[Chapter 2] Resolve

Upon returning to the state guest house at the Galarc Kingdom’s castle, Christina and Flora departed to handle their official duties, leaving Hiroaki and the others to their own devices.

“Man, I’m sleepy,” Hiroaki announced to the group with a slight yawn on the way back to his room. “Guess I’ll take a nap.”

“We did get pretty carried away drinking last night,” Kouta admitted, letting out a sympathetic yawn of his own. “I’m sleepy too.”

“Got it. Then I guess we’re off for today,” Rei said, already thinking of his fiancée. “I’ll be with Rosa.”

“Well then, I shall come to your room when it is time for dinner,” Roanna informed Hiroaki.

“Yeah. You get some rest too, Roanna.”

“Thank you very much. Please have a relaxing rest as well, Hiroaki-sama,” she replied with a respectful bow, seeing him off.

Waving a lazy hand, Hiroaki headed toward his room. Kouta and Rei took their leave from Roanna as well, and soon, she was left alone in the hallway.

It was a rare moment of solitude, as she was almost constantly accompanying Hiroaki and the others.

Now, what should I do…

With no particular plans, she found herself at a loose end. She could have simply returned to her room, but not feeling up to it, she made a different choice.

…Perhaps I shall take a walk.

Roanna turned back down the hallway and decided to go outside, wandering around the vicinity of the state guest house with no destination in mind. After several minutes of walking, a troubled sigh escaped her lips.

I want to sort out my feelings, yet my thoughts won’t come together.

An unsettled feeling churned within her chest, subtle enough to remain hidden from others, but deeply disquieting to her. She was trying to face her own emotions, to understand the source of this restlessness, but the analysis wasn’t going well.

The trigger was yesterday’s events… No, it started after I regained my memories of him. Before I even knew the answer, I had already suspected Lord Amakawa was him…

Yes, Roanna had realized Haruto Amakawa was Rio after the battle with the golem. Like Duke Huguenot, she had caught the name Sora had spoken during the fight, and the pieces had clicked into place.

But I couldn’t be certain… No, I pretended not to notice.

Faced with Rio—now established with the firm status of Haruto Amakawa—she was plagued by internal conflict, wondering if she should risk probing into the matter. In the end, she had chosen to remain a silent observer.

Before Stewart committed such a foolish act, was there nothing I could have done? she wondered, but even if she hadn’t remained silent, it would have been difficult to do anything. No, such an outrageous act… I don’t believe it could have been anticipated and stopped. Stewart’s actions had been just too unexpected. It couldn’t have been prevented without revealing his identity beforehand and having Stewart condemned.

And that would have led to a fatal political scandal for Duke Huguenot. Since the Restoration faction was primarily composed of nobles from the Duke’s circle, it would have undoubtedly shaken the organization to its very foundation. Above all, revealing his identity would have required Rio’s consent, and she would have needed to consult the Galarc Kingdom.

It seems Christina-sama was also unaware that Duke Huguenot had gone so far as to order an assassination,

That must be why she kept the facts hidden, with his consent. In the end, was it best to keep the past buried?

What if I had declared Stewart’s testimony a lie during that field exercise? Her thoughts spiraled. No, even before that, if I had been able to defend him so that he wouldn’t be isolated within the academy… Would things be different now? But at the time, Roanna hadn’t witnessed who had pushed Stewart and caused Flora to nearly fall. Besides, the false accusation was a political move to protect the House of Duke Huguenot from scandal. Even if she had insisted Stewart was lying, Rio would’ve still been a convenient scapegoat.

The world of nobility was one where squabbles between children could easily escalate into conflicts between their parents. With the royal authority weakening at the time, defending Rio would have risked creating unnecessary strife. One wouldn’t even consider that path unless they knew the future—knew what an important figure Rio would become. Even Roanna had vaguely suspected Stewart’s testimony was questionable, but concerned about a confrontation with the Huguenots, she hadn’t taken the risk.

And yet—

If something had been different, could there have been a future where he was working with us? If he were to lend us his power, how reassuring that would be…

It was a shameless thought, but Roanna couldn’t help but entertain it. The fish that got away was that big. And what’s more—

It’s unavoidable that Duke Huguenot will be held accountable.

