"So, do you have anything to say, Knight Julius?"
In the dark, sunlightless room, the low voice echoed with an awful weight.
The location was the Knights' barracks adjacent to the Royal Castle. Away from the main facilities like the parade grounds and barracks, there was a room where the smell of ink was stronger than the smell of iron - the Commander's room at the very back of the building.
The number of furnishings was kept to a minimum, reflecting the temperament of the room's owner, and despite its imposing appearance, a relatively large proportion of the room was occupied by bookcases.
"No, there is nothing. Everything is as reported."
In the center of the large room, a young man stood at a desk, standing upright in front of the desk with his posture straight, answering the question while running a quill over a document.
The good-looking man, with his pale bluish purple hair carefully arranged, stretched out the sleeves of his white outfit, no trace of the incident at the military training grounds in sight, and lightly tapped the hilt of the knight's sword attached to his waist.
"I will not complain if you decide that my behavior is unbecoming of a Royal Knight. Please, Captain, let us do as we wish."
Julius removed the sword and its sheath from his waist and held it out in front of him as an offering.
The middle-aged man sat down in a chair, looking as if he was about to hand over his knight sword. Marcos, whose expression remained unchanged, closed one eye at the orderly appearance.
"The people involved were detained in the middle of the discussions for the royal selection to decide the kingdom's throne. Then they were taken to the military training ground, beaten up, and sent to a medical center. If you read it only on paper, it doesn't seem like it can be dismissed with just a casual punishment."
Marcos shrugged in exasperation as he heard about the misconduct committed by his subordinate, a knight who boasted the title of "best."
--A mock battle between the knight Julius and Emilia's squire, Natsuki Subaru.
Whether the actual content was consistent with that or not, Marcos knew the general outline. To put it simply, it was exactly as he had said above, and Marcos's blood as a Knight was not so thin that he could not guess any other factors.
"There is room for leniency. The other knights at the parade ground have even filed petitions defending your actions."
"It's a shame."
"You see what you need to see, that's it. I don't see anything to criticize about that. But you may have gone a bit too far."
Marcos threw the stack of petitions that had been delivered onto the desk and slapped the cover as he glared at Julius with his grey eyes.
"His right wrist was shattered, and various internal organs were ruptured. Several ribs were broken, his throat was crushed, his forehead was split open, and on top of that, several of his front teeth were missing - it would have been a terrible sight if it hadn't been for a skilled healing magician. This is certainly not the kind of behavior that should be tolerated when dealing with a servant of such a nobleman."
Marcos arrived at the parade ground at the same time as the female candidates, and simply witnessed the final rendezvous.
But even taking that into account, the boy was still injured, and it was Marcos himself who had given the orders to have the unconscious boy taken to the hospital, and who had ordered Ferris to do everything in his power to save him.
Looking at the extent of the boy's injuries up close, it was easy to tell whether they were within the scope of a 'mock battle' or whether they went beyond that.
"Is it that hard to forgive someone who has betrayed the pride of a knight?"
"No matter how I explain it, it's nothing more than a personal grudge. It's all the result of my own immorality. Please, Commander, refrain from saying any more."
Julius blocks his own escape route and remains determined to accept punishment.
Marcos's eyes wandered around the room, as if pondering for a moment what words to use in response to that stubborn attitude.
And then, that moment happened.
"Yes, sorry to have kept you waiting. Feli-chan has returned."
A chestnut-colored girlish figure entered the room with a nonchalant attitude, not reading into the atmosphere, good or bad.
A beautiful girl with medium-long hair, a vivid white ribbon, and cat ears with even more vivid fur - Ferris has arrived.
He entered the room with a casual attitude, and when he saw Julius and Marcos looking at each other, he put his hand over his mouth and laughed wickedly,
"Oh, oh, oh, Feli-chan, were you by any chance intruding? Showing up at a place where you're having such an enthusiastic matchmaking session? Maybe you didn't read the situation properly?"
"...Stop talking nonsense and just report it, you brat."
"Hey, Captain. You're starting to get your act together, you know?"
Marcos muttered, putting his hand to his forehead, and made a sour face at Ferris's reprimand.
Ferris's overly normal behavior had taken the heat off him, and he blurted out his true feelings.
Seeing the sour look on his sturdy, rock-like face, Ferris relaxed his cheeks with amusement, and then,
"Isn't it nice to see a commander with a slightly rough personality like that? You're always polite in public, so when it's time to take off your public mask, you should just be yourself."
"Normally, you should be a public figure in front of your subordinates… but, I guess it's ridiculous once you've ruined it. Anyway, let's report."
I waved my hand carelessly, and Ferris finally obeyed, saying, "Yes." He stood next to Julius, who was standing upright, and relaxed his shoulders in a natural manner, unlike Julius, who was standing with his back straight.
