“I never would have imagined…”
That night, Melza and I made our way to the garden. We sat side by side on a bench on the terrace as I recounted the archduke’s and my journey and the day’s events.
“Me neither… Which is why we’ll be moving against the bandits as soon as possible—tomorrow night.”
“……”
On hearing this, Melza slumped forward. She was probably worried about me.
“Melza… We’ve already taken every precaution,” I declared, trying to put her mind at ease. “I know you’re probably picturing all sorts of worst-case scenarios, but I promise you, everything is completely under control.” I would see this mission through unscathed.
“…Hugh, will you swear that to me…?”
“Of course… I, Hugo Grenville, do solemnly swear it.”
I knelt before her, took her hand in mine, and planted the sincerest of kisses against her skin. She leaned over me, catching me in a tight embrace.
“Whoa!”
“Hugh…! Promise me you’ll be safe…no matter what…!”
“I will… No matter what.”
She was trembling all over… Gently, I wrapped my arms around her and returned her embrace. It was the least I could do to ease her worries—to share my warmth with her.
“…It’s probably time I headed back,” I said.
“Oh…”
“Melza…” I softly pulled away and rose to my feet. “I’ll come back as soon as the bandits are dealt with. I mean it. So please, wait just a little longer.”
“I will…!” There were tears in her eyes.
We remained that way for a short while as I gently stroked her hair—soft, glossy, impossibly beautiful.
“O-oh, that’s right…,” she began. “I nearly forgot something important.”
“…What is it?” I asked.
She reached into the basket she’d brought and retrieved a small object.
“…What’s that?”
“A little something I made while you were away on your mission…” It was a handcrafted tassel, made in red and indigo blue. “Could you attach it to your saber, Hugh? And please, make sure you come home safely. I want to see you again, just as healthy and lively as you are now… And with your wonderful smile, too.”
“Yes… I will…!”
I took the tassel in my hands and cradled it delicately.
“Ho-ho… I made it with the colors of our eyes—yours and mine. So long as you carry it with you, we’ll always be together.” Melza smiled at me, her tears right on the cusp of overflowing.
“Ha-ha! I take it you’ve recovered your strength, then, my boy!”
When I arrived back at headquarters the following evening, the archduke gave me a hearty slap on the back.
But though I had been left to my own devices, I had been hard at work all day preparing for the upcoming battle.
“Oh? You don’t have one for me?” the archduke asked with a grin as his gaze fell on the tassel newly attached to the hilt of my saber.
“Oh, right…” The old man had a keen eye, and he noticed even the smallest of changes. “Sorry. This was all I received from Melza.”
“Oh…? I suppose she now she has eyes only for her suitor, and she’s forgotten her dear old grandfather…” The archduke slumped his shoulders.
“Ah-ha-ha… She did say she was eagerly awaiting your safe return, though!”
“She did?! Ha-ha! I knew it…she was just embarrassed!”
It seemed I’d managed to reassure the archduke. He was almost too easy to convince, if you asked me.
“So,” I began, “…did something happen?”
The archduke turned to me, his expression serious. “Mmm. First of all, shortly after last night’s dinner, our scouts witnessed Viscount Sennett’s servants dealing directly with the bandits. I assume they were informing the rogues of our attack plan.”
“No doubt. In that case, they probably won’t be expecting us to strike their encampment tonight.”
“Precisely.” The archduke flashed me a wry grin.
“You said ‘first of all.’ Was there something else?”
“Indeed. As a matter of fact, it seems that miscreant Grenville and his son used the portal to head back to the capital this morning.”
“He went home?” I asked, caught off guard.
Hadn’t Marquis Grenville said he would be staying in Sailbridge a full week for business? And yet here he was, apparently canceling his plans… It was nothing if not suspicious. It was almost like he’d seen the archduke’s forces coming and fled.
“…Your Grace. It’s possible Grenville is associated in some way with Viscount Sennett—that is, with the bandit problem.”
“You think so, too, my son?”
“Yes… I never heard about any dealings with Viscount Sennett during my past six lives, or of any business in Sailbridge. So at the very least, whatever he’s up to here isn’t public knowledge.”
“Hmm…” The archduke sank deep into thought.
“In any case, I’m sure we’ll have a firmer grasp of the situation once the bandits are dealt with. I’m assuming we’ll be apprehending Viscount Sennett afterward, yes?”
“Naturally. It’s clear he’s up to his neck in this business.”
“Then we’ll simply have him tell us what Grenville was doing here.”
“Indeed.”
With that, the archduke and I nodded to each other in firm agreement. Moments later, Sir Portland arrived with a report.
“The preparations are complete, Your Grace. We’re ready to march on your order.”
“Hmm. Viscount Sennett hasn’t caught on, I hope?”
“No. He must have bought the story you gave him at the dinner. He seems quite confident, and we haven’t detected any noticeable movements among the bandits, either. On top of that, the viscount has made no attempt to check in on our forces.”
“I see. Then there is little room for doubt.” The archduke nodded and stroked his beard. “All right. Then we’ll proceed as planned and set out for the bandits’ encampment at midnight, taking care not to alert Viscount Sennett.”
“Understood.” Sir Portland and I nodded in unison.
It was finally time to deal with the bandits. Our scouts had reported their numbers at around three hundred, while our own troops were a thousand strong. With more than a threefold advantage in our favor, it would undoubtedly be a short battle.
“If you’ll excuse me, I have some final preparations to see to,” Sir Portland said. After a respectful bow, he turned to leave the tent.
“Hugo, my boy, you seem more at ease than I expected…” The archduke seemed both impressed and a little worried by this.
“Ah-ha-ha… Well, I’m used to scenes of carnage, so it’s no big deal to me…” Touched by his concern, I forced a smile.
I had been an assassin during my first life and watched up close as many a soul breathed their last. More than a few of them I killed with my own two hands. Besides, I had walked this earth six whole times before. I no longer feared taking a life. But I had another, different fear.
“…What I’m afraid of now is dying,” I admitted.
“Oh?” The archduke leaned forward, his interest piqued.
“Yes… I don’t want to die. This seventh life has finally brought me happiness… I have Melza—a family. I don’t want to give that up, no matter what.”
“Ha-ha, I see…,” said the archduke, sounding pleased. “That’s reassuring to hear.”