“If neither the informants nor the Explorers’ Union are of much use, then there is only one way left: to go and see for ourselves.”
Arendt, with his hands shoved into his pockets, continued speaking. No one was foolish enough to ask how he planned to get all the way to the Lucain Kingdom.
Because there was one poor dragon who got caught by the scruff of the neck by that damn apprentice knight.
“While Your Highness takes the necessary steps, the advance party will go ahead and assess the situation first, before it is too late.”
“That advance party… is that ?”
Arendt nodded in agreent to Llewellyn’s bewildered question.
“To enter the palace, you need to have a status similar to that of royalty. And among those people, you’re the only one who wouldn’t seem out of place at that ti and place.”
It was well known that Llewellyn was a wanderer, so even if he suddenly showed up, people would be surprised, but they wouldn’t be overly suspicious.
Llewellyn muttered with a puzzled look on his face.
“I’m staying in the Caerleon Empire presently though. I think it’s known to the outside world as well…”
“Just say you had a sudden change of heart and decided to take a little trip. Stick to the story. I an, what can they do when a prince from another kingdom says sothing like that?”
When Arendt said that, Diana, who had been listening quietly, narrowed her eyes.
“What you an is, you want to put the prince in front and sneak in?”
“Yes, that’s right. If Crown Prince Victor were in danger, he’d do whatever it takes to keep Llewellyn close and make his situation known. Even if soone like Duke Middleton has taken control of the palace, he wouldn’t dare cast out a mber of a royal family without consequence.”
Arendt shrugged.
“They’ll try to send him back as quickly as possible, but if that guy continues to be shaless, it’s a problem that can be solved by buying ti.”
“But isn’t it too dangerous? It would be like sending the prince alone into enemy territory since it would also be difficult for one of us to accompany him.”
Kendrick pointed out seriously.
“It is also a well-known fact that the Prince is close with the Caerleon Empire. Even if one of us were to disguise ourselves and move with the Prince, if that person was discovered to be from the Empire, there would certainly be trouble.”
“Exactly, but it’s okay if we don’t get caught.”
Kendrick frowned, thinking Arendt’s remark was unusual.
“Not getting caught isn’t as easy as you say. You can change your looks, maybe, but the way you speak, the way you carry yourself… habits ford over a lifeti don’t disappear overnight…”
But he couldn’t finish his sentence, for he realized that the atmosphere around him was starting to shift.
Everyone except Kendrick was casting reluctant, and sowhat uneasy, glances in one direction.
As if responding to those gazes, Arendt answered readily.
“Of course it is not easy.”
A triumphant smile appeared on the apprentice knight’s lips.
“Isn’t it true that real achievents co from overcoming tough challenges?”
Everyone fell silent.
Because he had so many extraordinary talents, they forgot about it for a mont.
Arendt von Eckhart’s most unusual specialty.
His acting was so realistic, it was like he changed his face right before their eyes.
Wiping the smile from his face, Arendt slipped his hands into his pockets and continued speaking.
“You probably feel uneasy about him going alone, so why not take Lexion along too? That should be enough, right?”
Having lived for a long ti, Lexion would have no trouble imitating people from other countries.
If he just assessed the situation and slipped away quietly to join Cantares’ group later, it shouldn’t be a problem.
But still, they looked uneasy.
“Obviously, that’s a valid strategy, but…”
Cantares frowned slightly and paused.
“You’re going to take action yourself?”
“Then who else can? There’s also the problem that Captain Kendrick ntioned earlier. Lexion alone would be enough for the escort, but the more people there are, the better for gathering information. Llewellyn’s movents will also be limited.”
Arendt shrugged.
“And I dare say that among the knights of the Imperial Knights, there is no one who is more skilled at infiltration than I am.”
“…”
Listening to him shalessly brag about how great he was gave them a slight headache.
And the most regrettable thing was that there was absolutely nothing wrong with what he said.
Llewellyn let out an exclamation of admiration.
“Wow, what an annoying bastard…”
“Of course you’re right, but there are still a few things that need to be addressed. And the most important of them all is you.”
Cantares continued to speak, pressing his temples.
“I just heard from Captain Laius that your condition isn’t very good. Since you were currently on leave combined with a deploynt, I was also asked to refrain from contacting you for a while so you could recover.”
“The communication orb was quiet for a reason.”
Arendt grumbled. The other two captains and Llewellyn also looked at Arendt with stern faces, having heard similar stories.
Cantares continued.
“Although we summoned you urgently because of unforeseen circumstances… unless we can be certain you’ve fully recovered, I don’t think it’s wise for you to carry out a separate mission.”
“This is more ddling than necessary. How far exactly have these rumors been spread?”
Laius responded calmly to the apprentice knight who was glancing at him with discontent.
“It was, of course, a necessary asure for your rest.”
“Well, I won’t deny that my condition was less than ideal for a while…”
Arendt grumbled, taking his eyes off Laius.
“There’s no problem at the mont. I was practically forced to take a good rest while being dragged around by Senior Arthur.”
“Your complexion has definitely improved, but… are you sure there won’t be any problems?”
Studying his face closely, Cantares asked with a doubtful tone. Arendt shoved his hands deep into his pockets.”
“Of course. No matter how much you stare, it doesn’t change the fact that I’m handso.”
“…”
Sighs broke out from every direction. Even Jereon, waiting off to the side, gave a wry smile.
Now, Laius, who felt embarrassed to apologize again, simply rubbed his face.
Llewellyn opened his mouth, pressing his temples.
