The 912th Swordsmanship Tournament was over, but all those who had time to spare were still staying in the capital.

Especially for those who were interested in swordsmanship, even if they squeezed the time they didn't have, they remained.

Because there was a friendly match between Ian Wade and Annabelle Rainfield.

The audience was eagerly anticipating the match between the two, which was happening thanks to the full support of the Emperor.

Robert's dove indicated that they both agreed, and the match was scheduled two days after Ian and Annabelle's scheduled arrivals.

"Honestly, I think Annabelle Rainfield is a genius of misfortune. If it wasn't for Ian Wade, she would have been an unstoppable number one."

"No matter how many times she lost with Ian's overwhelming victory, the contents of the match itself wasn't bad. This time as well, the outcome is decided, but I'll have to wait and see."

"If Anbabelle Rainfield had a proper teacher when she was young, it would have been more worth seeing. She has a lot of talent, but surprisingly, when I saw evaluations, her foundation was a bit weak."

No matter how favorable the evaluation of Annabelle was, there was a public opinion that did not fundamentally change.

It was the atmosphere that was sure of the victory for Ian Wade.

The place where that atmosphere was exposed was the gambling hall.

The friendly match between Ian Wade and Annabelle Rainfield wasn't even worth the gamble.

Because it was clear that anyone would bet on Ian's victory.

Nevertheless, the friendly match kept the capital alive.

There was a hopeful atmosphere that the truth about the black magic behind the Empress and Crown Prince would be revealed clearly.

This was because the Emperor announced that if Robert brought Carlon back, he would question him in earnest and reveal his guilt.

In addition, Maiena, who was detained for blaspheming the Imperial Family in public, was released on a simple bail, but the Empress was still in prison.

Although the Emperor had not yet issued an official sentence, it was a decision that hinted at what direction he was thinking in his heart.

And in the midst of an audit by the Treasury, Elburn Abedes was again sentenced to prison.

Richard Abedes lost consciousness at a banquet and had not yet woken up and was still being cared for by the Marquis, so people would say, 'After the Abedes, the Marquis would be ruined now'.

Of course, Richard was locked up in his room amidst that misunderstanding, ordering various things.

"Therefore... It is said that the bookmark was delivered safely. I even checked the rupture sound. And the next day, I heard the report that Annabelle appeared with an eyepatch on."

At the words of the Marquis Abedes, Richard nodded with satisfaction.

"Is it all going well after that?"

"Yes. The drug that disturbed the sword was put in safely, and a terrorist attack was planned at the last inn on the way to the capital. They said Ian and Annabelle always sit at the table near the entrance."

"Good."

He tried all kinds of drugs, but nothing was as effective as a drug to distract the sword.

It was colorless, odorless, and asymptomatic, so it was the easiest to inject.

The disadvantage was that it was easy to find an antidote, but in the first place, Annabelle didn't even know that such a drug existed, so it wasn't a problem.

"Create a situation where she can't use her sword properly like that, and then aim for her when she's alone. She won't be with Ian 24 hours a day."

Richard spoke sullenly.

"Then kidnap her somehow. Have you secured enough manpower?"

"We hired more than 50 people. I've also gotten secret advice from experts. He said it was enough. If she can't even use the sword properly, it will be easy."

"Very good."

Before she would arrive in the capital, after abducting only Annabelle, the next task was not too difficult.

He would have Annabelle say she wouldn't be able to participate in a friendly match, and Richard then secretly planted people so they would spread the rumor that 'she ran away because she didn't want to show herself losing'.

If they secretly leaked the rumor that going to the Smaho forest in the first place was just to avoid a confrontation with Ian, then it couldn't be seen as pure intention for a cause...

In anticipation of a friendly match, the schedule forcibly postponed could gain dissatisfaction from the spectators staying in the capital.

And he was planning to use that opportunity to spread the public opinion that 'the commoners are unbelievable beings' and that 'it was the blood of Rainfield, not the blood of Abedes, that has consistent truth'.

At the same time, it would induce the rally for discrimmination.

