Rod’s True Ability

“This is the Armor Scorpion nest. Even so… is this really the strength of Britannia’s knights…?”

“It looks like there’s already been quite a fierce battle.”

What awaited Arthur and the others as they arrived at breakneck speed were the corpses of Armor Scorpions. Armor Scorpions were certainly formidable foes, but against Carmine’s subordinates—who were well versed in the desert—and knights skilled enough to be entrusted with royal protection, they likely posed little threat.

“I can hear the sound of fighting… Is that Brother Rod?”

“Then we should hurry. If anything were to happen to a prince you’re close to, it would be troublesome.”

“No, I think he’s probably fine, but…”

Ignoring Arthur’s words, Miranda urged the Crimson Arrow onward. And what they saw when they arrived was—

“Hmph. I heard desert monsters were powerful, but they’re nothing special.”

“As expected of Rod-sama. Amazing, truly amazing.”

A boy clad in beautifully decorated armor cut down an especially massive Armor Scorpion in a single stroke, while a girl in a maid outfit, her expression blank, clapped half-heartedly.

That boy continued to cut down other Armor Scorpions while supporting the knights fighting around him.

“Not only defeating the pack leader, but even providing support… That knight… he’s strong…”

“Right? He’s my pride and joy—my big brother.”

“Huh? That person is your brother…?”

Miranda let out a dumbfounded sound, but Arthur ignored it and waved broadly, as if greeting a friend he’d run into in town.

“Heeey, Brotheeer Rood!”

“Hm? Arthur? Why are you here? Tch—don’t get in my way, you lowly monsters!!”

Startled by the sudden voice, Rod immediately scattered the monsters around him. Then, after Rod and his knights finished off the nearby Armor Scorpions, they faced Arthur, Miranda, and the Crimson Arrow head-on.

“From the looks of it… you don’t seem to have been captured by the Desert People.”

“Yeah, that’s right, Brother Rod. I’ve already made peace with them.”

“Um… you two are close, right?”

Seeing the contrast between Arthur’s smiling reply and the tense posture of the knights around Rod, weapons at the ready, Miranda timidly asked Arthur.

“Of course. Brother Rod and I are siblings.”

“How many times must I tell you to say ‘Brother Rod-sama,’ you wretch!! More importantly…”

Rod’s wary eyes turned toward Miranda and the Crimson Arrow.

“Arthur, you’re not suggesting that you conspired with the Desert People to eliminate me, are you?”

“What are you talking about? There’s no way I’d do something like that. More importantly, I came here to stop this fight.”

“Stop the fight? Are you telling me to forgive the thieves who stole the Golden Wheat?”

“Of course not for free. I received the ‘Fruit of Plenty’ passed down among the Desert People. They’ll offer that as an apology. Hervé should be satisfied with that.”

“I see… but that alone is too naive.”

Rod shouted back at Arthur’s words.

“Hervé might accept it. But we will not. To begin with, if we let food be stolen and then smooth things over, wouldn’t neighboring countries look down on us?! Isn’t this the perfect chance to educate the Desert People and turn them into citizens of Britannia?!”

“A-are you saying you’ll suppress us by force?!”

“Of course. Only when managed by royalty and nobility of superior blood can you ignorant masses find happiness!!”

Miranda’s face stiffened as Rod flatly called them ignorant masses. Overwhelmed by his killing intent, she faltered—when someone stepped forward protectively.

“Brother… that’s going too far. And they live according to their own culture. Just once, leave the castle and look outside. I didn’t understand it while living in the royal palace, but all kinds of people live all kinds of lives. If we cooperate with them, I believe the people living in Britannia can become even happier.”

Seeing Rod before him overlap with his former self—running desperately about during the revolution—Arthur unusually pleaded with his brother in earnest. There had been so many things he couldn’t understand in that previous world, where he stayed shut in the castle, speaking only with nobles.

Back then, he truly couldn’t understand why the people rebelled against royalty when everything seemed to be running smoothly, or why the populace was so angry.

He hadn’t even realized how many people were suffering behind their luxurious lives…

“What impudence!! You, who lived in the royal palace just like me, surrounded by nobles—what could you possibly understand?! All you need to do is heal!!”

“I do understand… I understand better than anyone that that’s not enough. If the nobles keep tightening their grip without respecting their lives, a revolution will happen!!”

