Volume 11 Chapter 1 (2/2)

They seeis was surprised that they got so close to the Imperial base camp

Their vision was blocked by the trees, so it was hard to athered before the battle, they should be 700 strong

They were sest ht with the Imperial First Army, they were also positioned at the center of the ene like a unit’s backbone

——Since fighting Prince Latreille was now a fact, he would want to obtain this fighting force that could stand up against the First Army

But he would want to pay as little as possible

After all, the Fourth Arht

Regis calculated in his head

Suddenly, soed the sleeve of his uniform

“Hmm?”

“E-Erm… will it be fine?”

Fanrine appeared more nervous than the time when they encountered the Imperial patrol

Regis smiled wryly

“Yes, don’t worry Instead of negotiating with corpses, we are more valuable alive”

“I… see”

She exhaled in relief

—— They won’t be killed If the hostage exchange for thedoesn’t fail… But…

Regis didn’t voice his doubt in order to sooth Fanrine’s worries——

Iust 10th——

It had been 15 days since they escaped from the First Army’s base camp

Regis’ group walked inside the forest, and in order to evade the persistent searches by the First Ar several a lot more time than it should be, they finally made it back

The weather was nice and clear

They could see the capital from the top of the hill

“Hah… We are finally here… I can’t move anymore”

“Sir Regis, just a bit more, please work a little harder”

“Yes, right… Are you okay?”

“I ae my clothes”

Fanrine looked down at her body It was impossible to wear her dress and hike in the hills, so she earing pants made from linen

“It would be great if I can wear normal clothes too”

“Ara, I think this attire suits you though”

“It’s a little too heavy”

Regis wasn’t wearing the uniform of the First Army, but the clothes of a ht armour, so he only wore leather chest armour and a short sword on his waist

After hearing the conversation between the two—— Jessica proposed:

“ Well then… do you want to wear clothes that are lighter?”

“Oh, you prepared civilian clothes for me?”

“Hmmm… You will be dead if the Iements”

Her lips twisted for aa devious smile

Regis’ face tensed for a moment

Versailles, the capital of Belgaria, was a huge commercial city

As cargo and is and the ot in easily

But 700 mercenaries would be too prominent, so most of them camped out in the wild

The group walked along the streets of Versailles

On Regis’ left was Fanrine, on his right was Jessica Further to the side was Franziska Right now, she was concealing her weapon under her robes

They were groups of three mercenaries in front and behind them, but they were at a distance where normal conversations couldn’t be heard From the perspective of others, they wouldn’t think the roup After all, people would wonder if they were big shots if guards followed them too closely

If Latreille knew Regis was still alive, he ht send assassins He couldn’t afford to be discovered

It was dangerous in the capital too

But, was this really necessary, Regis thought

“I know this is important… But…”

He looked down at his clothes and sighed——

Two hours ago——

Jessica shook her head

“ Sir Auric wants to return to the capital too? Sorry, but I have to refuse There is no reason to bring you along Although we do need to resupply at the capital before heading to Fort Volks”

“I explained this before—— what happens after getting the Mercenary King back is iive me an answer back then, but you already arrived at the conclusion yourself right?”

“……”

Jessica looked his ith an intiaze

Regis withstood it directly He ht back away in the past, but he see though

Thethe capital

That ht be so, but they didn’t prepare any tents, with just a teround for a place to lie down Regis and Jessica conversed under the shade of a tree some distance away

They seemed to be mindful of Fanrine and Franziska

“As foryour ot help fro nefarious against you”

“ You want me to trust you?”

“Yes”

“ Are you kidding? Who will believe so a prisoner says?”

Regis smiled wryly

“There are countless examples of this in stories I wouldn’t finish even if I start recounting the tales before we reach Fort Volks But we have to visit the capital before that of course”

Jessica frowned

“Such made-up stories…”

“Isn’t that the same with you?”

“ What are you trying to say?”

