Caglis's face darkened. He gritted his teeth, feeling that he still didn't dare take the gamble. With that thought, he spoke: "Stay here. I'll draw them away. If you get the chance, run—"
"Understood?"
"Mr. Caglis, you can't..."
"Shut up." The carefree young nobleman from Tonigell revealed a serious expression for the first time. He even interrupted Haruze without showing him the slightest courtesy. "His Highness Haruze, this isn't the time to discuss whether we can or can't, whether we should or shouldn't. Every one of us is in danger of losing our lives, but if we don't do everything we can to fight for a chance, we'll truly die here."
He patted Haruze on the shoulder. "Understood, Your Majesty the King?"
"I..." Haruze nodded lightly. "I understand, Mr. Caglis."
"Then it's settled." Caglis turned the sword around and handed it to him. "If I can't escape, this sword won't mean anything to me either. Take it, and protect the lady beside you."
Haruze nodded firmly.
He seemed to want to say something else, but Caglis waved at him. In a flash, he vanished into the darkness.
Haruze clamped his mouth shut. He gripped the sharp sword in his hand tightly, as if it were the only thing he could rely on. His knuckles turned white as he forcibly held back his tears, because his teacher had told him that a real man could not cry easily.
Then he felt a cold hand press against the back of his hand.
"That fellow will be fine."
Haruze turned around in surprise and saw Mikaya's calm face.
The little girl answered in a soft voice, as though she were stating a truth: "Lady Martha is fair to everything in this world. He's an idiot, so his luck will definitely be better."
"Huh?"