Chapter 253 – The Knight in the Mask

We waited at the soldiers’ guardhouse in the harbor for Marquis Zilbolt’s ship to arrive.

“It appears they’ve arrived.”

“Then, shall we go?”

Just as the sailing ship bearing the Zilbolt family crest approached from offshore, Benedict appeared at the harbor.

“Sir Benedict.”

Marquis Zilbolt called out to Benedict’s back as he watched the sailing ship entering the harbor.

“This is… Marquis Zilbolt.”

Benedict turned around to face Marquis Zilbolt.

Grace and I stood behind like servants accompanying Marquis Zilbolt. We were prepared to block any attacks with a Shield if necessary.

If Benedict were a demon, Ashley would detect it and inform Marlene and Claudia, triggering the Blessing.

“I heard you were away. Why is the Marquis here?”

Benedict asked in a tone with little emotional fluctuation.

Since the ship hadn’t arrived yet, it was strange for Marquis Zilbolt to appear at the harbor first. He probably found this suspicious, but with most of his face hidden, his emotions were hard to read.

“Actually, a problem has arisen. I returned to my territory a bit early to deal with it and give instructions.”

“Oh? And what problem would that be?”

“This.”

Marquis Zilbolt opened a wooden box, revealing the plaster statue of the witch inside. This was a tactic to gauge reactions by revealing critical information without preamble—but Benedict merely glanced at the plaster statue in the box without showing any notable reaction.

“…She is a felon who attempted to assassinate my wife and daughter. Since she’s dangerous, I thought I must go to the royal capital as quickly as possible to report and make arrangements. That’s why I’m having my retainers prepare various things.”

Benedict remained silent. They faced each other at a fixed distance. The tension in the air was palpable.

“Sir Benedict. You know this person, don’t you?”

“Why… would you think that?”

Faced with this direct question, Benedict evaded giving a clear answer. Marquis Zilbolt continued without waiting for a response.

“She is someone I came to know through an introduction from His Highness Zadias. Both you and I are close to His Highness Zadias. As for me… I can’t help but wonder if there might be some reason other than vacation for your visit here. Especially… coming to this harbor on this day, at this time.”

Our goal was to strike without warning, without informing the Crown Prince beforehand. To prevent the Crown Prince from preparing his defenses, we needed to detain Benedict by some means.

That’s why we were indirectly conveying to Benedict that he was suspected of being a felon’s accomplice without explicitly stating it.

The problem then became that we didn’t know how much Benedict understood about the situation.

Given the Marquis’s earlier statement left interpretation to the listener, it could also be taken as implicitly questioning whether Benedict might be betraying Crown Prince Zadias. This gave no definitive statement from the Marquis while probing what information the recipient might possess.

“I see. I understand what the Marquis means to say. Indeed, I am acquainted with her. I received orders from His Highness Zadias to oversee her accompaniment with the Marquis. It’s only natural to be suspicious.”

“If you understand, then I must ask you to stay in my territory for some time. Actually, there are numerous witnesses who saw her emitting miasma. There’s even suspicion she might be a demon. Given the importance of the matter, it’s merely a precaution.”

Though he said “ask,” these were the words of Marquis Zilbolt, the territorial lord. This was effectively a command.

If Benedict were to refuse this peacefully, he would need to argue in a way that proved his own innocence.

In other words, whether he was betraying the Crown Prince. Whether he himself was a demon.

Since there was a possibility he conspired with the witch to betray the Crown Prince or attempt assassinations of the Marquis’s family members, we could say we couldn’t permit Benedict to go to the royal capital or accompany the Marquis.

And—if Benedict refused these and resorted to force like drawing his sword against Marquis Zilbolt, or tried to break through and escape, we could counter that we would detain him to maintain public order as the territorial lord. After all, Benedict was the one under suspicion.

If he complied quietly, we would first have him prove he wasn’t a demon. Probably—by circulating his ki, we could determine whether he was a demon or not.

Either way, since he would be detained in the Marquis’s territory, Zadias and Benedict would be separated. This would eliminate one of Zadias’s key combatants in advance and also block information flow.

“A demon… That is… certainly important but—gh…”

Benedict groaned softly, bringing his hand to his forehead through his mask. His body swayed as if he’d experienced a dizzy spell. He staggered unsteadily.

