I boarded a carriage and headed for the royal castle together with Myalo and the body double.
According to my watch, it was 3 p.m. The battle had started in the morning, but now sunset would soon approach.
To the south, Dimitri had already begun accepting the second order’s surrender. There’d been some resistance, but the overall force had lost its morale. There was no way they’d continue fighting when the enemy that surrounded them had offered an alternative.
The surrender was proceeding at three posts we’d set up for disarming the soldiers. Aside from those guilty of crimes—particularly atrocities—each soldier would be offered a pardon in exchange for agreeing to a year of military service, effective immediately.
“Haaalt!” a loud voice cried as we neared the drawbridge, bringing our carriage to a stop.
I opened the carriage door and got out to deal with it myself.
“Y-Your Excellency! My apologies!” cried the voice’s owner.
“No, it’s fine. I wanted to take a look at the bridge anyway.”
Royal Castle Island already had a new bridge made from large logs that we’d had prepared in advance. The logs were bound to one another with flat planks laid on top, and there were also ramps on either end to make it easier to climb the additional height the new bridge created. It was a crude thing made of bare wood, but it probably wouldn’t slow down traffic. We’d be using it until we had the drawbridge repaired.
“Continue to inspect traffic as you are. I appreciate your work.” After a few words of gratitude, I boarded the carriage again.
When the coach driver cracked the whip, we immediately began moving.
“...And that’s why His Excellency would like cooperation from the witches.”
As the carriage rattled over the hard ground, Myalo continued giving her explanation to the gagged body double—assuming that was what she was.
“The witches ensure that the royal capital functions as a city. That’s clear to everyone. Without the power of witches, Sibiak would have never grown into a flourishing city, nor would its prosperity have persisted. His Excellency holds those efforts in high regard. The sole problem is the lack of an open market. If commercial entities had better freedom to operate, it would be more in line with His Excellency’s desires.”
As expected, Myalo was proving herself ideal for this task. She was able to string together an explanation without needing time to prepare a script.
Meanwhile, I did my best not to ruin her efforts. If my face said, “You’d have to be an idiot to believe that,” it would give the game away, so I did my best to keep my face straight.
“Now, I hope you’ve understood what His Excellency envisions. He has no desire to go door-to-door and arrest every witch that’s hiding. Ideally, those who cooperate and serve him will be given the same jobs as before. Witch families will accept money from merchants in good conscience, and Sibiak will function more efficiently than at any time in history. Cooperation from the witches is an essential part of this vision.” Myalo turned to me. “Isn’t that correct?”
“Exactly. We might be fighting today so I can settle a few scores with witches, but I can’t deny that they serve a useful function. You might say they’re a worthy opponent. And when I’ve got strong enemies, I get them on my side. It’s how I operate.”
This ruse would’ve been a lot easier if I hadn’t shared my true feelings inside the tent.
“We’re escorting you to the northern side of the city where we’ll release you unconditionally,” Myalo continued. “In return, we hope you’ll act as our messenger and set up peace negotiations. Please do us this favor.”
Royal Castle Island’s north bridge was still under repair. Only three logs had been sent to replace the burned bridge, making it far from complete.
“Your Excellency! My apologies! The repair works are behind schedule.”
“Don’t worry about it,” I told the carpenter as I climbed down from the carriage. “Is it still possible for someone to cross? It looks like it’s all nailed together.”
There were three logs at the right side that were secured with nails and large staples so that they wouldn’t roll around while someone walked over them.
“Yes, sir. I believe it’s safe.”
“Okay, Myalo. Get her across.”
“Yes, sir.”
Myalo took the body double by the hand and began walking over the makeshift bridge toward the city’s northern half. That was where Witches’ Forest lay.
“Watch your step,” Myalo said as she carefully guided the body double.
“Hey,” a woman waiting by the side of the road called to me.
“Is that you, Tillet?” I replied quietly. “I trust you know what to do.”
“Just leave it to me. Her accomplices are already waiting for her on the other side. I’ll wait a moment before crossing.”
It would look suspicious if a royal sword followed directly behind the old woman, so Tillet was being a little careful.
“I’m counting on you. I won’t accept failure here.”
“As if I’d fail.”
I sensed a quiet anger burning within Tillet. She held feelings that she couldn’t conceal completely.
As we were talking, Myalo had finished helping the old woman across and returned to us. In one hand she held the gag that had been in the old woman’s mouth.
“Good work, Myalo.”
“Thank you.”
“I never got the chance to ask. Was that really her?”
We’d kept her gagged and hadn’t questioned her to confirm her identity. We’d figured it would give her more trust in us that way.
“I believe she’s the real thing. It’s difficult to prepare a body double with such a close resemblance... Though I can’t say for sure, since we didn’t interrogate her.”
“Sorry. I’m not sure how I would’ve reacted if I’d heard what she had to say.”
I was the one who’d asked to keep her gagged the whole time. I’d worried I might explode with rage on hearing her speak and kill her immediately. That was also why I’d let Myalo take her over the bridge. I didn’t know what I might’ve done the moment I felt her hand in mine.
“That’s quite all right. This is all part of my job.” Myalo smiled.
“Her accomplices are gone. I’m off.” Tillet gave us a short goodbye, then casually set out across the makeshift bridge.