She was the Duchess, so perhaps this counted as everyday wear for her. Still, Cassia was beautiful when she was dressed up. I had no doubt she would be just as beautiful without the finery.
Dinner had already been prepared, and several other people were standing in the room.
"My apologies, but Goslar was unable to attend due to an urgent matter," the Duke informed Cassia. "Michio-dono and his party will dine with me in the meeting room instead. Have the meal for seven moved there immediately."
"Eh? Ah... yes."
Cassia was startled for a moment, but she recovered quickly and began giving instructions to the servants. Come to think of it, Goslar had also been a quick recoverer. Spending time around this Duke clearly built character; I imagined his orders were prone to sudden, sweeping changes.
"I apologize for the frantic pace," the Duke said as he guided us to a different room. It was a standard meeting room, neither particularly large nor small, but more than sufficient for us to eat in.
"Not at all," I replied.
"We shall have dinner here. There are various matters that require explanation."
I felt the explanation could have easily been handled in the previous room, making it a mystery why we had to change locations. All the food had to be carried over again; the servants being jerked around by the Duke certainly had it rough.
"Is that everything? Everyone else, step outside," the Duke told the staff once the food had been set.
"The drinks are here, Excellency."
"Good work."
"If you will excuse us."
The servant holding the pitcher bowed and was the last to leave. Only the Duke, Cassia, and my party remained.
"The drinks are there, so please, help yourselves. We only have herb tea, but I trust you do not mind."
"Yes, thank you."
I took a seat. Three tables had been arranged in a U-shape. The Duke and Cassia sat at the center table, while Roxanne, Miria, and I sat on one side. Sherry and Vesta took their places at the table across from mine.
"Um, what is the meaning of this?" Cassia asked, questioning the Duke as she sat beside him. It had been so sudden that she likely didn't understand what was happening either.
"I apologize, Cassia, but this is necessary."
"Could it be... is it finally time?"
I suppose she did understand, after all. The Duke gave a firm nod.
"I am sorry."
"No... I see. I have long been prepared for this moment to eventually arrive."
Cassia seemed shaken. I wondered if the situation was as dire as it sounded. Was he about to execute his guests?
The Duke bowed his head once to Cassia, then turned toward me.
"By custom, no one leaves this meeting room until the meeting is concluded. In the case of a meal, that means not until the dinner is finished. Michio-dono, keep that in mind."
"Such a custom exists?"
"It is meant to ensure that a decision is always reached."
"I see."
So, we weren't allowed out until we decided something. It sounded like a papal conclave—a game of political endurance.
"On other occasions, it is used for operational briefings."
"An operational briefing, huh?"
If no one could leave, then no information could leak until the meeting was over. It was certainly effective for keeping secrets.
"In any case, dinner comes first. You agree, Cassia?"
"Yes."
Was this really the time to be eating? Well, having come this far, I might as well just roll with it.
"Let us eat, everyone," I said, encouraging Roxanne and Sherry. They both looked anxious and had likely stayed silent because they couldn't exactly question the Duke over me. Miria, however, had immediately lunged for the fish; she was undoubtedly thinking of nothing at all.
"Michio-dono, are you aware that a noble may lose their title if they fail to clear the labyrinths within their territory?" the Duke asked, turning toward me.
"No, I wasn't."
"Naturally, if a labyrinth or its monsters overrun the land until it is uninhabitable, there is no point in holding a territory or a title. It is only right for the title to be revoked."
If someone cleared a labyrinth, they were raised to the nobility. Conversely, if they failed to clear one they were responsible for, they were stripped of their status. It was a strict system of meritocracy—the carrot and the stick used to keep the Empire running.
"You are speaking of Earl Selmer," Cassia whispered.
The Selmer estate was Cassia's maiden home. I had been there once before. Was that place in danger? It seemed the "emergency" didn't refer to us or the Duke, but to the Earl.
"Since the current Earl took his position, labyrinth clearing has not progressed within the Selmer territory. He will not lose his status immediately, but he is on the verge of a demotion."
"Is it that serious?"