"As per the command of the commander, I have given Subaru-kun full treatment. I have grafted the bones, closed the wounds, and restored the missing parts, so I would say he is fine. Ah, I will restore the blood little by little using alternative methods, though."
"Thank you for your hard work. Is everything alright?"
"If you overlook it, no one in the royal capital will find you. The wounds on your body are fine. I don't know about your heart, though."
Ferris spoke, waving his cat ears as he glanced at Julius. Seeing that there was not the slightest hint of emotion in his expression, he nodded in satisfaction and said,
"Even so, Julius is truly a kind person. How many girls' hearts have he captivated with his consideration and thoughtfulness? Even Feli-chan must be feeling a bit nervous."
"I don't understand the meaning of that statement, Ferris. As for the latter part of what you just said, I will respectfully refrain from commenting."
Ferris chuckled and pouted, "That's mean," while Julius, with his eyes closed, continued to maintain his original attitude.
Marcos liked the way he was standing, but he couldn't help but think it was a precarious position.
As if to express Marcos's thoughts,
"You don't have to be so tense. The kids with good intuition will notice, and it was effective on the ones who don't notice, so it's fine. That's it."
Ferris teases the pure white ribbon with her fingertips, seductively licking her lips with her red tongue,
Subaru: "Do you think that Feli-chan and the Commander see Julius as a pathetic, empty-headed bunch who doesn't realize the true meaning of his actions?"
"...I can't help but admire your thoughtfulness. It makes me feel foolish for trying so hard."
At Ferris's spiteful question, Julius' expression finally thawed. There was a helpless smile, like a child whose scheme had been discovered, but it quickly disappeared.
"However, I would like you to be careful with your words. The way you speak now could end up needlessly damaging my friend's reputation."
"Feri-chan, I think that's being too overprotective. I think kids don't grow up if they don't suffer a little."
"His upright attitude is not wrong. With that back as a guide, the day will surely come when the sword will fulfill its role. With that day in mind, we should not create unnecessary changes."
"Feri-chan says that's just being overprotective."
"But, I guess there's no other way," Ferris said, smiling at Julius who wouldn't budge from his theory, and then he threw himself onto the reception couch with a leisurely movement.
Julius frowned at the way he sat there, but even that small reaction was used as spice to tease him,
"She's the kind of person who would be so overly nosy with a boy she only met today for the first time. I guess that makes her soft on family too."
"I didn't mean to be gentle. In fact, I tried to be stricter than usual."
Subaru: "Y-y-everyone was pretty hunched over. After all that Julius had hurt them… there's no need to worry about them being attacked by any more uncontrollable people."
Ferris had one eye closed and was sporting a mischievous grin, which made Julius chuckle wryly.
Marcos, who had been listening to the two of them in silence, shook his chin.
"That boy who made that insulting remark about the status of knights in the hall must have made the younger guys pretty irritated. The guys who belong to the Imperial Guard are guaranteed to have great sword skills and pride."
In fact, it was precisely because the event was a royal election that would shake up national politics that the pent-up discontent within the knights' hearts was spared from exploding.
However, that meant that if they left the area, they would be constantly at risk of another explosion at any time.
"Even if some hotheaded person had demanded an apology, I don't think that young man would have readily agreed. At worst, he might have been killed for insolence."
"That's why Subaru-kun needed to be defeated by the knights sooner."
Ferris, following up on Marcos's words, stated his conclusion and pointed at Julius.
Then he held his pointing hand vertically, as if to show his gratitude.
"Actually, I was thinking that if Julius didn't do it, Feli-chan would have to do it."
"It's the right person for the right job. There's no way you could nominate yourself as a witness, right? Besides, I had a reason why it wouldn't be unnatural for me to do so."
He was probably referring to the trivial argument that had taken place during the royal selection process.
Given the extent of their animosity, no one would question Julius inviting the boy to the military parade grounds as a form of personal grudge.
"And, hello, I was pretty sure I could do it the best."
"Ah, I think Feli-chan would agree with that. In Feli-chan's case, even if there's no way she'd lose, she still can't make the decision so smartly."
When the topic turned to sword skills, Ferris stuck out his tongue and laughed, as if to hide his embarrassment.
Ferris has unparalleled abilities in magic, particularly in the "water" type of magic, and is nicknamed "Blue." He is an outstanding user of magical power, even among the Knights. However, when it comes to actual combat ability, he is ranked near the bottom of the Royal Guard. Or maybe he is even the weakest.
Julius, who bears the name "Best," is the highest-ranking knight in terms of pure swordsmanship. However, there are superhumans who would be absurd to compare him to in terms of combat prowess, so some around him worry that his valor is not being given the recognition it deserves.
