We were at the inn where we were supposed to stay at night.

The knight of security is to be dealt with with with with with with with an increase in the number of personnel.

I've already told Remill the situation. She was also moving to a quick response because of the fact that Aena had been targeted.

In one of the rooms, Aena and the escort, Merche, are gathered with me and the four of us in Illis. The story was about the Shadow Apostle that Aena had just spoken of.

"First of all this time...... I've been trying to reduce the number of people to attract them - let's admit that fact. I used you."

"I used it..."

Iris, who can't hide his surprise from Ayna, who clearly tells him so.

Aena herself knew it was our responsibility to reduce the number of escorts.

Still, I guess I had an idea. … could also be a problem between countries.

"I knew I was going to be targeted and I reduced the number of escorts... isn't that just dangerous?

"Oh, I know. Anything on top of that would be the responsibility of the Kingdom side. That's where they're after."

"! The Shadow Apostle," is it? Is it an assassination unit or something?

"That's the place. As an empire, it would be a pretty big organization... There is, of course, a reason for me to call it the enemy of the Empire. Because the Empire is not a single rock."

I avoided even a specific statement, but what I wanted to say comes from Aena's words.

I guess there are those who want to have disputes between countries by targeting Aena.

And given that Aena's father is an Imperial Army marshal - at least, she must want to defend her father's position.

(Conservatives and extremists...... thats the place)

Aena is a place for friendship between kingdoms and empires, and the purpose of the Shadow Apostle is to target that Aena.

"Don't worry - that would be an impossible story, but I'm ready too. In case anything happens to me, there will be no war in the empire and kingdom"

"! What does that mean?

"It's an easy thing. My father has told me everything about my operation - well, it's hard to tell you how convinced I am."

That's what Aena answers to my question.

She was trying to kill herself and fight her father's enemy.... I guess that stage was meant to be inspections in this country.

"That this was what I was after when I suggested an inspection...?

"The inspection itself was a necessity in forging friendship. You can say this is my discretion. Of course, the Kingdom side can also hold me accountable for that. Understanding everything, I'm acting - but let's apologize for the inconvenience."

"No, nothing annoying means. It's true they're after us, and it's our job as knights to protect them."

"The role of the knight......? You're the knight of the kingdom, in a true sense."

What Aena means by 'true meaning' is questionable even though it applies to me, but at least it doesn't change what I do, even if I knew Aena would be targeted.

Protect her as a knight in the kingdom - because that's what I do.

... Sometimes Aria is involved in this case.

"Well, the Shadow Apostle is an empire organization, right?

"Oh, it's been around for years.... With that said, one of the enemies is Iris - I hear he knew you."

"My best friend. It's my family too..."

That's what Illis answers to Aena's words.

I don't know how Aria is involved in that organization... From what I've heard, she says it was the two mothers of Illis and Illis who protected Aria. - Aria was a man on the side of the empire, that would be the case.

Were you away from the organization for any reason, or have you remained following that organization from the beginning... I don't know that far.

"I'll take care of this in the Empire - that's what I'm trying to say, but I hear there's some cause there, too."

"Right. At this time, let us not think about whether it is a problem on the part of the Empire or a problem on the part of the Kingdom. Master Aena wants to crush the organization itself... is that what you mean?

"Don't be."

"We want to bring Aria back to that organization - that's the thing. If I had to, I'd have to fight that organization too, including for whatever reason."

"Once again, enter into a cooperative relationship," he said? I was hiding the truth from you. "

"So let's not hide anything from here. Of course, there may not be something I can say, but I was hoping you could at least provide me with information concerning the Shadow Apostle. That way, we can investigate this one."

"... ok. I'll give you a summary on that later. Merche, get ready."

"Understood."

Merche answers, who had refrained behind him.

Me and Aena's movements remain the same. It means that we will continue to inspect, but once again we have also had to fight the Shadow Apostles, which target the Aenas.... because there's Aria.

……

The look on the face of Illis leaves the room alone, without floating.

In this story, I didn't know more about Aria either.

Because the organization only knew that it existed in the Empire from time immemorial.

That's what I was thinking, but Merche came to me,

"Dear Alta, I need to talk to you a little. Would you like some time?

"I don't mind, what's wrong?

"... about 'Nortria',. Some of this has been left to Ayna by me."

Speak of that.

... Nortoria is - I mean Aria's last name.

From what Merche said, I can hear it in a slightly different way, I felt that way.