The residential area lay in a corner of the capital. Though the area was normally quiet, an unexpected tension now surged through it. Men dressed in imposing gear were gathered together, surrounding a certain residence.
Under normal circumstances, the capital’s safety was left to the Capital Defense Knights, a squadron of the Royal Army. They were effectively police in function, and the citizens of the capital were deeply familiar with the unique uniforms and the badges they wore. The squadron spreading out through the capital now, however, bore unfamiliar badges, making it clear that they belonged to a different group.
In principle, only the Capital Defense Knights could take action inside the capital. The citizens knew full well that permission to deploy other forces wouldn’t be given so easily. But there was no mistaking it: Seeing an unfamiliar group operating in the capital meant that the situation had to be of considerable gravity. Concerned though the residents might have been, there wasn’t a soul brave enough to go up and ask them directly.
The residents gathered around to watch as a large Mech-steed, seemingly custom-made, approached from the rear. It was serious now.
What was even more concerning, however, was the fact that the army was encircling a particular manor. As far as the citizens knew, the manor was inhabited by none other than...
✦ ✦ ✦
Glancing out the window, Watt noticed the armed figures of the soldiers standing out in sharp contrast with their surroundings. Perhaps they’d finished encircling the manor. Either way, it was clear they had no intention of hiding their actions anymore.
“Whew, the king’s younger brother certainly doesn’t have much in the way of patience, does he?” Watt said, hiding in the shadow of the curtain. “He really couldn’t give me just a moment or two to rekindle an old connection?”
“Based on their badges, they’re clearly Duke Turk’s men. It hasn’t been that long since you arrived and he’s already deployed his forces,” Carome said. “I wonder if that means they’d already been keeping an eye on me? That’s certainly no way to treat a royal knight!”
“They didn’t waste any time stickin’ me on the wanted list,” Watt replied. “Looks like they know all about us.”
“Seventeen years isn’t anywhere long enough to put a damper on those rampages of yours. I can see why they’d be so on guard.” She nodded in understanding, but Watt wasn’t convinced.
In contrast to the two oddly relaxed adults, the two young girls were visibly worked up.
“No way! They’ve got us surrounded?” Meddié said. “Master, we’ve gotta run—now!”
“Father, don’t tell me you’re planning on fighting your way out of this too...”
“Whaaa? But we didn’t bring Lord Gryphon here! Master, you can’t be serious!”
“What sorta guy do you two think I am, anyway? Still, no point in just floundering about here. In times like these, there’s only one thing to do!” Watt said before looking at Carome.
Carome appeared to pick up on Watt’s idea right away. She adjusted her glasses and sighed. “Ah. I can’t say I’m a fan of the idea, but it looks like we don’t have much choice. I always wind up with the short end of the stick when I’m with you.”
“Sorry to cause such a headache for ya when it’s been so long,” Watt said.
“It’s fine,” she replied. “Besides, compared to how it was when you were still a royal knight, this is nothing. I’m used to it.”
Watt gave a fearless laugh. Exasperated though she was, Carome nodded back, undaunted. She’d frequently been dragged along on Watt’s reckless romps in her younger years—they’d been so over the top that being surrounded by soldiers now felt like a walk in the park.
You stand up for what you believe in. It doesn’t matter whether you’re up against an army or a mighty noble—you face them without even blinking. You really haven’t changed at all, have you, Watt? Carome thought to herself.
In fact, it wasn’t anger at the situation that Carome felt first; it was a sense of nostalgia—and that was exactly why Watt deserved her trust.
“All righty, then, I’ll be back in a jiffy!” he said.
Watt set off walking without an ounce of hesitation, only for Anna and Meddié to look back at him with a frightened look on their faces. Watt gave a broad grin and patted Anna’s head reassuringly.
“Don’t you worry ’bout me,” he said. “I’m countin’ on you, Caro. Anna, Meddié—the two of you listen to what Caro tells you to do, you hear?”
