Vol 9 Chapter 1 (1/2)
The capital of Versailles
Franziska tilted her head
—— Do Belgarians lack the sense of feeling tension and terror?
Even though security around the palace was heavy, but the city didn’t even have a gate, and she entered disappointingly simply
Franziska of ‘Renard Pendu’ left her light armour with her sister, and put the crossbow she was so proud of into a basket covered with a piece of cloth as she walked alone on the streets
She earing a fluttery dress that befit a girl of her age
Her pendant which was proof that she was a mercenary was hidden inside her dress
Starting froate of the city, there was a broad stone paved road that led straight into the palace The side paths were all in a straight line, so it was easy to navigate
—— Did they not consider the possibility that they et invaded by other countries? Are they that confident?
The residents of this city seemed to be a hundred percent confident that ‘an enearia does not exist’
That’s why they didn’t build any walls
Even though Franziska felt uneasy about this, in the centuries since the capital was relocated here, the Belgarian’s confidence had never been proven wrong
The High Britannia forces advanced was right at the capital’s doorsteps, but they still retreated This thinking still held true even now
It was annoying how prosperous the Belgarian Empire was
Shops lined up both sides of the streets with all sorts of wares on display The citizens walking pass Franziska were all dressed wonderfully
Because of the nu of the E… But no matter what, there couldn’t be so many nobles Which meant that even the co
There were also soldiers guarding the city
Their ainst enemy nations, but to maintain public order
It would be bad if sonized Franziska’s face was here, so she covered her eyes with her fringe, and appeared less conspicuous
Franziska was born in the northern region of the Germanian Federation It was a poor nation closed in by constant snow, their pri money with mercenaries
I have never been to High Britannia, but there isn’t any country ht?
Why would any nation pick a fight with this country?
Franziska entered an alley and after walking a while, she went into a cafeteria built from red bricks
After browsing the shop, she saw a young woirl sitting opposite each other on chairs made from oak
They were her elder sister Jessica, and younger sister Martina
Franziska ordered a cup of coffee fro at
“Sorry for the wait!”
“Sister is back!”
Her younger sister stood up and hugged her
Franziska endured the power of her pounce
“Eheehee! Sorry foryou wait, Martina!”
“I don’t feel that I a at all!”
Jessica sipped her coffee as she whispered
“ You are five minutes late”
“Ugh… I-It can’t be helped okay? It’s not like I went there to play”
“Sit down first”
The waitress served her coffee
AfterMartina sit, Franziska sat too
She placed the basket with a short bow in it at her feet, then took back her leather bag Her luggage was rather big She took a sip of coffee first
Uwah, the fragrance dissipating in ue and a faint sour taste There’s also a hint of sweetness?
“It’s really delicious!?”
When Franziska was ordering, she thought the ‘coffee doesn't earn ar seemed to have been added
This coffee had turn into another type of beverage
Like a type of dessert
Jessica asked quietly:
“ Well? Any results?”
“Harian Officers in this city who lust after my beauty in no time They then spilled the beans easily”
Jessica crossed her legs the other way, and looked really elegant
She straightened her slender waist, which accentuated the curve of her beautiful legs
“Uwah, sister is so cool!” Martina co eyes
Jessica tilted her head
“ Is that so? Threatening them with a knife is the work of your beauty?”
“You saw it!?”
“As expected, that’s what happened”
“Ughh… Before I bring the, it is the work of my beauty!”
She was too loud, so Jessica watched her surroundings
—— Arara
Even though they were conversing in Gerarians who could understand too Franziska lowered her voice quickly
“Anyway, there is good news and bad news Which one do you want to hear first?”
“ Well… There’s nobody ould want to start with the bad news right?”
It seemed that way from the perspective of the listener
“The good news is—— elder brother didn’t get hung After all, executing such a faanda effects Since there isn’t such news from the Fourth Army, he either escaped or is still alive… He is most probably e her forces”
Jessica said in the past:
“If she wanted to, he would have executed hi to take him in as a subordinate”
Even Franziska agreed…
“I feel that the political struggle between the Second Prince and Fourth Princess has already concluded The Eht? Didn’t he already declare that he will take the throne?”
Jessica put the newspaper on the table
It was published not long ago
“That would be after the fore for the succession yet He did say ‘I swear to inherit the will of arian Empire even more prosperous’”
“Hmm?”
Franziska could speak Belgarian, but couldn’t read it She could only le words By the way, her sister Jessica was fluent in thirteen languages According to her, the language of these nations ue of an ancient Empire, so they were on the level of dialects That ancient Earia
“ And? The bad news?”