'We can negotiate with the Duke of Wade for Annabelle Rainfield. If Elburn's disciplinary action is set aside and we draw a line with Prince Carlon, then the Marquis of Abedes will survive this storm.'

He, of course, had no intention of sending Annabelle back. He was going to make it so she could never use a sword again.

'I didn't like her from the beginning. I was annoyed from the beginning of her life, when she was anxious to be a part of the Abedes on the subject of a lowly commoner. But in the end, she ruined everything.'

Even the anger that should pour on the untouchable Ian and Robert was all focused on Annabelle.

Relations with the Duke of Wade would be the worst after the ruined Annabelle was returned, but in any case, if a rally was formed, it could be a pretty good confrontation.

If Robert's opposition grew like that, there could be hope for Carlon's return in the distant future.

"By the way, Richard."

Richard was desperately drawing a hopeful future as the Marquis of Abedes said cautiously.

"What if the kidnapping of Annabelle fails? In case they're caught, that's why I'm being more cautious..."

"Is that possible?"

Richard snorted and said.

"After destroying the sword properly, we have mobilized many people. Annabelle is not a monster like Ian Wade."

After Abedes confirmed the words of his son to be sure, he had no choice but to nod his head a little anxiously.

~*~

"Annabelle, what are you drinking all the time?"

"Oh, water. I keep getting thirsty."

I answered Robert's question by drinking water from the bucket.

It was because I thought Richard's hands and feet would be using drugs that would disrupt my food and water all the time.

The drug Reid placed into Ian's drink during the opera was colorless, odorless, and asymptomatic, so it was perfect for secret poisoning.

Since there was no need to use a sword in normal times, it was fatal to a swordsmen because they wouldn't know anything and until they swung their sword with all their might.

However, the drug also had a huge weakness: it was very easy to find an antidote.

So I was able to easily find an antidote during the opera performance and give it to Ian.

I was traveling to the capital and couldn't check the food at all the inns and restaurants, so I opted for an antidote from time to time.

We were getting close to the capital very quickly because it wasn't too far from the capital when I received the bookmark.

"We will arrive tomorrow."

Robert narrowed his eyes and looked at the long road.

"I guess I just have to work hard outside tonight."

"Yes, Prince. In that sense, would you like to have dinner together at our table tonight?"

"If it's an agreement with Ian. I lost my love, but I don't want to lose my friend either."

After showing him the bookmark, Ian stuck with me throughout the journey to the capital city, giving me tremendous overprotection.

Obviously, there must have been a few attacks that didn't happen.

For example, things like blowing a poison dart or attacking villagers by pretending to be an accident.

While Ian patrolled with a few knights for a while, I finally got a chance to talk to Robert.

"It has been agreed. But if you really don't want to lose a friend, you'd better not talk about love in front of Ian."

Whenever Ian and I had dinner at the inn we were staying at, we deliberately and consistently sat at the table by the door.

'Isn't he trying to make the last attack disguised as an accident? Because there is only one inn on the last road to the capital.'

It was a method that Reid had come up with, so Richard was likely to think similarly.

In fact, he even dug a trap until now to think that way.

"Annabelle is right."

At that time, Ian, who finished the patrol, came like a ghost and wrapped his arms around my shoulder.

"Because I don't want to hear the story of a failed love story between the two of you."

It seemed that the time had come to rethink Ian's personality.

In any case, the three of us sat at the same table for the first time in an inn. Of course, as always, we sat at the table closest to the door.

"It bothers me that you keep shutting his mouth."

Robert spoke slowly as he waited for his food.

"It makes me more anxious not to even hear a swear. I feel like I haven't lost hope."

"Well, just because you don't lose hope doesn't mean everything will go the way you want it to."

I shrugged and replied.

"Isn't it the rule of life to look for a hole to spring out of when the sky collapses and eventually falls down?"

"Annabelle."

Ian quietly paid attention from the side.

"Don't say anything too wise. Because I want to express something."

"You were trying not to show affection. I knew it, but..."

It was when Robert answered in a tired voice.

The wall next to our table began to collapse in an instant with a loud sound.