Chapter 7: 1.6

A drop of water splashed right next to her boots.

Beatrice listened. There was nothing surrounding her except for the sound of the leaking ceiling.

The light of the lantern swung unreliably. Whenever she came to this place, she always felt nervous for no reason.

She gently inserted the key into the old keyhole.

The door opened with a heavy, drawn-out screeching sound.

There were bows, swords, and rifles set against a wall. Cavalry rifles with shortened barrels. Older muskets and protective gear. Wagons used to transport supplies and wooden boards to attach to them to use as sleds in the winter. Deeper inside, there were a number of cannons…

She could practically see the soldiers preparing to march into battle. Weapons that had lost their owners were quietly holding their breaths, waiting for their moment of glory. The number of firearms far outnumbered those in the royal arsenal, and no matter how many times she saw them, they still filled her heart with trepidation.

“Now then, everyone, if you please.”

At the sound of Beatrice’s voice, the craftsmen set to work. Lanterns were placed in their respective positions, and they began their work without a word of private conversation.

They were the artisans who Beatrice protected with great care. They made more than just fireplaces, stoves, clothing, and food. Their main job was here.

Beatrice had inherited Rilbek’s weapons craftsmen from her grandfather and protected them for a long time.

While their entire families were entitled to a rich and prosperous life without starvation, they weren’t allowed to leave Rilbek. Sworn to secrecy, they managed the weapons in the closed facility under the watchful eye of Beatrice, who held the key to the ruins.

Even Albert, who ruled over the military, was unaware of this array of weapons. This must be a treasure trove for her older brother——no, her younger brother as well. It possessed the firepower to even take down a small country.

In front of her, Garrett was also cleaning a gun with familiar hands. After this, there would be a trial run. Rilbek’s vigilance corps was composed of members involved with this “key,” not only craftsmen, but also those who were confident in their skills.

Garrett was one of those members.

He himself volunteered to take up arms to protect the queen.

“It’s such a pain to get in here without the soldiers finding out.”

The garrison of the royal knights was located in Rilbek, but it was an organization of nobles under Albert’s command. She couldn’t let them discover the existence of the key to the ruins.

The contents of this arsenal varied from weapons gathered during the chaos of the revolution, taken from enemy forces when Rilbek became a battleground, to items given to them by the friendly nation of Nikaya. Few of them were made in Hierbas. The last time most of the weapons were used was in the great war sixty years ago.

Queen Adele, hesitant over whether or not to tell her children the whereabouts of the weapons, locked them away under Rilbek.

Beatrice didn’t know why they weren’t placed under military control. Perhaps they didn’t want to make them public because they included things captured during the war victory.

“When a child suitable enough to give this to is born, let them protect Rilbek.”

It was said that was Queen Adele’s last request to her Scepter, who she left behind.

“Don’t you think they will eventually discover this place?”

Garrett said without resting his hands.

“There’s always the possibility that it would become public knowledge.”

“It is illegal to possess weapons that aren’t under the control of the Hierbas military.”

“I wonder why Grandfather didn’t reveal the location of these weapons and let the military take control of them. This concealment has been going on for a long time. Do you know why?”

Beatrice was also cleaning a gun. She was taught how to do it. She used a brush down the barrel to remove soot, disassembled the gun, and wiped off each part with a cloth.

She could shoot a gun as well. She sometimes ran around in the mountains and fields to shoot deer. She had a small hunting rifle made for herself. Though every time she went hunting, Garrett was always fidgeting nervously behind her.

“If these weapons are there, then everyone would want to use them…”

Beatrice’s father had been in charge of the army in the previous generation. Her aunt was in charge of organizing the civil officials. If her father had attacked her aunt with military force, she would have had little ability to oppose him. Even as equals, they had to swallow their words in the face of force.

“Maybe that was why the weapons were concealed, as a countermeasure.”

Her aunt stopped being confrontational, returned the crown and retired, so the siblings never turned on each other, but…

She wondered if Queen Adele had perceived this. She herself had experienced fierce sisterly strife. The flaws of joint rule and its fragility. That was why she left her secret here.

“When siblings fight, the one who controls the military will inevitably win. Then, it will be settled that ‘he who has military power’ will win, even if you claim to rule jointly.”

“That affects the ordinary balance of power.”

“Yes. They say that they are equal, but those with military power will try to suppress them with force behind the scenes. Even Samuel and I have our own troops, but the military force is inevitably concentrated in the capital. Brother is on the throne in the capital. His Scepter is the head of the army. You know what that means. The army alone does not run the country, but it cannot be ignored. Because of this, the joint rule of the previous generation was somewhat unstable.”