In response to Jessica’s query, Franziska sighed
“The Fourth Princess see to Fort Volks They won’t pass through the capital
“ I see”
Jessica’s group traveled with Bastian in a shaky carriage After they made a detour around the place they suspected to be the battlefield, the Fourth Army had already set off towards another direction
When she sa unmoved Jessica was, Franziska became anxious
“I thought big sis could predict the location with divination!?”
“ Even without divining… The position of the Imperial Fourth Army isn’t important”
“Why!? Big bro is there!”
“Even if we know his position, what’s the point?”
“Ughh…”
Indeed, the distance wasn’t the problem
Even if the three of them infiltrate the Fourth Army, they wouldn’t be of any help to their brother Gilbert and his other captured companions —— that’s what Jessica divined
Franziska felt the things Jessica see was different from what she saw
“So, what should we do?”
“It is really easy to gather info froet in contact with the rest of ‘Renard Pendu’”
“That’s right!”
Even though they lost the other day, that was just part of the mercenary band There were still 700 odd h Britannia First Division
“ Well, 700a rescue operation”
“It’s not enough!?”
Jessica looked up into the sky
The sun was setting and the western sky was dyed a deep shade of red It was almost time for dinner
“ Yes… It’s not enough with just theth They are like the stars, sparkling in the night… Well then, at the side are Queen Margaret and his right hand man… there’s also the Second Prince and Fourth Princess… All of the up at the stars froround, but the capital is a very suitable place for that After all, telling the future by astrology is my duty”
“You ence?”
“It will be fine We are getting closer to elder brother”
“Hah… Well… I will believe it since big sis says so…”
The Fourth Army was on their way back to Fort Volks In ter away from the capital
“Sister, you are not feeling well?”
Martina looked at her worryingly
It will be fine, Franziska said while patting her head
“Hmm—— But what should we do? Even if ant to seek out our ‘Renard Pendu’ comrades, where are they now? With the way the situation is developing, wouldn’t High Britannia head back ho our comrades with them Or would they dismiss them somewhere else?”
“Firstly, Oswald Coulthard isn’t that stupid to dismiss such a force”
“That aret a little…?”
Franziska scratched her head
Jessica didn’t deny
“That’s true Queen Margaret probably won’t withdraw Let’s gather some infor off with the Germanian Federation…”
“Why do you think that? Because of the stars?”
“ Before the war, they had frequent correspondence with the envoy of Langobalt Kingdom What did you think their preparation is for, if not for such a situation?”
“Isn’t that simply preparation if they needed help to escape?”
“If Queen Margaret’s character could be seen through so simply, she wouldn’t have participated in her Arh Britannia’s main forces had never lost any battle, so their losses were minimal”
I see…
Even though they didn’t suffer much losses, they had to retreat because their supply lines were cut off
With this in mind, it was understandable what their next move was
“But, wouldn’t it be fine to not retreat froe?”
“ If theydecision, the battle would have ended If they engage the First Army and the Fourth Army show up behind theh Britannia are, there would be deserters”
“Well, that’s true”
The Empire also has reserves
When the palace gets within their reach, there would be a good chance that enemy forces would hit them from behind
“It wouldn’t be a victory even if they got into the capital” —— Jessica added
Even though big sis clais most of the time
“Realizing they would be caught in a pincer attack, Queen Margaret led her troops away However, if they receive resupply fros would be different… She isn’t a woman ill return home so easily”
“Isn’t that Oswald guy the one coh Britannia forces? Colonel Coulthard?”
“He is just enah he could see the trends of the war, he still took command of the army as he understood the wishes of the Queen”
“He kneould lose the battle?”
“ Franziska too, you knew that ‘Renard Pendu’ had lost, but still want to do soht?”
“I-I am different from him!”
“ We fight wars forwe have to do to survive”
“That’s right!”
“ This is necessary for Queen Margaret too In order for her to live on”
“Why?”
Jessica shrugged She said in a colder tone than before
“ Probably to stave off boredom”
Kek, Franziska gritted her teeth
“I will blow her away, that damn woman”
“ That’s why, High Britannia won’t bring ‘Renard Pendu’ back with theence in the capital swiftly, not only e have more opportunity for coth increases Let’s prepare for now… Until the chance to rescue elder brother comes up”
That’s the most important point Franziska nodded
“Yes, I will definitely rescue him! He is our brother after all! Our family!”
