Chapter 19.1 - Returning to Steinbeck Fief Part 1 (1/2)
Ximengsi Continent’s southern part, the border area of Steinbeck Fief, Lawrence River
Clyde, Princess Natalie, and Sigrid returned to the Kruft Kingdom’s military camp. The complexions of these two beauties were a little red. Their gaze was somewhat bashful looking at Clyde. In the previous treatment ritual, for various reasons, they had given their first kisses to Clyde, and now after those events, they were inevitably somewhat bashful, constantly recalling that event.
Now, Princess Natalie and Sigrid wore simple dresses. Natalie’s armor had been destroyed by those distorted shadow magical creatures within the city ruins, so she could only use this clothing for the time being. Clyde tried his best to control his gaze and sneak peeks at them as much as possible. These two beauties wore only an outer thin layer of cloth, nothing more. They were completely bare underneath. A slight gust could easily make people indulge in fantasy.
“Eh, this place is already…”
“Be careful, there might still be magical creatures in the vicinity.”
Kruft Kingdom’s military camp had been completely destroyed by magical creatures. It was the handiwork of Clyde’s younger sister, Bloodkin Lolita Lucifer, and her summoned magical creature army. Those bloodkin familiars had routed this expeditionary force of over 5,000 troops. Other than Kruft Kingdom’s elite troops, the Berserker Corps, who had escaped by a fluke, everyone else had been killed, including Prince Gruz.
When Clyde’s party saw Prince Gruz, he was already an undead. The entire Kruft Kingdom’s military camp was now a pile of debris. Victims of Bloodkin who had suffered blood-sucking would transform into undead. Compared to other types of undead, this kind of undead were regarded as variant blood-servants who couldn’t move beneath the sunlight. Like most of the bloodkin, they would be reduced to ashes beneath the gaze of the sun.
Those undeads’ movements were very slow. Basically, they were no threat. Clyde’s party could easily shake them off. Princess Natalie hesitated for a while, but she was eventually pulled away by Clyde. She had originally wanted to stay behind and die in the line of duty, but at the crucial moment, Clyde seized her sword.
“Princess Natalie, you are not responsible for this catastrophe. Your king shouldn’t blame you. Moreover, this is entirely because of Prince Gruz’s showing off.”
“Clyde, when I came out, I made a military pledge with my father, the king. Although royal brother was incompetent, he was the first heir to the throne. Since I was unable to protect him, returning is…”
After her explanation, Clyde understood the military pledge set up before she had exited. It was to protect that good-for-nothing prince. Since she had failed this task, the consequences of returning unharmed were very serious. The possibility of execution was not great, but since Kruft Kingdom belonged to “Clark Alliance,” there was a possibility that she would be turned into a slave and lose her status as a princess. Thinking this, Princess Natalie felt that it would be better to die here. Clyde understood the Clark System. If he were the king, he might also not simply execute those he was displayed with and actually try to turn them into profit. 2
“Princess Natalie, how about we do this: take refuge in Steinbeck Fief first. I am the person in charge of the place’s guards regiment.”
“That’s not good; it will implicate you.”
“No, no, the witch Ista is also taking refuge in Steinbeck Fief. Adding one more is fine.”
Princess Natalie finally agreed under Clyde’s strong request. Since she had nowhere else to go, it would be better to go to Steinbeck Fief and temporarily stay there. Kruft Kingdom’s royal family regarded men as superior to women, so Princess Natalie felt little to no sense of belonging. Therefore, it was very easy for Clyde to incite her defection.
“I say, am I also counted? I also have nowhere to go.”
“This…”