It was quite an elaborate memory to say that he saw it in that short moment. Winfred has a talent for drawing and drew a believable drawing of the unique blade.
“The tip of the blade was split like this. I was surprised because it was my first time seeing a sword like that.”
Alexia’s expression froze. It was a familiar sword to her.
‘This blade… … It’s the dagger of Eyre Street.’
The Air family has a lengthy history as a family of knights. They had a special kind of swordsmanship that permitted them to handle both a long and a small blade with both hands.
‘Bayfold Air died during the treason 10 years ago, and the only one left is his younger brother.’
Cloud Air. The image of him with gray hair and brown eyes came to mind.
She had visited Bayfiold, who served in the Imperial Guard with her, several times, so that image remained vaguely in her memory.
‘… … I don’t know who the informant is, but what the Crown Prince said may be true.’
Alexia quietly closed her eyes. This was because the image of her old comrade who risked her life to protect her master, who had sworn all her life’s loyalty, came to mind.
“What are you thinking?”
When Alexia didn’t say anything, Winfred, feeling somewhat frustrated, opened his mouth.
“Oh, no. “I was thinking that what the informant said might be true.”
An assassin who became a traitor overnight and was holding the dagger of the disappeared Air family. No matter how she thought about it, it was a very suspicious thing.
“Did the person who gave you the information say anything else, Your Highness?”
“… … What else can you say? ah. “They said they would keep trying for my life until I return to the imperial castle.”
Alexia’s eyebrows twitched. That too was highly reliable information. Considering Byron’s temper, it was quite possible.
She was lost in thought, rubbing her chin, wondering what she was thinking so deeply about.
* * *
Byron was not in a good mood.
As he raised his glass to his lips, the fiery intensity in his eyes was reminiscent of sparks shooting from a flame. Nonetheless, the image of him sitting comfortably in an armchair, with his legs crossed, was as beautiful as a picture.
“… … Why hasn’t there been any news yet, Cloud? Do you go out somewhere every night?”
It’s been quite a while since he ordered to kill his nephew, whose face he can’t even remember because he saw it so long ago.
The journey to be appointed crown prince would soon come to an end, and nephew Winfred would soon return to the imperial castle.
Byron put a lot of strength into his left hand. It was because he was so angry that he couldn’t bear it.
The crown prince of the Peles Empire visits Mount Primus, a high mountain at the western end of the empire, before being appointed crown prince.
The mountain is named after the empire’s first emperor, Primus Arpa Vito Pheles.
Primus, the founder of a great empire, disappeared to the top of Primus Mountain before he passed away. He left behind a will, declaring that he would become the guardian deity of the empire and protect it.
Descendants who could not even find his remains believed that Primus had truly become the guardian deity of the empire.
The prince who would become the crown prince could only be appointed as the crown prince after visiting Primus, the guardian deity of the empire, and performing a ceremony.
From his birth, that position, the position of the next emperor, was Byron’s.
He firmly believed that one day he would set out on a journey to find Mount Primus. In the end, he could not become the crown prince. It was his younger brother Hiram who set out on the journey.
He can’t even bear that, and this time, even his son Winfred. Isn’t he returning to the imperial palace after going through the ceremony of becoming a crown prince that he was never able to go through?
It felt like a fire burning inside him was burning all of his internal organs. He quickly poured out the alcohol in his glass to quell the burning flames.
“… … I’m sorry, my lord. “The security is so tight that we rarely get the chance.”
Cloud lowered his head in a voice whose thoughts were unknown.
In fact, there was no need to add that they found Winfred sneaking out after escaping from the knights, but were unable to get rid of him.
At best, it only made Byron more angry.
He couldn’t figure out where the prince who was clearly in front of him had disappeared. If he had used movement magic, there would have been at least a trace of him, but he couldn’t even find it.
It is rising into the sky or falling to the ground.
Something suddenly flew at Cloud as he was deep in contemplation and remembering that mysterious moment. Holding the glass of wine, it was Byron who threw it.
He could have easily avoided it, but he didn’t. Because if he did, he would get angrier and ask if he was ignoring him.
“… … Kill him before he returns to the imperial palace. I can’t bear to see him become the crown prince even if I die.”
It was a bonus to be told not to come back if he can’t kill him.