“To y, you brand the results of your deductions as ‘the guidance of the stars’ When things aren’t going well, you will cover it up by saying ‘I already know, but I wasn’t permitted to say’”

“ Sorry about that”

“No, I actually wanted to say this ently”

There shouldn’t be anyone in the vicinity who heard this conversation

Jessica lowered her head

“ No matter what others says, the mercenaries will believe h Especially after they witnessed that battle… Maybe some of them will doubt my actions”

“I think you are evaluating ood for me too”

“ I know this is a ridiculous lie Even so, I still need the title of Magician In order for the mercenaries abandoned by the church to believe they will prevail on the battlefield, they have to have faith that so them from behind”

“I understand”

Jessica glared at him

“ As expected… I should have killed you in the beginning”

“H-How scary ‘Renard Pendu’ can only fight at it’s full potential under your coht? I won’t do anything foolish like incorporating you into our co the mercenary corps Please don’t worry”

“ You look harht be talking about negotiation, but what you are doing is inti me”

“No no, this is a negotiation You have the right to ood conditions that you have nothing to worry about”

“ That is to follow the Iood remuneration anyway

Regis scratched his head

“You saw through that huh”

“ Of course I had gathered at least this much intel”

“Can I talk about so you probably don’t know”

Regis smiled

Jessica showed a displeased expression

“ State your piece then”

“If ‘Renard Pendu’ helps Princess Argentina, she will grant you territory and recognize your nation with her authority as Earian Empire Not a colony or a subordinate country, but a nation of equal standing”

“ Are… Are you lying to iven such authority Are you trying to manipulate me with empty promises?”

“No no, this is what Her Highness said to the otiations are done, but he see, then you can just ask him yourself”

She opened her eyes wide

Unbelievable, but what if it is true—— That sort of expression

“ The princess told elder brother… she will recognize our country…?”

“Looks the same”

“Huh?”

“When ere talking about this, theshowed the same expression”

For some reason, Jessica blushed Probably from embarrassment

She then lowered her head in deep thought

“ Such a thing… Is too incredible for a reward We are et our own nation no matter how nize us… That would be too unrealistic Going by Ientina will lose her succession rights Even if she es to take down the Emperor by force, she would just be branded a false Empress”

“Yes”

“ And Prince Latreille will be coronated in three days”

According to scouts reports, they found out that the capital was preparing for the ceremony

Even the citizens knew about this A huge sign was erected in the plaza, and was reported on the weekly newspaper

Regis crossed his arms

“Yes… This ht turn into a clash of arms, I want to avoid that as much as possible I don’t plan to seize control over the Eh”

“ You want Prince Latreille to forfeit the throne?”

“That would be the most ideal outcome”

“ Impossible His nature is that of a conqueror His body and soul would be consumed by the fla Isn’t necessary for you”

“I rather enjoy such a perforh”

Jessica averted her gaze

“ Sorry… I can’t act if the other party knows, it’s too e”

She looked as if she was throwing a tantrum

Her profile looked really si face of her sister Franziska It makes one think, they really are sisters

Regis resisted the urge to smile wryly

“From the actions of Prince Latreille so far, not only is he fixated on the throne, he is also a believer in hegemonism—— Isn’t that so?”

“……Yes”

“I feel the same too”

He nodded firmly

Jessica sighed

“ This act of yours… I really hate it”

“Eh? What do you mean?”

Was Jessica getting back at hiis felt a little conflicted

“ Sir Auric, you always place the is at the back I don’t think I aist of your deduction, and will slowly guide the other party to realize it, such a way of talking… Can you not do that when you talk to me?”

“That’s troubling… I don’t mean to do that…”

Jessica looked to the side with a hmmp

He seemed to have annoyed her deeply

However, she had a rational character, and seee that this was an important topic

“ I haven’t investigated this part yet… But from Sir Auric’s confidence, Prince Latreille must have soh to make him forfeit the throne?”

“I hope so Although it is very difficult”

“ If Prince Latreille is coronated, it would be less for hientina would lose her succession right by then”

“Yes”

“ You want to stop his coronation?”

