Episode 7

Zeke Lagias, wanted on suspicion of murdering the Sword Saint Masfelt Freak. Multiple units of the knight order were moving to apprehend him, but they had yet to obtain any useful information.

A month had passed since he was put on the wanted list.

“Still haven’t found him, huh…”

“The kingdom is vast, after all…”

Garbera and Selsia, who belonged to Eltia’s regiment, let out sighs. A cordon spread across the kingdom while coordinating with the various units. Despite this apprehension operation mobilizing many knights, there were still no results. Complaints had begun to arise from each unit as well.

“To move this many knights and still not even catch a glimpse of him…”

“I mean, I’m more surprised there are this many knights in the first place, you know?”

Garbera had a different impression from Selsia. Even if the suspect was accused of murdering the Sword Saint, he was still only one person. She found it strange that so much manpower was being assigned just to apprehend that single individual.

“Will you two listen?”

Their superior, Eltia, called out to them. She had just received a status report through a magical device.

“It seems forcing our way into Lagias Domain will be difficult. …Its defenses are apparently abnormally tight.”

The existence of the private army guarding the major points of Lagias Domain was what was stopping the knight order. Whether they had no intention of responding to the summons or not, they were ignoring every action from the knight order’s side. Worse, they had even warned that if anyone entered the domain unlawfully, they would resort to force.

“No, come on, we’re the national military, right? And they’re just a domain force.”

“What an absurd misunderstanding. The lord of Lagias is the same as ever.”

Garbera and Selsia reacted as though they had expected it, but not to this extent. There was nothing wrong with the notion that a territory was governed by its lord, but in essence it still belonged to the nation. They could practically picture the lord throwing a tantrum like some petty tyrant.

“If the lord were merely foolish, it would actually make things easier for us. — The Lagias private army is too powerful.”

A force so formidable that even the knight order, the nation’s elite, had trouble dealing with it. Their numbers were not especially large, but every one of them was highly capable. If the knight order was quantity, then the Lagias private army was quality. During the entrance exam two years ago, they had been forced to recognize that strength whether they wanted to or not.

“If we clash with them head-on, casualties will be unavoidable.”

“Huh, so they’re really that dangerous. …But we can’t just leave things as they are, right?”

“No — simply keeping them under watch is enough. Their master still hasn’t returned.”

They were left speechless by Eltia’s near-certain statement. Wasn’t the private army desperately defending the domain to shelter the Zeke Lagias who had fled there? In response to that obvious question, Eltia answered calmly.

“It’s simple. The private army is deployed across various points of the domain. Compared to the knight order, they already have fewer troops to begin with, and yet they are dispersing them. If there truly were a person they were protecting, it would be more rational to concentrate their strength. Which means…”

Zeke Lagias had not returned to the domain. That was Eltia’s conclusion. It was nothing more than a foolish measure chosen by the lord of Lagias, who had panicked for self-preservation and wanted to keep the knight order out of his lands.

“Hm? Then what’s the young master doing?”

“Considering his character, remaining still in this situation would be unnatural. — He wants to move, but can’t. According to the reports, he was severely injured.”

“So he can’t move because of his injuries… but even so, to mobilize this many people and still not find him…”

“He may have other allies besides Eris Larc. Or perhaps there’s even a traitor among our own ranks… just kidding.”

He was already troublesome enough as an opponent, and on top of that they might have to suspect their own people too. They wanted absolutely no part of that.

“It’s possible he has already left the country, but if he isn’t in full condition, then the theory says he would seek out a priest. Yet there isn’t a priest in this country who would help him. Therefore — where they are heading is…”

““Maria City.””

Hearing the two of them answer, Eltia nodded with satisfaction.

By coincidence or inevitability, the cordon spread throughout the Kingdom of Diabalet grew tighter the farther east one went from the royal capital, and looser in the west. If one were aiming for the main seat of Maria Church, then the optimal route would be from the east.

“As expected of you, Commander. Then should we send more personnel there—”

“No, that won’t be necessary.”

Eltia placed an index finger to her lips in a gesture for silence.

“We have already assigned plenty of personnel there, but any more than this would become difficult to control. — It would be meaningless if another unit were the one to apprehend him.”

