Chapter 94: Storm brewing

The horses are grazing on the banks of the canal. Looking at the sight, Laune raised her hands to protect the small flower growing on her head.

“Leslie-oneesan, do horses eat flowers too?”

“…I don’t think they’ll eat flowers. Well, unless they are very hungry of course. Horses usually eat grass you see.”

Once they get off the horse, they sat down on the nearby rock after laying a cloth on it. Laune is having a conversation with Leslie as she sits on her lap –it’s such a peaceful scene.

I also get off the horse and then I approached the edge of the water. According to the picture books, some monsters live in water. However, when I touched the water and asked the algae in the water about it, it appears that there are no dangerous creatures around here.

“…Grass, can you make a water lily scaffold?”

“Yes, no problem. And, speaking of which, even though it’s such a big river, I don’t think there’s a presence of aquatic animals at all.”

“Yes, it seems like there’s none around here. We couldn’t do some fishing in the canal because of the enemy attack. However, if we could build a boat, we could do that.”

If we caught some fish, our diet would certainly not have been so simple. Fish are rarely eaten in the Royal Capital but caravans come to sell them so I have eaten salted and preserved fish.

“That could only be done after overcoming the future situation…”

“…Your Highness, what is the “oracle” from Yuserish?”

“…There’s a storm brewing from the east.”

“Uh…!?”

East –when viewed from the Western Territory, it’s the Royal Capital that’s in that direction. There’s a “storm” brewing from the Royal Capital. When I heard that, I couldn’t help but think of one person.

“Millenia Weed. The “Jade Witch” is heading here.”

“The director of the Millenia Academy… why…”

“There is one thing I can think of. Vaiseck… Assuming that he was convinced of his success when he provoked us at the behest of Queen Cassandra, under the guise of my rebellion against His Majesty, he will try to seize the Isle Rose Fortress… or even the Western Territory.”

“…That, you mean, even if you have forecast that far, we couldn’t arrest Vaiseck because it would be a rebellion in itself… is that right?”

Her Highness nods in agreement. The situation is not looking good at all but Her Highness has calm eyes that made me feel relieved just by looking at them.

“Are the thing we did considered to be a rebellion? Vaiseck is not the one to determine that!”

“…Astina-denka”

“Right. That’s just some trickery…..is it what it’s called? Anyway, I’m not sure about those things, but I do know that we did not do anything wrong. And, it’s also impossible for Her Highness to be wrong.”

“…I can make mistakes too. I don’t think that you should always consider that what I think is right.”

She didn’t say that just to negate Presha-san’s words. Her Highness looks at me –her calm eyes seemed to ask me to say what I thought on what she had said.

“It would be reassuring if the people in the territory knew that Her Highness thinks that way. Of course, I also think that it’s very noble.”

“…Noble huh… it sounds a little exaggerated as a depiction but…”

“Me too, I was wondering if it’s okay to tell this to Your Highness but… I think it’s exactly as what Grass-sensei had said. Your Highness, you’re a noble person.”

Her Highness seemed to be perplexed as even Presha-san agreed. She turned her eyes away when she noticed that I was looking at her. She then stroked the neck of the horse grazing and let it finish its meal.

“…Grass, saying it’s a noble thing is forbidden. I know it’s not a bad thing, but I’m uncomfortable when you say it.”

“…I- Pardon me, Your Highness.”

I said it because there’s a small number of people here, I regret that it turned out to be an impolite remark for Her Highness.

“…You should not feel sorry to that point. I’m not saying I hate it, it’s just that I feel unsettled. You and I are connected through the sacred tree, but saying the word noble make me feel a distance between us.”

“I- I understand. Then I’d like to reiterate…… I have a lot of respect for you, Your Highness.”

“…Grass-nii, I don’t think much has changed.”

“Ahaha… there are times when even a Sensei is nervous and can’t say the right things huh.”

I’m not as calm as a stone, unlike Sven. However, it’s good to be able to chat for a brief period of time as constant tension can cause a lot of mental fatigue. Dite-san and the others who have been scouting the perimeter have returned, and they come up to us with a curious look on their faces as we are all laughing.

“The reconnaissance around the area is over. I don’t think we’ll be attacked by the ambush while we’re crossing… Now that we’ve defeated Alejandro, the Zirconia’s remaining troops are not around here anymore.”

“Thank you Dite. Then Grass, please do it.”

“Understood”

I hold my hand over the flowing canal –another scenery appeared in front of me. In the fountain of Elmir in the spirit world, countless “floating prickly water lily” are moving around.

“『Oh water lily that springs out from the Abyss, you who floats from the miraculous spring, show yourself once in this world. 』”

From this side of the canal to the opposite bank, many large water lily materialize. After summoning them several times, I became accustomed to it. Now I can match the height at which each water lily floats and lay them down like a cobblestone road.

I was told to ride on Her Highness’ horse, so Her Highness pulled me up. Her Highness puts my hand around her waist so that I don’t fall.

“Well then, we’re going. There seems to be a slight gust so please be careful not to be fanned by it.”

「「「Yes!」」」

When Her Highness said that, the knight guards also replied. When I listen to their voice in this way, Presha-san is by far the youngest, but many knights seemed to be around the middle of the 20’s.

“….Once the battle settles down, some of the knights may choose to retire because of their age. I must work hard so that they can do that.”

In a state where I’m close to Her Highness like as it is now, it becomes easier to convey our thoughts. Astina-denka is always thinking about the lives of the knights. Because such feeling is conveyed, all the knights older than Her Highness are loyal to her.

“…How is it that you often think of complimenting me?”

