Everything went exactly as you said it would. I made it happen. It's disgusting, really.

　"I hate it, really," Erdis said, his lips pursed in disgust as he rested his cheek against his cheekbones. It's hard to believe that this is the behavior of a princess.

　From the outside, the sunlight is already showing itself. How many days has it been since we came here? The soldiers of the Garlist Kingdom are not so insensitive. We must make this as quick as possible.

　From the pit of my stomach, a shuddering urge climbs to my throat. Was this really the right thing to do? Would such a sloppy, improvised script work so well?

　Yes, my brain is agitating me with an unfathomable anxiety.

"Princess, did you get the time right, that it's noon? How did it go?

I told you. I told you everything was going to be all right. What, you don't trust me?

　The princess seems to be in a foul mood after all. Every word she says has a thorn sticking out of it. Every time I say something, her whole body is covered with thorns.

　I stroked the bridge of his nose with my finger while spilling out words to appease him.

　So we can only assume that everything will be ready.

　Frankly, it's dangerous. It's a tightrope to walk. I don't know how far we can go to finally win the hearts and minds of the people. There's no way I could have imagined the mindset of a race as different as the elves.

So I'll just assume that everything is in order. I just wish I had an all-seeing eye.

　The rest was simply a matter of information. It was a matter of how well you could assess the war situation and how much groundwork you could build up. Unfortunately, I can't do this right now.

　There was no way I could keep an eye on everything from inside the tower.

　And I don't know the intentions of the Royal Court or the Rahgias side. I don't know what kind of character they have, what kind of decision-making criteria they have, and what kind of orders they give. To be honest, I feel uneasy about moving pieces with someone I don't know.

　I feel as if something like a stone is moving around in my chest.

So, what should I do next?

　As I narrowed my eyes in thought, Erdis, who had been pursing his lips, suddenly spoke up.

　For a moment, I couldn't make sense of it, and my brows furrowed. What do you want me to do? What, you want me to tell you what to do? The elven princess.

　Her big blue eyes stare at me and don't move. It really was as if she was just waiting for me to open my mouth.

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"......, you know... I told you so. You said you were going to drag me into the stream and tie me up so I couldn't escape.

　You said you'd get me into the stream and tie me up so I couldn't get out," Erdis says, his toes clicking on the floor.

　I don't remember saying anything about tying her up. I don't remember saying anything about tying her up. I open my eyelids wide, my gaze twisting.

　Oh, no, but... I see. I just remembered. I had the impression that Elddis had listened to the Lord Hero in the past. Or perhaps it would be more accurate to say that she only listened to what he had to say.

　In any case, I would appreciate it if you would take my orders. That way, I'll have something to do in the tower.

I don't mean to ask you to do this, princess, but I need you to keep a sharp eye on the perimeter. Your shadow can do that. I want you to be as undetectable as possible, looking at the palace, the forest, the movements of the monsters, everything.

　I was expecting her to refuse this kind of scouting job, but Erdis agreed to it. She's really willing to listen to my instructions.

　What, was she just bored? No, it would be rude to think so.

　Besides, even though she is of royal blood, Elddis is an emotional being. It would be cruel to ask her to just stay here when we're about to turn this country upside down.

　As for myself, my heart is beating incessantly, and I feel like I'm about to tear my flesh out of my chest.

I'm going to go now. I'm going to sleep in my bed, so if anyone comes, just say so.

Oh, okay. ...... No, wait. I'm pretty sure my ears told me that you can't create an illusion unless someone is holding you in their arms.

　I'm sure you'll be able to understand why. Why is this woman so willing to lie down on the bed?

　Erdis blinked his eyes, moved his lips thoughtfully, and said.

That's a lie. That can't be true. You're an idiot.

　Oh, I see. This guy's behavior is so different from his previous behavior that I can't read his words or actions at all. What the hell is that supposed to mean?



　He became Kalia, he became Phialat, and his character fluctuated greatly, but his essence remained the same. She was a noble spirit who never forgot her quest for wisdom.

　And yet she, Erdis, was completely unreadable. Perhaps it was due to the fact that she used to have a very damaged psyche, but her character is very different from what I imagined. I wonder if it was her way of joking.

"I tried you, my dear. If you don't do anything in front of my defenseless body, you deserve my trust. If you had tried to touch me, I would have stabbed you in the throat.

　With that, Elddis rubbed her eyes slightly and headed for the bedroom.

　Well, that may or may not make sense to you.

　I mean, what were you going to do if they were roughing you up? Even if you were to kill him, I don't think it would be something that could be undone. I wonder if we humans and elves have different values in this area.

　I can't help it, I can't help but have a lot of doubts about Elddis.

　Just before heading to the bedroom, Elddis turned around, rattled the floorboards slightly, and said.

...... Speaking of which... Why are you helping me? I'm sure there are many other ways that you could have been captured by Ragias. You have friends, and if you can trick me into contacting them, you can get out of here, can't you?

　That's not entirely wrong.

　It is true that if you can get Erdis to join you and help you overthrow the rule of Lagias, then the power of the heraldry will be expanded. In that respect, it would make sense.

　But that's all I'm going to say. There is no way that we can easily ask for help from a country whose power has just shifted, and it is obvious that we need to cooperate with them.

　If you are thinking of confronting the Great Saints in the future and want to weaken their power, you can just ravage this country as you see fit. There is no point in wishing her success.

　Seeing that I couldn't help but answer, Erdis smiled slightly, as if he was mocking himself.

Or are you just using me for your own purposes? Or maybe I'm being deceived. I don't mind that, either.

　I almost burst out laughing at that, if only I didn't have to.

　Use. I'm the elf princess. Give me a break. If you're using me, I'm using someone more available.

I'm sure I have my own agenda, I won't deny that.

　For a moment, Elddis's mood seemed to fade. She's such an easy woman to understand, isn't she? She breathes out, missing her chewing tobacco.

But not why. You tried to help me, you did, out in the woods. Respect for respect.

　I don't like it, but I agree with you there. I don't like it, but that much I agree with you. When I cowered, Elddis blinked and blew her face up. I've been patient with her, but she's so rude.

What is it? Is that why you're doing this? You're such an idiot, aren't you?

It's nothing like that.

　No, it's not something like that.

　I don't know how many times I've been treated with respect. How many times since the beginning of time has anyone treated me as a human being? How often have I been looked down upon and disrespected?

　I certainly don't like Elddis. She nearly killed me many times in my travels.

　But at least she, the one I'm talking to here, showed me respect. I can't tell you how happy that made me. How it comforted my fragile heart.

　There was nothing more I could ask for.

"....... You're like a knight in shining armor. You're a knight in shining armor.

　I'm not sure what to say, but I'm going to say it.

I'm sure you're not the only one. But thank you, my knight Lugis. I wouldn't have been able to move on without you. You have my deepest gratitude.

　The tone was not as light as it had been in the past. It was not the light tone of the past, but the solemn words of Erdis as a princess. At the same time, she held out her hand to me.

　What a waste of words. It's not something I should be allowed to say. I couldn't help but be moved. While suppressing his emotional turmoil, he took her hand as if it were a knight's salute, and opened his mouth.

It was all done with pleasure, my princess.