"The Elven nobility currently maintains one Duke, one Marquis, and two Earls. Whether it be a forfeiture of title or a demotion, we as Elves cannot simply leave the situation as it is. I apologize for involving you in a matter unrelated to you, Michio-dono."
"No, it's fine."
Rather than a simple emergency, it sounded like a political crisis. As for the Elven nobility, there was the Duke of Harz's family, one Marquis family, and Cassia's maiden home, Earl Selmer, plus one other Earl. The Earl of Selmer himself was a slightly plump, handsome man.
"It is not as if we are on bad terms with other races or facing discrimination. However, there are things we cannot yield as Elves. Can you understand that?"
I suppose it would be a problem if an Elven Earl lost his title. I could understand that much. There was likely an element of "face" involved among the high-ranking nobles. In short, he wanted me to enter the labyrinths in the Selmer territory. He must be desperate for any help he could get. Even if the Elven nobles all helped each other, they each had their own labyrinths to deal with. There were still two left in the Harz Duchy alone.
Or perhaps the labyrinths in the Selmer territory had grown too difficult. When a labyrinth first appears, it goes up to the 50th Floor, but it grows over time. Since they had neglected it to the point of potentially losing their title, it must have grown significantly. The danger level would be high.
That explained the emergency. But he shouldn't be telling me to go and clear it alone. The Duke thought I was only around the 30th floor. No matter how bold he was, he wouldn't ask for something that reckless. Right? He wouldn't, would he? Wait, was sending Goslar away a move to set the stage for this?
"W-Well..."
"Therefore, I have decided to strike down Earl Selmer."
"Excuse me?"
"You could say I am asking him to step down, but in reality, it is a strike."
I was wrong. It wasn't the labyrinth he wanted to tackle; they were going to strike down the Earl himself. A regime change, or a coup. Certainly, no matter how much help was given, clearing one labyrinth wouldn't solve the long-term problem. In this world, labyrinths are born one after another. A system had to be established to ensure that clearing progressed steadily. If progress stopped when the current Earl took over, then the cause likely lay with the Earl himself. It was only natural to eliminate the cause—setting aside whether a "strike" was the right word for it.
It was terrifying that the means of removal wasn't a petition to the Emperor or a political scandal, but direct action. Even if that was just how things were in this world, it felt like a military coup. I didn't know if the reason they couldn't clear the labyrinths really lay with the Earl, or if the reason even mattered. Striking down Earl Selmer would renew the leadership. It was like a national soccer coach being replaced if they didn't produce results, though it was terrifying that "losing his head" wasn't a metaphor. And he was doing this to Cassia's own family.
"That is..."
When I looked at Cassia, she was sitting there, enduring the conversation in silence. She must have known it would come to this. She had said she was prepared.
"To that end, I would very much like to borrow Michio-dono's strength."
"In what way?"
It wasn't to enter a labyrinth. What did he want me to do?
"Michio-dono, you have met Earl Selmer once before with me."
"Yes."
"There was a curtain there, bearing my emblem."
When I had an audience with Earl Selmer, there had been a curtain with the Duke of Harz's emblem hanging behind the Earl. He must mean that.
"I remember it."
"I want you to use Field Walk to travel to that location."
Gah. He wanted me to be the breach team. Even if they were "striking" the Earl, I suppose armies in this world didn't march slowly through enemy territory. Whether it was the Imperial Capital or anywhere else, they could fly there instantly with Field Walk.
"Ah—"
"Earl Selmer is a cautious man in his own way. He rarely allows Adventurers inside his castle, and he has used Shielding Cement in abundance. He does not clear labyrinths, but he excels at protecting himself. I thought it would be difficult to attack, but because Michio-dono has entered that castle, the conditions have changed."
Had he been planning this for that long? His recommending me to the Empire Liberation Society and doing me favors had all been for this day. Because I had entered Earl Selmer's Castle, I was a tactical asset.
"In other words, you want me to be the spearhead?"
If I was the only Adventurer who had been inside the castle, then I was the one who had to breach it first. Unconditionally, I would be the "first spear." It was practically a suicide mission.
