Chapter 52: The Song of Light and Blood (1)

“…Monica?”

“Oh, Holy Lady. Thank you. Truly, thank you.”

Beneath her darkened eyes, the clear marks of teeth could be seen on her lips.

Monica’s face was weary, yet she expressed her gratitude to the Holy Lady.

“…What happened?”

“Prince Glenn came to help. It’s truly fortunate you’re unharmed, Clemens.”

“Ah.”

The memories of collapsing after being hit by a poisonous spell attack surfaced.

Of course, even before that, his body was far from healthy, but that was what decided his fate.

Most memories from the underground prison were gone.

If he had been left there, he would never have returned.

“Are you physically okay?”

“…Yes, better than I thought—.”

Feeling relieved, Clemens sat up on the bed.

After checking various parts of his body, he felt his condition was actually better than before he collapsed.

That was probably thanks to the priestess Monica right in front of him.

“I’m fine. More importantly, are you okay, Priestess?”

“I-I’m fine. Really—I was so worried, not knowing what might have happened to you.”

There was warmth and sincerity in her unusually hoarse tone.

Truly, she had always been a person Clemens was grateful to, past and present.

Yet, despite feeling that way, Clemens found it hard to meet her gaze.

A kind of guilt weighed on him.

Just as if to break this lingering emotion, a knock came at the door.

Knock knock—.

“Clemens, are you in there?”

A familiar voice.

But it wasn’t exactly a welcome presence.

“…Please come in.”

The door opened, and a red-haired man, Glenn, entered.

His expression was stiff in an unexplainable way.

“Are you well?”

“Yes, thanks to you—thank you.”

Both Clemens and Monica bowed their heads to Glenn in thanks.

Glenn’s expression, having received Monica’s gratitude, was oddly strange.

As if he was contemplating something.

“…Well, that’s a relief.”

“What about Francis?”

“Take your time and explain.”

Glenn recounted everything from Francis’s capture up to the current situation, step by step.

In conclusion, most things were wrapping up well.

“It ended safely… Truly fortunate.”

“Yeah, something like that. Except for one thing.”

Glenn’s firm green eyes stared directly at Clemens.

Unconsciously, Clemens swallowed dryly.

“…Is there something you want to say to me?”

“What will you do now?”

“That…”

Clemens frowned deeply.

Perhaps because he was reminded of an unpleasant reality.

Regardless, Glenn continued with the same indifferent tone.

“Let me guess. You intend to return to the Empire?”

Clemens, after a moment’s hesitation, slightly nodded.

“…Yes.”

“Clemens!”

This time, Monica interrupted.

“What do you mean? If you go back now, you’ll…”

During his escape from the estate, he killed an imperial knight.

Among them were two official Paladins of the Order of Nikerba.

They had always been a bad pair, usually causing trouble with the Order of Ryuten, so he swung his sword without hesitation.

However, whatever the reason, killing the Empire’s knights and Paladins is a serious crime.

Especially since the Order of Nikerba is highly likely to treat this as heresy.

The way they deal with heretics, even above protecting their own authority, is singular.

“Execution. The Order of Nikerba is particularly harsh with heretics, especially apostates.”

“You know better than I do. And yet you still want to go back? You know what that means, right?”

Glenn’s calm eyes posed the question.

It didn’t seem like he was worried.

Clemens quietly nodded again.

…Of course.

“That’s—!”

Monica was about to retort immediately but held her breath.

“…Think about it again. There must be a better way.”

As she met Monica’s worried gaze, Clemens’s guilt deepened.

At the same time, his resolve only grew firmer.

“No. I must also pay the price. If Francis is guilty, then I am also guilty for clinging under him.”

“Now—are you really saying that to my face? That you want to go die?”

Her voice held a hint of emotion.

Because Clemens’s determination felt so cold.

But Clemens facing her showed no sign of backing down.

“…Don’t you understand?”

What lingered in Monica’s eyes was sadness; in Clemens’s was anger.

Anger directed at himself.

“I simply cannot forgive myself! I undertook this because I wanted to carry out the Holy Lady’s will. I betrayed Francis for conscience and justice. But, but—am I worthy of that? If he is a villain who committed evil deeds, then I am a tool used for that evil. Equally despicable. No, maybe even more.”

“Clemens!”

The intense gazes of the two clashed.

A moment passed, filled only with a short sigh.

“Has your resolve changed?”

Prince Glenn, who had been watching them both, interrupted.

Still in his indifferent tone.

“…No.”

“Absolutely not?”

“Never.”

Clemens didn’t avoid his gaze.

The more Glenn asked, the more conviction appeared in his eyes.

Glenn sighed softly.

“Isn’t that a bit cruel… to Priestess Monica?”

Clemens’s eyes narrowed half-reflectively.

It felt like a sensitive point had been pierced without any consideration.

