I woke up just after I responded to Chain's request and lost consciousness.


　After waking up, my consciousness was much clearer, and I didn't have the lassitude that I often have.
　I was able to experience a refreshing awakening that I could not believe I had just woken up from sleep.
　Looking ahead, I saw a tasteless cloth ceiling.
　Perhaps I was in a tent.
　My body was lying on a cot, with white curtains separating us.
　There is a small [glittering glass] on a simple stand placed by the bedside, and even though there is no daylight, it is quite bright inside.


　I tried to raise myself up from the bed, but...


"Gosh, I can't move my body. ......


　I tried to move my body, but it wouldn't move as I wanted it to.
　I had to exert myself more than usual to even roll over.


　While I was struggling with my physical condition, the curtain was suddenly lifted lightly.
　A woman in a white robe emerged from the curtain.


"This is ......, are you awake?

What?　Ah, yes, .......


　The woman's calm voice made me reply lamely.


It's fine. Don't push yourself too hard. Okay?

"Okay. ......

"Good.


　The woman says contentedly, and steps inside the curtain.
　She is a slender woman in a white robe. She is about thirty years old.
　Her golden hair is tied back in a simple bun, and her overall appearance is clean.
　Her behavior and treatment of the things around her are polite, but there is a strange glimpse of arrogance in her behavior.
　It's a good idea to take a look at the website and see if you can find any useful information.


　...... At any rate, the fact that she is wearing a white robe suggests that she is a medical mage serving in the defeating army.
　I'm not sure what to make of that.
　By the way, I noticed now that the room was filled with the smell of medicinal herbs.


Good morning.

...... Good morning.

Do you know your name?

Yes. Arx Raytheft.

Good. You don't seem to be experiencing any temporary memory confusion.


　While I was having this conversation with the medical mage, other medical mages who heard the news of his recovery were rushing in and out of the partition.
　Those who are on their way to make contact with the outside of the tent.
　One brings a pitcher of water and offers you a drink.
　Others took my pulse or wiped my neck or face.
　They were all very courteous.


It's very polite.

"His Royal Highness, the Dauphin, has ordered us to do so.

Oh, I see. ......


　I'm not sure if it's because of this that they are treating me so well.
　In any case, the medical mage woman picked up a kind of medical questionnaire and proceeded to ask questions briskly.
　After a few more questions, I was swept along by the wave of questions.


"Can you move your left arm?

"Left arm?　Oh, .......


　When she said that, I finally realized.
　By the way, when I fought Dusseyr, I used the [Spinning Barrel] beyond its limits and put a non-negligible load on my left arm.
　If you can't move it anymore,......, you can try to move your left arm and hand with such concern.


......


　As I expected, I could only move my fingers and elbow slightly, but my hand and arm did not move as I wanted.


(I've done this. ......)


　When I tell the medical mage with my eyes that I can't move any further, she looks at me strangely and says, "I see. ......
　And then.


We've done our best to treat you. But if you can move it, it doesn't mean that you can't move it completely. You will have to continue the treatment patiently until you are completely cured.

"I see.


　It was uneasy that he had not been completely healed after all the magical treatment, but if he was not completely useless, it was rather a good result.
　If it works, it means that the nerve transmission has not been ruined.
　If it works, the nerve transmission is not ruined.


　Yes, because I am a mage.


(I'll have to focus on healing magic from now on.)


　(I'll have to put more effort into healing magic in the future.) While I was thinking this with great enthusiasm while looking at my left arm, which I could barely move, a heavy hand was placed on the curtain from the outside.


Oh, it looks like he's really awake.

"Uncle ......


　It was my uncle, Clive Arbent, who appeared with a reassuring voice.
　He was wearing a military uniform pulled over his shoulders in the same style as usual.
　Without asking for anyone's permission, he walked into the partition.
　The smell of cigars wafted in the air.
　Does the medical mage blame you for your impudent intrusion?
　I frowned and gave Crabbe a stern look, but he just smiled deceptively.


　Following Crabbe, Noah and Kazi also show up.
　They, too, are dressed in their butler's uniform, as usual.
　Perhaps because they were both cleaner than Crabbe, they didn't receive any complaints or disapproving glances.




Good morning, Uncle.

Good morning, you. ......

"......?


　When Crabbe turned to the medical mage with a dumbfounded look on his face, she turned away as if she didn't know him. She turned away as if she had no idea.
　While the medical mage was trying to pretend that the initial greeting had not been said, Noah came up with the current situation.


"Master Arx. It's already noon. It's already noon and it's been a week since you lost your mind.

I wonder if humans can sleep this long. I'm quite impressed with your sleeping habits, master. Khihihi!


