A cry rang out in an instant. However, the boy who had been holding hands with Noah tripped and fell to the ground. The moment they saw that, Temeraire’s arms, which had been holding Yuichiro, released him. As if they had agreed implicitly, both Yuichiro and Temeraire started running at the same time.

Sprinting at full speed, Yuichiro caught Noah, and Temeraire lifted the boy. They raced back towards the mansion. As rocks fell behind them, their toes briefly left the ground amidst the violent rumbling. Their insides shook as the boulders smashed into the ground with a thunderous noise.

When they leaped into the mansion, they were momentarily unable to breathe due to the trembling. Cold sweat poured down, and as they gasped for breath with wide-open eyes, Tyet quickly ran over to them.

“Are you injured?!”

At that voice, their breath finally returned. Looking back, they saw that the rocks had completely collapsed, and the path they had come from was now dark and closed off. Temeraire, who was comforting the sobbing children, appeared at the edge of their vision.

“Um, Yuichiro… I’d like to be let down now…”

A somewhat embarrassed voice could be heard. Yuichiro realized it was Noah’s voice and gently lowered Noah’s body, which he had been carrying, to the floor. He wiped the mud off Noah’s body with both arms and urgently asked in a worried voice,

“Are you hurt?”

“No, I’m fine. The bullet just grazed my arm.”

Noah’s left sleeve was torn, and a small amount of blood could be seen seeping through. The moment Yuichiro saw the blood, which had stained the fabric red, uncontrollable anger welled up within him.

“You idiot!”

Yelling in anger, Noah’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Why did you go? I told you not to!”

His outburst was like a child’s tantrum. Yuichiro couldn’t control his emotions, and his face contorted with self-loathing.

But upon seeing Yuichiro’s tearful glare, Noa smiled genuinely. “Were you worried about me?”

At this completely off-the-mark response, Yuichiro almost slapped the man. But even as his face twisted further with anger, Noah continued to wear a gentle smile.

“Sorry for making you worry, Yuichiro. And thank you for coming to help me.”

Yuichiro wanted to snap back that he wasn’t worried at all, but he couldn’t bring himself to say it. Seeing him clinging to his waist, his anger began to deflate with a soft, fizzling sound.

“You idiot…” he muttered resentfully one more time, but even he could tell that his voice was pathetically weak.

Yuichiro slowly reached out and embraced Noah’s back. Feeling Noah’s back rise and fall with each breath, he was unexpectedly relieved. At the same time, he felt an inexplicable warmth welling up in the corners of his eyes, as he realized he had behaved in a way he could never have imagined before.

As he silently held Noah, a faint voice reached his ears.

“Noah, the king…?”

The source of the voice was the long-haired man lying on the floor. He looked up at Noah with an extremely surprised expression. Noah in turn glanced at the man and slowly separated from Yuichiro. He approached the man and quietly knelt down on one knee.

“I’m sorry for causing the death of your lover.”

At these sudden words of apology, not only the long-haired man but also Yuichiro stared back at Noah in astonishment.

“I’m not saying I forgive you for what you did to the children. Even so, it’s a fact that the civil war happened because of us, the royal family, and you lost someone important to you. I am truly sorry.”

With a gaze downcast in regret, Noah continued to speak, “Even so, we can’t end the war right away. If we lose, Jeweld will be reduced to a vassal state of Goldar. That’s why, no matter the sacrifices we must make, we have to keep fighting.”

At the word “sacrifice,” the long-haired man’s face twisted in hatred. Clenching his teeth, he glared at Noah as if trying to shoot him down with his eyes alone. Yet, Noah, gazing back at the man, added in a gentle voice.

“However, I promise you this. Once this war is over, we will never start another. I will make this country a beautiful place that everyone can be proud of. I will not let your lover’s death be in vain.”

The patrons of the tavern had been listening to Noah’s quiet words in astonishment. His words were so abstract, so idealistic, that they sounded like a naïve fairy tale for children. Yet, not a single person there laughed at what Noah said.

“So please, wait just a little longer.”

At Noah’s pleading words, the long-haired man was momentarily speechless, his lips slightly parted. Then, suddenly, he let out a short groan and pressed his forehead to the floor. His back trembled violently. Soon after, barely audible sobs and the sound of tears falling to the floor could be heard.

For some reason, sniffling sounds could also be heard from around the room. As Yuichiro looked around, he was surprised to see many patrons with tear-filled eyes, staring at Noah like children. Their gazes were not directed at the one they had been calling “Brat King” just moments ago. Even Kiki’s eyes were rimmed with a faint pink, as if overwhelmed with emotion.

As Yuichiro stood dumbfounded by the scene, a light and lively voice suddenly spoke up.

“Marian, please make some food for the children. Feela, you take care of King Noah.”

It was Eliza’s voice. Eliza smiled casually as if there hadn’t been any disturbance earlier, lightly clapped her hands, and spoke, “Now, everyone, we have a lot to do, like removing the rocks. Would you please help us tidy up? However, please rest assured. We have plenty of food in this mansion. Until the road is cleared, we will take responsibility for providing meals to everyone. Of course, there will be no charge.”

Upon Eliza’s words, the customers in the tavern erupted simultaneously.

