Crest of the Strongest Knight

Chapter 166 - A Lord's Prelude

"...Why did you do it, Henri?"

Henri remained silent as his knight escorted him not to the castle's dungeons, but to the city's church. It was only in Aluvsha's presence that the powers he gained from his pact with Amelia could be suppressed.

"...I've served you ever since we met at Revelo Academy. Do I not deserve to know?" Vera asked, her voice almost desperate. She couldn't understand why her lord would even think of betraying the baron, much less actually follow through on it. Their position had been stable and secure, and they had become the baron's trusted confidants. Not only that, but Vera was also a close friend of Miranda, the baron's knight.

To her, Henri's betrayal struck at the heart of not only Baron Dietrich and the fief, but her own as well. She had long believed that her liege served the baron loyally and did her utmost in realizing the fief's prosperity, sometimes even traveling vast distances as a diplomat solely to make up for the fief's shortage in personnel. Throughout her tenure, she had forced herself to acquire a slew of skills for the benefit of supporting a dream she thought her liege and the baron shared.

Yet in the span of a single day, that vision of hers had been shattered... and Henri wouldn't even tell her why.

Vera grabbed Henri's arm, stopping him in his stride and surprising the guards that were escorting them to the church. "I asked you why, Henri." She glared at her liege, gripping his arm so tightly that it was almost certain there would be bruises.

Henri pursed his lips, meeting Vera's eyes at last. The two of them had a storied past, so much so that Henri's heart softened as he recalled the days they'd spent at the duchy's academy. Though they'd both applied to Avalyne Academy, neither of them had been admitted. While it might not have changed much if he had, perhaps he would have fared better in the capital where talent was generally prized more than status.

Vera had been there to support him even while he was ostracized at the duchy's academy due to his commoner heritage and later once he was forced to enter high society. Despite other nobles and even knights looking down upon her, she never once left Henri's side. For Vera, her oath was stronger than the steel of her sword, and she had already resolved to serve Henri knowing full well what consequences that entailed.

Henri sighed as he considered this. Vera was the daughter of Baroness Olette, ruler of Milquit fief, who he doubted could truly understand the reasons for his treachery as she had been born into nobility. Even so, he knew he had to at least give her a chance even if only in acknowledgement of her loyalty.

"Let's... get to the church first, alright? I'll tell you all about it, Vera. After all, I think you'll agree that there are a few too many eyes on us for comfort anyway."

Vera clicked her tongue in annoyance. Even though she was aware that their brief dispute was drawing the attention of the many passersby who in turn directed curious and concerned gazes at the party. Though frustrated, she released her hold on Henri's arm before roughly shoving the man forward.

"Then get going. I won't let you miss a single damn detail." Vera growled, crossing her arms angrily as if shutting off the world around herself. Even now, she didn't want to believe that Henri was truly responsible for leaking information to Bastiche, but the dark magic he'd used against Viviane had been proof enough of his allegiance.

The soldiers began marching almost immediately as Henri stumbled forward, pointedly averting their gaze from Vera. Although they were all familiar with the green-haired knight, they also knew that her temperament was rather fiery at times, and none of them wanted to be on the receiving end of it.

The walk to the church didn't take long, and once Henri was brought inside, Vera quickly dismissed the soldiers. There was a war to be waged on the following day, and the fief could hardly waste their precious few men on guard duty. Vera alone would suffice until it was time to sortie. After all, Henri wasn't exactly known for his martial prowess as a scholar, meaning he would pose little danger while unarmed and without the magic Amelia had granted him.