CH 88

「The circumstance of the Highlanders’ politics, is it?」

Raphael glinted his eyes.

「Exactly, Sir Holy Knight. Similar to how the Midland is split into different nations, there are also factions based on different ideological beliefs in the Highland. However, we are still a mono-geopolitical nation, so it is difficult to discern from the outside.」 「In short, the Followers of Faith did this to hinder your work as a member of the Archduke Party?」

Prince Wayne inquired Special Envoy Theodore. As expected of someone who had studied in the Highland, he seemed to be familiar with the situation up there too.

「That is correct, Wayne. Although you can’t say that it’s a personal attack. We of the Archduke Party are approving bestowal of modern Artifacts, Flygear and Flygear Carriers. However, the Followers of Faith strongly opposed that decision. They are afraid that in the future, those technologies will ‌bite back on us.」

In the last incident, even Faris who had become a Highlander was plotting to assassinate the Special Envoy Myynti. This caused a series of conflicts behind the scene regarding the bestowal of power towards the Midlander.

The conflict must have been quite fierce, owing to the fact that it involved assassination. It made quite a sense to Inglis. A Highlander assassin targeted Myynti, his neck was also the aim of the anti-Highlander guerilla organization, Ironblood Chain Brigade, and he even aggravated an assault from Knights of the Kingdom. What a busy person he was. Even if Inglis wasn’t on the scene, his doom would’ve been the same.

「… So they’re using us as pawns in their internal conflicts? I became a Hyrule Menace to protect Midland from the Magic Stone Beasts——not for their stupid dispute!」

Eris was enraged. It was happening to her companion, another Hyrule Menace like her. No one could blame her.

「You are most correct. However, Hyrule Menaces like you are Guardian Deities created by the Highland——it is no wonder for the creator to make a means to destroy you from within. I presume that is what is happening right now. Miss Ripple has been a Hyrule Menace of the Followers of Fatih’s makings, and so I have no idea the exact details of her creation, but… On the contrary, Miss Eris, you are a Hyrule Menace affiliated to us, the Archduke Party. Just like so, the balance of power between two factions has always been held steady in this Kingdom since long ago. However, with how the Archduke Party is gaining more ground within the Kingdom, that balance is slowly breaking down.」 「In other words, if things are played differently, it’s more than possible that I would be in Ripple’s shoes…? In a way, that is reassuring to hear. I’ve been a Hyrule Menace for a long time, and yet I don’t know the first thing about Hyrule Menaces at all. I hate this.」

Eris let out a deep, deep sigh.

「But Miss Eris…」

Rafinha called her out.

「What?」 「I personally think that having Flygears and Flygear Carriers are for the best… It’s because we have them, we can protect people from the Magic Stone Beasts’ attack far faster and further than ever before.」

Even if they didn’t put it into their mouth, many nodded to her words. Everyone in here was people who made an oath to protect the Kingdom and its people from the Magic Stone Beasts. Rafinha’s pure, unadulterated opinion resonated within them. Raphael, and even Prince Wayne, affirmed her words strongly.

「… Rafinha is right. Right, Inglis?」

Whispered Leone.

「Yeah. We can fight more that way.」 「No, I think your motive is a bit twisted, Inglis…」 「The result is the same, so why not?」 「Hahaha——I’m the wrong one for asking…」

Eris‌ was still silent.

「……」 「I-, I’m sorry for being so impudent——!」

Rafinha bowed her head.

「… No, it’s alright. Perhaps it’s better to think as you do.」 「I shall do my best too. I will return Miss Ripple to normal, so… Please brace your heart for a while.」 「——Yes. I leave her to you. 」

Eris nodded at the new envoy’s words

「Thank you. Miss Eris calmed down all because of you.」

He plopped his hand on Rafinha’s shoulder and smiled at her.

「Truly a pure and honest opinion. Your heart is as beautiful as your look.」 「N-, no, that’s… Ahahaha, beautiful, you say——」

Being gazed straight into her eyes, Rafinha responded bashfully. There was also a slight blush on her cheeks. Perhaps, even for Inglis, this was the first time she saw Rafinha like this. At the same time, Inglis also sensed an impending crisis. This… Perhaps, she finally found it, the annoying bug. She had to get rid of it. Things like this were still too early for Rafinha. Inglis wouldn’t allow it.

「May I have the honor to know your name?」 「Her name is Rafinha Wilford. She is the little sister of Holy Knight, Raphael. I am Inglis Eux, her Squire.」

Without a moment’s delay, Inglis slipped into the space between Rafinha and Special Envoy Theodore and answered before Rafinha could. This was dangerous. She had to limit the interaction between the two to the utmost minimum.

「H-, Hold on, Glis…! What’s wrong with you?」 「Nothing, don’t mind it. After all, I am your Squire, Rani.」

However, the envoy didn’t seem to catch on her attitude, and——

「Wilford… I see, you’re Sir Holy Knight’s little sister, huh…! And Miss Inglis too, I ‌have heard your name. I heard you two have saved my sister’s life——」 「Sister?」 「Yes. Cyrene is my little sister.」 「「EEEeeh!?!?!?」」

Both Inglis and Rafinha couldn’t help but exclaim.