7th Time Loop WN Vol. 5 Fan Translation

189

"After all, it was likely just the lowest echelons of the organization that made contact with His Highness Dietrich. For the organization, information that could be obtained by killing His Highness Dietrich is nothing more than that."

"My life, is it really that insignificant!?"

Dietrich was shocked, but it should have been something he'd be rather pleased about.

(But Sylvia, it's not going to be that easy for her. She's been involved with the organization since she was a child, even if she's just a low-level member, she knows too much...)

That's why her life is in danger. Rishe wanted to protect her friend, no matter what.

"...Your Highness Dietrich, please rest assured. In fact, it's already decided that you will face danger."

"Huh?"

"Oliver."

"Yes, it seems His Highness Dietrich was instructed by the intelligence agency. It seems they were instructed something like 'The evil empire of Galkhain must be defeated as soon as possible. For this reason, as a prince of the country of the prince's future wife, we want you to make contact with the royal family.' And it seems that theater was designated as the meeting place on the first day."

"N-No, that's wrong, Oliver! Of course, I doubted it! I wondered if Galkhain really was an evil country! And to verify it with my own eyes, I purposely came to this country as the Crown Prince myself!"

Dietrich was in a great hurry, and Rishe looked at him with sharp eyes.

On the first day they met again, Dietrich hadn't forgotten that he had spoken ill of Arnold. Whether it was because of that gaze or not, Dietrich was still stumbling over his words.

"Whatever His Highness Dietrich's intentions may be. Just as the intelligence agency anticipated, His Highness encountered us, spent several days with His Highness Arnold during official business."

"Huh...? What...? Wait a minute, wasn't... I mean, wasn't His Highness being kind and letting me observe his official duties...?"

"In the eyes of the organization, it may have appeared that His Highness Dietrich was successfully making contact. — However, just tonight, just a while ago, a carriage from Prince Arnold's royal guard should have come to the inn where His Highness Dietrich is staying."

"D-...What does this mean?"

"In other words. — In the eyes of the organization, it may seem that His Highness Dietrich attempted espionage and was spectacularly caught and taken away by the royal knights."

"W-Whaaat!?"

"Shut up. Don't shout."

Arnold spoke irritably. But no matter how desperate Dietrich became, the situation wouldn't change.

"The organization must have surely realized that His Highness Dietrich had spilled everything. They must have realized that their existence had come to light on Galkhain's side."

"G-Good grief..."

Though they didn't tell Dietrich everything, the situation had now become decisive.

(Sylvia's espionage missions have targeted dignitaries from various countries. But Dietrich's contact with His Highness Arnold and Lady Marie is clearly aimed at Galkhain and His Highness Arnold.)

(Even if Sylvia is captured by Galkhain and talks, it's likely they'll just think of it as the same as other espionage against other countries. But Dietrich's information is different.)

(If His Highness Dietrich spills everything, the organization must also consider that His Highness Arnold might become suspicious of the mastermind behind the intelligence agency. ...In reality, His Highness Arnold was already aware of it long before this.)

Arnold truly was ahead of everyone's schemes.

(In the current situation, interrogating Sylvia is something the organization absolutely wants to avoid. If they don't silence Sylvia here, it's not just their credibility as hired agents of the mastermind at stake, but their lives as well.)

That's why, now that the fact that Dietrich is targeting Galkhain has been exposed, the organization should have no time to spare.

(The organization will surely come to kill Sylvia using all their pawns. — At the only opportunity Sylvia has, during the performance on the day of the stage reopening.)

Once again, the danger of being the decoy was high.

That's why Rishe had devised a plan.

(Despite that...!!)

"Your Highness Dietrich?"

Lost in thought, Dietrich raised his voice to motivate himself in front of Rishe.

"If I'm being treated as a traitor by the organization, then being a decoy is even more convenient, right!?"

"...!"

"Th-then! ...Then, I should, be the decoy, and...!"

Trembling as he spoke, Dietrich was mustering up all his courage.

"...!"

Understanding that, Rishe smiled softly and tugged at Arnold's sleeve beside her.

"Prince Arnold."

When she called his name, Arnold furrowed his brow and looked down at Rishe.

"Despite appearances, His Highness Dietrich does have a strong sense of justice."

"Hey Rishe, what do you mean by 'despite appearances'!! If you say something like that, I'll retract my offer!? I'm good at finding reasons not to do things, you know!"

Though Dietrich confidently asserted himself, Rishe smiled wryly in response.

"Although you say that... ...I do feel that your coming to Galkhain was indeed partly out of concern for me, and not a lie."

It wasn't just because someone instigated him, there must have been other reasons.

"...It doesn't matter. That's enough."

Arnold looked at Dietrich with a face that still showed no interest.

"No matter what his feelings may be, he's still the fool who exiled you without a second thought. There's no room for explanation, and no opportunity for it."

"Grrr!!"

"And besides, it doesn't matter what this man starts saying of his own accord. He's irrelevant. Now that he's come to this country and shown his face again, it's only natural I use him to the fullest extent."

"Prince Arnold..."

"U-...Use me?"

Dietrich blinked rapidly, looking bewildered, and Arnold informed him with a steady voice.

"You are, in any case, one of the cogs in the decoy plan. — As a reason for deploying my royal knights to the theater, you'll serve as a different decoy."

"Huh...!?"

Confused, Dietrich looked at them, and Rishe also smiled softly at him.