I Became the Childhood Friend of the Northern Duchess – Chapter 119

Ariel looked at Edgar with an incredulous expression at the suggestion he put forward.

“…You really think I’m going to allow that?”

“We don’t have a suitable plan. Do you have any other bright ideas?”

Of course, Edgar was right.

At this moment, it was time to desperately try anything, and we needed to put our heads together.

But even Ariel, who understood this better than anyone, swiftly rejected his request because it was far too reckless and outlandish.

“What you’re saying is pretty much asking me to let you die to save our father.”

“I’m not planning to die. I’m saying I’ll step forward to reduce the sacrifices of others.”

Edgar was well aware that if this went wrong, his life would be on the line too.

This wasn’t just a matter of sneaking in somewhere and taking a cookie from someone.

However, that didn’t mean he was willing to throw his life away.

He had promised to stay by Ariel’s side no matter what, and he had no intention of breaking that promise.

He just thought that this was the right course of action to take to increase the chances and ensure everyone’s safety.

“I’m sure there are others more experienced than me in this matter. But we don’t have time to find them.”

It wasn’t just about bringing Yulken back.

They couldn’t predict what battles might occur during this process, nor what barriers or guards might be waiting for them.

Taking all of that into account, they had to minimize the number of people involved and ensure that whoever went was someone who could act more stealthily than anyone else.

Edgar believed that there was no one better suited for that role in the current situation than himself.

“And I’m going to come up with a plan to ensure I come back alive. That’s what I intend to discuss from now on.”

“Stop spouting nonsense. Who’s going to help you with that? I have no intention of gathering ideas for a suicide plan.”

Ariel glared up at Edgar, her fists trembling in anger as she looked at him, whose head was slightly taller.

Certainly, losing her father, Yulken, was terrifying above all else.

And the Symbol of Dominion was an invaluable treasure for Hespania, something she couldn’t afford to lose.

But perhaps even more valuable to her than those two was the man standing in front of her.

Without a doubt, if he returned as a cold corpse or even if she received news that his whereabouts were unknown, she would surely go mad from that day forward.

She might even follow him to the grave as soon as she heard that news.

Yet this man calmly tells her to make such a choice.

Unaware of how much she cared for him, he smiles and tells her to wait.

Today, Ariel resolved not to fall for that smile.

It was undoubtedly an attractive proposal. If his words rang true, she might be able to secure both Yulken and the Symbol of Dominion without shedding a drop of blood.

But with treasures, there is always poison involved.

And that poison was more deadly and dangerous to Ariel than any venom.

It was a tragedy and a contemptible future that would be better to die than live through.

Even as a hypothetical scenario, it was a possibility that Ariel could not permit.

“Lord Edgar, I have one question. How do you plan to return safely after breaking through such a heavy barrier? Unless that is assured, I cannot allow you, nor can our retainers.”

Gale, who had been watching the conversation between the two, interrupted.

Since it concerned Edgar’s life, Ariel wouldn’t be able to make a rational judgment.

And Edgar was well aware of this, so he likely thought Ariel’s words were merely whining.

Given that, a neutral party was needed to mediate between the two, and that third party was the retainers.

“The truth is, I have the ability to pass through barriers. It’s a bit complicated to explain, but… Because of that, I can easily navigate the barriers of Robeheim Castle.”

“…Without any restrictions on your actions?”

“Yes, perhaps using magic will be impossible, but… that degree of limitation is acceptable.”

Edgar casually nodded at Gale, who asked with disbelief.

After all, for him, magic was merely a simple aid.

While he had learned a little magic from Ariel, he hadn’t learned to use it as proficiently in battle, and he only knew healing spells for minor wounds sustained during combat.

His fighting prowess came entirely from close combat, meaning pure one-on-one battles.

Furthermore, after arriving at Robeheim Castle, he had learned from Creed about fighting against multiple foes.

Above all, his combat style was more suited to that of an assassin than a knight.

Due to his physique, he could stifle the flow of magical power, allowing him to not be detected by opponents beforehand, and he had mastered a fighting style that exploited their openings as much as possible.

Taking all of this into account, he stated he would succeed in this mission.

Freedom from barriers, close combat abilities necessary for a small elite force, and stealthy fighting techniques.

All his advantages were urging him to accept this mission.

“And while I don’t mean to brag, I’m somewhat confident in my skills. I could probably handle around twenty of their guards and make it back.”

“Quite an impressive skill. I’ve heard a few things about that from His Highness.”

In essence, it was merely Yulken boasting about Edgar’s skills that he’d heard from Creed, but nonetheless, that meant all crucial points were passing.

The problem was that a guarantee was still not absolute.

The fact that failure would demand Edgar’s life as the price still weighed heavily on them.

How could a retainer tell the daughter of the master to stake her lover’s life for the family?

As the atmosphere grew tense with everyone holding their breath and stealing glances at Ariel, Edgar took another bold step forward.

“I want you to understand that this is not something I’m undertaking thoughtlessly. And I’d like your cooperation if possible.”

“Cooperation…?”

“I’d like you to provide someone who knows the geography around Whitewood better than anyone. And then lead the soldiers to Whitewood.”

Ariel and the retainers above her heads were puzzled by Edgar’s request.

After all, they were currently on high alert, unsure of what might happen if they provoked them, so the sudden call to mobilize troops was baffling.

“Wouldn’t that put them at risk of harming His Highness?”