"Earl Selmer likely suspects something. That said, he cannot stay on guard twenty-four hours a day. There may be some lookouts, but there should be no great danger. We have taken the utmost care to ensure our movements do not leak."
Even Goslar had only been told today. The operation must have been planned, but without an execution date, no one could act on it.
"Are there no other Adventurers who have entered the castle?"
"Of course, it is not exactly zero, but if we were to reach out to the wrong person, our movements would be discovered. Anyone else who has entered likely has ties to the Earl. If we spoke to them, the information might leak, or worse, they might betray us."
People like me, who were complete third parties, were rare.
"Since it's known that I'm an Explorer, hasn't he taken precautions?"
"It is a possibility, but regarding the castle's emblem, there should be no issue. That curtain is a symbol of friendship and trust between our houses, signifying that it is permissible to enter from here in an emergency. It is unthinkable that it would be moved without notifying us."
So he was going to exploit a symbol of friendship and trust. How ruthless.
"Are you certain it is acceptable to use that symbol?"
"This time is exactly that 'emergency.' If we can deal with this while the wound is shallow, it is best for the house of Selmer as well. Our houses will be bound by even deeper trust afterward."
"Trust, huh..."
It felt like a very self-serving argument. However, it seemed he wasn't going to dismantle the house of Earl Selmer entirely. He likely intended to eliminate the current Earl and install someone else.
"In the unlikely event of an emergency, it is possible that Cassia or I might flee to the emblem in Earl Selmer's Castle. You need not worry about it being made unusable."
"To flee, wouldn't you need an Adventurer?"
"The Adventurers who accompanied Cassia also know of that curtain. However, they cannot be used for this matter."
"Is it difficult to use them?"
There must have been Adventurers who came with Cassia when she married—perhaps for the purpose of fleeing back to her maiden home. In other words, they were personnel loyal to Earl Selmer. If sent as the vanguard, they might simply defect.
"If you accept, I have a suitable reward in mind. Of course, you may refuse. I will guarantee your freedom of choice. However, if you refuse, the condition will be that you do not leave this room until the operation is completed."
So that was why he moved us here. If there was a custom of staying until the end of a meeting, it wouldn't look suspicious if we didn't emerge for a long time.
"What should I do after moving to the other side?"
"I plan to have you take several Adventurers from the Knight Order with you on the first trip, and then make several round trips after that. I do not intend to have Michio-dono fight. That is a responsibility we, the Elves, shall carry out."
"Just transport, then..."
"Of course, there is always a risk. I cannot guarantee absolute safety. Please keep that in mind."
Did the Duke want me to help, or was he hoping I'd refuse? That said, his refusal to promise absolute safety actually made him feel more trustworthy. There would be danger. Certainly, even if the Earl knew an attack could come from the curtain, he couldn't keep a defense unit stationed there every single day. Or rather, if he had that kind of military power, he should have used it in the labyrinth. If he had, this coup wouldn't be necessary.
But other methods could be used—filling the room with poison gas, or setting up a trap where anyone who emerged would fall into a fire or onto drawn swords. Usually, you wouldn't do that because of the possibility of family fleeing there. Still, there was no absolute safety.
I should refuse. If I accepted, I'd be attacking Cassia's own home.
"Clearing labyrinths is the duty of a noble," Cassia said decisively as I tried to gauge her reaction. "Since he neglected that duty, this cannot be helped."
"If Michio-dono's cooperation cannot be obtained, we will have to attack from the front," the Duke added. "The resulting battle would cause great damage to the house of Selmer."
So it was actually better for Cassia if I accepted. There was no way out of this, was there?
"I ask of you as well," Cassia said.
"Hmm. All right. Since I've come this far, I suppose I can do that much. I'm already in the same boat."
If Cassia asked, I had no choice. I just hoped there weren't swords waiting on the other side of that curtain.
"You have my gratitude. As expected of Michio-dono. You are exactly as I perceived you to be."
I didn't do it for you, I thought. I did it for Cassia. It's not like I accepted for your sake or anything!