Looking around the suddenly noisy room, Eliza approached with an unruffled demeanor, “Ladies and gentlemen, please come this way at the Goddess’s behest.”

At the urging voice, Yuichiro nodded gently and began walking. When he turned around, he saw Noah gently placing a hand on the trembling back of the long-haired man.

They were then guided to a room that resembled a guest room and sat on a large sofa placed in the center of the room after being invited to do so.

Once Yuichiro sat on the sofa, Eliza bowed to him and then took a seat on the chair directly across. Temeraire, on the other hand stood diagonally behind him, while the other squadron leaders stood scattered around the room, appearing vigilant.

Still wearing an elusive smile, Eliza opened her lips, “I apologize for the delayed greeting. I am Elizabeth Cessta. If you don’t mind, you may call me Eliza.”

“Eliza,” Yuichiro immediately called, and Eliza tilted her head slightly. “Do you need reinforcements for the removal of the collapsed rocks?”

Without any comment on the earlier incident, Eliza blinked her eyes a few times at the incredibly businesslike approach and then nodded in agreement.

“We can handle the removal with just us, but it would be helpful if we could receive reinforcements from the capital. Also, if we could request the prompt delivery of the two captured men, that would be greatly appreciated.”

“I understand. Kiki, transmit a message through Kuku to Goat requesting reinforcements from the capital. The two main culprits are to be detained in the capital. They can be interrogated, but no punishment should be carried out until we return. Inform them to protect those five children in the capital as well. Make sure they are well-fed.”

Kiki immediately responded in a brisk voice, “Understood,” and left the room, presumably to communicate.

Yuichiro clasped his hands together between his legs and asked Eliza, “We should have sent the mechanical bird in advance to convey our purpose. How are the preparations? The main road may be blocked, but is there a way to reach Charlotte village?”

As he asked in rapid succession, Eliza smiled reassuringly. “Of course, I am aware. Although it may be a bit of a detour, there is a way to reach Charlotte, so please rest assured. As for companions, I have chosen two trustworthy and agile subordinates. In addition to those two, I will also accompany you to Charlotte.”

“You too?”

It was Tyet who raised his voice.

Eliza smiled at Tyet. “Yes. I cannot send only important subordinates to a dangerous place. Besides, I am acquainted with Nica, so I believe we can quickly establish communication.”

“Nica?”

Yuichiro raised his voice, unfamiliar with the name. Eliza continued with an explanation, as if adding a note. “I apologize. Nica… or Nikita Goldar is the name of the twin brother and legitimate heir of the Goldar royal family. In other words, he is the current ruler of Charlotte.”

“What kind of man is he?”

“To put it bluntly, he is a bundle of self-destruction. He has given up on the current state of the country and his own position, indulging himself in pleasure as long as he can.”

Yuichiro smiled at Eliza’s straightforward description. Leaning against the soft sofa, he asked, “So Charlotte’s security seems to be poor?”

“No, not exactly. The land may be rough, but the people’s hearts are not in complete disarray. Charlotte has a self-defense force that prevents internal disputes and intrusions by thieves, among other things. As a result, Charlotte’s security is relatively stable compared to other villages.” After explaining, Eliza covered her mouth with her hand and let out a small chuckle. “Moreover… the one in charge of the vigilante group is quite a beautiful lady. Despite being young, she is skilled and has a dignified appearance…”

Eliza’s laughter, leaking out with a “fufufu,” was enchanting to a degree that didn’t match her girlish face. When Yuichiro shifted his gaze towards Tyet, the man shrugged his shoulders slightly, appearing somewhat troubled.

“Do you have any information about the twin sister?” Temeraire asked, and Eliza responded in a formal tone.

“I haven’t had the opportunity to meet the twin sister myself. Rumor has it that she is physically weak and rarely ventures outside.”

“What is her name?”

In response to Yuichiro’s question, Eliza answered with a light voice, “Her name is Juliana Goldar. People around her seem to refer to her as Princess Julia. Even before being sent to Charlotte, Princess Julia was already famous as a beauty, both domestically and internationally.”

‘A pleasure-seeking older brother and a beautiful but frail sister. It’s quite astonishing that Charlotte manages to stay intact with such unstable rulers.’

Eliza continued speaking as Yuichiro absentmindedly contemplated whether the vigilante group mentioned earlier was barely keeping Charlotte village afloat.

“We depart for Charlotte tomorrow. Until then, please feel free to spend your time at this mansion.”

Just as Yuichiro was about to nod in response to those words, a small scream suddenly emanated from the adjacent room.

The first to react to the scream was Yuichiro. He immediately stood up from the sofa and made his way to the adjacent room in the shortest distance possible.

Observing Yuichiro, who stepped on the low coffee table without hesitation, Eliza pressed her hand to her mouth with an “oh dear” expression.

As Yuichiro forcefully swung open the door to the adjacent room, he caught sight of Noah being pushed down by Feela on the bed. As soon as Noah noticed Yuichiro’s presence, she cried out in a voice on the verge of tears.

“Yu-Yuichiro, help me…”

However, Yuichiro was left stunned and unable to move. He was surprised by the sight of Noah being pinned down by Feela, but what shocked him, even more, was Noah’s appearance.