Chapter 407: Duke of the Empire – Second Part

Jurgen and Ted rushed through the gate of the mansion and called out to Al immediately after they got off the horse.

Your Highness! Your Highness Arnold! Are you here, Your Highness!?

Prince Arnold! Im a messenger! Please hear me out! I have a message for you!

It was Ted who first entered the mansion.

As expected, with a strange boy entering the mansion, the Imperial Knights moved in to apprehend him. However, after seeing Jurgen behind him, they stepped back.

Not because Jurgen is a duke.

But because he is one of the few aristocrats that Al addresses with honorifics.

That being said, Al did not immediately come out to meet them.

He is attending to an emergency matter.

After all, Elna arrived back at the mansion just before Ted and Jurgen.

Someone that is even more powerful than Raphael. Moreover, he has a transfer-type magic tool huh.

Im sorry.

You dont have to apologize. Just knowing that there is something wrong at the border is already enough. Besides, we managed to gather some information as well.

.The person who helped Raphael is stronger than him. Without the holy sword..I think it will be difficult.

Someone that strong, honestly, there are only a few people that I can think of.

Saying so, Al started thinking to himself.

Transfer-type magic tools are really rare.

Because it is something that exists since the ancient era, it is rare to find one that works properly.

A person who possesses such a thing while being as strong as Elna, I can narrow it down quite a lot with just those two criteria.

Moreover, from the fact that that person appeared in front of Elna..

..this is going to be troublesome.

Right. As long as that person has a transfer-type magic tool, we can expect a surprise attack from anywhere.

Thats not it. Transfer-type magic tools are really rare. Getting your hands on one is very difficult. If that thing was used to escape then there is no chance that they would use it to attack us.

That is true..then what is so troublesome?

I dont know who Raphaels loyalty lies with. Thats why I dont know who exactly this mysterious rescuer is. And it is the unknown that is troubling me.

Al can guess the identity of that person and their reason for appearing in front of Elna.

The problem here is who is he/she working for. Raphael appeared to serve Gordon at first but it was Eric whose instructions he follows.

With that line of thinking, it would make sense why Raphael who is supposed to be in Gordons camp did not participate in the Fourth Consorts attempt assassination.

If only I didnt let him get away

It would be great if we can capture him. In other words, capturing him was the right call. There are too many mysteries about Raphael after all. Why did he betray us? Why did he disturb the succession war? Who is he working for? I dont know whether we can clear all those questions if we have him in our custody but it would be great if we can extract some information out of him. Father tooIm sure that he would like to know.

He treated him like a son after all..

He was very happy when that guy joined the Imperial Knight Order. I always thought that that guy thinks of Father like his own father too.

The mystery surrounding Raphael only deepened.

Even Al couldnt understand why he would betray the Emperor.

When they were having that conversation, a loud voice could be heard from outside the mansion.

Your Highness! Your Highness Arnold! Are you here, Your Highness!?

Prince Arnold! Im a messenger! Please hear me out! I have a message for you!

Al and Elna puzzledly looked at each other.

It was a voice they didnt recognize.

That was a childs voice right?

I can hear Duke Reinfeld but.the child is saying that he is a messenger. But from where?

Who knows. But lets meet him. If Duke Reinfeld brought him in then we should be able to trust him.

Wait, let me check him out first.

His voice is desperate. This is probably an urgent matter.

Shouldnt we be careful in a time like this?

Even if something happens, I still have you.

After silencing Elna with that, Al went out of his room and headed to the mansions entrance.

Ted was there, desperately searching for Al.

State your business, be brief about it.

Eh? Pr, Prince Arnold..?

Im not a body double so dont worry. The only one who has dark hair in this mansion is only me.

Ah..I, I came here from the Dominion! I was accompanying the princesss traveling party! The pursuers were on our tail! Please save them!

The princesss asylum..!? Is that not supposed to be in three days!?

So thats why the escort unit was wiped out.

Al received the report from Elna regarding the annihilation of the escort unit.

However, he thought that he just needed to send in replacements. The premise for his decision was that they still have three days left before the princesss escape.

However, that is no longer the case.

The surveillance around the princess was getting tighter so the schedule was moved up! Please! Please save everyoneplease save Mia-nee!!

Saying so, Ted lowered his head and presented Al with the bag that was entrusted to him.

Without any hesitation, Al receives the bag from him.

There were still a lot of gold coins inside. And a single letter.

When he opened it, what was written there was..

[I cant use it all[desuwa]].she is still difficult to understand as always.

It was the gold purse that he once gave to her. And the Letter is definitely hers.

