Chapter 124 (1/2)
Volume 2
Atelier Tanaka Volume 1 &2 Chapter 29 Part 1
Conflict
It was now the morning following our night spent listening to Neumann’s drunken confessions.
We met up with him before we departed from Tricklis. He looked pale and was obviously hungover. As if following his example, the carriage we were told to ride was painted completely white. There were a few other adventurers and a knight with us as well. Their destination was, of course, the frontlines.
“have a safe journey.”
Despite his rather blunt personality, he had clearly softened to us after our night spent drinking. He’s actually treating us like people.
I think I’ll actually work a little harder on this mission. It’s strange that after only receiving a few polite words someone can feel so motivated.
And like this, we prepared for another uncomfortable ride in a carriage.
“What kind of place do you think we are going to this time?”
I spoke to the Dark Elf as we sat side-by-side on the uncomfortable carriage ride.
We’ve been sent on yet another mission together.
It almost feels like fate yet I don’t even know her name.
“Why would I know?”
“We just got done with a mission in the forest, but there are several forests in this area.”
“Like I said before, why do you think I would know?”
The Dark Elf showed little desire to speak with me, but even this minuscule amount of conversation isn’t so bad.
Just being able to speak with a member of the opposite sex is nice. Moreover, when I think about the fact that the woman I’m speaking with has such a sexy body and a beautiful dark skin colour, I can feel a strong throbbing below my waist.
“It must be nice having such a strong resistance to bugs.”
“You’re just overly weak to them.”
“A woman that fights with a sword is really cool. Don’t you think so?”
“Why are you asking me?”
As I was trying to force a conversation with her, someone else in the carriage spoke.
“I’ve heard some rumours that there were a large number of soldiers from the Pussy Republic dispatched near Tricklis recently. I’m sure we’re one of a large number of carriages being sent to the frontlines now. They must be gathering every available soldier.”
The owner of the voice was a young man, probably in his early teens, that was wearing a full suit of armour.
Based on the emblem of the Penny Empire emblazoned on his chest, I’m guessing he’s a knight. The design of the armour resembles the armour Allen wears. It seems likely that he’s the person assigned to supervise our group of adventurers.
“How true do you suppose those rumours are?”
“I heard it from my superiors so I’m sure they’re true.”
“is that so.”
It’s been ten days since war was officially declared between the two countries. It seems like both sides are starting to get serious. Or maybe this is the Pussy Republics response to losing their general a couple days ago.
Either way, my job is to keep fighting.
“My name is Klein. And you are?”
“You can call me Tanaka.”
“Tanaksan? That’s a strange name.”
“Well, as you can clearly see, I’m a foreigner.”
“Oh, there’s even a foreigner in our ranks.”
Klein showed me a bright smile. Great, another ikemen in my life. He has smooth blonde hair and brilliant blue eyes. Is he the prince of the shotas?
Because he’s still young, he’s not quite as manly as you’d expect a knight to be, but this strange pairing of a shota and the masculine figure of a knight will just make him appealing to even more people.
“Klein, are you the one assigned to supervise us?”
“yes. I’m sorry that a child has been given command over you.”
“Don’t worry about that. A knight’s a knight. You should have more confidence in yourself.”
“I guess you’re right.”
That being said, he really must be talented considering his age.
Being in command of several adults. He must be a big deal.
“Can I hear more about those rumours you were talking about?”
“Oh, sure.”
When I asked him this, he was surprisingly open to the idea.
“Even if I said that I’m really not sure how much more there is to say.”
After prefacing his words with this, he went on to say,
“It appears the central government is reluctant to send soldiers, excluding a few knights like myself, to fight on the frontlines. They’re relying almost entirely on mercenaries and adventurers.”
“Is the Penny Empire against the war?”
“I don’t think that’s the case.”
“Then why.”
“From what I’ve heard, there have been reports of many high level monsters appearing near Kalis, including several high orcs. Most of the empire’s soldiers have been dispatched to deal with this more immediate threat, leaving few to support us here on the frontlines.”
“I see.”
If that’s the case, Allen and Sophie-chan must have been sent there.
“I’m still not sure why they’re sending such a trivial amount of soldiers and knights to fight on the frontlines. Just a few days ago, I saw a large number of soldiers stationed in the castle. I know they must be planning something.”
“Well, they certainly are using more adventurers than soldiers. The Dark Elf and I are both adventurers.”
“Oh, I had my suspicions.”
“Yeah.”
The young Klein seemed to be able to understand something as he glanced at the Dark Elf then me.
“Originally, I belonged to the chivalric order based out of the capital, but the house I belonged to got caught up in a war between two separate factions. I’m sorry if telling you all this leads to a drop in morale but this is what lead to me being demoted and sent to Tricklis.”
I’m not sure if I’d call that a demotion or a death sentence.
There’s no place more dangerous than the frontlines.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Prince Shota was killed within a day of arriving on the frontlines.
“You were a member of the knight’s order? I actually know someone in the order.”
“Eh, really?”
“His name is Allen. Do you know him?”
“Y-You’re friends with Allen-san!?”