CH 322

「…No need to hesitate. It’s over, just put me down!」

Restrained still, the half-awake Weinsel made that statement.

「D-, don’t be stupid! Like hell I’ll kill you!」

「Who’s being stupid! If you’re going to be king, then I’m a traitor who threatens your sovereignty. Don’t allow any threat to go unchecked… it will set a bad example.」

「B-, but still!」

「I was wrong about you, that I will take upon myself. But that’s all the more reason! I am not going to drag you down any further.」

「…Prince Lahti, I must say that Prince Weinsel made a point… at the very least, we cannot keep him within the borders. Prince Weinsel himself requested it.」

「…But, big bro’s a holder of a Special Grade Rune, right?! Killing him or banishing him from the country is a huge military loss!」

「If it was any other form of rebellion, then perhaps we can spare him. However, this is a fight over the crown between royalties… it isn’t as simple.」

「—However, I will not see myself serving any other country. If so, then slay me with your own hands. As the newly crowned king, you will have more credibility slaying me than letting me escape. You will be known as a strong king who has defeated and slayed a Special Grade Rune holder…」

「A-, and I’m telling you I don’t want that!」

「So you want me to commit suicide? I am fine with that, but won’t it come off as a little heartless?」

「No, nothing of that sort, dang it! I’m telling you, I don’t want anyone dying by my hands!! Come on, Luwin! Don’t you have anything?! What did Inglis say we oughta do after we win?!」

「No, as I mentioned before, her plan was to settle the fight, that was all.」

「Tsk! Just what do I gotta…」

Leone and the others couldn’t say anything in this matter. They felt frustrated that they could do nothing but watch the situation unfold, but there was nothing they could do. Leone hung her head down, and right then, Leon tapped her on the shoulder.

Without saying a word, he approached Weinsel, crouched down near the restrained prince, and…

「Hey there, mister. You… do you hate those Highlanders or nay?」

「Obviously. Tiffany and those who sold their souls to her to become Highlanders deserve no less than death.」

「Yup, yup, I like that! Then, are you interested in actually working on that? Come with me, then you might get to do that yourself, see?」

「…You mentioned that you’re an agent of the Ironblood Chain Brigade, are you trying to recruit me? Do you think I want to steep as low as joining a guerilla organization?」

「Pretty sure it ain’t that bad, though? Mister, you don’t want to serve any other country than this, but you don’t have any place in this country, am I right? Then our little group is the right place for you. We don’t belong to any one country, if anything, we serve the good of every country. Of course, Alucard included.」

「…You sure are selling it big, when fundamentally you’re saying you’re trying to make a better world!」

「Well, our boss is that kind of person, see? Sure he looks fishy as all hell, but he’s not a bad person inside, funnily enough.」

「—And, you’re just the same?」

「Well, in a manner of speaking… I personally think that we can’t continue being squeezed dry and oppressed by the Highlanders forever. So, I’m just positioning meself in a better place to bet my life on, is all.」

「…I never thought of something that grandiose. I just hate those scum.」

「That’s a good enough reason, though? We all have our own reasons for doing what we do. We choose the right place to enact our purpose! Why don’t you think of it like this, you’re joining to go after those people who ruined your country. And once you’re done, then you can think about what to do next. That’s gonna save your brother a lot of grief, won’t it? You can be useful to him indirectly! You’re brothers, don’t make each other sad. Though, I’m not sure I’m one to talk about it…」

「Brothers, huh…」

Weinsel then looked at Lahti.

「Big bro! Just do it, take his hand! Stop all this nonsense about execution or whatnot! I want you to live!」

「…Very well, it doesn’t sound half bad.」

「Big bro! Thank you, mister Leon!」

「I-, I’m glad to hear it…! Thank you very much!」

Lahti and Pullum both looked relieved.

「Ha ha ha, man! If anything, I’m the one who’s glad we got a really valuable asset. I’m here outside of authority, see, so I was hoping I could get something to bring back with me.」

Leon brushed it off with a very Leon-like statement. Leone couldn’t help but chuckle at him.

「Well then, Prince Lahti… let us get on with advising the rest of the troops to surrender.」

「Right, we should! Leone, can you bring us back??」

「Of course!」

Leone released the subspace Gift, and they all returned to their previous location.

The wind, the snow, the tails of the Dragon God disguised as Magic Stone beasts, and the chunks of the snow and ice that the volunteer soldiers had been hiding in, all returned.

Having been in the subspace without any wind and snow for a while, coming back so suddenly brought a shivering cold.

「Followers of His Royal Highness Prince Weinsel! Listen up and listen well!」

「The fight is over! Put down your weapons!」

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Luwin and Lahti, accompanied by Weinsel, walked out of the forest and shouted.

「「Wh-, what?!」」

「「Those weren’t Magic Stone Beasts?!」」

「「Prince Weinsel is with them!」」

Confusion arose among the enemy soldiers.

「Everyone, listen to these two! And obey them! Am I understood?!」

Weinsel called out to the Knights.

「「「S……Sir yes sir!」」」

It seemed like the aftermath of the battle would be concluded neatly.

And so, Leone approached Leon.

「Big brother, thank you for savi…」

Before Leone had a chance to give her thanks… Leon came up to her and bowed deeply with both hands together.

「I’m sorry, Leone……!」

「? What’s wrong?」

「Brothers don’t make each other sad! That’s what I said, but…! I know I’m the last person who has any right to say that! I shouldn’t have said that right in front of you! I’m sorry!」

「Aah— Then you just need to make me smile instead from now on… that’s all. Sure, you going to the Ironblood Chain Brigade gave me quite a hard time. However, because of that, you saved my friend from having to suffer a grief he shouldn’t— so we’re even.」

Leone smiled softly at Leon.

「Leone—」

「As for your situation… Inglis had told me about the Holy Knights and the Hyrule Menaces. That’s why… I want you to go down the path you believe, brother, just like me going down the path I believe. Don’t worry, I have a lot of friends I get along with!」

When Leone said this, Leon pulled her into a hug and held her tightly.

「…You’re such a good girl, too good to be my sister, really!」

How many years had it been? How many years since she felt the warmth of a family, the warmth of her own brother so close to her? She wasn’t even sad, and yet her eyes were clouded with tears.

And Liselotte too, whom Leone saw beyond her moistened vision, was also looking at her with her own eyes wet…