Chapter 234: A Decent Strategist


    Wh, what!? The sky is getting weird!?


    Rupert was scared at the sudden activation of the Celestial Sphere.


    That being said, Rupert is not the only one who was surprised by it.


    But it was not the activation itself that is surprising.


    It was the timing.


    Grauthis is


    It is too early.


    While keeping my answer short, I look towards the arena.


    It is not long after the turmoil started.


    Gordon probably went there to capture Father and the Prime Minister acted on his countermeasures.


    But the Prime Minister should not expect the Celestial Sphere to be activated this fast.


    Hey! What is happening!?


    Its the Firmament Kugel. A defensive spell that protects the Imperial Capital. It can only be activated by the Imperial Family. Once activated, no one can enter or leave the capital. At the full-power activation, you will be able to see a 5-colors pir of light extending from the castle reaching to the sky.


    After hearing my exnation, Rupert looked at the top of the castle.


    The pir of light only has 3 colors.


    In other words, the spell was activated at the minimum output.


    Theres only three!


    Then it means that the enemy has obtained 3 of the Rainbow Celestial Jewels..


    There are 2 in the throne room. The Knight Commander is probably guarding them right now. It would be almost impossible to get through her. The other two captains should be guarding the other. To think that anyone can break through their defense this fastthis is bad.


    The worst scenario is that we have been betrayed by the Knight Commander. However, if she really betrayed us then it made no sense that they activated the Celestial Sphere with only 3 jewels. If she really turned out to be a traitor, they should have no trouble gaining control over the castle and the castle should already be overrun by now.


    In that case, the possibility is that one of the other two captains or both of them has betrayed us.


    Wh, what should we do? The throne room that we are heading to is safe right!?


    Without understanding the seriousness of this situation, Rupert raised a question.


    How should I exin it to him?


    While I was thinking so, Alois gently held Ruperts hand.


    Alright, Your Highness. Please listen to me carefully okay.


    U, Un


    You can use up to 5 jewels to activate the Celestial Sphere. There are 5 of them in the castle and even His Highness Arnold who is very familiar with the castlesyout doesnt know where exactly they are. That is how strict the security around them was. Our enemys objective is to obtain those jewels. Thats why captains of the Imperial Knights Order are guarding them. Besides the Knight Commander who is currently guarding the throne room, two other captains in the castle were assigned to guard the other jewels.


    Then, the Knight Commander was already killed!?


    We do not know that. But If that is the case then I can say for certain that the enemy has someone who even the captains of the Imperial Knights can not even hold out for long. Think of it that way, I can only think that the enemy is on the same level as the Hero or an SS-rank adventurer.


    Tears started to spill from Ruperts eyes at Aloiss words.


    Hearing his exnation, he probably cant help but think that there is such a strong opponent among the enemies.


    In fact, there is a possibility of that.


    However, if the enemy has such a strong person on their side, we should have known of their presence.


    Thats why it is not the most viable possibility right now.


    And Alois knows this well.


    If, if the enemy has such a strong person then we cant


    .for better or worse, if the enemy truly has such a strong person on their side we would have known. They may have kept that person hidden really well but there is a possibility that is more likely to be the case than that.


    Eh.?


    ..it is not that the captains failed to buy time for us but it was the captains of the Imperial Knight Order who were assigned to guard those jewels turned over to the enemys side. If that is the case then we can understand the speed at which they activated the Celestial Sphere.


    Captains of the Imperial Knights.betrayed us?


    Rupert widened his eyes as if he couldnt believe it.


    Well, of course. For the Imperial Family, the Imperial Knight Order is our final line of protection.


    If they betrayed you, you would find it hard to find someone to trust.


    Th, they wouldnt betray us.the Imperial Knights are the strongestthey pledged their loyalty to the Emperor! And there are only 13 captains in the Order! Father was the one who handpicked them himself! Th, theres no way that they would betray him!


    Your Highness.


    Th, They.they will never betray Fatherthe Emperor is


    It seems that rather than the betrayal of the Imperial Knights, he is more shocked at the fact that they chose to betray the Emperor.


    For Rupert, Father is an existence that is above the cloud.


    It is because he sees him like that, Rupert yearns to be like him. Im sure that in Ruperts eyes, Father is a perfect and absolute existence.


    However,


    Even the captains of the Imperial Knights are humans. So is the Emperor. If you are a human then there are times that your feelings can change. If you are a human, the mor you have will fade with time. If we can grow then we can age as well. It is not strange for the rtionship you once have to change.


    then.it is fine even if they betrayed him? Just because their feelings changed, it is fine for them to break their vow!?


    Even though he should be scared right now, for the first time, strong words came out of Ruperts mouth.


    Im sure that he is ring at me with those teary eyes of his.


    It seems that Rupert can not forgive the unreasonableness of betrayal.


    Maybe this is one of the traits of the Adler family huh.


    I gently put my hand on Ruperts head.


    A promise between ordinary people is different from the vow of the Imperial Knights. They have pledged to protect the people, the country, and the Imperial Family in front of the Emperor. Thats why they are trusted. Despite the Emperor did notmit any tyranny, if they truly have chosen to betray not only the Emperor but all the citizens of the Empire as well. I will not forgive that. After all, I dont think that something like that can be forgiven. If you share the feeling as me then dont forgive them.


    Un!


    Alright, lets go. With the Celestial Sphere activated, the enemy should be looking for hostages in the castle. You dont want the enemy to get their way any more than this right? We will not allow them even a single hostage. Thats why we cant get caught. Are you good at ying tag, Prince Rupert?


    Umm..a little..


    Rupert looks down.


    Rupert is not really an athletic prince.


    He is average in both study and physical ability. He is shy and has few friends. In the first ce, he is always together with his mother.


    Even ying around is counted as an experience. If you have done it repeatedly you will be good at it. If you are slow on your feet, you would find a way to escape without relying much on running.


    However, there is nothing you can do without experience. Sometimes theres an exception where a person is good at something without ever experiencing it before. But Rupert is not like that.


    Thats why being near him has its worth.


    Then rest assured. A strategist is there to help you deal with things that you are bad with after all. I promise you that I will get you to the throne room. I cant boast about it but I am somewhat a decent strategist myself. You can put your trust in me.


    You are so modest. If you are only decent then the other strategist in this world would only be second-rate you know.


    Saying so, Alois smiles.


    He then turned his eyes to Rupert.


    I do not know about others nor can I see the future. Thats why I can not pledge my lifelong loyalty to youbut right now, I swear that I will not betray you. No matter who I have to fight against, I will definitely protect you, Your Highness.


    Aloiss words were very calm.


    The fact that he didnt say that they would run away together is probably stemmed from his resolve.


    He will surely be Ruperts shield in case of an emergency. Alois has already resolved himself for that.


    Understanding his feelings, Rupert nodded.


    Un, me too..I will believe in Alois.


    Thus we keep making our way toward the throne room.