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“You’re sending Seletina to the Empire?” Loggins asked in a surprised manner.

Gadius nodded his head in a hawkish manner and said, “That’s right. The Great Belbed Caravan is currently staying at the Gildam Empire. Being our neighboring country, we can consider it the closest to the kingdom. I plan to have Seletina accompany the regular delegation.”

Loggins placed his hand on his chin and thought without becoming fully immersed.

Is it really okay to send Seletina out of the kingdom?

He wondered.

Even Loggins recognized Seletina’s sword and realized that she was not an evil soul.

However, Seletina’s actions and behavior are certainly questionable. According to Gadius, Seletina promised him that she’d bridge the gap between the kingdom and the Great Belbed Caravan. However, Imitia and Seletina are not acquainted in any way, nor is there any evidence or reason for me to believe that she could honestly bridge the gap. But despite this she’d still pleaded with His Majesty to trust her. No matter how I look at it, trusting her is crazy.

Loggins pondered quietly to himself. However, he decided to trust Seletina to some extent or at the very least give her a chance.

Loggins believed that if Seletina spoke the truth and could truly mend the relationships with the kingdom and the Great Belbed Caravan back together then that would be priceless.

However,

“Isn’t it dangerous? We haven’t established yet that she has no connection to witch. We can’t simply send someone like her out of the country without confirmation…”
“But you, yourself, said that Seletina isn’t evil.”
“Yes, but this and that are completely different things. As long as we are unable to prove her innocence, I believe it’s best to refrain from hasty actions.”
“Then you’re willing to let this opportunity pass? You know how elusive those traveling merchants can be. We never know when they’ll depart from the empire. If we don’t reach out to them now, we might not get a chance to meet with Imitia. And there’s no knowing when the next chance will arise.”

“And what if everything Lady Seletina says is a lie?”
“Then so be it. We’ll ponder about it at that time. As a man bound by justice, I will judge her only by the law and the sword.”
“She is strong… And she is definitely not ordinary. If she were to cause chaos in the Empire and escape, she would be incredibly difficult to handle.”
“Is she truly strong enough to make you say that?”
“Yes, if you were to ask me to kill her, I could do it. But if you were to ask me to capture her alive and well, even I wouldn’t be able to accomplish it.”

Loggins spoke with a stiff tone, his words holding the unadulterated truth.

Loggins’ words made Gadius tense up, and he nervously swallowed. Seletina’s strength, which even the mightiest knight in the kingdom deemed impossible to capture, sent shivers down his spine.

Just how could so much power reside in that fragile body that has yet to know a battlefield?

Gadius had heard rumors of Seletina’s swordsmanship, but he never imagined it was of such caliber.

“I hope you now comprehend her uniqueness. Her association with witch, her extraordinary abilities, and her recent counsel to His Majesty. These attributes go far beyond what one would expect from a mere fourteen-year-old girl.”
“What do you want me to do then?”

Gadius asked, his shoulders slumping in a submissive manner.
Loggins placed his hand on his chin, pondering for a moment.

“Let’s have Lichter keep an eye on her while posing as her escort.”
“Lichter, huh…”

Gadius murmured, his voice filled with uncertainty. Gadius’s mind conjured an image of a man—a young man with fiery red hair.

Though Gadius had only caught a glimpse of him, the radiant and sharp aura typical of those who dwell on the battlefield was etched deeply in his memory.

“He’s a knight hailing from a humble background, and he can be rough around the edges, but he possesses remarkable skill. My estimation is that he and Lady Seletina are evenly matched… He would be a way better fit than any royal or hired knight. It’s… dreadful, but if circumstances were to arise, he can easily be discarded.”
“Um… Not that I endorse such thinking…”
“I understand… However, we have no other choice.”
“I wonder if we should simply approach Seletina directly and just ask her.”
“If she has any connection to witch, it would be unwise to do so. It would only create chaos within the kingdom.”
“Hmm…”

Gadius sank deep into his throne, gazing up at the ceiling. It was an unpleasant feeling to harbor doubts about the daughter of a youthful and amiable duke.

…But the same applied to Loggins.

They both understood the necessity of approaching matters not as individuals, but in the best interest of the kingdom, devoid of emotions.

“Then… let us hasten the departure of the delegation. Loggins, you will brief Lichter on the situation, but keep certain details undisclosed.”
“Understood.”

Loggins replied, bowing deeply. Contemplating the welfare of one’s kingdom was no simple task. Loggins released a quiet sigh.