Elize was in surprisingly good shape, considering she had faced the Aegis Special Forces alone. Her entire body was covered in bandages, but hey, she was alive.
"I've been living in back alleys for a long time. I've become quite adept at surviving by any means necessary."
Elize calmly pulled out an empty potion bottle from her pocket and placed it on my desk.
"...This, which Your Highness gave me, was of great help."
Curious, I looked, and it was the potion I had given her a while back. Had she saved it without using it and only used it now? Quite thrifty.
"Anyway, I did not come here to report on my well-being."
Elize cleared her throat.
Of course. She must have come to me as the lion of the Silver Winter Merchant Guild. I smiled broadly.
"Is Serenade doing okay?"
"... It's not a question for a man who's rejected a woman who's been loyal all her life, but I will answer you."
Elize glared at me sharply.
"She spent three days crying until yesterday, and returned to work this morning. She then sent me here."
Surely she didn't send Elize here to kill me?
I was momentarily scared, but fortunately, that was not the reason.
"I heard you will use the road when you return to Crossroad."
"Yes."
The stingy Imperial Family won't provide a spaceship for my return. So, I was stuck riding a carriage to Crossroad.
"The further you get from the Imperial Capital, the more dangerous and lawless the southern roads become. You'll need an escort."
Elize held her hand up to her chest.
"Thus, my master has sent me. You are to use me as an escort to Crossroad."
"Huh? You, Elize?"
"Yes. Of course, Your Highness, who easily bested me, may not find it significant, but I believe I will be of help."
Well, of course, it would be a huge help. But more than that.
"If you follow me, then who will guard Serenade?"
That was the problem. Serenade had been safe because of Elize.
"There are many other outstanding escorts at Silver Winter Merchant Guild. The young lady will be fine."
That's what she said, but aren't you trembling? I can see you biting your lip until it bleeds.
"... The Merchant Guild has already started a joint venture with the Imperial Family. Since the Imperial Family has promised the survival of the Silver Winter Merchant Guild and family, no one would dare to touch Silver Winter."
"Hmm."
"Your Highness will be exposed to greater danger on a long journey than my master staying at the headquarters of Silver Winter Merchant Guild. That's what my master said."
She's not wrong, but...
"I don't know why she's so upset about not being able to take care of a man she's already divorced..."
Elize grumbled, and I chuckled.
"Didn't you want me to get away from Serenade?"
"I always wished for Your Highness to disappear from my master's life, but when Your Highness was the one who rejected her first, it's extremely..."
"Extremely?"
"It pisses me off..."
What a complex and subtle loyalty.
Anyway, having an SSR-rated swordsman as an escort is undoubtedly a boon.
The road down is long, and if the monster frontline situation is urgent, I might be able to borrow her strength.
Only Serenade felt sorry for me.
"So, when will you return to Crossroad?"
"Tomorrow."
I replied, glancing over my simply packed belongings.
"I'll leave tomorrow at noon. You should join me then."
***
Naturally, I had to pay my respects to the Emperor before leaving, so I headed towards the royal palace.
But the timing seemed to be off.
"Father just went to sleep."
Lark and Fernandez, who were in conversation in front of the royal chamber, waved at me. Lark pointed to the firmly shut doors of the chamber.
"He has been awake for a long time, and the situation on the frontline is becoming quite critical. He's fast asleep."
"Did he leave any message for me?"
Lark smiled at that.
"He said to do well."
"..."
"The southern frontline will not receive the protection of the Imperial Family, no, the empire anymore. It's an independent route. Even though there is a limit of three years, it won't be easy. You've chosen a difficult path for yourself."
Lark patted my shoulder.
"But thank you, Ash."
"Uh? What for?"
"We no longer have to slaughter the prisoners of war as human sacrifices."
Gratitude filled Lark's deep blue eyes.
"No matter if I am a guardian for the empire's security, I am still a knight. Even if they are from the enemy country, I do not wish to cut down those who are not soldiers."
"..."
"Thanks to you, I can avoid unnecessary killing. Really, thank you."
Lark's large, lid-like palm patted my back. Hey, if you're really grateful, be gentle!
"Well, I should return to the frontline too! To organize the battlefield and have a real victory celebration. So, I'll leave today. What about you, Ash?"
