“—Then I take it this child would not be an issue?”
Patting Kurtz’s shoulder beside her, Feiyu stated.
Seeing Kurtz’s presence, Klaus furrowed his brow slightly in inquiry.
“Come to think of it, I was wondering about that child…?”
“A poor child from the capital. When I fled the fire, he showed me a discreet route and guided me to where Lady Mercator’s daughter was, as one who aided my escape.”
“Ah…how wonderfully he has worked then.”
Turning a gentle gaze towards Kurtz as Klaus spoke those soft words, Kurtz quietly nodded before replying.
“Your Majesty, I was once saved by Lady Artesia. Though in this situation, might I have the mercy to express my gratitude?”
“……Artesia, was this the child you spoke of?”
“Yes…no mistaking about it.”
Artesia nodded calmly after a momentary surprise.
“I will join Lady Feiyu’s service later, but for now I am but a nameless pauper child. Please, allow me the words to express my thanks.”
“……Very well. In consideration of your courageous actions and merits in rescuing Lady Blaskas, I shall grant the special exception to exchange words with Eisenhud.”
Saying so, Klaus stepped back and pushed Artesia’s back forward.
In turn, Kurtz took a step closer.
“It has been a while, Lady Artesia-Eisenhud.”
“……Yes. I did not expect our reunion would come in such a way.”
“Indeed. Had you not saved me, I may never have had this chance to express my gratitude in person.”
Answering so, Kurtz showed a smile.
“You showed me the sight of Lady Artesia aiding others, which is why I could take action when I found Lady Feiyu. Thank you.”
“That was your own strength. So do not thank me, praise yourself for your admirable actions instead.”
Smiling gently, Artesia stroked Kurtz’s head in tender praise.
And…Kurtz clenched his fist firmly.
“Through this incident, Lady Feiyu has taken an interest in me, and I shall walk a new path.”
I could no longer tread the same life as before.
From now until seven years, Artesia’s body would gradually be consumed.
Within a few years, she would be bedridden, eventually confined to that existence.
Unlike before my return, she will have to endure a life of solitude, tormented by the fear of death.
The truth is, I wanted to stay by her side like before,
to support her. Even if only a little, I wished to shoulder her pain and spend the same time together.
Knowing the future awaiting her, it broke my heart to leave her alone.
And yet—
“—This time, I will become someone capable of saving you,”
said Kurtz, his amethyst eyes gazing straight into hers.
For a moment, Artesia widened her eyes in surprise, but soon—
“—I, too, look forward to the day that will come,”
she replied with a radiant smile.
“My prince, who will rescue me, is a little too small for the role, though.”
“I am still a child, after all.”
“Hehe… That’s true. Make sure to eat without being picky and grow up healthy,”
she said, laughing softly before speaking again, as if she had just remembered something.
“Now that I think about it, I haven’t heard your name yet.”
“My name is Kurtz. And the family name I will inherit in the future is—Achimenes.”
The moment he said his name, Artesia’s expression froze.
“You—”
“Now then, we’ll take our leave here,”
Kurtz interrupted, bowing respectfully as he stepped back.
“—May the prosperity of the Empire continue alongside the World Tree,”
he said, offering a parting greeting before turning his back and leaving the meeting room.
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT LOCALIZERMEERKAT.PAGES.DEV
After parting ways with Artesia and exiting the imperial castle,
Kurtz and his companions boarded the carriage prepared by the merchant guild.
“Well… we’ve finished what we needed to do in the imperial capital. Let’s depart as planned.”
“Indeed. Even I am at my limit with just letters to placate my father and His Majesty. I need to return to Sylvayu and provide a detailed explanation,”
Using the information Kurtz had provided, Feiyu had pulled some strings. As a result, those among the aristocratic faction involved in the incident were now in custody.
Feiyu herself, a victim of abduction, would testify, dealing a critical blow to the aristocrats’ faction and solidifying the royalist faction’s position.
