The Gray Knights, who unexpectedly found themselves under the command of Arthur instead of the Crown Prince, didn’t look very pleased.
However, with the Empress, his mother, watching them with sharp eyes, they couldn’t show their dissatisfaction.
The Crown Prince let out a deep sigh and gestured to Cherrya.
“You mentioned you had something to report to me. Follow me.”
“Yes.”
While looking at the Empress, Cherrya furrowed her brows in discomfort but quickly brightened up as she followed the Crown Prince.
Melsia joined them as they walked.
“I have something to report as well, so I will join you.”
“Do as you wish.”
Cherrya, Melsia, and the Crown Prince entered the hastily set-up command tent.
Cherrya, who had a lot to report to the Crown Prince, was growing impatient.
Although it was a command tent where only those authorized by the Crown Prince could enter, the tent made of simple materials provided poor security compared to the palace.
If the Empress outside was eavesdropping, she could easily hear what was being discussed inside.
Cherrya was unsure whether it was appropriate to report such critical information in this setting and was at a loss about what to do.
Noticing Cherrya’s hesitation, Melsia spoke up in her stead.
“May I begin my report first, Your Highness the Crown Prince?”
“Please proceed.”
Melsia approached the central table in the command tent, picked up some paper and a pen, and began writing something.
[We will deliver the report in writing. Once it’s burned, no evidence will remain.]
After Cherrya read the note, Melsia immediately burned it in the candle flame. Despite this, she continued verbally reporting to the Crown Prince as if nothing had happened.
“In the central region of the Lowes Mountain Range, the land erosion Your Highness was concerned about is ongoing. Given the presence of mid- to high-level monsters, even if all of them were eliminated, it would still take time to completely rid the area of their influence.”
[While I report to His Highness, you deliver yours in writing.]
Melsia’s hands and mouth moved swiftly as she multitasked. Cherrya, silently nodding, took the pen Melsia handed her.
[There was a suspicious figure watching us. Enoch Gray is currently in pursuit.]
“………!”
The alarming report made the Crown Prince’s eyes widen. He quickly picked up a pen and began writing in neat script under Cherrya’s hurriedly scribbled note.
[Does this relate to the unexplained injuries sustained by the veteran Gray knights?]
[We couldn’t determine that. The individual’s swordsmanship was exceptional but lacked killing intent at the tip.]
While exchanging written notes with Cherrya, the Crown Prince continued his verbal conversation with Melsia, showing remarkable composure.
“Do you think it’s feasible to proceed with transport operations?”
“That depends on how quickly the extermination progresses. If it’s completed within three days, the area should be navigable for emergency travel.”
“I see. We must hurry. Even with Arthur leading the Gray Knights, they’ll need time to recover, so the Emblem group may have to step in.”
“The Emblem group will always do its best for the Lutinas Empire.”
The Crown Prince maintained extraordinary focus, seamlessly juggling his conversation with Melsia and his silent correspondence with Cherrya. To an outside eavesdropper, it would be impossible to tell that written exchanges were taking place.
[If you’ve uncovered anything about that individual, no matter how minor, please write it down.]
[The person was covered entirely in black fabric, making it hard to discern gender or physique. Their skills were exceptional; even with Enoch and me attacking simultaneously, we couldn’t land a single blow. In the blink of an eye, they disappeared without leaving a trace.]
Reading Cherrya’s note, Melsia frowned. Someone capable of facing both Enoch and Cherrya—prominent young talents of the Lutinas Empire—was no ordinary foe.
A sudden appearance of a highly skilled swordsman, clad entirely in black fabric, who showed no intent to harm Enoch or Cherrya.
“……….”
“……….”
Simultaneously, the Crown Prince and Melsia looked at each other as if they had the same thought. Their pens stopped, and their conversation paused.
Unaware of the situation, Cherrya blinked and quietly wrote ‘[?]’ on the paper.
“Cherrya, it’s time for you to present your report to His Highness,”
Melsia said, breaking the silence and patting Cherrya’s shoulder. She then collected the notes and burned them before starting a new one.
[Cherrya, what you and Enoch saw might have been one of the Emperor’s ‘Shadows.’ The Shadows are a secret order of knights dedicated solely to protecting His Majesty. Their missions are kept strictly confidential.]
[Mother. Commander, even you doesn’t know their identity? Not even as the Emperor’s bodyguards?]
[Correct.]
Melsia, while writing fluently, nudged Cherrya in the side with her finger. It was a signal for her to proceed with the verbal report, mindful of the outside listeners.
This was to avoid revealing that they were exchanging written notes.
“Oh, the extermination up to the middle of the Lowes Mountain Range has been successfully completed. The Emblem knights continue to patrol the area, handling any isolated threats or stray monsters that might escape outside.”
“Phew, that’s a relief. Despite the circumstances, thanks to the Emblem’s proper response, the extermination seems to be proceeding smoothly…”
“But…”
Cherrya’s face darkened with concern. She hesitated for a moment before biting her lip and snatching the pen from Melsia’s hand.
Then, she quickly began writing.
[If the suspicious figure Enoch and I encountered is truly one of the Emperor’s ‘Shadows,’ it means someone else must have injured the veteran Gray knights.]
“The Lowes Mountain Range is too vast for the Emblem knights to manage the extermination alone. The Gray Knights’ support is essential.”
Cherrya demonstrated her ability to write and speak simultaneously, ensuring that everything she conveyed was crucial for the Crown Prince to understand.
It was unlike her usual self to admit that the Emblem couldn’t handle it alone. Normally, her pride wouldn’t allow such an admission, but the economic future of the Lutinas Empire was at stake.
“Before His Highness Arthur oversees the transport operations, he may need to assist in the extermination.”
[Something we can’t even trace is currently lurking in the Lowes Mountain Range.]
The situation with the Gray Knights, who were now injured and immobilized, could very well become the Emblem knights’ predicament next.
If the two knight orders, the most skilled in the Lutinas Empire and the foundation of the Empire’s vast influence across the continent, were to fall here?
It was an unthinkable and unacceptable scenario.
“…Understood.”
The Crown Prince nodded solemnly.
–
