--While the secretive boy, with the help of his enigmatic father, secretly sets out to rescue Shayla, at the royal palace...

Alford. ...... I didn't know you were here.
This, my lord.

　In the event that you have any questions regarding where and how to use the internet, you can call us at the web site. Alford recognized the man and made a formal bow to his superior.
　The man who accepted his bow shook his head with a bitter expression on his face.

I've been looking for you. I've been looking for you.
"You've been looking for me, sir?　What can I do for you, sir?
"Don't be silly. Where is he?

　An ordinary-looking man with ochre hair and brown eyes, dressed in top-notch but commonplace attire, he was usually the coordinator who, in keeping with his appearance, appeased the more egotistical members of the group by saying, "Well, well. Many people deride him as an "opportunistic Prime Minister" because of his aversion to turbulence and lack of adventurous spirit. --They don't even know that he has an ironclad exterior.
　A moment's thought should make this clear. In the current royal palace, where factional disputes are raging, and where one side can't stand up for the other, how good is his ability to run the affairs of state in an orderly fashion on the surface? In this time of head-on collision between completely different claims, what is needed at the top of the political ladder is not leadership that leads everyone, but the ability to negotiate, to appease both sides and prevent serious disputes from occurring.
　The current Prime Minister of Ergeland, Volz Mondolya. Alford has never known a more effective politician.
　The capable Chancellor had removed his usual work smile with a refreshing clarity.

"No one has seen you since you returned from the palace last night. Instead, we've received reports that you've been wandering around places you wouldn't normally go. Which one of you is he?
I'm afraid, sir, that's a matter for His Majesty's orders, and even He is not allowed to speak to you.
His Majesty's business is a priority in this hour of need!
...... Then, sir. If I may be so bold as to ask, how many steps do we have left to take now that this has happened?

　I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I'm not the only one who's had a bit of trouble.

It's .......
If it's based on the Old Covenant, there's no reason for them to stop here. If it was just a nobleman picking a fight with them personally, they would have politely moved in the name of the Royal Palace.
"Is it inevitable that Crestor will also move against the Royal Court?
I'm sure you are aware of this, which is why you didn't waste your time going directly to Duiris-sama.

　The bitter silence was an affirmation. It's a good idea to take a look at the actual information on the web, as well as the information on the internet. --He is also one of the few people who knows the truth about the Cresta family and has built a relationship of trust with them through the traps on their faces.
　Alford also sighed at his connection to the Cresters, who were more than just aides to the Prime Minister and the King.

There is no way Miss Diana would attempt to kidnap Master Shayla. If you know her, you know that. ...... But we have no proof that she had anything to do with it.
There's no evidence she had anything to do with it.
That's the point. I'm sure you'll be able to figure out what's going on. That's the motive.
That's a motive, not proof that Diana gave the order.
The people who set this up won't accept such a calm and straightforward opinion.

　The point is, it would have been better if we could have gotten a statement from the perpetrators that would have linked this case to the Red Rose. It's a good thing that you're not the only one who has a problem with this.

They said, "Maliciously inventing sins to incriminate the people of Cresta. If you study ...... history and remember the advice of your predecessors, you will know that this is a rut that must not be broken.
You can say that because you are from Soo Won. The average nobleman doesn't hold on to lessons learned a hundred or two hundred years ago.
Even if the lessons of the Azure Rebellion have worn off. Even if the lessons of the Azure Civil War have worn off, can any sane person with eyes and ears imagine what would happen to the idiot who picked a fight with Krester?

　As I recall, there was a case just last spring where an idiot who messed with Zephra in the Crestar territory was stripped of his identity and fell. The Crester family, who ignores bad publicity, will use their hidden claws and fangs to knock their enemies into the abyss the moment they are directly harmed. The fate of those who framed their youngest daughter, who had grown up with a lot of love and affection from her family, in such a trap is dark.
　The reason why the Prime Minister and Alford are so pale is because the "people who framed her" are externally known as the "entire royal court". It's not only the fact that they are the target of the Cresta family's fangs, but also the fact that "I see, the royal court, the country, is trying to kill Diana? ...... There's nothing wrong with destroying a country like that, right? I'm more afraid of the Cresta family saying, "Oh, so the royal court, the country, is trying to kill Diana? It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.
　The Prime Minister sighed deeply as he held his forehead.

I can't pretend now that I didn't do what that fool did. That's why I'm asking for your whereabouts. ...... We must at least stop the execution of Diana by imperial decree.
"Execution?

　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're doing. The vizier looked back at him in disgust.

Didn't you know?　Tomorrow at noon, in the square in front of the palace, they are going to take out the guillotine, which has become a relic of the previous era, and do something with it.
"...... Is it even usable in the first place?　The last time it was used was hundreds of years ago. It'll be rusty for sure.
You can sharpen the blade or replace it with a new one and have it ready for use in a day. The royal knights are already on the move.
If you want to ruin your life, you can do it alone. Don't drag me into it.
That's what I'm trying to tell you. Tell me where he is.