 What will become of Restoration then…

The faction was in a perilous state. Weakened by the loss of their base, they were now hit with a scandal involving a central figure in the worst possible way. That is why Roanna’s thoughts were a swamp, wondering if she could have done anything to prevent this, or if there was anything she could do now.

…How ironic, she thought with a bitter expression. While I’m worried about the future of Restoration, he, who should be an outsider, is at the center of my thoughts.

While feeling apologetic towards him, I’m simultaneously wondering if I can rely on him.

She felt she had finally managed to put the restlessness in her chest into words, but her feelings didn’t clear in the slightest. The fog had only thickened. And in that moment, a realization struck her.

Yes, that’s it. Surely Christina-sama has been… for a long time before…

Roanna suddenly understood. The Christina she so respected had likely been holding these same worries for a long, long time.

…No, it’s not the same. It can’t possibly be. It is presumptuous to put myself on the same level as Christina-sama, who has carried the future of the country and the pressure of being the organization’s leader all on her own. She must have been holding onto anguish and conflict incomparable to the feelings I have now…

And yet, until yesterday, she had been blind to the burdens Christina secretly carried. Though she had been by her side as a childhood friend for years, she had been of no use at all.

Lost in thought, her feet had stopped walking.

How pathetic…

Driven by a sharp self-reproach, Roanna bit her lip. As she stood still near the entrance of the state guest house, looking down, a timid voice called her name.

“…Um, Roanna-sama.”

“Oh my…”

There stood two noble ladies from Restoration: Elise of the House of Count Brandt, and Dorothea of the House of Count Albert. Both were former classmates of Christina and Roanna at the Royal Academy, which meant they were Rio’s classmates as well. Elise, in particular, had been in the same group as Rio during the infamous field exercise, and her face was deathly pale.

“…What is the matter?” Roanna asked, though she had a suspicion.

“Well, as you can see, Elise is looking unwell,” Dorothea explained, gently placing a hand on her friend’s back. “I got worried and asked what was wrong, and then I heard about what happened with Stewart-kun…”

“Ah…” Roanna reacted with instant comprehension. Elise had also been present when Stewart had denounced Rio yesterday. This was almost certainly about that.

“Roanna-sama, you visited Lord Amakawa’s residence last night, did you not?” Elise asked, her voice pleading. “Could you please tell us what happened?”

“Even if you ask me what happened…” Roanna trailed off, at a loss. Though she had been at the mansion, she hadn’t had a chance for a deep, personal talk with Rio. She had nothing of substance to tell them. But Elise, who had confessed to giving false testimony, was clearly desperate.

…It can’t be helped.

Feeling a pang of pity for the frightened girl, Roanna sighed softly.

“…Very well. Follow me.”

She led the two of them to a more private location.

◇ ◇ ◇

“So, what is it you want to ask?” Roanna inquired, having borrowed a reception room in the state guest house. She sat across a table from Elise and Dorothea, getting straight to the point.

“………………”

Elise, however, was too agitated to speak.

“Then, if I may,” Dorothea began, “is Lord Amakawa’s identity truly him? Of course, it’s not that I don’t believe it, but…”

“Yes. There is no mistake: he is the boy who transferred into the academy when we were in our first year,” Roanna confirmed.

“I, see…” Dorothea’s cheeks stiffened.

It was no wonder. A former classmate, treated unfairly for being an orphan from the slums, had achieved immense success in a neighboring country—a country where they were now guests. I can guess what she is thinking, Roanna thought with a self-deprecating smile. I am probably not much different.

The image of Rio from their academy days surfaced in her mind. She’d first met him in the slums, a filthy, rude boy who didn’t even know basic manners. The second time, he was carrying a kidnapped Flora, looking suspicious as could be. If Christina hadn’t slapped him, Roanna would have. The third time was in the classroom, where he went from not being able to read numbers to surpassing everyone and sharing the top rank with Christina. And through it all, he was unfairly looked down upon by the other students.

