“Just what is going on here? For the emperor to die in this manner.”

It was early morning.

The faces of the nobles who had begun to gather one by one at Sinclair’s summons were filled with shock.

“Wasn’t this what everyone was expecting anyway? Ever since Hister turned his back on the emperor, there could be no other ending but this.”

Among them, there was one person who spoke with an unconcerned expression.

It was Anellie.

“You are right about that, Lady Anellie.”

Duke Heswin, who was walking beside Anellie, nodded in agreement.

“From the beginning, there was only one path for the emperor’s survival. To side with Prince Sinclair.”

If he had at least bargained with his own life and colluded with Sinclair, perhaps things would not have come to this. Of course, it’s questionable whether Sinclair would have accepted that.

“…But I, too, find it somewhat unexpected. No matter how predetermined the end was, what reason was there to go this far?”

Duke Frederick muttered softly with a slightly sickened face, and Heswin said nothing.

Although it was around dawn when the emperor was assassinated by Hister, the rumors began to spread faster than expected. As if someone had prepared in advance.

The content of the rumors was simple.

The glorious emperor of the shining Edenbell had been found literally butchered by a sword.

And the true culprit was none other than Sinclair.

“The more brutal it is, the greater the anger towards the culprit will be, is what he must have calculated. And that will indeed be the case.”

Anellie spoke in a dry voice.

“Has Prince Sinclair ever mentioned having any other plans?”

Duke Frederick looked like a person who was surprised that what had happened was much bigger and more cruel than he had expected. So, no matter what, he seemed to want a definite answer, but everyone slowly shook their heads.

“He deliberately did not say. His Highness doesn’t trust anyone. Even if it’s us.”

“In a way, it’s a wise choice. Isn’t that how the position of emperor is supposed to be?”

Anellie shrugged slightly and then, unlike before, lowered his voice and spoke quietly.

“What about the private soldiers? Duke Heswin.”

“…As the prince said, we plan to gather them as soon as Prince Hister makes a move again.”

Sinclair had told them in advance.

Today, that is, immediately after the fact of the emperor’s death becomes known.

If Hister shows new movements, gather all the private soldiers waiting near the imperial palace.

Right here to this palace.

“I see.”

Anellie nodded as if he understood.

“But why is Count Wilter so silent? Are you perhaps scared like Duke Frederick?”

Everyone’s gaze turned to Count Wilter, who had remained silent.

Strangely enough, he had an even more disturbed face than Duke Frederick.

“Count Wilter? Is something the matter?”

“Actually, I have been in contact with Lord Chaz every morning. Ever since he became close with Prince Sinclair.”

“However.”

“His guard knight Rabi would come to check on his safety every day without fail, but yesterday, Rabi did not come.”

Could it be.

It was at that very moment when tension was evident on everyone’s faces.

“You were all here.”

It was Rex, who also had a visibly tense face, who greeted them.

“As you know, the imperial palace will soon become dangerous. So from here, I will escort you.”

“Where is His Highness?”

“…You will find out soon enough.”

Although Rex’s vague answer was not entirely satisfactory, it was not a situation where it was incomprehensible for him to keep his mouth shut like that. So, except for Count Wilter, everyone nodded as if they understood.

“…I don’t think I can do that.”

“Pardon?”

“I think I need to go to Lord Chaz’s palace first. For some reason, I keep getting a bad feeling…”

And Count Wilter, looking at Rex and the others as if to ask what he meant, said,

“Sir, could you send one of your men to my side? Wouldn’t that suffice?”

“Understood.”

No sooner had the answer fallen, Count Wilter began to leave the place with hurried steps.

* * *

After everyone had gathered and left.

Sinclair was alone, guarding the bedroom filled with memories of himself and Elaina.

“……”

Sinclair, who had been standing still in front of the door, silently scanned the empty space one by one, as if looking at it.

[Sinclair, Sinclair….]

Wherever he looked, wherever he stepped, he heard Elaina’s voice from sometime. That kind and gentle voice that used to call his name with so much love.

…Can we go back to that time?

If we succeed in all of this.

[My safety is something I’ll take care of myself.]

