Late at night, past midnight.
“The Marshal’s Office said they wanted to entrust the command of the Imperial Knights to Lord Perdes?”
When Perdes suddenly came and said something absurd, I was embarrassed and asked back.
Then Perdes nodded.
Huh. What kind of nonsense is this?
It was so absurd that I frowned and laughed.
“Without a Grand Commander, someone must lead the Imperial Knights in their stead, and as we all know, the Imperial Knights are mostly made up of nobles.”
Perdes continued his explanation.
“So, to lead the Imperial Knights, you need a title or status, and no matter how much I think about it, I am the only one who is fit for that position,” he said.
“Everyone says that I have a piercing mouth.”
It was annoying that they kept the Prince from even entering the conference room, telling him that he should never get involved in politics, but then tried to use him when they needed to.
“But that’s not wrong.”
“That’s true.”
I too had expected that someone from the royal family would step forward.
That someone would be the Crown Prince, and if the Crown Prince couldn't go, I thought the 5th Prince would go instead.
There was a third Prince above him, but he was an exception because he married the young lady of the Marquis family and received the title of Marquis.
Perdes is not married yet, but he lives outside the palace as my fiancé.
Since he had already disobeyed the Emperor's orders, I didn't think he would be entrusted with the task.
But, I was very embarrassed when I heard that the nobles of the enemy's household had come to look for him.
“Is this something the Emperor permits?”
“No. He said he would first ask for my opinion and then report to the Emperor.”
As expected, the Emperor didn't know about this.
“Then there is no need to worry about it any longer. Even if Lord Perdes does it, the Emperor will say no anyway.”
“What if the Emperor permits it?”
“That will never happen.”
“That’s why I said ‘if’.”
"Well."
I've never thought about it because it's something that will never happen.
“Would it be helpful for you if I were to lead the Imperial Knights?”
“That’s true.”
Sure, it would be helpful to have Perdes lead the Imperial Knights, but I really didn't want him to lead them.
Because war was not child's play.
I had absolutely no intention of sending him out into the horrific battlefield where blood was flying and people were dying by the hundreds.
“I see, isn’t that so?”
But I couldn't say that because Perdes was laughing so happily.
I didn't want to throw cold water on that face and see it distorted.
"Sure."
Well, I guess it's okay to answer like this.
Because it's something that will never happen anyway.
I was sure it would be like that.
“His Majesty the Emperor has entrusted the leadership of the Imperial Knights to His Highness the Fourth Prince.”
Why did this happen?
The next day, my mouth dropped open at the shocking news Count Martina brought me.
The Emperor was more suspicious than anyone else and had a distrustful personality.
Especially if he had a history of betraying him even once, the Emperor would never trust him again, no matter how much he apologized for his wrongdoings.
But the Emperor entrusted the Imperial Knights to Perdes.
I couldn't believe it.
It was clear that something was wrong.
“Did the Emperor really entrust the Imperial Knights to Perdes?”
Count Martina nodded and confirmed the kill.
“I heard that the Marshal’s Office officials came this morning with a letter from His Majesty the Emperor and came to see His Highness the Fourth Prince. Didn’t you know?”
At those words, I turned my head so violently that it made a noise and looked at Perdes.
“Hmm, hmm.”
He was sitting leisurely on the sofa drinking tea when he turned his head away and cleared his throat.
“That’s true.”
“Well, that’s right. That’s why I came to see you.”
“It’s been two whole hours since you came here, why haven’t you told me anything?”
“I was having brunch. I didn’t tell you on purpose because I thought you’d lose your appetite if you were shocked.”
“...”
It was a somewhat absurd reason, but on the other hand, I thought it was typical of Perdes.
I thought he was more interested in my condition today than usual, asking if I was okay, how I was feeling, and if there was a reason for it all.
“So, what did you say? Did you accept it?”
Perdes nodded.
Well, it's an imperial edict, so there's no way he can refuse it.
“I don’t know why the Emperor entrusted the Imperial Knights to Perdes.”