This time, it was not Gale but a younger-looking retainer named Raymon who raised his hand to question.

Since others also shared the sentiment, they nodded in agreement, prompting Edgar to offer further explanation.

“I don’t think they would. First, if their sole goal in destroying Whitewood lies in the Symbol of Dominion, then assassinating His Highness would be a burden.”

“But that would make His Highness their enemy, would it not? There’s nothing unusual about them trying to strike at any moment.”

Edgar nodded slightly, agreeing that there was merit in that perspective.

However, he found it to be a rather narrow view.

For starters, using Yulken as leverage to demand the Symbol of Dominion was no accident.

Looking back at the situation, it could not simply be viewed as ordinary looting; they suddenly decided to take down an entire city because they must have had something greater in mind.

If it had ended with the killing of Yulken, then yes, the goal would be to obtain his life.

However, the request to exchange him while fully freeing Gale and the soldiers who reached Whitewood suggested that their intentions were something entirely different.

Their purpose must have been to obtain the Symbol of Dominion, and they likely felt they needed adequate collateral to get it.

If Yulken had been chosen as that collateral, and they caused a stir in Whitewood to draw him in, then it all made sense.

“The other party likely values the Symbol of Dominion above Yulken’s life. Moreover, they cannot recklessly harm His Highness, as that would mean tossing away a valuable hostage.”

“Indeed… So what it means is that what they desire is to seize the Symbol of Dominion with His Highness as leverage, not to return empty-handed.”

As Raymon nodded in agreement, the other retainers began to follow suit.

It was definitely a plausible argument.

Moreover, the reason they could hold the initiative now was precisely because Yulken was in their hands, not due to an absolute superiority in strength.

If word spread that Yulken had been murdered or that any threat arose against him, the wrath of the Robeheim Family would be directed entirely at them.

At that point, trying to hold them back with their current strength would be nearly impossible. That was why they were engaging in such hostage tactics.

“So all we need to do is pretend to stage a show of force. But while they might not easily be misled, we should put on a facade of starting a real war.”

“You mean to stage a blockade before Whitewood. Indeed, drawing attention in the front while acting secretly behind is a basic tactic…”

So basic that it boasts a high success rate.

Especially if the other side fails to consider the backdrop.

“What do you think, my lady?”

“…”

Gale, who had been observing the conversation between Edgar and Raymon, slightly turned to inquire of Ariel, the ultimate decision-maker in this situation, but was met with silence.

It wasn’t because she felt it wasn’t worth responding; in fact, the plan sounded reasonable, which made her reluctant to speak.

‘Who doesn’t understand?’

She knew well enough that he wasn’t the kind to act recklessly.

Ultimately, she understood that she would have to make a choice to protect both Yulken and Hespania.

But she couldn’t bring herself to say out loud for Edgar to undertake this mission.

As the next heir to the family, she had to go through with it, but as his lover, she simply couldn’t bring herself to voice it.

It wasn’t just a matter of the likelihood of success or failure.

The mere existence of potential outcomes that could go wrong meant this matter was unacceptable to her.

“Ariel.”

“…Don’t call me. Don’t come any closer.”

As Edgar began to approach her with a smile, Ariel deliberately pushed him away and turned her back.

She knew she would eventually relent. She would undoubtedly give in.

She had never once won against Edgar in such a situation, and ultimately, she had always acquiesced to his demands.

To avoid creating that kind of scenario, it was first necessary to block her ears and close her eyes.

If she remained oblivious enough, he would ultimately not go.

She wanted to resist, even if it meant putting up a facade.

Just then.

Something wrapped around her shoulder.

Ariel did not see the source but quickly realized what it was.

That was no surprise, as it was a sensation she had felt countless times before.

“Don’t worry. I’ll definitely come back alive. So please trust me and let me go just this once.”

“….”

Without saying a word, Ariel gently grasped the arm that enveloped her.

Somehow, she could feel his determination through that grasp.

And even if she didn’t permit it, he would surely leave alone and somehow make his way to Whitewood.

“…You know, right?”

“What about?”

The red lips, which had decided not to part, finally spoke, and trembling words flowed from her mouth.

Edgar could definitely sense moisture in her voice, but he refrained from pointing it out.

“My patience is limited… And I also despise waiting…”

“…I know that well.”

Ariel tried to keep her expression as calm as possible, just as she had before, but it didn’t work at all.

Tears began to form near her lips, rolling down her chin, but she had no leeway to wipe them away.

Right now, she had to get a definite promise from this foolish man that he would make an effort to fulfill his commitment.

“If you’re late… I’ll kill you.”

“…By then, I’ll probably already be dead, right?”

“If you die, I will too. Just keep that in mind.”

What a fierce threat that was.

It wasn’t just any threat; it was a threat laced with Ariel’s own life as the hostage.

That made it even more effective against Edgar.

“Okay, I won’t let the daughter of a duke die, so I promise I’ll come back alive.”

“Promise me.”

A promise made with a pinky swear, something they rarely did even as children.

As Ariel wiped her tears away and demanded it, Edgar smiled gently and hooked his finger with hers.

He knew very well that it was a promise that shouldn’t be made, but it was the only way to reassure her.

Even if he couldn’t come back alive, he believed she would be a woman strong enough to live on.

As news broke that an army was departing from Hespania just before the next day, separately, a pair of horses were heading toward Whitewood.

A scheme was underway to retrieve Yulken.