Chapter 222

In front of William stood Rutgard with a gentle expression. There would have been a variety of sufferings up to here. Have you ever been happy when you were accustomed to the footsteps of the world you hear little by little?

“I bet you lost”

I can’t see any regrets for Rutgard.

“You thought you would win?”

The eyes are straight-

“No, it’s still worth betting. If you lose, I got these seven years. That’s enough.”

Shoot the heart of William. Ah, why are the faces of those who prepared to die restless? The beauty of the appearance of accepting it in front of death can not be changed to anything else. A miracle of resolution, self-question, suffering, hopelessness, crowding in, all accepting and encasing them.

“I’ve been thinking for a long time. You are probably different from Victoria. As you said, there should be a reason, you’re supposed to meet for the first time, why did you look away? “Why don’t you give me a favor to me?”

Rutgard listens to it happily. Whatever my thoughts, I always thought about myself. Even such things make you feel happy. if–

“The conclusion is that I’m not doing anything. It’s a sloppy al before I became an idiot, yes, that spilled name that you spilled out. I can’t remember what I did. Even when I tried to remember the times, everything was messed up that day, and the simmering writhing hate was distorting before that day, I can not remember, but I can only think so. ”

If it gets close to the core-

“I think it’s thin, but at first I wondered if the blade I left behind was a woman, I wondered if it had arrived. A woman in Lusitania … A woman who came up to my throat, she got me by some means I told someone who I was, you got it, there is nowhere but the deadly gap I showed, but then it would be funny: she knew I wasn’t Lusitania’s William, but , I should not know that I was a slave to say Al

Therefore, it can be guessed that it is not the blade left by Brigitte. Then what can the rest be considered? My memory after that day is clear. Even if it is sober Rutgardo as a noble family’s daughter, the noble family’s daughter is not a standard that I can not forget. If it is an average including citizens, she is beautiful, and if she has a preference for her, she is surely a woman with an atmosphere like her.

So I will not forget. If that day or later-

“I was full of opportunities from me”

Rutgard who laughs and smiles. I think it’s being teasing, and William is a little bit sick.

“In the old days, I was looking down all the time. I was reading a book while walking along the road, writing on the ground in the corner of the alley. I was desperate, blooded, wanted power, rejected everything. And no matter if someone called or asked, their eyes never reflected the other, but they were working hard to make only their knowledge and their own flesh. ”

She knows a time when she was called al. I also know that I worked in a bookstore and got some knowledge here. So naturally she knows. What happened to those bookstores who were acting as parents?

“I do not think that your judgment is correct, but I think that it was only for the boy Al to be up in the country. You appeared in front of me as William of Lusitania I was astonished when I was far away and I only had to look at it.

At that point I was close to conviction.

“Only I know. And I’m the closest. Nature, like the air, not get in the way, but as it is needed, someday someday Nearly … I hate the weakness, it is natural to lose to that person, I was not prepared for the courage to step in. I can’t grasp anything just by waiting.

Rutgard smiles.

“I hate me all the time. I am not suitable for you. I will surely get in the way where you are aiming. I just excuse me, I just run away and I hate the most awkward I. But Well, that’s why I like a little bit of my present. I bet and step into everything to stand next to you. I’ve grabbed these seven years. Next to you I am now. ”

For seven years, I thought that I never faded. Her mind was fixed long before William’s assumption. There was no courage to step in, and because he was so clever, he would have missed many times because he was too visible.

“I have met you, long ago, when your hair was still black”

“I’m sorry. I do not remember.”

“It’s only a little bit of destiny, but it was a big affair for me. All my values ​​were broken and the world was a monotone color. The bright red sunset on your back, Beauty, I will not forget

Rutgard’s memory did not come out after William’s memory. Perhaps the encounter wasn’t that big for the boy Al. It is not the same impact for a boy as her encounter with her sense of values ​​collapses.

“Pure red … So, Ruby, do you?”