Now, that same person was the hero of a neighboring country, granted a mansion by the king and receiving treatment beyond that of a ducal house. He was someone whose displeasure they absolutely could not incur. The sense of crisis they felt went far beyond simple guilt.

“…………”

Dorothea was at a loss for words.

“What happened, after that?” Elise finally managed to ask. “Our… future…?”

“Nothing in particular has happened,” Roanna answered concisely. The bluntness of her reply made Elise’s face stiffen, as if she’d been brushed off.

“I am not trying to be cruel,” Roanna clarified. “The topic truly never came up at Lord Amakawa’s mansion. We simply received his warm hospitality and then returned. I have no reason to lie. You heard it yourself—Lord Amakawa has no intention of dredging up the past. Inviting us was his way of showing us he meant it. That is how I interpreted it.”

“Then, for me, who was not invited…” Elise’s face was on the verge of tears, her mind spiraling. “Does that mean…?”

“You had no reason to be invited, did you?”

“You’re… right…” Elise’s shoulders slumped.

“No, no… I didn’t mean it like that,” Roanna sighed in exasperation. “I, too, had no reason to be invited. I was only there as an attendant to Christina-sama, Flora-sama, and Hiroaki-sama.”

But Elise only looked down, consumed by guilt.

“It is true that you have done something irreversible,” Roanna said, her tone hardening. “Afraid of retribution from Stewart and his family, you gave testimony that placed the blame on him.”

“Hk…” Elise’s shoulders trembled.

“However, you are not the only one. I was in the same group during that field exercise. All of us who had not extend a hand to him as he suffered are equally guilty. Dorothea, that includes you as well.”

“Hk…” Now it was Dorothea who flinched.

“Pull yourselves together,” Roanna commanded, her voice sharp. “The self-reproach we feel now, Christina-sama and Flora-sama have been bearing it for years on our behalf. Christina-sama also carries the immense pressure of the country’s future. This is no time to be thinking of your own self-preservation. Think about what you can do for the organization now.”

This is also an admonition to myself.

“Stewart will surely face a fitting punishment. Duke Huguenot will not escape a heavy sentence either. That will have a great impact on the future of Restoration. You understand that, don’t you?”

“B-But, what can people like us do…” Elise whined.

“…I was just thinking about that myself,” Roanna admitted. “At the very least, we cannot show ourselves in a state of disarray. That would only add to Christina-sama’s burden. Do not be perturbed by whatever happens. Show through your resolute demeanor that you will follow Christina-sama’s judgment. There is likely nothing else we can do.” She bit her lower lip in frustration.

“Um…” Dorothea began awkwardly. “Is it not possible to petition for Duke Huguenot’s punishment to be lightened?”

“As long as Stewart is being punished, the reason must be made public. Showing leniency after that would make no sense. Punishing him while hiding the reason would be an even worse move,” Roanna explained. Condemning a duke without cause would invite accusations of tyranny. “Besides, there was no gag order placed on Stewart’s commotion. It’s too late for that.”

“Then, what if we were to postpone the punishment itself…”

“…And be branded as shameless? Who would you petition? The crimes committed by Stewart and Duke Huguenot cannot simply be undone.”

“That is…” Dorothea trailed off, unable to answer. The only options were Christina, who was making the decision, or Rio, the victim. Both seemed impossible.

“Outsiders should not meddle and distort the judgment. In the end, it is Christina-sama who will make the final decision and face the consequences,” Roanna stated firmly.

Though perhaps he could sway her conclusion…

The thought was unwelcome but persistent. If anyone could move Christina’s heart, it was Rio. She’d seen the gentle, unguarded expression on Christina’s face as she left his mansion—a look Roanna, her childhood friend, rarely saw. The option of relying on him was tempting.

What am I thinking… That is the one thing I must not do. A strong sense of aversion washed over her. It was a matter of decency. With what face could she ask him for anything? I still haven’t even apologized to him…

The thought struck her with the force of a physical blow. Ah, that’s right…

Before asking for a favor, she hadn’t even apologized. She had been unconsciously avoiding him out of awkwardness. To ask for help without so much as an apology was against all reason.

