It was shortly after returning to the inn that Allen heard that things had suddenly changed.

　You'll be able to see that the situation has changed rapidly.

The situation of Henriette's situation worsened as the charges against her increased ......?　What do you mean?
What does that mean, exactly what it means, but ......?

　Curtis looked at Allen, who tilted his head, rather than asking him why he would ask such a question.

　But Milene next to her also tilts her head in the same direction as Allen's, indicating that she agrees with Allen.
　It's not surprising, since he was listening to Henriette's story.

...... If you were able to meet your sister?
"Yeah, yeah, but?　And I came back because I got to see you and hear you talk.
"So, I see that ...... is really a good place to start. ...... How did you get inside that ......

　The latter muttering must have been a soliloquy.
　Since it didn't sound like it was directed at you, Allen just gave a small shrug.

　Well, as a matter of fact, as I told Henriette, the security of the imperial castle was indeed quite good.
　It must have been difficult for Allen alone to keep the intrusion from being noticed, even if it could have been exposed later that someone had broken in.
　That was possible because Milene was there.

　Milene's invisibility was so advanced and subtle that it was a bit difficult for Allen to copy.
　But there's no lack of ways to detect it, and Allen makes up for it.
　The fact that even Henriette could not see how perfect the cover-up was is evident.

　You will be able to get a good idea of what you are looking for, and you will be able to get out of it.

...... By the way, can you teach me how to do that at ......?
I'm not sure that's possible.
Of course. No, I think it's natural. But the fact that you were able to successfully break in means that your security is still lax ......, sorry, now is not the time to think about that. So, I heard you were able to talk to your sister.
Hmmm, well, I guess ......, to put it simply, our fears were unfounded, right?　I was hoping that Henriette would be able to return to her life soon without us doing anything.
"...... rather, what do you want to do to disturb me?
...... I see. That's why you two were wondering about it earlier, isn't it?
It couldn't have been worse.
...... but somehow it got worse?
No. ...... Why is it not so much a question of why?　For example, it could be that your sister was under-perceived or wrong or that she was lying to you to reassure you both. ......
That's not impossible, but ...... Speaking of which, what's in Henriette's increased charges?
It's a good thing that you didn't tell me that yet. It's a good thing that you're still strictly speaking an allegation. ...... It's a good thing that the kingdom - through the kingdom of Ad Astera and the It's called "betraying our country,

　It has also brought quite an undeniable thing.

　Of course it is not true, but it is true that Henriette invited Allen and the others to her mansion.
　Then it's only natural that they would be suspected if they were found to be from the kingdom.

　Conversely, if they didn't know that Allen and the others were from the kingdom, that wouldn't have happened, but there was the precedent of the incident in the elven forest.
　If we assert that this is the case, the current situation of the empire is that it will pass if we assert that it is so.

By the way, what are the chances of that suspicion being confirmed?
The story is that it was the Kuro Wolf Knights who confronted them: ......
Does ...... pass?
Yes. The fact that the Kuro Wolf Knights are still at work makes it more likely that they will be. It's a wonder we weren't warned ...... or maybe that's why we weren't warned. If you try to help someone who has committed treason, the guilt comes not only to them, but also to your family members, so you usually give up. If the person you are trying to help is from another country, it would lead directly to war. ...... No, or perhaps that is the goal.
Well, when someone from another country helps someone who has committed treason, it's an affirmation of that crime.
"...... And the main culprit in the assassination of the emperor?

　If you help Henriette here, it would mean that another country has assassinated the emperor.

　It's not that I don't care where the empire invites you to war, it's just that I don't care which country it is.
　But if the cause is the murder of the emperor, that's a different story.

　The empire gains a title and the country is stigmatized.
　Or another country could temporarily sympathize with the empire.

　From the kingdom's point of view, however, it would still be stigmatized as it is now, but at the same time, if nothing is done, it would be a one-sided complaint from the imperial side.
　Even if the Kuro Wolf Knights are on the move, their power will only work within the Empire.
　To the rest of the world, I don't care.

　But once you've helped them, it's settled.
　You can't use the excuse of lack of evidence.
　The fact that you helped Henriette is irrefutable evidence.

　Therefore, the correct course of action, once things get to this point, is to abandon Henriette--

...... You don't think you're going to tell me to give up on Henriette, do you?
Yes, I would say such a thing with ......, but it might be similar in a way.

　I squinted at Curtis' words and he returned my gaze straight away.
　You've got something to say, so I silently urged you to go ahead, and after a nod, Curtis opened his mouth further.

"Of course, it doesn't mean I'm going to abandon my sister. But in order to help your sister, I would like you all to leave the imperial city once.
"...... leave the imperial city?　To help?
What's the worst that can happen to you right now is that I'll be in contact with you guys. You don't have to go to ...... to tell me why, do you?

　If this is the case, the claim that Henriette is connected to the kingdom is a fabrication.

　I'm sure you'll be able to find out that they are from the kingdom.
　The only way to help them is to get them out of there without thinking about the consequences.

　That's what Curtis is talking about.
　But.



But that doesn't seem to make much difference as it is ......?　And it would be a death sentence in the end.
Yes, maybe so. But maybe not. Maybe it would be better for you to leave such a country, but I think it should be your choice. It's a good thing that you have a good idea of what you want to do. ...... I don't want my sister to have to live her life like that.
......, but what do you do then?
I'll see what I can do. No, I just want to see if I can't get something done, I want to scramble to the end. We're still at the suspect stage, so we should have time to find out. When the Kuro Wolf Knights are on the move, that time will be much shorter than usual, but ...... one week, no, three days is all I need. Can you give me a chance to scratch my feet?

　When Curtis bowed his head, Allen let out a breath.
　Then he looked at Milene.

　And then--






Are you sure you wanted to go to ......?

　Walking through the streets of the Imperial City, Allen shrugged at the words from Milene, who was walking next to him.

'Well,'

　I knew that Milene was frustrated, but I didn't dare to continue.
　Although I could see Milene's eyes narrowed to express her further frustration, I still didn't say anything.
　You just move your feet and proceed towards the eastern edge of the imperial city.

　To put it simply, Allen had agreed to leave the imperial capital.
　And now he is heading to the east end for that purpose.

　Curtis had already arranged for you to leave the imperial capital, about a day's ride away from the capital.
　The carriage is the same fast carriage that you rode in when you came to the capital, but that has also been arranged.
　You're going to be able to find out what you're looking for, and you're going to be able to find out what you're looking for.

　By the way, I've already contacted Leeds and the others.
　They were not at the lodge because they were asked to wait elsewhere just in case something happened to them.

　Although I don't have any magic tools for communication, I can use my reasoning powers to send simple information.
　That's why I told them the location.

　Since Allen and the others are closer, they'll arrive first.
　We'll wait for Leeds and the others to arrive and then leave the capital.

　What happens after that depends on the future situation.
　It's up to Curtis to do so. ......

...... and we'll see what happens.

　Muttering to himself, he looked toward the castle for a moment, while Allen walked toward his destination for the time being.