"Hey, what did you just say, Kyle? I hope you don't joke too much about surprising me."
"What are you talking about, brother Ars? I'll say it again. Carlos, who was escorting the king to King's Landing, was killed. I'm sure of it."
"Wait a minute. Is that true? 'Cause it's crazy. We were supposed to finally get close to King's Landing by now. Now, if such information doesn't mean that he was killed as soon as he descended south from Arrestian territory, the time for transmission of information will be strange. But there is no one who can defeat Carlos in such a place, right?
"No, brother Ars. Carlos was killed today. Before entering King's Landing. I was attacked by a mysterious army, with the king."
"Hey, Kyle. That's why you're saying it's strange. If Carlos had been killed near King's Land far away, Kyle wouldn't have been able to get that information. Even the tracking birds can't get that much information."
"This is not a message from the tracking bird, brother Ars. I used Remarks spells.
"... what? Did you already succeed in the Curse Culture of [Sentiment], Kyle?
"Yeah, that's right. Actually, today, the spells are complete. There's no doubt that the Reed family is now able to use [Mindfulness Story]. Then, I got a call from someone who was accompanying Carlos using the [Remarks]. Carlos was murdered."
"... really? Carlos has more magic than I do, and he can use Ice Spirit Summon . I don't think it's that easy."
"According to Leon, the people who attacked were probably in the top class. He said he couldn't protect Carlos when his troops raided him."
"Yes, that's right. Leon was there with you. Are you okay, Leon?"
"I was injured when you contacted me, but she said she was okay. But the convoy was destroyed, scattered and running. I heard that someone who survived with me had Reed's last name and was able to use the [story], so anyway, I just wanted to tell my brother Ars, so he sent me a message."
Seriously.
I don't think Kyle would lie about this.
Thanks to this, we were able to get information from far away on the day Carlos was attacked.
There's no doubt about that.
... I have to calm down.
We must respond calmly.
Carlos was killed.
You will need to verify that this information is true.
But I think it's very likely.
Then you must act on it.
What should I do?
Focus your magic on your head and spin your thoughts so fast that you think smoke might come up.
Carlos was killed.
If it is true, what impact will it have?
I don't know who the assailant is, but it's not just a bandit.
After all, Carlos hit the King's Guard in the middle of a journey that he couldn't handle.
In other words, the issue may also involve the trinity alliance that is currently in talks.
That means it is.
Carlos' death may turn into a political problem.
Needless to say, Carlos is the head of a noble family called the Fontana family.
If the assailant is somewhere in the Alliance of the Three Nobles, would the result of the King's death lead to Fontana's responsibility for some reason?
You can make as many accusations as you want, such as letting him die without being able to serve as an escort.
If they were the culprits, I don't think it would be strange to pretend to be here.
Ask Fontana to take responsibility.
In that case, who will be in charge?
The question arises as to who is known externally in the Fontana family.
One, of course, will be the main victim of this incident, Carlos.
And the other was Carlos' assistant, and Leon, who accompanied the king's escort, was beginning to grow famous among other nobles.
But there's another one.
There are people whose names are spreading to other nobles.
It's me.
The name Ars von Barca is undoubtedly of great significance in Fontana territory.
If you tried to hold House Fontana responsible for the King's failed escort, would I have to deal with it?
What happens in that case?
Officials in the Old Urk Territory and the Old Arrests, who have been robbed of their territory, must hold me responsible.
Even if I were a knight in Fontana territory, I might be truncated to sacrifice myself if my territory were protected.
Maybe you'll take responsibility for me and tell me to cut my belly...
No, I've never heard of harsh customs, but have you ever been executed for burning guillotine?
I don't know.
I don't know, but we must definitely avoid that.
Anyway, we need strength to get through this.
I have enough power to negotiate equally with the three nobles.
To do so, the Vulcan Knights alone are too small.
At the very least, it must require a status and power comparable to that of the noble lord, rather than a peasant knight.
It's settled.
I must move so that Carlos' death does not lead to my life.
It would be a shame Kyle was quick to bring me information.
We should move now.
"Dad, are you there?
"Oh, wow. I'm here, Ars. Is there anything your father can do?
"Oh, Dad, lead the soldiers back to Fontana right now."
"Ah, in Fontana City?
"That's right. Return to the city of Fontana and protect Carlos' child, Garold. Carlos is connected to my wife, Liina. If you're Carlos' child, you're my nephew. Something must not happen to Garold. Protect and hide immediately."
