A Surprising Visitor

More days passed after we learned that Caesar was the Servant of the God of Destruction and the mastermind who had plunged the Empire into such chaos.

We had revealed our true identities to Ernesto, and now we were in the process of finalizing the plan for the day.

Today as well, just as we stepped out from the alley where Ivan-san’s inn was located and onto the main street to head to our base for a strategy meeting—at that moment, we saw someone running toward us from the distance.

“…Who is that?”

“Um… they seem incredibly intense.”

“Could it be… Hubert?”

As we stood there confused, Ann spoke the name of the man running toward us.

“Someone you know, Ann?”

“You two know him as well, don’t you? Hubert Lancian.”

Wait, Lancian-sama!?

He was a knight of the Kingdom and the captain of Ann’s escort unit. Why was he here… and his clothes weren’t those of a knight. He was dressed like a shabby adventurer and almost looked like a completely different person.

“Luca-san! Rebecca-san!”

Lancian-sama seemed to have business with us. He ran straight toward us and grabbed my shoulder firmly.

“Is it true that Princess Henriette fell from a cliff!?”

…Right, that report must have reached the Kingdom. But even so, I still couldn’t understand why he came all the way here after hearing it.

There was no way he could enter the Empire as a knight… and judging by his appearance and the fact that he was alone, it seemed like he had come by himself disguised as an adventurer.

“It’s true… but why are you here?”

“I heard the report regarding Her Highness the Princess, and I could not sit still thinking that she might still be alive beneath the cliff. — I owe Her Highness a debt that I can never repay. And yet I could not save her from this danger… I cannot forgive myself.”

Lancian-sama clenched his fists tightly, clearly blaming himself, as if he deeply regretted what had happened.

I had never realized he felt so strongly about Ann when we were guarding her together. I had only thought of him as a serious and gentle knight, so the fact that he had come all the way here alone surprised me.

“Could you please tell me the location of the cliff? If you do, I will go search alone.”

“Um…”

What should I do? If I told him the location of the cliff, he would probably head straight there. But Ann was alive right beside me… should I tell him the truth?

When I looked toward Rebecca and Ann for guidance, Ann nodded at me and stepped forward.

“There’s something important we need to discuss. Please come with us.”

Lancian-sama looked confused at Ann’s serious tone. Considering that Ann currently had a completely different appearance, that was only natural.

“…Um, who are you?”

“I am someone who knows the whereabouts of the person you are searching for. For now, just quietly follow me.”

After saying that, Ann left the main street and returned to the back alley. Lancian-sama hesitated but followed behind her.

Then, inside an abandoned house that all of us entered—

—Ann removed her transformation robe.

“Hubert, you’re being far too reckless. The fact that you’re here… does that mean you quit being a knight?”

When Ann said that with a wry smile, Lancian-sama widened his eyes in shock, tears spilling from them.

“Y-Your Highness the Princess…! Y-You’re alive… you truly are alive!”

Saying that, Lancian-sama dropped to his knees on the spot and bowed deeply.

“I sincerely apologize for failing to protect Your Highness. I am truly glad from the bottom of my heart that I could see you again.”

“Hubert, you don’t need to feel that much responsibility. You properly escorted me all the way to the Empire. …And besides, I’m alive now, so that’s enough.”

At Ann’s words, Lancian-sama’s shoulders trembled as he kept his head lowered. Watching him like that almost made us tear up as well.

—It was truly fortunate that Ann asked us for help and decided to run away.

After some time passed while Lancian-sama talked about quitting the knighthood and the current situation in the Empire, the conversation paused, and Ann looked at us with a serious expression.

“The two of you, may I speak with you for a moment? Hubert, please wait here.”

“Understood.”

After confirming that Lancian-sama obeyed Ann’s request, Ann led Rebecca and me to the corner of the room. Then she spoke quietly… exactly as I expected.

“May I tell Hubert everything? About the plan we made to escape, about me being a divine servant, and… if possible, about Luca as well.”

After hearing that, I reconsidered the disadvantages of telling Lancian-sama, but I couldn’t think of any major ones.

If Ann judged that Lancian-sama could be trusted, then we would believe that judgment. More than anything, we also had nothing but a good impression of him.

“I don’t mind. If you believe it’s alright to tell him.”

“Yes, I trust Hubert. The reason I didn’t tell him anything when I planned to run away was because I didn’t want to burden him as a knight of the Kingdom. But it seems he already quit being a knight…”

Ann said that with a wry smile. There was a hint of exasperation in it, but she also looked happy.

“If Ann thinks it’s okay to tell him, then I won’t oppose it.”

“Thank you, Rebecca.”

“However, the coup should remain a secret for now. Even if we intend to bring him in as an ally, I want to speak with Ernesto first.”

“Of course. I won’t get the order wrong.”

After that, we revealed everything to Lancian-sama, and once the discussion was over, the four of us headed to the base together.