And Christina-sama and Flora-sama have probably apologized long ago… On top of that, they must have been striving for years to build a good relationship with him. She and the others were merely piggybacking on that effort. And despite that, to think of relying on him… truly shameless.

Filled with mortification, Roanna scowled.

“Before we worry about the future of Restoration and argue amongst ourselves, isn’t there something we should do first?” she said, her voice filled with new resolve.

“…What would that be?” Elise and Dorothea asked in unison.

“Shouldn’t we apologize to him for our academy days?” Roanna stated plainly. “Of course, whether we will be forgiven is another matter entirely.”

If they were rejected, so be it. But if they hoped to build any kind of relationship with Rio from this point forward, this was the bare minimum.

◇ ◇ ◇

Around that time, Christina had summoned Duke Huguenot to her office. With Vanessa standing by at her side, she sat in her chair, facing the Duke who remained standing before her.

“The sentence for House Huguenot has been decided,” Christina began, her voice devoid of warmth.

“I shall humbly accept it,” Duke Huguenot replied, bowing his head solemnly.

“I haven’t even pronounced it yet.”

“I am prepared to meekly accept any punishment.”

“…I see. Then you will accept it. The punishment for the crimes you have committed,” she said, taking him at his word. “First, Stewart is sentenced to a lifetime of servitude. He will perform hard labor as a slave in the Galarc Kingdom.”

A lifetime sentence stripped a noble of their rank, forcing them to live as a slave. For a class that valued honor above all, it was a fate more disgraceful than death, often leading to one in the dangerous mines or on the front lines of war.

“Is that so,” Duke Huguenot murmured, his face twisting in vexation. “To think that a wretch who would fall to the rank of a slave would appear in my generation… It is the greatest stain in the history of my house.”

“As for you,” Christina continued, unmoved, “I will confiscate your ducal title. In its place, I will grant you the title of Baronet.”

This meant the dismantling of the great House of Huguenot. A Baronet was merely a quasi-noble, a title that was not hereditary and would last for only one generation.

“…………Understood,” the now-former Duke said after a long silence, biting his lip.

“The grounds for this punishment are the attempted murder of Flora, a member of the royal family, and the conspiracy to conceal it, constituting high treason. I also took into consideration your ordering the assassination of Lord Amakawa. Do you have any objections?”

“…I do not. The fact that I have not been sentenced to death is already overly generous.”

“I agree. But I cannot have a man as influential as you die or disappear from the organization. There are still things I need you to do. That is also part of your punishment,” Christina revealed. This was why she had left him with the minor title.

“Having lost my title and my honor, I do not think there is anything left I can do for Restoration,” the Baronet said with a servile smile. “Is it not just to expose myself to living shame?”

“Even so, the fact remains that you have led many nobles as the head of your faction. If a man like you were to disappear, the organization would collapse. It would be just a matter of time.”

“No matter what I say now, I cannot hold them together. On the contrary, I might invite their resentment and rebellion.”

“I wonder about that?” Christina replied instantly.

“…Then find my replacement,” he insisted.

“There is no one in the current Restoration with the caliber to replace you.”

“Then invite talented people from outside.”

“…You are not someone who can be replaced simply by talent,” Christina said, her eyes widening slightly.

“Is that so? Then, let me put it more simply. You should rely on Lord Amakawa.”

The sheer audacity—the man who had pinned his son’s crime on Rio and then ordered his assassination was now suggesting they rely on him. The thickness of his skin was almost admirable. Christina let out a dry laugh.

“It is precisely because it is this late,” the Baronet pressed. “The organization is already on a timer. Unless the invisible hand of God moves, no one can stop it.”

“Lord Amakawa is not a god. He is a person, just like us,” Christina said softly, the memory of his embrace from the previous night still fresh in her mind.

“However, he possesses power that surpasses that of a human. Everyone in this castle knows of his military prowess. Announce that he is lending his hand to Restoration, and no one will doubt our victory. He has that much fame now.”

“So I should just announce that we have entrusted everything to an outsider and will wait for the results?” Christina asked sarcastically.

