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‘Is this hell?’

I haven’t lived a saintly life, but it wasn’t as if I’d led such a wretched existence that I’d end up in hell. But what on earth did I do to deserve this punishment and to live in this kind of hell? I had planned to take a breather in my hometown during the vacation at least.

The news also threw the other escorts from the three countries into confusion. They were all eager to return to their homelands for the handover of escort duties, but now they couldn’t due to this unexpected twist.

“Sir Villar! What on earth is happening?”

“I can’t believe that His Highness is staying in the empire; it’s absurd!”

The first to rush in were the escorts from the Armein Kingdom. They were the closest, which explained their swift arrival.

‘The tables have turned.’

Just a few days ago, they had been comforting and cheering me on. While they were completely finishing the handover during the vacation, I had to continue this mission until graduation.

Back then, they were consoling me with all sorts of words, but they were now in a frenzy and rushing towards me. It seemed like they might end up in a situation like mine, so they came to see if there was a way out.

“Enough.”

I understood their feelings, but I couldn’t accept it. How dare they make a fuss over something like this in front of someone who was forced to do it for three years?

“It’s His Highness Rutis’s decision. Following it is the virtue of a knight, isn’t it?”

“But Sir Villar…”

“It’s the will of the royal family.”

Upon hearing those words, those who came to protest fell silent.

We are from Armein, a country renowned for its chivalry. In addition to that, we belonged to the Royal Knights, who could proudly claim to be the best among everyone else.

We’re the sword of the royal family and the people who served them with utmost loyalty. It was our duty to uphold their will, and that sense of pride was what drove us to carry out the wishes of the prince, no matter what.

They probably knew it in their heads, but they couldn’t accept it in their hearts.

“What should we do about the replacement of the escort unit for the prince? I heard the selection process is already complete in our homeland.”

A knight finally spoke up amidst the silence.

Indeed, the selection of the replacement escorts had already concluded. These were individuals our homeland had carefully chosen while we were at the academy, and not exchanging them would make the whole ordeal useless.

Saying ‘Let’s replace them next time’ and simply returning everyone to their original posts would lead to complications. At the same time, waiting indefinitely was not a feasible option due to the shortage of personnel.

“I’ve contacted our homeland. They are searching for a solution, so please wait.”

Thanks to that, they were also working to find a solution back home. It was a matter of the prince’s safety, after all.

In any case, I dismissed the protesting knights with a simple instruction to wait. Maybe the act of protesting calmed them down because they left obediently.

“Sir Villar, we would like to speak with you for a moment.”

“Do you have time, brother?”

But why did you all come here?

The second group of visitors consisted of representatives from the United Kingdom of Yuben and the Holy Kingdom. They must have had serious matters to discuss, given the emergency, but I wondered why they had come.

This was not a matter that could be resolved by having the representatives from the three countries gather. Each of them should contact their respective homelands to find a solution.

“It’s alright. Please have a seat.”

However, I couldn’t just turn them away after they made the effort to come.

It wasn’t long before I regretted that choice. It would have been better if I had turned them away, even if they had stood there stubbornly.

“Even though I don’t know Prince Rutis well, I could tell that he is truly a knight. He’s always brave and dignified, taking the lead.”

= Hey, you punk. I heard your prince led them this time.

“I also think so. I envy Sir Villar for serving such a person.”

= Can’t you manage your prince properly?

They hadn’t come to discuss, but to protest.

‘Fuck.’

They sure had time on their hands. They even had time for a leisurely protest.

“You’re right. Prince Rutis’ bravery is a source of inspiration for the knights, but he isn’t just brave. He is also a wise person who knows how to lead people side by side, and isn’t someone who would stand alone.”

= So what about your prince or saint candidate? Aren’t they all on it?

There was a momentary pause in the conversation as there wasn’t much to say. Even though Prince Rutis did take the lead, it wouldn’t have been possible without the consent of Prince Lather and Saint Candidate Tannian. With so many parties involved, it was hard to assign blame.

Besides, they had approached the wrong person for their protests. I was also just a victim in this situation. It was just sad that even the victims were fighting among themselves.

In the end, the discussions among the representatives of the three countries only left wounds on each other. It was hopeless. My superior, Prince Rutis, was responsible for the trouble, while my subordinates were questioning me. Meanwhile, my fellow representatives were asking me to take responsibility. Was there anyone who was unluckier than me?

— It seems like the pastry club plans to stay in the capital during the vacation instead of the academy, so they can stay at my mansion.

“…That’s surprising news.”

It was indeed surprising.

The Executive Manager, who had been absent after the vacation ceremony, suddenly contacted me. What he said made my head spin, but a sense of relief washed over me at the same time.

‘His mansion.’

The pastry club included not only Prince Rutis but also Prince Lather, Prince Tannian, and even the Imperial Prince of the Empire. And he was allowing such influential figures to stay at his mansion?

