Home/I confined you, but I have no ill will/ch 58

58.

Why? She'd be more comfortable in the capital—why follow him north? As he thought that, Ibelin spoke again.

"Why do you think I locked you up in the first place?"

She planted her hands on her hips.

"Ah—"

Their relationship had started with confinement. Lately, he'd found her so endearing he'd forgotten—but she was the one who'd kidnapped a Swordmaster to save him.

Right—she's not frail.

Yet he still didn't want to take her north.

"You might have to sleep on the ground."

"I don't mind."

"You might go hungry or have to hunt."

"I'm good at hunting—and I can identify edible plants."

"You might be threatened by barbarians."

She patted her thigh lightly. Does she always carry that gun? He couldn't help but laugh.

Yes—the woman he loved wasn't weak. She was likely stronger than most.

In heart and ability.

"Fine—I'll take you. But on one condition."

"What?"

"Don't leave my side."

"Easy enough!"

She answered boldly.

And so, Ibelin would join him on the journey north.

Before leaving, she said she needed to visit her house.

"The house?"

"Yes—I need to prepare some things."

"Then I'll come with you."

"Aren't you busy?"

"A short trip is fine."

If Seren heard, he'd groan—but they were alone. So they headed to the house where Kite had once been confined.

---

Click.

Unlocking the door, they saw the house as they'd left it. Dust had settled—no one had entered.

Ibelin opened the basement door. She descended first, followed by Kite. She went to the nearest room and packed ammunition into a bag.

"All sorts of strange things."

Rare ammunition was piled up.

"Right? I only saw it when I came here—what did Grandfather even do?"

She shook her head.

"Mind if I ask about him?"

"Now?"

"Yes."

"Well—it's nothing special."

Baron Frillie had fought in the northern barbarian war—that was where he'd met Kite and received his favor.

"He often said he wanted to repay his benefactor someday."

"That's strange."

"Excuse me?"

"Now that I think of it—I never saved Baron Frillie."

She turned from the ammunition box.

"Rather, he saved me—he looked after a child on the battlefield. Why would he tell you that?"

"Hmm."

She tilted her head, arms crossed.

"To be honest, his memory wasn't clear in his later years—he avoided relatives and only kept me by his side."

"Wasn't that hard?"

"Not at all—he was too kind for that."

"So he got it backward because his memory was failing?"

"I'm not sure—he always smiled warmly when talking about you. It didn't seem like memory loss."

"I see."

Perhaps what her grandfather valued wasn't repaying Kite—but why lie?

"Maybe he wanted me to leave where we lived."

"Why?"

"Several people coveted his estate and property—I'd be in their way."

"But wouldn't that be a strange reason to lie?"

"True—why did he?"

Neither knew. They couldn't ask him now. Realizing that, Ibelin's shoulders sagged. Kite watched, then patted her shoulder.

"We'll look into it slowly."

Now, Kite knew more about Baron Frillie than Ibelin did—including that he was probably the Intelligence Department's Wolf. But telling her now wouldn't change anything. He'd investigate thoroughly first.

"Thank you."

His clumsy comfort seemed to work—she smiled softly.

"Should we check the next room?"

"What's in there?"

"Bombs."

Her cheerful answer made his head spin.

"Bombs?"

Why were they here? They were so dangerous their use was prohibited except in major wars.

"Ah—to be precise, throwing bombs."

She opened another door.

"You pull the pin and throw."

"How many?"

She stepped inside and raised her hand.

"All of these."

Over twenty boxes, easily. Kite rubbed his forehead. Baron Frillie couldn't have prepared all this alone—he'd been in Intelligence, so perhaps they were from there. He hadn't left quietly.

But so what?

"Good—great weapons."

If Intelligence didn't know, Kite could take them. He'd lived as the Mad Dog—rules were often broken.

"We can't take all of it."

"Just a small amount—taking everything would cause trouble."

Intelligence would raise a fuss.

Who was the previous head of Intelligence? Tilten—a man loyal to the late Emperor. If Martin was upright, Tilten was the opposite. He'd abused his position for personal gain, so Leonhardt had removed him. Perhaps he'd been connected to Baron Frillie. Given Martin's activity then, she might also be involved.

"Okay—I'll just take a few."

Watching her pack, Kite thought of the future.

He hadn't left the house unattended—he'd just never visited personally, having it watched. Now he'd strengthen security.

There was too much dangerous stuff.

"Do you know how to use these?"

"Yes—I've used them."

Ah—she has? She was more dangerous than he'd thought.

"Grandfather taught me."

He had much to say—but held back.

"Right—good."

He took the heavy bag from her.

"I'll carry the heavy stuff."

"I can carry it."

"No—don't make me a brute who makes his fiancée carry heavy loads."

"We came here secretly anyway."

She said incredulously, but he ignored her—he just didn't like seeing her carry heavy things.

They went back upstairs and concealed the basement door.

---

Days later, Emperor Leonhardt issued the official order.

To march north and subdue the barbarians.

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