Sherry looked at me with a worried expression, but she stayed silent. Her opponent was the Duke, after all.
"Well, it'll probably work out," I said, speaking loudly enough for Sherry to hear. Roxanne didn't look very worried; she likely just trusted me. It was possible she overestimated my strength.
"The sortie will be late tonight. We have no alcohol, but please, eat and drink your fill to build up your strength."
So that was why he told me to come after sunset. He was well-prepared. The lack of alcohol was because we couldn't go into battle drunk. He never had any intention of bringing out the Dwarf Killer tonight. I'd just have to indulge in some stress-eating.
"Excellency, it is Goslar."
After I had been eating for a while, there was a knock. Goslar stood alone on the other side when the Duke opened the door.
"Operation Se-Ni is progressing smoothly, almost exactly as planned. We have already established contact with eighty percent of the personnel, and they are currently assembling."
I could hear the report perfectly. The Duke received it with his chest out, looking every bit the high noble.
"Since this is a sudden operation, I expected we might not reach everyone. Eighty percent is more than enough."
"However, there is one troubling matter."
"What is it?"
"Is it acceptable to speak?" Goslar asked, glancing subtly toward me.
"It is fine. Michio-dono has agreed to provide his assistance."
"Michio-dono is helping?"
"You know that Michio-dono has been to Earl Selmer's place before."
It seemed he hadn't told Goslar about dragging me in. As I thought, if Goslar had known, he probably would have tried to prevent such a dirty move.
"I see."
Goslar looked at me with a sympathetic, caring gaze. We were fellow victims of circumstance. Goslar was likely jerked around by the Duke every day. I understood the feeling, but we weren't allies—absolutely not. I wasn't going to be jerked around any more than this.
"So. What is this troubling matter?"
"Actually..."
Goslar's following story was spoken in such a low voice that I couldn't quite make it out. It was full of proper names and technicalities. At any rate, it seemed there had been a mistake in the emergency summons—either an error or an accident.
"Then it would be best to move up the execution."
"Indeed."
"We will commence as soon as the minimum number is assembled. Excluding Michio-dono, there are forty-one people."
"Understood."
Goslar departed, and the Duke closed the door.
"My apologies. A slight adjustment has become necessary. We are moving up the execution."
"Did something happen to my cousin?" Cassia asked as the Duke sat down.
"No. He is fine."
Cassia breathed a sigh of relief.
"The man I mentioned is Cassia's cousin," the Duke explained to me. "He is scheduled to become the next Earl Selmer."
Since he was Cassia's relative, he belonged to the house of Selmer. He was likely suitable to inherit the title. Even if they struck down the current Earl, they weren't going to destroy the family, just swap out the leader. Or maybe he was just a convenient puppet.
"That person will be the next Earl?"
"To that end, he must participate in this uprising. However, when the Knight Order went to fetch him, he was unfortunately with an acquaintance. Had it been a complete stranger, it would have been fine, but it was someone with ties to the Earl. If my Knight Order is seen calling out the Earl's relative, someone sharp might notice the operation."
"And so you're moving up the execution."
Since there was a chance they'd been noticed, he wanted to act before the other side could. Since even Goslar didn't know the date, there was no way the cousin could have known. It was just bad luck that he was with someone. Was this the Duke's haphazard planning at work, or just an unavoidable accident?
"I intended to wait until everyone was asleep to ensure success, but that is no longer an option. We will breach the castle as soon as the minimum preparations are complete. The distance between here and the Selmer territory isn't great, so we needn't worry about time differences."
A later time would have been better for an ambush, but speed was now the priority.
"Excellency."
Again, there was a knock. It was Goslar again.
"I have brought him."
"Are you ready?"
"Everything is prepared."
Upon hearing the response, the Duke drew his Orichalcum Sword. He gave me a slight nod, then opened the door. Beside Goslar stood two men. One was a Knight I had met before.
"It has been a long time."
"T-This is...?" the other man stammered, clearly startled. Anyone would be surprised to open a door and find the Duke holding a sword. He looked to Cassia for an explanation, but she simply shook her head.
