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The next day. I prepared for a late outing.

“Count, let me tie your tie.”

“Hmm.”

Helga gently wrapped the tie around my neck. Her hands skillfully shaped the tie.

“Your skills have improved.”

“You flatter me.”

It had been over a month since Helga started attending to me in place of Wendy, who was focusing on her studies.

At first, everything was clumsy.

It was unreasonable to expect the level of delicacy of a mansion maid from Helga, who was once a berserker roaming the battlefield.

“Done. All set.”

Helga, having been praised once, puffed up with pride.

Looking in the mirror, the tie was slightly crooked.

Perhaps it was because, after being possessed, the noble demeanor had seeped into my body. I couldn’t just let such a small thing slide.

I decided to teach Helga directly.

“The finishing touch is clumsy.”

“…Ah.”

I took her hand and had her adjust the tie again.

“Pay attention when tying this part. Just that and it’ll be perfect.”

“Ah, um… Yes.”

Helga hesitated uncharacteristically and adjusted the tie as I guided her.

“Don’t get cocky.”

“…Yes.”

“Mistakes won’t be tolerated.”

“…Yes. I’m sorry.”

“Always remember. My dignity is shaped by your hands.”

“Yes. I’ll remember and remember again.”

“Do you think it’s harsh?”

“No. Please keep scolding me, Count.”

Helga, who said that, was looking up at me.

Her heterochromatic eyes were filled with my reflection. There seemed to be no room for anyone else in them.

“It’s useless for you.”

“Oh my. Why is that?”

“Because you enjoy being punished anyway.”

“Hehe… Did I get caught? But I don’t ask just anyone to scold me.”

Helga covered her mouth and giggled.

“Only the Count can scold me.”

“…Don’t get cheeky.”

I let go of her hand.

Looking in the mirror, the tie was tied flawlessly. Now it was perfect.

Helga looked at me with satisfaction and said.

“Hoho… You look very handsome today, Count.”

“…You seem to have put quite a bit of effort into your appearance too.”

Helga was dressed in Aslan’s uniform, unlike usual. Wearing a black military coat and boots, she looked quite the part of a soldier.

It was as if she had returned as the deputy commander of Aslan, her shoulders filled with strength.

“Yes. Because we’re going to war now.”

Yesterday, the Imperial Guard Knight had to leave the office in a hurry, leaving only the Emperor’s letter behind.

It was a satisfying sight, but only for a moment. After checking the letter from the Emperor, I couldn’t help but fall into thought.

To summarize the letter’s content:

For resolving the recent incident of the Demon Realm’s rampage, the Emperor wanted to award me with commendations and rewards.

And if I wanted to be truly recognized as a member of the Seven Stars, I must present myself before the Emperor.

Being commended by the Emperor was quite an honor, but it held little meaning for me.

The Emperor probably sent the letter with public opinion in mind.

The influence of the nobles of the Ruelberta Family was something even the Emperor couldn’t ignore.

If it were the original Tristan, he would have surely ignored it.

Moreover, the relationship between the Imperial Family and Ruelberta was at its worst. For Tristan, the head of Ruelberta, going to the Imperial Palace was no different from entering enemy territory.

But I decided to go to the Imperial Palace.

It was something I had to face eventually.

To move this world according to my will, the Emperor was a gate I had to pass through.

I gladly accepted the Imperial Family’s invitation.

“Your shoelace is undone.”

Helga knelt and began tying my shoelace.

I looked at her and spoke.

“Helga.”

“Yes.”

“You can stay here.”

At those words, Helga’s hands tying the shoelace paused.

“From now on, the path I’m taking is thorny. You, who have shown unwavering loyalty to me, deserve to live without getting hurt.”

I continued quietly.

“Even without your protection, I won’t fall. I won’t break. If you’re really worried, I can take Wylie, the commander of Aslan. So you-.”

“Count.”

Helga, kneeling, quietly interrupted me.

“Please don’t say that. I am your sword and shield.”

Her voice was unwavering.

“My reason for existence is to take wounds in your place and to be wounded for you.”

Sssk.

Helga tore her stocking with her sharp nails.

Through the torn black stocking, her unscarred bare leg was revealed.

