“You still want to return to the city… and moreover, you want to take Waletidina with you?”
Senia looked at the two people before her and asked.
After making up her mind, Iyue had returned to the Royal Villa with Waletidina.
When Senia saw them arrive, she temporarily dismissed the Housekeeper who had been discussing matters with her, as well as several courtiers who had come from the city for an audience.
“Yes. Although Your Majesty previously told me not to act rashly, I feel this matter cannot be delayed. Besides, using the Audience Ceremony as bait… that is still too dangerous.”
Iyue lowered her head and said.
“It makes sense that you would think so. Then what about Waletidina? Why did you suddenly ask to go with Iyue?”
Senia nodded, then turned her gaze to her most loyal Knight.
“Your Majesty—when you were hearing the report on this incident earlier, I actually intended to suggest that you immediately dismiss Lai Wei An Se and have her investigated.”
To keep her liege from noticing her wavering, Waletidina bowed her head deeply.
“After all, the Ranger who directly fought the suspect and killed her, Aleshia Arne, said so, and Lai Wei An Se herself admitted that the suspect and the dead Rangers all belonged to the squad she had dispatched there [secretly protect] you.”
“Mm…”
Senia looked at her thoughtfully, as if waiting for her to continue.
“And you chose to trust Lai Wei An Se… I believe your judgment is correct. Because her achievements are clear for all to see, and even before we heard Ranger Aleshia’s testimony, she voluntarily admitted to you that the squad was under her direct command.”
“And that is the crime of Treason. She would not receive leniency just because she surrendered herself. If she had only become reckless after her plot was exposed, that would be one thing… but her lost and panicked expression at that time truly did not look like acting.”
“She had just been driven out by you from where you were staying at that time, right? I heard from the servants there that you did not let her into the room to see her niece.”
“…Yes, Your Majesty.”
Senia’s words made Iyue recall how Lai Wei An Se had looked then—she had never seen that woman show such a fragile, broken expression.
‘[So after I drove her out… she was immediately summoned by Your Majesty?]’
Iyue thought.
“Since you trust Lai Wei An Se, it is also a fact that the suspect is directly connected to her. Moreover, the person sent to investigate the suspect also uncovered the suspect’s background—that person was recommended into the Ranger Training Grounds by a member of the Nelf Family. And Iyue… also told me about the deeds of that Family Head.”
Waletidina glanced at Iyue, then continued speaking to the Queen:
“And I heard you have already decided to investigate the Nereve Family… because of this Treason’s connection to the Nereve Family.”
“It was Iyue who told you, wasn’t it? I am indeed considering exactly that.”
“Then please let me lead the group.” Waletidina knelt on one knee and petitioned her liege thus.
“I am your Frostblade. It is my mission to remove thorns for you. I will interrogate the Nereve Family Head for you, and search for that Nelf Family member connected to the suspect. If they are connected to this act of Treason… then I will cut off their heads for you.”
……
A short while later, Waletidina and Iyue boarded a boat back to the city—a rowboat just big enough for about ten people.
I never expected Your Majesty to agree just like that without another word…
“When a decision must be made, Your Majesty has always acted swiftly and decisively.”
Having changed into plain clothes, Iyue and Waletidina stood at the bow, gazing out over the calm surface of Mirror Lake.
In Iyue’s pocket was the writ personally signed by Senia—a royal order permitting Guard Knights to enter the Nelf Family’s Giant Tree to investigate.
The reason they had changed into plain clothes and were not taking a Steam Ship was that their operation this time had to be carried out in secret…
They did not want to cause a commotion the moment they stepped into the city, causing the Nereve Family side to prepare in advance for this surprise investigation.
“Row harder!”
“Yes!”
But the commotion coming from behind conflicted somewhat with the requirement of secrecy… Iyue turned around and gave an awkward smile to the seven young Knights rowing with all their might:
“…Actually, everyone only needs to row with normal effort.”
“How could we do that! This is our First Time carrying out a mission together with two Legends!”
“After I return… I absolutely must tell Mother that I rowed a boat for you two…!”
Hearing the legendary Hero say something that seemed to show consideration for them, the seven Knights’ eyes immediately lit up, and they rowed as if flying.
“…These guys are usually very quiet. They are acting crazy today probably because they met you. You underestimated your influence among them.”
