[Edna]

The next day, Edna started collecting information.

In these six years, there were only a few people who looked after Prince Elmer, and she was the person in-charge of the members.

Because it was also an isolated place, there were almost no opportunities to have proper conversations with other lady attendants.

…it’s strange.

That’s right, it was strange.

Certainly, Elmer-sama never went outside. But, why is everyone not aware of Elmer-sama?

It was if he doesn’t exist at all. Everyone calls the next price, Tim-sama, as the Third Prince.

She had an unpleasant hunch. Matthias-sama’s injury, and the story of the two lady attendants that were transferred.

Could it be possible… that Elmer-sama disappeared just as it is?

Uneasiness floated across Edna’s mind.

That’s right. If we keep our mouths shut, with this the people who knows Elmer-sama will just disappear.

She was told not to disclose anything, it was an order she can’t forget.

Edna gritted her teeth, and reflected on her sense of duty. She can’t just do such thing.

Diana-sama sacrificed herself to give birth to a child she will never know, it’s impossible for her to allow him to disappear just like that.

I can’t just end it like this!

*********

“I wonder what name should I call him!”

“Just now, this child kicked!” Rubbing her stomach, she laughed innocently.

Edna heard those words that will never come true, Diana-sama’s happy voice resounded in her head.

“I’ll watch over this child in your stead.” Saying that during Diana-sama’s last moments, she looked at Elmer-sama.

*********

A child who doesn’t have feelings? She doesn’t think so.

For vegetables, he likes it cooked raw. He hates carrots. He specially loathes food with b.u.t.ter. He likes tomatoes. He eats little for breakfast, but eats a lot during lunch. He prefers calm colors than flashy colors.

She understood when she saw. Edna thinks he was just awkward at expressing anything.

How could they say that Elmer-sama has no feelings?

It’s wasn’t just because of what she said so to Diana-sama. She thinks of Elmer-sama as her own child.

Surely, there must be a reason. Elmer-sama seemed have been planning something. It may seem strange to think like that about such a small child but… even so, she secretly took care of him without interfering.

At that time when he sat down on his favorite chair and looked up at the sky, she saw Elmer-sama and understood.

This person is going to fulfill something.

If that’s the case, as far as you’ll permit, I’ll follow you wherever you go.

*********

Where would Elmer-sama go to?

She has no doubt that Matthias-sama is searching for Elmer-sama. But, with that injury… surely he won’t be able to move in that condition. And he isn’t in the royal palace right now.

At the moment, the only person who can do something is her.

If he suffered any danger because of anyone… I won’t forgive them.

Fortunately, there isn’t anyone in this country who can see in the darkness better than her. The most advantageous time to move will be at night. The people working at the royal palace wouldn’t be able to match someone from a different race. Strong physical strength in a limit. Her physical strength is very strong.

At that moment, it was the first time she was thankful to be born with that body.

[Matthias]

After collapsing in Fer and Ric’s room, I woke up to find that I’m at my home.

I tried to look for Elmer-sama several times, but I was stopped by the people near me. If it’s the usual, I would be able to shake off from their hold easily. The fact that I wasn’t able to do that only shows that my injury certainly weakened me.

As it is, until I can stand up, I won’t be able to return to the royal palace.

Now that I think about it, I can ask for help from this guy beside me.

My foster brother, Leont. When spent our childhood thinking of each other as brothers, we even went to the same academy together.

As of now, he’s an apprentice butler at our House.

I told Leo everything. I requested, please take me to the royal palacae somehow.

Leo grinned when he heard that. He is a simple man who puts on his uniform in disarray. Still, he is surely reliable.

“What are you willing to give?”

“Anything.”

“How about…”

“How about a lady attendant in the royal palace?”

Instead of answering me, Leo grinned and went out of the room. We’ll leave in thirty minutes from now on, he left those words.

Exactly twenty minutes later. I heard a lot of screams and explosive sounds.

And then, [Run Away] Leo entered the room with a refreshed face. That smiling figure as he held out a hand was on the contrary, terrifying.

But, I don’t have time to hesitate. I didn’t waver and took his hand.

On the horse, during on the way to the royal capital.

“Leo… could it be that you…”

“No, you don’t have to praise me~”

I can’t bring myself to say anything anymore.

I was able to imagine what Leo did.

He scattered several fireworks all over the mansion. Leo doesn’t have much firepower, but his control surpa.s.ses everyone. He is a guy who can handle magic accurately similar to threading a needle.

He must have prepared fireworks in several locations in the s.p.a.cious mansion, and then ignited them simultaneously, I’m sure about it. Yes, that’s absolutely the case.

When Leo laughs in that manner, I forgot that it won’t result to anything good.

“Elder Brother…”

Today, Elder Brother should be at the House. Leo is no match for Elder Brother. Why in the world did he not come after me? Father specifically told him not to let me go to the royal palace.

