“Ah, by the way, where’s Nameless?”
“Are you trying to greet him?”
At the sudden question about Nameless’s whereabouts, Lucius nodded slightly.
Hmm, seems safe enough. It’ll be fine.
More than anything, I remember that Lucius and Nameless had a good relationship.
Maybe it’s similar to mine and Camilla’s?
“Nameless, come out!”
At my call, Nameless slowly revealed himself from the bushes.
Lucius, with a somewhat reluctant expression, asked me, “Were you nearby…?”
“Well, of course. Would I be wandering around separately from Nameless?”
“…That’s certainly true.”
Nameless, standing in front of us, momentarily glanced at the area where the knights had gathered before bowing to Lucius to greet him.
“Nameless, it’s been a while.”
“Yes, it truly has.”
Upon lifting his head, Nameless’s expression seemed quite displeased, with his lips puffed out.
Curious, I tilted my head, and he sighed softly, shaking his head.
“…You don’t need to worry about it.”
“Hmm… Is that so?”
I thought he would be happy to see an old friend, but he didn’t seem that thrilled.
*
Has it been about two days of walking day and night?
It took quite a while to return to the cabin.
Of course, it’s not Nameless or Lucius’s fault; it’s because of the knights swarming from behind.
“Hey, get a grip.”
“…Can’t you see he’s foaming at the mouth?”
The knight I knocked out was still unconscious, being carried by his comrade.
By now, I was worried he might be dead, but thankfully, his heart was still beating.
“It’s very noisy.”
“Indeed.”
Around fifty people had gathered in front of the cabin.
…Originally, it should have just been Nameless and me.
As I watched them with a strange sentiment, Lucius approached me.
“Cheon Ha-rang.”
“Hmm? Why are you calling me?”
Lucius, sweating profusely, looked like he was trying to gauge the situation.
He subtly glanced at Nameless and pointed to his own mouth, asking me,
“Um, may I sleep in the tent with them…?”
“…Why would you want that?”
I tilted my head in a bewildered expression, and Lucius firmly responded with a definitive “yes.”
…Well, I don’t know why, but…
“Do as you please.”
“Thank you.”
Since there wasn’t really a reason to stop him, I nodded.
Does he prefer sleeping outside?
…Strangely, Nameless’s expression seemed to brighten.
“But Master.”
“What is it?”
“Are you still thinking about your answer?”
Ah, right.
*
In the quiet night, with only a single candle as our guide, I sat across from Nameless, talking.
Since it was an answer I needed to give back to them, I didn’t mind if they eavesdropped.
I had the blanket laid out, just in case Nameless might bring up something else.
Surely, Lucius wouldn’t be able to hear us.
“So, you think there’s really no need to go to the palace, huh?”
“Yes.”
Nameless nodded slightly and added, “It’s more likely they sent Lucius to call us to the palace.”
Nameless explained that the Emperor knows of our relationship with the Hero’s party. After all, the reason he became a temporary professor at the Academy was due to Camilla’s request, so it was easy to infer from there.
Well, Lucius might have said it himself.
Anyway, the Emperor understood that Lucius was just and valued righteousness.
Of course, that’s true in reality, but what mattered was that the Emperor knew him.
Could Lucius really point a sword at me, knowing our friendship?
The Emperor probably thought not.
So, he must have sent Lucius for that reason.
Otherwise, there wouldn’t be a reason to send him, right?
With the Demon King potentially resurrecting, there’d be no reason to send Lucius knowing he’d be at risk of getting hurt.
There must have been some form of conviction that Nameless and I wouldn’t clash.
That’s what friendship means.
“But what does the Emperor want to call me to the palace for?”
“Well, it’s just my guess, but….”
If I showed up at the palace and faced the Emperor, he’d say something along the lines of, “No matter how righteous your intentions are, the fact remains that you attacked the heart of the Empire.”
He’d set the stage by saying that what he’s talking about is not personal ambition but serves the greater good.
Then he would say, “Because of that commotion, the imperial authority has been shaken, so if you show me that you’re willing to help, won’t it quiet down?”
He would make me feel guilty while expressing his personal desires.
I tilted my head in confusion.
“Can’t I just refuse?”
“Well, I don’t think you would be able to refuse, Master.”
“Why’s that?” I asked, to which Nameless replied.