“No—— ahh, speaking of which, it is a bad habit to talk about the important parts at the very back I will explain properly I can’t go into the details before you enter a contract with us, but it is as you deduced, Prince Latreille has soht now So I have to go to the capital Furthermore, if he really committed this crime, even if he takes the throne, it will still be invalidated This is an important point”

Jessica narrowed her eyes

“ Such a devastating ‘flaw’ could it be… is it true?”

What an intelligent woman She deduced this much just fro a little

In the face of such a serious crin nation was shocked

Regis nodded without a word

Jessica looked up to the sky This was probably a habit of hers when she was thinking As if she was searching for the stars that were iht

“ If that is true… then it ht be possible”

“How about it? Will the n a contract with the Fourth Army?”

Looking away frois

“ I refuse”

“Oh, I see…”

There was a winning chance But they would definitely need to clash with the new Ee the rewards in success and the losses in failure Or rather, this was only natural

Regis sighed with his palm on his forehead

If he couldn’t go to the capital now, he would need to rethink his strategy

And the backup strategies would be limited in effectiveness

“How troubling What should I do Leaving the contract with the mercenary corps aside, can you allow me to enter the capital?”

“ Sir Auric, do you really understand? You are already dead… Maybe assassins are looking for you everywhere right now? You will have nowhere to run if you are found in the capital”

“I know After all, I can’t even ride a horse But I can’t avoid this despite the danger Because I already made a promise with her”

“ Promise?”

“Together with the Princess—— ill change the Empire”

Just putting out the sparks falling onto his own body wouldn’t be enough Or rather, if he don’t throw himself to the scene of the fire, he wouldn’t be able to overturn the current situation

Jessica stared at Regis’ face

“ Is that so… Can I ask one thing?”

“What?”

“ Why would go so far for Princess Argentina?”

“Because she will make my ideal come true——”

“Sounds like Sir Auric values your ideals more than your own desires”

“Yes”

Although Prince Latreille want to recruit Regis to be his Strategist, Regis refused without hesitation as he was against hegemonism

Not only did he lose the unprecedented chance for a civilian to be promoted, his own life was in peril

“ For the sake of your ideals—— You are using of Princess Argentina to make pacifism a reality?”

“I aside her Well, I won’t refute you for now And then?”

“ If so your ideals appears, ould you do? For example, if Prince Latreille wants to achieve pacifism? Will you abandon the Princess and follow a new master?”

“Then the three of us ork on it together”

“ And if the condition is for you to work under him?”

“I see, I never thought about this before It is a little fantastical… Well, I don’t dislike thinking—— if I could realize Her Highness’ ideals by staying in the capital, I won’t have any qualms about that”

“ Is that how you truly feel? Giving up your own lifestyle for the sake of your ideal?”

“This has always been so to bet my life on”

However, when Regis i Altina to serve the e of sadness

—— Why is that?

This was a fais felt like this when his sister left after getting married

But the feeling was much heavier this time…

He never felt like this before

It wasn’t so heavy when he left the Fourth Army and headed to the capital alone

Regis shrugged

“Maybe… I would feel a bit lonely I don’t really understand, but I would feel a sensation of loss… I am not certain”

“ Even so, do you think it’s fine?”

“It will alright if I can get closer to my ideals I will be fine if I have my books, that’s how I am after all”

Hahaha, Regis laughed

That wasn’t a lie But that wasn’t everything either

It was a question he found it hard to answer It was natural, since the s couldn’t be found in any books

Jessica lowered her gaze

“ Even though you see like some kind of God, there is an innocent child-like side to you too”

“C-Child?”

“ It is rare to see so like you Most people will prioritizing their own position when they think about things ”

“I aood points Instead of consideringbooks would be ”

“ What a weirdo”

“Ughh”

What a direct comment

“ I did reject the contract—— that’s because this is a matter between the mercenary corps and the Fourth Army I can’t decide the fate of Renard Pendu alone”

“I see Then, is there any other way?”

