"How would we do that?"
"We could find a body with a similar build to hers, have Safran make it invisible and bring it to the execution site. Just before the execution, Safran swaps the body with Instructor Cattleya, and then you, Heath, as the executioner, could burn the body with your Thunder Sword until it’s charred beyond recognition, making it seem as though Instructor Cattleya was executed. How's that?"
"Wait a minute. Am I the executioner now?"
"Yes, you are. We need an insider to smuggle Instructor Cattleya out of the execution site."
"I don't mind doing it, but it feels like I’m drawing the short straw here..."
"What? You were eager to behead me back then, weren't you? You've already become a character everybody hates and spits at."
"A character..."
Heath seemed a bit hurt by my words. But since I physically almost died because of him, I lacked any sympathy for him. What happens to him is of no concern to me.
"Wait, Crow. Even if your plan works, Instructor Cattleya will still end up living in hiding," Iris interjected. "I don't like that idea at all."
"Besides, I don't want to carry a dead body," Safran added.
"You guys are quick to complain despite not offering any suggestions. As long as we can protect Instructor Cattleya, there's no problem. If another assassination attempt on the king happens while Instructor Cattleya is missing, everything will be resolved."
As I muttered this, the three of them fell silent.
"What? Why are you all quiet all of a sudden?"
"I just don't understand what you're getting at," Iris replied.
"I mean, the real assassin is still out there. They haven't achieved their goal since the king is alive. Won't they attempt another assassination?"
"Wait, Crow. If Instructor Cattleya goes missing around that time, won't it make her look even more guilty?"
"What if the assassination happens while Instructor Cattleya doesn’t have the Blast Sword?"
"Ah..."
"If Instructor Cattleya is missing and the Blast Sword is with her, and then a new culprit appears... The king faces another assassination attempt, but this time, the dashing idiot prince Heath heroically saves him. In that moment, the king realizes that Instructor Cattleya wasn't the culprit. Then, Instructor Cattleya and I make our grand entrance, solving everything. Instructor Cattleya regains ownership of the Blast Sword, and I become the greatest hero of the land, receiving acclaim and a status that allows me to live without working ever again. How about that?"
"You're joking a bit too much, aren't you?"
"Also, what’s with 'dashing idiot prince'?"
Iris and Heath seemed somewhat appalled by my suggestion."Enough with the complaints. For now, Heath, stop trying to convince the king and proceed with Instructor Cattleya's execution. On the day of the execution, Safran will kidnap and save Instructor Cattleya. Iris, you stand by in case of emergency. That should be good. First, we need to prepare a hiding place for Instructor Cattleya. Heath, you can take care of that with your wealth, right?"
"Ah, yes. There’s an unused noble's villa located away from the capital. If we can get Instructor Cattleya there, it should be possible for her to hide."
"Safran, your job will be to continuously supply Instructor Cattleya with food and necessities while she's in hiding. You’re the only one who can assist her without being noticed or seen."
"Well, I guess that's fine..."
"Iris, it’s better for you to stay close to me while we execute this plan."
"Why?"
"If the person who tried to assassinate the king attacks me, I'd be dead in an instant. I need you to protect me."
Iris let out a heavy sigh at that moment.
"Hmm..."
The plan was starting to take shape. However, I had a nagging concern.
Was the real goal of the culprit actually to kill the king, or was it to frame Instructor Cattleya?
If that was the case, leaving Instructor Cattleya to hide alone would be dangerous.
"Safran."
"What?"
"Stay with Instructor Cattleya until she gets the Blast Sword back."
"Instructor Cattleya's combat ability significantly decreases without her saintly sword. I need you to protect her."
"Fine. I'll guard her while delivering supplies."
This was a gamble.
I couldn't fully declare Safran as an ally yet. Her actions were suspicious.
But, when it came to protecting Instructor Cattleya's life, I could trust Safran completely.
I couldn't fathom what she was thinking, but she had tried to alert me to Instructor Cattleya's peril.
It was Safran who urged me to return from Blue Dragon to Pendragon.
This meant Safran didn't want Instructor Cattleya to die."Heath, when you're executing Instructor Cattleya, make your Thunder Sword glow as much as possible to distract the king and the onlookers. Meanwhile, Safran, who will be invisible, will take Instructor Cattleya away."
"I've been wondering about this, but is 'invisibility' the power of that maid's saintly sword?"
"Yes. Safran can make herself invisible. And..."
I put my hand on Safran's shoulder.
At that moment, Safran and I both became invisible.
"She can also make whoever she's touching invisible."
"I see. So, she'll use that ability to take Instructor Cattleya away? And I just need to keep the Thunder Sword glowing until then?"
"Right. After that,"Heath, when you execute Instructor Cattleya, make the Raimei Sword glow as brightly as possible. Distract the eyes of the king and the onlookers. During that, Safran, who will be invisible, will take Instructor Cattleya away."
"I've been wondering, is 'invisibility' the power of that maid's saintly sword?"
"Yes. Safran can make herself invisible. And..."
I placed my hand on Safran's shoulder.
At that moment, Safran and I both became invisible.
"She can make whoever she's touching invisible too."
"I see. So you’ll use that ability to take Instructor Cattleya away? And I just have to keep the Raimei Sword glowing until then?"
"That's right. Then, just pretend you don't understand how Instructor Cattleya disappeared..."
"No, leave the rest to me. I’ll make sure everyone believes Instructor Cattleya is dead."
"What are you planning to do?"
"There's no need for a replacement body. Prepare a straw doll dressed in the same prisoner's uniform as Instructor Cattleya. I’ll burn it to ashes with the Raimei Sword, along with the execution platform. I'll tell Father that the criminal who attempted to assassinate the king deserved such a thorough execution, leaving no bone behind."
"If the light from the Raimei Sword is as blinding as a lightning strike, such a deception might work."
"Of course, I’ll make sure it's a success."
"Heh."
At that moment, for the first time, Heath and I looked at each other and smiled.
A few days later, our plan was set in motion.
Heath gave up on convincing the king, and King Dalia decided to execute Instructor Cattleya.
The executioner, as planned, was Heath.
Due to opposition from the public, including former students of the Royal Officer Academy, the execution was to be carried out swiftly.
Instructor Cattleya was taken from the dungeon to the execution ground where I had almost been killed before.
I observed Instructor Cattleya being dragged through the city to the execution ground where Heath was waiting.
Instructor Cattleya, who was taken to the execution ground after being dragged through the town, remained unresisting.
We didn’t tell Instructor Cattleya herself about the rescue plan to ensure the plan wouldn't be accidentally revealed, but knowing her, she probably didn't doubt she would be rescued.
At least, that’s what I believed.Perched on the back of the divine horse Sleipnir, I intently observed the execution ground.
In case anything unexpected happened, I was ready to save Instructor Cattleya myself.
Despite the risks involved, the consequences of Instructor Cattleya’s death would be far more severe than any downside of having to go on the run myself.
Quietly floating Sleipnir to a rooftop where I could oversee the entire execution ground, I watched the events unfold.