This also bought them some time.
“To finalize this, the documents on reparations and details about the transfer of Felmund must be prepared. The emperor will need to verify them, sign the agreement, and then send the missive to Sylvayu. At the very least, that will take two weeks. That should be enough to stop the final move Zervis might attempt.”
By relinquishing Felmund, the Duke of Ornament had lost access to the ore vein where the Philosopher’s Stone lay hidden.
However, Zervis, as the head of his house, still had some options left.
Strictly speaking, Kurtz had left him one path to take.
“Still… I can’t help but worry about leaving you alone in Felmund,”
“That land is like a garden to me. I know not only the terrain but also the hidden paths that avoid notice, as well as the entrances to the excavation sites. I’ll manage without issue.”
On their way to Sylvayu, Kurtz planned to get off near Felmund.
Zervis would be too preoccupied with other matters to act.
Kurtz intended to use that opportunity to infiltrate Felmund alone, secure the Philosopher’s Stone through a secret route known only to Eisenhud, and ensure the Ornament family’s plans were thwarted.
Still, Feiyu placed her hands on her hips and raised her eyebrows.
“That’s not what I mean! I’m saying it’s worrying to leave a child all alone!”
“…Well, you’re not wrong about that,”
“With Lucia away, it would be best to assign someone to accompany you now. If you get kidnapped, it’ll be too late!”
“Given your experience, that’s a convincing argument,”
Kurtz replied with a wry smile.
Since meeting Feiyu at the merchant guild, Lucia had been occupied elsewhere.
In her absence, Kurtz had spent his time with Feiyu, who—
“You’ve packed maps and travel money, right? I’ve given you the Blaskas insignia as identification, as well as a bag with enough food, spare clothes, and camping gear. Don’t forget them, okay?”
“…You’ve certainly gone above and beyond.”
“Of course! You’re the benefactor who saved me, and besides, Lucia entrusted me with your care!”
Feiyu said, puffing out her chest proudly.
In Lucia’s absence, Feiyu had been extremely overprotective.
[“It must be dreary underground. If you need anything, I’ll have it delivered to you.”]
[“Are you hungry yet? If there’s anything you’d like to eat, don’t hesitate to tell me. I’ll have the guild deliver it.”]
[“Since Lucia’s not here, I’ll sleep next to you for now. I’ll stay by your side and pat you until you fall asleep!”]
She’d been so considerate that it was almost exhausting.
Unlike Lucia, who he could have brushed things off, Feiyu’s intentions stemmed from pure goodwill and a desire to act like an older sister, making it impossible for Kurtz to refuse her.
“Make sure to eat properly, even without someone feeding you.”
“That’s never been a problem for me, so don’t worry.”
“Oh, so you were relying on me before, weren’t you?”
“Uh… sure, let’s go with that…”
“That bashfulness of yours is just adorable!”
Feiyu said, ruffling Kurtz’s hair with a grin. The absence of the root cause of this situation only added to his irritation.
“Anyway… I’ll be fine on my own. Lucia has reported that everything is going well, and if the schedule holds, we’ll meet up along the way.”
“Hmm… In that case, I’ll trust you. Unlike an ordinary maid, she’s quite capable.”
“Exactly. She’s not just a capable maid,”
Kurtz replied, gazing out the carriage window.
By taking back Felmund and seizing the Philosopher’s Stone hidden there, they had disrupted the Ornament family’s plans.
But that wasn’t enough.
“I hate the six great ducal families. More than anyone, I loathe them.”
In his previous life, Artesia had been assassinated by the six great ducal families.
They had trampled on the wishes of a girl who had sacrificed everything for a peaceful life, taking her life for their selfish desires.
Even if that event had not yet occurred in this timeline,
the memory of it burned in Kurtz’s heart, and he could never forgive them.
“—That’s why I won’t be satisfied until I deliver justice with my own hands,”
Kurtz murmured to himself.
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