“Yeah. I was confused too.”
“You seem calm about that.”
Moreover, I asked what I should do if the Emperor permitted it.
“I guess Lord Perdes thought the Emperor would approve.”
“Well, that’s true.”
“Why did you think that?”
Anyone can see that this isn't something the Emperor would entrust to Perdes.
When asked curiously, Perdes glanced at Count Martina.
It meant that he couldn't talk where he was, so I asked him to leave.
“I’ll be back from the headquarters for a bit.”
Only after Count Martina had left did Perdes open his mouth.
“Before I speak, I have one question to ask. Those guys who attacked you, you said Anatome’s Guard?”
"Yes, that's right."
“Was the guy who paralyzed you also a member of Anatome’s guard?”
“No. He was just a street kid, but he was probably instigated by the SS.”
Because he acted as if he was trying to tell the Anatome Guard my location.
“And it is certain that the Emperor sent them.”
“Yes.”
Because the Anatome Guard only listened to the Emperor's orders.
“That's right.”
Perdes' expression became even more serious.
An expression that suggests something is bothering him.
“Why are you like that?”
“I thought it was strange.”
“What is it?”
“Why did the Anatome Guard use paralyzing poison instead of lethal poison?”
...Huh?
“If I were the Emperor and ordered someone to be killed, I would have ordered them to use lethal poison, not paralyzing poison. A poison that would kill them instantly.”
I didn't notice it until now, but after being told about it, it definitely felt strange.
If the Emperor had confidence in the abilities of the Anatome Guard, he would not have used paralyzing poison.
Moreover, the Emperor had once used poison in his second life to kill Sir Aldor.
He used it in my third life too.
But why did he use paralyzing poison this time?
Could it be that the person who ordered the boy was not a member of Anatome's personal guard?
“Besides, the Anatome Guard is strong enough to be on par with the 1st Knight Division. They also specialize in assassination.”
Yes.
“It wasn’t just one, but four great men who attacked you. On top of that, you couldn’t move your body properly due to the paralyzing poison at the time, so instead of subduing you, you were pushed back.”
Perdes continued, stroking his chin.
“Well, the passage was narrow so it was hard to push through with the number of people. Or your skills were so strong that they could ignore the paralysis poison. Or if Byblos and I showed up just as we were finishing up, then I have nothing to say... But doesn’t it seem a little strange?”
“Yes. It’s definitely strange.”
I was so out of it at the time that I didn't realize it, but thinking back now, they had several opportunities to inflict fatal injuries on me, but they failed every time.
It didn't make sense that they all failed, either because I was simply unlucky or because I blocked them well.
If I could block the last attack with my paralyzed left arm and counterattack, I would win.
It was all nonsense, even when compared to their swordsmanship skills from their previous lives.
“Why on earth...?”
“This is my opinion.”
Perdes whispered, his voice lowering even further.
“I don’t think the Emperor had any intention of killing you.”
“...Then why did he send the Anatome Guard to me?”
“Well, I don’t know that far ahead, but what I do know is that he had another purpose besides killing you. So he must have tried his best not to kill you.”
For another purpose.
What is that?
Did he plan on kidnapping me and then threatening me with the sword?
A special sword that the Emperor is after, possibly with a dragon heart attached to it.
“If even one of them had survived, I would have questioned their purpose. It’s a shame I couldn’t.”
“Yes, that’s right.”
Even if that wasn't the reason, it was a shame that they all died.
“Just in case, should we search their bodies? We might find a note with the Emperor’s orders written on it.”
“The Anatome Guard receives orders directly from the Emperor, so there won’t be any notes or anything like that.”
“How do you know that?”
Perdes tilted his head.
“Come to think of it, you recognized those guys as Anatome’s bodyguards even though they were wearing masks. What did you see to recognize them?”
Well, I've fought them several times in my past lives.
Words that I absolutely could not say lingered in my mouth.
While I was thinking about how to make an excuse, a question crossed my mind.
How did Sir Aldor know that Usher Andria was a member of the Anatome Guard?
