When Oswald returned after his meeting with Zithlan, the children who had been waiting anxiously for him greeted him like fish biting at a bait.

"Father. How is your highness?

　Steve asked as if he were speaking for all of them.
　Oswald replied with a difficult look on his face, rubbing the corners of his eyes.

...... is too good.
"What?
"You look determined and committed. You don't look like you've been coerced or feted in any way, shape or form.

　"I hope so. I had hoped that Gislain had made up his mind to do this, rather than being used to further the ambitions of Marks, Marquis of Edfelt, but when Oswald told us, we were all taken aback.
　It was so unexpected.

"Or perhaps your Highness is a good king.
　Or perhaps your highness is a good king, a learned and thoughtful man who just needs to learn how to make decisions to run a country. ......
"So that's what you're saying now, isn't it? Father.
"But the Noah's Curiau army has left. If Johan ...... and Giresh Hattar are in league, I doubt that Prince Ghislain will be able to win.

　Gislain will become king and unite the country. If there is hope for such a future, that's a good thing.
　Even if he is qualified to be the king, he can't be the king if his backers don't work. Even if he were to become king, he would only be a source of turmoil.
　The Marquis of Edfelt seems to be trying to make a deal with the Holy Kingdom of Diretta, but it's highly likely that he won't make it in time.

Either way, what we're doing here is the same. "In any case, what we will do here remains the same. If the Rose Princess of Hell is coming, I will protect this city and your highness."

　Oswald's gray eyes shone piercingly.

　Oswald has several knights with him as guards, in addition to his own children. He has been asked by Marks to lead them in the defense of the city.
　The lords are the king's knights. A candidate for the crown prince has no right to represent his country, but since he's there, it makes sense to protect him.

"Steve. Priscilla. You're in a position where you don't need to be. If ......
Hey, hey, hey!　You smell like water, old man.

　Steve cut off Oswald's words.
　Steve interrupted Oswald, made a bump on his log-like arm, and yanked it off with a nice little clunk.

I don't see how I can just walk away and let my dad go!　He can't fight properly without us, right?
You're right. You're right. Besides, isn't it even more dangerous to leave the city and run away now?
　I'll fight too. To protect your father, Catherine, and the people.

　Priscilla also put her hand on the holy seal on her overhanging chest and said so as if praying with dignity.

The Marquis may have gotten what he deserved, but the people of the city are the ones who will be sacrificed when the Rose Princess of Hell attacks. I don't like the idea of abandoning them.
"I wanted to be a priest and dedicated myself to the temple, not the Count's family. But I have not abandoned my duty as a native of the Earl of Keighley.
"Thank you, both of you, .......

　Oswald's eyes narrowed as he contorted his stern face.
　He seemed both grateful and apologetic, as if he felt guilty that they had left their home to fight for the Count's family.
　After all, this was going to be a fight that could kill them.

But, father, ...... can you win?　Even the Royal Knights were defeated, right?
I like to think we have a chance. The holy beasts left behind by Noah Curio's army, the best adventuring party in the country, and the survivors of the Second Order may not be ...... numerous, but with this lineup, they can compete with the top undead.
"Father, I am ......!

　I'm going to follow you into battle.

　You want me to follow you into battle?　I can't. What's the point? What can I do?
　You want me to take care of Rene?　I don't know if I can. Catherine doesn't know what to do with Rene. What can she do with him? And Oswald and his team will be risking their lives to fight Rene.

...... Where should I hide?

　It was as if blood was spitting out of his mouth instead of his voice.
　She said she was going to save him, but in the end, that was all she could do.

"Let me stay in the chapel in the castle. The undead won't be able to get to that place, and there's a way out if we need to.
"All right. Father, sister and brother, ...... please be careful.

　My heart was aching.

　"Thank you for coming.

"Thank you for coming, spear spear!"

　Marks personally went to the forecourt of the castle and welcomed the "spear".
　Around him, there were many adventurers who responded to Marks' arrival. All of them looked at the "best party in the country" with a complicated look of admiration or jealousy.



　The leader, Zeft, a fighter.
　Cain, the big man in armor who looks like a tank.
　Claire, a stylish wizard with shining glasses.
　Albina, a priestess with a rustic air.
　Chenxi, a female grappler dressed in imperial attire.

　Low-ranking adventurers all wore the same kind of equipment, but if they were as good as the "spear of the lower limb", each piece of equipment was a one-of-a-kind piece with its own special design.
　Cain's armor was ornamented with reliefs like religious paintings, and Chen Shi's colorful, red-colored robe reminded one of a fairy or a spirit living in a fantasy world.

　But most of all, they are confident in their own abilities and take pride in being the strongest party in the country. It was this mentality that made the "spear of sub-zero spear" so impressive.

I am very heartened that the strongest party in Ciel-Teira is willing to lend its support. Please help me for the future of this country. ......
"My Lord Marquis.

　Zeft did not take Marks hand when Marks offered his hand for a handshake, but looked at Marks intently. Marks became cowered.