“… Is it safe?”

“Slightly,”

The laughing couple finally exposed everything. There is nothing to hide anymore.

“It was a while”

“Yes, really. It was a happy time. How was it for William?”

“Oh, I was happy. That’s why-”

William smiled sadly.

“I will kill you. The world has chosen me. Then I have to do my best. And my best, there is no you in it. No, no one will be.”

Rutgard whispered quietly.

“I know. I know this will happen, I know it would be painful if I cut it down, and I stepped into you. My own inadequate happiness, its swing back in my life”

“It is meaningless to die by myself. If I take away you, it makes no sense. If it is a minute of fortunate happiness, I will do the same. I hold you with this bloody hand, and I have given him to Alfred. Pain, I also have to enjoy, but I would rather suffer. ”

For William, there was always a woman named Rutgard. Be aware, wise and convenient. I have been there many times over there.

“I kill you. But that’s not now. Good.”

“Yes, I will leave everything”

Surely, doing so is a punishment for each other. William was guilty of sin, and Rutgard completely missed it. Sometimes they carry a stick. There is punishment for sin. Rutgardo has his own life, William can only take away.

If you take it, the void like that time will eat away from your chest. When I lost Arlette, I was captivated by despair. When I lost Victoria, I felt the coldness of despair and the loneliness that goes beyond death. And this is the last loss.

“Have I been able to punish you?”

“It’s not enough, I didn’t say that, but I always liked you, but I knew I could not be happy and I thought I should take distance because I like it, but Those who I liked will come to reduce the distance.Even when I’m doing it with care, I’ve made a fool of it, and I’ve stepped in as smart as you are. There is no such love of such a fool as it is a true fool. ”

“The words are enough. Even if you’re a friend, you got me side by side.”

Sin, punishment, and even love are decided by hand.

“I will move forward. I will be alone before that. Victoria, you and I will come to a height where no one can come close. What will you do at the end of the road? What does it mean to you and Viktoria’s death? Look at the other side of the island, make sure to show the meaning. ”

Every time I take it, it gets stronger. I continued to rob it and I came here. I will take it again this time. And further increase the strength. No one can come along. To a place higher than anyone-

“I’m looking forward to it. I will always die, even if I die. I’m good at waiting.”

One more thing, William gets a job.

○

When William and Rutgard came out of the mansion, Carl saw that the talk had settled on the change of atmosphere. At the same time, Hilda feels completely different. It has been decided. It is not only this couple. The destination of this country, the world,

“I’ll leave tomorrow. Good will be rushed.”

“Are you ready?”

“If I’m alone, I’m making lots of preparations. Rutgarde and Alfred have a late move to Alcus. It’s just a battlefield, it’s good to swing a sword. There’s no need to be careful.”

“Because I just return to the place you should be.”

“I liked this place too”

Claude, who listens a little at a distance from William’s and Karl’s conversation, knows that at last he had a dream come true. A sense of helplessness that has gradually been gradually defeated and tasted each time the territory is scraped.

Possibility of breaking the present situation appeared.

“Claude, Alfred, there is a story. It’s an important story.”

“I’m going now! I’m going to see you Albo!”

“Yeah, I’m in Claude”

Alfred remembers later. This day, this time, the golden age for me was over. Father and mother who love oneself unconditionally. Interesting older brother and sister who often visits. Calm, fulfilling days, hard to get everyday,

remember. I will never return this time again.

The golden age quietly comes to an end, and the time when it has stagnated starts to move.

○

“Is this the present Arcass?”

Even if it is small, it will be a big influence if it continues defeat. Arcas I visited for the first time in a long time had changed a lot. William last visited only once four years ago. The atmosphere I felt at that time was very different.

“Yes, this is Arcass.”

The boulevard is not lively, and people’s faces are dark somewhere. A flock of poor people overflowing to the main street. They probably got some jobs from the beginning, but they made some money. But now they don’t have it. The war that continues to be taken away

“Not just a defeat, but last year’s hunger, isn’t it good again this year?”