"I'll leave tomorrow at noon."
"Ha, ha. We had a hard time gathering together, and now we're all dispersing."
Lark spread his arms wide towards Fernandez and me.
"Come on, both of you."
Fernandez and I reluctantly approached Lark, who pulled us into his massive, marble pillar-like arms.
"This is a hug of brotherhood! See you next time, my brothers!"
"Arrrrrrgh."
"Urrrrrrgh."
After a warm hug, Lark left the royal palace without looking back. Thought my waist would break. Phew.
"..."
I felt a subtle gaze and turned to see Fernandez looking at me with narrow eyes. I chuckled.
"What's bothering you now, dear second brother?"
"You came all the way to the Imperial Capital for something as trivial as an independent route, little one?"
His unexpected words made me frown.
'You were the one who dragged me here...'
But well, Fernandez was right.
Originally, when coming to the Imperial Capital, my plan was to take more of the royal troops with me.
I had thought about taking twice the number of support troops currently stationed in the southern frontline.
I had the confidence that I could control that many without losing authority.
But the exact opposite happened. The royal troops were declined, and there would be no more coming in the future.
I even lost a chance to forge a good relationship with the northern kingdom, a military powerhouse.
Always whining about the lack of troops, it was something I shouldn't have done.
But then,
"What are you talking about? I'm gaining an enormous amount!"
As I chuckled, Fernandez scrunched his brow in apparent displeasure.
'That's right. I've gained a lot.'
I had secured cooperation from the largest Merchant Guild in the Empire, gathered sponsorships from various nobles, learned the secrets of the Emperor and Princes, managed to rent an SSR-grade Sword Coffin character, and much more.
But above all... I had firmly resolved.
Who would I live as?
And, how would I live?
That alone made my visit to the Imperial Capital meaningful.
"You really... have been inscrutable since the old times."
Fernandez shook his head in exasperation.
"Sometimes overly smart, sometimes acting like a thug out of nowhere. Good at obeying, then suddenly wrecking everything. You never change... sigh, you were just cute when you were young."
Fernandez sighed, waving his hand.
"Fine, go safely. The troops I lent you can be used for the promised period, so rest easy."
Oh, I'm really grateful for that. Without them, I would've had a real headache.
"I'll stay here in the Imperial Capital, diligently guarding this nation, as I always have."
"Good, guard it well. I'll use the troops gratefully. And go easy on the Margrave inspection from now on."
"Well... I can't promise that."
Fernandez grinned wickedly, fitting for the leader of the Black Ops. I turned my back after snorting at him.
That's when it happened.
"Oh, by the way. Your aide at the Southern Front... Aider."
"?"
I turned around, eyes wide. Fernandez mumbled expressionlessly.
"Don't trust that immortal bastard too much. He's a scammer."
"What...? What do you mean...?"
Without further explanation, Fernandez walked away and disappeared down the corridor. I stood there, dazed.
"What's that, what's he talking about?"
Come to think of it, Godhand had said he received such a secret order from the center.
- Keep an eye on Lord Aider...
It means that Aider is a person to be wary of, even in the Imperial Family.
'Aider, an immortal? Don't trust him? A scammer?'
Why?
He's a game director, isn't he? Whether I like it or not, he's helping me.
Why on earth is the Imperial Family watching Aider?
'Damn it, don't just throw a hint, explain it too!'
How am I supposed to react to a sudden warning not to trust him? Just like my damn second brother!
***
It was time for my last dinner in the Imperial Capital.
I had informed Elize through that I was leaving, so I thought Serenade might come to see me one last time, but nothing happened.
So, the last dinner was shared with Alberto.
When I invited him to dine together as a guest, not a butler, Alberto adamantly refused, but he couldn't withstand my persistence.
We sat facing each other and ate. Other servants attended to us. Alberto looked both embarrassed and happy.
"It's been almost 50 years since I started working in the palace, but this is the first time I've had an occasion like this. Your Highness."
"Save it, Alberto. Both you and I will find it hard to eat in this palace for a while."
At my words, Alberto gave a bitter smile.
Alberto held the title of Chief Steward, but he had been pushed into the position of managing the Star Palace, given his age.
Moreover, it seemed that he had restrained the soldiers to protect Serenade during this victory celebration. One way or another, he had fallen out of favor with those above him.
