Paladin Fili has a reputation for having a ...... Or at least the merit of which he himself was proud, that he never regretted what he said - it was useless to regret anyway.

He interjected on something he shouldn't have interjected, and simply said more clearly: "Something is wrong in this castle, let Fu ...... It would be better for His Majesty the King to leave for a while. ”

Moira opened her mouth, but stopped talking, and did not ask what the so-called "wrong" thing was, what it was—with Agnes, she could not have been ignorant of all the rumors in Lockburg...... She was also one of the few people who knew that Ante's body had not actually been recovered.

"I thought Gard had figured out all the secret passages...... "She muttered to herself in a low mood, "Are we really trying to avoid a ...... Ghosts, and fleeing from their homes?"

"There are so many secret passages in one castle, it's a very wrong thing in the first place. "And why should this be considered an 'escape'? The dynasty needs a fresh start...... Besides, the knightly jousting is one of the most normal celebrations for the coronation of a new king, and we didn't hold it in time, just because the war had just subsided, and Ante had just died...... Mourning for him had been long enough for Frederick to be so depressed. ”

Filly nodded in agreement. He didn't know if Walter had deliberately or genuinely mistaken the gloom of the little king for sadness and "depression...... But it's really more acceptable.

“...... All right. Moira didn't hesitate long before making a decision, "We've got to pick the right place." ”

"We had to plan a suitable route. Walter corrected her. "Visit the lords of various places, gather good knights, and hold one tournament after another...... This is a good opportunity. So that Frederick could really face his subjects, his country. 'Loyalty' doesn't come by sticking his ass firmly to the throne, he has to make people ...... Let those who can't enter the Pomegranate Hall know what kind of person their king really is. ”

Moira hesitated again.

"Can we be away for that long?" she asked.

"I'll stay. The old marquis said calmly, "if you believe me." ”

"What are you talking about!" Moira blurted out, "Of course I believe you......"

She stopped, staring at her father in a daze, a moment later. Suddenly shook his head firmly.

"That's not going to work. She said, "I'll stay...... Anyway, I don't like to watch any martial arts. ”

"But ......"

"So it was decided, father...... You can bring Brandon and June. They also haven't left Lockburg for a long time. Moira's voice was soft and fast, but it could not be denied—Fili did not know when she had been so strong with her father.

“...... All right. ”

Probably realizing that he couldn't convince her, Walter was no longer reluctant. "At least can I pick a few suitable places for you?"

"Of course. Moira replied softly. The smile on his lips was unusually gentle, "But promise me, you don't plan to play in person—you have to give the young knights a chance." ”

The old man laughed, walked over and kissed his daughter lightly on the cheek, nodded to Fili, and turned away without further words.

Moira, who had seen her father leave, was obviously a little absent-minded, and without saying a few words, Fili also took his leave and left.

As he expected. Walter was still waiting for him.

"I guess you know what I would have made such a decision. He said straight to the point.

Fili nodded, "Sounds like you've been planning for a long time. ”

He wasn't suspicious of anything...... But Walter apparently didn't make such a suggestion to his daughter on a whim.

"It's been a long time. Walter frankly admits, "I was planning this even before Frederick's coronation...... I've always hoped for Moira. Guardian, or Frederick himself made such a request. But Moira was too preoccupied with the trouble at hand to distinguish between the serious, and Gard was enthusiastic and blind, and Frederick ......," he hesitated, "and it was disturbing that the boy was becoming more and more like his father. I could barely talk to him, but I could see that the damn castle was dragging him into its shadows. ”

He looked around in disgust, "Stonebuch is a nice city, but I've never liked Rockburg. This place smells of death and decay. If I had known that Ante would be king, and that Moira and her children would have to live in such a hellish place, I probably wouldn't have let her marry him at all. ”

Fili blinked, not knowing if he should have nodded.

"I can't wait any longer and watch things get worse. Walter sighed a little tiredly, "If Ogden were still alive......"

"What if" - that is usually a rather bitter fruit.