“Yeah, unhappiness overlaps, but recently it’s really bad.”

“Does this country also betrayed in the heavens?

“I’m reliable. I really do.”

In seven kingdoms, this name is no longer used, but the focus of this country has expanded beyond the scope of the capitals of the countries named there. The first few years were good for seven years. Carl takes the blouse Tat and Yan holds Galias tight. Anselm is active enough to lose William’s need. I was feared a black knight from the world.

It was only one defeat that everything went crazy. The Arcadia army, who was doing well until then, crawled on pebbles. The people did not feel much about it, and Anselm, who had been the general commander, never gave up. However, from this small defeat, Arcadia falls with anger.

General Yan’s betrayal. The fact that he turned over with Gustav, who is the key to the enemy country of Garias, made a big impact on the world. As an exception, Yang was greeted as a queen, along with Lancero, who had already been accepted as a king sword.

The Arkadia kings, who were furious at betrayed, challenged a total war and ended up with an ironic result of Yan’s brilliant show. The Arcadian army, who lost power at a stretch by this defeat, still shows a persistent threat. Somehow, it was the one in Anselm that was here to stay.

“-Because the Battle Goddess has crossed over with Gallias, this country is still alive. Another monster, the Mercenary King, will appear everywhere, and if it does, it will definitely win the victory. Come on, even if Galias is the other side, it has nothing to do, because there were those two people, at the very least we were able to suppress Galias.

After that, confusion in the world situation also helped Arcadia survive. Several times a few heroes make a forgiving and repeat a beating. If you notice it, you have completed the picture to keep balance. Many met each other and could not make a big move.

“If you say so, I will come to you once. The mercenary king of the dead”

“Huh !? Have you arrived? That mercenary king, Wolf Wolf’s Wolf !?”

“Oh, I’ve come to show off the brat. My wife there is good, I firmly laid in my ass. I laughed involuntarily. My son had a good body for years, and that’s an egg of a hero.”

“Wow it’s a rarity. Did you know Claude?”

Curl calling to lead Claude. Claude looked awkward.

“I knew I was there too. I can not forgive the loveliness that I showed off as a lesson.”

“Because you used to have a shot at a long time ago.

“It’s what your child did. It’s getting addicted.”

The story goes on like a talk in the face of Karl’s surprise. But things are not so easy. Wolf is a king of one nation who is known as a mercenary king. The king of the Valhall Kingdom, based on the former Sambalt, was focused on importing and exporting its strength so as to be considered a mercenary state.

The strength gathered in Wolf’s power, which was a great day, was not many, but there were many excellent people, and Valhall’s fighting enthusiasts fought all over the world. Now, the king who swept Laurencia was in contact with the once-unioned monster. If this story was widespread at that time, that alone might have been punished. That is dangerous. If it was betrayed like a certain yan, it would be too much pain for Arcadia.

“Ernst also came after. Together with Leicester”

“Hmm, Ernst. …. Ernst?”

“”Huh!?””

The faces of the two were distorted to the surprise.

“There was a lot of change. Dangerous Rutogard and Alfred were about to be killed. In terms of risk, they are quite good.

“No, nobody should have confirmed their survival in the first place”

“I can’t help but what came.

“Dangerous, it’s too dangerous! Arcadia or William isn’t enough! It’s a category of talks”

“Anyway, let’s say it’s an interesting time for us. Keeping winning is our mission. Let’s give these weak people water to say victory. Once and twice, we go up each time. If you keep winning, you will return to the original form and you should be able to do more than that. ”

William looks to the Royal Palace rising to the end of the street.

“Sat, let’s start with a mountain, let’s go over lightly”

I hope you win. Winning is the only proof of your value. After all, the value of this country is also determined by their own actions. William came here to pull it up.