But Arthur had learned about commoners’ lives at the orphanage, about the dwarves’ craftsman spirit in Dorf, and about the Desert People’s way of life through interacting with them. Their lives were completely different from Britannian nobles’, but he didn’t think they were unhappy. Rather, Arthur believed it was good to have many choices, and he wanted to convey that to Rod, whose perspective had narrowed.

Recalling what he had learned in this life, Arthur pleaded with a desperate expression. As he had said many times, Arthur truly regarded Rod as a beloved older brother.

“A revolution… what foolish nonsense…”

“Rod-sama, permission to speak.”

As Rod snorted derisively, Maid Number Fourteen—who had been watching their exchange with an unusually serious gaze—raised her hand.

“Hmph, very well. I’ll grant you permission, just this once.”

“Thank you, Rod-sama.”

Despite the desert setting, Maid Number Fourteen, still in her maid outfit, turned toward Arthur and bowed with elegant grace. At that moment, she winked as if to convey something unseen by Rod.

“Even if the two of you speak here, given your different factions, it will only go in circles. In that case, why not let Rod-sama demonstrate the breadth of his magnanimity?”

“You’re telling me to back down?”

“No. Simply that clashing with Arthur-sama here is neither wise nor worth the time. What Rod-sama truly seeks is surely not the blood of the Desert People. Instead, how about having Arthur-sama search for something in exchange for saving them?”

Even as Rod glared at her, Maid Number Fourteen proposed this calmly without yielding an inch. After pondering for a while, he broke into a mocking smile.

“Haha, that’s true enough. Very well. Arthur, if the lives of the Desert People matter that much to you, then find the ‘Relic of the Holy King’ said to lie dormant in this land.”

“The Relic of the Holy King…?”

“The Desert People did have contact with the Holy King, but that was ages ago. Searching for something like that…”

As Arthur stared blankly and Miranda let out a pitiful voice, Rod wore a spiteful grin.

“Of course, until you bring it back, I’ll continue hunting the Desert People and refuse any peace. I’ve already taken a step back. I will make no further concessions.”

“The Relic of the Holy King… what could that be…?”

Of course, Arthur had no idea such a thing existed among the Desert People. The only thing that came to mind was the rosary—but…

As he casually touched it, his exchange in the Valley of Trials came back to him.

That strange space back then was…

“Rod Pendragon will swear it. My knights shall be witnesses. As royalty, I will not break my promise—”

“Hey, Brother Rod. Could the ‘Relic of the Holy King’ be this?”

Rod had been speaking smugly, but when he saw the rosary Arthur pulled from his chest, he let out a foolish-sounding voice.

“Huh? What is that supposed to be?”

“Oh, this? I picked it up in the Valley of Trials. I also saw what was probably the Holy King in a vision, so I think it’s the real deal.”

Arthur explained calmly, causing Rod to tremble with rage as he summoned his subordinate.

“Hey, check if you can sense magic from it.”

“Yes, sir!”

The priest rushed over and, upon touching the rosary, cried out in shock.

“This is an overwhelming amount of magic… at the very least, it’s a national treasure-class item… Could this truly be the ‘Relic of the Holy King’?”

“You bastard!! You understood my aim and waited for us to propose a deal?!”

Rod glared at Arthur, fury blazing as if he might slam the rosary down, but Arthur replied as if utterly baffled.

“What are you talking about, Brother Rod? There’s no way I could’ve known that. It was just a coincidence.”

“Arthur-sama, you’re provoking him too much…”

Arthur obtaining the rosary and Rod seeking it were both truly coincidences, but the timing was so perfect that Rod couldn’t believe it. Convinced Arthur had played him all along, he let out a growl.

“Grrrrrr…”

“More importantly, Brother Rod. About the promise you just made…”

“I know!! I am a prince, and I do not go back on my word. However, you will help persuade Hervé once we return to the castle.”

Half-shouting, Rod turned on his heel. Maid Number Fourteen followed after him, expressionless, bowing her head. Watching them go, Miranda finally relaxed.

“Arthur-sama… just how far have you calculated all of this?”

“What are you talking about? I just gave Brother Rod a rosary I happened to pick up.”

“Honestly… let’s just say that’s how it was. Arthur-sama… thank you so much.”

Seeing Miranda straighten herself respectfully, Arthur shrugged as if to say, what are you talking about?

Watching that, the admiration in her eyes only deepened—though, of course, Arthur never noticed.

After all, from Arthur’s point of view, he had merely handed over something he’d picked up by chance…