The journey from El Taref, the capital of Count Keeley's domain, to Teirakainen would have taken about three days if it had been done normally.

　However, if he tried to go the shortest distance, he would inevitably have to pass through the royal capital.
　Since that would be too dangerous by any means, Oswald decided to take the northbound route. On the way, he stayed at the castle of the Marquis of Arawen and the Earl of Tudor, and exchanged opinions with them as he made his way to Teiracaine-a journey that took six days.
　In addition to the two he would meet on the way, Oswald had contacted several of the lords beforehand. Each of them had their own ideas, but many of them were curious about Gislain's thoughts.

　He met with Gislain, who was said to be running for the Crown Prince, to find out his true intentions.
　Oswald is on his way to Teirakainen as a representative of the anti-Hilbert lords.

　--Some people don't seem to think so,...... at all. It seems that the meeting has made you very unpopular.

　Instead of sighing, Oswald stared at the ceiling of the inn.
　This is Tarjo, an inn town in the Earldom of Hensley. We're renting out the finest of the several inns. I had hoped to meet the Earl of Hensley on the way, but he had refused.
　The Earl of Hensley, like Oswald, was an anti-Hilbertite. However, he seemed to think that Oswald was a traitor for showing his support for Gislain.
　Well, it didn't stop him from going through the territory.

　--Is this really the right thing to do?

　Many times, Oswald asked himself.
　Emotionally, he could not cooperate with the Marquis Edfelt's push for Gislain. The shadow of Noa Curio flickered in the background. But Gislain is trying to become the crown prince and king through legitimate procedures. How can we stop him?

　It would be fine to have another candidate for the Crown Prince, and to set up a majority in the Council of Lords to decide the Crown Prince. But whether that will be enough to stop Gislain and Marquis Edfelt is another story. The Marquis of Edfelt, who has the majority of the Noa Curio Kingdom and its lords on his side, is now the sole political power in Ciel-Teira. Therefore, Oswald is working with Gislain's accession in mind.

　--...... What will be the consequences for this country?　What is our position?
　　　No, there's not much we can do about that. Without the people there is no country, without the country there is no people. We must offer a new Ciel-Teira to the people who have lost their country!

　At that moment, a discreet knock on the door brought Oswald back from the maze of his thoughts.

Excuse me, sir. You have received a message from the Marquis of Arawen.
"Come in.

　One of his attendants came and handed him a sealed envelope from the communications office.
　Oswald opened it immediately.

　The message was simply encrypted so that it could not be read by the communications officer who was transcribing it.
　It was not bad news, but it was enough to put Oswald's head in the sand.

　It was not bad news, but it was enough to make Oswald think.

　The Count and his family were gathered in front of the fireplace in the inn's dining room and common room.
　Besides Oswald, there were Hadley, Steve, Priscilla, and Catherine.
　Trevor, the eldest son, is taking Oswald's place at the estate.

　The fireplace flickers with flames the color of sunshine on a spring day.
　The dining room, lined with pretty picture plates, landscape paintings by an unknown artist, and soothing furnishings, would normally be a place of relaxation and rejuvenation, but the air is as tense as trampled snow.

"Noah Curio's army has been hit?
"Yes. We just received word.
　The supply troops that were heading here from their home country were destroyed. And yesterday, the front line troops stationed in Teirakainen were ambushed and dozens of soldiers were killed or wounded. Their rations were burned to the ground.
"The Rose Princess of Hell." ......
　I'd like to say, "Suck it up, Noah Curio. ...... What's going on?

　I'm not sure if this is a good idea, but it's a good idea.

　"The Rose of Hell" attacked Noah Curio's army. The way she used guerrilla tactics to force them to bleed to exhaustion showed that she was a military strategist of some kind. He was a greater threat than Oswald had anticipated. But that's not the main point.

The Noa Curio army has decided to withdraw most of its troops.
　Also, the Marquis Berger has begun preparations to install the Crown Prince. There are also indications that he has already made a secret agreement to join forces with the Federation.

　Oswald spoke the main points of the communication at once.
　They were all taken aback, but it was Hadley who took in the situation the fastest.

"Father. Isn't this country ...... going to be split in half?

　With a pale face and a trembling voice, Hadley said.

"Can you explain to me what ...... this means, little brother?
"Use your head a little, Steve. The Marquis of Berger is going to strike back at the Marquis of Edfelt for exactly what he did.
　If the Noah's Curio army retreats, Gilesh Hattar will make up some excuse and pour in troops to replace them. To support the refugees, maintain security, and protect the people from demons. To seize Ciel-Teira militarily. And to gain the people's trust and back the new crown prince.
　In the end, I plan to use it as a stepping stone to rebuild relations with Ciel-Teira by crowning a more federal king.
That's all very well then, isn't it?
But Marquis Edfelt and His Highness Prince Ghislain can't back down now!
　Did you forget to mention that the Marquis of Edfelt is in contact with Diretta?
　Noachurio won't give up on Gracelum either. Even if he retires from the army, he'll continue to support Marquis Edfelt.


