"So, do you have anything to say in your defense, Knight Julius?"
That low voice echoed with unusual gravity through the windowless darkness of the room.
The location was the knights' quarters adjacent to the royal castle. A room removed from the main facilities like the training grounds and the duty station, where the smell of ink was more prominent than the smell of iron—at the very back of the building, the Commander's office.
The furnishings were kept to a minimum, reflecting their owner's temperament, and despite the room's martial appearance, bookshelves occupied a surprisingly large share of it.
"No, sir. I have nothing to say. Everything is exactly as I reported."
In the center of the spacious room, standing at rigid attention before the duty desk while a quill ran across documents, was a young man answering the question posed to him.
This handsome man with neatly arranged hair of a pale blue-tinged purple, his white garments showing no trace of the incident at the training grounds, extended the sleeves of his robes and lightly rattled the hilt of the knight sword at his waist before saying: "Your punishment would not be unjustified even if you deemed it unbecoming conduct for a Royal Guard knight. Please, Commander, handle the matter as you see fit."
Unsaddling his sword along with its scabbard, Julius offered it forward as if presenting an offering.
Marcos, the middle-aged man sitting in the chair whose expression was as immovable as bedrock, narrowed one eye at the composed manner of the knight who appeared ready to surrender his blade.
"Detaining a party involved in the Royal Selection's deliberations—then taking him to the training grounds and beating him to within an inch of his life, sending him to the medical facility? Judging by the words alone, this is not something that can be settled with a light punishment."
Marcos gave a resigned shrug as he named the scandal committed by his subordinate—the knight who bore the title of "the Finest."
—The mock duel between Knight Julius and
Whether the actual content matched that description was another matter, but Marcos was already aware of the general outline. Put simply, it was exactly as stated above, and he was not so devoid of his own "knight's blood" as to be oblivious to other contributing factors.
"There are grounds for leniency. Petitions from other knights at the training grounds defending your actions have been piling up."
"What a waste."
"I've seen what I needed to see—that's what that means. There's nothing to deny in that regard. But you went a bit too far."
Marcos threw the stack of petitions onto the desk, slapped the cover, and fixed Julius with a piercing stare from his gray eyes.
"Shattered right wrist, ruptured internal organs, multiple rib fractures, crushed throat, split forehead, and several teeth knocked out—it would be a sight no one could bear to look at without a skilled healing mage. This is far from acceptable behavior toward a distinguished person's attendant."
Marcos had arrived at the training grounds at the same time as the female candidates, having witnessed only the final exchange. But even factoring that out, the boy had been covered head to toe in wounds, and it was Marcos himself who had ordered him carried to the medical facility and instructed
Judging by the severity of the boy's injuries as he had seen them up close, it was easy to tell whether they were consistent with a "mock duel" or had exceeded it.
"Was it really that unforgivable to you—someone who disgraced the pride of knighthood?"
"However I dress it up, it amounts to personal grudges. Everything is the result of my own inadequacy. Commander, I must ask you to refrain from saying anything more."
Julius sealed off his own escape routes and refused to waver from his determination to accept his punishment.
Marcos let his gaze drift through the air, considering what words to choose in the face of that stubborn posture.
Just then— "Haaaay, thank you for waiting~! Ferris has returned~!"
With a carefree attitude that read the room's atmosphere neither well nor poorly, a chestnut-haired, young ladylike figure slipped into the room.
Semi-long hair adorned with a vivid white ribbon, topped with sleek cat ears on a beautiful maiden's form—Ferris's arrival.
He entered the room with casual ease, and upon seeing Julius and Marcos staring at each other, placed a hand over his mouth and gave a sly smile.
"Oh my, oh my, oh my—did Ferris come at a bad time? You two were having such a passionate staring contest, and Ferris just barged right in~? Was Ferris not reading the room?"
"...Enough with the stupid jokes. Just give the report already, you brat."
"Oh dear, Commander. Your true nature is showing~?"
Marcos pressed a hand to his forehead and muttered, making a bitter face at Ferris's correction.
Ferris's attitude was so thoroughly his usual self that it had caught Marcos completely off guard, and his true feelings had slipped out before he knew it.
Seeing the stern look that crossed that rugged, rock-like face, Ferris cheerfully relaxed his cheeks.
"A rough-around-the-edges Commander like that is lovely too, you know~? Since you're perfectly proper in public, you should let yourself out from behind that public servant's mask every once in a while~"
"Being proper in front of subordinates is what you'd normally expect of a public servant... Ah, once the damage is done, it's just silly, isn't it? Well, fine—report."
Marcos waved his hand carelessly to urge him on, and Ferris finally obliged with a cheerful "Okay~!" He lined up next to the rigidly standing Julius, but unlike him, naturally relaxed his shoulders.