"Okay, okay. Should I protect Master Gallows, Ars?
"That's right. Yeah, and I'll hide in my Balka Castle for a while to keep Garold safe. Evacuate with Lilina."
"Okay, okay. I'll be right there, Ars."
"Oh, please, Dad. And go back to the city of Fontana."
"Me too, General. Should I come back with you and take care of Master Garold?
"No, I'd like to ask Vargas for another job. Gather your trusted men and go to Bishop Paul."
"Bishop Paul? Why do you need to go to church now, General?
"The king on his way to the church-led meeting was targeted. Follow up with the church on how to take responsibility. But you don't have to force yourself into it. I want you to do something more than that. Bargas needs a new house."
"Huh? I got a new house? Is that what you need now?
"Oh, I want you to name the trusted men you took and lead the army further west."
"West? West of Fontana City?... maybe Arbarest?
"That's right. The river in Arbarest territory is also a transportation network that connects with other aristocratic territories. In the unlikely event that the King and Carlos were alive, the question would arise whether they would be able to pass safely through the river. I want you to secure the land."
"Okay. But that's Arbarest territory, General. It's okay if I go, but isn't it a problem?
"Lord Ragna of the Arbarest family must have been accompanied by Carlos in this raid. In other words, there is no main player in Arbarest territory. If there's anything left of us in Arbarest territory, show me this affidavit."
"... that's the testimony of the Arbarest family. Yes, about the war reparations claim. So they shut up?
"Ah, this attestation states that repayment of damages within the due date or, in the event of an emergency, the addition and modification of new conditions by Barca will be possible. And now it is an emergency for the Fontana family, and the item will be applied. I mean, here's what I'm saying. If the terms change, the Arrests will have to pay compensation immediately, otherwise they will confiscate their territory."
"... hey, it says you can really change it. Besides, it's in such a tiny letter. You've been working so hard, General. I didn't realize."
"It's a bad idea not to call the contract from corner to corner and sign it. So keep Valgas to the west of Fontana. I begged you."
"All right, General. I'll get my men together and leave soon."
"Okay, next. Where's the old man?
"I'm here, kid. What do you want me to do?
"The old man should speak to the merchant immediately. Gather information through merchants. Buy all the servant beast eggs you can. I want to increase the number of Valkyries."
"I see. I'm staring at the Menmen in the east. Was it to keep Balgas from moving west to secure the merchant's movement? All right. I'm getting better at merchants than ever. Leave it to me."
"Please. And then there's pane. I want to ask you for a job too."
"Yes, Mr. Ars. What can I do for you?"
"Paine wants to see if Carlos is really dead. If possible, give Kyle more accurate information than Kyle's [Remarks]. And once we know Master Carlos is dead, send a message to the knights in Fontana territory."
"Yes, what kind of message?"
Tell the new owner to come and say hello.
"... are you sure the location is Balka Castle in Vulcania?
"That's right. Garrod-sama is still a child around the age of two. I will protect the Fontana family as a guardian. I'll take the greeting on behalf of young Garold. Ready?"
"Yes, of course. Arus has been recognized as a Knight of the Holy Order by the Church, and Carlos has appointed him as Commander of the Eastern Army. I would be foolish to say that I am qualified to support the Fontana family."
"All right, Bite Brother, get into this position and fight the Menmen. Perhaps in a few moments, the Menmen will also have information on this incident. At that time, I think there is movement. Never force yourself to defend yourself."
"Oh, okay. I'll take care of this, Ars."
I'll do it.
If this happens, I'll do anything to keep myself from dying.
In order to do this, an organization called the Fontana family is absolutely necessary.
I don't know what the Alliance of the Three Nobles, a gathering of the great nobles, is going to say.
No matter how infamous the name Ars von Barca is, it is not enough for one individual to deal with it.
That is why we use the name of the historic nobility of the Fontana family.
Even if we still put the young garland under control under the name of protection, which doesn't even make proper judgments.
Fuck you.
Now I know better.
Raymond.
Maybe you felt that way, too.
Raymond of the Fontana family, who was running the Fontana family with Carlos, even in a situation that could be said to have unjustly taken over the house.
What was that?
I suppose they used to call you the Ice Guardian?
Monopolizing the Fontana family with their own breath was a necessary precaution to stabilize the territory.
Thus, having killed the Guardian of the Ice, I had to act as the second Guardian of the Ice in the name of protecting Fontana myself, on the occasion of Carlos' death.