The Day of Departure from the Royal Capital
Prince Zeke did not come to see us off.
The streets of the royal capital grew increasingly distant.
As I gazed at the receding scenery, Lady Leila spoke to me with concern.
“Somehow, Lord Ainzich, you look a bit lonely.”
“Is that so? …Maybe.”
It was a brief period, but it was an intense experience…
The crown prince, fixated on the throne, and the fifth prince, who possessed both strength and charisma. The crown prince, with his unhealthy appearance, was consumed by a thirst for revenge and the throne.
What will happen to the royal family from here on out…? No, I shouldn’t be worrying about others. The encirclement is beginning to form, and our territory is not secure.
However, it was through Prince Zeke’s invitation that I was able to reaffirm what I truly wanted. Further development of the duchy…
To be honest, I just wanted to build a harem and enjoy a slow life…
I took the same route back and returned to the duchy.
Upon entering the duchy, since it was within friendly territory, my father did not head to the duchy capital but went directly to the count’s territory, partly thanks to the infrastructure improvements in the duchy.
As the carriage moved, there was a knock on the window.
“Lord Ainzich, there is a person collapsed ahead.”
I leaned out of the carriage to check ahead.
Indeed, there was a person lying on the ground… Is it some kind of trap? But there’s no place to hide in this grassy area.
For now, I got off the carriage and had Werner check it out.
The man who was collapsed was dressed in light clothing and wore a cloak without a family crest, with a sword hanging from his waist.
The absence of a family crest on the cloak suggests he might be a former knight or aspiring knight.
Werner walked up to the man and poked him with the sword sheath.
“Lord Ainzich, he’s alive!”
It seemed the man was indeed breathing.
The reason for his collapse was hunger and dehydration, so I shared some of our supplies, and he quickly began to recover.
Afterward, I sat down on a folding chair to hear his story while he sat on the ground.
The man I helped had long, light brown hair and a gentle-looking face, but there was an air of fragility about him.
He seemed like the type who would charm women in Kabukicho if he were in a past life.
Even though it was our first meeting, I was thinking such rude thoughts.
“Thank you for saving me.”
“Don’t mention it, but how did you end up in a place like that?”
“It’s a bit embarrassing, but I got lost on my way…”
He didn’t seem to be lying, at least from what I could see.
Well, my judgment isn’t always reliable, but I have people like Herbert who are more observant, so it should be fine.
“Where did you come from?”
“From the east, seeking a position.”
His attire made it clear he was aspiring to be a knight.
The fact that he didn’t show any agitation in front of nobles suggests he was not an inexperienced squire but a former knight.
“Who did you serve before?”
At that, the man placed a hand on his chest and bowed as if he remembered.
“I apologize for my late introduction. I am Kurt, formerly in service to Count Werner.”
“I am Ainzich von Sil-Baltia, the duke. But I’m surprised; I didn’t expect there would be survivors from Count Werner’s knights.”
I had heard that Count Werner had met a tragic end, proud as a family of martial arts. I thought perhaps all his knights had perished, but it seems one survived…
The man had a look of regret on his face.
“…I got lost on the way to the battlefield.”
Both Werner and Herbert looked at him as if to say, “Seriously?” Even the carriage driver had the same expression.
Normally, if someone were delayed, they would be furiously reprimanded or even fired on the spot—meaning literally fired.
But the reason he could still be alive like this was precisely because his lord family had perished…
Hmm. We are short on knights, and if I could replenish our ranks, I would like to.
Most knights seeking a position would go to my father rather than me. It’s only reasonable to aim for the headquarters if you’re looking to advance.
“I have one condition, though. Will you come to my side?”
While he didn’t seem suspicious, it felt like if he were sent as a spy, there would be better choices.
If he had remained like that while collapsed, he would have been in a dire situation, and he wouldn’t know which route I was taking, so would someone really do something so dangerous?
“If possible…”
Kurt agreed and bowed his head.
“The condition is that you must spar with Werner.”
