Crest of the Strongest Knight

Chapter 81 - Departure

In other words, Viviane was virtually indistinguishable from a common archer aside from the signet ring that she wore on her right hand.

"Well, I don't really mind it. Plus, Medrauta picked it out for me!"

Rosaline shook her head in disapproval. "You're going to be negotiating Lady Sakura's capture, aren't you? I'm fairly certain your outfit is going to raise questions."

"Actually, I don't think we'll be negotiating much if at all. Dame Marilyn's letter described something of a violent situation in the duchy, but we'll confirm the situation once we arrive."

"...I see." Rosaline seemed to understand that there was more at play in the Revelo duchy than what the official report stated, but she still worried about Viviane's blatant disregard of etiquette as a noblewoman.

Sensing that Rosaline was only trying to help, Viviane flashed her a grin. "It'll be alright, Lady Rosaline. We've packed a dress, some heels, and a parure just in case!"

"That should do in a pinch at the very least, but I do suppose more combat-oriented equipment takes priority if you're expecting to fight."

"Rosie!" Leticia said as she finished shoving the last piece of luggage into the carriage. "We're all set!"

It seemed to be good timing as the coachmen called out to Eirlys, letting her know the horses were ready to depart just a few seconds after. The senior knight nodded in response to the nearest coachman before inspecting the other carriages and ensuring that they were reading to embark on their journeys.

"Alright... Before I send you all off, take these." Eirlys said, handing each noble a golden medallion with a sun symbol embossed on its surface. "They will serve as proof of your identity and your mission. Take care not to lose them."

The three noblewomen nodded. "We shall keep that in mind, Dame Eirlys."

"Then take care and return safely." Eirlys said before turning to the knights. "I want all your reports delivered to me in person, is that understood?"

"Yes, ma'am!" The knights shouted in unison.

With that, the senior knight stepped back and watched the three pairs step into their respective carriages. An amalgamation of pride and worry swam in her eyes as she watched the carriages disappear into the distance.

Though they were mere students, the fate of the empire quite literally rested on the success of their missions as the empire's finest knights fought desperately against the superior numbers that Kaslavna had brought to bear.

"...You should've gone if you were so worried." A deep voice came from behind Eirlys.

"And what? Leave the capital to you?" Eirlys said, turning to face the tall male knight who was now approaching her. "You know I can't do that, Bradley. His Imperial Majesty requested that I protect this place."

"I know. It's just..." Bradley's voice trailed off. He didn't dare complete the sentence, but the dark look in his eyes was more than enough to tell Eirlys that he was worrying about the same thing she was.

"...They'll come back." Eirlys declared with as much conviction as she could muster. Even if she wasn't fully confident in her words, she would simply have to force herself to believe them. That way, she would be able to carry out her duties like a proper knight who devoted their all to their mission.

"I hope you're right, Eirlys." Bradley sighed. "I really do... But really, it's not Medrauta and Lady Viviane that I'm worried about..."

"...I know. It's Lady Estelle and Dame Rosette, isn't it?"

"Yeah," Bradley nodded. He grit his teeth, a mixture of emotions flickering across his face as he slowly brought them under his control. "The two of them only met days ago. Rosette... Rosette's in a class of her own, honestly. She's insanely strong, perhaps even stronger than Medrauta if she uses that, but..."

"You think Lady Estelle won't be able to support her, right? That she won't be able to pull her weight? I know. I think the same."

"If you knew, then why the hell did you let her go!? Why, Eirlys!?" Bradley suddenly shot forth, grabbing Eirlys by the shoulders, his shouts laced with anger and anxiety. He would have grabbed her by the collar, but she was wearing plate armor.

Eirlys stared at Bradley, meeting the other knight's wide eyes with an unwavering gaze. Even as Bradley released his grip and dropped to the ground on his knees, her lips remained shut.

"Please... Just tell me why..." Bradley pleaded, his voice barely more than a whisper now. He buried his face in his hands, unwilling to let the tears that were forming in his eyes dirty the ground.

"...There is something she needs to do, Bradley."

"...What could be more important than her life?"

"What does it mean to live? Is the line between life and death decided merely by whether one draws breath or not?" Eirlys asked. "...Of course not. There is something she must do not as a simple girl or even as a student, but as a noblewoman, else she will be bound by the shackles of regret forever and cursed with a living death as it weighs down on her mind even until her last breath."

"But..."

"She is reclaiming her right to live, Bradley. Will you deny your niece even this small act of defiance when fate has taken everything from her?"

Bradley's hands clenched into fists that he pressed against the side of his skull in frustration, letting out a roar of hopeless anger and desperation. "Even so...! Even so, it is because fate has taken everything from her that I worry! What makes you think that fate won't take her life next!?"

Eirlys raised an eyebrow, eyeing the knight beneath her wordlessly.

Bradley was descended from House Jovasca, a rather famous noble house in the empire despite only governing a mere barony inside the Rosenhall dukedom thanks to their reputation as the continent's best winemakers. Because of that, the family had accumulated a vast amount of wealth that was used to pamper Estelle when she was a child.

While the attention of her doting parents and relatives had once been a source of joy for young Estelle, the countless gifts that she was showered with soon attracted the attention of the ducal family, and by extension, Isabella Rosenhall who grew jealous at the fact that a mere baron's daughter received better gifts than she did.

Soon, those gifts were taken from Estelle, as were the friends she made, and the happiness she sought. In the Rosenhall duchy, everything that was great and magnificent should belong only to those who bloomed like roses. Everyone else were mere thorns on the stem, ready to be snipped away at any moment.

That was why Bradley should've been the one who understood Estelle's decision to go the most.

"Eir—"

"She won't die, Bradley. This time... She'll take everything back."

"How...? How can you say that with such certainty?"

Truthfully, I can't, but...

"...Because she has the knight who defied destiny itself by her side."