“? So you just want the credit? You don’t seem like that kind of commander, though.”

“Hehe, let’s leave that as something to look forward to.”

Eltia smiled as though she were having fun, suggesting she had some ulterior motive. It was like a child plotting mischief.

“If Strohk’s unit or Brink’s unit gets involved, it will be troublesome. …I won’t allow this to be buried in ambiguity. He will be apprehended by Eltia Unit — by us.”

A single carriage moved slowly along a road off the highway. Kratz sat in the driver’s seat, while Eris and the still-sleeping Zeke were in the cabin. They were gradually making their way east.

“So far, things have been going smoothly.”

“They have. But I’ve been seeing more knights in the towns.”

A month had passed since they left Mahat, in the west of the kingdom. As a result of traveling with extreme caution, they had not yet come into contact with any knights. Whether that meant the knight order was simply incompetent, whether they had been skillfully misdirected, or whether they were just lucky, they did not know. But Eris and Kratz had limited options. The situation did not sit well with them, yet they had no choice but to keep moving.

“Do you think we’ll somehow manage?”

“You really are carefree. In the end, nothing has actually been solved.”

It was not as though the two of them had done nothing during that month. Eris had regularly treated Zeke with healing magic, while Kratz had gone alone into towns to buy potions and food and gather information.

Even with Eris and Kratz’s devoted nursing, Zeke did not recover. Their anxiety only grew stronger with each passing day.

“That’s exactly why we have to stay positive. If even we start getting gloomy, Zeke will just get more anxious too, won’t he?”

“As expected of Kratz. Even your brain is Kratz.”

“What’s that supposed to mean!? You do realize I’m older than you, right!?”

Kratz made a fuss while driving the carriage.

Though she did not say it aloud, Eris was grateful. There was only so much one person could do, and she could hardly take Zeke openly into town. Having Kratz there allowed them to divide roles, and on top of that he gave surprisingly sound advice. His experience as a soldier in another country was probably a big factor too.

“I know. You’re already some old man past thirty, right?”

“That’s not true! I’m still in my twenties! And the early part of them, at that!”

He helpfully leaned his face out through the window to deny it. It was a truly pathetic sight.

This young man Kratz was kind, serious, and sincere, but he also had a tendency to be too honest. Eris could not help worrying that someday someone would swindle him badly. — He was a hopeless sort.

“…You’re not making fun of me in your head too, are you?”

“You’re imagining things. More importantly, watch the road. If we get into an accident, I won’t forgive you.”

“This treatment is awful…”

While glancing at Kratz as he slumped his shoulders, Eris thought about what lay ahead. Things were going smoothly for now, but sooner or later they would have to clash with the knight order.

Was it really all right to keep aiming for Maria City at this rate? The farther east they went, the more tightly the knight order would mark them. Zeke’s condition certainly was not good, but there was no guarantee he would be completely healed in Maria City either.

Right now, the whole country was directing hostility at them. Eris was not so naive that she failed to understand just how reckless it was for only three people to oppose an entire nation. Her desire to save Zeke was real, but that did not mean she felt no fear.

(So Zeke was always carrying feelings like this alone. It’s ironic that I only understand it now…)

Zeke lay there with his eyes closed. He was breathing. He seemed to wake up occasionally and eat, but neither Eris nor Kratz had ever actually seen it happen. Was he moving only when the two of them were resting, using the bare minimum of energy? The lack of conversation only made them more anxious.

(Is it selfish of me to want to hear his voice, even just a little?)

She wanted him to hurl insults like usual and berate everyone around him with those needlessly difficult words. Was it strange that even his usual appalling attitude had become something she missed? — She did not need that answer right now. Once everything was over, she could think about it slowly. For now, all they could do was keep moving.

“Huh? That’s… but why…”

Yes. All they could do was keep moving, even if hardship stood in their way.

A great many knights were stationed ahead, blocking Eris and the others’ path. It seemed they were stopping carriages and passersby to conduct inspections. — The situation they had feared had finally come to pass.

The carriage had been traveling off the highway. They had chosen a route that avoided contact with the knight order, but mercilessly, a large number of knights were spread out ahead of them over a wide area.

