Chapter 163 - Damn Reincarnation

The Capital

“Are you all right?”

On the stairs leading to the surface, Carmen’s Black Lion Knights’ Third Division stood waiting. Nation, the deputy commander, approached with a grim expression when he saw her blood-soaked right arm.

“It’s a scratch.”

Nation had served Carmen for decades. He understood her better than anyone else and could interpret what she really meant by that excessively cool reply.

‘She means it hurts like hell.’

It wasn’t fatal. No bones were broken, nor were any muscles torn. It would heal just fine if left alone. Right now, however, it hurt enough to bring tears to her eyes. Of course it did. She was bleeding enough to dye her entire sleeve crimson. How could it possibly not hurt?

Should he at least offer her a painkiller? Nation studied Carmen’s face. Cold sweat beaded on her forehead. That was the only reaction she showed... Had Eugene not been here, Nation would have handed her a painkiller without hesitation. But he understood her desire to remain a cool, indomitable warrior before someone so much her junior.

“... The White Dragon Knights are outside.”

“I imagine so. Is little Alchester here too?”

“Yes.”

Alchester. Eugene knew that name too.

Who was the strongest knight on the continent?

Certain names invariably came up whenever gossipmongers discussed the subject. Successive heads of the Lionheart family. The Immortal White Lion, Doynes Lionheart. The Silver Lion, Carmen Lionheart. The commanders of other renowned knightly orders.

Alchester Dragonic, commander of Kiel’s White Dragon Knights, was another constant presence on the list of candidates for the continent’s strongest knight.

He held the title of duke, but rarely appeared in high society and took no part in politics. In effect, Alchester’s dukedom was the emperor’s highest expression of affection for his old friend and escort knight, and a symbol of his standing as Kiel’s foremost knight.

Outside the building, there were no spectators. The imposing presence and aura of the knights surrounding the entire building kept onlookers from daring to approach.

“It’s been a long time.”

A red-haired man with a dragon engraved on his breastplate approached Carmen. Though this was Eugene’s first time seeing him in person, he recognized Alchester Dragonic at a glance.

‘Kiel’s foremost knight.’

Kiel’s current emperor, Straut II, often proclaimed publicly that Duke Alchester Dragonic was Kiel’s foremost and strongest knight.

That was because Lionheart did not offer the emperor absolute loyalty. For a long time now, he had employed all manner of methods in hopes of bringing Lionheart under his control.

It was understandable that he coveted them. There was Lionheart’s symbolic significance, and its power was too great for it to be considered a mere family...

The Black Lion Knights alone were considered the equals of the White Dragon Knights. Moreover, young knights intoxicated by chivalric romance hoped to join the White Lion Knights rather than Kiel’s Imperial Knights or the White Dragon Knights. That, too, was inevitable. Such young knights admired Vermouth the Great, who had fought the Demon Kings and saved the world, more than the emperor who ruled the empire.

“... Your right arm. Is it all right?”

Alchester Dragonic was that emperor’s closest confidant and escort knight. He was a handsome man with red hair and blue eyes. He spoke while looking at Carmen’s right arm, which was still dripping blood.

“It’s only a small scratch.”

“It looks like you need treatment.”

“Once you’ve finished your business, I’ll return to the estate and have it treated.”

Carmen looked back at the building as she answered. Despite the fierce battle that had taken place underground, the mansion’s exterior was intact. After confirming that she could sense no one inside, she spoke.

“Were any civilians caught up in this and injured?”

“No.”

“And you’ve been told what happened?”

“Your lieutenant gave me a rough account. I hear the Rakshasa Princess and her followers had occupied the mercenary company’s office down below?”

“First, I’d like to make it clear that Lionheart is entirely the victim in this disturbance,” Carmen said, wiping her blood-soaked hand on her trouser leg.

“... I heard that your family’s elf servant and a craftsman from a workshop were abducted. To get them back...”

Alchester’s eyes turned to Eugene.

“... The famous Eugene Lionheart stormed the Rakshasa Princess and her followers’ base alone.”

“To be precise, I didn’t storm it. I was escorted there.”

“Very reckless. Perhaps that comes with youth.”

Alchester muttered, narrowing his blue eyes. Eugene snorted and answered his questioning remark.

“An elf who had come out with me, and who was under my protection, was kidnapped right before my eyes. I simply couldn’t turn my back on that responsibility.”

“You have firm chivalric convictions. But understand, young man, that it was extraordinary luck that allowed you to escape with your life.”

“Is that what you’re waiting here to talk about?”

Carmen took the cigar from her mouth and held it between her fingers.

“Little Alchester. I imagine commanding the White Dragon Knights keeps you terribly busy.”

“... Please stop calling me little.”

“No matter how big you grow, you’re still little to me. I still remember when you were a snot-nosed brat, sniffling as you swung a wooden sword.”