　Both Noah and Kazi responded with their usual witticisms.
　Perhaps it was because they were so normal, but for some reason I felt more at ease.
　In the event that you've got a lot of time, you'll be able to take a look at a few of the things that are available.


It's been a week?

"Yeah. I was just worried that you might not wake up.

I'm sorry for all the trouble I've caused you.

That's right. You always cause so much trouble.

Ha-ha-ha. ......

It's not funny, okay?　When you die, you're done. You can't do the things you wanted to do.

Yes. I'm well aware of that.

That's all right.


　It turned out to be a lecture, but the fact that they only gave me a few words was probably because they understood that I didn't even have a choice in that situation. I really feel grateful for the parental mind that pays attention to me.
　While I was feeling this way.


While I was feeling this way, I felt that it was time for me to file a claim for mental health benefits.

...... I'm sorry for worrying you, but what does that say about you as a steward?

Physical work and mental strain are two different things.

How much are you trying to rip off from me? ......

"Well, I moved in a hurry. I've been moving around a lot, and it's not worth it if you don't add that much color.

I hope you're not trying to extort money from me like that.

Oh!　That's a good idea. That's a good idea. As expected of my master, he thinks like a scoundrel. That's right.


　After exchanging such casual conversation with the two butlers, I asked them what was bothering them.


"Uncle. How is the war going?　If it's been a week, the battle should have been won, if not settled.

That's the first thing you ask me? Well, I'm sure it's on your mind.

Yes, sir. By all means.

First of all, it's already settled. The vanquishing force has won.

Well, that's good. ......

Well, now that I'm here, you can't lose.


　Crabbe is very proud of himself while saying such things.
　In the meantime, Noah, like a second-in-command, repositioned his glasses and gave a detailed update.


After the decisive battle on the plains, the defeating army led by His Highness Prince Ceylan pursued the retreating Poluk Nadar. After the decisive battle on the plains, the vanquishing forces led by His Highness Prince Ceylan pursued the retreating Poluk Nadar, ending up in a siege. The head of the army was raised by Her Excellency Louise.

"So everything settled down as it should?


　I don't know what to say. I can hear Diet's sulky voice replaying in my head.
　On the other hand, Kazi scratched the back of his head uncomfortably.


I had a feeling there might be a disturbance or two.

"You didn't?

No? - No. No. Nothing at all. I was expecting more bites from the Imperial Guard, but I heard they retreated easily after the battle on the plains.

"That's how you know when to back off. I heard that the General had set a net there, but he couldn't catch them.


　General. That's what they called him in the audience.


"Gadourd Belhaan, sir?　As I recall, you're not moving. ......

"He probably suspected the existence of a spies within the strike force and decided to say so. He deliberately spread false information.


　It's true that if they did that, they could give the enemy false information. That way you can make the enemy misinformed, and make them feel insecure, whether they move or not.
　Suddenly, Crabbe smiles pleasantly at me.


I see you've put up quite a fight. Even the Kingsguard praised you.

What?　No, .......



"You made a spectacular stand against the Imperial Guard and the Kuro Panther. That's not something you can do.

No, it was because I was crazy ...... and His Highness was there.

It's amazing that you were able to get out of that predicament, crazy or not. And you kept his highness unharmed. That's more than good, it's a major achievement.


　My uncle, who was usually strict, praised me with open arms.
　As a person who was always berated during training, I was quite flattered.
　So I said


"...... It's not like you to praise me like this, Uncle.

"Isn't this some kind of scoundrel pretending to be Lord Crabbe? Show yourself.

I'm serious. I'm serious. - Don't play dumb with me, you idiots.


　When you make the same old joke, you'll get a slight knee jerk reaction.
　I'm sure you've seen it before. I guess it's a bit of a bummer that Kazi, who was laughing his ass off at the sight of it, also got a few more unreasonable dents dropped on him.


You're so twisted.

No, it's just new for me to be praised so much by my uncle.

You've got to give credit where credit is due. The fact is, you've done well. In this case, you should be praised.

Yes, yes, .......


　I want to hide my embarrassment, so I throw another topic at him.


Why did your uncle come to reinforce you, anyway?

It's an order from His Majesty. There's been some disturbing activity in the Empire, so he asked me to go and see what I could find out.

It looks like he's going for a walk. ......


　Well, Crabbe is such a powerful mage.
　I'm not sure what to make of it.


In addition to the mages who came first, I thought you couldn't spare any reinforcements to guard against the Han and Grand Shell.

I did it that way. If their movements are not known to anyone, no one will be able to detect them.


　I mean, that's...


To deceive your enemy, start with your allies. ......


　In the world of men, this is a phrase that is often heard, but never used correctly.
　I think this is the first time I've actually felt this.