I have heard that the cities and villages in your territory have already been affected by the Rose Princess of Hell. The spear will do its best to protect those who are powerless to fight.
　But, my lord. We do not agree with you. I would like to say that your actions in supporting the coup were outrageous.
"No ......

　Marks could do nothing but stare blankly.
　It was either an admonition or a pale, daredevil assertion.
　The knights and even the adventurers in the room were buzzing with disquiet.

The fighting that accompanied the coup was kept to a minimum by a number of fortunate events. But still, much blood was spilled.
　Some people lost their lives in the ensuing frenzy. The most notable of these is ...... him(her).
　All that is left is a pile of corpses. Political turmoil, a divided nation, and a "Rose of Hell.

　Her words, her gaze, everything about her was straightforward.
　Marks didn't think that what he was doing was supported by all the people. But this was the first time someone who was not an enemy of his had given him such a blunt and uncompromising complaint.

I had no choice but to go to ....... When the four major powers, excluding the Union, followed Hilbert, everything was over.
　And it wasn't a rebellion caused solely by the convenience of the king and the lords. It was an outpouring of dissatisfaction among the people and an opportunity to shake off the disadvantages that had been hanging over the country.
Even so, shouldn't things have been handled carefully to avoid such a situation? Many lives were lost in the process, you know.
　It may be unfair to only look at the result of failure. But even so, you're only getting blood on your hands now. The only people who will die will be those who follow you.

　--Speak like you know what you're talking about: ......!

　Marks was inwardly furious at being admonished by a boy who was not even half his age.
　He had heard that Zeft was an ideal adventurer with a strong sense of justice and heroism. But now his justice was pointed at Marks. Marks thought it was disgusting and unbecoming.
　But he didn't want to break with the spear at this point. And part of him knew that what Zeft had said was also true.

...... We must restore harmony to this country. His Highness Prince Ghislain is the banner for that.
　Under His Highness, the people will be reunited and Ciel-Teira will be reborn. To that end, please visit .......

　As a politician, Marks can only offer excuses and platitudes.
　Zeft accepted it with a serious face.

"Yes. Let me believe what you say. I pray that the Marquis is sincere.

　I hope the Marquis is sincere.

　Of the surviving members of the Second Order, only nine remained under Bertil.
　Some of the survivors have returned to their families, while others have given up the fight and fled. The only ones who are with Bertil now are those who followed him to work for the country in distress. Whatever the case, Bertil was grateful for it.

　Now they were all gathered in Bertil's room at the inn where they were staying on Marks' dime.
　It was a relatively large room, but with ten people including Bertil, it was quite cramped.

The arrival of the "spear of sub-zero" has lightened our responsibility. In other words, he's no longer the key to the operation, and we're back to just following orders.
"What a cash cow ...... is!

　Kaya's hound-like eyes grew even steeper and she bared her teeth in anger.
　The others were also grumbling about Marks.

"Okay, okay. No need to be angry. If you march shoulder to shoulder with someone who doesn't trust you, you're going to fall behind somewhere. That would be unfortunate for both of us. Now that we have the Holy Beast, let's get on with it.

　Bertil soothed his men.
　In fact, Vertyr was not angry with Marks. On the contrary, he felt sorry for him.
　In fact, he felt sorry for him, because he was about to offer Marks' head to Rene.
　Of course, his men don't know that.



"The Marquis seems to think that the Rose of Hell is going to attack soon, but my predictions are a bit more pessimistic and imminent. There will be movement in the next day or two ......, maybe even today.

　Tension filled the room like a bolt of lightning.
　At times like this, my men take Bertil's predictions very seriously. This is because Bertil has always been able to read the situation from a broad perspective and predict the future like a soothsayer.
　But for now, it's just 'I know because I know'.

　--Renai is coming. Many people will die. A lot of people are going to die, and we have to save as many of them as we can.

Let's face it, this is a tough fight. At least that's how I see it. But there's got to be something we can do about it. We have to win, but even if we lose, there's a way to lose. We have to keep Ciel-Tayla alive. A little thicker, a little stronger.

　Cutting off his words, Bertil looked around at his men.
　He made eye contact with each of them.

"Guys, I need your help.
"'Aha!

　The response was so powerful that it annoyed the neighbors.

　"Yes!

　The Noah's Curio frontline troops retreated, no longer even maintaining their marching form.
　Morgana was being escorted to the front of the long and scattered line.
　Morgana's convoy was being hurried in terms of speed to separate her from Patrick (or whatever he was) who was also being transported to Wesara. Patrick, a holy beast, was being transported in a tightly bound carriage, making transportation a hassle, so Morgana, who could move quickly, was sent ahead.

　In an unadorned carriage. Morgana sits with two armed knights holding her by her sides.
　Her hands and mouth were shackled.

　Light shines through a small window in the coffin-like carriage.
　She could see the sky of Ciel-Teira, high and blue.

　--Come on, you little shit. She'll do fine.

　Unable to speak, Morgana folded her wrinkled hands in front of her chest in the shape of a prayer. The shackles prevented them from coming together perfectly, but she brought their separated hands together as a sign of prayer.
　The seed has already been planted.

　--May the gods guide us.