“Enough of this pointless talk, please.”

“Then let’s discuss something more serious, Commander of the White Dragon Knights. I’m no warlord of Kiel, nor do I covet a noble title. But as a citizen born in the capital who loves Kiel, I’d like to offer some counsel to you, as commander of the White Dragon Knights, a duke, and a close confidant of His Majesty.”

Carmen’s voice grew cold. None of her usual, deliberately cultivated solemnity remained.

“Why are there dark elves here?”

“...”

“And not just any dark elf. The Rakshasa Princess, leader of Fury’s Independence Army. Weeks ago, I asked you to share information about whether she had entered the country, and even provided the relevant documents.”

“... That...”

“This isn’t something to discuss in a place like this, but the main family’s daughter-in-law gave a reasonable amount of money and valuables to several nobles in the Immigration Bureau to prepare for the Rakshasa Princess. Surely you aren’t going to start bringing up bribery?”

Daughter-in-law?

Did she mean Anisilla?

‘... Right, she’s their great-aunt.’

Eugene reminded himself of Carmen’s age.

“We Lionhearts are citizens who live in the capital, and we have every confidence that its public security is the best on the continent. Naturally, it should be. How much does Lionheart pay in taxes and donations every year? So why must we confront criminals kidnapping our family’s servants here in the capital?”

Carmen’s words were icy as she glanced at Eugene.

“And why on earth should he have to listen to you call him reckless over it?”

“... Please, calm your anger.”

Alchester let out a long sigh and shook his head.

“I understand that Lionheart is entirely the victim in this matter. ... As for the Rakshasa Princess... Yes, I’ll be frank. Kiel’s Immigration Bureau failed to detect the entry of the Rakshasa Princess and the dark elves under her command.”

“Then before they were kidnappers, they were illegal entrants?”

“... Yes.”

As the conversation continued, Eugene found Alchester’s reactions unexpected. Commander of the White Dragon Knights, the empire’s foremost knight... Those illustrious titles had led him to expect a stern man of old-fashioned character. Instead, Alchester seemed meek and mild-mannered.

“... I also apologize for the Public Security Bureau’s inadequate preparations for this incident in the capital. If you wish, Lady Carmen, I can inform you later who was held responsible for this matter and how.”

“The guard captain in charge of this district and the immigration officer need to be replaced.”

“I’ll give the orders.”

“Are you sure you can promise that so readily, little Alchester? His Majesty won’t be pleased with such measures.”

“Provided that everyone from Lionheart agrees to let today’s incident pass without pursuing it.”

Alchester raised his head as he spoke. Every White Dragon Knight surrounding the building took a step back.

THUD.

Their footsteps sounded as one. Eugene realized that apart from the White Dragon Knights, no one else remained on the street.

“... I see. So all we have to do is keep our mouths shut?”

“I don’t want needless rumors spreading and frightening the capital’s citizens.”

“Covering it up won’t solve anything.”

“We won’t cover it up. The Public Security Bureau will make an official announcement, with sufficient explanation and an appeal for understanding so the capital’s citizens can accept it.”

“And you intend to offer Lionheart nothing but an apology?”

“Is there something you want?”

Rather than answering immediately, Carmen considered for a moment. Eugene was privately impressed by how smoothly she conducted the conversation without relinquishing control. The Carmen before him was not a crazy old woman who held an unlit cigar in her mouth and concealed a weapon with the baffling name Heaven Genocide inside a pocket watch. She was an elder of Lionheart, possessed of experience befitting her age and position.

“I’d like you to station the White Dragon Knights outside the main estate’s walls in case the Rakshasa Princess attacks again.”

“For how long?”

“That’s for you to determine. The Rakshasa Princess withdrew from here. I don’t know where she went.”

“... Hmm.”

Alchester stroked his chin in thought.

“... Very well. Until we can confirm that the Rakshasa Princess has left Kiel, I will personally take charge of guarding the estate.”

“You personally?”

“Yes.”

His sideways glance met Eugene’s eyes. Alchester looked over Eugene’s uninjured body as he continued.

“I have a personal interest in this as well... You needn’t worry about His Majesty.”

Carmen considered this without immediately replying. Alchester’s personal interest. Surely that wasn’t all. The empire’s foremost knight and commander of the White Dragon Knights. Alchester was the emperor’s sword, never leaving his side. For such a man to leave the emperor and offer to guard Lionheart...

‘His greedy Majesty seems to be complaining of hunger again.’

Only a few days ago, Gilead, the family head, had personally visited the imperial palace to speak with the emperor. The Demon King of Incarceration’s warning. Preparations for a gathering to promote unity in response would begin this year.

