Confrontation

“Look at you, acting all relaxed, all by yourself in a place like this. Guess you have everything under control eh.”

“?!?!………..Rudolf……!?!”

Finally, we found Wilhelm.

“How did you get here……..”

“Quite simple really. Shouldn’t you know as well? There’s an underground escape tunnel here in Vander you know?”

“!?!”

I guess he didn’t, as Wilhelm looked even more confused and panicked.

Ohh…..that kind of expression suits you a lot more.

“Well isn’t that rare. Even though you’re always acting all calm and cool.”

“…………………………..”

Wilhelm’s amber eyes glared at me.

“by the way………why are you the only one here? Knowing you, I was sure you’d be keeping a couple bodyguards hiding around here somewhere in wait as well.”

Saying that, I observed the surroundings.

But it really didn’t seem like anyone else was here.

Well, I guess when an army of 5000 is attacking you, it doesn’t really leave a lot of leeway in a 1000 man army to have people staying behind in wait.

However.

But ever since I recalled my past life’s memories, I’ve come to know and understand this man called Wilhelm very well.

He was far from the man that was venerated in the [War Records of Wilhelm], and a far cry from the hero that my first love used to admire. He was a cowardly, sly, and cunning bastard.

There was no way a man like him would ever not keep a back up, for a just in case situation……..Hm?

“your highness!!”

“!?!”

Maya forcefully pulled me back, making me stagger behind a couple steps.

And where I stood.

———*clang**clang*

2 knives stabbed into the floor.

“Oh my, I missed.”

“””!!?”””

A singular woman appeared.

Shining silver hair, and grey eyes that seemed empty like the void.

She was the one who threw those knives.

“Haha, see? I knew a bastard like you was incapable of fighting fare and square.”

“hmph.”

Hearing my snark, Wilhelm shamelessly hmphed with his nose and ignored it.

I guess, his cockiness certainly lives up to that of a hero.

“So? From what I can tell, that woman’s from Rujia, right?”

“Yeah, that’s right. One of the best assassins they have. Getting rid of someone like you lot would be cheap.”

I see.

That’s why he was acting this composed.

Even though he himself is far weaker than me.

But, more than that.

“……….those words, you really mean that?”

“really mean what?”

“You just said it. [Getting rid of someone like you lot would be cheap], DO YOU MEAN IT!?”

Anger raged, as I shouted.

Why was I this angry? Isn’t it obvious!

I don’t care if those words were just for me. After all, me and Wilhelm had nothing between us.

BUT! He said [you lot], meaning he includes Liz in the people he wants to kill as well!

“I knew it. You just saw Liz as nothing more than a tool to gain the Fahlcrantz army! And just for that, you used mine and Liz’s precious memories! You deceived her! You played with her…….with Liz’s feelings!!”

“………and? What of it?”

Wilhelm averted his eyes, as he spat those words.

As I thought, to this man Liz was just………ah.

“Lord Rudy………you need not fret so much over such a thing.”

“Liz……..?”

Liz quickly grabbed my hand.

And then smiled at me.

“If anything, if that man was actually in love with me, that would be nothing more than a nuisance.”

“however, even so……….you are……….”

“All I care about is your feelings and no one else’s. So, this simply makes things easier for me. After all, if that man actually professed his love for me, all it’ll do is trouble me.”

It seems Liz truly felt that way.

If you really don’t feel hurt then, I don’t mind but……….oh?

“………”

Wilhelm was biting down on his lip hard enough to make it bleed.

I see……….this guy, actually……..

But.

“…………I guess it’s enough. Even with that woman joining you, your fate is already sealed. Besides………can you not hear it as well?”

Saying that, I cupped my ear to listen carefully.

And what came was.

[The front gate is open! Soldiers, CHAAAAARRRRGEE!!!]

[[[[OOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHH!!!]]]]

Marquis Fahlcrantz bursting roar echoed followed by the warcry of 5000 soldiers.

With this, it was checkmate.

And yet.

“ku……..kuhaha……..”

“………Wilhelm?”

“KUHAHAHAHAHAHA…….Haah. I guess, it really is your win this time.“

While I was confused why he started laughing, Wilhelm simply sighed, and then shrugged his shoulders.

Still, he refuses to accept his defeat huh…….

“So, I just need to kill you here, and then prepare for the next time. And so………die.”

“!?!”

With Wilhelm’s signal, the Rujian woman brandished her kinzhal dagger gripped with both hands, and lunged towards me.

And that–

“……………………………..”

“Could you please not underestimate me? Did you really think I would let you do as you wish?”

“Lady Lizbeth, allow me to handle this.”

The Rujian woman’s Kinzhal was blocked by Liz’s spear and Maya’s machete.

“Lord Rudy. We will take care of this woman. You handle Wilhelm.”

“Liz………maya………..”

Both Liz and Maya looked at me and nodded.

That’s right………these two swore to protect me, and protect themselves as well.

Then I too will trust you as well.

“You two, I’m counting on you. I will………go and finish things with Wilhelm!!!”

I unsheathed Nægling from its scabbard, and took my stance.

The tip of my blade aimed at Wilhelm, who also drew his sword.

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