Volume 6, Chapter 7 - The One Who Works Behind the Scenes
Volume 6, Chapter 7 - The One Who Works Behind the Scenes
"We're going to rescue Louise. And you are also going to help us.”
I proudly declared in front of the five idiots gathered in the dining room.
Julian, who was wearing an apron, put his hand to his forehead as he listened to me."Baltfault, things are different than they were with Noelle.
What do you have in mind? If it's just about saving …"
-… Don't tell me that apart from that you don’t have a plan. Julian, who was surprised to see me, looked puzzled.
Jilk, whose attitude had grown cheeky, was the one who explained on Julian's behalf.
It seems he's making fun of me.
"Count Baltfault, with all due respect; You're not thinking that if you save her, that's the end, are you? His Highness is concerned about what will happen after Louise is rescued. It's not just about saving her. The last time you made a fuss you created a big international problem, and now you are ignoring this mess?”
Not long ago I rescued Noelle from almost being forced to marry Loic.
At that time I was too scared of international affairs to move as much as I wanted.
But then it hit me.
The five idiots used to be too stupid to be useful, but in the end they are well-educated nobles.
When it comes to the affairs of the country, they are useful in their own way.
"It will be very difficult to deal with, which is why I am trusting you.
Now come up with a plan that humbles the pride of the Republic like last time.”
I think I'm being reckless if I say so myself.
But unlike me, a reincarnated person, these guys grew up locally. There is a possibility that I can come up with a method that I cannot think of.
Brad was hugging a dove and a rabbit, and talking to Chris.
"It was Baltfault's selfish act in crushing the pride of Republic knights and soldiers, wasn't it? Didn't we propose a more conciliatory plan?”
-I agree. To be honest, I felt sorry for Loic when he was dealing with Baltfault. If you are talking about dealing a crushing blow to an opponent, Baltfault is a genius.
I put my hands on the table, ignoring Chris's comments as he acted serious wearing a loincloth.
"Look, I'm asking for ideas, so give me a little wisdom." Greg looked unhappy, but reluctantly agreed to help.
"No, I'll help you if you ask me to help you. In fact, I am in your debt.
But if you don't know what you're going to do, there's no way I can help
… I mean, what is Louise to you in the first place?”
Is she worth saving?
Greg asked a very obvious question, but his muscles were swollen, like he was training.
Also, he was wearing a tank top and shorts.
Apparently he was cold just being in that pair of pants. Yes, if you wear clothes, no problem.
"Hmmm … she’s like a sister to me?"
The five idiots were stunned when they heard what I said. Julian and others shook their heads.
"Is this what they call a Siscon?" "I don't want to be seen like that."
Since the five idiots can't think of anything, Anjie and Livia entered the dining room. Apparently, they had heard us talk.
Anjie looked at me with an " oh my ".
"You should have been more selective with your words."
Livia was a little angry. Her expression was serious with a classic deadpan.
"Please be serious, Leon!" You're going to help Louise, right? Guys, keep the jokes to a minimum.”
Oh, I think everyone has misunderstood something.
-Do not worry. There is no problem in saving her. The problem is what happens after we rescue her.
At my confidence, Anjie crossed her arms.
"If you say so, I suppose it is possible to save her. But then it's really a question of what comes next. If you do something wrong, all negotiations will go sour.”
The conversation between the Kingdom and the Republic about reparations has been organized. If I do a bad job here, the conversation will be ruined.
And I'm sure the Kingdom will be angry about it.
For a moment I thought it would be good for Roland to suffer, but it would also be a problem for others, so I won't.
"The Rault family can certainly be taken in by us. Can't we do something about it?”
When I asked Anjie for help, Julian joined the conversation.
"The Republic gets nervous when it comes to the Sacred Tree. In fact, they have shown us that when we've been here. It is all very well for us to help, but I am sure the Republic will not sit idly by on this matter. Even if the Rault family is on your side, it's too difficult.”
It is a big problem for the kingdom that five of the six main noble families turn into enemies.
Anjie also had a complex look on her face.
"Noelle has some benefits, but Louise doesn't. I can understand why you want to help them, but if you get involved, there could be a war.”
We would steal the sacrifice that the Sacred Tree asked for.