Jessica looked to the sky The clouds see sun
“ The star of the Second Prince Latreille is shi+ning brightly Seems like he had obtained incredible power”
It’s not the hour to see stars yet right? Franziska thought as she tilted her head
“You mean the Empire in?”
“That is definitely so Because the tides of the war are clear, there is no value in divination… However, it’s not clear if they will lose so, that is very possible”
“Well, you are right”
“ I think Queen Margaret will return to High Britannia in the end… If you gain so else”
“That da this entire mess?”
“ However, her star in the west —— Probably her ho What should we do?”
“Well, the conflict within High Britannia has nothing to do with us”
“ That’s true”
Clap! Martina raised both of her hands
“Mister Bastian!”
Franziska looked up, and saw Bastian walked into the cafe
He was a brown haired youth with a slender built Just 16 years old, just like Franziska
He earing sun glasses right now
There see his true identity
A blonde girl was by his side Even though she was a bit short and frail, she seee as him She was Elise
Franziska recalled their conversation in the carriage ——
That time, Jessica asked Elise with a calm tone:
“ By the way… Why did you lie about being a student studying abroad?”
“What!?”
The ate turned tense in an instant
Bastian straightened his back
Franziska witnessed Bastian’s strength before, so she became nervous If this devolved into a battle, they would definitely lose”
Elise seemed very calm
“ Why do you think that is a lie?”
“The capital erous if the Belgarian find out that you are a High Britannian, and you h Britannian Army by mistake too If you are really an overseas student, it is too dangerous for you to head for the capital”
“I see It’s true, this was just a simple lie”
Elise nodded in acknowledgement
She admitted that was a lie immediately
She pondered for a moment then said:
“Erh Britannia I would go back some time, but that would be dependent on the situation within the country As for why I aoal”
Bastian nodded with his arms crossed
“I am not sure what I should do too! But I think I have to return to the capital”
Elise smiled wryly
“Going to the capital that ht think it strange, but that’s how he is”
—— A retard? Even though Franziska thought so, Bastian rescued her earlier, so she couldn’t said it out loud
Jessica lowered her gaze
“ We followed the High Britannia Army for some time before”
Franziska’s body stiffened because her sister revealed this fact suddenly
Bastian and Elise looked at Martina in surprise
“This child too?”
Clap, she raised both hands
“It’s —— true! Martina worked hard too!
“I see… It must have been hard…”
How should she explain this Anyway, they didn’t seehed in relief
Jessica mixed in a lie
“ We don’t have a hoe with an acquaintance in the capital”
“So that’s it”
Even though Bastian seereeable, Elise didn’t look entirely convinced
—— That was the conversation with e
And their opponent back then, Bastian and Elise came to the table
“Yo, sorry for the wait”
“ Have you finished investigating the things you need?”
“There are some results What about you? Found your acquaintance in the capital?”
Jessica looked at Martina, hesitant to speak
She see
Elise see, and asked:
“Martina, have you eaten the cake in this shop?”
“Hmm?”
“They look delicious Want some? I will buy them for you”
“Really!? That’s great!”
By the way, the cake here is butter bread Bread with sugar spread on top of it
Although Franziska like that too… She decided to endure
They left the table
Her splendid performance impressed Franziska
Jessica acted this way for two reasons First was to bring away Martina as bad at acting Second was to draw the smart and observant Elise away from this conversation
Right now, only Franziska, Jessica and Bastian were at the table
Jessica lowered her head
“ Thank you for your concern”
“It’s nothing There are things we don’t want kids to hear… So, what happened?”
Jessica said in a rarely seen depressed tone
“ Regrettably, our acquaintance is gone… After asking the neighbours… The head of the family died in battle, and his ent back to the countryside with her three children”
That was a lie, of course
They were mercenaries from the Germanian Federation, it was impossible for them to know anyone in the Imperial capital
However, Bastian looked syret
“I see… Hmm… What are your plans now?”
“We are very troubled Ourout”
That was true
If they were rich, they wouldn’t be mercenaries
Even the continent’s strongest ‘Renard Pendu’ won’t possess gems like aristocratic ladies
Even though the three sisters had the funds to return to the Gerht noas to rescue their brother Gilbert
They had to stay in the capital
Jessica stared at the empty coffee cup on the table
“ What… What should we do… Maybe I can write to another acquaintance for help?”
“Does he live near the capital?”
