A tense atmosphere hung in the air.
My main party members and the soldiers who had descended from the Imperial Palace were glaring at each other, weapons pointed.
Even my forces on the city walls, initially bewildered by the sudden development, hurriedly aimed their cannons and ballistae at the other side.
A massive damage would ensue if someone so much as released an arrow.
As the silence lingered, both sides stood still, their weapons trained on each other.
The first to break the silence was Reina.
"There's no need for this, Your Highness Prince Ash."
"..."
"We are merely soldiers dispatched to safely escort you to the Imperial Palace. We have no intention of causing you harm."
Reina shrugged her shoulders.
"To be honest, if we had intended to harm you, we would've simply set this place ablaze while we were on the airship."
"..."
"Then, everything would've been reduced to ashes long ago. The fortress here, and the people here."
Reina spoke as if she had done such a thing numerous times before.
"We're on the same side, Your Highness. We are citizens of the same Everblack Empire, and we serve the same Emperor."
"..."
"Have your subordinates lower their weapons. And follow the imperial decree to come to the Imperial Palace."
Reina gave a thin smile.
"Shouldn't issues of the royal family be resolved within the royal family?"
"..."
Listening quietly, I slowly opened my mouth.
"Sheath your weapon, Lucas."
"But, my lord."
"Same goes for all of you. Stand down."
Lucas reluctantly sheathed his sword. Evangeline, Damien, and Junior also slowly relaxed their combat stance.
"Everyone, sheath your weapons. It's disrespectful in front of His Highness."
At Reina's soft command, the soldiers, who were facing each other with their weapons raised, neatly sheathed their weapons.
The atmosphere was still icy, but the situation was somewhat settled. I let out a long sigh.
"You're right, Reina. If Father wants to see his adorable youngest son, there's no reason for me not to oblige."
"A fitting response."
"I'll go to the Imperial Palace. However, I need a day."
In front of Reina, who narrowed her eyes, I crossed my arms.
"I'm the commander of this southern front. If I disappear suddenly, it will cause a great disruption in the operation of the front."
"..."
"I'd like to leave at least some instructions and arrangements before I go. How about it? I think Father would be generous enough to allow this much."
Reina pondered for a moment before bowing her head.
"Understood. There's no harm in waiting for a day. We will depart at noon tomorrow."
"Thank you."
"The airship is a core force protecting the Imperial Palace. We can't leave the Imperial Palace unguarded for long. I want to ask for your understanding in advance that we can't wait for you after tomorrow's noon."
"Don't worry. I keep my promises."
"Hmm, rumors from the Imperial Palace say that you frequently break your promises..."
That's Ash. I'm different.
"Then, we'll meet tomorrow at noon... Hm. It seems we won't be able to enter the city today."
Reina looked up at the city walls. The cannons and ballistae, which were still aiming at Reina and the airship crew, were visible.
Reina bowed slightly and backed away.
"Let's get to know each other slowly. We'll spend tonight outside the city."
"Suit yourself."
With my permission, Reina turned around and shouted to her subordinates.
"We'll spend the night here! Prepare for camping!"
While the soldiers from the Imperial Palace set up a camp outside the city walls, I turned around with my party members and entered through the city gates.
"Gather all party members."
I spoke calmly to the party members who were looking at me with trembling eyes.
"I need to give instructions on what to do while I'm away."
***
When Fernandez had said on the communication not long ago that he wanted to see me and talk, I had guessed things would turn out this way.
I had expected that they would somehow drag me to the Imperial Palace. After all, I had been baiting them quite recklessly.
"I thought I would be tied up and forcibly escorted in the worst case scenario, but fortunately, it doesn't seem to be that bad."
Lord's mansion. Reception room.
As I looked at the gathered people, I spoke nonchalantly.
"Even so, being treated as royalty isn't too bad, considering they're sending us a private ship to travel on."
"..."
The members of my party looked at me with stunned eyes as I casually made a joke. All of them were showing signs of anxiety.
"Don't worry too much. Like Reina said, if they wanted to kill us, they would've done it a long time ago. We can go, have a chat and come back in no time."
There were numerous questions I wanted to ask Fernandez upon seeing his face.
Even if it wasn't a summons from the royal family, I would've eventually had to visit the Imperial Capital.
In this case, it's nice to take a comfortable trip on a plane.
Lucas, his face full of worry, asked me.
"Your Majesty, are you sure you're alright going alone? I should accompany you as a bodyguard."
"Lucas, what kind of escort would a prince need in the Imperial Capital?"
The moment we step into the Imperial Capital, my life wouldn't depend on the presence of a bodyguard.
If the Emperor wishes, I'll live. If the Emperor wishes, I'll die.
'More than anything, we can't weaken our forces here.'
Each party member who will remain here during my absence is crucial in the defensive battle.
It's better for both Crossroad and my peace of mind to stay here and protect the front lines rather than tagging along with me in the Imperial Capital.
I pointed out each of my main party members and assigned them duties while I was away.
"Lucas, act as the substitute commander while I'm gone. I know you understand all the work I do, so I trust you to handle it."
From the beginning, Lucas was the protagonist. He's originally the character who takes on the role of commander here.
Even without me, he would do well. No, no one but Lucas could take on this role.
"We have 50 soldiers, including five officers who came as reinforcements, one of whom is the Wind Mage, Reina. The number is not great, but they're all top-class."
"..."
"If utilized well, you can easily conduct the defense. Lucas, I believe you can do it without difficulty."
"..."
