The Protagonist's Party is Too Diligent

The situation had grown ridiculously complicated.

The mere fact that I knew about the Holy Nation’s secret base carried enough weight to spark a diplomatic incident. While Lutetia was a direct territory under the Belvur royal family, limiting the intervention of other nobles, the problem lay in the location of the base—beneath St. Latina Cathedral.

Belvur’s monarchy was relatively strong, but it wasn’t invincible like the Empire, where nobles could be crushed outright under imperial authority. Moreover, although the royal family maintained a neutral stance on religion, many nobles were devout followers of the Goddess’ faith.

Naturally, if the royal forces attacked one of the faith’s holy sites like St. Latina Cathedral, massive backlash would ensue. Some nobles might even evoke memories of the long-past persecution of the Goddess’ Church on this land.

Ironically, this was the exact reason only Charlotte and Sophia from the kingdom were directly involved in this operation. The situation needed to be contained, with as little information spreading as possible. The forces encircling the cathedral in secrecy comprised only royal troops and loyalist knights, ensuring no undue attention.

But then...

A gryphon had emerged from beneath the cathedral.

As a result, the Holy Nation's forces stationed in the cathedral suffered catastrophic losses.

Although the gryphon was an imperial symbol, the Empire had never done anything significant with it. Gryphons were untamable, making their use in warfare impossible. Even if Lutetia’s citizens associated the gryphon’s emergence with the Empire, the latter could easily dismiss it with a “We have no knowledge of this” excuse.

The real problem was the chain of events that followed.

While it was clear something catastrophic had occurred at the cathedral, strange incidents also erupted within the Holy Nation.

Coincidentally, two imperial princesses happened to be visiting the royal capital during this time.

And yet again, the imperial throne was unoccupied, and none of the "Emperor’s Children" were anywhere to be seen.

No directives had come from the Emperor. Usually, when the Emperor was absent, the entire imperial military would be placed on high alert. But now? Silence.

Imperial nobles were in a stir, and the kingdom’s followers of the Goddess’ faith were simmering with unrest.

“...Let’s all just get some sleep first.”

After hearing all this at once, that was the conclusion I reached.

We needed to rest.

We’d been fighting through the night. While the recovery device had alleviated much of our physical fatigue, it couldn’t do anything for our mental exhaustion. Besides, physical fatigue and drowsiness were separate issues altogether.

It wasn’t quite morning yet, but staying awake in this state wouldn’t lead to any sound conclusions.

Thankfully, everyone in the group agreed.

“If anything happens, I will ensure you are awakened,” the king promised.

No, please don’t do that.

If something happens, I’d rather be left to sleep through it. It’d be wonderful to wake up and find everything resolved.

But, of course, that wouldn’t happen. If anyone were to be woken first, it’d be me.

And my pessimistic prediction proved right.

“To think you’d still be asleep at this hour. I’m beginning to regret teaching you meditation techniques.”

The person who woke me was none other than the Swordmaster, Frederick.

I blinked several times, still lying down. Sunlight seeped through the curtains, indicating morning had arrived. Yet it wasn’t late—not with this man ensuring I didn’t oversleep.

Truthfully, from my perspective, I’d spent enough time with him to feel a strange sense of familiarity. However, from his point of view, I was probably nothing more than an untalented kid he had briefly tutored during a vacation.

“Then again, it might be more accurate to say you discovered the technique on your own rather than me teaching you.”

I slowly sat up.

I considered rubbing my eyes but decided against it. I wasn’t quite comfortable enough around him to act so casual. If it had been Claire or Alice waking me, my reaction might’ve been different.

“How did you get here?” I asked.

“I took the train.”

He must’ve known I wasn’t asking about the mode of transport, but he grinned as he gave his answer.

“...”

“Ah, were you asking why I’m here?” 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

The Swordmaster chuckled, his confidence unshaken even before the imperial princess.

“Word traveled fast last night—a gryphon emerged in the city where you were.”

“You came all this way over a single rumor?”

What, was he planning to hunt the gryphon?

More importantly, how had the rumor spread so quickly?

“Well, it wasn’t just any rumor. To be honest, I overheard a communication.”

“...”

“And I slipped in with the knights being dispatched here.”

“Knights were deployed?”

“Not summoned by the kingdom, apparently. The pretext was to protect the two imperial princesses in light of the Emperor’s uncertain situation. The kingdom was extremely reluctant but ultimately accepted. Things are chaotic outside as a result.”

I paused to think before collapsing back onto the bed.

“Why are you lying down again?”

“If I go outside, I’ll have to face the enraged crowd in the capital.”

“The royal forces are holding them back. The Belvur royal family is respected enough that the crowd won’t storm the gates.”

“What about the nobles residing in Lutetia?”

“From what I hear, they started gathering at the royal palace last night. By the way, just as you slept here instead of a hotel, all the academy students have been moved to the palace as well. I only learned this after arriving this morning.”

“In that case, I’ll just go back to sleep. Please wake me once the situation is fully resolved.”

“That could take months.”

“Then wake me in a few months.”

“You have no filter when speaking to your master.”

Was he even treating me as his student? Knowing the Swordmaster, it wouldn’t be surprising if he was.

“If you don’t wake up, your companions will have to resolve everything themselves.”

“...”

Of course, I already knew that.

It wasn’t like I truly intended to sleep for months. Biologically, that wasn’t even possible.

More importantly, without my intervention, who knew how things would spiral out of control? At the very least, I needed to be there to determine whether I could save someone or if time needed to be rewound altogether.

Still...

I stared at the ceiling.

Even so, I wanted just a little more rest.

Yes, maybe...

While confirming my abilities, I could buy a bit more time.

Despite the chaos erupting within the Holy Nation, my powers were still functional.

It was unclear whether the barrier was purely a physical one or if its effects differed at a distance. After all, when dealing with the Masked Woman, my abilities had been nullified even with some separation.

But for now, I decided not to dwell on it. I’d use whatever powers I had to resolve the situation as safely as possible.

“Sylvia.”

The sight of those gathered at the Swordmaster’s destination momentarily left me dazed.

Not only was the Cardinal present—whom I’d barely managed to save last time—but so were the Belvur King, academy instructors who’d escorted the students, and Belvur’s prominent nobles. Alongside them were Alice, attending in her capacity as a princess, and imperial knights dispatched from the Empire overnight.

Almost all of them looked varying degrees of displeased.

As their collective glares focused on me, I seriously considered undoing this entire situation.

But that wouldn’t do.

Even if I rewound time, I needed to understand what was happening first.

I’d already made up my mind.

Before anyone could address me, I stepped into the meeting hall and spoke.

“We need to assemble a reconnaissance squad to infiltrate the Holy Nation.”

The weight of the silence that followed was immense.

Then, moments later, voices erupted from all directions.