When Richard returned to his commanding officer's office in the barracks, the first and foremost thing he did was run his pen over the parchment orders.

　Normally, he would not use such a luxurious item as parchment for a single order, but in this case, he could not just give it verbally.

　A few moments later, a shadow fell over Richard's vision as he dexterously wrote with his ship's arm. He could see that someone was peering at him and the parchment.

　As Richard continued to run the ink without looking up, the figure called out as if it was fed up with him.

"Captain!　Have you reached an agreement? Of course, you got the other side to concede, didn't you?

　First Officer Neymar. His voice is strong and forceful, as if to say "yes" or "no". I wonder how many deputies have ever spoken like this to their superiors. At least Richard didn't know anyone other than Neymar.

　But Richard nodded and replied, unconcerned.

"Yeah, we've got it all under control. I've got it all worked out. And I'm ready.

　Richard said in the same tone as he was talking. Neymar hears only those words, his cheeks relax and he grasps his hands. Neymar heard only the words and relaxed his cheeks, clasping his hands and letting his sword fly from his waistband with a shout of pride.

　The words that came out of his mouth were praise for Richard, and not exactly what Richard had in mind.

　Neymar seemed to think that his battalion commander had argued with the heraldic religion over the possession of King's Landing and had won.

　But that's just the way it is. Richard has never told Neymar, or any of his allies, what's in his heart.

　So now she's going to hear it for the first time.

　Richard wrote the order on a piece of parchment and then called out Neymar's name. A braid of hair brushed her shoulder.

"Neymar--I've made up my mind. I'm going to join forces with the heraldic religion and install the princess.

　I'm not sure if you've heard of this, but I'm sure you've heard of it. He placed the order in Neymar's hand.

　For a few moments, the room breathed silence. It was as if all sound had been sucked into the dead snow.

　I'm not sure what to make of it. It was the first time I'd ever seen him do that.

You can't be serious. I'm sure you've heard of it.　Do you know what you just said?

　Neymar was too young to know how to express the rage that was now raging inside him as he shouted out.

　Should I just let it out in words, or should I show it in action right now?

　How would be the best way to react to Richard's words? It was all too much and Neymar's thoughts were a whirlwind of confusion.

　So she decided to follow her instincts. Her left hand settles on the sword at her hip. Richard kept his arm out on the desk. I may not be a match for him under normal circumstances, but for this moment in time, I am faster than him. I can outrun him.

　Neymar made up his mind. If Richard made any unintentional moves, he would stifle him, even if it meant inflicting wounds. Even if the excuses that come out of his mouth are against the Garristian kingdom.

　Neymar's family, the Gloria family, is a small local noble family, but they are still a proud noble family that has sworn allegiance to the kingdom and their territory is sealed. If it was a dispute between noblemen, how could they turn against the king?

　Unbeknownst to him, Neymar realized that he was sinking his teeth into his lip as if it was going to bleed. Please don't say anything crazy, he hoped to himself.

　Richard opened his mouth to sigh slowly.

"Do you know how the Gerulist came to be?

"......, huh?

　This was not one of the several answers that Neymar had in mind. The exhaled air in his mouth unknowingly spilled out through his teeth.

　Neymar's eyebrows shot up as he listened to the sound of his teeth rubbing together.

'Of course. The royal capital of the unified empire of Althea, that is how the Kingdom of Garleist came to be, and it is proof that we are the descendants of the greatest empire of all.

　In the past, when the Founder Althea created the world and humans were enjoying its glory and splendor to the fullest.

　From Illyssarde in the south, to the Borvat dynasty in the east, to the nations of the west. This capital was the center of the world since the time when all of them were part of the unified empire.

　That is why those of the Garleist Kingdom still dream of its greatest print. Believing themselves to be the descendants of a great empire.

　That's right," Richard replied to Neymar in a hushed voice. His voice was not his usual one. It sounded to Neymar like the voice of an exhausted man, not a voice with core strength.

　But then, with more gravity and color than ever, Richard said.

"Then why did its heir, the king, run away in a cold sweat, tail between his legs, like a demon?

　The voice brings to mind dim colors and strong emotions that seem to rise from the depths of the earth. Neymar was sweating on the nape of his neck, forgetting that he was upset.

　His superior, who had always been unsure of how serious he was being and never showed his true colors, was now exhaling with clear emotion. I'm not sure what to make of it.

"...... because of the sudden change in His Majesty's condition and for the protection of the nation. You have no choice.

　Before I knew it, the pretense was coming out of my mouth. I had to say something or I wouldn't be able to stand. The air itself became tense and heavy on Neymar's shoulders and back.

"Protecting the nation?　That's something you talk about in your sleep. There is no such thing anymore.



　Richard had a humorous expression on his face, and he cleared his throat deliberately. He seemed to be cursing someone, but also self-deprecating.

There is no future for a nation whose capital has fallen. It's not like the city walls are on fire. The king and his army fled to the north without a fight. Hey, think about it, Neymar. The people of King's Landing will never shout for King Amerika again.

　And yet, if King Amelites personally commanded the Grand Army and took back King's Landing from the demons... There were many ways to recover.

　That would have been wiser than to lose himself in an unwinnable war. Deep-seated resentment lingers, but it all fades before the light of victory and glory.

　That is what victory and glory are all about. All impurity, unreasonableness, and treachery are affirmed. All righteousness and truth vanish in the face of defeat.

　There have been kings who once lost most of their land and were humiliated, but over time recovered their lost ground and left their names to posterity.

　However, the situation is different now. Richard wondered if he could ever hope for such a comeback.

　The demon who had invaded the capital had been vanquished by the hero, and the people had been freed by his hand. Whatever the background, the old king who fled to the north and the young hero who defeated the demon. Whose side will the people of King's Landing really take?

　The question no longer needed to be asked.

　Richard sank deeper into his chair and let out a breath. He could feel the emotions welling up from the bottom of his stomach and spilling out of him.

　Richard knew that his decision would not be readily accepted by the second-in-command in front of him. This pupil, unlike the other one, was very straightforward. He didn't know much about twisting.

　So he would never have thought of turning against the royal family. Richard thinks that he had a time like this, too.

　There was a time when he believed in the state and the royal family as great beings. Until I found out they were nothing but dirt.

　Richard took out another piece of parchment and tossed it to Neymar. Neymar's eyes widened for a moment and then he took it. Neymar's determination to swing his sword was nowhere near as strong as it had been.

　This," Neymar's mouth moves.

This country is dead. But if you see a dead body and you still don't want to abandon it, that's fine too.

　It was a letter to Valerie, explaining what had happened. If you read it, you'll see that Neymar is in good hands.

　I've turned the corner. He didn't know if there was a big storm ahead or if the bottom of the earth was waiting for him. Richard had no intention of letting Neymar join him on such a reckless journey.

　If you say he's insane, he's probably right.

　But even if he was alone, he believed it was worth the risk. Then someone has to do it. There are too few allies around her.

　If everything you think you know is wrong... Fellow Valerii-Brightness. Then Lord Reumetz-Fomor will trample you down and get things done.

　There are only so many ways to get where you want to go. Richard narrowed his eyes and placed his arm on his desk.

　In front of him, Neymar held up a piece of parchment and let his gaze wander. He stared back at the parchment and the face of his superior several times. Then he opened his mouth.

What is the purpose of the battalion commander? What makes you think you can turn against the king?

　Richard said, trying to act like it was nothing. His white hair swayed in the shadows.

"The man who will be my master must be at least as great as I am. Isn't that enough?