The Republic would protest, and perhaps even start a war against the Kingdom. And the Kingdom will blame me for my troublesome behavior.
I want to help, but I can't.
It is a very frustrating situation.
This is why having a position is so troublesome. Livia also looked worried.
"And it's also a problem that Louise herself doesn't want to be rescued.
Leon, are you still going to save her? The Sacred Tree has her brother's soul inside it, right?”
… Louise will surely resent me for that. But what does it matter?
"You can't let a dead man drag you down. I'm sorry for her brother Leon, but he'll have to wait a little longer. Also, I have my doubts about the story.
Unfortunately, I'm so twisted that I honestly can't believe people's stories.
I wish I could regain my pure heart like when I was a child. The way Anjie looked at me was sad.
"Even if you save her, you will be hated."
"There are so many people who already hate me, I'm willing to let some more hate me." And I'm used to being hated. Hey guys!
I smiled at the five idiots who held a grudge against me and looked very uncomfortable.
Julian tugged on his cheeks.
-It is true.
Jilk and the others laughed, but their eyes didn't.
—I envy your personality which doesn't care about people's resentment. Brad's eyebrows arched.
"I'll never forget the time you beat me." Chris looked at me and was dumbfounded.
"That is what you are, Baltfault. That's what makes you devilish. Greg seemed to have a vein protruding from his forehead.
"You have a really nice personality, don't you? --- In the end, we have not
solved the problem after the rescue, so what are we going to do?” I let out a sigh.
-It is true. I thought you guys would be more useful, but seriously, you are useless.
The gaze of the five idiots tightened even more for my honesty. Julian pointed at me.
"Are you one to talk !? Even you can't come up with a good idea!
—I'm the one who sets the goals and executes them. You are the ones who make the plan and help. So it's not my fault.
While they were yelling and making noise, Cordelia approached." Leon-sama, you have a guest."
-A guest?
◇
The great airship of the Republic.
It was a six hundred meter long old luxury cruiser, but it has been put together for this time. The ship, heading for the tops of the Sacred Tree, had many guards attached to it.
There was no record of the Sacred Tree calling for a sacrifice, so this was a first for the Republic.
Therefore, it was not known what would happen.
To deal with anything, it was decided to send the representatives of the six great nobles.
On board the great aircraft were the young men who are supposed to be the next generation.
And those who boarded the great airship were … Serge from the Rault family, who volunteered.
"It's quite showy. A normal warship would have been better.”
From the Druille family, Hugh, who volunteered to replace his brother Fernand.
?Are you stupid? We are not going to fight there. From the Pleven family, Emile, who volunteered."Stop. This is not the time to fight.”
And Narcisse from the Granze family, a former teacher at the Academy.
-So is. This is a historic moment for me. If we're going to sacrifice Louise, I'll have to record it all for posterity.
Narcisse, who had an academic temperament, seemed internally opposed to sacrificing his former student, Louise.
However, he could not go against the decisions of the heads of the six great nobles. On the contrary, Hugh, who was her ex-fiancé, had a relieved expression on his face.
"Still, I can't believe the Faiviel family refused to do so. My brother will follow the escort with the fleet.”
The young people of the six families were taken on board and forced to see what happened this time with their eyes.
At the same time, there were also the faces that would be sacrificed in the event of an unforeseen event.
In the midst of all this, there were no volunteers from the Faiviel family, and knights and soldiers had been sent in their place.
Serge turned his attention to the man sitting in the corner of the luxurious room.
"Loic, are you the representative of the House of Barriere despite not having your family crest?" The Barriere house has fallen very low.
He provoked it, but Loic's response was slow.
-… Maybe you are right.
Abandoned and having lost his family crest, Loic had no value as a noble.
The reason Loic was here is because he was chosen to be Louise's sacrificial watchdog.
It is a role where he will see what happens closer to him, and, if nothing goes well, he will get involved.
Hugh gave Loic a stern look as he sat back in his chair and didn't try to get involved.
Last time, during his wedding to Noelle, Hugh had also sided with Loic. Because of that, the position of the Druille family worsened.
"Thanks to you, my brother and I are having a hard time." As long as I can risk your life to make amends, you should be grateful.
Emile tried to deal with the cold stares directed around Loic.
