm the only one in King's Landing now who can stand against him, right?
"What?　It's ...... indeed.

　Whether he hadn't thought about it or didn't want to think about it, the lieutenant was taken aback.
　A general's betrayal would be equivalent to the enemy's miscellaneous soldiers suddenly turning into top-notch soldiers.
　A delay in response could be instantly fatal.

　However, that is why Edward doesn't think that the general betrayed him any more.
　If there was such a thing, you should at least let them know, because there is nothing you can do when the time comes.

"Well, I've never fought a serious opponent. This is our chance to determine who is truly the strongest in the kingdom.

　The lieutenant looked somewhat relieved as he lifted the corners of his mouth in a grin.
　I'm sure he thought that if Edward was here, he would be all right.

　It was part of Edward's job to make her think that.
　To be honest, I'm not very good at that kind of thing, but ...... it can't be helped.

　Those who have the power have a responsibility to do so.
　No matter how much you may hate it, you can't just throw it away.

　Anyway, Edward walks straight out of the room to join the search party.
　There's a lot to think about ...... but in the end, there's only one thing for Edward to do.

　Slay the enemy.
　It was the only thing that didn't change no matter what position he held.

　I squinted at the light coming in through the window.
　It doesn't change what I do.
　That's true.

　But at the same time, Edward had a strange feeling of unease.
　And it wasn't because of what he had just heard.
　Longer ago, since ...... heard that the general appeared in town yesterday, I've been feeling it.

　Nevertheless, everyone in the Order is excellent.
　Even if the general really had betrayed them, I don't think it will happen soon.

　Besides, as I said before, as long as Edward is out, the general and his soldiers can be held back.
　There is nothing to worry about .......

　But no matter how much you tell yourself, you can't shake the bad feeling.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find out what's going to be the best way to make sure that you're not going to be the only one.