"When it comes to taking down inferiors, it's probably best to leave it to Julius. That's why I've been telling you to swing your sword more."
"That would be terrible. What would happen if Feli-chan gets blisters on her transparent white palms from swinging that sword around and sweating like crazy? Can you take responsibility for that?"
"A knight who makes his living by slashing and slashing is not someone who cares about such things."
Marcos sighed in exasperation and shrugged his shoulders at Ferris, who was casually dodging the commander's orders. He then looked at Julius with wrinkles on his face, which was difficult to express emotion.
"I understand your intentions. I'm not so stupid that I can't believe that what I did was a necessary consideration. But what was done was done."
Marcos said this briskly, despite feeling some sympathy for us.
Julius shifted in deference to that attitude, which did not mix public and private matters, and tightened his thin face as if to admonish himself for his slight relaxation.
"Knight Julius Euclius, I hereby announce your punishment."
"I-I will listen respectfully."
"You will be suspended for five days and will be prohibited from entering the barracks or the royal castle. During that time, we will be keeping your sword. Once your suspension is lifted, go and collect it from the vice-commander."
"--- I have been commissioned."
Julius closed his eyes as if to consider what he had been told, then with one graceful movement he respectfully presented his knight sword, handing it over to Marcos, who had reached out his hand.
Taking the knight's sword, the pride of a knight, Marcos slid his fingers over the black lacquered sheath, as if to confirm its weight.
"Sorry. I'm making you take on a responsibility that you shouldn't have."
His expression didn't change, but there was a definite note of concern in his words.
In response, Julius shook his head slightly.
"The Commander is doing the best he can. The Royal Guard, which once fell apart, is still strong and courageous today thanks to the Commander's presence."
"He can't even get his subordinates to act in unison; he's a shallow man."
"That's not true, Captain."
Ferris, who had been silently watching the events unfold up until then, retorted to Marcos, who continued to sound self-deprecating, which was unusual for him.
He turned around on the couch and sat up, his cat-like eyes and ears swaying with amusement.
"It's impossible for everyone to get along, the Commander has a firm grip on the reins. And so, Feli and Julius will struggle at the end of the Commander's reins, and at the end of Feli and the others' reins, someone else will struggle."
"Isn't that right?" Ferris tilted his head and looked up at Marcos. Marcos closed one eye at the words of appreciation and encouragement from his subordinates, then bares his teeth in a rough smile befitting a rough man,
"When I say you can't even discipline your subordinates properly, I'm also referring to you for not even dressing properly."
"It's nothing new that Ferri-chan has been dressed like this."
Marcos snorted at Ferris, who was sticking out his tongue in a playful manner, then he respectfully placed Julius' knight sword on the desk and sat back down in his chair.
"That is all for now. I also have many miscellaneous matters to take care of in preparation for the royal selection. I order you to leave the room."
The return to "I" as the first person pronoun signaled that Marcos's time of openness had come to an end.
Sensing this, Julius saluted their superior respectfully, while Ferris saluted simply, but both paid equal respect to each other.
Marcos watched this in silence, clenching his chin, before the other two turned their backs on him and left the commander's office.
The door closed, and Marcos was left alone in the quiet space. Then, his lips parted.
"That's not going to work."
But what he said didn't reach the two of them as they left the room.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Leaving the commander's office, a young man and what appeared to be a beautiful girl walked side by side in the corridor of the guardhouse.
The two beautiful people standing side by side were like something out of a painting, and the fact that one of them looked like a girl dressed as a man was a significant factor that stimulated the imagination of the viewer.
Anyway,
"The commander is very flexible. If he can see what's going on behind the scenes, then surely he should be let off the hook, right?"
"That's not something that can be accepted by either me or the Commander. I had expected a more severe punishment, so I felt rather that the Commander was showing mercy."
As Julius soothed the dissatisfied Ferris, he reflected on the punishment he had received. However, a faint sourness appeared on his handsome face.
"I'm a little worried about having to meet with the vice-commander though."
"Oh, that was really mean. When Feli heard it, she was like, ugh. I thought it was amazing that Julius didn't show it on his face though."
The two of them spoke without lowering their voices about their superior, the vice-commander. Julius would normally be the one to scold Ferris for his words and actions, but right now he only gave vague words and a wry smile, making no attempt to correct him.
That alone was enough to show that that was the common understanding the two of them - no, the entire Knights' Order had of the person known as the "Vice Commander."
"So, what will Julius do now?"
"Of course, I will follow the commander's orders and stay at the mansion. I will explain the situation to Anastasia… but I am a bit worried that she is not the type to stay quietly."
