“Brother! What in the world is going on?!”

“What is it, Road? You’re early.”

“I’m asking what this is all about!”

The military base in the imperial capital Valhalla.

This was where the empire’s highest-ranking military officers worked.

In the command room of that base—Odin’s office.

Road stormed in, slamming a warrant down on the desk.

“What is this warrant?!”

“What? Just calling in young Sword to ask about his violation of military discipline.”

“That incident was under my orders, and it was settled!”

“I don’t recall approving it. Do you have it in writing?”

“I see… so that’s how it is. But it was still my command!”

“Then why didn’t Sword claim that on the spot? Was all that damage really necessary?”

“Guh… That’s…”

“I know. That’s just an after-the-fact excuse. That’s why we’re only hearing him out. Relax.”

“You expect me to believe that?”

“And if you don’t? You don’t have the authority for that. Unless you want to start a war and take it back by force?”

As Odin said, if it was illegal and unreasonable, Road could negotiate hard and resort to force if needed.

That would mean war breaking out before the Empire Sword Martial Festival.

But this time, the facts were undeniable.

That’s why Odin had played this card here and now.

“I know full well what would happen if you harmed Sword right here.”

As the emperor had declared that day, the entire Empire of Earthguard would learn about the festival.

Odin had no room to maneuver anymore.

If he branded Sword a violator of military discipline and executed him now, Odin would lose all his influence.

The military, the people, the nobles—everyone would condemn him, and Road might even claim the throne before the festival.

And then a quagmire of war with the Asia Union and the European Union.

That was Road’s scheme.

Once announced, anything short of total defeat was fine for Road, and the empire’s wounds would be shallow.

“Promise me. Promise you won’t lay a finger on Sword. Then I’ll stand down.”

“Fine. It’s just a few questions. I swear we won’t harm him.”

(We won’t harm him, huh…)

Road stared into Odin’s eyes.

But he couldn’t guess what schemes Odin might have up his sleeve.

His foresight shone on the battlefield.

This was the political arena, where Road was at a disadvantage.

His opponent had been immersed in politics the whole time Road was fighting wars.

“Oh, and Road. I need you to pacify this battlefield for me. It’s a royal duty. Should be easy for you.”

Odin handed Road a single sheet of paper.

Road scowled at it.

(Easy? This battlefield? A normal force would take a month.)

“…An order?”

“An order. Don’t forget—in military matters, I hold all the authority right now. If you refuse, give me a good reason.”

“…Understood. But with the Empire Sword Martial Festival coming, I can’t take anything else.”

“Fine. Go take care of it.”

“I will.”

Road left the room.

He knew arguing further here would change nothing.

They had legitimate cause to detain him, and he had none to free him.

Plus, deploying to the battlefield was a royal obligation.

No clear reason to refuse here.

(Sorry, Kenya. Hang in there… I’ll send support.)

There was only so much Road could do.

Use that brilliant mind to end the battlefield as fast as possible and return.

And dispatch trusted subordinates.

He’d anticipated every scenario, including this one.

And the countermeasures too.

“Yeah, it’s me. Sorry, but I need you to move. Yeah, yeah. Sword’s facing a heresy tribunal. So I’m counting on you.”

And Road called the name.

“Rirbelt.”

◇Time rewinds a little.

“Violation of military discipline? What’s that?”

“We’re talking about the act of rebellion you committed in the town of Finn in the southern region a month ago.”

(Oh, that. Yeah, I did it.)

“For now, could you come with us?”

“Sure…”

“Big brother? What’s wrong?”

“Oh, Reina. I’ve gotta head to the Military Interrogation Committee or something. Could you let Lord Road know?”

“Military Interrogation Committee… Got it. I’ll contact Lord Road right away.”

And Reina got in touch with Road for him.

“Please come without resistance. If not, we’ll have to restrain you.”

“…Understood.”

Kenya boarded the military vehicle without resisting.

He couldn’t win against these soldiers anyway.

Once in the car, Kenya asked the soldier.

“What’s the Military Interrogation Committee? Sorry, I’m not familiar—could you explain?”

“Sure. It’s a body that investigates military personnel for enemy spies, coups, traitors, rebels—anyone plotting to overthrow the state. They also hear out violations of military discipline.”

From what the soldier said, Kenya was suspected of rebellion against the state.

The reason, of course, was that rampage causing injuries and damage.

It was true, and in terms of rebellion, undeniable. No room to argue.

“But I’m Lord Road’s knight. You do know that, right?”

“Yes, that’s why. Odin himself ordered us to go easy. It’s just a talk. No need to worry.”

Kenya relaxed at that.

He’d half-imagined a witch trial, but as a Holy Knight Captain and Road’s knight, they’d apparently pull punches.

He hated pain, so he’d been nervous inside.

They took him to a military facility in the imperial capital.

“We’re here.”

“…This place?”

Before Kenya stretched an iron-fenced compound like a prison.

Amid the glamorous capital, a stark facility of only white and black.

The sight alone stirred his unease.

(But they said it’s just a talk. Maybe back by afternoon.)

Kenya imagined as much.

But nothing of the sort awaited him.

“This is it?”

“It’s temporary. Bear with us until the suspicion clears.”

Ridiculously so.

“A jail cell… huh.”

Toilet, bed, stone floor, iron bars.

He was led into the gray-only room.

“Understand your position is extremely precarious right now. Normally, you’d be decapitated on the spot for that commotion.”

A soldier causing that much trouble? Execution.

Kenya got that.

Hence their claim of major concessions.

“Got it.”

Into the cell Kenya went.

The iron door slammed shut, sealing him as a prisoner.

“The hearing starts at noon.”

“I’m staying here until then!?”

“No—until the hearing ends. Goodbye.”

“For real…”

At that moment, Kenya still didn’t grasp it.

Optimistically viewing what was about to befall him.

He understood nothing yet.