“ Yes… If it is just me, then I can accept this”

“Really!?”

“ Like you said, the path after we get Elder brother back would be arduous… It’s not a bad idea to put the Empire in our debt”

“I see So you will reement with me on the personal level, and when the anized, this would be a back up support After getting the leader back, if the group falls into a pinch because of a lack of funds, and the Iic”

“ It will boost the morale of the members too This is the most important part”

“Indeed”

The corner of Jessica’s lips rose Like the devil described in the bible

“ You think I’ht?”

“I told you before, I like your perfor for your selfish desire, beco a consort of a landlord somewhere could be done easily But you didn’t do that for the sake of your siblings right?”

She was surprised

“W-What… are you saying? I’m a mercenary How could I marry a nobleman…”

“To be tied by est in the continent would be a wonderful pact for a regional landlord Or rather, there should have been one or two proposals already right? Since you are beautiful”

He unwittingly commented on the appearance of a lady

Jessica glared at him with sharp eyes

“ I a service is for sale, but not my body”

“T-T-That’s not what I mean!? Really!”

Regis was completely flustered

I thought I have is Guess I am mistaken

She took a step back away from him

“ All men are the same”

“No no… Well, beauties seem to have more troubles But don’t worry, I am not interested in that at all”

“I heard such excuses plenty of times before”

“No amble and talk about women when they are free Not just in stories, many people are like this in real life But if I have the money and time to spare, I will buy books I just want to read books”

“ Are you telling the truth?”

“It’s true! It’s just that everyone doesn’t know the joy of reading I think reading is ame”

Jessica sh

“Fu, fufu… As expected, you are a weirdo”

“Well, many people tell me that…”

“I like reading books too”

“Really? You too!? What did you read recently? Ah, you eht?”

“I read anything Books are hard to come by in the first place The last book I read is ‘Crescent Knight’ Do you know about this?”

“Ohh, isn’t that a book by Baron Visuveul!?”

“I think that’s hie role in this story, which is uncommon”

“Yes, it’s a nice tale The scene where she fought a duel with her elder brother’s sworn ene Well, just like in his previous books, the baron ——”

“Ah, you can’t!”

“Hmm?”

“ E-Erm… I didn’t finish the book”

“Ahh, sorry!”

“Really now… this is your fault in the first place”

Compared to the earlier tense atmosphere, her tone had relaxed a lot

Maybe Jessica had always been acting the part of an unapproachable beauty, and she would only revert to her true self when she talks about books

“My fault?”

“That’s right That night, I was reading inand attacked… In the end, not only did I have to abandon e and escape, I had to leave the book I read halfway in the tent Was it burned, discards or sold… Noback”

Regis ree’

In order to defeat the High Britannia supply unit that was escorted by herBecause the long ranged rifles and powerful cannons would be rendered useless when shrouded by the fog

The tactic was a success, and the Imperial Fourth Army defeated the supply unit successfully

It seely during that time

Regis slumped his shoulders

“Ughhh… Is that so… I am very sorry”

Tears was about to flow from the corner of his eyes

Jessica started to panic

“Eh!? Y-You don’t need to cry over it right!? Well, it is a war after all… I only mentioned it because I felt it was a bit of a pity”

“If I was in your shoes, I would definitely cry Not only was your reading time interrupted, you can’t read it anymore! That’s too cruel! It is just like hell”

“Not to that extent… Well, forget it, I will buy a new one if I have tiain Can I count on you to foot the bill as my remuneration?”

Regis rubbed his eyes

“Yes, of course—— Well then, I will be counting on your help on the personal level”

“ Right Before Elder brother returns, I will help you The reh fund and equipht with you?”

“I can guarantee that you will be treated in the same manner as the soldiers of the Imperial Fourth Army”

“Just like regular troops? I like a generous employer”

Jessica reached out her right hand

Regis extended his right hand too, and the two of them clasped their hands

“I also made a very reliable comrade”