　...... If there are reinforcements in the defeating army, their effects will ooze out into the movements of the entire defeating army. The march and the deployment of the army on the battlefield will be based on the assumption that reinforcements will arrive, and it is undeniable that the enemy who sees the movement may sense the arrival of reinforcements.
　In order to avoid this, the king may have taken the step of not even informing Ceylan.


"Huh?　That's an interesting word. It's certainly the best way to describe your father's plan.


"What?


　Suddenly, from outside the curtain, such a voice comes flying in.


　As soon as they did, Crabbe, Noah, and Kazi immediately stood up.
　Then they bowed with their arms to their chests as if they were welcoming a person of high rank.
　They all stood erect, as if they had iron rods inserted in their spines.
　They face forward, eyes slightly upward, to greet the owner of the voice.


　Eventually, the white curtain separating this side and that side was lifted, and there was Ceylan.
　As usual, he was wearing a mask with a black veil. His headpiece, decorated with many ornaments, looked like a Chinese Buddhist monk's hat with a black robe on the face.
　The ears, hair, and profile are completely covered and invisible. Only the mouth, where the braiding of the masks has become thin, can be seen occasionally in low light. Now she is dressed in a glittering Chinese-style robe with gold thread dragons painted on it, giving off an air of solemnity.
　I can't hide my surprise at the unexpected appearance of this person.


"So, Your Highness, .......

"Hmm. I heard that you had regained consciousness.


　So that's why you came to see me.
　I didn't expect you to visit me in person.
　Normally this would never happen.
　Ewlid pulls back the curtain, and Ceylan walks through the opening.
　Seiran sat down naturally in the seat offered to him by Crabbe.


"Your Highness. I'm sorry to be dressed like this.

"It's all right. It's all right. I'm injured protecting me and I can't move. How can I blame you for that?

I'm sorry for what you've done.


　While I was feeling frustrated that I couldn't even bow, Ceylan came close to me.


By the way, how are you feeling?

No pain, but I can't move it as much as I'd like, probably because I haven't moved it for so long.

How's your left arm?

How's your left arm? It's almost completely immobilized, but if the medical mages are right, it will depend on further treatment.

"I see. ......


　I'm not sure if this is a good idea or not.
　I'm sorry," he said, and I had a feeling that he was about to say something like that, but because of his position, Ceylan was not allowed to say those words.
　People of the royal family, especially Ceylan and Shinru, are absolute beings in the kingdom.
　Therefore, they are not allowed to say apologies, words that admit failure.
　They are not allowed to say apologies, to admit their mistakes, just as divine spirits and genies are not allowed to make mistakes.
　They too, who are equated with them, do not make mistakes.


　If you admit that you were wrong, you will not be in the same league as the spirits and the spirits will lose their authority.


　Suddenly, I ask Ewlid.


"Lord Raine. What happened to the Kingsguard that was with you?

"Yes. Thanks to the magical treatment they received immediately after that, all of them survived. Their recovery will depend on their future treatment.

"I see. ......


　Thank God. The condition of the guards who were there was one of the things I was concerned about.
　Those who are still alive must have been badly injured, but it is fortunate that they survived.
　As he breathed a sigh of relief, Ewlid said to Ceylan.


"Your Highness, it's time.

I see. It's already that time. ...... I'm going to head back to King's Landing, but you can take your time getting well. I'll let the medical mages know to treat you with respect.

"I'm very touched by your concern.


　And then Ceylan laughs quietly.


I'm sure you're running out of words to thank me for this.

I'm sorry. I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do this, but I'm going to try.


　As soon as Ceylan's light-hearted tone is taken over, he changes his tone and attitude.
　In the back of his mind is the dignity of a champion. With that air of authority, he opened his mouth.


"Arx. I thank you once again.

Your words are wasted on me.

Don't be modest. Without you, this victory would not have been possible.

No, I'm glad you're all right.

Yes, I am. I'll speak with you again.


　Seiran stood up and said...


"Arx. Keep up the good work.

"Well. I will do my best to live up to Your Highness' expectations.

"Yes. I look forward to it.



　Ceylan nodded in satisfaction and left the tent with Eulide and Roheim.
　Somehow, I don't think I was as nervous as before.
　Suddenly, the words Ceylan had spoken came back to my mind.



　--Keep up the good work.


　Yes, I'm sure that's what I said.
　Then what the hell did he mean by those words?


"............ What?　What do you mean from now on?

That's what it means, right?

That's what it means.

I'm sure you'll have plenty to talk about. You're a master of many topics.


　When the three of us looked at each other, we were greeted with such dumbfounded words.
　It seemed that they might be even busier than before.