"I know how you feel. I was always nervous when I was with Feli-chan, not knowing what Crusch-sama would do. But, but, that unpredictability is what makes Crusch-sama so dangerously attractive."
Ferris, who was in agreement with the melancholic Julius, blushed in the latter half of the story. With a dreamy look on his face, he pointed his finger at Julius' chest and spun it around in a circular motion.
And so Julius, who had been listening obediently to Ferris' lovey-dovey tales and letting him do as he pleased, suddenly,
"By the way, Ferris, about that guy from earlier."
"Lady Emilia is with you now. After that, for a little while, I think you will be staying at the Karsten mansion."
Before the full question could be asked, Ferris's mouth uttered a cold reply.
Looking up at the silent Julius from close up, Ferris laughed, "Mmmm," and then,
"Julius is really kind, isn't he? Should I say he's like a knight?"
"It's an incredible honor to be called that.... What about being taken care of by the Karsten family?"
"Feri-chan thought that it's not good to talk about patients' personal information so much."
Ferris dodged the question with endearing gestures. However, Julius found something in his cold response that made sense to him, and muttered, "I thought so,"
"I thought there were too many suspicious points, but his gate seems to be quite worn out."
"...Feri-chan, I didn't say anything."
Seeing Ferris' insincere attitude, Julius tilted his chin slightly in approval.
In fact, if you combine Ferris' use of the word "patient" with the discomfort Julius himself had felt towards Subaru, it's easy to imagine the background.
And the conclusion that the brilliant Julius came to was,
"Lady Emilia really is the type of person who always ends up losing out."
There must be an easier way to live, Julius thought.
Surely there was a more understandable way to reward and show it, but she didn't know it, and it was not in her day to day ability to know it.
I believe that this is a precarious and fragile way of walking, which can easily lead to misunderstandings on both the giver and the receiver.
"You think we should live more wisely?"
Ferris asked Julius testing questions as he spoke.
Julius thought for a moment, then shook his head and said, "No."
"Because that is how she is, she is able to live a dignified and beautiful life. I don't want that to be changed. That's why..."
Just as he was about to continue, Julius stopped himself, realizing that it would be rude of him to do so.
Some things go without being said. And Ferris must have understood that. He, too, seemed to understand Julius' hesitation as he touched his own cat's ears.
"What do you think, Julius?"
"We don't know what the future holds. All we can do is hope. I hope that everyone can live honestly, true to themselves, and without shame."
Julius raised his head, faced forward, and resumed his march.
Following behind him a half step behind was Ferris, who clasped his hands behind his back and leaned forward.
"Is that kid in there too?"
"No one, Ferris. That's why we carry swords."
Will it break? Julius wondered.
If it's going to break, I think it would be better if it broke here.
But if it doesn't break,
"It wouldn't be so bad to cross swords with such an idealistic fool once again."
Hearing Julius' words, Ferris chuckled softly.
Julius raised his eyebrows at that response and made a suspicious face. Ferris's face widened as if he had seen something even more amusing about Julius' expression, and
Subaru: "Even if Julius feels that way, I think Subaru-kun is probably thinking that he never wants to do it again. After being beaten up so publicly, right?"
A smile that can't be hidden even with a hand over his mouth.
"You had a lot of thoughts, but were you still a little pissed off?"
She looked up at him with a testing tone. Julius reflexively retorted, "That's disappointing," but then he suddenly looked back into his own mind.
His disrespectful behavior in the hall, the many abusive comments he made on the parade grounds. And the results it produced, and the faces of the women who were forced to bear the burden because of it all came to mind.
"That's disappointing, Ferris. I am a knight. I impose that on myself, even if only in my own way."
Julius shook his head gracefully, saying he had no shame in his actions, and placed his palm on his chest. He looked straight into the eyes of Ferris, who was standing next to him, and said,
"I was only a little annoyed."
"Feri-chan was pretty good though."
They both exchange smiles as if they've just told the biggest joke.
Then, as they approached the entrance to the guardhouse, the two faced each other again, held out their hands, and shook them firmly.
"Well, it will be a while until then. I sincerely hope that you and your master are in good health."
"Julius, Anastasia-sama will probably give you a hard time, but do your best. The rest of what Julius did… well, I'll take it over here."
Ferris released his hand, waved it back, and walked out of the station with a carefree look on his face.
As he sent him off, Julius fixed his gaze on his receding friend―― and his enemy,
"The one who will take the throne is Lady Anastasia."
"Hmm, Lady Crusch is truly worthy of the throne."
With such declarations of war exchanged, the knights returned to their respective masters.
The red sunlight pouring down from the evening sky showered its color equally on the two people who were parting, and on all the people living in the royal capital.
--The selection of each king was about to begin.