“That would be good. Have him attack the royal capital and bring you Arbor’s head. There is no other way,” the Baronet replied bombastically.

“Do not be ridiculous,” Christina snapped, her brow furrowed.

“I am not. I am saying this in all seriousness, thinking of Restoration’s future. If you do as I say, it will go well.”

“…For you, that is an uncharacteristically optimistic view.”

“Because it is a desperate situation where we must cling to hope! But there are grounds for it: every single great achievement he has accomplished so far.” He paused, then spoke again, his tone softening slightly. “I understand now why Your Highness was so against relying on him. It must be because you thought it would not be right with me and Stewart still by your side.”

“Then don’t you think the right thing to do is to not involve him anymore? Given the wrongs the Beltrum Kingdom has done to him, he has no reason to lend us a hand.”

“Is that really so?” the Baronet mused. “He is a man of deep compassion. If you tell him that this situation will affect Celia-kun’s position, it would not be a matter of indifference to him— ”

“Out of the question,” Christina cut him off before he could finish.

“…Why?”

“To use Celia-sensei as a bargaining chip instead of paying a price is unthinkable.”

“A bargaining chip, you say…”

“What else would you call it? You would ask him, ‘Celia-sensei’s position will worsen if this continues. What should we do?’ is that not it?”

“That depends on how you put it.”

“Even if you rephrase it, does the content of what you’re conveying change?”

“That is…!”

“Celia-sensei was dispatched to Lord Amakawa under my orders,” Christina stated, her voice like steel. “I told her to prioritize his interests over ours. Even if Restoration collapses, I will not commit such a perfidy as to retract that order.”

“At this late a stage? How naive can you be?!” the Baronet retorted harshly. “The country’s future is at stake! If the forces opposing Duke Arbor disappear, the country will truly be taken over. I know I have no right to say this, but in order to break this deadlock, I need you to show me your resolve as a stateswoman!”

“…To ask Lord Amakawa to defeat Duke Arbor for us,” Christina began with a sigh. “Certainly, it would be easy. We could eliminate our political enemy without lifting a finger. It would be a lie to say I’ve never thought about it.”

“Then…!”

“But, even if we eliminated Arbor that way, how many domestic nobles would support us? The nobles with him now would fear retribution and oppose us even more. Even if Arbor is gone, we would still be a minority. It could lead to a political quagmire, or even a bloody civil war. To prevent that, should we have Lord Amakawa eliminate every single one of Arbor’s main supporters as well?”

She paused, letting the weight of her words sink in.

“Is having Lord Amakawa resolve our political struggle with his military might truly for the future of the country? Or is it simply the easiest, most short-sighted option?” she asked, her gaze clear and unwavering.

“…However, at this rate, Restoration will cease to exist,” the Baronet refuted, averting his eyes.

“That may be so. But I believe that even for the sake of the organization, there are there are lines we can’t cross—be it law, or ethics. There are decisions that should not be made. Just like when you ordered Lord Amakawa’s assassination,” she said, driving the point home.

The Baronet’s face twisted bitterly.

“But, if I can’t solve problems just by chanting pipe dreams, then I’m incompetent as a stateswoman,” Christina continued. “I know that. So, we’re back to the question of what to do… You said you wanted me to show you my resolve, did you not?”

“…Yes.”

“I’m happy to oblige. But I want to know about your resolve, too. I want to know how far you can go for the country.”

“I am a man who has lost everything. If there is still something I can offer, I will offer it. I intend to do everything I can.”

“…Are there no lies in those words?” Christina asked, her voice dignified.

“Yes,” the Baronet replied, meeting her gaze without a shred of hesitation.

◇ ◇ ◇

An hour later, Baronet Huguenot had left. Leaving Christina and Vanessa alone in the room.

“…………”

Vanessa stood stock-still, a pensive look on her face.

“If you have something to say, say it,” Christina prompted. “I’ll listen.”

“…Just as the Baronet was saying,” Vanessa began, her lips trembling slightly, “is it not possible to rely on Lord Amakawa? With his power, even now…”

“It’s no use crying over spilled milk,” Christina cut her off gently but firmly. “There’s no point in regretting what has passed. Even if it is a thorny path, we must move forward.” She looked out the window, her gaze powerful and distant.