“ No He is in the Germanian Federation But there is no one else we can turn to It pains me for my sister to live a hard life too”
Hmm, Bastian crossed his arms and nodded
Judging fro, Bastian was a noble
Not only was his clothes top quality, his sunglasses was expensive too
In short, the plan was to ‘beg’ Jessica spoke plainly But she didn’t blatantly show her tears and sorrow to hi troubled, and the situation won’t be too unrealistic
Franziska wasn’t good at acting, but was great in a fight
I should have followed Martina, I want to eat cake —— Despite thinking so, she lowered her head in order to not disrupt her sister They just wanted this noble fee from his dessert allowance
“Alright, I understand” Bastian slapped his knee
“Just stay in ht talk unfavourably about this, but we are coether I could I abandon three girls? No, I won’t do that Well… You won’t be treated like guests though, so how about it?”
The unexpected development made Franziska round her eyes
“Are you for real!? Do you knoe are!?”
She asked without thinking
Jessica kicked her under the table Unnecessary—— that’s what she was i
How e
Bastian smiled aardly
“I don’t know at all I am dull and can’t tell if someone is kind or evil… I failed miserably because of that before However, I also dislike suspecting others”
“ You are really a strange man”
“Is that so?”
After finishi+ng their conversation, Marina and Elise returned
In Martina’s hand was a wooden plate, with five pieces of cake on it
“We bought sister’s share too!”
“Ooh!?”
Franziska couldn’t help shrieking
How e
However, she had been on the battlefield all this while, so she hadn’t eaten any snacks for two months
Elise asked:
“Bastian, how did the discussion go?”
“Ahh, they need to contact an acquaintance from afar instead So I asked if they want to stay at ”
“What are you thinking, Bastian!?”
“What, you object?”
“Of course Inviting young girls you just met back to your place is too shameless!”
“I-I’ about it that way!”
Bastian’s face reddened
Franziska waved her hands
“Ahh, not at all! No need to worry about that! We are fine with it! It will be a big help if you can let us stay! Eruy won’t do anything —— strange right?”
As usual, Jessica had an unreadable expression and said softly:
“ We won’t snatch him away, it will be fine”
It was Elise’s turn to blush
“I-I-I don’t entleman! And we are not in that kind of relationshi+p!”
Martina ate her cake as if all these didn’t concern her
“This is~ delicious!”
Bastian got up from his seat
“A-Anyway! There are lots of empty roo in my room”
“ I understand I will be staying at Bastian’s place too, so I have no reason to refute other guests My apologies”
Franziska shook her head
“No, not at all! It will be heavenly as long as there is a roof! Much better than caht!”
“ That’s true”
“Cough, is that so!? Really!? Just like heaven!?”
Martina whose mouth was stuffed with cake raised both her hands
There was no reason to reject
Bastian smiled aardly
“Looks like there aren’t any probleht, so let’s finish this matter quickly”
He walked out of the restaurant Franziska and the others followed him closely
The group walked along the streets under the evening sky
Franziska pondered:
—— If I succeeded in stalling the Beilschis Auric wouldn’t have h Britannia supply line would be fine We will defeat the Imperial First Army and take the Imperial capital…?
She would then stroll with her brother Gilbert and her sisters along this street Together with everyone from the mercenary band too
Even though she took care not to show these feelings, she was still regretting in her heart, clenching her tre fist
There was an extravagant gate before them
Bastian continued walking confidently
They approached the Palace Le Brane
Passing through the residence of the nobles, they finally reached the ate was like an art masterpiece
Even though they were at war, the gate was coate, but would be useless in a battle…
The Belgaria Eht in surprise
In comparison, the culture of the Germanian Federation was plain and practical At most, they would have reliefs to create unnecessary uneven surfaces
Even though Franziska had gotten used to the plain designs back horandiose of the Empire And the palace, which stood at the peak of all these extravagancy, was before her eyes
She sighed subconsciously
But, ere they doing here?
Hey? Er? Did you cohtsee?”
“Well… How should I put this… Erm…”
Bastian scratched his head
He then took his sunglasses off
His crihter shade of red
“This is my home”
“Eh?”
Franziska couldn’t understand momentarily, and turned stiff
Jessica didn’t look surprised at all, as she already noticed
Even though Martina made a surprised sound “Whoaa——!?”, she didn’t seem to completely understand
Finally, Elise sighed
“ Even though I wanted to tell you earlier”
“Haha… I thought Elise already knew Will it be strange if I introduce ain?”
“It e, but you should still explain it clearly”
“I see But wouldn’t it be the same if they already understand?”
“That’s true”