Waletidina did not turn her head. These Knights, also changed into plain clothes, were young elites chosen by Senia from the Knights Order to assist them in this investigation… and subordinates she knew all too well.
“These kids are too young, aren’t they? They look only 40 or 50 years old.”
Iyue walked to Waletidina’s side and whispered.
“They were personally selected by the Queen and me. Among them are both exceptionally talented people and those who joined the Allied Army and survived the War. Do not underestimate their strength just because they are young.”
There was a faint trace of pride in Waletidina’s voice… and with the young Knights’ efforts, the boat crossed Mirror Lake faster than expected and followed the river to a Dock in the Lower District.
It was sunset when they reached the Dock.
The Giant Tree in the city cast a massive silhouette in the afterglow, and as dusk deepened, countless lights on the Covered Bridges and the buildings scattered between the trunk and city districts lit up one after another, sketching a dreamlike scene for the city.
The boat came ashore, and the lamp posts with Light Spells near the lakeside Dock had already been lit.
The city river in the Lower District of Fenglin City was connected to Mirror Lake, and the river that supplied fresh water to Mirror Lake was a branch of the Songlin River.
Therefore, after the river channel was widened in recent years, more and more merchant ships visited this city of Elves.
Although the seasons could not affect the waterways within the Sea of Trees because of the “Evergreen” blessing granted by the World Tree, the river mouth that diverted the water lay outside the Sea of Trees, so it still froze over from the winter cold as usual.
In this season, foreign ships were almost nowhere to be found in the Docks of the Sea of Trees.
And since most Elves were not good with boats to begin with, the ships in the Docks seemed especially scarce.
“…I heard the mood in the city has turned serious, but what is going on?”
On the bridge over the mooring, Ranger Corps members constantly patrolled back and forth, strictly inspecting ships entering and leaving the Dock.
Moreover, those members even carefully searched the few ships that had obviously been moored at the shore the whole time.
They even boarded them and opened every container inside to search.
When they docked, a patrol squad surrounded them. Fully armed, they stared at the people on the boat with intense vigilance.
“Routine inspection. Get off the boat.”
The captain leading them ordered everyone off the boat in a tone that brooked no delay… Neither she nor her squad recognized Iyue and Waletidina, who had hidden their appearances under cloaks before docking.
Among the people on the boat, only the two of them were famous, known to all… so they had to disguise themselves.
It was only natural that the patrol squad would be wary of two people dressed so suspiciously.
“Take off your cloaks. We need to confirm your identities.”
Led by Waletidina, everyone got off the boat. The patrol squad surrounded them, and one of them even approached with a Demon Detector to inspect each person.
“We are honest citizens who came to the city to work. Please look at this.”
Iyue stepped up to the captain and calmly produced the Queen’s Writ sealed with wax.
“Th-this is…”
When she saw the Royal Court’s exclusive wax seal on the Writ, the captain’s eyes went wide. But she quickly recovered from her shock:
“I see… You pass inspection. Go ahead.”
She nervously gestured for her squad members to let them through, and the members had no choice but to obey with bewildered looks.
“Captain, we haven’t inspected the boat yet—”
“I already inspected it. Squad dismissed… no, move to the next patrol point! One, two, three, go!”
One member raised a question, but the captain immediately shot her down.
She quickly left with her squad, leaving Iyue and Waletidina looking at each other.
“…They have really become just like Humans.”
“In the past, even if you showed them the Writ, they would still finish the inspection. Let’s move quickly… First go to the Royal Court to change into armor, then take up weapons.”
After that brief sigh, Waletidina led Iyue and the group away from the Dock.
On the way to the Upper District, they saw far more patrols made up of Ranger Corps than usual, as well as many citizens gathered at street corners, whispering.
“…Another patrol just passed. What’s going on?”
“I heard the patrol caught Demon Race members in the Lower District! And they even let one of them escape!”
“I heard there are so many Ranger Corps in the city now because the Nereve Family is plotting Treason—”
“Shh! You dare say that kind of thing so carelessly? Do you want to lose your head?”
“But didn’t several Rangers die over at Mirror Lake? The Queen was there conducting the Trial at the time.”
“I also heard our returned Hero got involved…”
“Which Hero?”
“Who else? The one who defeated the Demon King—”
It seemed that no matter how strict the secrecy was, rumors could not be stopped from leaking out.
These whispers all reached Iyue’s ears. She could feel that the people in the city were now anxious and uneasy.
