Memories of some other time

 
 
 ☆
 
 
 The figure I saw was that of my former fiancee, looking several years older than I remembered… Alvin Sanaak Heielland.
 
 Agitated, he hounded Duke Oswell, but the man replied nonchalantly.
 
 “Your Majesty. We cannot conclude at this time that those wyvern riders are the Principality’s. The nationality mark being displayed is not that of the Principality. Besides, at present, the Principality is invading the Kingdom of Alditana in the west, so a war on two fronts with our country should be difficult.”
 
 That answer infuriated Alvin even more.
 
 “Huh?! Then, whose troops are you saying that is! Only the Principality and our country should have wyvern troops, no? Or are you saying that those are rebel forces?!”
 
 “No, they are not our country’s forces.”
 
 “Then who the 𝚑𝚎𝚕𝚕-… no, that’s not important right now. What about the interception? How is our army intercepting them? Has the wyvern unit already gone up???”
 
 “Th-, that’s…”
 
 The duke was at a loss for words when asked that question.
 After a slight hesitation, he spoke in a low voice.
 
 “Unfortunately, the dragon hut and the quarters were hit in the first attack. The wyvern troops are annihilated.”
 
 “W-, what???”
 
 Alvin was extremely shaken.
 Seeing him like this, the Duke once again, this time clearly, put his thoughts in words.
 
 “A short while ago, the royal capital’s wyvern troops were annihilated by the enemy’s attack. The national army’s main force is absent, currently across the eastern border invading the Paerschwaltz Empire. As of now, the royal capital’s garrison is fighting back, but the best we can hope for is that they buy us some time… we already lack the military strength to oppose those enemies.”
 
 “What are you…”
 
 With a dazed expression, Alvin collapsed on the spot.
 
 The Duke knelt before him on one knee, and placed his hand on Alvin’s shoulder.
 
 “Your Majesty. I’m sorry, but the royal capital is already done for. Please escape the royal capital with Her Royal Highness and His Highness the Prince.”
 
 “-…!!”
 
 “If we join up with the national army’s main force that’s in the middle of their eastern expedition, we might be able to launch a counteroffensive operation. Right now is the time to survive, and plan our comeback.”
 
 “… understood.”
 
 When my former fiancee muttered this with his head drooping, my vision spun around once again.
 
 
 ☆
 
 
 The next time I came to, I was in a familiar room.
 
 The king’s office.
 
 In the room were the figures of 3 people, and one of those figures — Alvin — pushed against a section of books on the bookshelf, and with a rattling noise, the bookshelf slid to reveal a hidden staircase.
 
 “Is the Prince safe?”
 
 A blonde-haired woman wearing a tiara nodded at Alvin’s question.
 
 “Yes. As you can see, he’s sleeping well.”
 
 Saying so, she turned to look at a figure in knight’s uniform standing beside her.
 
 The knight was holding a sleeping boy who appeared about 3 years old.
 That child was most likely the 『Prince』.
 
 “Haha, he’s someone who could sleep soundly amidst all of this commotion. He will surely become a king who will go down in history.”
 
 Striking up such frivolous talk, Alvin shone the lamp held in his hand upon the hidden staircase.
 
 “Come, let’s go.”
 
 Saying so, he urged them to escape.
 
 “…”
 
 But, the woman wouldn’t move for some reason.
 Her face down, she was moving her arm around under her jacket restlessly.
 
 “What’s wrong, my Queen?”
 
 Alvin approached her.
 The other party, the woman being called the 『Queen』, murmured while her eyes were cast down.
 
 “There’s something I want to talk to you about…”
 
 “? What is it, at this timing???”
 
 As he said so, the woman drew closer to Alvin.
 
 “Actually, I———”
 
 The woman fidgeted.
 
 And then in the next instant,
 
 ——— Shiing!
 
 “Guaah?!”
 
 From Alvin’s back, a glowing red sword of light stuck out.
 
 “——— my dim-witted husband, and this male-dominated primitive country, how I’ve hated you so.”
 
 
 
 His eyes wide open in shock, the young king retreated in shock.
 From his abdomen was lodged what he believed to be a magic dagger.
 
 “Wh-, why…”
 
 Having fallen on his backside, the blonde-haired woman approached Alvin.
 
 “But well, you have my thanks. You danced as I wished, and eliminated the one Family that was the biggest obstacle to me.”
 
 “Wha…”
 
 “What am I talking about? Ainsworth? There was no one more dangerous than the lot from that Family. They outdid us with things like their magic circuit board production techniques. ——— And among them, your fiance was particularly dangerous. She also interfered with my actions once. I’m truly glad we got rid of her somehow.”
 
 Suddenly, he felt a chill run down his spine.
 
 But that woman, with her back to me, kept talking as though she had no idea that the person she had spoken about was watching right now.
 
 “Had that Family been in good health then this wouldn’t have gone so well… Hey, Alvin. One of the reasons this country is going to ruin is because you were caught up in your mouldy values, and belittled that Family and that girl’s abilities. And also, mine.”
 
 “…”
 
 Spreading beneath Alvin’s body was a murky red.
 Already unable to vocalise any words, he could only soundlessly open and close his mouth.
 
 “Well. Let’s put an end to this superfluous chatter. ——— Igor.”
 
 “Yes.”
 
 The man in the knight’s uniform stood up straight.
 
 “Contact the headquarters of the Sixth Expeditionary Force. 『Move to Phase 2 of the strategy』. Advance the air fleet to the royal capital.”
 
 “Understood. ——— Your Highness the Thirteenth Princess.”
 
 
 ——— that instant, my world spun round and round.