“…Uh, I-I’m sorry. I’ll try not to convey my thoughts.”

“No, I’m not angry… we could do it unless my thoughts are always getting to you of course.”

“It’s not a problem. I also have the knowledge as a magician. There are ways to prevent the transmission of thoughts through magical power.”

“…I see that only I am getting the thoughts of Grass. After all, it seems that I need to get some magical guidance from Grass.”

While we are talking, Leslie looks back here –is she curious about what me and Her Highness is talking about? It may not be good to talk too secretly.

“…Did you hear it? I said that I wanted to ask for magical guidance.”

“Y-Yes, I heard it. Your Highness will soon get the hang of it.”

“I will try to do that. It’s about time we cross the water lily bridge… When we get off the shore, I’ll let the horse gallop. Please hold on firmly.”

“uh…!”

As Her Highness had said, when we got off the shore, she hit the horse’s neck. Then the horse gradually accelerates and begins to canter -if I don’t hold on tightly, I’m going to be rocked down.

Leslie is also doing her best to hold on to Presha-san so I can’t afford to lose. Dite-san, who is riding alone, is ahead of us and runs lightly -she reaches the Isle Rose Fortress a step ahead of us and sounds her horn to signal the knights inside to let down the drawbridge. Once inside the fortress, a soldier rushes to Her Highness. Her face was pale – as expected, something is going on.

“Your Highness, I would like to report. It seems that a unit dispatched from the Capital has arrived at the Western Territory. The commander is General Rothgart and he has reported that he has an order from the Central Command. He wants us to let him enter the Isle Rose Fortress before Your Highness returns….”

“…What is the strength of that unit?”

There was no need to check the strength of that allied unit if they were going to operate jointly–in that question, Her Highness already suggested the possibility of hostility of that allied force.

“The fast horses from checking station has just arrived, it’s about 300. I think they’re already started moving towards us, probably because he didn’t know Your Highness would be back soon.”

“I can’t believe they’ve gone this far. That man named Vaiseck, from the beginning he……”

Dite-san bites her lips. The fact that the general dispatched from the Capital is here now can only be considered to have been prepared in advance for entering the Isle Rose Fortress when Her Highness is absent. The number of three hundred men is prearranged with a view of putting Isle Rose’s troops directly under his command and continuing the rule over the territory. It seems to be a decision that there is no need to direct a large number of troops from the Capital.

“Your Highness… If General Rothgart arrives as it is, he will probably issue an order from the Marshal. If we refuse to do so, he may turn all of the Lezenia Kingdom’s Army against us.”

Dite-san speaks to Her Highness. I knew this would happen –sooner or later, Queen Cassandra’s plot must be overruled in order for her to continue to rule the Western Territories, improve the lives of the people and bring about peace.

“….The fact that I am here at this time would be beyond their expectations. General Rothgart’s intervention is not needed in this western territory.”

“Your Highness…”

“For whatever purpose they head here, if they have excuse to dismiss me, I will listen to it. But that was before they took a step inside this fortress.”

“…I understand. I will follow His Highness to the end.”

Presha-san said without hesitation. The same goes for the guard knights –but Dite couldn’t immediately agree.

“Dietria… If you go back to the Muse family, that…”

“…It’s now or never. That’s not a mistake.”

Dietria is probably Dite-san’s real name. And Muse is the name of Dite-san’s birth family. I heard the name Count Muse when I was in the Royal Capital. The current owner is also the manager of the Royal Theater, they are widely involved in business and is said to be the richest noble in the kingdom. Born into such a famous family, Dite-san chose to become a knight. But that doesn’t mean that she abandoned her home.

“…If I were to confront General Rothgart as Her Highness’ vassal, the Muse family would also be subject to some penalties. However, my father told me that he’s ready to cut off ties whenever something wrong is to happen. My father is also a cunning old man so he won’t be easily crushed.”

“Dite…”

Dite-san did not waver. By saying that determination, I knew that Her Highness, and Presha-san would be worried about her.

“…Dite-san, are you really okay with it?”

“I don’t want to think about the possibility of being incorporated under a new general for the rest of my life. I swore an oath to remain a knight to serve Your Highness.”

“Y-Yes… us too. Your Highness, please take us.”

The knights had one heart. I see it and it feels dazzling –at the Academy, I couldn’t meet friends who were aiming for the same place like this.

“…Grass-nii, you have an envious look on your face.”

“I guess it’s more of a longing. But…… yes. For me, I had Leslie and Sven.”

“Uh… t-that… well, if you think so…”

Leslie was saying something but her voice was so small that I couldn’t hear it –maybe it was, “I’m glad you think that” or something like that.

However, there are not enough of us to hold General Rothgard back. There’s no time left now to bring back the troops occupying the Zirconia fort either.

“… If what we’ve done is budding in this Western Territory, there’s nothing to think about.”

“Your Highness… By those words, my hesitation disappeared from within me. Dietria Muse, Captain of the First Archer Corp of the Isle Rose Fortress, will accompany you until my body rots.”

Her Highness nods to Dite-san. To me, it seemed like she had a faint smile. Dite-san also smiles and the knights go out of the fortress again.

“Your Highness Astina, everyone, please give me good luck …!”

“―Your Highness Astina, Knight Presha, Knight Dite, goes to battle!”

The ally –No. The knights run through the meadow to confront the army that was once their allies.

What is waiting for us in the future? Will I have to face my stepsister as well?

All I can do is make sure I don’t lose anything. I swore to my heart not to make a mistake.

This is translated by Yume Neiji. Kindly read at yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com.

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