"Check the production and placement of equipment, artifacts, and defensive facilities that have been pre-ordered to the Production Guild."
"…Understood, my lord. I'll do my best to not let you worry."
With a face like a rain-soaked puppy, Lucas muttered with a dejected voice. This damn puppy is doing it again.
"Evangeline."
When I called her, Evangeline nodded with a serious face. You look more mature than I, you know.
"Help Lucas. You're the heir to the Margrave title. Crossroad is a land that will be yours someday. It would be better for you to learn about the substitute commander's duties as well."
"Got it, senior. Leave it to me. I'll calm Lucas down and do my job."
Evangeline clapped her hands, grinning like a mischievous child.
"Oh, and..."
And? As I looked at her with a puzzled expression, Evangeline gave a sheepish smile.
"When you go to the Imperial Capital, there's a little pastry shop next to the Royal Academy dormitory! Please buy a gift set from there. I've been craving their pastries ever since I graduated."
"How dare this junior you ask this Prince to run a pastry errand..."
Even though I mumbled disapprovingly, I was grateful for Evangeline's remark.
She was telling me she believed I would return safely.
What a commendable thing. I'll get you a ton of pastries, just you wait.
"Damien. Junior."
"Yes, Your Highness!"
"Speak, Your Majesty."
I whispered carefully to the sniper and the mage.
"Damien, you have good eyes... Always watch the friends who came as reinforcements. If you find anything suspicious, tell Lucas."
"Yep!"
"Junior, same goes for you. Especially Reina, she's a powerful mage. If by any chance, she changes her mind, you're the only one who can stop her."
Junior gave a vague smile.
"I was already planning to keep a close eye on her."
"Good. I trust you."
I turned my head and looked at Lilly, who was sitting in a wheelchair.
"Lilly. Join the main party while I'm gone. Support Junior."
"I will, Your Majesty..."
Lilly has been seeming rather out of it ever since the spy was exposed. Her voice was drained of energy when she answered.
But right now, I don't have the time or the leisure to consider these things one by one.
"Lucas, Evangeline, Damien, Junior, Lilly. You five will be the main party in my absence. Venture into dungeons from time to time and do some independent exploration. But refrain from entering any new areas."
"Understood, my lord."
Alright, the main party is set.
"Godhand, Bodybag, Burnout."
Upon hearing their names, the three from Shadow Squad all looked at me. Even Godhand, who had been sneaking glances at Lilly, focused his attention on me.
"Depart to carry out the task I previously assigned to you. Think you can handle it?"
I had given them a tough mission. It wasn't going to be easy, either physically or mentally.
But for the future, this mission was absolutely necessary.
They nodded resolutely.
"We'll accomplish it, even if it costs our lives."
"Good. May fortune favor you."
And the final regular hero character...
"Saintess."
"..."
From the corner, with her dark circles, Saintess Margarita looked up at me. I clicked my tongue in frustration.
"Lead the reserve party in the defense battles, but stay in the back and focus on healing the wounded. Got it?"
"Yes, your majesty."
Her response was sharp, but her pallor was worrisome. I hoped she would recover her mental strength soon.
***
It's probably a given, but the role I played on this frontline was much more significant than I had thought.
Most of the work was carried out under my judgment and approval.
I distributed these duties until late at night, explained future guidelines, and left documents as records.
Aider, sweating profusely, recorded these documents. As he was in charge of city administration, I had a ton of tasks for him.
"..."
While I quietly watched Aider panting and waving his pen around, I suddenly remembered something.
The secret mission that Godhand had received from Fernandez.
- Keep an eye on the lord's aide, Aider...
"..."
How much does Fernandez know about Aider's true identity?
'...No, before that.'
What exactly is Aider's identity?
According to him, he is something like a director, a god of this world. But what exactly does being a director entail?
He asked me to lead this world to the true ending.
However, he has never mentioned what the true ending is, or how I can achieve it.
He just watches my strategies from the side.
I don't have time to worry about the true ending or anything else. I'm just barely managing to fight and survive each battle.
'What's his real purpose?'
Would I be able to know more about these things if I meet Fernandez?
"Oh dear, I'm done with the paperwork!"
Aider threw his arms up in the air and shouted.
"Huh?"
Seeing my worried face, he chuckled and smiled.
"Don't worry too much, my lord. You will return safely."
"..."
As I stared at his face, I bluntly asked him,
"Hey, Aider."
"Yes! What is it?"
"You're on my side, right?"
Aider widened his eyes over his glasses and then burst into a wide smile.
"Of course, my lord. I'm completely on your side. Actually, it's more accurate to say that I've put all my eggs in your basket."
"..."
"So instead of being on the same side, isn't it more accurate to say we're in this together, tied by fate?"
"Tied by fate..."
I feel sorry for Aider, but to be honest, I don't care about the true ending anymore.
Whatever happens to this world, I want to protect the people within my reach.
That's all I want right now.
***
It was dawn when all the work was finally done.
"Yawn."
Exhausted, I made my way to my bedroom. Lucas, as always, followed in silence, protecting me.
We reached the end of the corridor and arrived at the door to my room.
I reached for the doorknob and suddenly spoke.
"Lucas."
"Yes, my lord."
"I have a question."
"Please ask anything."
To this knight who always silently followed me, I asked suddenly,
"You know the truth, don't you?"
"Pardon? What are you talking about?"
"That I'm not Ash, but someone else."
"..."
Facing Lucas, who stared at me with a stiff expression, I pressed on.
"You knew from the beginning, didn't you, Lucas?"