Volume 03 Chapter 90.

Rewinding a bit, amidst the celebratory atmosphere of victory, a lone figure made its way into the infirmary where Lord Grace, not of Asgardian origin, lay. Given that the attention was primarily on the wounded soldiers of Georg and their treatment, infiltrating as an outsider wasn't particularly challenging.

Approaching the bed, the figure drew its sword...

"Entangle, tendrils of ice, ensnare my foe."

"Ack!"

In an instant, the figure's arm froze around the drawn sword. Kyle, who had been lurking nearby, smirked at the sudden turn of events.

"Quite the hazardous 'get well soon' gesture, isn't it? You lot belong to Georg's faction, correct? What business could you possibly have with me?"

"W-when did...?"

"I'm asking the questions here. Answer me."

With that, the figure... the soldier of Georg gradually succumbed to an icy chill. Yet, it was commendable that they didn't scream.

"Hmph... as expected of a Mage-Knight... your intrusion prior to my awakening signifies my defeat, doesn't it?"

"Hmm, straightforward, aren't you? Still, I didn't expect Georg to resort to such measures... probably your own initiative, I presume?"

"Indeed. Although he won't lose even if you and Prince Grace join forces, it'll be a tough battle. Hence, we decided to take the initiative."

"Hmm, quite the chatter. Does that mean you have some sort of ace up your sleeve?"

At Kyle's words, the soldier of Georg grinned. Seeing that expression, Kyle realized his hunch was correct and clicked his tongue in understanding.

"So, there's an assassin lurking near the maid you were fond of. If you were to lend a hand to Prince Grace, they'll likely strike immediately."

"And you expect me to change my mind over a mere maid?"

"...Is that so...?"

The soldier of Georg momentarily faltered at Kyle's apparent disinterest. But...

Well... I could just kill him here and now. But mentioning Tia would complicate matters...

Recalling the smile of his first love, who would likely be leading a happy life by now, Kyle sighed wistfully. Initially, guards were always stationed by her side, but in the capital, Kyle was considered dead. Members of his faction were probably each treading their own paths now.

Internally chuckling, Kyle addressed the soldier.

"Well, never mind. What exactly are your terms?"

"Stay away from Grace. Leave our country. Your blood poses a threat to Lord Georg's ambitions."

"I see, it's about that, huh..."

The fact that they weren't trying to take his life right now, despite Tia's being at stake, indicated that they believed Kyle wouldn't sacrifice himself needlessly. Instead, they offered him a chance to return home. And he wouldn't be able to stay in Dwell either; it was already a vassal state of Vermilion.

"Well, Ruby seems to be fine now too..."

Thinking of the kind-hearted dwarf princess who had picked up his battered self and treated him, Kyle felt a pang of loneliness. Yet, he could easily imagine the trouble it would cause if he were to act impulsively here. After all, Dwell's monarch was firmly allied with Georg.

"Understood... I'll accept those conditions. But remember what will happen if you break the promise."

"Y-yes, of course."

With those words, Kyle dispelled the magic, releasing the soldier. Placing a letter he had received from a Dragon Rider adventurer on the bed, he continued.

"Then, farewell, Grace... I'll watch from afar to see where the path you've chosen leads."

With that, he leapt out of the window. It resembled a leap from a cliff, but for a Mage-Knight like him, landing safely was a simple task.