Her aunt was always weak-kneed.

The fact that there was a split in the power that was supposed to be united created polarization.

“We changed our way of doing things. We’ve stopped concentrating the military in one place. Each king’s army has a garrison in each other’s territory. It’s for emergencies—but that is only sophistry. Someone might be waiting for the right moment to outmaneuver the other siblings by force. This is to keep an eye on them.”

Thus, everything would start to look suspicious, and the seeds of conflict would be born.

She was relieved that Camilla had renounced her claim to the throne. She had watched her mother struggling too, so she would have no qualms about doing so.

“Surprisingly, Samuel might have a key to the ruins as well.”

Garrett’s hands stopped.

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“That’s…”

“If Grandfather didn’t give me the key to this armory, which has been hidden away for ages, so that my brothers wouldn’t fight over it, but rather, gave me the key so that we can keep each other in check, so that Brother wouldn’t have all the power, then it would be strange if Samuel didn’t have a similar pile of weapons.”

“Then it is necessary to reveal the presence of the weapons, even more so for the purpose of curbing each other. It would be meaningless if both you and Samuel-sama did not disclose the weapons you have for the official stance of self-defense.”

“…Yes, it is as you said.”

Perhaps I’m the one who is the most paranoid.

She reached for the next gun. How long could she go on like this? It was clear that her brothers were after Rilbek. They might not even know about the key to the ruins, but even without it, this was an attractive industrial city.

Beatrice’s chest throbbed.

Would she never be able to trust anyone for the rest of her life?

“About the matter of your Scepter.”

At Garrett’s words, she unintentionally dropped the gun, making a loud clattering sound. “I’m sorry, please continue with your work,” she whispered when the craftsmen’s gazes were directed at her.

“Why are you bringing that up so suddenly?”

“There seems to have been some movement from His Highness King Albert’s side.”

Garrett was entrusted with gathering information. Through him, reports were delivered from counterintelligence agents scattered all over Hierbas. Cloth merchants went from town to town, embroidered ciphers, and delivered them to Rilbek.

“Brother…will probably send Will Gardiner to me.”

Beatrice said, exasperated.

“Duke Gardiner is already the Scepter for His Majesty.”

“You can quit being a Scepter. If he immediately becomes my consort, there would be no problem.”

Duke Gardiner was the head of the knights. There was no one in the blue faction with a higher title than him.

If an older brother wanted to have his younger sister marry his advisor and place her under his command, he would even give up his most prized Scepter.

“Considering Your Majesty’s age, I think it is time for you to decide on your Scepter.”

Beatrice took a deep breath.

“About that…”

She had to hear his opinion. She couldn’t let go of her right-hand man now that he had grown so big.

“If you are willing…”

“Beatrice-sama. That must never happen.”

Garrett said, his voice extremely sharp and definitive.

Her gaze met his. His gaze was clear and strong-willed.

It felt like time had stopped. But he had already spoken the following words.

“Your senses have been numbed because you are in Rilbek. There is a difference between workmen and royalty.”

“Garrett…”

“I was afraid that you would tell me that. So, I am going to give you the answer I have been thinking about for a long time. ——Please accept a worthy Scepter, Beatrice-sama.”

Yes. He has grown up and matured a little bit before me. He hasn’t been the adorable “my Garrett” for a long time now.

His mysterious blue eyes, illuminated by the orange lights of the lanterns, stared at her from the gaps between his black hair.

They were like sapphires, trapped in the darkness of a palm.

However, grasped hands must one day loosen.

Beatrice finally inquired.

“Is there anything you want to do?”

“No. You took me in, raised me, and taught me many things. I am honored beyond measure, and I have nothing to aspire to now.”

“Why don’t you start a family? I will give you one of the dyeing factories. You can find a lovely wife…”

“Dyeing was my late mother’s occupation, but it was not something I aspired to do. If possible, please let me stay with you and help you maintain your weapons. I can get information, and if the need arises, I can also serve as a bullet shield.”

He always spoke to his mistress with exasperation, but in reality, he had always been devoting himself to protecting her. Beatrice knew that very well.

She supposed she was spoiled by him. She was aware that it wasn’t a good thing.

This peaceful time wouldn’t last forever. Both Beatrice and Garrett would have to put an end to this at some point.

Beatrice tried to look as calm as possible and said, “I’ll continue to be in your care from now on.”

Her voice shook just a little bit, but she pretended not to notice.

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