In truth, no one was likely entertaining the idealistic notion of the entire continent uniting against Helmuth or the Demon Kings. Their aim would be to use the gathering as a pretext to measure their nations’ strength against one another and take whatever they could.

Straut II wanted to expand Kiel, already an empire, even further. Though caution toward Helmuth had caused those plans to peter out, as recently as last year the emperor had subtly displayed his ambition to conquer the desert kingdom of Nahama.

‘Lionheart has suffered an internal rebellion. Our strength has diminished, and the changes we’ve planned have yet to be fully accepted.’

Pride in being descendants of Vermouth the Great. That history was what Lionheart symbolized. The main family’s White Lion Knights were part of Lionheart’s strength, just like the Black Lion Knights, but Lionheart blood did not flow through their veins.

What bound the White Lion Knights together was loyalty to the family—the romance of serving “Lionheart.” But after suffering an internal rebellion, weakness, and humiliation, did Lionheart still possess the romance needed to inspire its knights?

‘... It does.’

Carmen’s conclusion was unwavering. The Immortal White Lion had died through his grandson’s treachery. The main family’s eldest son, blinded by a Demon King’s power, had risen in rebellion, backed by a collateral branch that refused to follow the main family. This rebellion was an unprecedented humiliation for Lionheart.

But Lionheart would not fall. Doynes Lionheart was dead, but Carmen Lionheart remained strong. The eldest son had betrayed his family? So what? Carmen looked at Eugene.

Twenty years old. Still young. But before long, that child would become someone every knight on the continent—not just those of Lionheart—regarded with awe. The battle against the Rakshasa Princess had given Carmen that certainty.

“... I can rest easy if you come.”

“You’ll be staying at the main estate as well in any case, won’t you, Lady Carmen?”

“You, me, and this boy. Three of us.”

Carmen spoke without taking her eyes off Eugene. Three... Alchester nodded with a faint smile.

“What exactly happened down there?”

“We fought the Rakshasa Princess.”

“The two of you together?”

“Yes. I would have liked to kill her, but a dark elf several centuries old who aspires to become the next Demon King proved every bit as formidable as you’d expect.”

While Carmen explained the situation to Alchester, Eugene sank into thought.

Iris must have withdrawn out of concern that the White Dragon Knights would intervene. She hadn’t wanted to face Alchester in addition to Eugene and Carmen.

‘... Some of this feels forced.’

Iris had never intended to negotiate over the elves. Nor had she considered behaving reasonably. She had entered Kiel illegally, killed the mercenaries, and occupied their office. Then she had kidnapped Levera to lure Eugene in.

‘Out of respect for Lionheart.’

That was what Iris had said. Lionheart would never negotiate with dark elves. Iris knew that perfectly well, so she had intended to lure Eugene in using Levera, then take him hostage.

Was that really necessary?

Iris’s Demonic Eyes of Darkness were far more developed than they had been three hundred years ago. She had abducted Levera so stealthily that Eugene hadn’t noticed, then vanished with her followers right before his eyes.

If she had decided to go so far as kidnapping and taking hostages, there would have been any number of things she could do. If she had deliberately sneaked into the main estate and tried to spirit the elves away with her Demonic Eyes of Darkness... how could they stop her?

‘... Was it not that she didn’t do it... but that she couldn’t?’

The main estate’s forest.

The World Tree had already taken root there and established a barrier to protect the elves.

‘She can’t get in.’

The corners of Eugene’s mouth twitched.

‘Then there’s no need to have the White Dragon Knights guard the main estate... No, that’s not right. Even if she can’t enter the forest, Iris might try some other brutish stunt.’

When his thoughts reached that point, Eugene couldn’t help wondering. If she went this far in none other than the Kiel Empire, and against Lionheart at that...

No matter how much respect the Demon King of Incarceration showed Iris as Fury’s daughter, there would no longer be a place for her in Helmuth.

‘... She intends to leave Helmuth.’

That was the conclusion Eugene reached. Public opinion in Helmuth had never once been favorable toward Iris and the dark elves. However much power she acquired, even if it rivaled a Demon King’s, Helmuth’s demons would not recognize her as a Demon King.

“... Hmm, my introduction is overdue.”

While Eugene had been lost in thought, Alchester and Carmen had finished their conversation. Alchester approached Eugene with a faint smile and offered his hand.

“I’m Alchester Dragonic.”

“I’ve heard much of your illustrious reputation.”

‘The only resemblance is the color of his hair and eyes.’

Eugene recalled the “Dragonic” he had met in his previous life.

His familiarity with Alchester Dragonic’s name and his interest in the man weren’t solely due to his reputation as Kiel’s foremost knight.

Three hundred years ago, Eugene had met Alchester’s ancestor.

‘That bastard who babbled about being half-human, half-dragon, born of a dragon...’

There had been a madman who abandoned his original surname and changed it to Dragonic.