The previous day, after the discussion about Sophia ended, the king had summoned me to a private meeting. He’d told me I would be serving as Alto’s bodyguard while he was here, requested as part of Setsuna’s compensation.
“Also, it’s dangerous outside the castle, so make sure Alto doesn’t leave the grounds. I’m personally responsible for fulfilling Setsuna’s reward, and our kingdom has no option to refuse. As such, I’m ordering you to temporarily step away from your post as Eugene’s first knight and take up the duty of guarding Alto for a short while.”
“I’ll do everything I can to honor your promise to Setsuna,” I replied, and Eugene gave me a wry smile.
“You seem to be away from my side these days more often than not.”
“There’s one more thing,” the king added. “Setsuna requested that Alto not be made aware that he’s under protection until he arrives at the castle. So be careful not to let that information slip.”
The first thought that went through my head was that something was about to go down. But after turning it over in my mind all night, I still had no idea what that might be. So the next afternoon, once things had calmed down, I decided to head over to Ragi’s house.
Alto wouldn’t be suspicious if I said I had the day off and came to visit. I might even get the chance to talk to Setsuna.
I dismounted in front of Ragi’s house just as I saw Setsuna and the others step out the door.
“Oh, Cyrus!” Ragi said warmly. “What brings you here?”
Alto trotted over toward me.
“It’s nothing important. I just thought I’d stop by to thank you for the other day, but it looks like the three of you are heading out.”
It didn’t look like I would get anywhere, so I was about to say I’d come back later when Alto spoke up excitedly. “Master and Gramps are gonna see who’s stronger!”
Hang on. Setsuna’s a Time sorcerer with the dragon’s protection…
Alto was bouncing around with excitement, and I glanced over at Ragi. There was a strange, indescribable expression on his face that he wasn’t able to hide.
“It’s just a little game,” he said with a laugh. Yet he was carrying something in a large leather pack and radiating with an enthusiasm that suggested he was taking this quite seriously.
“Setsuna?” My voice sounded half-pleading, but I didn’t have time to worry about that now. It probably sounded like I was begging him to reconsider.
“Don’t worry. We agreed not to use magic.” He said it so casually, I felt my head spin. “Actually, you came at just the right time, Cyrus. We were planning on fighting in the field behind the house. Could I ask you to be the witness?”
Ragi nodded in agreement.
I opened my mouth to protest, but when I saw how determined they both looked, I couldn’t get any words out. There was an almost melancholic atmosphere in the air.
“Also, can you explain things for Alto?” Setsuna murmured in my ear as he passed by me on his way to the gate.
Once we got to the back of the house, Setsuna and Ragi kept going a little farther into the field.
Still watching them, Alto pulled a barrier needle from his bag and stabbed it into the ground.
“Master told me to stay here with you while he fights Gramps,” he said.
“What’s that for?” I asked.
“It’s a barrier to keep people out. Master told me to do it.”
I nodded, but I was still confused. “Do you know why Setsuna is fighting Ragi, Alto?”
“Nope, but Gramps looked really happy!”
“He did?”
“Yep.”
I had no idea why this was happening, but regardless, it was clear I wouldn’t get the chance to talk to Setsuna until it was all over.
Just then, their voices rang out clearly. “Alto should be able to hear us now,” I heard Setsuna say.
“Thank you. Will we also be able to hear Alto?” Ragi asked.
“Yes, but only Alto’s voice will come through.”
That meant they wouldn’t be able to hear me. I wondered if Setsuna thought maybe my explanations would get distracting.
Wagging his tail, Alto called out, “Can you hear me, Gramps?” At the same time, I saw Setsuna say something to Ragi. The elder beastfolk man responded to Alto, then turned and bowed his head to me.
“What do you want to do about weapons, Setsuna?” he asked.
“What were you thinking of using?”
“I’ll use my fists.”
“Then I’ll fight with a sword and shield.”
“A shield?” Ragi asked, surprised. “I don’t recall ever hearing about you using something like that before.”
“Well, I’ve never used one in front of Alto, but I know how to handle it.” Setsuna pulled a small, round shield from his bag, while Ragi took out bracers and shin guards from his large leather pack.
“Why doesn’t Master ever use a shield when he’s with me?” Alto asked, sounding like he was pouting a bit.
I hesitated for a moment, unsure of how I should answer. The honest reason was that he never needed one.
A shield was meant to deflect or block attacks, but Setsuna could easily evade any attack. What I really wanted to know was why he was bothering to use one now.
I couldn’t say that, though, so I searched for a more suitable reply to Alto.
“See how bulky that shield is? It’s not ideal for traveling. A shield can be useful if you’re out hunting monsters in an area you’re familiar with, but that’s not the kind of life you and Setsuna lead, right?”
As I spoke, I looked over at the bracers Ragi was putting on. They had that pale gleam unique to bluesilver, something you’d never see in common weapons shops in Lypaed.
“Can I ask you something, Alto? Do you know why Ragi has such fine armor?”
“I dunno. But he said he used to be a mercenary, so maybe he bought it back then.”
Bought it?
There was no way he’d just happened to come across bluesilver bracers for sale somewhere. I’d bet anything he had them made specially.
He must’ve been a pretty famous mercenary.
I watched Ragi buckle the last strap and look up, giving Setsuna a wicked grin. I was staring at him, wondering what he was planning, when he reached down, pulled up the leg of his pants, and unfastened an anklet around his left leg.
Setsuna’s eyes widened, an unusual reaction for someone who was usually never surprised. Ragi casually slipped the anklet into his bag.
“What’s going on…?” Setsuna asked in a quiet voice.
I was speechless.
“Look, Cyrus…,” whispered Alto.