○

How long has it been for Eyhart to lose its former radiance? It was good when I was winning. I pushed the heroes into the countryside, but there were more than I imagined to be afraid of the strength of the heroes, and there were also a few that I felt relieved. The victory over the next few years was also bad, now. I made them misunderstand. The strength of ours, the strength of the world, the strength of the heroes we pursued.

The situation changes completely when you start losing. Everybody had a rough search for war criminals, and at the same time, he was forced to replace many military officers. But I can not win. Even if you replace your head, the quake gets deeper. Losing strength will be lost by the defeat, and those who have been retiring for restocking will be recalled and still lose.

Under such circumstances, the white knight long-awaited theory that begins to come out without saying who. I can not put it in my mouth. It is understandable to buy the idiot of the prince who led the chopsticks. However, the loss continues. Hunger was over, and the country became desolate, and the minds of the people, including the nobles, went out.

Arcadia falls from heaven to hell. There is no doubt that the big turning point is the betrayal of Yang. The names of the two who had given special places to Gallias and abandoned their homeland are also humble names in this country, and even being put out in the mouth is spared.

But one more turning point, many people would answer: The day when the white knight was replaced, that day was the turning point of the mother country. Since that day, the expansion of the clear territory is only to take a curled blouse. Compared to the days when White Knight, William was alive, it is quite small on the surface. It is obvious that winning is not an enemy such as a small country, but it will win if it comes out. A man of constant victory.

Who abandoned such a hero, who is the real war criminal?

“… no noise. Stupid stupid”

At one time he was filled with golden brilliance as a man who was promised to play Throne. The appearance of a man is no longer in the picture. A deep depression appears in the eyes, and something more than fatigue is visible and hidden in the clear floating pot. Whether the force is always in the groin, deep wrinkles are incised and it makes the appearance worse.

Second Prince Erhart von Arcadia. The man who was chosen from the moment he was born and was present was lost in brilliance because of the wall of the raging world. It would have been a good name in peacetime. It would be an existence to be passed on to future generations in the ordinary age.

But now, it is unique in the history of Laurentia. In the world where there were outstanding things that would have been better if you were alone in the era, and those with extraordinary brilliances that shattered each other had become everyday, there was no way for the ordinary master to live.

“President, please report!”

Seeing the entourage that knocks slightly enter the room, Eyhart hives a whistle. Usually, even a man who is not lacking in etiquette is flying, even just consciously.

“William Liwius is in Arcass. I’m heading to the Royal Palace!”

The moment I heard the news, the matter of rudeness also blows up from Erhart’s thinking. William, his name was a humble name for him. Right after I was driven, I felt rather love and remember mercy, but many defeats dropped the man on the ground. For a man who has lost ground on the ground, the expectation for a white knight that will gradually expand feels like a den’s bullet to himself. I know that my brightness was not real, even though I didn’t like it, to the real brightness that I still lost.

The man was definitely an outstanding man. The brightness was not plating. However, the times are those in which those who surpass the standings hesitate. His sense of inferiority is a correct feeling. There was a point if you can accept it. If you accept the minutes and look for a destination from here, there may be a way.

“… who called?”

“Unknown, but as a companion, General Karl”

“… a king, then my elder brother has turned his hand. There is no power to do it now, he will not do anything on his own, and he will not go against me. That’s why there’s salvation, so my father, I can’t really save my brother, but I’m always foolish.

Because it is a scrapper, it turns out to be lost and to be picked up. The ordinary man thinks, I call back the strong person because of the trouble. It can not be thought that it will turn into poison. Because I live in a momentary way of thinking, I can not think about the next thing.

“Don’t rise up. I have already decided the path of Arcadia. I will come out and let the situation stir up now. I will definitely block it, William Liwius!”

Erhart immediately gets up and heads in the opposite direction to the fuss. It doesn’t matter how noisy Ichii gets up. You should hold your head. Hold the king and repel it. It may be possible to expose the chest soon. It will not be a bad hand to do reassuring.