"I will be brief. I wish for you to become the next Earl."
You didn't talk to him beforehand?! It seemed he was going to persuade him right here and now. This poor man was Cassia's cousin. Informing him only today... it was beyond haphazard. I couldn't even call it "unfortunate" that he'd been seen with someone else.
However, if he had been told earlier, he might have refused. If refused, the secret would be out. By waiting until now, there was no time for him to warn the Earl. Even if he opposed the plan, they could just keep him detained until it was over.
"Strike... the Earl?" the man managed to say, his face turning deathly pale. The blood had truly drained from his face. The Duke gave a firm nod in silence.
"You must have known it would come to this. Pull yourself together," Cassia said in his stead.
"That is... true, but..."
It seemed the cousin had also expected this. Was failing to clear labyrinths such a scandal that he was meant to be struck down? Conversely, that meant the Earl might be waiting for them. If he knew he was in danger, he'd be on guard.
"You understand the situation."
"But if we do such a thing..."
"Though unofficial, we have the support of the All-Elf High Representative Council. It is only unofficial because the Earl is also a member. This is a request from the Council itself. It is a matter for all Elves if our rank in the nobility decreases. If you become the next Earl, everything will be settled."
It seemed the groundwork had been laid. The Duke wasn't acting on a whim.
"To think things have progressed that far..."
"Strictly between us, I also informed the Emperor yesterday."
"T-That is..."
So he had spoken to the Emperor. My recommendation had just been a front; this was the main event.
"Think of my being chosen as the executor as a boon. If you and I team up, we can keep the damage to a minimum."
"That may be true, but..."
"You will accept, will you not?"
"Y-Yes."
The Duke forced him to accept. He was holding a sword, so it was more of a threat than persuasion.
"You must not forget the duties of a noble," Cassia added. She was likely trying to comfort her cousin, who had been backed into a corner.
"Then, you will remain in this room until the operation begins."
"I will also summon my troops."
"Regrettably, there is no time. Do not worry; you will have plenty of work to do within the castle."
The Duke refused the man's offer. If he let him summon troops, there was a risk he'd leak information, so that was only natural. His participation would be in name only.
"The numbers are almost assembled," a Knight reported from the door.
"I am coming immediately."
The Duke sent Cassia out of the room first. He said it was to "keep watch," but he probably just didn't want her involved in the initial assault. It would be cruel to make her witness the overthrow of her own family.
"Shall we go as well?" Goslar beckoned us.
We moved to the room where Roxanne had her match earlier. It was different now—tense and filled with people. Bonfires were lit instead of candles. The Duke turned to the cousin.
"I will briefly explain. First, you will travel to the castle with our personnel. We only need to take down Earl Selmer. Enter from the front and proclaim your intent, ensuring his men do not resist. If the resistance is weak, that achievement will be your merit."
He really intended to keep the use of force to a minimum. It would be easier for the cousin to act if he wasn't directly killing his own kin.
"I will do my very best."
"In the meantime, Michio-dono and then my main force shall travel there. We will strike all at once and seize the castle."
He didn't mention the emblem or the curtain, likely because he didn't fully trust the cousin. I would travel with a few Knights first. Once I was there, the Knight Order's own Adventurers could follow. While the cousin caused a stir at the front, we'd enter from the back.
"Understood."
"If you need equipment, use what we have prepared."
"Thank you."
The man left with a Knight.
"If Michio-dono also wishes to use some..."
"No, I have my Item Box."
I had my sword, gloves, and hat in my Item Box. I was wearing my hard leather armor as a precaution.
"Ah, that is right. Then please wait here for a moment."
The Duke departed with Goslar.
"Please wait. I will go first with Master," Roxanne interjected, stopping him.
"Roxanne?" I asked, and she nodded firmly.
"What is the meaning of this?" the Duke asked, stopping in his tracks.
"The place Master is going is not absolutely safe, is it?"
"That is true."
"I cannot let Master go to such a place alone. I will go with him, and I will protect him if anything happens."
