"Miss ......, how are you feeling?
We'll carry you, won't we?
I'm fine. ......

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

　After escaping from Teiracaines, the group was heading south.
　But their progress was slow. Most of them were non-combatants, physically and mentally exhausted. There were even a few noblewomen dressed unsuitable for walking.
　It was fortunate that it wasn't snowing, but the piling snow and the blowing cold wind were taking away our strength and slowing down our march. If the forces of the "Rose Princess of Hell" had come from behind us, we would never have been able to escape, but fortunately we were not attacked by anyone.

　If you go south on the road, there is a town.
　The question was whether or not they could reach it before nightfall.
　We had no food, no provisions for camping, and only the Second Order's personal belongings. If the night continued to fall, it was certain that some of them would freeze to death due to fatigue.

　Moving her legs mindlessly as if she were dragging her body, Catherine continued to think in circles, her mind foggy with fatigue and sleepiness.
　She thought about the night that had seemed so long, as if years had passed.

　Rene had tried to kill her?　The rage and sorrow she had seen in that moment, like the fires of hell. Was that Rene's heart?
　His father's death, his brother's death, his sister's death...... why did he have to die? And, oh, the look of fear on Rene's face when he saw Catherine screaming with passion.
　The holy beast began to attack the people of the city. Why would a holy beast that was supposed to be a messenger of God and belong to the allied army...
　One of the knights had disappeared before he knew it. They were all dressed similarly, so it was hard to tell who had survived before their numbers dwindled. Was it Gislain, as Rene said?　If so, why did he disappear?

　I don't know.
　I don't know.
　There was so much I didn't know.

　The only thing I knew for sure was that I couldn't let this end like this.
　Revenge on Rene for killing his family?　...... That's a little different. Catherine felt that things were no longer about Rene.
　She just felt that she could not end her life without unraveling the maelstrom of fate that had engulfed her and settling it all.

　In order to do so, however, he had to get out of this place first.

　Her body felt as heavy as if it were made of steel, but she walked on.
　All around her, the refugees had fallen silent. They had no energy to speak. Still, those who were with her in the chapel often gave her a caring look.

　How long had they walked?
　The sun was just beginning to set when she saw a shadow ahead of her on the street.

　It was a large carriage full of goods, a group of people wearing splendid equipment and riding horses with an escort.
　At first glance, they looked like a group of wealthy traders or something.
　The guards looked quizzically at the group of refugees and stepped forward to protect the carriage.

Who are you?

　The refugees stopped in their tracks.
　The refugees stopped in their tracks.

I am Bertil Lagerbeck, Commander of the Second Royal Guard of the Kingdom of Ciel-Teira.
　I was in Teirakainen, but the city was attacked by the "Rose Princess of Hell" and fell. I've just taken refuge with the survivors.

　The guards didn't move an inch when Bertil said his name.
　That was a little odd. It was a bit odd, though, since Barthel's name was supposed to have that much power.

"I see you're a peddler.
　I see you are a peddler. If you have any medicines, potions, food, etc., would you mind sharing them with me?
　I can assure you in my name that you will be paid handsomely.

　After a short pause, a well-dressed older man sitting at the head of the table instead of the guard answered.

...... Unfortunately, we are not peddlers.
　We are transporting the property of Count August von Angermüller, a nobleman of the Kingdom of Lacrima, part of the Gireschachtal Federation.

　Catherine was convinced.
　The Federation looks down on Ciel-Teila. If that's the case, then it's no wonder they don't bow to Bertil, as they carry the property of the Federation's nobility.
　At the same time, I wonder why they're even here. There was a murmur of questions from the surrounding refugees. Was it trying to escape its assets while the Noa Curio army was in retreat? The Teiracaines that lay ahead were now in ruins.

But if it's to save the lives of our people in Ciel-Teira, we have no objection to sharing our wealth with you. But if it's to save the lives of my people in Ciel-Teira, I can't say no to sharing my wealth with you. And if it's a request from the Second Knight Commander, I can't abandon you.
　We have a few potions and military tents. Please accept them as a gift from Count Angermüller to you.

　Everyone was astonished by his words.

　They did not expect him to have the necessary supplies and to give them to them so conveniently.
　The man was probably a high-ranking servant or something. Unless he knew his master's temperament and was trusted by him, he would not be so arbitrary as to share his master's property without permission.

　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for and what you can do to help.
　Either way, she had no choice but to put her trust in him.

Thank you for your cooperation.

　Bertil put his hand on his chest and bowed deeply.

　I'm sorry.



　A number of tents had been pitched along the side of the road, and fires were being lit.

　The exhausted people regained their energy with the potions in the cargo, and were resting on the meager rations distributed by the Second Order.
　It would be difficult to make everyone walk any further. We should be able to make it through the night and enter the town tomorrow.

　While Bertil was supervising his men who were quickly setting up camp and checking on the condition of the refugees, the old man who was driving the wagon came over and bade him farewell.

"You're not lying, are you?
"...... It's been a long time, Lord Angermüller. I didn't know you were in Ciel-Teira.
I've seen you before in the federal capital, Saktamburg.

　I'm not sure what to make of this.
　In the event that you're not sure what you're looking for, you'll be able to find a lot more information on the web.
　Bertil had met this man once before in the Gireschachtal Federation.

I will repay you in due course.
"Please don't mind me. Don't worry about it. We'll be collecting from you as well.

　Augusto smiled a smile that was hard to ignore.
　Augusto smiled a smile that was hard to ignore. He didn't mean to literally collect the money, but to use it for his image strategy.

　Behind him, Kaja, with her head stuck in the carriage, was receiving a folded tent.

"That's all, is that enough?
"That's enough, thank you.

　A young girl with blue hair and eyes comes down from behind Kaja, carrying a thick tent. She had been unpacking earlier.
　Dressed in a maid's uniform to match her role, she was the agent Bertil had met in Teirakainen, the one who had called herself Shelley.

It looks like you made it.
Thank you for responding to my request. I would have been lost if I hadn't.

　They smiled at each other sarcastically. The meeting had been arranged by coincidence.

　Bertil had predicted the date and time of the battle to some extent, and had approached the Federation beforehand to see if they could come to his aid in case of emergency.
　After escaping from Teirakainen, he used a caller's code to ask for help, and this is how the big guy unexpectedly came out.

　There was no way he could say, "I knew there was going to be a battle, and I was standing by. So he made a play.

By the way, could you lend me a horse?
　If possible, I'd like to go ahead to the inn town and use the communication station.
"Very well. But for what?
To clean up after the battle.
　...... The details of last night's battle are not yet known. I want to contact Wesara and negotiate before word gets out.
　I've got a story to extort the kingdom of Noacurio before the Noacurian lords get in the way.
"That's very interesting. What happened?
The holy beast got out of control and there were civilian casualties. You'll have to ask my men for details.
　He'll come back after he's given a report and we'll discuss it afterwards.

　Augusto and Shelley's faces tightened.
　We are at a crossroads of how much profit we can make off of this exchange between nations.

　Shelley quickly pulled up the horse that one of the guards was riding.

You can use this horse. I'm used to riding strangers.
Thank you, sir.

　Grasping the reins with one mechanical arm, Bertil jumped up and down.

Kaja, you take over.
"Take care, Commander.

　"Take care, Commander." With a word, Bertil became a gust of wind.