“They just suddenly appeared? There’s no way that could—”

“…I don’t know the principle, but this is a barrier. It seems to block visibility from outside. Sorry, this is completely my fault.”

It was an inspection post spread over not just the highway, but the surrounding area as well. Not only knights, but a fair number of carriages and horses had been prepared too.

(Do we turn back now? No, that won’t work. It’d obviously look suspicious, and horses are faster than a carriage. Besides, the moment we entered the barrier, they must have already noticed us.)

Sweat trickled down.

There was still some distance, but not enough to escape. And even if they tried to force their way through, the gap in strength was too great. For only Kratz and Eris to face that number of opponents would be no different from suicide.

“There’s no choice but to gamble everything…”

“…Let’s keep going as we are.”

“!? Are you serious? If we go into that area, we won’t even be able to resist.”

It was the natural reaction. Entirely reasonable. Kratz understood that perfectly well.

“We can’t escape, and we can’t win. So — the only thing we can rely on is luck.”

“Are you an idiot? If that fails, then Zeke will—”

“That’s right. If we run or fight, Zeke might die. But even if they capture us, if we don’t resist… they shouldn’t kill us immediately.”

Whether it was a false accusation or not aside, even if it were an unjust arrest, they should not move straight to execution. At the very least, the knight order would investigate the facts of the case… which meant they would gain time.

“And I’m a foreigner, so they’ll have to think carefully about how to handle me.”

“…Go on.”

“There are no diplomatic ties, but they can still negotiate with me as another state, and I do have that card. If even one issue of concern arises, the knight order will have no choice but to listen. …And our side’s claims haven’t been conveyed at all, right? If they reached someone higher up — for example, your father…”

If dismissed as wishful thinking, that would be the end of it, but the one thing they absolutely had to avoid was Zeke being put in danger.

No matter what they did, it would mean nothing if Zeke did not stay alive.

“Papa doesn’t let personal feelings affect his work. But that’s exactly why I can trust him.”

“There may be others who’ll understand too. — The worst move we can make right now is taking some reckless action and letting something happen to Zeke.”

The knight order’s inspection line gradually drew nearer. It felt like climbing the execution scaffold by their own will.

(I can’t panic. Zeke is the one having it hardest. I’m the older one here, so I need to keep it together.)

He waited for Eris’s decision. He could not disregard the will of the one who had protected Zeke all alone.

“…All right. I’ll entrust our lives — and his — to your luck.”

A large-scale manhunt had begun, with knights dispatched all over the kingdom for the sake of a single wanted man. On this highway leading toward the eastern cities, a major inspection post had also been established.

“It’s mostly just been merchants and adventurers, though…”

“A single carriage traveling away from the highway… is it?”

One knight with a notably casual way of speaking, and a nervous-looking mage wearing glasses. These two were the leaders of the unit managing the inspection.

A wide-area barrier was deployed by many mages. It had the effect of completely blocking visibility from the outside, so no one beyond it could see what was happening within. All they would see was an ordinary landscape.

“Tch, what a pain, but looks like we’ll have to handle this ourselves.”

“What a coincidence. I was thinking the same thing.”

Holding their subordinates back, the two captains inspected the target personally. Until now, nothing had turned up and the search had been one empty miss after another, but the other members had sensed a change in the air and tightened their expressions.

“You lot, be ready to move at any time.”

“Not just the carriage in question — pay attention to the surroundings as well.”

The two stood directly in front of the approaching carriage. They watched closely, determined not to miss a single movement. Behind them stood a large number of tense knights and mages. It was an absolutely solid formation.

“Halt! We’re on alert right now.”

The carriage stopped at the knight’s command. It was neither especially large nor especially small. The carriage and horse were of an ordinary size, but seated at the driver’s bench was a foreigner.

“…That’s unusual. You don’t often see foreigners around here.”

“Ahaha… Hello there, good knight, good mage. Has something happened?”

The driver was a young man. As far as they could see, he carried no weapon. Judging by his build, he seemed to be just an ordinary civilian. There was no sense of danger from him.

“If you’re in this country, I’m sure you’ve heard by now, but we’re searching for a wanted criminal. That’s what this inspection is for.”

