Chapter 31 – Zeld Balratona’s Decision

“You knew about this?”

At the corner of the camp, Zeld asked the private soldier of the Duke Balratona Household who had come all the way to Manrinia with them, in an incredulous voice.

“Yes, well…”

The Next Family Head was speechless at the awkward affirmation and returned a heavy sigh.

“Since when has my father associated with them……?”

“It seems it’s been from about 10 years ago.”

The one who answered was the hired Private Commander who came along.

“10 years ago…… It was the year that the Second Prince of Rulan Kingdom and the Daughter and the Son of a Noble Family went on an exchange with other countries, right?”

“Yes, that’s it. It seems that the Second Prince was actually a member of The Dipterous Sword.”

“Huh? That child was? No, wait. Before that, he was a Prince and Noble’s child, wasn’t he?”

“Apparently, all, but the Second Prince lied about their social status. Also, it seems that some children of the same age belong to the stateless guild, The Dipterous Sword, and that there are no age limits in entering the guild.”

“I see……so, the Second Prince is really a Guild Member?”

“Yes, that is correct. Well, we don’t know the circumstances surrounding it either. However, I am certain that our relationship with The Dipterous Sword was established 10 years ago.”

“Then, from that time on, Syl often went to Rulan Kingdom……”

“It was probably to deepen relations with The Dipterous Sword.”

“Since when have you known?”

“8 years ago, since Heine-sama and Famiras-sama came to visit when they entered the country.”

“So, the only ones who didn’t know were Tedla and I……”

“I think the servants didn’t know either. Some of them have connections with other aristocrats and royal families, and soon after, Rulan Kingdom declared war, all of the servants were fired. Only the Heinhildt family who have served the Balratona Duke Household for generations have been informed.”

“Heinhildt family……so Eugene knew as well?”

The Heinhildt family has been serving the Balratona Duke Household for generations.

The current Head, Galdt’s butler is the head of the Heinhildt Family, while the wife is the head maid, and the oldest son, Eugene, was Syltina’s attendant, but, after she was exiled, he became Zeld’s attendant instead.

If the Heinhildt family was informed, then naturally, Eugene would have also been informed, but that Eugene never said anything to me.

The man dispels the suspicion that Zeld, who muttered staggeringly, held about his own attendant about keeping secrets from him.

“I wonder if Eugene-sama was not informed. We have also been told to not say anything and to keep our mouths shut around Your Grace, Tedla-sama, and Eugene.”

“Why……”

“I mean, didn’t you betray Syltina-san?”

“…”

Zeld’s breath hitched as that brief comment was uttered naturally.

“It’s as the Witch of Foresight said. That Zeld-sama and Tedla-sama, and even Eugene-sama will betray Syltina-sama in the future. That’s why it was better to keep mum about our cooperation with The Dipterous Sword. If I think about it now, it would have been 2 years ago. And, then, you really betrayed Syltina-sama.”

The voice of the man, who had been softly recounting the events up to that point, suddenly turned cold and dropped the temperature by a couple of degrees.

“That person, why in the…… since when have you been cooperating with them? This is treason to the country, you know?”

“The country, huh…… we serve the Duke Balratona Household. If our Master is betrayed, then, we will betray even the Royal Family.”

“Why would you go that far……”

“We owe a debt to Galdt-sama and Syltina-sama. Even if we lay our whole lives for them, we still cannot repay our debt.”

“Debt?”

“Each and every one of us was picked up by Galdt-sama and Syltina-sama.”

“Picked up?”

“The old people were picked by Galdt-sama. The young men and I were gathered by Syltina-sama. There are various reasons behind it, but I received a life. In the first place, the members of the previous Duke Balratona Household’s private soldiers consisted of men like us who were picked up as well. I think those kinds of people tend to place more faith in their Masters.”

“I haven’t heard of such a thing……”

“I guess. It’s not like Syltina-sama was taught by Galdt-sama either, but, she seemed to have thought of it on her own. That’s why the soldiers who Syltina-sama have originally gathered are Syltina-sama’s private soldiers. But now, we are working as Duke Balratona House’s private soldiers as Syltina-sama ordered us to become Private Soldiers of the Duke Balratona Household prior to her exile 2 years ago.”

That’s why the nation didn’t matter.

Smiling, the man added, if our Master is safe, then that is all we need.

“Zeld-sama, your decision, please. We have permission from Galdt-sama and Syltina-sama to act accordingly depending on your choice.”

“……”

“Please give me your firm decision.”

It was said in a way that was implied.

“Will you betray the country, or will you die here?”

“…………I will yield to Father and Syl.”

It was at this time that Zeld understood.

This country had crossed the people that they definitely should not have made enemies of.

“Excellent choice.”

The mood of the smiling man was very similar to the man who said earlier that he did not intend to forgive them.