“That’s…”

A crooked smile played on Glenn’s lips.

A clear sneer.

“Truly tragic, isn’t it?”

He looked back at Monica as if seeking agreement.

“…Prince—”

She tried to object, but Glenn had no intention of stopping.

“People’s hearts, huh.”

The word made Clemens feel unpleasant.

Did he really know Monica’s heart?

A fragment of foolish jealousy.

But current Clemens had no intention of swallowing that back down.

“What exactly are you trying to say?”

His tone was sharp with barbs.

Clemens glared at him with irritated eyes.

Glenn didn’t look away either.

Thanks to that, the air in the room suddenly froze.

“No, actually—I somewhat agree with your thoughts. How should I put it? You seem like a rather conscientious person?”

“…Stop beating around the bush and just say it. It’s annoying.”

“I thought so too. But honestly, what right do you have to judge Francis? Now that I think about it, it’s laughable.”

“Prince, please—.”

Monica grabbed Glenn’s arm with a desperate hand.

Seeing that, Clemens’s emotions also stirred.

“I never claimed anything so grand. Isn’t it you who’s been thinking that way on your own?”

“Anyway, you’re just as dirty. And yet you act all noble—as if you’re some kind of saint. That doesn’t sit well with me.”

“…Are you picking a fight now?”

Clemens warned as if growling.

Between them, clear hostility now flowed.

A soft chuckle.

Glenn, who had been fueling the burning anger, suddenly smiled.

“Actually, I didn’t like you from the very start.”

Clemens also recalled their first meeting.

He had started picking a fight right away and taken Monica along.

Truly the worst first impression.

“I feel the same.”

“That’s fortunate.”

A smile still lingered on Glenn’s face.

Clemens couldn’t fathom his true intent.

…What exactly is he trying to do?

“Did you ask if I’m picking a fight? Yes, I’m clearly picking a fight with you.”

“Huh?”

Picking a fight? What did that mean?

While Clemens hesitated, Glenn suddenly threw something at him with a snap.

He picked up the unexpected object, and Clemens’s eyes widened.

“gauntlet?”

Armor.

Yes, Glenn had just thrown Clemens a gauntlet.

Everyone in the room knew what this meant.

“The eldest son of the Lepent family—Ron Glenn Lepent—requests a duel.”

***

Monica could hardly believe the current situation.

No, more accurately, she couldn’t understand it.

She couldn’t accept Clemens wanting to return to the Empire after being rescued.

Nor could she understand Glenn suddenly picking a fight and requesting a duel.

“Prince! What are you doing? Challenging Clemens to a duel all of a sudden! What possible reason could there be?”

“The other party agreed. Is that a problem?”

Having received the gauntlet, Clemens hesitated while looking at Monica.

But in the end, he accepted Glenn’s duel request.

Neither of them was in top physical condition, but both had recovered similarly.

Therefore, their duel was scheduled for just a few hours later.

“Is there a problem? There is nothing but a problem! Are you seriously asking because you don’t understand?”

Glenn waved his hand dismissively, as if shouting.

“Prepare for the duel. Understood?”

A clear command to the retainers.

The retainers forcibly escorted Monica outside.

She had pleaded for Glenn to stop this, but he quietly shook his head.

She had tried to persuade Clemens instead, but that was no easier.

“…It’s a duel between knights. Since the challenge has been accepted, there’s no turning back.”

“That’s just Prince making a momentary mistake—.”

“No. I suspect it’s more like consideration.”

Better to die in an honorable duel between knights than be executed pitifully by two strikes upon return to the Empire.

Probably that kind of consideration.

Of course, no one spoke that thought aloud.

That was the end of the conversation.

Monica ultimately failed to convince either man.

Desperate, she went to find Princess Isabelle.

“Princess, please, I beg you. Stop them.”

…Priestess’s

desperate plea left Isabelle with a rare troubled expression.

But Monica had no time to dwell on it.

“Why would two men have any reason to duel now?”

“…Sometimes men act foolishly. I think this might be one of those times.”

“What do you mean—A duel isn’t just foolish! It’s a matter of life and death…”

“You know as well as I do. Once knights promise a duel, no one can intervene. Even their lords.”

A knight without honor is impossible to redeem.

Especially one branded a coward who fled from a duel or battle—that’s effectively death for a knight.

“I-Is that really all we can do? Just watch?”

“…I’m sorry, I’m at a loss too. For now, just watch over the duel. And if someone’s about to die, you’ll be there.”

“Really.”

Isabelle comforted Monica as best as she could and finally sent her off.

After a while, a faint sigh escaped the room.

“Hah… of all the choices, it had to be this way…”

Compassion filled Isabelle’s gaze.

***

Several hours later.

The courtyard of the estate was prepared.

And the duel between Glenn and Clemens began.