I imagined for a moment how it would be if the pastry club members were to stay at my mansion. It was horrifying, and it wasn’t something anyone should go through.

— The security in the capital is thorough, so you don’t need to worry about the escorts. It might be a stretch for everyone, but how about taking some rest during this opportunity?

“Thank you for your consideration.”

I nodded slightly in response to the Executive Manager’s words. While it might be impractical for all three countries’ forces to enter the Capital, it seemed that some individuals would be allowed.

It was quite convenient. Our homeland decided to rotate at least some of the personnel, and it would work out perfectly if those who couldn’t enter the Capital were sent back to our home country.

Once the escort replacement unit from our homeland entered the Capital, the individuals who had been stationed there initially would return as a second batch. It wouldn’t be an easy process, but it was better than not having any solution.

‘Why is it that the Empire seems better?’

While the three countries, who were in the same situation, were left with nothing but wounded conversations, the Empire, which should have been the most cautious, was accommodating.

Was this okay? It left a bitter and surreal aftertaste somehow.

— The security of the distinguished guests will be a top priority for the Empire as well, so I hope you can relax during the vacation, Sir Villar.

At his words, I glanced at the Executive Manager’s face, almost unintentionally.

‘More than me…’

You should be the one who should take some time off and relax.

With his stern expression and deep dark circles, the young Executive Manager, who was barely a few years older than my daughter, looked pitiable, regardless of his reputation or notoriety.

It would have been easier if the Executive Manager had been an indifferent miscreant, but it was even harder to ignore someone who had been a reasonable negotiating partner all along.

“Thank you for your kind words.”

Let’s handle the matters of the three countries as quietly as possible. That’s the maximum consideration I could offer to the Executive Manager.

***

Since arriving at the Capital, time had surprisingly passed without any major incidents.

Our travel was limited to within the Capital, and even our only trip outside the Capital was to the Executive Manager’s territory. It wasn’t as bad as I had feared.

Ironically, the most agonizing period had been before arriving at the Capital. Those included the protests of those who had failed to return home due to Prince Rutis’s decision, the unexpected factor of being stationed in the Capital instead of the Academy as per the treaty, and the selection of personnel for the first batch, among other things.

‘I don’t want to go through this again.’

It was terrifying. I would have already collapsed if it weren’t for the prior experience I had while working with the Royal Knights.

Surprisingly, the Executive Manager’s words about feeling more at ease had some truth to them, and my worries about the escort had lessened somewhat.

I also sensed an unusual presence near the Executive Manager’s mansion.

It was probably the Empire’s forces, doubling as security and surveillance. Since there were no visible threats, I pretended not to know. It would be better to ignore it than to protest unnecessarily and end up losing more than I gained.

I wish there were similar unidentified forces in the academy, but that would just be my wishful thinking.

‘Now that it’s almost time to return, I’m starting to worry again.’

I sighed and ran my hand across my face. Compared to the Academy, life in the Capital had been somewhat more peaceful. That’s right. Time flies quickly when you’re at ease.

Knock knock—

“Sir Villar, it’s Ludwig.”

“Come in.”

While I was feeling frustrated, I heard Sir Ludwig’s voice as he knocked on the door and entered.

“The second batch of the escort replacement unit has entered the Empire.”

“Is that so?”

As soon as he entered, Sir Ludwig began talking about the matter at hand, and I nodded in agreement.

It was all going as planned. Now that they have entered the Empire, they should arrive at the academy before the opening ceremony. Those who were going back to our homeland would also return a day after the second batch arrived, so they should be able to welcome them properly.

“However, Sir Villar…”

Sir Ludwig hesitated unusually while holding a few sheets of paper.

He was acting strangely. If someone else were to do this, I would just wait quietly. However, Sir Ludwig was someone who was known for his cool and collected demeanor.

“…This is the list of the second batch of escort replacement unit.”

Sir Ludwig finally handed over the papers and quickly left.

‘Something is off.’

I didn’t know what it was, but it couldn’t be something normal if Sir Ludwig was so shaken.

Of all times, this had to happen at the very end of our stay in the Capital. What bad luck.

I quickly examined the list. Maybe there was a problem with it; otherwise, Sir Ludwig wouldn’t have acted this way. What in the world could it be… What?

‘What the hell.’

Did I read it wrong?

I checked the list several times because I saw a name that shouldn’t have been there.

Perosa Ganelli.

That’s right. I read it correctly.

‘Why…?’

Why was her name on this list?

She was a young girl who wasn’t even twenty yet, diligently training in our territory.

I did feel lonely during my time in the Empire and wanted to see my daughter. However, that was a desire to escape this hell and return home, not a wish for my precious daughter to come to this hell.

I stared at the list for a while, feeling powerless.

‘Are there any people who are more unlucky than me?’

At the very least, I don’t think there would be more than one.

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