Chapter 39

Chapter 39: Confession of Truth

After the one-on-one duel had concluded, the scene shifted to the moment the victor received their reward.

"Speak now. Is it true or false that Lord Huttero committed an offense in the country of Rocha? Tell us the truth!"

As I claimed my right as the winner, all the soldiers from Rocha glared at me.

Their eyes seemed to say, "What does it matter who won the duel?"

Dulba, with bandages wrapped around his wrists, raised his hand to stop them.

"I lost the duel. Please spare me from further shame here."

"General..."

The spirits of the soldiers fell, and Dulba turned to face me.

"As the winner of the duel, it's my right to know. You will tell me the events that occurred to Prince Huttero in the country of Rocha."

And so, the tale of Rocha's conspiracy unfolded.

Without going into the details, as I had anticipated, Rocha fabricated false charges to invade Nonette.

As I suspected, it was a complete frame-up, just as befitting Huttero's character.

After concluding the confession of the crimes committed by Rocha, Dulba asked a question.

"Now that you know the truth, why did you want to hear this? Even if you know, our army won't stop."

Indeed, knowing the truth alongside Artem and me wouldn't halt Rocha's invasion.

Nonette had consistently claimed that Prince Huttero was innocent and falsely accused. Even if we were to present the truth here, no one would believe us.

However, this assumes that there are no third-party witnesses present between Nonette and Rocha.

I looked around and strengthened my throat and lung functions with sacred magic before speaking loudly.

"My name is Milimos Nonette! Are there any individuals related to the Sacred Knight Nation, Mudou Beniornatal, observing this battle? I have something to discuss, so please come forward!"

With confidence in my declaration, I waited for a few minutes without any response.

The atmosphere already seemed to indicate that Artem and I had made a mistake, as the Rocha soldiers and Dulba had started to murmur.

However, I maintained my composure and, while inwardly panicking, tried to repeat my words.

"People from the Sacred Knight Nation, Mudou Beniornatal, are you—"

"You don't need to say it twice. I heard you."

With those words, a figure clad in black full-body armor emerged from behind a nearby tree.

While it seemed abrupt, the Rocha soldiers were taken aback by this person's appearance.

I was surprised too, but I kept up appearances.

"Are you a soldier from the Sacred Knight Nation, Mudou Beniornatal?"

As this person lacked a cape, I asked to confirm, but they shook their head.

"I am an unnamed spirit of the knight nation, but you may remember me."

Although this ghostly figure spoke cryptically, I had only one concern.

"Did you hear what Dulba said earlier?"

"I heard it. So what?"

Their response was a bit curt, causing my confidence to waver slightly.

"Uh, well, regarding that, I assumed that someone from the knight nation would be observing this battle because it is a war between those who are performing 'righteous deeds' and those who are doing 'wrong.' Doesn't it seem strange that no one from the knight nation is watching?"

"I understand. Now, please answer my next question."

"The price of the duel, right? That's easy. According to my assumption earlier, I wanted someone from the knight nation to know the truth. Of course, I also wanted to know the truth myself."

"What difference would it make if we knew?"

"That ties into the third question you asked. If a third party exposes Rocha's lies, their reason for invasion would vanish. And if they still don't stop the invasion of Nonette, it would be an aggression without just cause. If the exposed party were a small country, Nonette couldn't expect any reinforcements until they were defeated. But what if that party were from the knight nation or the empire?"

If the Kingdom of Roche doesn't withdraw its forces, it would provide a reason for the Knight Country to correct the evil nations, the Empire to aim for territorial expansion under the pretext of supporting the fellow country of Nonette, and thus, create a reason to attack the Kingdom of Roche.

"This battle is an unjust invasion war, as the third party already knows. Even if Roche's army forces their way here and attacks Nonette immediately, it's evident that the Kingdom of Roche will become the next prey in the next war. It would be an honorable cause to avenge Nonette, which was destroyed in a war without reason," I explained at length.

After finishing such a lengthy explanation, the specter in black armor nodded once.

"Understood. The rumored prince is quite cunning. I find that admirable."

Even though his face is covered by the helmet, and his tone makes it hard to understand, it seems like he praised me.

"But what do you mean by the rumored prince?"

When I voiced my question, the person in black armor started answering smoothly.

"A prince of a small country possessing a short sword with the crest of the Knight Royal Family. The marshal of that small country and someone who negotiated on par with the Empire. Princess Parbera's—"

Cutting his words meaningfully, the person in black armor shook his head.

"—those rumors also mention his skill in single combat. That's another cunning aspect."

"Um, thank you for your evaluation?"

Unable to fully grasp it, I ended up thanking him in a questioning tone.

However, the person in black armor didn't seem to mind.

"Is your business concluded?"

"Yes. With your appearance and my explanation, I believe the Roche side understands their current position."

As I directed my gaze towards the Roche side, I showed them that we no longer intend to fight, and almost all of their soldiers did the same.

Looking over everyone present, the person in black armor spoke.

"If the Kingdom of Roche withdraws, we welcome it. But if they attempt to deceive us and continue invading, we, the Sacred Knight Country, will show no mercy in the name of justice."

Having said that, he disappeared from view as if blending into the scenery. Even though he was just here a moment ago.

This is the art of concealment, a Sacred Art! It appears like this from the outside! But most likely, that person in black armor is still around here; I wonder how I can see him!

While I was excited internally, the Roche side was enveloped in fear.

"He vanished. Is that the soldier from the Knight Country?"

"No. As he introduced himself, he might truly be a ghost."

"I bet if you notice him, you'd already be dead. You can't fight an opponent you can't see."

The soldiers spoke fearfully.

Breaking away from that group, Durba, who had taken off his helmet, approached me. In his arms, he carried the severed hands that I had cut off.

"This battle can be considered a draw with the intervention of the arbiter. What does Prince Milimos think?"

"You could also interpret it as your defeat due to the deduction from the foul play, right?"

"Haha, that's right. In any case, the stage of conflict will return to diplomacy. With the knight country's arbiter overseeing, the battle will resume with the points deducted due to foul play giving your side an advantage."

"As for diplomacy, it's my brother, Huteero's turn. I'm only involved in military matters."

I replied half seriously, half jokingly, and Durba looked disappointed.

"I was planning to take Prince Milimos to my favorite tavern when he visited the Kingdom of Roche."

"Take the person who severed your hand to your favorite place?"

I questioned him, cautious of a trap, and a smile was returned.

"I wanted to use the severed hand as a snack for drinks. There's no other meaning."

"...If there's a chance, I'll ask you for the invitation."

"Sure thing. Well then, farewell."

With a smile, Durba returned to the Roche soldiers. Then, they turned back as a whole and headed in the opposite direction of the Nonette royal castle—towards the path leading to the Kingdom of Roche.

After seeing them off until they disappeared behind the trees in the forest, I whispered to Alektem.

"Have the soldiers follow the path they're returning on."

"Understood. But for that, we must return to the royal castle quickly."

"That's true, but—we have to inform the people who are eagerly anticipating the decisive battle at the Nonette royal castle that the Roche army has gone back."

"They will probably assume Prince Milimos has lost his mind or that Roche has bribed him."

"They've already jumped to conclusions before I even explained it. How troublesome."

While feeling annoyed at the thought, I had no choice but to return to the Nonette royal castle along with Alektem, heading towards the Nonette royal castle where everyone must be still excited about the forthcoming decisive battle.