"…"
"A resistance base along the Kazimierz–Ursus border has been destroyed?"
"Hm? Why does that sound familiar…"
"Oh, it's that place I once stayed at for a short while."
"…Obtained intelligence from local collaborators and then wiped out the armed resistance entirely. Very much Ursus style."
"It's just an enemy encampment. If it's gone, it's gone. These are extraordinary times. Ursus, of all nations, has suffered defeat on the eastern front. That aging emperor must be furious."
"Ursus should be focusing on recovery right now. Internal unrest like this should be avoided whenever possible."
"…"
"Still, if the emperor decides to settle accounts with you, that won't be my concern."
"I merely followed His Majesty's orders, compiled the list, and handed it over."
A pale, bloodless hand holding a pen paused briefly over a sheet densely filled with names.
In the end, he circled one name beside Hellagur's—an officer who had dared to disregard the emperor's authority.
"Let us hope that the amount of military funds you embezzled can be offset by your so-called 'glorious achievements.'"
The Black Snake did not tolerate disruptions to its plans.
The "seeds" of goodwill it had carefully planted in Kazimierz had been damaged.
Even if what remained could still grow, it would never yield the results the Black Snake desired.
Kazimierz was not Gaul. If Ursus had the power to utterly annihilate its enemy in this campaign, the Black Snake would not hesitate to push things forward.
Mercy toward the enemy is cruelty toward oneself.
But Ursus could not fully conquer Kazimierz.
Nor was the Black Snake willing to stake everything on this war.
After all, if it grew weak, if it became vulnerable…
How would it face the threats surrounding it on all sides?
Only the Black Snake would never betray the Black Snake.
___
Time returns to the present.
On a bustling commercial street in Kazimierz, a blond Phidia man with a dazzling smile was leisurely browsing merchandise related to famous knights.
Pedestrians around him kept their distance as much as possible.
Those who disliked Arthur, those who still admired him after all these years, and even those who had forgotten him all avoided standing out.
Those who hated him feared his true identity and the consequences of provoking him.
Those who liked him feared becoming targets of public opinion. The Adeptus Sprawiedliwi's stance might have shifted, but there were still far too many in Kazimierz who despised Arthur.
What if they were the only ones left who still admired him?
As for those who did not know him…
In a city where knightly competitions dominated the culture, such people practically did not exist.
Of course, that excluded very young children and elderly people who did not read newspapers.
There were Blood Knight dolls, half-body statues of Margaret, and even grotesque masks modeled after the Sarkaz knights.
But unfortunately, Arthur found no merchandise of the "Mad Laughing Knight."
"The Chamber of Commerce really went all out back then. I wonder if my merchandise has already become discontinued."
Arthur patted the shoulder of Młynar, who stood beside him carrying numerous shopping bags, enduring everything in silence.
"Młynar, don't keep that sour face. Opportunities for paid leave are rare. You should smile more."
"…Boss, this is still working hours."
Młynar stiffened, suppressing the urge to draw his sword as he replied.
To be honest, if not for the need to monitor this mad immortal at close range, he would have resigned long ago.
His two nieces were already grown and capable of supporting themselves. This job was no longer essential for someone who had long since grown disillusioned with Kazimierz.
Besides, who could tolerate someone they deeply disliked constantly hovering nearby while they worked?
What disgusted Młynar even more was that this man did not just hover around. He acted like a superior, pointing fingers at everything.
And after rejecting one proposal after another, he would simply choose the original plan in the end.
'Młynar, endure…'
Młynar forced a stiff smile onto his face.
To prevent the duke from causing trouble, he had deliberately sought out an old acquaintance from his days as a wanderer—a Sarkaz bounty hunter named Toland.
Unfortunately, there had been no reply so far.
"By the way, Młynar, would you mind if I visited your home? I'm rather curious…"
Arthur suddenly lowered his voice.
"What the residence of the Nearl family looks like now—the very house that once stalled an Ursus army personally led by a duke."
"…"
Młynar's demeanor shifted in an instant.
He said nothing, only stared silently at Arthur, who was casually toying with a Nearl figurine, smiling.
The unspoken anger within him burned hotter and hotter.
"Your Grace, Duke Kashchey… are you threatening me?"
"What? I'm just concerned about my subordinate's living conditions. No need to be so sensitive…"
Shadows spread beneath Arthur's feet.
"Besides, do you really think I need to threaten you, Młynar Nearl?"
Arthur reached out toward Młynar's face.
"Will you kill me? Right here, in front of everyone? Kill this Black Snake who only wishes to bring you joy?"
Under Młynar's furious and wary gaze, Arthur forcibly pulled at the corners of his mouth, making him form a stiff smile.
"The other 'me's aren't nearly as easy to talk to as Arthur~"
___
"…"
"…"
On a rooftop, a white-haired Kuranta girl with a crossbow and a pink-haired girl holding a dagger faced each other in silence.
They had been locked in this standoff for quite some time.
The atmosphere was tense, yet there seemed to be an unspoken understanding between them.
'Roy, damn it…'
The assassin known as Platinum cursed inwardly.
How was she supposed to assassinate that person?
She didn't believe that the Armorless Union, or even the entire Chamber of Commerce, could withstand Ursus's wrath.
And she had no desire to become a name in history.
Fortunately, both Lazurite and Blacksteel understood how impossible this mission was and had subtly hinted that she could pretend to fail.
After all, that was the incarnation of a god.
She was not a member of the Nearl family, who had repeatedly forced that god into setbacks in Kazimierz.
She was merely a "Platinum" within the Armorless Union… a figure feared by Lazurite and regarded warily by Blacksteel. How was she supposed to handle this?
"…Let's fight."
Better to come out of this with a few injuries and silence those people.
Platinum felt that things were truly too difficult for her.