Al astoundedly sighed.

He then turned his gaze on Ted.

He is clearly exhausted. With a single glance at him, he can tell that the boy was desperate to get this far.

Even so, Al asks him a question.

Whats your name?

Ted, Your Highness!

Are you Mias younger brother?

No, we only grew up together..

Thats enough for me. Can you still move?

I, Im still fine! Is there anything I can do!?

Good. You dont have to be precise, a rough direction is fine, I need you to lead us to Mia. Third CorpIm going out. Make preparations.

Elna astoundedly bowed at Als command while Marc just tiredly looked up at the sky.

He then tiredly asks Al a question.

Just in case, allow me a question, Your Highnessis this matter important enough for Your Highness to go out personally?

I have a debt to settle. During the rebellion in the Imperial Capital, it was Mia who protected Finne. Even though she is someone from the Dominion, she did her best for us. Thats why I will have to do my best for her too.

Even with full authority, you can not avoid criticism, you know? If we start a battle near the border then it would immediately send us into war. Our preparations are not finished yet.

Then lets start a war. I dont want to wait for the traitor to make their move first too. I will take all responsibility.

Good griefwhat do you think, Captain?

He wont listen to me even if I try to stop him anyway.

Saying so, Elna ordered her men to prepare the horses.

Shaking his head, Marc headed off to assist the preparations.

Meanwhile, Finne hurriedly came into the entrance hall.

With a tray with light meals and water in hands.

Please eat. Take your time.

Finne said so and handed the food and water to Ted.

Forgetting to speak, Ted received the water and immediately drank it.

With his thirst quenched, this time the hunger caught up to him so he immediately took the offered light meals.

After gulping everything down, Ted looks up at Finne.

She was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.

Unable to look at her face properly, Ted awkwardly says his thanks.

.th, thank you very much.

Its okay, you are welcome. Al-sama, do you want to take him with you?

Al nods to Finnes question.

Seeing that, Finne smiled and stroked Teds hair.

Good luck. Im a friend of Mia-san. I will remain here and pray for your safety. Please do your best.

Y, Yes!

After saying that to Ted, Finne bowed to Al and left.

After all, since Al already decided to head out, there is nothing she can do to help.

Your Highness! We are ready!

Good, lets go.

Allow me to accompany you.

With Al heading out, Jurgen follows a little behind him.

Ted follows them but he remembers that he still hasnt said his thanks to them yet.

After all, Mia did tell him to not forget doing that.

U, Uhh.Thank you! Prince Arnold! And..

Ted turns to Jurgen.

He still hadnt heard his name yet.

Seeing that, Jurgen smiles at Ted and slightly lowers his head.

Apology for the rudeness. I still havent introduced myself. My name is Jurgen von Reinfeld. An Imperial Duke.

A duke!?

Ted who thought that he is an earl was surprised that his status is much higher than he expected.

However, Jurgen didnt seem to care and beckoned him to his horse.

If you do not hate the idea then would you ride with me? My horse is fast after all.

But.Im..only a commoner.

If you dont know then let me tell you. The Empires Prime Minister is also a commoner.

Saying so, Jurgens takes Teds hand and pulls him up.

Just like that, Jurgen put Ted in front of him again.

Lets head out!

Saying so, Al gallops his horse out of the gate and the Imperial Knights follow him.

To not get left behind, Jurgen also ran his horse.

You have already worked hard enough but I want you to help us just a little longer. Please help us save them.

I, I will..

Also, please do be careful when you say thanks to someone in the future. We still havent done anything yet. Let us hear you say that again once we saved your sister. Until then do not lose focus.

Y, Yes.

Satisfied with Teds answer, Jurgen gallops his horse up to Al.

Your Highness, what about the other knights?

Just have those who are ready to move follow us. Right now we have to prioritize our speed.

As you wish. Is there anyone who can amplify my voice?

After asking the Imperial Knight to help use voice amplification magic, Jurgen took a quick breath.

At the same time, Als group passes through the city gate.

Seeing that something is going on, the knights in the camp all turn their eyes toward them.

Using that moment, Jurgen relays his order.

To the Allied Army of the Eastern Nobles! His Highness Arnold is heading out! Only those who are ready to fight should follow us! Know that this moment is the reason we came all the way here from the east!

Jurgens words sent the camp into full alert.

There are knights putting on their armor, knights that are putting away their luggage, knights that are waiting to confirm their order.

They all have different reactions but those are the ones that act too late.

Only those who immediately straddled on their horse and followed Al are those who make it.

It doesnt matter whose house they belong to.

Only those who already made up their mind followed Al.

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