I could only think of immediately going to Lidi. Nothing else.
As soon as possible. I must take my mate back――.

"Ah! Please wait!"
"… Sion?"

As I activated the return magical art and was about to leap, not Alex but Sion grabbed my arm. Sion strongly pulled my arm and said in a serious voice.

"Do you know where she is?"
"―― I know. I know where she is. Lidi"s calling me."

I didn"t think Sion could understand, not being aware of the workings of the Royal Flower, but he still nodded.

"I understand. However, you are the general of the army. Do you intend to go even so?"
"Ah…!"

I felt like cold water was poured on me. I could tell my boiling head that acted only on instinct cooled down.
The activated magic formation disappeared.
However, I couldn"t move. I couldn"t move my feet towards the reception hall no matter what. After all, I don"t want to go there. I want to pick up my beloved Lidi.
Sion fixed his eyes on me as if to observe my state and again saying, "I understand", this time for some reason he made a refreshed face.
And then, while I was wondering what he was thinking, he knelt before me.

"Sion Nanaohgi from now on swears to be Your Highness Friedrich"s loyal va.s.sal. I promise to work for you - for this country with all my heart."
"Wha… t?"

Unable to understand Sion"s action of suddenly taking an oath of a va.s.sal, I just stared at him. Then, Sion smiled softly.

"Please allow me to become your va.s.sal, Your Highness Friedrich. And if possible, please appoint me as a tactician. Please appoint me to go fight Sahaja. On your behalf I will lead the army and buy as much time as possible until the war starts. Until you bring back Princess Consort, I will not let even one of your soldiers die."
"Sion…"

My eyes opened wide at the unexpected words from Sion.
Slightly narrowing his eyes, Sion said.

"I believe you are already aware of my ability. I"ve led army many times and won most of the time. I lost… only once, when I fought you."
"That"s… because you weren"t serious, right?"

When I recalled that battle with Tarim and told him so, Sion"s smile intensified.

"I won"t make excuses. Wars are serious matches. If I"d gone easy and lost, that"s on me for being foolish. A loss is a loss."

Seeing Sion"s face as he clearly said that, I somehow thought that I can indeed trust this man.
―― Sion as a tactician.
I had been thinking of that ever since welcoming him to Wilhelm, but by no means had I thought he would be the one to suggest that. There"s a part of him that loathes war. I understand that.
That"s why I asked.

"I"ll welcome you as my subordinate. But Sion. Why? Why did you suddenly say to appoint you as a tactician on top of that?"

At my question, Sion showed a heartrending expression.

"―― She"s waiting for you. Not for anyone else, just for you."
"Sion――."
"Please go pick her up. She will surely not be pleased if anybody else does it. She"s probably smiling with a composed face, but in truth she"s only putting on a brave front… She"d be pitiful if you kept her waiting for too long."

For an instant Sion smiled sadly. But he immediately shook it off.

"You know where Princess Consort is, right? I saw with my own eyes that you are a strong person. If you go, you"ll surely bring her back immediately. That"s why we"ll go first. If possible, we will be saved if you return before the battle begins."
"―― Of course. I"ll be back right away."

When I clearly said so, Sion smiled.

"Then we don"t need to worry about anything. Your Highness Friedrich, until you return, put me in charge of the army. Do you mind?"
"Got it. I appoint you as a tactician."
"I accept."

Sion again bowed his head in silence.
I took his hand and helped him stand up.
Then I addressed Alex, who was silently watching our exchange.

"Alex. I decided to welcome Sion as a tactician. I"ll report it to Esteemed Father through telepathic communication. Until I come back, I entrust him with the right to command the army."
"―― Got it. So that the soldiers listen to what he says and there"s no confusion, this time I"ll accompany him. Leave the arrangements to me."
"Please do. I"ll take Lidi back and immediately head to you."

When I said that, Alex nodded, "Yeah."
There was a smile on his face.

"It"s scary going to war with you as the general when you"re unstable from not having Lidi. Go quickly. You don"t need to worry about us. Sion will be there, and so will Will. That"s why… I entrust Lidi to you."
"Of course."

I returned a nod, and again looked towards Sion.

"Sion, I give you the right to command the army. Display your ability to its fullest."
"I understand. Your Highness Friedrich. I will return the army you entrusted me with exactly as it is without fail."

He confidently looked at me through the gla.s.ses.
Seeing that, I recalled Sion"s words some time ago.
After all, Sion had unmistakably recognized Lidi.
Moreover, he asked me to go.
He returned to the position of a tactician, even though he probably didn"t want it.
I tightly clenched my fists.
He surely must be heartbroken. I could never entrust Lidi to someone else like this.
Just how far do his feelings go. I thought that I mustn"t betray his resolution, his trust.

"Your Highness!"

When I again initialized the magic formation, Bertrand impatiently called out to me.

"I do not think I can make up for this blunder. However, please give me the permission to stand at the front. The Primera Chivalric Order will be led by the Vice Commander. Please let me fight at the front. Otherwise, I won"t forgive myself. I acknowledge that it"s a selfish request. However, please…!"
"Bertrand…"

This time the Primera Chivalric Order is the backup. But Bertrand seemed unable to bear with it no matter what. I nodded and said.

"I allow you. But don"t wastefully lose your life. Do you understand?"
"Yes. Thank you very much!"
"Regarding your little sister, her treatment will be decided once everything is over. I order she be put under house arrest."
"Yes."

Bertrand and then Miriallia bowed their heads, but I wasn"t looking at them anymore.
I closed my eyes and activated the initialized magic formation.
I clearly understand where Lidi is.
She"s in a castle in a remote region away from the Royal Capital. The castle has been abandoned for over a decade, n.o.body pays attention to it. It"s such that I even forgot there was a castle in a place like that.
I think they found a very convenient place for a hideout.
As expected, I can"t directly leap there. However, I can get close. If I go from there, I should reach Lidi without wasting time.

"Lidi. I"m coming now."

I feel as if I"m being drawn to where Lidi is. I can tell she"s strongly calling me. The Royal Flower hurries me.
Hurry up. Take back your mate. My instinct is urging so.
Of course. Of course, I"ll take Lidi back. As if I"d let anybody lay even a finger on her.
I"ll never forgive anybody who hurts my beloved Lidi.
I recalled Lidi"s figure as she clung to me this morning.
Her delighted, happy smile.
I want to protect that Lidi"s smile.

―― I"ll pick you up right now.
That"s why wait a little longer.
I ardently hope you"re unhurt, Lidi.

The transfer finished. I slowly opened my eyes and confirmed the location.
The old castle is visible in the distance.
There. Lidi"s waiting in that place.
My only woman is waiting for me.
When I noticed, I was already running.
My head was already full of nothing but Lidi.

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