Without leaving so much as a moment to stop him, Watt walked out the door, humming as he went. Stepping outside, he found a wall of soldiers surrounding the manor. After seeing Watt make his appearance so nonchalantly, a palpable surge of tension ran through them.
“Well now, sure is lively out here! You guys ’bout ta have some kinda party?” Watt quipped with a snicker.
Stepping out from behind him, Carome addressed the men in her most suspicious tone. “And just what is the meaning of this? Royal law prohibits the deployment of armies within the capital.”
One of the military knights—likely the squadron’s captain—stepped ahead of his subordinates and saluted. In turn, Carome gave him the Royal Knights’ own salute back.
“That is indeed the rule for peacetime,” the captain answered. “Yet that is not always the case, under the right circumstances. My men and I are working to apprehend Watt Sears. He is a most wanted criminal on charges of treason against the royal family. We hoped to request your cooperation as well, Lady Aestolle.”
“Watt? A criminal?”
Carome cast a forced glare at Watt. Her gaze was so piercing, however, that Watt almost couldn’t believe it was a performance. Is this actually gonna be okay? A sliver of uncertainty darted across his mind, but he decided to ignore it.
“That’s exactly right,” the captain said. “Watt Sears, you’ll be coming with us.”
The large Mech-steed made its advance from the rear. A hint of surprise crossed Carome’s face after she saw who stepped out of it. The figure made his way toward them, driving a line through the military knights before giving a satisfied nod.
“You’ve done an excellent job apprehending the traitor.”
“I never expected to see His Grace, the king’s own brother, make an appearance for the mere arrest of a criminal,” Carome remarked.
The man was solidly built, with a beard highlighting his face. He was none other than the younger brother of the current king: Turk Ogdenn.
“Take it as proof of the severity of this scoundrel’s crimes,” Turk replied. “He has brought destruction upon the sacred and vital rites of Legalisbelm. Regardless of his past accomplishments, such crime cannot be forgiven.”
Wasting no time ignoring the death stares Watt was sending his way, Turk instead cast a wide-eyed glare at Carome. “I believe you were once his friend, were you not, Lady Aestolle? I should hope you’re not planning on defending the criminal.”
“You must be joking,” Carome replied. “While I had been treating him as an acquaintance, it’s another matter entirely if he’s committed a crime. As a humble royal knight, it is but natural for me to assist with such a criminal’s arrest.”
Carome gave Watt a forceful shove from behind. Huh? That was a pretty strong shove there, y’know! Watt didn’t have to act at all to produce the stern look plastered on his face as he spun around to face Carome.
“Ouch! That kinda hurts, Caro! Little bit much, don’t ya think?” he demanded. “You see your old friend for the first time in years, and now you wanna throw me in the slammer?”
“I’ve never sought to be friends with anyone foolish enough to sink so low as crime,” Carome shot back. “Unfortunately, it seems the years have left you a different person.”
“You’re tellin’ me!” Watt said. “Sure looks like they’ve turned your heart hard as a rock!”
He sullenly walked forward, only to purposefully lean forward and glare up at Turk. “What a pleasure! How terribly kind of you to go out of your way to greet me like this!” he said. “What an absolute delight to lay eyes on His Highness, the king’s very own brother!”
“You’re a fool of a man,” Turk snapped back. “The mere thought of being done in by a knave like you is enough to make my head spin with rage.”
“Hold on now! You’ve got it all backward!” Watt replied. “You’re the one who made a proper mess outta Front-Edge City! And I still haven’t gotten to settle the score for all that. You’ve got a lotta nerve, just strollin’ in here in front of me.”
“My, you really have misunderstood what’s happening here, haven’t you? I came here to apprehend a criminal...and that would be you. Now, take him away!”
At his words, another Mech-steed came forward. This one was a prisoner transport Mech-steed, made to be especially sturdy. Grabbing Watt’s arms on both sides, two soldiers dragged him along before shoving him into the vehicle. After making sure that Watt was inside, Turk drew back with a satisfied look on his face. Only Carome remained, wearing a grim expression.