“The Marshal’s Office said they wanted to entrust the command of the Imperial Knights to Lord Perdes?”
When Perdes suddenly came and said something absurd, I was embarrassed and asked back.
Then Perdes nodded.
Huh. What kind of nonsense is this?
It was so absurd that I frowned and laughed.
“Without a Grand Commander, someone must lead the Imperial Knights in their stead, and as we all know, the Imperial Knights are mostly made up of nobles.”
Perdes continued his explanation.
“So, to lead the Imperial Knights, you need a title or status, and no matter how much I think about it, I am the only one who is fit for that position,” he said.
“Everyone says that I have a piercing mouth.”
It was annoying that they kept the Prince from even entering the conference room, telling him that he should never get involved in politics, but then tried to use him when they needed to.
“But that’s not wrong.”
“That’s true.”
I too had expected that someone from the royal family would step forward.
That someone would be the Crown Prince, and if the Crown Prince couldn't go, I thought the 5th Prince would go instead.
There was a third Prince above him, but he was an exception because he married the young lady of the Marquis family and received the title of Marquis.
Perdes is not married yet, but he lives outside the palace as my fiancé.
Since he had already disobeyed the Emperor's orders, I didn't think he would be entrusted with the task.
But, I was very embarrassed when I heard that the nobles of the enemy's household had come to look for him.
“Is this something the Emperor permits?”
“No. He said he would first ask for my opinion and then report to the Emperor.”
As expected, the Emperor didn't know about this.
“Then there is no need to worry about it any longer. Even if Lord Perdes does it, the Emperor will say no anyway.”
“What if the Emperor permits it?”
“That will never happen.”
“That’s why I said ‘if’.”
"Well."
I've never thought about it because it's something that will never happen.
“Would it be helpful for you if I were to lead the Imperial Knights?”
“That’s true.”
Sure, it would be helpful to have Perdes lead the Imperial Knights, but I really didn't want him to lead them.
Because war was not child's play.
I had absolutely no intention of sending him out into the horrific battlefield where blood was flying and people were dying by the hundreds.
“I see, isn’t that so?”
But I couldn't say that because Perdes was laughing so happily.
I didn't want to throw cold water on that face and see it distorted.
"Sure."
Well, I guess it's okay to answer like this.
Because it's something that will never happen anyway.
***
I was sure it would be like that.
“His Majesty the Emperor has entrusted the leadership of the Imperial Knights to His Highness the Fourth Prince.”
Why did this happen?
The next day, my mouth dropped open at the shocking news Count Martina brought me.
The Emperor was more suspicious than anyone else and had a distrustful personality.
Especially if he had a history of betraying him even once, the Emperor would never trust him again, no matter how much he apologized for his wrongdoings.
But the Emperor entrusted the Imperial Knights to Perdes.
I couldn't believe it.
It was clear that something was wrong.
“Did the Emperor really entrust the Imperial Knights to Perdes?”
Count Martina nodded and confirmed the kill.
“I heard that the Marshal’s Office officials came this morning with a letter from His Majesty the Emperor and came to see His Highness the Fourth Prince. Didn’t you know?”
At those words, I turned my head so violently that it made a noise and looked at Perdes.
“Hmm, hmm.”
He was sitting leisurely on the sofa drinking tea when he turned his head away and cleared his throat.
“That’s true.”
“Well, that’s right. That’s why I came to see you.”
“It’s been two whole hours since you came here, why haven’t you told me anything?”
“I was having brunch. I didn’t tell you on purpose because I thought you’d lose your appetite if you were shocked.”
“...”
It was a somewhat absurd reason, but on the other hand, I thought it was typical of Perdes.
I thought he was more interested in my condition today than usual, asking if I was okay, how I was feeling, and if there was a reason for it all.
“So, what did you say? Did you accept it?”
Perdes nodded.
Well, it's an imperial edict, so there's no way he can refuse it.
“I don’t know why the Emperor entrusted the Imperial Knights to Perdes.”
“Yeah. I was confused too.”