“Aren’t they going to involve the Cheonma Church?”
“…”
Indeed, it seems I wouldn’t be able to refuse. But…
“Then couldn’t that guy bring in the Cheonma Church even if I don’t go?”
“…That’s true.”
The weight of saying something directly face-to-face versus merely speculating alone is different.
“If what I say is true, wouldn’t that put you in a difficult position, Master?”
“…I suppose so.”
“From here on, this is just baseless speculation, but….”
The Emperor likely wouldn’t turn us into enemies as long as we don’t go to the palace.
Considering the Demon King’s resurrection is uncertain, and every bit of strength counts, it’d be rather foolish to make us enemies instead of trying to bring us to their side.
“I don’t think the Emperor is that foolish.”
“…Hmm.”
Of course, if that was all he said, I would have nothing to gain, so surely he’d sweeten the deal for me.
“I don’t really know about that part, either.”
“…Well, just figuring this out is already impressive, so don’t make that sorry face.”
I gave Nameless a reassuring pat on his shoulder and sighed deeply.
Wasn’t this something I hadn’t even thought of?
Nameless had no reason to feel guilty.
“Hmm, if that’s the case, you’ve given it a fair amount of thought.”
“Yes, I suppose when it comes to manipulating people, there’s no one better than the Emperor.”
How annoying…
Then I suppose I’ll have to turn towards refusing the Emperor’s offer?
“Well, it’s late, so you should get some sleep.”
“Yes, Master.”
Nameless nodded and started to rise, but I grabbed his arm and tilted my head.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
“…Huh? I’m going back to my room.”
Hmm, if he goes out now, Lucius might misunderstand, right?
If that happens, Nameless could be in quite a bind.
Ah, of course, I’m not referring to anything romantic.
Surely, it would be embarrassing for Nameless to be seen alone with me at this late hour.
It could look like he was stuck listening to my nagging.
Boys at that age tend to have a strong sense of pride, so it wouldn’t be good for him to be seen leaving my room at this hour.
“Come here.”
I beckoned Nameless to come sit on the blanket I had laid out, and I noticed something strange: beads of sweat were trickling down his forehead.
“…I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
Nameless tried to pull his arm away from my grasp, but did he think that would work?
With a smirk, I pulled Nameless closer and laid him on the blanket.
“Don’t be so shy; if you really feel that way, just think of it as Master wanting to sleep with his disciple after such a long time.”
Got that? I added softly, and Nameless nodded, his face reddening.
He should have done this much sooner.
“Now, I’ll turn off the light, so sleep well.”
“Will I be able to…?”
“What did you say?”
“Nothing… it’s nothing.”
Tsk tsk.
Since the blanket I usually sleep with is a bit cramped for two, I settled down with Nameless’s arm as my pillow.
Despite my strength, his weight was light enough that he could lift it with just a finger.
It should be fine.
“If it’s uncomfortable, let me know.”
“…It’s not uncomfortable, but… it is a bit uncomfortable…”
“What does that even mean?”
“…It’s nothing.”
*
“Another strong and lively morning!”
In the early morning before the sun had fully risen, I stretched my arms wide, shouting my usual morning call.
-Crack!
With a refreshing sound of bones popping, Lucius crawled out of the tent.
“Oh, Lucius, you’re up early?”
The sun hadn’t even risen yet.
Seems like early morning training has become a habit for Lucius.
Impressive.
Just as he was rubbing the sleep from his eyes, he pointed behind me, eyes wide in surprise.
“…You’re up, but did Nameless not sleep well?”
I tilted my head and turned in the direction Lucius pointed.
There was Nameless.
He looked like he had some serious dark circles under his eyes.
“What? Nameless, did you stay up all night?”
“…No, I didn’t.”
Nameless sighed heavily and shook his head.
“Hmm, well! More importantly…”
I smiled and opened my mouth to Lucius.
“Convey my message to the Emperor!”
“…We haven’t even been here for a day yet, and you’ve already made up your mind?”
“Of course!”
The quicker the decision, the better.
They probably wanted to head back quickly, too.
Just as I was about to relay my message, I noticed…
“…Hmm?”
“What’s the matter?”
“…I sense a lot of presences.”
About hundreds of people seemed to be coming toward us.
…Who could it be?
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