○

Someone said. “White knight”. The faces of the citizens who were looking down turned up little by little. The situation where the light is not visible continues, and sometime people forget the color of the sky. The radiance of the sun, the lush sky that spreads to the sky. Once again, a time to shine in the heavens, an existence that brings victory.

“Oh oh God.”

A woman who suffered from hunger and became bones and skins prayed to heaven. The last hope appeared in front of them. My heart was broken that I could not see my life and hope for tomorrow. However, hope appears here. I have a faint heat in my heart.

“Curl! There are heroes of Blaustad!”

The other side of the line is also a British Jie who reigns as the guardian god of Blouse Tat. He was the last hero to command the battlefield, one of the last in the defeat of Arcadia.

“White Knight, please save us, please.”

William smiled at the fallen nation. And I put my hand on the shoulder of the old man who got down from the horse. An old man who is touched by a hero and suddenly roars. I call it “I’m sorry” for being bothered. This cramped is a testimony of the defeated nation’s weakness.

“We will do our best. We will not always give us victory, but we will try to improve the situation as much as possible. Therefore we will raise our face. Where is the need to be cramped? We are proud of Arcadia I am a citizen, I am born different, but I have the same mind. Let’s fight together, I am a sword, I am your heart, over you, over there … victory is not on the ground. ”

The tears of joy were overflowing in the eyes of the old man. Difference in the status that he would even hesitate to touch. I wonder if the water bath has never been there. He touched such a lonely self and made a voice. The hero told me to stand together.

There is no reason that emotions can not be born here.

“William!”

Someone shouts.

“William!”

Someone responds.

Overlapping voices. The rising heat. Everyone started to turn up. I look to heaven through the presence of William. I believe there is a victory ahead.

○

“… Where is your Majesty?”

Erhart was standing in front of the Throne of the Melancholy. The minister who regrets and bows aloud words.

“Mr. Felix will bring you down. I told you to meet someone.”

(Don’t play it. Really ……… I can’t save it. That man is)

Anger Erhart soon rushes out of the Throne Room. A moment of grace is no longer acceptable. The voice comes close, the atmosphere. It is possible to be taken into the atmosphere and speech at a touch if you don’t put it in a word. Repeated victory and subsequent defeat. Every event was too different from the current king’s time. It is not unreasonable to go beyond the bowl.

That’s why Eyhart, who was a strong man at this royal palace, has come to me. However, the recent defeat has created a room for a little bit of confidence in me. A foolish king may sway to that if it gets in here.

We need to go ahead. A word, it is possible to manipulate the impression just by putting in a word. After that, Felix will not be present at the moment. A fool who can not get bored with stupidity and holds a disappointing ambition and tries to chase himself away. It is no longer necessary to exchange words.

“The road ahead is ready. Don’t disturb me, incompetent!”

Erhart’s foot hastened.

○

I heard a loud noise from a distance while I reunited with my sister for the first time in a long time and had a tea ceremony for only two people in my room. At first, my sister, former first princess Claudia, noticed. I thought that the bad people were noisy, but the situation was strange.

“… Yes, I will go up again. After all, it’s interesting”

Next, a dignity and a luster return to the expression of the second princess Eleonora who is a sister. The princess, who was often overwhelmed by the current political situation, smiled for the first time in a long time.

“Himiko, finally, you finally came back.”

I have been waiting for a long time. Not only waiting, I also made various plans to call myself back at my discretion. After all, they didn’t come to fruition, but Eleonora was delighted that the day we were waiting for came. The light finally comes back to this country.

Besides, even though we know that we are getting married, it is a pleasure to have a beloved person nearby. With many invitations as sleeves, sweet words were sent to many ladies, and their feelings were gathered each time.

“William!”

Waiting person, thought person comes.

“It seems hot, but isn’t it better to be near my brother?”

