Chapter 57

A few days later, the morning of departure arrived.

The kingdom’s flags were hoisted atop the castle walls, and the order of knights was lined up in front of the castle gates.

Armor was polished, and the tips of their spears gleamed in the morning sun.

The number of attendants, including Marc, was twelve. The same faces as when we arrived. They were waiting quietly in the ceremonial sector in front of the castle gates, their horse gear ready.

I gripped my horse’s reins.

Ceremonial cloths were laid out, with the royal crest placed in the center.

Eventually—quiet footsteps echoed on the stone paving.

First Princess Elysia appeared, accompanied by her retainers.

Her posture was unwavering as a princess, naturally gathering the gazes of her surroundings.

The knights raised their spears in unison. The princess stopped in front of the castle gates and directed her gaze at me.

“I pray for your fortunes in war and a safe return to your country.”

Public words.

But her voice felt just a little bit softer.

I placed my right hand on my chest and returned a knight’s bow.

“I shall not forget Your Highness’s goodwill.”

A moment of silence. The flags snapped in the wind.

The King’s envoy stepped forward and declared the formal permission for departure.

“His Highness, Third Prince Leonhart, is permitted to return to his country.”

Simultaneously with those words, the castle gates slowly opened.

Straddling my horse, I looked back just once.

The King, the Queen, the Crown Prince, and Princess Elysia.

She did not move.

But her eyes watched me depart until the very end.

I lightly kicked the horse’s belly.

The sound of hooves echoed on the stone paving, and eventually, we went out beyond the castle gates.

On the way back to our country, we were to pass through the hunting lodge again.

The same castle as the outward journey. And that man with the black leather gloves—the Royal Mandate Inspector—was standing there.

“…I have been waiting for you.”

A soft voice.

However, his eyes were sharp.

Dinner this time had an elegant seasoning.

The Royal Mandate Inspector said while carving the boar meat.

“Your Highness.”

I raised my gaze.

“I have seen the academy concept.”

Silence.

“Calculations on a desk, and your judgment this time. Was there a difference?”

I answered.

“There is. That is why I correct it on site.”

The inspector gave a small nod.

“If you can answer immediately, you earn a passing grade for now.”

He placed his cup down.

“…I am not testing Your Highness out of preference.”

The black leather gloves moved quietly.

“I am the King’s ‘eyes.’ To report what I have seen to my lord exactly as is. That is my duty.”

I asked.

“Do you not state your opinions?”

“It is unnecessary. What I convey are only facts.”

I placed my cup down.

“Then I shall ask.”

The inspector’s gaze stopped.

“Do you believe what you see exactly as it is?”

The inspector answered.

“I do not believe, I record. The judgment is made by the King.”

I said.

“In that case, do not run from the weight of that.”

For an instant, the hall fell silent.

“It is a report that sways the King’s judgment. What to see, what to convey—there is also responsibility on the one who chose them.”

The inspector looked at me in silence. Eventually, he said in a low voice.

“…Is Your Highness testing me?”

I shook my head.

“No.”

Continuing without averting my gaze.

“I am just observing.”

A short silence. The inspector gave a slight nod.

“I see.”

A low voice.

“Tonight, I was the one being measured, was I?”

I exhaled.

“Mutually.”

The inspector placed his cup down and narrowed his eyes slightly.

“…Very well.”

A beat.

“So you are a person the King would want to see.”

The inspector gave a slight nod.

It was not hostility—it was a movement close to acknowledgment.

The next morning.

I straddled my horse. In front of the gate, the Royal Mandate Inspector stepped forward one pace.

“Your Highness.”

He fell silent for just an instant, and then—removed his black leather glove. The one that had never been removed until now.

“Have a safe journey.”

The hand offered was surprisingly still.

I grasped that hand.

“Inspector.”

He smiled slightly.

“Today, not as the King’s eyes. I see you off as a single subject.”

I left the hunting lodge behind. We were significantly delayed from the initial schedule.

However, the discussions for establishing the academy concluded safely, and the sudden incident of the war was also resolved.

I looked at Marc. Fortunately, the wound on his shoulder was heading towards a smooth recovery.

Returning to my own country—can just that make my mind relax this much?

…No matter how I think about it, I overworked.

Would it be alright to ask for permission to step away from government affairs for a while and recuperate?

It’s not just me.

The attendants this time, the escort knights, the medical officer, and those who were forced to endure long periods of tension also need rest.

Establishing a system to grant rest and recuperation might also be beneficial for the future.

While entrusting myself to the swaying of the horse, I was thinking about such things.

The days in the neighboring country were about to announce their final moments.