"As the Commander ordered, Ferris gave Subaru-kun the full treatment~. Set the bones, closed the wounds, and put back what was missing, so he should be fine. Oh, Ferris will be replacing the blood a little at a time through alternative means~"
"Good work. Any problems?"
"If Ferris missed something, then nobody in the capital could find it either~. His physical wounds are no issue. —As for the state of his heart, well, Ferris can't say~"
Wiggling his cat ears, Ferris said this while glancing at Julius's face from the corner of his eye. Confirming that there was not a flicker of emotion there, he nodded with satisfaction.
"Even so, Julius, you're really too kind, you know~? How many girls have you stolen the hearts of with that thoughtfulness and consideration of yours~? Even Ferris might get fluttery~"
"I don't understand the intent of that statement, Ferris. And as for the latter half, I respectfully decline to engage."
Ferris pouted with a muffled laugh while Julius closed his eyes and maintained his original stance.
Marcos felt a certain affinity for that posture, but couldn't help thinking it was a precarious way to stand.
As if giving voice to Marcos's thoughts— "You don't have to be so stiff about it. The perceptive ones have already caught on, and for those who haven't, it made a clear impression, so what's the harm~? O—r, is—"
Toying with the pure white ribbon between his fingertips, Ferris licked his red lips with his tongue in a sultry manner.
"Is it possible that Ferris and the Commander look like empty-headed simpletons to you—incapable of seeing through Julius's true intentions~?"
"...Your perceptiveness is beyond my ability to match. I feel like a fool for trying so hard."
At last, Julius's expression thawed in response to Ferris's pointed question. There was a helpless smile, like that of a child whose scheme had been seen through, but it vanished almost immediately.
"Still, I would ask you to choose your words more carefully. The way you put it just now could unjustly damage my friend's reputation."
"Ferris thinks you're being too protective~. If children don't get hurt a little, they won't grow, will they~?"
"There is nothing wrong with the way he lives—straight and true. The day will come when his sword will serve its purpose, guided by the example of his back. Thinking of that day, we shouldn't create unnecessary changes."
"You're saying that's being overprotective, which is exactly what Ferris is saying~"
"Well, I suppose it can't be helped~" Ferris smiled at Julius, who refused to bend from his position, and then threw himself languidly onto the sitting room sofa.
Julius frowned at his slouching posture, but Ferris turned even that small reaction into seasoning for his teasing.
"Even with a boy you've only just met today, you go and meddle so extravagantly. Of course you'd be soft on your own people too~"
"I had no intention of being kind. If anything, I intended to treat him more harshly than usual."
"That's right, that's right—the others were pretty shaken up too. After all, Julius had just torn him apart~... There's no more danger of those loose cannons attacking him, is there~?"
Julius smiled wryly as Ferris narrowed one eye and shaped a wicked grin.
Marcos, who had been listening to their exchange in silence, tucked his chin.
"That brat made disparaging remarks about knighthood in the great hall—young men must have been seething about it. Every one of those Royal Guard knights is guaranteed to have both swordsmanship and pride in spades."
Indeed, it was precisely because the scene had been the Royal Selection—a matter that shook national politics—that the frustration festering in the knights' chests was able to avoid erupting. However, that meant it carried the risk of exploding at any moment once they left the premises.
"Even if a hot-blooded one demanded an apology, you can't expect that youngster to comply meekly. In the worst case, there was the possibility of being cut down without a word of warning."
"That's exactly why Subaru-kun needed to be thrashed by a knight's hand, sooner rather than later."
Ferris took over Marcos's words and delivered the conclusion, pointing at Julius. Then he raised the pointing hand vertically and made a gesture of gratitude.
"Truth be told, Ferris was thinking that either Julius or Ferris would have to do it~"
"The right person for the right job, as they say. You obviously can't nominate yourself as a witness. Besides, I had reasons that would make doing it myself seem natural."
He was presumably referring to the minor quarrel during the Royal Selection. Given the existing friction, no one would question Julius summoning the boy to the training grounds as a personal grudge.
"And not to be immodest, but I was confident I could handle it best of all."
"Ah, on that point, Ferris agrees~. In Ferris's case, while losing was obviously never in question, Ferris couldn't have pulled it off so elegantly~"
When the conversation turned to swordsmanship, Ferris stuck out his tongue with a shy grin.
A mage—specifically, one of unparalleled skill in "Water" system magic, bearing the epithet "Azure," Ferris was a standout magic user even among the knights. However, in terms of actual combat prowess among the Royal Guard, he was among the lowest-ranked—possibly the weakest.