In the words of Claudia, Eleanora is not good. Erhart never calls him back. Only Felix would have turned his hand. If so, of course Erhart should try to block.

Erhart is morbidly afraid of William-

Eleonora rushed out to escape. Claudia was looking uninterestingly so straight. She knows. For the royal family, Eerhard’s deeds are the perfect thing to protect the bloodline of the royal family.

“To poison poison … really fun”

Claudia’s smiling face was something he had never seen because he hadn’t seen it. No one will ever see this look except for one person from now on. She slowly stands up and visits the stage where the results were seen.

I have not been cast. However, I never thought that I could not give it to me. Play the cast and get the leading role. Look forward to it and watch the comedy.

○

Felix knew that he was a tiny human. When I knew that I had a younger brother, it wasn’t a pleasure but anxious that I stayed in my heart, and while everyone blessed I saw it in a different perspective. Of course, as long as it becomes a political enemy, it is natural to be uneasy. But it was supposed to be a little bigger, and to know politics.

フェリクスは臆病で、怠惰で、極端に努力を嫌った。王族である自分が何故努力せねばならないのか。不遜に振舞っていたが何てことは無い。何でもこなせる腹違いの弟と比較されたくなかったのだ。

言葉とは裏腹にどんどん自分を嫌いになる毎日。生まれついての差だと自分を慰め、されど兄であるがゆえに諦めることすら許されぬ。エアハルトはどんどん先へ行く。とっくに自分の手の届かぬところへ。知識も経験も、己とは比較にならず、才気は膨れ上がる。自分を立てるものたちは軽い御輿を求めているだけ。

母が死に、自分に期待する者のいない王宮でフェリクスは一人嗤う。己が矮小さを、絶対だと思っていた男は、その実決して完璧ではなかったのだから。あの男の嫉妬に狂う表情を、恐怖のあまり自分のような狭量な手段をとる男を、それを見た時に浮かんだ感情がまた小さいのだ。

(……愉悦だ。本当に、嗤えてくるだろう、弟よ)

王宮の入り口にフェリクスはいた。父王にはすでに話を通してある。国の、王族の、己の存続のためならば何にでも縋るという父の弱さも、あの男が現れてから明確になった。才気溢れる弟も、偉大なる父も、その輝きはこの小さな箱庭の中でだけ。

「兄上、陛下は、何処にいる？」

殺意に満ち溢れた表情でエアハルトは腹違いの兄を見下ろしていた。ニコニコと、飄々と、しかし腹の中にはあったであろう格下を見る眼。表に現れたそれは、なるほど、あまり見栄えのよいものではない。

「急遽公務が入られたようだ。俺も知らん」

エアハルトの顔に青筋が走る。エアハルトが知らぬ公務などあるはずが無い。国家の運営、ほぼ全てが己を通して行われているのだ。実質的な王は己である。そして今のエードゥアルトが自発的に行動するわけが無い。その体力も、気力も無いはずなのだ。

「私を謀る気ですか、兄上」

「謀るなど、人聞きが悪いぞ弟よ」

其処にいつもの余裕は無かった。それほどに恐れているのだ、あの怪物を。自分が絶対だと思っていた弟が。もはや嗤うしかない。巨大に見えたエアハルトの輝きを、飲み込んでしまうほどの力。その力から見れば自分の何と小さきことであろうか。

フェリクスは嗤う。哀れな弟を、小さき己を。これだけ惨めな道化に堕ちてなお、弟の貌を見て愉悦を感じてしまう度し難い自分を。

「あの男が王家に何をもたらすか、貴方は何も理解していない！」

「さあな、俺にとってそんなことはどうでも良い」

「王家が滅ぶぞ！」

「だから、どうでも良いんだよ」

エアハルトは己が兄を見誤っていた。

「俺に先のことなどわからん。ただ、お前のその貌が見たかっただけだ」

これでもかと見下していた。格下だと明確に定義づけていた。だが、それでもなお足りなかったのだ。フェリクスという男の小ささは。エアハルトの想像を遥かに超えていた。言っていることの意味がわからない。考えていることの真意が見えない。

