5 reality and ideal (5)
It might have been better to give up one.
At least there won’t be any innocent people.
But since it had already been spilled, there was no turning back.
“… Didn’t Black say something else?”
“It was a word that came out while asking for regards. I made an offer first, but… I was persuaded.”
From noblemtl.com
Kaden deliberately declined to elaborate on the content of the conversation.
It belonged to the personal realm, so he wanted to respect the thoughts of himself and the two of them.
“You must resent me.”
“… … .”
“I should have behaved better… Greed preceded it.”
Brandis slowly stops and closes her eyes.
From noblemtl.com
Just having the title of Setinos Quasar stripped away was a humiliating thing.
In addition, bureaucrats and nobles will doubt Zion even though they do not understand the decision.
Perhaps other Cetinos quasars and astute nobles could see through to the meaning of Zion’s punishment.
“I also said that I would enter the palace as soon as possible.”
“That will be our last meeting.”
“It’s not like that. If Your Majesty calls, Black will always come running.”
“That is shameless. From the moment the punishment was given, blackness became abandoned. How can I call back the one I abandoned!”
Brandis poured out his emotions without hesitation.
From the time Shion told her to punish her, I could see her heart.
He must have had a great disappointment towards himself, and he must have been fed up with his family and brother.
As time went on, the situation worsened, and he had no choice but to come to the conclusion that he would cut himself down.
“Black is considering Miss Brandis’ feelings… … .”
“So it is wrong. A black knight like no one else. Is it okay to treat a hero who gave his life for this country like this?”
“Your Majesty, just because you want it doesn’t mean you can have it. If black is a waste, you can use another method.”
Brandis also knew the answer.
But I couldn’t decide.
Because if you do it any other way, you have to give up more than that.
“Even though you say you can’t say it, do you insist on only one method?”
“Because that method is in the best interests of Your Majesty.”
“Isn’t black a friend of your husband?”
“… I decided to think of my partner before my colleagues. I want His Majesty to make a decision as well.”
“Boss… … .”
Brandis looks at Caden in a state of lamentation.
From noblemtl.com
Kaden showed a sad look, but his expression remained the same.
Even if he turned away from the black knight, he would have been willing to take the blame for himself.
“The crime is deceit and dereliction of duty. As a result, the title of Setinos Quasar and part of the property were confiscated as punishment. Can I finish it with?”
“Black was also expecting property confiscation.”
“I won’t take much. To show an example… a little bit… … .”
Brandis was speechless.
For the sake of his own comfort and the well-being of the country, he was trying to frame a person.
Of course, because of this, the black knight won’t be swept away in a power struggle, but he won’t be able to clear his name until he dies.
“Boss.”
“Yes.”
“This me… Are you still in love?”
“I know it’s an unavoidable choice.”
“Do you not regret marrying me?”
“From the time I cared for Your Majesty until now… I always love you.”
“… … .”
Brandis felt relieved just by hearing that.
The usual Caden would not have overlooked such an act.
He only reluctantly acquiesced to it because it was related to him.
‘I don’t know what to say to Black.’
* * *
Alein Kingdom’s outskirts, Aliard Castle.
Compared to a few years ago, the invasion of monsters had decreased, but the number of troops did not drastically decrease.
Even if the 3 Great Demon Kings and the 4 Great Calamities had disappeared, the Witch Beast itself remained.
The purple shrine clearly revealed the fact in front of the king and officials, and as a result, it was possible to end it by reducing only some troops in the border area.
“… Did you hear the news?”
The purple priestess, Baltz Cabadrion, looked out of the castle and opened her mouth.
The knight next to him was silent for a moment before answering reluctantly.
“I did.”
“I want to hear your thoughts.”
“You are not like that. Something must be wrong.”
Seran showed sharp eyes and affirmed.
In the meantime, he spent time in the remote area, trained his swordsmanship, and fought endless battles with demons.
I felt that I was getting stronger, and the amount of magical power gradually increased.
Even in the midst of changing himself, he could not accept the news that came from the capital.
“I think so too, but… There must be a reason.”
“Why?”
“Your Majesty made a choice you didn’t want, and Black was forced to make a choice.”
“… … ?”
Saeran thought it over several times, but couldn’t figure out the meaning of the words.
Balz kept his posture for a while, but belatedly turned his head.
“Don’t you understand?”
“I don’t know why that should be.”
“You should know the details. It’s a situation where black people have no choice but to be dragged around.”
“Why does black have to be dragged around?”
“That is what power is all about. The more you have, the more you want to have, and even if you want to be quiet, you won’t leave it alone. Black must have tried to get out of there, but he was caught inevitably.”
