Published: January 12, 2026
“Then, I’ll be the decoy.”
As soon as I said that, both Dee’s group and Espada turned around with wide eyes. Looking over, Ort and the others also wore expressions of shock.
“No way! Absolutely not! I won’t allow it!”
Til couldn’t help but raise her voice emotionally. Though startled by her voice, we were quite far away, and the attackers hadn’t noticed us amidst the chaos of the skirmish.
Feeling relieved, Til suddenly grabbed my hand.
“If Lord Van is going to be the decoy, then I will go alone to the enemy! If everyone attacks together with me, we will surely win…!”
Til said this with tears in her eyes. Kamushin nodded solemnly.
“I’ll go with you. If I distract the enemy together with Til-sama…!”
For some reason, more and more people began volunteering, apparently prepared to risk their lives. Troubled by this, I looked at everyone and spoke.
“Let me say this first: I am the highest responsible person here, okay? That said, Ort and the others only accepted this because it’s a matter concerning my territory. You don’t need to risk your lives.”
When I said that and looked at Ort, he flinched slightly for some reason. With that in mind, I next looked at Espada.
“Espada, you’ve already retired from the marquis family. You’ve contributed a lot to the marquis family so far, and there’s no need for you to die here.”
Espada’s face grew stern at my words. Maybe I sounded a bit cold. Feeling a bit guilty, I turned to Dee and the others.
“Dee and the others still belong to the main family’s knight order. You serve my father, not me. So you shouldn’t risk your lives here.”
At that, Dee and the others also wore grim expressions. Well, that was expected. Finally, I looked at Til and Kamushin.
“Til, I’ve thought of you like an older sister. So I don’t want to see my precious older sister die here. Kamushin, you’re older than me, but maybe like a younger brother? If I die, you should live your life to the fullest instead of me. You’re free.”
When I said that and looked at the two of them, tears poured out of their eyes like a dam breaking. So dramatic.
With a wry smile, I explained the plan.
“First, I’ll ride the carriage and approach from the front. Everyone else should attack from the left and right sides in a pincer movement. However, focus mainly on ranged attacks and absolutely do not take reckless risks. If the enemy doesn’t retreat, please run away. You can abandon my body. If I don’t announce myself, it won’t cause trouble for the marquis family.”
I laughed bitterly, but no one was smiling. I must have missed the mark.
Thinking that, I drew the decorative sword I was holding and pointed my toes toward the village. From behind, I heard a deep sigh.
“…Understood. Damn it, just this once! We’ll entrust our lives to you too!”
Ort said that and stepped forward.
“No, Ort—”
I tried to deny it hesitantly, but Ort laughed with a troubled look.
“…A kid saying he’ll risk his life for responsibility. If you keep arguing, you’ll get scolded by the party members.”
With that, Ort drew his sword. Then, a female magician from Ort’s party stepped forward.
“…Honestly, I used to mock the resolve of nobles. I hadn’t met many good nobles. But after two weeks of travel, my perspective has changed quite a bit. Thanks to Lord Van, you know?”
“Pluriel.”
When I called the female magician’s name, Pluriel laughed out loud.
“To remember the names of adventurers like us one by one… Lord Van is different. That’s why I believe I can entrust my life to you.”
Pluriel muttered this and drew a dagger adorned with a magic imprint.
I couldn’t say it out loud, but I had quickly remembered Pluriel’s name because she was cute.
Feeling awkward alone, the adventurers all stepped forward before me. As I stared in disbelief, Dee and the others hurried to join them.
“…We are honorable knights serving the marquis family. Serving Lord Van, who bears the future of the marquis family, is basically the same. Protecting Lord Van here means protecting the future of the marquis family.”