So Alberto had already submitted his resignation.
He would be leaving the Imperial Palace at the same time I departed tomorrow.
"What are you thinking of doing after retirement, Alberto?"
"I don't know. I've spent my whole life in this palace. Outside, I have no home, no family, nothing."
"You can build them one by one from now on."
"Heh heh. That would be a pleasure for the rest of my life."
Dinner ended, and dessert and tea were served.
I spoke quietly to Alberto, who was savoring the tea's fragrance.
"Alberto, could you put off your retirement plans just a little bit?"
"Excuse me?"
"It's too early for you to step down from the front line, isn't it? There's a place that needs you."
I took a piece of paper from my pocket and handed it over. Alberto received it with a shocked look, and I smiled.
"Let's work our bones off for a few more years."
***
The next day. Morning.
A new building bought by the Silver Winter Merchant Guild.
Since the original building had turned to ashes, the Silver Winter Merchant Guild had hurriedly bought a nearby building to use as a new Merchant Guild building.
The Merchant Guild was bustling.
It was busy moving into the new building, busy calculating the quantity of goods that had burned, busy preparing for a new business linked to the Imperial Family.
Sitting at her desk on the top floor of the building, in the Guild Master's office, Serenade was also busy.
Dressed in her usual elegant women's suit, wearing glasses, and holding a pen with her long, slender fingers, she was processing documents at a rapid pace.
Except for her shortened hair, she looked exactly the same as usual.
Approaching Serenade, Elize bowed her waist.
"I'll be going now, my lady."
Elize was carrying not only the Sword Coffin on her back but also two large bags.
She was going to accompany Ash to the southern front, so it would be a long journey.
Serenade gave Elize a faint smile.
"Go on, Elize. We said our goodbyes yesterday, so we'll skip it today."
"...My lady."
"Yes?"
"Are you really okay with this?"
Would it be all right to send Ash away without even seeing his face?
That's what Elize was asking.
"...Yes. Of course."
Serenade dropped her gaze back to the documents.
"Go on. Take good care of Prince Ash."
"...Yes, my lady."
After hesitating for a moment, Elize bowed once more and left the Guild Master's office.
Serenade bit her lip and continued to write.
Knock, knock.
At that moment, a knock sounded, and someone opened the door and entered. Serenade looked up, puzzled.
"Excuse me, Countess Silver Winter."
The person who had come in was Alberto, dressed in a neat suit. Serenade's silver eyes widened in surprise.
"Alberto?"
"I have brought the letter of recommendation from Prince Ash."
Alberto approached and courteously placed the paper he was holding on Serenade's desk.
"Since you'll be dealing with the Imperial Family more in the future, he said I, who used to be the palace steward, will be of help."
Serenade unfolded the paper. It was a recommendation letter, personally written by Ash, suggesting Alberto as a counselor for the Silver Winter Merchant Guild.
"Welcome, Alberto!" Serenade exclaimed, offering her hand with a broad smile.
Already tired and busy, Serenade knew that Alberto, who had been a caretaker in the Imperial Palace, would be a great help.
"I look forward to working with you."
"I'm the one who should say that. Miss Serenade."
Serenade immediately tried to discuss business related to the Imperial Family with Alberto, but he raised his hand to stop her.
"Business talk is good, Miss Serenade. But in life, there are moments that never come back," he said.
"Yes?"
"I don't think this is the time for you to be here."
"..."
"Prince Ash will be leaving for the south soon. Truly, is there not a single thing you wish to tell him?"
Serenade lowered her head, stuttering.
"But... Prince Ash, he already broke off our engagement..."
"So?"
"We are no longer engaged, not even lovers. How can I..."
"So?"
Alberto smiled kindly.
"Will you give up just like that? You, the head of Silver Winter, the Empire's largest Merchant Guild? There's something you want, and you're going to let it leave without a fuss?"
Serenade looked up at the old butler with trembling eyes. Alberto spoke with confidence.
"Life is short, Miss."
"..."
"Run. In the direction you truly want to go."
And so,
Tossing aside her pen and paperwork, leaving behind the pile of unfinished tasks,
Serenade bolted out of her office – she began to run.
Towards the south gate of the Imperial Capital.
Towards the place where Ash was preparing to leave for Crossroad.