“It’s not fast; it’s actually slow.”

We didn’t have much time. While Viscount Piren did his job, I also had something to do. Even if the attention on me diminishes with the continuation of the disturbance, if I judge that the internal forces of Nagata have reached their limits, Bake will naturally have to pull troops from nearby territories.

Of course, that would include the Pata Territory.

“Understandably, you’re impatient, but don’t overdo it. If you collapse right now… ugh, I should go alone[Dash], especially now.”

“No. I must be prepared for the worst.”
Until the turmoil in Nagata settles down, Bake won’t have the capacity to pay attention to other territories. Taking advantage of everyone’s focus on calming the chaos, there was a relatively undisturbed opportunity to use the name of Lady Crayton, the viscountess, without much interference from Bake.

In case something happened, I intended to use the name of the viscountess as a last resort. But in reality, that was just a pretext to move directly.

If my brother is really there, no matter what excuse I make, I had to go.

Regretting not going when it was needed has already been enough.

“Still, Lady, you should rest[Dash].”

“I told you. There’s no time.”

I had to finish everything before dawn and head back to the original destination. Although I couldn’t be sure if my daughter was at the end, I couldn’t stop if there was even a slight hope.

Even before confirming whether my brother is really alive, from the moment I faced the hope that he might be alive, I once again thought of Merial’s face.

So, this pain is nothing. If my daughter could come back, I could endure more than this pain, even give up my life. It must have been like that.

Suddenly, one face came to mind. I tried to push the memory away, but the pungent taste spreading in my mouth made me squint. My cracked lips showed signs of tearing.

I couldn’t overcome the strange taste on my tongue and looked back once.

Nagata wasn’t visible, but I preferred it that way.

I decided to think that way. As if the stinging in my eyes was due to the wind.

“Why are you here?”

“It seemed like you needed help.”

“Help? Are you saying that?”

“It was just two of us, but it seemed you couldn’t handle it.”

Kalyx pointed to the window with a chin.

The place Bake chose for the strategy meeting was the highest place in the mansion. Even though the details were not visible from here, the entire view of the castle came into sight at a glance. With a little attention, the overall situation could be easily understood.

Boldly lighting torches and rushing into the castle, the slaves, now wearing the armor of soldiers, were extinguishing the castle’s lights one by one. Thanks to this, as the boundaries between enemies and allies blurred, the soldiers of Crayton were being helplessly attacked.

“The castle is already getting very dark.”

“I appreciate your concern, but this is my business. Do you really think I can’t defeat such lowly guys?”

“We’ll see when it happens.”

There was a sneer on Kalyx’s lips. Bake, with his face turning red, roughly wiped it away with his hand, eventually unable to endure it, and gripped the crooked cravat of his clumsy subordinate.

“Is support coming?”

“It will be here soon.”

“You need to speed it up. In my opinion, the castle falling might be faster than the reinforcements arriving.”
Bake’s eyes trembled at Calix’s sudden intrusion. Of all times, why does that guy have to be here when things are happening?

“No help is needed, so it would be better for the viscount to leave right away. It would be troublesome if he gets swept up in the affairs of another family and hears regretful comments.”

“Instead of a thankful greeting, it’s a bit disappointing to hear you telling me to leave.”

“…The situation has prevented me from offering my greetings. Thank you for helping my wife, Viscount Peren.”

“Thanks should be given to Her Majesty.”

“Her Majesty?”

“Coincidences aren’t so common in this world. And this is just the beginning.”

Calix still gazed out the window with Bake still in the background.

The momentary new fire had diminished even more. It was obvious which side the goddess of victory was smiling towards.

“Now you say it’s just the beginning. What does that mean?”

“Crayton seems to be remarkable. Even mere slaves have such exceptional skills.”

“…”

“You recently moved your residence.”

Bake turned his head with a sarcastic gesture. Come to think of it, it was strange. Those who invaded the castle seemed more like well-trained soldiers than slaves.

“Weird talk[Dash].”

“For now, consider it a warning, but who knows if it will happen again next time.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Your Highness.”

Bake tried to smile, but the forced smile that only lifted his lips looked awkward.

“If you pretend not to know, there’s nothing we can do, but it seems it would be good to make one thing clear. If you can’t keep it, how about settling it?”

“…Settling?”

“Everyone knows about it, and he shouldn’t be ignorant. That our desires overlap.”

With only a slight movement of his head, Calix stared at Bake.

Bake extended his tongue, moistening his dry lips. Although coveting another man’s wife is a despicable act, the man in front of him seemed to have no intention of hiding it. Instead, his sunken eyes seemed even deeper than before.

“I don’t trust anyone. Not even Her Majesty, and not even your man. None of them.”

“…”

“Just get along well in a mutual understanding. And it seems everyone is slowly realizing that fact. Someone who might think we’re brothers, as our ways of thinking were somewhat similar.”

“…”

“It’s not just you who received the proposal.”

Calix walked briskly with an expressionless face. Caught off guard by the sharp momentum, Bake involuntarily took a step back, only belatedly realizing the fact and blushing.