There was only one reason Sinclair had sent Elaina to the former empress’s villa.

In the unlikely event that he fails this time, her life would also be in danger.

He didn’t care at all if he died or got hurt. He had never cherished himself in the first place. Sinclair had always cursed himself for ruining Eli’s life like that and shamelessly living on.

Moreover, now Elaina wouldn’t worry about him either, so it was even more so.

So, for Sinclair, the only thing that mattered was Elaina’s safety alone.

Also, what scared him the most.

[Even after all that has happened, I still love you. The one thing I can do best is just that, and that fact will never change no matter what the situation.]

When you heard what I had to say through Schuler, did you smile? Or did you still shed tears with an angry face?

Perhaps you didn’t show any expression at all. Because now, no matter what happens to me, I have become a person who doesn’t matter to you.

So you might have even liked it. Saying that no matter what, no matter the reason, you could leave my side, which you were sick and tired of, even for a while.

Sinclair smiled bitterly.

“…But just in case.”

Then, as he always did whenever he faced Elaina, he began to mutter softly in a warm voice.

“I’ll try not to get hurt as much as possible.”

Those words that would never reach Elaina.

“You are a kind and gentle person unlike me, so if I get hurt… Even though you don’t want to, you might feel heartbroken.”

Having finished speaking, Sinclair slowly lowered his head as if performing a very grand ritual.

And he prayed with all his heart to the god who had never been on his side.

Please, just this once, protect Elaina.

…In the end, the reason Sinclair begged god was always Elaina, and Elaina was the only one who didn’t know it.

“……”

After a long time had passed, Sinclair slowly raised his head.

Now, it was really time to move.

He stood still and looked around the bedroom filled with love and affection one last time, closing his eyes tightly as if vowing never to forget those moments.

* * *

It was not long after Anellie and Heswin’s party had arrived at the palace that Hister, who had announced the emperor’s death, began to make his real move.

What should he do?

In what way should it be done to make it the most miserable and pathetic?

Even while thinking about it all night, Hister did not let his guard down. He made sure to check where Sinclair was staying without fail and continued to receive reports on who he had been in contact with.

He thought he might try to run away.

He already knew that they were each gathering private soldiers to strike at each other. Sinclair would be the same.

So, right after the emperor’s death, he thought Sinclair would immediately leave the palace, find a safe place, gather strength with his private soldiers, and rebel.

But Sinclair didn’t do that.

Rather, he didn’t leave the prince’s palace as if telling them to openly capture him.

…What trick is this?

But there was nothing to worry about. Hister had already finished all the preparations and had in his hands the evidence to frame Sinclair as the emperor’s assassin.

“We will go to the prince’s palace right now.”

So, to the soldiers of the imperial palace.

And even the private soldiers of Lundberry and Rockford gathered in one place, Hister gave orders with a very bright smile.

“If anyone stands in your way, cut them down no matter what. You know what that means, right?”

“Yes.”

The soldiers and private soldiers bowed their heads in response, and Hister took the lead and set foot inside Sinclair’s palace.

“Not even the maids are seen.”

Liam, Hister’s guard knight, muttered narrowing his eyes slightly, but Hister responded with a grin as if it was nothing.

“The rumor that Sinclair killed the emperor must be shaking the entire capital already, so of course it would be like this.”

“……”

“Wouldn’t their own lives be important to them?”

There was nothing particularly wrong with Hister’s words. Moreover, there weren’t many people in the prince’s palace to begin with, so it was even more so.

…But what is this ominous feeling?

Liam moved his steps along with Hister, trying to hide the anxiety that he could not clearly identify the root of. Continuing to closely observe the surroundings.

And before long……

His group arrived in front of the bedroom where Sinclair would be staying.

“……”

Hister’s mouth twisted into an unpleasant arc as he looked at the tightly closed bedroom door.

Now it all ends.

Finally, at last.

“The criminal who dared to assassinate the glorious emperor of the shining Edenbell!”

With that bloody smile, Hister began to shout loudly in a resounding voice.

“Capture the traitor Sinclair Butler!”

“Yes!”

And with a very satisfied expression, he kicked the bedroom door with all his might.