“You seem calm about that.”
Moreover, I asked what I should do if the Emperor permitted it.
“I guess Lord Perdes thought the Emperor would approve.”
“Well, that’s true.”
“Why did you think that?”
Anyone can see that this isn't something the Emperor would entrust to Perdes.
When asked curiously, Perdes glanced at Count Martina.
It meant that he couldn't talk where he was, so I asked him to leave.
“I’ll be back from the headquarters for a bit.”
Only after Count Martina had left did Perdes open his mouth.
“Before I speak, I have one question to ask. Those guys who attacked you, you said Anatome’s Guard?”
"Yes, that's right."
“Was the guy who paralyzed you also a member of Anatome’s guard?”
“No. He was just a street kid, but he was probably instigated by the SS.”
Because he acted as if he was trying to tell the Anatome Guard my location.
“And it is certain that the Emperor sent them.”
“Yes.”
Because the Anatome Guard only listened to the Emperor's orders.
“That's right.”
Perdes' expression became even more serious.
An expression that suggests something is bothering him.
“Why are you like that?”
“I thought it was strange.”
“What is it?”
“Why did the Anatome Guard use paralyzing poison instead of lethal poison?”
...Huh?
“If I were the Emperor and ordered someone to be killed, I would have ordered them to use lethal poison, not paralyzing poison. A poison that would kill them instantly.”
I didn't notice it until now, but after being told about it, it definitely felt strange.
If the Emperor had confidence in the abilities of the Anatome Guard, he would not have used paralyzing poison.
Moreover, the Emperor had once used poison in his second life to kill Sir Aldor.
He used it in my third life too.
But why did he use paralyzing poison this time?
Could it be that the person who ordered the boy was not a member of Anatome's personal guard?
“Besides, the Anatome Guard is strong enough to be on par with the 1st Knight Division. They also specialize in assassination.”
Yes.
“It wasn’t just one, but four great men who attacked you. On top of that, you couldn’t move your body properly due to the paralyzing poison at the time, so instead of subduing you, you were pushed back.”
Perdes continued, stroking his chin.
“Well, the passage was narrow so it was hard to push through with the number of people. Or your skills were so strong that they could ignore the paralysis poison. Or if Byblos and I showed up just as we were finishing up, then I have nothing to say... But doesn’t it seem a little strange?”
“Yes. It’s definitely strange.”
I was so out of it at the time that I didn't realize it, but thinking back now, they had several opportunities to inflict fatal injuries on me, but they failed every time.
It didn't make sense that they all failed, either because I was simply unlucky or because I blocked them well.
If I could block the last attack with my paralyzed left arm and counterattack, I would win.
It was all nonsense, even when compared to their swordsmanship skills from their previous lives.
“Why on earth...?”
“This is my opinion.”
Perdes whispered, his voice lowering even further.
“I don’t think the Emperor had any intention of killing you.”
“...Then why did he send the Anatome Guard to me?”
“Well, I don’t know that far ahead, but what I do know is that he had another purpose besides killing you. So he must have tried his best not to kill you.”
For another purpose.
What is that?
Did he plan on kidnapping me and then threatening me with the sword?
A special sword that the Emperor is after, possibly with a dragon heart attached to it.
“If even one of them had survived, I would have questioned their purpose. It’s a shame I couldn’t.”
“Yes, that’s right.”
Even if that wasn't the reason, it was a shame that they all died.
“Just in case, should we search their bodies? We might find a note with the Emperor’s orders written on it.”
“The Anatome Guard receives orders directly from the Emperor, so there won’t be any notes or anything like that.”
“How do you know that?”
Perdes tilted his head.
“Come to think of it, you recognized those guys as Anatome’s bodyguards even though they were wearing masks. What did you see to recognize them?”
Well, I've fought them several times in my past lives.
Words that I absolutely could not say lingered in my mouth.
While I was thinking about how to make an excuse, a question crossed my mind.
How did Sir Aldor know that Usher Andria was a member of the Anatome Guard?
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