Julius, who bore the title "the Finest," stood at the very top of the knights in pure swordsmanship. His martial ability was so far above the rest that comparing combat prowess seemed almost laughable—some around him even worried he wasn't receiving the recognition he deserved.
"When it comes to dealing with those below your level, Julius is the right choice. That's why I keep telling you to swing your sword more often."
"No thank you~. Ferris would hate to get calluses on these beautiful, translucent white palms from all that sweaty sword-swinging. Could you take responsibility for that~?"
"A knight whose livelihood is cutting people up shouldn't be worrying about that sort of thing."
Marcos shrugged with a sigh of exasperation as Ferris casually deflected even a direct order from the Commander. Then he creased his expressionless face and looked at Julius.
"I understand your reasoning. I'm not so dense that I can't see it was a necessary precaution. But what's done is done."
Even as he held sympathy for the young man before him, Marcos delivered the verdict in a crisp tone.
Julius shifted slightly in acknowledgment of that impartial stance, his slender face tightening as if admonishing himself for having momentarily relaxed.
"Knight
"I humbly accept."
"You are suspended from duty for five days and barred from the knights' quarters and the royal castle. During that period, I will hold your sword. Report to the Vice-Commander as soon as your suspension is lifted to retrieve it."
"—Accepted."
Julius closed his eyes as if deliberating on the declared contents, then with fluid movements, reverently presented the knight sword he had removed, placing it into the outstretched hands of Marcos.
Receiving the knight sword—the very embodiment of a knight's pride—Marcos ran his fingers over the black-painted scabbard to feel its weight.
"I'm sorry. You're bearing a responsibility that shouldn't fall on you."
His expression didn't change. But there was genuine concern in that murmur.
Hearing this, Julius gave a small shake of his head.
"You are doing the best you can, Commander. The Royal Guard knights, having once crumbled, are able to remain strong and valiant today—it is because of your presence."
"You can't even get your subordinates to march in step—you're saying that to a man without breadth of heart?"
"That's not true, Commander."
It was Ferris, who had been watching the proceedings in silence until now, who retorted at the self-mockery in Marcos's voice.
He shifted on the sofa, sitting up properly, his cat eyes and ears playfully animated.
"Nobody can all get along and play nice together, but the Commander has a firm grip on the reins. And at the ends of those reins the Commander holds, Ferris and Julius are striving, and at the ends of Ferris and Julius's reins, someone else is striving again."
"Something like that~?" Ferris tilted his head to look up at Marcos's face. Hearing words of encouragement and appreciation from his subordinates, Marcos narrowed one eye, then bared his teeth in the rough grin befitting a hardened veteran.
"You know I'm including you in that too—the one who never bothers to show up properly dressed, right~?"
"Ferris's attire has been like this since way before any of this, you know~"
Marcos snorted at Ferris's playful display, then carefully laid Julius's knight sword on the desk and resettled himself in his chair.
"That concludes the matter. I have plenty of trivial tasks to handle in preparation for the Royal Selection as well. —You're dismissed."
His return to first person was the signal that his moment of relaxation had ended.
Sensing this, Julius offered a formal salute, Ferris a simplified one, but both with equal respect toward their superior.
Marcos acknowledged them with a tilt of his chin, and the two turned their backs, leaving the Commander's office.
The door closed, and Marcos was left alone in the quiet room. His lips parted in a murmur.
"Nothing ever goes the way you want."
Those quiet words did not reach the two who had already departed.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Having left the Commander's office, the young man and the beautiful young lady strolled side by side down the corridor toward the duty station.
The sight of two gorgeous individuals walking together was like a painting, and the detail that one appeared to be a girl dressed as a man added an air of intrigue that stimulated the imagination of onlookers.
In any case— "The Commander is so inflexible~. If he already sees the whole picture, why not just let it go with acquittal, huh?"
"For both me and the Commander, it couldn't work that way. Given that we expected a harsher punishment, I actually felt the Commander's compassion."
Julius soothed the disgruntled Ferris and turned his thoughts to the punishment he had received. But a faintly bitter expression crossed his refined features.
"Having to meet with the Vice-Commander—that's the part that weighs on me a bit."
"Oh, that really is mean~. Ferris felt 'blegh' the moment he heard it too. Ferris was impressed that Julius didn't show it on his face, though~"
The two spoke freely about their superior, the Vice-Commander, without even lowering their voices. Julius, who normally would have been the one to rein in Ferris's behavior, now merely deflected with a wry smile and made no attempt to correct him.
That alone said it all—that was the shared understanding the two of them—no, the entire knighthood—held of the "Vice-Commander."
"So, what are you going to do now, Julius?"
"Follow the Commander's orders and stay at my mansion, naturally. I'll have to explain the situation to Anastasia-sama... I am worried, though—she's not the type to sit still quietly."