Even though his forehead was torn and bleeding, Cloud bowed his head with a loyal expression without even blinking.
“Yes, my lord.”
He will follow his orders. That is all.
* * *
Cloud was holding his breath in a dark alley, glaring at the building where the prince was staying.
It was truly an iron-clad defense. It was impossible to cut down all the knights tightly surrounding the fence of the building, and it was also difficult to sneak in without them. This was because there were too many eyes watching.
‘… … ‘I wish you could sneak out one more time.’
Then he won’t miss that opportunity this time.
The young prince must have sensed that someone was trying to take his life, and since that day he has been quiet. Except for official appearances.
So Cloud was just upset.
‘My situation is truly frustrating.’
Cloud mocked himself. Honestly, it was as obvious as seeing fire what the end of this rebellion would be. Byron was greedy and foolish.
In all honesty, it wasn’t a horrible idea. Nonetheless, he needs to clarify that he observed just what suited his interests. It was not sage. He felt as though he knew why the Emperor had selected his younger brother over him, even though it would be dishonest if he were to be disloyal.
Even if this rebellion was successful and Byron was crowned emperor, the problem was what happened after that. How long would the foolish emperor’s reign last?
Is Byron really a lord worth risking his life for?
No, he shouldn’t think like this. Cloud erased the useless thoughts floating around in his head. Considering his honest brother, Bayfold, who sacrificed his life, this shouldn’t have happened.
What had to be done now was to kill the young prince.
It was then.
“Hey, the guard captain is telling everyone to gather together.”
“… … what? Why all of a sudden at this time of night?”
The knights surrounding the building were noisy. Cloud pricked up his ears and focused on their conversation.
“You don’t know. I’m just giving you an order. It’s urgent, so they’re asking everyone to come, except for the two people guarding the gate.”
He didn’t know what the situation was, but it was an opportunity that didn’t come often, or perhaps would never come again. Everyone except the two knights guarding the gate had disappeared into the building.
‘There is no time to hesitate.’
He didn’t know why this opportunity suddenly presented itself, but it was time to move quickly. He didn’t know when it would come back.
He sneaked into the back of the building, climbed over the high wall, and infiltrated the mansion. It seemed like everyone in the building, except for the minimum number of security forces, had responded to the call of the guard captain.
It was not clear which room the prince was staying in, but all he had to do was find the most luxurious and large room and the room with the highest security.
Cloud was wandering around looking for such a room, and soon discovered that several knights were guarding the large and magnificent door.
‘There it is.’
Cloud bit his lip out of nervousness, took out a mask from his pocket, covered his nose and mouth, and set fire to dry grass of unknown origin. The dry grass soon began to emit smoke of a suspicious color.
Cloud carefully threw the bundle of herbs towards the knights. The knights were choking at the sudden puff of smoke and soon fell to the ground.
He lost consciousness for a moment due to the smoke from the poisonous plant.
Thinking that things were going too well, Cloud opened a grand visit.
In search of the prince who must have fallen asleep in a defenseless state.
However, the person who greeted him as he entered the room was not the prince.
“… … It’s been a while. Cloud Air.”
“Dexen… … ?”
It was Alexia Dexen, glaring at him with a sinister expression.
Cloud suddenly realized that he was surrounded by knights and closed his eyes for a moment.
“… … “Was it a trap?”
“Have you figured it out now? It looks like your brain is quite rusty. Or did you step into it even though you knew it was a trap?”
At Alexia’s sneer, Cloud gritted his teeth and placed his hand on his waist. It was to pull out his sword.
“Stop being foolish, Cloud. I know you are an excellent knight, but do you think you can defeat all of these people?”
“If you remember me, I’m a kid from 10 years ago, right? “My brain may be rusty, but if I don’t watch, I won’t know whether my skills are better than 10 years ago or not.”
Cloud said as he carefully pulled out his long sword. He felt like he wouldn’t be able to stay sane if he didn’t show off.
“Come all at once.”
Due to Cloud’s momentum, the knights surrounding him hesitated. They were waiting for Alexia’s command.
“… … Everyone, be careful. He is not an easy person.”
Alexia also drew her sword and spoke in a solemn voice. It was a signal to attack.
Three knights drew their swords at once and rushed at him.