“We haven’t heard the full details either. I don’t think you’ll answer even if we ask, and since Captain Laius didn’t ntion anything, we won’t dig into it further…”
Llewellyn looked at Arendt with suspicion.
“Are you really okay? If you suddenly needed to take a break, your condition must have been pretty bad. You’ve been looking strangely tired lately, too.”
Given the circumstances, it appeared that Arendt and Arthur’s visit to Rebecca’s castle was a secret, and the excuse used was that they had gone out of the castle for a while to rest.
It was much better than bringing up the story of the Evil God and God Luce for no reason.
Arendt answered bluntly.
“I was running on no sleep because of all kinds of things, so they had to drag out. But there’s no problem.”
“No problem?”
Laius, who had been silently listening, furrowed his brow and asked sternly. His blue eyes contained a threat that he would report everything if Arendt did not admit it.
Arendt’s face crumpled.
“Seriously, you’re so persistent! There’s a problem. What can I do about it? It’s not sothing that can be solved right away.”
Only then did Laius withdraw his warning gaze as he watched Arendt snap at him irritably.
Cantares, Llewellyn, and the other two knight captains also wore relaxed expressions.
Arendt, feeling a bit irritated by this, continued speaking sharply.
“I’ve had a good rest, so there’s no problem moving right now. It’s not an illness or injury, so as long as I manage my condition, I’ll be fine. If anything does go wrong, I’ll inform Lexion imdiately and withdraw. Okay?”
“You should have said that a long ti ago.”
Only then did Cantares nod in satisfaction. Kendrick ran a hand through his beard and muttered in approval.
“I especially like the last part. You tend to be a bit too reckless, you know. Though, that’s a privilege of youth.”
“That’s all possible because he’s still young. Still, it’s fortunate he seems to have learned how to compromise sowhat under Captain Laius.”
Diana smiled aningfully and shook her head. As the conversation continued, Arendt grew increasingly annoyed.
“You said it was urgent. How long do you plan on stalling?”
“Haha, that’s right. If we tease him any more, I think Sir Arendt will get really angry, so let’s stop. It doesn’t seem like the ti for that.”
Kendrick waved his hand.
“Prince Llewellyn, what do you think? The most important thing is His Highness the Crown Prince and the prince’s will.”
“Of course I have no complaints as long as he keeps his promise to withdraw if necessary.”
When Llewellyn readily answered, Cantares snickered and replied.
“You don’t have to worry about that either, Prince Llewellyn. If anything happens, Lord Lexion will drag him out of there.”
“By the way, is it really okay not to get Lord Lexion’s permission?”
At Diana’s question, Laius spoke with clear reluctance.
“It probably won’t be a problem.”
“He has no right to refuse. He must be listening to our conversation right now.”
When Arendt spoke indifferently, Kendrick let out an awkward laugh.
“How did he get caught by this damn bastard… even the great dragon must have had a hard ti.”
“He has no right to complain. It’s half his fault.”
Arendt replied grumpily. The group shook their heads, imagining the dragon sighing deeply with a troubled expression on his face sowhere.
Once the course of action was decided, everything proceeded smoothly.
While Llewellyn prepared to leave, Arendt returned to the dormitory and gave a brief update on the situation.
Arthur seed very dissatisfied with the fact that Arendt had to go on a solo mission as soon as he returned. But that didn’t last long.
“Senior, there is sothing you need to do.”
Arendt, who had said that, dragged Arthur in front of Lexion without warning.
“What? What is it?”
“So this guy’s the scapegoat.”
Lexion muttered softly and imdiately casted his magic.
“It wasn’t exactly my idea, so if you’ve got complaints, take them up with that brat.”
“Yes?”
Just as Arthur was about to ask, black magic instantly enveloped his body.
A few seconds later, the black smoke-like magic cleared away, and Arendt was standing there in Arthur’s place, wearing a dumbfounded expression.
“…What?”
Still clueless about the situation, Arthur asked in confusion, only to recoil in shock at hearing Arendt’s voice co out of his own mouth.
“Hey, what is this? Lord Lexion! What the heck is this…”
“It’s just in case. The Chernion Cult might find out that I’m away, so you should act as a stand-in for a while. The captain will explain it to the other seniors.”
It was a valid point. Arendt was a key target for the Evil Cult. But that didn’t an Arthur deserved to be ambushed out of nowhere.
“Pull yourself together and take this. Senior Arthur’s going to be on paid leave for a while.”
Arendt reluctantly handed over his apprentice knight’s uniform and the leather gloves, crafted to mimic the Frosty Touch, as he spoke.
Lexion also added sothing from the side.
“Do not move your magical power as much as possible. If you use it, the polymorph magic may be canceled. Unless it’s an ergency, don’t draw your sword either.”
“Ugh…”
Arthur couldn’t even answer properly and just stared blankly into space. Arendt teased him, who had the sa bewildered expression on his face as himself.
“What? You said you’d always have my back, didn’t you?”
“…”
In the end, Arthur could only glare at him with eyes full of resentnt.
“You damn bastard. I will definitely get my revenge soday.”
“If you can, try it.”
Arendt let out a chuckle and pulled the hood of his dark-colored cloak over his head instead of his uniform.
“Then, I’ll be going.”
“Just get lost already.”
Ignoring Arthur’s remark, Arendt looked back at Lexion. Lexion shook his head and began to channel his magic.
A mont later, a magical storm swept through the room and the two people suddenly disappeared.
“…What a damn nuisance.”
Arthur, left alone, scratched his head irritably. But there was nothing else he could do.
Since it had co to this, he had no choice but to go along with it.
Arthur clicked his tongue and slid on the fake leather gloves that Arendt had tossed to him.
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