“I am prepared to take any wound for you.”

“…Even if I don’t wish for it?”

“Yes. I’m sorry.”

Helga, still kneeling, took my hand.

“This body and heart have always been yours.”

She quietly kissed the back of my hand.

“It’s okay if I break. It’s okay if I’m ruined. It’s okay if I’m discarded. I just want to live as your last. So…”

Her soft lips left the back of my hand.

“I will follow you today as if it were my last.”

Helga looked up at me with a bewitching smile.

Looking at her face, I remembered her from the original story, who devoted herself to Tristan and lost her life.

In the end, I couldn’t bring myself to break her unwavering heart.

I adjusted my clothes and sighed.

“Fine… Do as you please.”

“Yes. Hehe… I’ll do as I please from now on.”

Having finished all preparations, I went down to the first floor with Helga.

And the moment I opened the door and stepped out, I was inwardly amazed.

The mansion servants were all lined up in a row.

And at the end, in front of the carriage, stood a large man.

“Wylie.”

“Yes, my lord.”

Wylie Vives, the commander of Aslan, bowed to me. Like Helga, he was in uniform. Behind him, Aslan members in black military coats were lined up.

“We will escort you to your destination.”

“Hmm.”

Rumble.

Thunder echoed through the dark clouds.

It was weather that seemed like lightning might strike the dry ground.

Perhaps it was just the right weather.

For the day when the highest in the land meets the worst villain in the land.

I got into the carriage and said.

“To the Imperial Palace.”

*

“Your Majesty.”

In the audience chamber of the Imperial Palace.

Odell Riumin, the Empire’s Prime Minister, appealed to the Empress behind the screen.

“Please reconsider.”

“Odell. Haven’t I already said? As you suggested, I will recognize him as a member of the Seven Stars. But…”

A mysterious aura emanated from her silhouette visible through the screen.

“After the Count shows his face at the Imperial Palace.”

The antlers on her head swayed.

With the deer-shaped mask she always wore, her silhouette looked almost like a beastman.

But the screen and mask were just means to hide her true identity.

Faced with the Empress’s stubborn attitude, Odell shook his head.

“Then he will give up his position in the Seven Stars without hesitation.”

“Then there’s nothing to be done. I can’t give a position to someone who doesn’t even show their face.”

“Your Majesty…”

“Enough, Odell. That I haven’t demanded the Count relinquish his title is already a great mercy on my part.”

“…What if his words are true?”

Odell recalled what Tristan had said at the Harmony Meeting.

He had clearly said a hero had appeared.

That was a clear sign of the impending crisis in this world.

At that time, he hadn’t shown any evidence. But there was no reason for him to lie.

‘Perhaps the hero truly exists, as the Count said…’

Moreover, the notorious Tristan had proposed cooperation first.

In Odell’s view, this was a golden opportunity.

“If it’s true that a crisis will befall this country, having him as a member of the Seven Stars would be beneficial.”

“I believe it too.”

“Your Majesty…?”

Odell couldn’t help but be puzzled.

The always suspicious Empress was readily believing it.

The Empress spoke in a calm voice.

“Odell. I too have no intention of not cooperating with him.”

“Then why…”

“The reason is simple. I have no intention of cooperating with someone who doesn’t even show their face. This is a matter of trust. Moreover, just in case, I sent a letter yesterday, but it seems the knight had a hard time delivering it.”

As the screen swayed in the wind, the Empress’s silhouette rippled.

“What kind of cooperation can I have with such a man? Yes. It’s the same story. Count Ruelberta won’t come. He and I cannot even have a conversation.”

“……”

Odell finally fell silent.

He realized there was no way to persuade the Empress at this point.

‘Perhaps the only way is to bring the Count here directly…’

Just as he was about to ponder that.

“Your Majesty!”

A man’s urgent voice came from beyond the door.

Probably a knight of the Imperial Guard serving the Empress.

Though he couldn’t enter the audience chamber, his desperation was clearly conveyed.

“What is it?”

The Empress asked calmly.

Then the knight beyond the door shouted.

“Count Ruelberta’s private soldiers are now approaching the Imperial Palace!”

 

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