Uh… For a moment, Rieta was speechless. Did seem like that.
Wouldn’t it be natural for Rieta, who was kidnapped by him, to think that way?
Emile responded with a slight frown, “There is a minimum level of loyalty even among mercenaries.”
He grumbled softly, as if he was not happy about Rieta’s misunderstanding.
“Because we are all destined to die early, anyway.”
He also told a slightly different story.
Even if they ended up fighting for different requests, it was the mercenary’s duty to make sure that they didn’t have any lingering feelings at the end.
Regardless of nationality.
“And I won’t make any money explaining this death.”
Hearing those words, Rieta tightened the hand holding the necklace.
Now she realized why he gave it back. He must have been paying a tribute to Agnes’ death. Because they were fellow mercenaries.
“… Thank you for telling me.”
“Damn, this is a story that should only be told while drunk.”
Rieta held out the necklace again to him who was grumbling. He looked back and forth between Rieta and it, then frowned.
“Even if you don’t get anything about Agnes Lang?”
“Yes.”
“Is it because you have something else to ask?”
“That’s not it…”
“Then, what is this sweet temptation?”
“I don’t know if it’s okay to say this, Emile.”
Rieta thought for a moment and then spoke aloud what had been on her mind all along.
“Thank you for burying a knight of Liz so respectfully.”
“A knight?”
“She’s a knight.”
Rieta shrugged her shoulders.
“Because it is obvious to call someone who has done knightly work a knight.”
“So the knight’s master will pay for her funeral?”
He asked Rieta, pointing with the tip of his chin to the necklace.
“Well, I’m not her master, but… I just hope that there is at least one more person who remembers Agnes.”
The only way to keep memories for a long time was to imbue those moments into objects.
Rieta poured all of her memories into the necklace and handed it back to Emile.
Now the necklace seemed to give off a proper glow.
“If possible, remember her for as long as you can, Emile.”
“Shit.”
He muttered something out of habit, and took out an ornament made of leather straps from his arms. It wasn’t anything fancy, but it was a handmade product that someone had put together with great care.
He held it out to Rieta.
“…?”
“Take it.”
“What… is it?”
“What, do you want me to remember that foolish mercenary alone? Forget it! No more questions.”
He wanted to exchange things that… contained memories.
Soon the necklace was given to Emile, and the strap was given to Rieta. The build quality was different, but the memory was the same, so it ended up being an equal exchange.
“If you don’t have any more questions, just be quiet. I’m tired of chatting. I need to get some sleep.”
Emile suddenly spoke in a cold voice and slammed the window shut.
It occurred to Rieta that he wasn’t really saying that to get some sleep. But she didn’t have the heart to argue with him, so she just sat down, holding the strap he gave her.
A smooth texture. Perhaps it was an item with a deep story that he had kept for a long time.
Somehow, she felt sorry that she had taken something precious from him.
“…Agnes…”
But now, the first thing she thought about was the sudden separation.
Her tears fell onto the tough, worn leather.
* * *
Two days later, the carriage was still moving toward the border without much trouble.
To begin with, the distance traveled per day was not that far. Liz was not one to overestimate the stamina of the horses and humans, so they moved a little each day, and only when the sun hung in the sky.
Thanks to this, Rieta barely spent any time in the carriage.
On some days, she stayed in luxurious lodgings in local cities, and on other days, she was treated politely at the mansions of local nobles.
She was able to spend a leisurely life today, receiving polite hospitality from the rather large local government.
Craig Wagner, who looks after the area, was especially supportive of Rieta’s marriage.
“I can’t tell you how fortunate it is that the Princess made this difficult decision.”
Not only that, but all the vassals who followed him would say the same thing.
Thank you. That was probably it. This may be because there was an expectation that the funds tied up around King Liz will finally be released to the provinces.
“No.”
Rieta would respond to their gratitude in an extremely businesslike manner.
“Soon, those who are out there without even knowing their place will come to their senses. What a relief.”
“…Who doesn’t know their place?”
When she asked Craig Wagner to see if there was any friction in this area, he quickly shook his head.
“Ah, oh. No. I will guide you to your room. Please come this way.”
When Rieta entered her room, the first thing that greeted her was pretty wild flowers.
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