"Ferris knows that feeling~. At Ferris's place, Crusch-sama is unpredictable, so Ferris is always on edge. But you know, that unpredictability is part of Crusch-sama's dangerous charm~"
Julius spoke with a resigned air, and Ferris nodded in sympathy before blushing as he grew dreamy in the second half. He raised a finger to Julius's chest, twirling it in circles.
Julius dutifully listened to Ferris's lovesick rambling, letting him have his way, when he suddenly— "By the way, Ferris, about that boy from earlier—"
"He's with Emilia right now. After that, for a little while... he'll probably be staying at the Karsten family estate."
Before the full question could leave Julius's mouth, a response devoid of warmth came from Ferris.
Looking up at Julius, who had fallen silent, Ferris let out a small, amused laugh.
"You really are too kind, Julius. Should Ferris say you're very knightly~?"
"There is no greater honor than being called that. ...The Karsten estate, you say?"
"Ferris doesn't think it's very good to go around blabbing patients' personal information~"
Ferris deflected the question with a pitiful gesture. However, Julius found what he needed to reach understanding within that evasive answer and murmured, "Just as I thought."
"I had my suspicions—his Gate appears to be quite depleted."
"...Ferris didn't say anything, you know~"
Julius gave a slight nod of confirmation at Ferris's brazen attitude.
After all, combining Ferris's use of the word "patient" with the sense of unease Julius himself had felt about Subaru, it was easy to imagine the background.
And the conclusion that these threads drew in Julius's keen mind was: "Emilia-sama truly is the type to sacrifice herself for others."
Julius thought there must surely be an easier way to live. In how one repaid kindness, in how one showed it, there must surely be a clearer method. But she didn't know it, and her days had not allowed her to learn.
And it was surely a fragile, precarious path—for both the giver and the receiver—that could easily lead to misunderstandings and missed connections.
"She should try to be smarter about it... is that what you're thinking?"
Ferris posed the probing question to Julius's murmured thoughts.
Julius was silent for a moment, then shook his head.
"No. It is because she is like that that she can live nobly and beautifully as herself. I would not want to change that. That is precisely why..."
He began to continue, but closed his mouth—it would be unseemly to say more. And perhaps even without words, the meaning reached Ferris. He too seemed to understand Julius's hesitation, touching his own cat ears.
"What does Julius think—will it happen?"
"I don't know the future. All we can do is wish. That everyone may live rightly, as themselves, without shame."
Julius lifted his gaze and faced forward, resuming his stride.
Ferris followed half a step behind, hands clasped behind his back, leaning forward.
"Does 'everyone' include that boy?"
"Everyone, Ferris. That is why we carry swords."
He wondered if it would break. Julius thought it would be better if it broke here, if it was going to break.
But if it didn't break— "To cross swords again with a fool who holds up ideals—that wouldn't be so bad."
Ferris gave a small, knowing chuckle at Julius's words.
Julius raised an eyebrow, looking puzzled, and Ferris burst into a wider grin as if he'd seen something amusing.
"Julius can think that way all he wants, but Subaru-kun is probably thinking 'never again,' isn't he~? After being so publicly thrashed and all~"
A smile he couldn't quite hide behind his hand.
"So there were various reasons behind it all, but you were a little irritated after all~?"
Ferris asked with an upward glance, testing the waters. Julius reflexively began to say "That's absurd," then suddenly turned his gaze inward.
The discourteous behavior in the great hall, the barrage of insults at the training grounds, and then the face of the woman burdened by it all— "That's absurd, Ferris. I am a knight. I have bound myself to that, however imperfectly."
He shook his elegant head, placed his palm on his chest to declare he felt no shame in his actions, and looked straight into the eyes of the Ferris walking beside him.
"It was only a little."
"Ferris was quite a bit more than a little irritated~"
As if exchanging the grandest of jokes, the two shared a laugh.
They then approached the entrance of the duty station, faced each other, and clasped hands in a firm handshake.
"Until we meet again. I sincerely hope for the health and well-being of you and your lady."
"You too, Julius~ Anastasia will probably pout and complain, but do your best~. As for the rest of what you did... well, Ferris will pick up where you left off."
Releasing the handshake, Ferris waved his hand lightly and strolled out of the duty station with an easy air.
Julius watched that retreating figure, his gaze fixed on the departing friend—and foe.
"The throne belongs to Anastasia-sama."
"No, no~ The throne is fit for Crusch alone."
With that declaration of war exchanged between them, the knights each returned to the side of their respective masters.
The crimson light pouring down from the evening sky bestowed its colors equally upon the two who parted ways, and upon every soul dwelling in the capital.
—Each Royal Selection was now about to begin.