Chapter 21: Luke Notos Greyrat — Part One

────Luke’s Perspective────

"They let a few get away, but all the corpses were wearing armor bearing the Notos crest."

"I had already braced myself for it… but this leaves no doubt. Lord Pilemon has betrayed us."

There was no room for excuses.
The master of the North God Style, said to have served as the Notos family’s bodyguard for years—just as Father had told me—that must have been one of the assassins, Wii taa himself.

He had declared Father’s break with Lady Ariel, and even gone so far as to demand custody of me.

It can also be assumed that Auber and Nuckelgard, who claimed the title of North God’s Three Swordsmen, were hired through their connection with him.

If not for Rudeus and his companions being with us, they would have certainly had the strength to wipe us out in that ambush. I had no choice but to accept that Father was already our enemy.

"At least… I’m relieved Rudy’s treatment made it in time. When I saw even his organs cut and spilling out, I thought it was over."

"It’s thanks to the clean cut. I had a similar case back when I was still an adventurer. Magicians are fragile, so blades cut through them cleanly. If it’s only a slash, a healer can often save them. Zenith once told me that."

"Those North God Swordsmen… they were formidable. Without Sylphy’s support, I wouldn’t have made it through unscathed either."

Despite the ferocity of the battle, none of us were killed.

Rudeus, who had pressed too far ahead to face the North Emperor, had been cut down, but in exchange he inflicted a mortal wound on Wii taa himself. Now, with treatment finished, he lay resting in a simple tent at the back.

Aside from the fact that Father had betrayed us, it was nothing less than a complete victory.

"By the way, Princess… what did Wii taa mean about handing Pilemon over to me?"

──Here it comes.

"Lord Pilemon… no, Pilemon Notos Greyrat was originally one of my vassals. But ever since he lost the political struggle and fled to Ranoa, we’ve had no contact. I know nothing of his present state. If, despite that, he has chosen to offer his own person to you of all people…"

"You mean, as vengeance for Lord Sauros… so that’s it. But you weren’t involved in that incident back in Asura, were you?"

"Of course not. And I have no intention of protecting him either, as per the original terms of our agreement."

Coldly, the plans for Father’s death were being laid. Even if he had served loyally until the moment of betrayal, it was only natural—he had sent such assassins against us. If killing him also served as payment for Ghislaine and Eris, who had just saved us from crisis, then all the more reason not to spare him.

(So Father… is going to die.)

Understanding couldn’t catch up. Acceptance wouldn’t come. Only the realization that Father’s death was now imminent grew stronger.

Because of Rudeus’s intervention, a way to persuade Perugius had been found. Because of the Sword Kings Rudeus brought, the crisis had been averted. And now, to those very Sword Kings, Father who betrayed us was being offered up.

(What the hell is this…?)

"Please wait, Lady Ariel. Doesn’t this strike you as strange? How did Wii taa know that Ghislaine had joined us? How did he know of a reward only we knew—that she would be given the chance for revenge? …Someone must have leaked information and tricked Father into betrayal!"

"Are you suggesting that, on top of Pilemon’s treachery, we also have a traitor among ourselves?"

"It’s not impossible! Ever since Rudeus suddenly declared he would come with us, everything has gone too smoothly. Our timetable was advanced far too quickly. And now, when Rudeus’s behavior is so full of shadows, to simply brand Father an enemy without thought is—!"

Even to myself my words sounded incoherent, desperate. I was twisting the argument to divert attention from Father’s fate. Before I could finish, though, the killing intent radiating from the Sword Kings choked me into silence.

"Either way, if he sent assassins, then he has admitted to being Lord Sauros’s murderer. If you protect him, we’ll kill you too."

"Luke, I get that you’re shaken, but to suspect Rudy—who nearly died in that attack just now—that’s absurd. Besides, yes, it’s also Orsted’s command, but Rudy himself said his real purpose is to help us."

Hearing Sylphy calmly say that, I felt my sanity slipping.
On the Sky Fortress, through Perugius’s spirits, I had heard those words of his—non-answers that dodged every question. How could anyone trust that? He said he wanted Lady Ariel’s backing as a queen. Then why hide the existence of his master Orsted?

"You actually… believed those words? Those hollow words with not a shred of sincerity? The same Orsted you were so sure could never be trusted—Rudeus must be deceived too! You said it yourself countless times—Orsted cannot be trusted, everything is his sche—"

"Enough already, Luke!"

"After many discussions, we chose to trust him—Lord Rudeus—fully aware that Orsted stood behind him. That’s why we travel together now."

"You should have known this. From the moment we fled to Ranoa, we expected that by the time we returned with power, your father might stand against us."

"But still… but this—this is insane! Just now Rudeus nearly died, used up and thrown away under Orsted’s command! And now, in this state, you want to dance to someone’s tune and kill Father? Can you really claim with certainty we’re not making a terrible mistake…?"

Yes. This is insane. I cannot accept it.

"You’ve been whining nonstop, Luke. Rudeus said he’ll handle it, so shut up and trust him."

"Wh—huh…?"

"Rudeus decided this was the best way, because he wants to save both us and you. Isn’t that enough to believe in?"

What kind of logic was that? As if everything Rudeus did could never go wrong, as if everything would always work out…

"And if it doesn’t, then we’ll help him. That’s all."

"Eris, that’s… exactly what Roxy said…"

"S-shut up! So what if it is!?"

A shock like being struck ran through me.

It was true that lately Rudeus had been acting suspicious, withholding things he should have said, hiding countless secrets. Even aside from Father, anyone could see it was unnatural.

And yet she—no, Sylphy too… likely Ghislaine as well. All of them had chosen to believe in Rudeus. To set their resolve so that whatever the result, they could accept it. To follow him, no matter what happened.

"Lady Ariel. I am your knight."

"Yes, I know that."

"Whatever happens, I will remain at your side until the very end."

"Yes, I know that as well."

"…Before deciding my father’s fate, may I speak with Rudeus?"