Roxanne spoke rapidly. She'd been silent almost the entire night, but she was showing her courage now.
"However, the numbers..." The Duke seemed bewildered. He couldn't easily change the plan. If I took five Knights once, I could send thirty-six people on the next trip. If Roxanne joined me, the next wave would only be thirty people.
But this was a chance. I could propose a better way.
"In that case, I'll go on a scout first," I suggested.
"A scout?"
"If I go once and see, I'll know if they're waiting for us. It'll be fine if just Roxanne and I go. That way she's at ease, and it won't change the main operation."
I jumped on Roxanne's proposal. My goal was to travel once with just the two of us. There was no need to use Field Walk to travel to the emblem. If it was just us, I could use Warp. I could emerge in a corner of the Audience Chamber, bypassing the Shielding Cement and any traps at the emblem.
"That is true, but..." The Duke looked grim. He was being so thorough about information leaks that he probably didn't want us acting independently. However, if I were going to betray him, I could do that just as easily while taking the Knights. As someone who wasn't an Adventurer, there was nothing he could do to stop me.
"We can execute the operation as soon as we return. If we don't return, you can assume we failed and cancel it."
"Isn't it dangerous?"
"The danger hasn't changed. If just the two of us go, you won't lose your Knights if it's a trap."
"I have no intention of using Michio-dono as a disposable asset."
"I know."
"There is a possibility of lookouts."
"If there's something we can handle, we will. If not, it's the same as if the Knights were there. It won't take much effort to return and go again. Even if we're found, the Earl won't have time to prepare for the main force."
It would mean an extra round trip, but I could gloss over that with enough confidence.
"If you are spotted, the emblem will be removed," the Duke pointed out—a problem I hadn't considered. Since I was going with Warp, I didn't intend to emerge at the curtain, but the Duke didn't know that. If a lookout saw someone emerge from the emblem and then vanish, they'd pull it down immediately.
"Then I'll be the only one to return."
"It is fine. If we can scout once, I will be safe as well," Roxanne added. Nice covering fire.
"Since we're just going and coming back, there's no time to betray you. If we don't come back, you just stop."
"Very well. I will permit Michio-dono and his party to go on the scout."
Permission granted. This was much safer. Once he made the decision, the Duke departed.
Now that we were alone, I handed out the equipment. My Item Box had the swords and hats, but no plate mail or jackets—those had been left at the house. I'd just have to make do. Roxanne and the others could go without torso armor.
I wasn't worried, especially since we weren't emerging at the emblem. If the Earl didn't have enough men to clear a labyrinth, he definitely didn't have enough to keep lookouts in every room every single night. Even if someone was there, they'd be watching the emblem, not the corner where we'd emerge.
The problem was what to report if the emblem had been removed. I could just say the lookout noticed us and they pulled it down. Then I'd suggest we attack from the front.
"Roxanne, take these."
"Yes."
I handed over the weapons and hats and prepared Durandal.
"The room we're going to has a curtain. Check it out. If there's anyone there, escape if possible. I want to avoid combat. If I pull your hand, that's the signal to retreat."
I gave the instructions quietly. If anyone heard, it would sound like a strange order for a Field Walk mission.
"It seems the preparations are complete. Is everyone ready?" the Duke asked, standing at the back of the room.
"They are," Goslar confirmed.
"You all understand the operation," the Duke addressed his men. "This is a legitimate action supported by the Council. The scales of justice will tilt in our favor. Negligence and cowardice are sins against prosperity. Do not be afraid. Fight bravely for the glory of Harz and Selmer!"
"OHH!" the Knights roared.
"Then, for the scout."
We moved to the back, where a large curtain hung. While faking the Field Walk spell, I willed "Warp."
We flew to Earl Selmer's Castle.
The Audience Chamber was pitch black. Not a sound could be heard. It was good that there were no lookouts, but I couldn't see anything.
"It seems there is no one here," Roxanne whispered. She'd know by scent if anyone was nearby.
"The curtain... is there," Miria's voice came from the dark. She could see in the dark.
"Anything strange about it?"
"Nothing."