“I see… Yes, I’ve certainly heard a lot of talk about it in the towns. So that’s why it’s this large-scale…”

In the flow of the conversation, the driver looked around at his surroundings. A natural reaction, certainly, but still.

“Yeah, that’s about it. Even if you’re a foreigner, we still need your cooperation. …Understood?”

“Of course. …Only, well, I do have a companion, and she isn’t feeling well. So if possible, I’d appreciate it if this could be done quickly.”

He made a gesture of concern toward the cabin behind him. According to him, a female companion was inside, bedridden in heavy clothing because she had fallen ill.

“I see. If there’s nothing unusual, it’ll be over soon. You, get down from the driver’s bench.”

“Then I’ll inspect the inside.”

The foreigner obediently followed instructions. He slowly got down from the driver’s bench and called out to the person inside, saying there would now be an inspection.

“You’ll be checked over here. …Don’t worry, it’ll be over quickly.”

Guided by the knight, the driver underwent a body search a short distance away. He appeared calm, perhaps maintaining his composure, but his eyes were darting about.

“I’ll begin on this side as well. I’m opening it now.”

The mage’s hand touched the door.

The carriage door slowly opened. The one who appeared was a bespectacled male mage. He looked around the same age as Kratz, or perhaps slightly older. But this mage — Eris recognized him. If she remembered right, he had been there during the attack on the royal capital.

“Are you alone?”

“Yes, I am…”

That was the only answer she could give. Eris was supposedly bundled up in heavy clothes because she was not feeling well. She had cloth over her head as well, so as to hide her hair as much as possible.

“…And what is that bulge?”

“This carriage is hard. So I put some cushioning down.”

Behind the seat where Eris sat was a long piece of cloth. It could perhaps be taken for a rolled-up fabric pad, but it was clearly unnatural. Sure enough, the mage narrowed his eyes.

(Yeah… of course he’d be suspicious. It’s strange.)

She sighed inwardly. If they had had more time, they might have come up with countermeasures, but this inspection was nearly a surprise check. She judged that fooling him was impossible.

(We’ll just have to go with Kratz’s plan…)

The other party was alone in a closed space. By conventional wisdom, mages were weak in close combat. But Kratz, the driver, had already been led away, and Eris herself could not be sure she would win. If he was a skilled mage, there was also a high chance he had mastered martial techniques using body enhancement.

“A wise decision. …If something were to happen to you, it would leave me uneasy about the relationship going forward.”

“Huh? What are you talking—”

The mage’s meaningful remark left her blank for a moment. Taking advantage of that instant, he moved right up in front of Zeke. — Beneath the cloth he pulled away was Zeke, still not waking.

“This… appears to be nothing more than ordinary baggage.”

The mage’s words and expression did not match. His eyes were wide open, as though he had been shocked by something. — Eris herself did not understand what was happening either.

“There are no particular issues. Thank you for your cooperation.”

The mage covered Zeke with the cloth again as though to hide him, then gave Eris a meaningful glance. It was as though he were telling her to play along.

“And where are you heading from here?”

“…I have business in the east of the kingdom. We’re planning to pass through Westen.”

“I see. However, there have been many monsters in that area recently. It would be a detour, but I recommend circling a bit farther south.”

“I understand. Thank you for the valuable information.”

The mage made a gesture of adjusting his glasses. He then climbed out of the cabin. Finally, he murmured to himself:

“…There is stagnation in his mana. If you use healing magic, you should also be mindful of circulating the target’s mana.”

Once outside, the mage raised his voice so those around him could hear.

“Keat, there’s nothing unusual with the carriage.”

“I see. Nothing wrong here either. He’s just a foreigner who looks kind of dumb. — Markus has finished checking too. You lot, clear the way.”

“!? K-kind of dumb!?”

There was some sort of commotion outside, but Kratz returned to the driver’s bench and got the carriage moving again. The knights and mages opened a path, and they continued on. Unlike at first, when they had felt countless eyes on them, almost no one showed any interest now. The only ones still watching them were the knight and mage called the captains.

“Told you, didn’t I? I’m lucky.”

Kratz wore a smug look.