Royal Capital II-1
"Good! We can infiltrate as volunteer soldiers!"
"Are you sure? We don't know what we'll face."
"No problem! I have my own reasons for being involved in this war."
Ignoring my concerns, Noel answers with unwavering confidence, gazing steadily toward the sky.
"Let's figure out the specifics later. How about it? Seems like there's nothing we can't do."
All eyes turn toward us.
"I think it's okay to carry out this plan. If we don't do anything, nothing will change. If we can end the war with minimal damage, fewer people will suffer in the future."
He scans the group, waiting for their response.
"Personally, I'd prefer not to get any further involved, but right now, your sword is mine. If you've made your decision to fight with resolve, then I'll stand by you—no matter where it leads."
"There are times when, even if the information is unknown to anyone, you have to take the risk and act on it."
"Of course I'll go with you!"
Their decision was made.
They were finally about to infiltrate the main hall.
A few days later, we had drawn so close to the palace that it was visible in the distance.
We moved by magical four-wheeled carriage to a nearby village, then concealed ourselves in the woods near the village, covered in soil and vegetation.
Using magic, we've dug a hole in the earth, so we're invisible at a glance.
We'll approach the palace from the village on horseback. Though our speed will slow considerably, this method feels more natural.
We'll move slowly, with a cart pulled by horses.
On the cart, William tended to Noel.
He had recovered enough to sit up and eat on his own, but wasn't fully well yet.
So, I took charge of attending to his daily needs.
At first, he seemed quite down, but now he seems to have regained much of his spirits.
After explaining the plan to William, he insisted on coming along, but since he wasn’t fully recovered, I had him wait with Coil on the cargo platform.
Now, the day of the infiltration.
The area was completely dark, with only a faint glow from the castle visible in the distance.
According to Alec, the town used to be brightly lit, but it seems the war has forced them into a much simpler way of life.
"Alright, both of you have your wind crystals?"
A silent nod comes from each of them.
"Fly toward the target point in a curved path. It's too dark for precise control. Make sure not to make a single sound, and don't let anyone see you."
Based on Alex's information, the entry point had already been predetermined. All that remained was to fly toward it.
Focusing on the wind crystals equipped to the two, the wind gradually transformed into a steady flow, gently lifting all three of them into the air.
Tracing a graceful parabola, they soon began their descent toward the capital city.
Beyond the outer wall, they aimed for the grounds lined with crumbling houses.
They gently descended onto a house with a roof that had collapsed, its structure completely ruined and clearly abandoned for many years.
Moving through the abandoned building, the three of them walked down a path lined with dilapidated, uninhabited homes.
It felt like a land cut off from the rest of the world.
Eventually, Alex stopped in front of one of the houses.
A dilapidated house, much like the others around, must have been especially harsh to endure in the harsh winter of the capital city. The kind of worn-down appearance that invited such thoughts.
Alex lightly tapped on the door.
It wasn't a loud sound, but the silence surrounding them made it echo strangely.
After a brief pause, an elderly man peered out through the crack in the door.
"May I trouble you for a moment?"
As soon as Alex confirmed the old man's presence, he lifted the hood deeply pulled over his face and revealed his features.
The old man's eyes widened in surprise, and without a word, he opened the door and invited the three of us into the room.
Once everyone had entered, we erected a curtain of air.
It was a crude imitation of the soundproof membrane that had once been used in Japan by KISAI with sonic crystals.
We doubled the air curtain and evacuated the air between the layers.
This created a vacuum state.
Sound travels through vibrations in objects. But if you create a vacuum and remove everything that can transmit sound, the sound simply disappears.
Feeling the moment was right, the old man before me began to speak.
"It's been a long time. My young master. I never thought you'd return—bringing such a powerful companion..."
The old man seemed on the verge of tears.
"Alek, introduce him."
"This is Greg, a former butler who once served in our household. He's looked after me since I was a child."
Ah, so that's why he looked so delighted...
"What brings you here this time?"
"I have some matters to attend to in the kingdom. I'd like to use this place as a temporary base. Greg, continue living here as usual."
"Hmm, I don't mind if you're just living a normal life, but what's the matter? Depending on the situation, I might be able to help."
"You're better off not knowing. Getting involved could lead to trouble you won't escape easily."
"Alex, dear... Do you know why I'm still living in the kingdom even now?"
Alex hesitated slightly at Greg's question.
"No, I'm sorry, I don't..."
"Because there are still people who rely on me."
Alex's face is shadowed and hard to see, but his eyes are surely wide open.
"Because you're still alive and still need me, I can fulfill my duty as your butler."
"Even if... even if what I'm trying to do brings shame upon the kingdom, can you still say that?"
"Of course I can. I serve you, Master Alex, not the kingdom."
"Is that so... Taro, I don't think there'll be any problem with telling Greg about the plan."
Having received Alex's approval, I relayed the strategy to Greg. As a result, we were able to obtain information about locations recruiting volunteer soldiers and factories mass-producing weapons.
Honestly, I knew nothing about the internal affairs of the kingdom, so this was a great help.
A few days after securing Greg's cooperation, the day arrived when Noelle would head out as a volunteer soldier.