The group hurried without rest back to the Guard Knights’ station in the Royal Court Giant Tree.
Since this trip might bring them into conflict with the Nereve Family, they needed to arm themselves.
Using the same method, Iyue passed through the Royal Palace entrance with everyone and returned to that familiar place… the headquarters of the Imperial Guard.
“Put it on. It has always remained here.”
Waletidina brought her to her former room, where a suit of armor shining like new hung on the armor rack.
“This is…”
Iyue recognized it as the armor she had once worn. She looked at Waletidina.
“Don’t flatter yourself.” Waletidina turned her face away.
“Keeping weapons and armor complete and usable is a Knight’s basic discipline. Even if you no longer wear it, this armor can later be used by newcomers who join the Knights Order.”
“Thank you, Waletidina.”
Iyue ran around to face her and looked at her. She saw that the usually stern female Knight’s face now showed a faint touch of cherry blossom color—
“…Hurry up and put it on! Are you going to waste more time?”
……
As she put on that armor, Iyue felt no unnecessary sentimentality.
In the past, she had worn it to cut herself off from the world… But this time, wearing it, Iyue felt she was connecting with the world—or rather, rebuilding connections that had already been lost.
The duties, hatred, and love she had escaped… had now found her again.
“What? Doesn’t it fit?”
On the passage to the Nelf Family’s Giant Tree, Waletidina, walking shoulder to shoulder with her, asked.
“Of course it does.”
In the past, she had felt suffocated by those things… but now it was different.
Because she realized she was not carrying them alone.
Beside her stood a comrade with whom she had reconciled; behind her stood the liege who understood and forgave her.
And in the place she should return to, her Family was still waiting.
No matter how heavy something is, if so many people carry it together, it will not feel tiring… That must be true.
“That’s good. Let’s hurry—”
Waletidina nodded and was about to continue forward… when the low conversation of two passing Human merchants reached their ears.
“Why did the Nereve Family cancel the Magic Stone order? Now I have to pay extra to haul the goods back… These long-ears really have no integrity!”
“Don’t say that! You should secretly be glad you can get compensation… I heard they’re already in complete chaos over the old Family Head’s matter! We’d better leave that trouble spot early.”
“She met Death just like that… But is this kind of thing true? Hasn’t this Family Head lived for more than 1,000 years?”
“No matter how long one lives, there is always a day when one meets Death. Birth, aging, sickness, and Death are always inescapable.”
“And she met Death at a time like this… Sigh.”
Iyue’s steps abruptly stopped. Waletidina also turned her head in an instant, and the two of them moved to block the merchants’ path.
“W-what business do you two Sir Knights have with us?”
The two merchants were greatly startled and timidly stepped back a few paces.
Waletidina pressed closer.
“What did you just say?”
“S-Sir Knight… we were just speaking casually… It’s all rumors, rumors!”
“Talk!”
Unable to withstand the powerful pressure radiating from her gaze, one of the merchants swallowed and said in a trembling voice:
“We do Magic Stone business with the Nereve Family… We heard… the Nereve Family’s old Family Head seems to have met Death.”
“Death?”
Iyue’s armor creaked… but Waletidina held her back.
“Tell us more details. Where did the news come from?”
“I-it was in the Giant Tree that we heard it! It happened around noon to afternoon… They called us in and canceled the Magic Stone order that had lasted several generations… This business has been going since my great-grandfather’s generation… Sigh…”
“Get to the point. Died… Did you see the body? Why do you think they canceled the Magic Stone order because the old Family Head met Death?”
“No, no, no!” The merchants waved their hands repeatedly.
“We can only stay in the ordinary Guests area, so how could we see it? As for why we think it’s related… it’s because that Butler said it! The Butler who discussed canceling our Magic Stone order with us! When we were leaving, we heard him talking with other Butlers… saying that because the old Family Head had met Death, they no longer needed Magic Stones or something…”
Iyue did not listen any further. She took off running… leaving everyone except Waletidina behind.
“What are you going to do?”
Waletidina chased after her.
“To the Giant Tree, of course! She can’t have just met Death like that. I absolutely refuse to believe it… at a time like this… under circumstances like these! Does she still think she can play me for a fool?”
Iyue roared… The spell she had chanted when she first started running had already set her feet upon the Flowing Wind, and her emerald Soul Color surged forth clearly.