　It's a good thing that the balance is tipped. ...... It would be nice if that balance could be tipped. If it doesn't, it could be a toss-up!
　Even if the crown prince is decided at the meeting of the lords, it will not be settled if it is decided by a last minute majority vote. Even if the prince is decided by the council of lords, it will not be settled if it is decided by a last minute majority vote. In some cases, .......

　Hadley paused for a moment. Hadley paused for a moment, as if he feared that the moment he said it, it would become a definite part of the future.

"It could be a civil war. With Giresh Khattar and Noachio Dilettante on each side.
...... You're lying.
This is just a worst-case scenario. It's possible that the lords who once followed His Highness Prince Ghislain will all turn on each other at once, and Noachurio will be helpless.
"What are you going to do, Dad?　What do you want to do now?

　In fact, Oswald thought about it too. In fact, Oswald thought about it, but there was nothing he could do. He was not a beast that had been chased by a hunter and thought he had escaped by sticking his head in a den.

No. It is at times like this that I need to hear more and more of your thoughts, Your Highness.
　We'll have to see which side we're on, and it may help us convince everyone.

　Which way should this country go?
　What's best for the people?
　That's what we need to find out.

And I'd really like to meet Bertil Lagerbeck, the Second Knight Commander, who is currently in Teiracaines.
　I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that. ...... The other side of the line said they wanted to hear what Catherine had to say.

　Catherine, who was still sitting on Priscilla's lap, nodded.

　When Catherine said she wanted to go with him, Oswald was naturally very much against it.
　Or rather, everyone in the room was against it. You never know what you're going to be attacked by: demons, bandits, or the forces of the Rose Princess of Hell.
　But it would be safer to follow your father than to stay in the territory! Catherine had a point.
　The strong defense of the castle and the knights guarding the estate are not up to the task when it comes to the ...... "Rose Princess of Hell". She had even brought down the royal city of Teiralare.
　In fact, all of the lords who sided with Hilbert were crushed one by one. If the "Rose Princess of Hell" wanted to, Count Keeley's domain would be blown away tomorrow.

　Furthermore, when Oswald spoke to Bertil in Teiracaine-when he mentioned that Katherine wanted to follow him, Bertil said that he wanted to hear what Katherine had to say.
　This is what pushed Katherine to go with him, or rather, she allowed him to go with her because she couldn't stop him.

I would also like to hear about that day from the Second Knight Commander.
　...... You never know when someone will die. I don't want to miss the opportunity.

　I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do it.

　Since that day, Catherine has been researching the "Rose of Hell".
　In addition to listening to refugees, she goes to the Adventurer's Guild archives and takes books from Oswald's study.
　There was something uncanny about his appearance.
　I remember hearing from a scholar that some fish will suffocate to death if they don't keep swimming. There was a sense of urgency in Catherine's voice, as if her soul would die if she stopped acting.
　However, despite his disquiet, Oswald did not want to stop Katherine.
　It is said that some of the girls who were captured by the "Rose Princess of Hell" in King's Landing and escaped after being freed have broken down and can no longer lead a normal life. Compared to that, Catherine seemed to be safe, and Oswald thought that if she wanted to do something, letting her do it would take her mind off of it.

'Count, if I may?
What is it now?

　The servant called out from the door. A puzzled look came to his face.

A person claiming to be from the Second Order of the ...... Order of the ...... Order of the ...... Order of the ...... Order of the ......
"The Second Order ......?

　Hadley parrots back in a quizzical tone.
　The second knights are said to have a few survivors who fled to Teiracaines with their leader Bertil.
　Why are they in a place like this?

　Oswald gave a quick look to Hadley and Steve.
　Meaning, if you see anyone suspicious, deal with them.

Let him through.
"Yes.

　Almost immediately after the squire answered, a knight appeared at the entrance to the dining hall.
　He is lightly armed, with some parts removed from his full body armor. In the event you're not sure what you're looking for, there are a few things you can do. It is likely that he has come this far wearing cold-weather gear on top of this.
　The knight in light armor had a thin, supple physique reminiscent of a whip.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Count Keely.

　A husky woman's voice rang out through the gap in his full-face helmet.

I'm a Kaya Runner of the Second Order of the Royal Court of Ciel-Teira.
　It's a good thing that you're not the only one who has a problem with this.

　The female knight with hound's eyes and whip-like body lifted the faceplate of her helmet with her fingertips and gave a perfect salute.