　Now I understand why His Excellency the Prime Minister is always in such a hurry to remove his facade. It is true that in this situation, avoiding execution with a single word from the king may be one of the few good moves the palace can take.


　Alford was a little troubled ...... and still shook his head. The vizier's eyes rolled back in his head.

"Alford.
I understand where you're coming from. I understand what you're thinking, but ...... if you could just give me a moment.

　The competent Prime Minister seemed to have correctly understood the words, which dared to blur the subject. A light of thought dwells in his ordinary brown eyes.

"What are you doing, Your Majesty?
What are you doing? He is continuing to fight as only he can in order to break this situation, turn it around, and build a future for us.

　Exhaling from the bottom of his lungs, Alford looked at the Prime Minister.

"Of course, he has also given direct orders to deal with what is happening now. --Sir. Will you not trust the King to the end?

　We can manage, at the last minute, to have the execution stopped by imperial order. A reluctant, defensive move should be saved until the last minute.
　If you're not sure what you're looking for, you can always ask for help from a friend. I know that. I don't know who the faceless mastermind behind all of this is.
　The pawns, who until now have not made any significant moves and have only been able to be swept along by the situation, must not be the ones the mastermind is focusing on. --Even if it is a pawn that has an unconventional ability to change the course of the game.

　Yes. It's because he's been incompetent so far.
　The jukes can be a reversal. ...... is about to become.

I'm sure you'll be able to find something that works for you. The rift between conservatives and innovators will deepen, friction with other countries will arise, and the country will slowly decline. The wars that arise from differences of opinion are no longer hypothetical.
...... Oh, yes.
If the country will eventually fall, it will be the same if it falls now. At the very least, if the Cresta family destroys it, the impact on the people will be minimal. It's not just a matter of prolonging your life, it's also a matter of being fruitful. ......

Alford. I'm not sure if I'm ready for this. ......

I'm not sure if this is right or not.

I'm not sure if this is correct. After all, no matter how far I go, I'm only thinking about Shayla, aren't I? Maybe I'm just trying to reason outside of it to convince myself.

　Shaking his head several times, he said, "Still," he said.

"Even if I'm wrong about this. I don't want to go back to being a 'king' who tramples and sacrifices others because of my ignorance.

　Just quietly and transparently look at Alford.

I don't want to give up.

　I'm not sure what to do. ...... Alford said.

...... I want to believe in him. I want to believe in him. I want to see the future he will create.
"Alford ......
"No matter how hard I get knocked down. No matter how many times you fall to your knees. He's not gonna give up. He doesn't choose to stand still, running from blame. --How can you abandon her? If she won't run away, how can I, her protector, choose to run away?
You are ......
How can you not sense that your doom is imminent? And yet, her eyes are still looking to the future. Then all I can do is believe and support him until the end. ...... Isn't that right?

　For a while, the Prime Minister did not speak. He did not look away from Alford, as if accepting his decision.
　Eventually - the capable vizier smiled quietly.

"...... young, huh?
"What?
But it is always the fearlessness and recklessness of the young that ushers in the new age.

　The words, which seemed to be disparaging, had a complex ring to them. They sounded like a complex blend of thoughts and feelings that were too deeply mixed to be understood by a greenhorn like Alford.
　Before asking the meaning of the words, the Prime Minister nodded one.

I believe in you, Your Majesty. --Do whatever you want to do.
Thank you, .......
By the way, what do you plan to do now?

　I'll have to think about that.

First, I'm going to ...... visit Miss Diana. I've been running around since I got the news, so I haven't had a chance to talk to her yet.
Do you know where she is?
Yes. And then - I don't know if I'll be able to see her, but I'm going to Edward's.

　The Prime Minister blinked slightly.

You know it's useless?
I'm not sure if I'll be able to meet him, but I'd like to see him. In addition, ...... I'm going to use my position as a friend to appeal to your emotions, even though it's a mixture of public and private.


I'm telling you it's useless. I'm not saying it's useless, I'm saying it could backfire.
I know. But we have to use all the tools at our disposal. At least Ed is still less difficult than if I were to attack Master Dualis directly.
...... That's true.

　He nodded and let out a breath.

I'll just use my position as Prime Minister to dodge their requests. When it comes to executing nobles, the approval of the Prime Minister and the King is absolutely necessary. With the king missing and the Prime Minister on the run, they won't be able to move as fast as they want.
"Thank you for your help. --I'll be going now.

　The king is missing and the Prime Minister is on the run, they can't move as fast as they want.



　And then the Prime Minister, Volz Mondrian, saw him off.

The time to move will not wait for you. ....... The child you leave behind will either be the king who takes care of this country or the king who leads it. Hey, Auster, .......

　He spoke to his friend, who was not here, and turned on his heel to return to his own battlefield.