Chapter 72 (1/2)

Volume 1

Atelier Tanaka Volume 3 Chapter 1 Part 4

Conflict 3

[Sophia-chan’s point of view]

I-I can see it. It’s a castle. A castle is within view.

We’re within the border of the Pussy Republic, a country that borders the territory Ester-sama controls. The castle of whichever lord governs this area sits before us. It has the same significance as the castle in Tricklis.

A large city surrounded this castle.

Fahren-sama told us this earlier, but this city is supposed to hold strategic value to the Pussy Republic because it is the only city near the border with the Penny Empire. This city appears to be slightly larger than Tricklis.

Prior to this, I had never been to the Pussy Republic. I’ve crossed the border for the first time in my life. Ordinarily, I’d need several documents and have to go through certain procedures to be allowed to cross the border. Even with Ester-sama and Fahren-sama here, is it okay for us to be in this country without permission? I’m scared.

However, somewhere in that city is the person that killed Tanaka-san.

“.”

I think that an adventure can also be goodoccasionally.

But I’m not sure how much help a simple maid would be on an adventure.

“Is this place good?”

“Yeah. Can you land in the courtyard over there?”

“All right.”

Following Ester-sama’s instructions, the Dragon began her descent.

Unlike the other day, the Dragon was still in her little girl form, so most of the surrounding people didn’t even notice us descending on the castle. I noticed a younger, serious looking soldier spot us when we were just above the courtyard, but we were able to land safely on the ground without causing much of an uproar.

However, now that we’ve landed people are taking notice.

In the courtyard, there were several soldiers on patrol and a single maid at work. The moment we landed, everyone in the courtyard turned their attention to us. A few soldiers held their spears out in front of them and rushed towards us.

“It’s been a long time since I visited here.”

As I was looking around the courtyard, I heard Ester-sama say this.

Fahren-sama responded to her.

“You visited this city before?”

“Father brought me here when I was little.”

“I see.”

“Well, this nostalgia is meaningless. This city won’t even exist tomorrow.”

Ester-sama said this with no remorse.

The fear I feel inside me grows even greater each time she speaks.

Even Fahren-sama looked somewhat worried after hearing her words.

The reality that Tanaka-san has died really hasn’t hit me yet.

However, in Ester-sama’s arms, his decapitated head rests. She’s paying no mind to the fact that his head is soiling her expensive clothes. She’s hugging it tightly against her chest as his blood continues to stain her clothes.

“Oi! What do you think you’re doing here.”

The soldier that came running over to us stopped once he saw Tanaka-san’s head cradled in Ester-sama’s arms.

“w-whatis that.”

“Bring me the lord of this castle.”

“What’s going on here!?”

Just with a single glance, the soldiers could tell something was wrong. The spear he was holding was pointed straight at us. At the same time, a small crowd had begun to form around us. They were all soldiers or knights and had their weapons at the ready.

One of the maids in the background screamed.

The similar commotion that occurred in Fahren-sama’s courtyard was now happening here. More soldiers began filing out of the nearby castle. There were now more than thirty soldiers encircling us.

However, Ester-sama still didn’t back down.

It was as if she were standing in her own castle.

Fahren-sama was doing the same.

And the Dragon was acting like her usual self.

While I was the only one panicking and unsure of what to do.

From when we left the battlefield until now, I’ve felt like I’ve been caught up in a horrible dream.

“Hey! What’s with all this commotion!?”

The voice of a young woman could be heard coming from the opposite side of the soldiers. She sounds like she may be even younger than me. Based on her blunt words, she’s most likely someone that holds power.

The soldiers soon moved aside to allow her to approach us.

The girl that walked through the crowd of soldiers appeared to be around the same age as Ester-sama. The first thing I noticed about her was her beautiful blonde hair that was styled into two perfect drills on either side of her head. It’s the first time I’ve seen such perfectly formed drills. I want to touch them.

Moving away from her perfect hair, I glanced at her stern expression and then saw her chest. They’re even larger than mine. How could a girl that’s slightly shorter than Ester-sama have such a large chest? The bright red dress she’s wearing serves to accentuate her already prominent chest.

“You are.”

“Oh~? If it isn’t Liz.”

“Doris, what are you doing here?”

It seems like this girl is an acquaintance of Ester-sama.

The Penny Empire and the Pussy Republic have never had great relations, but that doesn’t mean that they’ve always been enemies. There are occasions when the two countries may interact. I even occasionally used materials purchased from the Pussy Republic in our store.

It’s not surprising to see that this could even extend to the nobility.

However, it doesn’t seem that these two are on the best of terms.

“It’s only natural that I’d be here. After all, this is my castle.”

“you were granted this castle?”

“Exactly. All of my hard work was finally rewarded by parliament. Have you come here to congratulate me? Though, I don’t really see any gifts for me.”

Drill-sama was smiling from ear to ear.

This type of person can only exist amongst the egotistical nobles.

“.”

On the other hand, Ester-sama’s eyes became more intense.

I have a bad feeling.

This won’t end well.

Her eyes looked exactly the same as that time in the cafeteria in the dormitory.

“Actually, I do have a present for you.”

“Oh, then I’m glad that you’re here.”

“Here you go.”

While muttering this, Ester-sama stuck her hand out in front of her.

At the same moment, a magic circle formed around the palm of her hand and a fireball appeared in the centre. It’s his fireball. The magic that Tanaka-san likes to use.

It began flying forward, directed at the face of Drill-sama.

“Geros!”

“Of course!”

Drill-sama yelled out and in response, a man appeared out of nowhere to block Ester-sama’s fireball. Where did he come from? Was he watching everything from the shadows?

He was a tall man with horns.

One of his eyes was covered by his long hair, but I can tell without even seeing his entire face. He’s handsome. The shadow covering his face caused by his hair gave him a mysterious and captivating appearance.