…What was that just now? Through the gap in his mask, I thought I saw something like mist for just a moment—

“Are you all right?”

“—My apologies. I occasionally get headaches like this.”

When Marquis Zilbolt asked, Benedict shook his head in response.

“It’s temporary, so no need for concern. Let’s return to our discussion. I cannot comply with that request.”

“…Why is that? Do you have a reason?”

“With all due respect. Has the Marquis’s own innocence been proven?”

“Oh.”

At Benedict’s words, the Marquis’s eyes widened slightly. Benedict had essentially accused the Marquis to his face of possibly being the Crown Prince’s enemy.

“But if we’re saying that, the same applies to you, Sir Benedict.”

“His Highness Zadias found me when I was severely injured and had lost my memory, and he elevated me. I must repay that great debt. If there’s any possibility of danger approaching His Highness, I must rush to the royal capital to protect him. My loyalty and innocence need no proof to anyone—I alone need know them as truth.”

“I respect your conviction as a knight… but do you know how much His Highness Zadias is aware of? Is not remonstrance also the duty of a loyal retainer?”

Without giving any definitive statement, the Marquis was suggesting that Zadias might have known Alvelinde was a demon.

“That matter… has nothing to do with me. Even if it were true, it would be the same.”

Again. Benedict wavered, but this time he recovered as if something had switched in an instant, responding with flawless speech.

“Unfortunately. Until your innocence becomes clear in my eyes, I cannot grant you freedom of movement. These are the words of your territorial lord. And of a noble serving His Majesty the King of Silvatoria.”

“…Then the answer is decided. If you block my path, I will force my way through.”

Benedict drew his rapier.

Based on the gathered information and our interaction so far… Benedict had seemed rational.

But this was clearly a bad move, somewhat rash. And Benedict’s condition earlier. Unstable, unnatural… something felt off.

He said he was found after losing his memory. He did say that.

Anyway, from here on it’s my job. I stepped forward to confront him in place of the Marquis. Grace also stepped forward.

“Come, Ouroboros.”

The Dragon Staff flew from the soldiers’ guardhouse in the harbor and landed in my hand. I spun Ouroboros like a windmill before planting it on the ground, facing Benedict directly.

“I was wondering why women and children were present here. You are the Marquis’s escorts?”

“That’s right. Your opponent is me.”

“…You heard our conversation earlier. Even if you’re a child, if you’re a magician, I’ll have no choice but to fight with full force. If you don’t interfere and let me pass, no one will get hurt.”

But he still gave a warning. It didn’t seem demon-like, but we couldn’t rule out the possibility of acting. Well, we’ll just have to fight to find out.

“Regardless of the truth of your innocence or loyalty—if the fundamental premise is wrong, then they have no meaning.”

“Oh… Do you mock His Highness?”

Benedict reacted to my words.

Premise. Meaning, I was suggesting that the favor the Crown Prince supposedly showed Benedict might have been fake.

While I said it partly as a provocation to get Benedict’s attention, that wasn’t the only reason.

The Crown Prince found a person who had lost his memory, treated him, and elevated him to magic knight.

But that was only Benedict’s subjective view. While we could somewhat trust Benedict’s words and actions, we couldn’t trust anything about Zadias’s supposed kindness based on what we’d seen so far.

I’ve witnessed several dark magics like brainwashing or perception manipulation. Benedict’s earlier instability and his current unwavering stance. Seeing both sides and that earlier scene… for example—I began to suspect that mask might be such an item. Or there might be a secret beneath the mask.

“That’s right. I have no evidence. But since there’s a possibility you’re connected to demons, I can’t let you go elsewhere. If that’s your intention, then I’ll just have to force my claim through by strength.”

When I smiled back in response, a smile also formed at the corner of Benedict’s mouth.

“A remarkably clear and understandable story. Probably—you are the Marquis’s strongest combatant, aren’t you? Then—I shall cut my way out of this town with my own hands.”

Swinging his rapier wrapped in magical brilliance two or three times, Benedict took his stance.

Caduceus had joined the escort team too—but it seemed there was movement at the castle as well. Apparently, things were starting to happen everywhere.