“Call Alfred for me.”

“…Understood.” Vanessa sealed her lips and left the room.

◇ ◇ ◇

Alfred Emerle. Vanessa’s older brother and the strongest swordsman in the Beltrum Kingdom, renowned as the King’s Sword. After being defeated by Rio during Christina’s escape attempt, he had become a prisoner of Restoration.

“Excuse me.”

Vanessa returned with her brother in tow. He wore magic-sealing shackles on his neck and hands, but he met Christina’s gaze with a dignity that belied his status. On the desk between them sat a rectangular wooden box that hadn’t been there before.

“…It feels like it has been a long time,” Christina said.

“Yes.”

“After you became a prisoner,” she began, getting straight to the point, “you said that you received an order from Father to join my pursuit party and fulfill your mission. That mission was to protect me.”

“Yes.”

“And yet, near the border, you initiated combat in an attempt to capture me. Is that correct?”

“It is.”

“When I pointed out the contradiction, you said, ‘In my current situation, I cannot say any more than this.’ I recall your words precisely.”

“I remember,” Alfred answered solemnly.

“Has that ‘current situation’ of yours changed?”

“…It depends on the circumstances. To confirm that, with all due respect, may I also ask a question?”

“You may.”

“I have heard that you used the regalia and declared your ascension to the throne.”

“Yes. The coronation has not yet taken place, but I am provisionally the queen.”

“In that case, I recognize that it has changed.”

“So what’s important is whether or not I am on the throne. As the King’s Sword, your loyalty is pledged only to the king. Is that what you mean?”

“…As you say,” Alfred replied, bowing his head.

“Then why did you act against Father’s orders? If you had captured me, you would have taken me back to the royal capital.”

“I’ll ask you again,” she pressed before he could answer. “To whom is your loyalty directed?”

“…To His Majesty. In the past and even now, that has never changed. However, at that point in time, I was unsure how I should carry out his order.”

“Why?”

“Because I lacked information. Duke Arbor and Charles were present when I received the order, so I could not grasp to what extent your departure was in line with His Majesty’s wishes. I was concerned that if I openly sided with you, my actions as the King’s Sword would be seen as his will, and it might put his position in a bad light.”

“I see,” Christina said, her expression softening. “I lacked information as well. I was being followed and surveilled by Arbor’s men before I left, and I had become paranoid. I couldn’t fully trust anyone, not even the King’s Sword.” She gave a self-deprecating smile. “But things are different now. I am the Queen of Beltrum. And you recognize me as your Queen. I can think of it that way, can’t I?”

“Yes,” Alfred nodded strongly.

“In that case,” Christina’s tone shifted, becoming regal, “Christina, Queen of Beltrum, asks.” She stood and opened the wooden box on the desk, revealing a single sword. Alfred, still shackled, formally knelt on the spot. Christina drew the blade from its scabbard and laid it upon his shoulder.

“Do you wish to become my sword?”

“I do.”

“Will you wield your sword to protect me?”

“I will.”

“Will you wield your sword as I wish?”

“I will.”

“Then, though it is an informal ceremony, I recognize you as my—Christina Beltrum’s—sword.” She lifted the blade and sheathed it. “Vanessa, remove Alfred’s shackles.”

“…As you wish.”

Vanessa quietly unlocked the restraints on her brother. Christina presented the now-free Alfred with the sword.

“Take it. My apologies that it is not the Flash Judgement, but it is your sword.”

As the provisional monarch, she had the authority to select the King’s Sword, a position she had left vacant until this very moment. Alfred, still kneeling, accepted the weapon. He was no longer bound. He could have turned on her, but Christina showed no fear.

“From this moment on, you are reinstated as the King’s Sword,” she declared, her gaze full of resolve. “You will lend me your strength, won’t you?”

“I will,” Alfred replied, respectfully holding the sword with both hands.

“Then, stand. I will explain what’s to come.”

And so, with the King’s Sword grasped firmly in her hand, Christina took the first step toward tomorrow.

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