Sword of the Philosopher

"... if those who fought the Demon King, does that mean my thoughts are prospective?

Such a question came out of Princess Emena poking her mouth. Besides, I...

"I don't think a normal person would notice. We realized... that it has something to do with being in a different position"

"Position?"

"For example, if I had looked more closely into the royalty of this country... if I had stepped into the circumstances of this country, I might not have noticed. If I had known this country's problems beforehand, I might have been worried about something around it, and I might not have stepped in so far."

"I see... dealing with me in a sarcastic state, there was something I thought, right?

I snort. Then Sophia,

"If that's all right, I'll ask... no matter what it is"

"It's..."

"After thinking about being us, I'm about to ask. Never leak it to anyone else."

With that word, Emena took a small breath.

"... it's quite a dark story behind us."

"I don't mind."

"Why, that far?

"If that's about the country's problems, there's one thing that might benefit us by giving us a hand. And... that you in the same position have a shady look... and somehow we may have overlaid ourselves."

"Is there anything I can do to help someone in the same position..."

Leese continues. Emena replies, "Okay," and is temporarily silent.

Well, I know you're just brave enough to talk about being kidnapped, etc... but there still seems to be something about being her. Or have a glimmer of hope because you can't rely on the people of this country... whatever, Emena finally opened her mouth.

"... I'm not sure"

Yeah, I'll preface it. There's got to be more ingredients than just an anxious look on your face.

"However, perhaps… I will not be able to tread on the soil of the Royal Castle due to this journey"

"You think someone would do you harm?

Sophia asked. Emena then said,

"By chance, I found material about me...... apparently there is a force to use this trip to act on something. You shouldn't be doing anything resentful..."

"Any guesses as to who did it?

Now I'm asking. Emena thought a little,

"We have some speculation about who it is...... not that there is any conclusive evidence. So I'd like to refrain from speaking here."

Is there no choice in this? Unless it's conclusive evidence, you won't be able to do anything about the killer.

"Anyway, I found that kind of information... and at the Royal Castle"

"I mean, someone in the castle said they were enemies."

"Yes, I found the material in a mere room… it was secretly placed so that I don't find it, so I interact with it secretly on a daily basis"

I see... I understand the situation. The forces trying to do something about Princess Emena are entering the world of politics... this would, well, make it easier to set up a hand to kidnap the princess.

The truth is, I don't know anything more than that. For example, it would be extremely difficult for a knight to exchange information within the royal castle, so I think he is quite a person of standing.

"Being inside the royal castle isn't dangerous either... I thought so at first, but it hasn't interfered extraordinarily"

"I'm waiting for you to be isolated."

And, Reese speaks out.

"If things happen in the castle, there will naturally be a fuss. So I dare to wait to avoid it. I'm sorry to say this a little bit, but it's more than a certainty that we're going on a journey, and that's where we're going."

"Right... I think so"

"What about the escort?

"I'm Jack, a squire."

It's as the game goes...... somehow, it's inadvertent when it comes to reality.

"The place is also far from the capital, because it basically follows a safe path"

"There are no specific arrangements, but custom suggests less escorts… Sure, this is a hassle"

Emena nods small at Reese's sentiments.

Requesting more escorts is difficult at the moment… so it is questionable why we need more escorts. I just can't tell you why, either, or if the enemy is inside the royal castle, it's imperative that the information you're trying to increase your escort conveys to the other side. If so, it's no surprise that the expansion has changed.

I mean, it's a bad idea to tell the castle about this one... if this is a runoff of a nobleman or something, there's a way to make it public and prevent the case from happening...

"One question."

I raise my hand and ask Emena.

"The fact that you haven't published one of those things means there's something I think... okay?

"Yes."

"For example, if it means a castle knight, or a nobleman... the neighborhood is plotting, you should start looking into it, as you can't throw it away without proof. That's all the speaking power exists for you as a knight of merit. It will undoubtedly have a restraining effect... but the princess has not done it"

"Yes."

"... is it okay to recognize that the mastermind is someone who has enough power to corrupt your testimony?

There was silence. That sounds like a tough question to answer... Emena eventually nodded.

Minister, or royalty...... it's hard to think of a prince or something as a mastermind, but you'll need to take it into account.

So, what do I do... a situation where as far as she's concerned, she's even sealed off the means to defend herself. Rather, it means that you can't even move inside the royal castle because the existence you can actually rely on may be the enemy.

I talked about it here, even though I didn't think that I might be able to get some help... but I might have had a glimmer of hope that I could open things up... though I might not be aware of it myself.

Hmm, in a situation like this, there's one thing we propose... and there's one thing that will connect us to the future for our purposes.

I have a glimpse of Sophia and the others. Seeing them both nodding at the same time, I made a decision. I turned to Princess Emena and opened my mouth.