The old marquis was silent for a moment, and then straightened his body, which had fallen slightly in the midst of this moment of longing and sorrow.

"I hope you can do me a favor. He looked at Fili with burning eyes, making the paladin unconsciously think of Sean...... Although their personalities are different, they all have a "I give you a choice, but you can't refuse" momentum.

“...... Of course. He said.

"Moira will probably want you to stay with Frederick...... That child believes in you, and she believes in you. For her, children are everything to her...... It's the same for me. I hope you'll find an excuse to refuse her request - your battlefield is here, knight. The old man patted him heavily on the shoulder, "Like you said, something 'isn't quite right' here...... The Guardian did make it a lot more restrained, but it also made it harder to detect, which was always a threat. I'll let Frederick take most of the guards and make it feel like there's a chance to take advantage of it. You have to find it, if it's alive, let it die, if it's dead...... Let it continue to die well, and don't disturb the peace of the living again. ”

Filly looked at the old man's bright, piercing eyes—he knew who they were up against. Many people may be able to guess, but no one dares or wants to say it.

"No problem. Filly agreed, very simply. The gods are above...... That's exactly what he wanted to do.

The old man laughed heartily: "To be honest, I was a little worried just now that you would think that I had some plot to kill the king and usurp the throne. ”

“...... Frederick is your grandson, and I don't see the need for you to do that. Fili smiled wryly, "Besides, you have also given me a lot of trust." ”

"Oh, of course. The old man winked slyly, "No one can deny that you are a very good paladin...... And you've got quite a few pretty good friends, don't you?"

...... So he still has the idea of the Temple of Water and even Scott at the same time?

Fili grinned, and suddenly couldn't laugh a little.

He had told Frederick more than once, "I am a knight of the god of water, not you", and he did not forget the outcome of the last time he was involved in a battle related to royal power.

But this time, it seems to be different......

and...... You'll protect Moira, won't you?" the old man's gaze remained locked on his face. This sentence is a request, a command...... There is also a faint threat of unawareness.

“...... Swear to the Goddess. Fili smiled wryly and raised his hand.

Walter slackened and gave him a slightly apologetic smile: "If that kid wasn't so stubborn, things would be much easier......

“...... For me, most likely, it will not be any different. Fili touched his nose and blurted out, "I doubt that I will be asked to protect you in the same tone by Her Majesty the Queen Mother." ”

As he spoke, he realized that he might be being too honest...... But, of course, he won't regret it.

"I think she knows everything. "You don't really have to hide it from her, or make any other excuse—she's proven to be strong and brave enough." ”

"That's true. Walter acknowledged proudly, but couldn't help but sigh, "But I really don't want to talk to her." In any case, she still loved Ante, her knight, her king like a fool...... I was even worried that she would try to protect him...... No matter what he becomes. ”

He said the name...... At this point, they completely gave up any cover-up.

"I'm going to make sure he gets back to what he should be. Fili said.

Even he himself didn't notice the coldness and sharpness in his tone when he said this...... But that's probably what Walter would be happy to hear.

"I'm well aware of your hatred for him. The old man hesitated for a moment before speaking, "I also admire you...... And your companions have remained tolerant and fair in the face of unprovoked disasters. ”

- Did you mean they weren't angry with Moira and Frederick?

“...... I'm a paladin. Filly said calmly, as if that was enough to say it all.

Walter nodded silently and said nothing.

When we parted, the old man suddenly stopped him again, hesitated for a while before whispering to him, "I don't know if Agnes will run around with us, or if she will stay here." But if she chooses to stay...... You'd better be careful. ”

Fili frowned suspiciously: "...... What are you suspicious of?"

He knew that Agnes was probably the least developed of Walter's children, but he really didn't see any threat from her.

"I don't want to doubt anything. Walter sighed, "But I know my daughter...... Agnes has done a lot of things that shouldn't be done, and I hope ......"

He shook his head and didn't finish his sentence.

"Anyway, don't underestimate her. He smiled wryly and left an ambiguous reminder: "She doesn't just have a beautiful face. ”.

(To be continued......)