"Don't do that again." Besides, Hugh, you have to take responsibility for your actions. It's wrong to blame only Loic.
"Ah!" Emile, I didn't expect you to lecture me. The five were not the best of friends.
Narcisse let out a sigh.
"Do you realize that Louise is the one with the most difficulties?" So refrain from doing anything that might interfere with your last moments.
Narcisse reprimanded them and Hugh sat down on the sofa with a huff.
Serge was looking out the window.
"Guys, get ready." The Demon Knight of the Realm is coming.
The other four reacted to Serge, who said those things with a smile on his face. Hugh was looking forward to that too.
"Has he really come?" Will you take on a country for Louise? Hugh trembled as he watched Leon's strength closely.
It won't come from his mouth, but actually he was afraid there was a chance it would come.
Seeing this, Serge scoffed at Hugh.
-Are you afraid? Of a type like that?
"From a guy like that?" Don't you know how strong that guy is? If you are going to speak all conceited, you will have to knock it down first!
"Oh, I'll shoot it down."
Seeing Serge's confident appearance, Loic opened his mouth."… Serge, do you really think you can beat that guy?"
"Shut up, you creepy necklace bastard." Don't think that because you couldn't beat him I won't be able to either. You haven't trained like I have.
Narcisse rubbed his stomach with his hand, as if it hurt.
"Leon is getting closer. I don’t want to fight if possible. He took down an armed unit with his bare hands.”
Serge knew that story too, but he still showed confidence.
"He has a trick up his sleeve. Pierre was stupid and that's why he lost.” Emile, who gave Serge a cold look, unlike usual, stopped him.
"Could you stop there?" We are not here to hear you brag about it."…!!.”
Serge got up and left the room with his spear.
◇
Louise was saying goodbye to her family before boarding the aircraft.
-I'm leaving.
Her mother was sobbing and was being supported by those around her. Alberg gave Louise one last look.
"Are you sure you want to go? You can still …”
-No. Leon is waiting. Louise was very tired.
This was because every night he had nightmares about how her brother Leon was suffering."Louise, you're a bad girl. It is unforgivable that you die before your parents.”
-I'm sorry. But I want to see Leon. I couldn't do anythingthen , but I want to be there by his side. Also, when the Sacred Tree takes care of me, Leon and I will take care of you.
Alberg was about to say something and swallowed his words.
Knights and soldiers from the other houses were guarding the perimeter and he couldn't say anything without it being overheard.
Fernand had been chosen to command Louise's fleet of guards."Acting Chief, your daughter is responsible for herself …” Before he could say anything else, Alberg looked at him coldly.
-Responsible? Be responsible for killing herself?
"Acting Chief! We talked about it and decided on it! If the Sacred Tree asked, it would be an honor! Your daughter is ready for this. It doesn't make sense for the Acting Chief to stop this.”
Alberg looked down.
Honor? Do you think it is an honor to sacrifice your daughter? Wherever we live, we live tied to the Sacred Tree.
The Sacred Tree will give you everything you ask for. Thus thought the Republic.
Louise was hugging her mother."Mother, I'm going now."
"Louise, why do I have to lose you, not just Leon, but you too?" Louise arrived at Alberg after comforting her mother.
-Father.
"… I am proud of you, my daughter."
-Thank you.
Then Louise turned her gaze, searching for someone. Alberg realized immediately who it was.
-He is not here. Instead, I have a message for you."I'm sorry".
-I'm sorry?
Because he feels it? Louise had a worried expression on her face, so Alberg elaborated.
"He couldn't save you, so he doesn't have the face to see you."
"… I wish I had seen him one last time."
?Is there something you want to tell him?
-Well, just tell him that I said, "I had a lot of fun." Meeting him was a good way to remember Leon.
There was a striking resemblance, even from Alberg's point of view. It's hard to believe they were such strangers.
Was this how her son would have been when he grew up? So it seemed.
-We'll find out.
Fernand told Louise that it was almost time to leave.
-We are going?
Louise boarded the aircraft.
Alberg hugged his crying wife and muttered to himself when he saw Louise walk away.
"I'm sorry, Louise. Please forgive me.”
It was not a regret from a father who had to sacrifice his daughter, or anything else.