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Chapter 72. A Very Special Act Of Rebellion

"Was that the right thing to do?"

"Who knows? But even if we now found the best move, it wouldn't come close to the move the Minister of the Interior, Frodil, has been preparing for a long time."

After a meeting where almost nothing was decided, I was talking alone with Jeremiah. In the end, no matter how far we go, it feels like we're always in the palm of Minister of the Interior, Frodil's hand… I just feel utterly overwhelmed.

"If we could prove the existence of the 'Dragon of the End' now, don't you think we could convince both the King and the Minister of the Interior?"

"I told you I don't think so. The direction that man is aiming for, the direction the King is aiming for, and the direction I'm aiming for are all completely different. It's not a small matter that can be stopped by something that simple."

Right… instead of a fairytale-like 'Dragon of the End,' if there were a more imminent crisis… maybe everyone could unite.

"…An imminent crisis?"

Wait.

Isn't the direction that man is aiming for ultimately driven by patriotism? If we could use that patriotism… wouldn't we have a chance?

"Did you think of something?"

"Yeah… it's still like flipping the table in the middle of a board game, but if it's this, there's no problem."

"Such a move exists?"

"There is… though it might be a problem if we don't move really seriously."

"But we just need to move seriously, right?"

That's right… sacrifices will be made no matter what. In Minister of the Interior, Frodil's plan, he probably wouldn't just target the royal family for assassination… he probably thinks some civilian sacrifices are unavoidable. But this way… there would be fewer.

As the Founding Festival approached, a letter arrived at my dorm room. When I checked the contents, it said that the weapon from the workshop master was ready for pickup.

When I hurried to the workshop, there was the master, sitting and looking as if he had been waiting forever.

"Here, take it."

"Fast."

Skipping all developments, he just handed over a sword.

When I took the sword wrapped in cloth, a bright red scabbard, reminiscent of a red dragon, appeared. Decorated with gold ornaments here and there, it seemed longer than a usual sword.

Prompted by the master, I unsheathed it, revealing a white blade like the moonlight.

"It doesn't have a name yet… if I were to name it simply, maybe the Red Dragon Sword?"

"That sounds lame."

"Then name it yourself."

Even if you say that… a name for a double-edged, one-handed straight sword with a red handle and a glittering blade… I can't think of anything.

At times like this, my Japanese instinct tells me to name it something in a foreign language… so, for good luck.

"How about Ursragna?"

"What language is that?"

Eh? Uh, isn't it Avestan… I don't know.

"Well, as long as the person holding it is satisfied with the name, it's fine. Keep it securely at your waist… you're about to face a big battle, right?"

"Well… it's the Founding Festival."

"No. You look like a soldier heading to war."

Haha… who are you, master?

Indeed, my current state of mind might be like a soldier about to go to war… but it's not that I dislike it. I've done everything I could, and I plan to continue until the day. I don't want to run away.

"How is it, Ivy… is the setup going well?"

"Fifty-fifty… no, I think the setup itself will go well, but… the question is if we can move well after that."

"But this is the only way. Be prepared… Jeremiah, how about the Founding Festival?"

"Seems to be going smoothly. This past week, Minister of the Interior, Frodil himself hasn't made any big moves."

"I see."

In a situation where the Third Division is right next door, he wouldn't make any conspicuous moves… but I know he's not the kind to sit and wait. Even in this situation, it's better to think he's doing something we can't grasp.

"What is Ash doing?"

"The Founding Festival, I'm in the first battle. So I'm preparing for that."

"Oh… good luck."

Even if Minister of the Interior, Frodil is planning something, he wouldn't do anything if the Founding Festival isn't progressing, so it's necessary to prepare if I'm fighting in the first battle.

"Elixira, how's Princess Elissa?"

"She still doesn't seem to be convinced… why did she think everything would be solved by becoming the queen herself?"

"Forgive her… that's just her personality."

"I can hear you, Theodore… seriously, as royalty, I absolutely oppose such a plan."

"But there's no other way."

Against Princess Elissa's complaint, Hilalda fully supported my plan from the side. Well… she seems to have a bit of a battle-crazed side too… and since she manifested a Grimoire, she must have quite a strong will. Although her attacking people as a communication barrier is questionable.

"Even if Minister of the Interior, Frodil hasn't fully understood our plan… once this plan starts, no one can stop it."

"The problem is, if it gets exposed after it ends, we'll be executed immediately… but I think assassinating the Minister of the Interior would be worse."

"I think it's about the same."

Yeah… but even Elixira acknowledges this is the only way.

"Still… you came up with this well. A normal person wouldn't."

"No, even if they thought of it, a normal person wouldn't do it. Such a clear act of rebellion against the country."

This time I admit it. What I'm about to do is a clear act of hostility against the country, and if it gets exposed, everyone involved would be executed immediately.

"Did you know, Princess Elissa, Elixira… if it doesn't get exposed, nothing is a crime."

"…Scum."

"I knew that. Please be careful, Princess Elissa, nothing good comes from associating with this man."

"I'm well aware."

Shut up!

"If we fail, it's either execution or exile…"

"Ash might manage, but with my and Hilalda's titles, it would mean the massacre of our entire families."

"…We just have to not fail."

Hilalda is right. No matter how huge the risk, as long as we don't fail, there's no problem, and if it doesn't get exposed, a crime isn't a crime!

"…Weren't you talking about saving the country?"

"What we're doing is the exact opposite."

The same goes for Minister of the Interior, Frodil.