愚か過ぎて、小さ過ぎて、エアハルトは見落としていた。

「馬鹿なのか、貴方は」

「今頃気づいたのか、随分理解が遅いじゃないか」

「理解できない。こんなのが、私の兄だというのか」

エアハルトの貌を見て、フェリクスは余計惨めな気持ちになった。愉悦と同時に膨らむどうしようもない自分。笑えるほど小さな己に、フェリクス自身呆れる想いであった。

だが、同時にもう一つ、確信にも似た感覚があった。

「馬鹿な俺だが、一つだけお前より見えている部分があるぞ」

ずっと弟を見てきた。優秀な、勝者たる弟の貌を見続けてきた。だからこそ、フェリクスにはわかったのだ。弟が潜在的に抱きながらも、絶対に認めないであろう貌を、フェリクスは見た。勝ち続けてきた男が抱いた――

「お前自身より俺の方がエアハルト・フォン・アルカディアを理解している。だからこそ見えた。お前は潜在的に、とっくの昔に、負けていたんだよ」

劣等感。王族として生まれ、将来を約束されたはずの男が、ただ一人の異人、平民上がりの男に劣等感を覚える。それを敗北と言わずに何と言う。

「奴の方がお前より優秀だ。なあ、我が弟よ」

自分たちとは似ていない妹が此方へ走ってくる。息を切らせて、顔を紅潮させて、その眼は二人を認識に、そしてその先へと移った。

王宮の扉が開く。外から光が差し込み、人影を際立たせた。

(俺はその貌が見たかった。俺と似た、醜き弱者の貌を。俺たちは、似ていたな。哀しいほど、似ていた。その貌をした奴は、勝てないんだよ。俺のように)

エアハルトの貌を見てフェリクスは渇いた笑みを浮かべた。醜く歪んだ敗者の表情を、恐れ、嫉妬、羨望、憎悪、さまざまな感情が織り成す敗者の貌を、それを見て心の中で嗤う。自分と、自分に似た弟の滑稽さを。

「お久しぶりです、両殿下。この日を心待ちにしておりました。七年の研鑽の果て、今一度この剣、アルカディアに捧げられる至福を胸に。ウィリアム・フォン・リウィウス、此処に参上致しました」

勝者が現れた。 You can see it if you look at it.へりくだっているが、その中に敬意など欠片もない。この場全てを格下と認識し、遥か高みから見下ろしていた。一生、勝てない。何故なら自分が一生勝てないと思っていたエアハルトが潜在的にそう思っているから。

「良く来たな。全て王命の通りだ。貴様には再編される俺の軍を率いてもらうぞ。貴様が大将だ、ウィリアム・フォン・リウィウス」

「身に余る光栄です。謹んでお受け致します」

「陛下がお待ちだ。俺の部屋にいらっしゃる。貴様の決意と今後の方針でも表明するが良い。俺に恥をかかせるなよ」

「はい、準備は出来ております」

全てが仕組まれていた。ここぞとばかりに機転を利かせるフェリクスに、エアハルトの感情は荒ぶるばかりであった。王命という形に成った以上、自分が頭を押さえる以外止める手段は無い。父王を説得して王命を撤回させる。その手しかないのだ。

だからフェリクスは先んじて王を囲った。唯一の弱点を自らの懐に隠した。エアハルトとて容易に踏み込めぬ政敵たる自分の懐へ。

(ふ、これで終わったと思うなよ。父上の差配一つで貴様は辺境に逆戻りだ。まだ取り戻せる。父上の扱いは私が一番熟知しているのだから)

とうとう現れた敵を前にエアハルトは執念にも似た炎を燃やしていた。自分のため、王家のため、『国』のため、この政争勝たねばならぬと胸に誓う。

誰がための戦いか――