It seemed fine. I made Durandal disappear and disbanded the party. There was no need for a formal spell here. The room was empty. Earl Selmer hadn't taken any precautions at all.
"Michio-dono?" the Duke asked when we returned to Bode.
"Everything seems fine."
A request to join the party came immediately. He was certainly efficient.
"I see."
"Then, let's go."
This time I used the actual Field Walk spell. A party member had a lantern, and the room became dimly lit. Roxanne and the others were safe at the edge of the room. We returned to Bode Castle immediately.
"I am off, then," Cassia's cousin said as we returned. He took his team through Field Walk, likely to the lobby to create his disturbance.
"Michio-dono, next, we rely on you."
I put five more people into the party. It took some time, but other parties were already flying off. They had their own Explorers ready to take the people I brought back. The plan was well-coordinated.
"When you arrive, disband the party and return those girls here. They should stay in this room," the Duke instructed.
He meant Roxanne and the others. There was no reason for them to be in the line of fire. I formed the party and flew back to the castle. The Audience Chamber was now bright and chaotic—the dark silence of the first trip was gone. The Duke and his men rushed out the door. Other parties were fanning out through the castle. I didn't know if there was fighting, but with this kind of mobility, they surely had the upper hand.
I formed a party with Roxanne and the others. No one was paying attention to us in the chaos.
"I still have work to do, but you're going back to wait. We're returning now."
I knew Roxanne would want to stay, so I didn't give her a choice. Bode was safer.
When we returned, Cassia was in the room. She was clad in combat gear instead of a dress. She flew to the castle with another Adventurer, and I followed shortly after on my fourth trip.
Cassia's team was just leaving the Audience Chamber when they stopped. The Duke was coming in from the other side.
"Cassia, it is fine. The operation is progressing smoothly. Ah, Michio-dono is here as well. Thanks to him, there has been almost no damage on either side."
The Duke had a young woman with him. She was elegant and bore a striking resemblance to Cassia. She was overwhelmingly beautiful, even among the Elves, though she looked slightly younger than Cassia.
"Lutina!" Cassia called out.
"Sister Cassia..." Lutina bit her lip.
"Thank goodness. You were unharmed."
"...No."
Lutina looked devastated. Cassia embraced her. It was a brilliant sight—two exceptionally beautiful women together—but I wasn't in the mood to enjoy it.
"Father tried hard when he first took the title," Lutina said, her voice trembling. "But he couldn't produce results. Eventually, he lost control of the Knights. He lost his best men to a Thief Brigade. After that, he fled into the bottle."
So the Earl really was the problem. He had to be replaced. Lutina must have known it would come to this.
"Excellency," Goslar said, arriving on the scene.
"Report."
"The castle is seized. There is no resistance. However, the Earl's whereabouts are unknown."
"He's gone?"
"We cannot find him."
"Fleeing one's castle is a disgrace for a noble. He must be here somewhere. Search every room!"
If he had an Adventurer, he could have escaped easily. But I wondered if he'd really flee. If he'd already failed his noble duty, maybe he didn't care about honor.
"My apologies, Lutina, but we cannot find your father. Do you know where he is?" the Duke asked.
"I do not. I know he is in the wrong. I know the responsibility lies with him. But even if I knew, I would not tell you."
Lutina spoke firmly. She had a stubborn dignity that was almost admirable.
"Cassia, do you have any idea?"
"Let me see... there should be a firewood storage room for the winter, connected somewhere to the bedroom."
So it really was a "charcoal shed" situation.
"Goslar."
The Duke sent him off.
"So he really was backed this far into a corner," Lutina said, her eyes fixed on Cassia.
"Your father was not suited to be an Earl," Cassia said gently. "He is a kind person who avoids conflict. As the youngest son, he should have lived a free life. But because my father and the second brother fought for so long, the title fell to him. I apologize for it ending this way."
"No. It is his fault for neglecting his duties. And I, who depended on him while knowing it was wrong, am also guilty."
"Lutina..."
"If only I had more power."
"It is all right," Cassia said, pulling Lutina close to comfort her.