121 [2-55] I can't escape from this battle!




"Who made Hilbert stand? Who killed me?
 I don't think it was anyone in particular. The public opinion that encouraged Hilbert, the air ......, isn't the source of such vague and fluffy things? You can't kill it because it's formless and lifeless.
 That's why I slaughter my people and carve terror into them.
 Let me cut you to death. I want you to die as collateral damage. Let them die in the cold on the streets. I hope you're killed by a thief in a disturbance. I hope you starve to death and are exterminated by wild thieves. I want you to starve and lose the power to save the famine.

 Oswald is speechless.
 He was surprised by René's answer. He was shocked by René's prodigal desire to talk about the death of his people.

 Currently, René is going around killing the princes who were of the Hilbert faction, and the domestic chaos that will result from this, as well as the death of the citizens who will be involved in the process, is also what René wants.
 Oswald was wrong about that. He assumed that the civilian collateral damage would be an unwanted sacrifice for René, or at worst, 'unimportant'.
 Unbeknownst to him, René had been bought off quite a bit.

Of course, I'd be happy to kill any citizen who was a Hilbertite, and if they weren't, I'd at least let them beg for their lives, but ...... that's essentially the point. I don't have the time to check every time, and I don't want to kill anyone in particular from the masses.
 It's a horrible stain on the lives of those who died and those who survived. ...... That's why it's a massacre.
"That's ...... a mess. It's not reasonable! Even those who did not approve of the coup and babies who had nothing to do with it will die.
"On a local (micro) level, that may be true. But I don't care.

 Rene understands that if you think of revenge against the big picture (macro) rather than the individual, you will be stepping on a lot of contradictions in the process. And Rene didn't care about that.

"That absurdity and selfishness is called 'evil'.

 Renée said piercingly, and Oswald just clasped his hands with an unhappy feeling.

My wish is for revenge to be accomplished. I don't care if the outcome is fair or not.
 I don't think you realize that you're dealing with an evil, treacherous, and deceitful person. You.
"How dare you. ......

 I felt like I was talking too much.
 It's not that I'm lying, but I felt like I was playing the "bad" game.
 I don't want to be an 'absolute evil' who is abandoned by everyone.

 --What a childish idea. I think I'm testing ...... Oswald.

 I'm sure you'll be able to find a lot more information on this subject in the future.
 I'm sure you'll be able to understand why I'm here.
 She wanted to see if there was still room for someone to love her.

 It was a foolish sentiment. The act of tracing and confirming the bond with her mother, whom she would never see again, by pretending to be someone else.
 Half-hearted, Rene thought. I can't be a heartless revenge device, but I can no longer go back to being a helpless child crying out for help.
 Still, Rene decided to fight, and now he is here at .......

You can't be a child and still cry out for help.
 If you do, I will spare your lives, and yes, ...... I will stop the attack immediately and spare the lives of those still alive in this city.
I can't do that. That is a choice I cannot allow you to make.

 Rene's question, which was more of an ultimatum than an invitation to betray him, was immediately met with a clear and decisive answer.

"Oh, my. Didn't you stand by and watch the coup d'etat instead of fighting for King Elbert, bending reason to protect your people?
 If you decide to act based on what is or is not permissible, was ...... this choice permissible?

 Oswald choked on his words as if he had been hit by a sore spot.
 It was regret that permeated his mind.

...... I disobeyed the law, pretending that I had no choice. The result is chaos in the country.
 Many things and procedures were twisted for the mere purpose of gaining power, politics was disrupted, and the people were left to suffer the consequences. Even if His Highness had not fallen the capital, the country would have faced bankruptcy in no time.

 At the top of the corridor, where the melee was still going on, some people stepped forward to stand beside Oswald.
 A knight wearing the surcoat of the count's family crest over his armor (though not as luxurious as Oswald's). Oswald's second son, Hadley.
 Oswald's second son, Hadley, an avant-garde adventurer with arms and torso two sizes larger than Oswald's and a rough appearance. Oswald's third son, Steve.
 A woman who looks somewhat like Katherine, wearing all-white vestments and carrying a golden tin staff. Oswald's eldest daughter, Priscilla.
 They listened intently to their father's words as they confronted Rene.

"That's why I swore! I have sworn that I will risk my life for the sake of my people. When power distorts a country, it is the people who scream!
 If we lose the Marquis of Edfelt here, the majority of the country will lose its axis and fall apart! In addition, there should be no threat to the movement to follow the formal procedures and put forward a candidate for the crown prince!

 "Preserve the form of the state," he said.
 A nation takes shape through the sharing of institutions, rules, laws, discipline, ...... and various orders. If we continue to follow the rules, it is certain that there are things that we can protect. If we continue to follow the rules, we will be able to protect some things.

"What about abandoning Gislain and going to support the 'other crown prince' ......?


If one or the other is chosen as a result of the council of lords, so be it. But if one is murdered and the other is chosen, there will be political distortion!

 Oswald was unfazed by René's inviting words.

 In fact, Everis also predicted that if the candidate for the crown prince of the west were to take the throne, the political turmoil in Ciel-Teira would deepen even further.
 In the event that you would like to get more information about the best way to get the most out of your business, please visit the following website: ....... Especially Oswald.

So you're not going to betray me?
Yes.
 And ...... it seems that if we don't stop His Highness here, there will be more people at his mercy.

 Oswald did not draw his sword, but instead picked up the handy lyre on his waistband. The lyre is still playing a mournful tune on its own, interrupting Marks' town announcements.
 In place of Oswald, who had no sword, the children surrounding him took up battle positions.

"For not being able to protect your father ...... and your mother. It is my deepest regret that I could not prevent the chaos in this country.
 But that's not the point. I, as one of the lords, must fight for all the people.
 ...... Will you please step aside, Your Highness?
"Foolish question, Oswald.
"Come, I, .......

 Oswald just shakes his head in pain.
 Oswald just shook his head painfully, as if cursing the fate that had incited René to fight.

 Rene could read his emotions. It tasted like nectar, different from the fear and despair that Abyssal Spirit loved. He felt a heat in his chest, as if a fire had been lit.

I'm sure you'll be pleased to hear that.
Do you really think you can win?
We must win!

 With determination, Oswald plucked the strings with his fingertips, and the lyre's playing changed.
 The lyre's playing switched to an up-tempo, brave and tragic song of warriors on the brink of death.

"...... Thank you.

 René said in a low voice so as not to be heard.

 Oswald was determined to fight, to fulfill his duty and his belief in justice.
 But even so, he did not see René as an obstacle in his path or a foreign enemy to be feared.

 --Thank you, for not abandoning me.
   And die.

"Stop the Talisman, boys!
 ...... <> [Arrangement: Ensemble / Spiritual Resonance (Unison)]!
""Tune Ready""!