“That’s right. Since you’re going back, while you’re at it, return this, too.”

Leo handed over something to me.

“What? …!”

Isn’t this one of Elder Brother’s treasured tea cups!? I’ve seen this displayed in his room.

Leo… you took this as hostage…

Is this man really an apprentice butler?

Elder Brother is the first son, it goes without saying that he’ll be the next head of the family.

This man is dangerous.

This man who’s riding next to me in a horse in order to escape, traveled with a carefree look.

*********

“Is this really okay?”

Leont anxiously asked me who was having difficulty in breathing.

Even if I’m running out of breath my stamina is still alright at this situation, I face this man next to me and waved my hand.

Even if my strength is at its limit, I can’t afford to stop right now.

After entering the royal palace, I descended from the horse and went towards the office.

It was just exactly when I pa.s.s by near the Knight Order training school.

“Hii-!!”

I heard a small m.u.f.fled scream nearby.

“Matthias.”

“Yes.”

I nodded at Leo’s gaze. That is not part of the training. That is a scream filled of teror. I’m certain something happened.

I drew the sword in my hand, we went around the back of the warehouse slowly. It’s here! My sharpened senses felt the presence clearly.

I held out a hand to tell Leo to wait, and then a face appeared at the darkness ahead.

“Wha-?”

I gave away my voice. It can’t be helped. Because I saw something that is just unbelievable.

“What is it!?”

Leo who was standing at my back, pushed me aside and looked ahead. However, he immediately stopped moving.

“Matthias-sama, it’s terrible!”

“It’s terrible here as well…”

“Yes…well…”

“Eh? Aa…”

Elmer-sama’s lady attendant, Edna was there. She is the most senior lady attendant who served Elmer-sama since he was born.

What was grasp by her one hand was the neck of a man, and then the man was dropped to the ground’s surface with a thud.

Without even glancing at the man, she said.

“Matthias-sama! Elmer-sama is in a disaster…! For now, let’s go to the Second Branch of the Knight Order!”

“What do you mean? Why the Knight Order?”

“I’ll tell you while we run there!”

A very menacing look was shown by Edna, and then she started running.

For some reason, Leo followed with a desperate look, too. Even if I said in the beginning that I only wanted to be taken to the royal palace.

“Though I checked various places in the palace were for one week, there was no information on Elmer-sama at all.”

Is that so? What an amazing information regulation she accomplished.

“However, today I heard they caught a girl with silver hair for the crime of attempted a.s.sa.s.sination against Matthias-sama one week ago.”

It can’t be…! A girl… perhaps…

Even if I don’t know and I haven’t seen it… it’s not strange.

I know. There’s no one other than Elmer-sama who has silver hair.

“Shoot…”

Leo muttered something seriously from our backs.

“Somebody forbid the Knight Order from speaking about it.”

“I understand. Let’s hurry!”

Ric and the others haven’t contacted me even once, and this is the only clue I have. I have to crush all the possibilities one by one, or I won’t be able to move on.

I didn’t mind my hurting wound and sharp breath.

Nevertheless, I ran towards the Second Branch.

“Matthias-sama, this way please.”

I forcibly kept away the soldier who tried to stop us. The soldier to next to Edna was strangled and then thrown away. Should a lady attendant’s impression be like this?

Leo… Leo still haven’t uttered anything. He pretty much a.s.sisted us, and he’s not a hindrance but it’s still weird. He usually won’t shut up when he fights.

The strangled soldier gave out information, and then we went towards where the silver-haired girl is.

Gradually, the pa.s.sage dimmed and narrowed.

Cold sweat appeared on my back.

Descending to the bas.e.m.e.nt, we ran into a small door.

The moment it was opened, my body trembled with anger.

The unexpected sound of the door opening made the man release his hold on someone in surprise, and the person he was holding down stood. Although he was tied up, the figure struggled desperately when he felt a hand on him.

That was the beat-up Elmer-sama. He had so many wounds. What…

Elmer-sama who saw me widen his eyes, at once he smiled in visible relief.

“Matthias-sama, this brat is your…”

“Shut up.”

What happened was evident.

My magic viciously swelled.

This person, towards Elmer-sama…

“Right now, torture is just…”

“Shut up.”

Do not open you filthy mouth.

Behind me, I know Edna is clenching her fists. Aa, my bad, but I will take care of this.

My magic became uncontrollable. Even if I suppressed it, it’s overflowing. This hasn’t happened before. No, suppressing it, that’s something unnecessary. At a corner of my mind, I thought it’s as if it’s similar to a magic [Explosion]. I, who kept waiting for Elmer-sama’s explosion, experienced it myself.

Even so, that’s fine. If that’s the case, let me be reborn at this moment.

A large number of fire tornadoes surrounded me.

That very same day, the Second Branch building owned by the Knight Order was annihilated. The Headquarters and the Third Division were partially destroyed.