“If it’s around… Are you referring to a noble family?”
“The Marquis of Regiard and the Duke of Adelaira. What else do you think there is?”
“I understand that Black’s older brother married the 3rd princess.”
“What else?”
“Black is connected to the dukedom of Adelaira, and the dukedom… … .”
Saeran paused and recalled something he had forgotten.
There must have been confusion a long time ago because of a duke.
Could it be that even the black knight came under suspicion because of that one thing?
“This makes no sense. Are you saying you’re going to blame Black for something that’s already been done?”
“Even when a person dies, power does not disappear. It just goes over to someone.”
“There’s no way black people will revolt!”
“Shhh, I have to cover my words.”
Valtz calms Saeran and looks around.
Even in the capital, it would be quite noisy because of this, but I couldn’t spread rumors even in the outskirts.
The morale of the soldiers had to be prevented from falling, and the king’s authority should not be shaken.
“Black has risked his life to protect the kingdom of Alain! And what about Mrs. Adelaira? Do you still have doubts?”
“… Know. Black is the hero of this country. The companion also fought alongside. Neither do I have such doubts.”
Baltz answered calmly and shook his head.
Even if no one else knows, the king must not ignore the black knight.
It was the same with Setinos Quasar, and at least the high-ranking officials would have to protect the black knight.
However, I wondered if even that had become difficult because politics and power were intertwined.
“But circumstances have arisen, so we have no choice but to move accordingly. His Majesty must have thought a lot. Black must have known and accepted that.”
“You accepted it knowingly? I haven’t sinned, so why should I be punished?”
“If you don’t… Many people may die.”
“Isn’t there a reason why Black should be responsible for those people too?”
“It is a word that includes black. What would it be like if Mrs. Adelaira was there?”
Saeran tried to say something, but lowered his head.
Even if the black knight could give up his own life, he would not be able to tolerate the death of his companion.
My companion must have the same heart as the black knight, so I wonder if he chose an easy way to end it.
“Your Majesty knows how this is going. You’d expect the result as well. That’s why you chose black. If only one black person is sacrificed, no one gets hurt.”
“Ha ha… So, might you try to use black later?”
“I can’t use it anymore. I was also given a warning.”
“Who are you warning?”
“The three princesses and their close aristocrats, the Marquis of Reggiard, and the Duke of Adelaira. Everyone knows black and white. Do you still understand this?”
“… I understand.”
Saeran finally realized what position the black knight was in.
You don’t have to step out, but you never know what will happen next.
That’s why he became a sinner alone and tried to protect his wife and family.
“Still, it’s not just that Black suffered a loss.”
“Yes? I was punished and even lost my title, so why is it that I didn’t suffer any loss?”
“Didn’t I tell you earlier? Now no one can approach black. His Majesty also made me a criminal in order not to lay a hand on black people. From now on, I will be able to live comfortably with my wife.”
“Even so… This is unfair. There is no reason black should be treated like that!”
“… … .”
Even Baltz couldn’t refute that statement.
Perhaps the king and the black knight used this method after negotiating.
It was obviously a reasonable result, but those who fought alongside the black knight would not accept it.
For whatever reason, the method itself is wrong.
“Why do you think you told me the truth?”
“that’s… I’m not sure either.”
“You are a comrade who fought alongside black. If you are a colleague, shouldn’t you know the truth?”
“It was better not to know. What you can do is know… … .”
“I didn’t tell you to do something for you. If you really are a black colleague, what should I do?”
Saeran ponders over the memories of Shion.
Shion treated the knights under his command appropriately, but did not burden them.
Rather, I tried to solve everything by myself, and in the end, he gave me a large salary and even gave me words of comfort.
Maybe we should believe that Zion’s judgment is right and have faith.
“… We have to respect that decision.”
“Yeah, that should be enough. If you do that, even black will appreciate it.”
It was something that Zion had done with determination.
However, if you go out on your own and throw it away for the sake of Zion, everything will be ruined.
A true comrade should not tarnish that resolution even if they knew they were wrong.
‘It’s unfortunate.’
Balz looks back on himself with a sense of skepticism.
From noblemtl.com
Knowing and pretending not to know was quite an ordeal.
If I hadn’t known, I wouldn’t have even bothered.
‘The title of Setinos Quasar has been lost… Popularity remains.’
Of course, not many people know about the truth.
At best, it will be limited to Setinos Quasars, high-ranking officials, and a few nobles.
However, the achievements made by Shion and Hanette would remain for a long time, and the good deeds accumulated in the meantime would come back someday.
‘It’s a harsh reality. Black can’t be perfect either.’
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