Rudolf Fahlcrantz

“Wilhelm and the woman turned right! Hurry!”

Maya who took the lead, spoke to us.

Thanks to her speed, she didn’t lose sight of Wilhelm, and we were able to keep them in our sights.

That said……….the escape tunnel, the insides of the building, every place had been flooded with Fahlcrantz soldiers, and Wilhelm had no place to escape.

Even if we lost sight of them, they would only end up getting killed by the soldiers.

However.

“I am not……..going to accept that ending!!”

This fight was between me and Wilhelm.

I’m not letting some third party steal it away from me.

With my own hands………I swear, I will end this all with my own two hands!!

“!! Prince Rudolf! Those tan outside! They’re……they seem to be running above the castle walls!”

“Got it! Let’s catch up to them quickly!”

That said, we won’t catch them like this. I quickly took off the plate armour I was wearing while still running, and threw it away.

Yeah, this makes things a lot lighter…..wait!?

“L-Liz!?!”

“Armour like this, is useless now!”

Copying me, Liz also quickly removed her armour and threw it away.

B-but, and I know I shouldn’t be having such impure thoughts at such a time but, umm, well,…….underneath the armour, she was only wearing a light tunic, and the sweat had stuck it to her body, making every line of her slender figure very visible to the eyes.

“au…….mou, seriously, don’t stare too much!”

“Oww!?”

Noticing my gaze, she slapped my shoulders.

Even if you took off the armour, you’re still wearing the gauntlets you know……..ah.

“Ahahaha”

“Fufufu.”

Both me and Liz started laughing at each other, even at such a moment.

But I can’t help it, can I? even though we are deep in the middle of a brutal battlefield, and are currently chasing Wilhelm, having such an absurd conversation with Liz was just way too much fun for me.

“Ahaha……hey Liz, once our fight with Wilhelm is over, why don’t we go out somewhere, just the two of us?”

“An outing, eh?”

“Yeah. Until now, we’ve really only been together within the Imperial Palace or the Academy, oh and also the Fahlcrantz mansion right? But I want to enjoy a lot of other things with you as well, Liz. And there’s still so many different places that I want to go to with you as well.”

Saying that to Liz, I made a somewhat dissatisfied expression. Of course, it’s not like I was actually dissatisfied with how our relationship had progressed until now though.

“fufu……..well, that does sound nice. I too, always wanted to roam the streets of the capital alongside you Lord Rudy.”

“Then I guess it’s settled. Once we return, we’ll do exactly that.”

“Yes!……..ah, look there. Maya’s sulking a bit again.”

“Ah…….she is indeed.”

While still closely chasing Wilhelm, Maya still had the leeway to glare back at us.

Well, at least for when we’re touring the capital, we’ll take you with us so don’t give me that look okay?

Around that moment,……..in the corner of my eye, I noticed a decent looking red haired middle aged man lying on the floor, dead, while bleeding from his mouth.

I had no idea who that man was. And I had no intention of figuring it out either.

And so, I…….simply ran past this man without giving another glance.

“Where’s Wilhelm!?”

“Over there!!”

We finally ran all the way outside, as Liz pointed to the top of the castle walls.

I could clearly see Wilhelm running alongside the woman named Nikita.

“Prince Rudolf, the Fahlcrantz soldiers are waiting exactly where that man is running to. Now, those two or quite surely trapped like the rats they are.”

“Yeah.”

I strongly nodded to Maya’s words.

Now then…….there’s no room for Wilhelm to escape any more.

We also climbed up the ladder, and got atop the walls of the fortress.

“………Rudolf, Lizbeth.”

“Wilhelm……..you can’t escape any longer.”

Having finally cornered him, I quietly spoke to Wilhelm, who stood at the edge of the ramparts.

Fahlcrantz Soldiers on one side, us in front of them. Beyond the ramparts lay a deep cliff, and there was river flowing underneath.

The fall was so high, that until you were planning to commit suicide, I wouldn’t recommend jumping down to anyone.

“What now? If I had to make the choice for you, your best bet would be to challenge us, since there’s only 3 of us. That’s the most realistic chance for your survival to be honest.”

“……………………”

After taking a glance down at the river that flowed far, far below underneath us, Wilhelm turned back to glare at me.

Looks like he’s made his resolve as well.

“Rudolf………..I challenge you to a one vs one duel.”

“A duel……..with me?”

“That’s right. If I win, you will have to let go of myself and Lady Nikita.”

“………..after all this, you sure have guts to be making demands like that. What merit would Prince Rudolf have to acquiesce to such nonsense?”

It was indeed as Maya said.

I had no reason to properly duel this man any longer. Let alone that, if in the off chance I did lose, everything would have been for nothing.

However.

“Fine, I accept.”

“Prince Rudolf!?!”

I decided to play along with Wilhelm in the end.

Hearing that, Maya exclaimed loudly in shock.

“Maya, let Lord Rudy settle this matter himself.”

“Lady Lizbeth! But–!!”

“You heard it as well right? For Lord Rudy and Wilhelm, to fight each other is basically their destiny. Even if they are half-blood brothers, this was always an unavoidable fate.”

Liz calmed Maya down, as she shook her head.

Seriously you are always………so utterly trustworthy of me.

“However, Lord Rudy, you have to promise me this. You will win, and then return back safely to my side.”

“Liz………I promise you. I will return to you no matter what. In the name of Rudolf Fürst ………..ah wait, I have already lost the authority to name myself that, haven’t I?”

Then.

“As Rudolf Fahlcrantz………as the one who will inherit the Fahlcrantz name, I swear.”

“Ah……..y-Yes! You are indeed the man who will become the head of the Fahlcrantz house! My beloved fiancé, Rudolf Fahlcrantz, there are no two ways about it!!”

I turned back and then stared down Wilhelm.

“Kept you waiting huh. Come……..Let us begin.”

And so, I pointed the tip of Nægling towards the very similar amber coloured eyes of his.

Previous Chapter I ToC I Next Chapter