Chapter 67 – As Long As You Love Me (2/2)

The first task of Vaiya, who became the vice-captain of the new Royal Knight Order, was to proceed towards Fokalore. It had been decided he would carry out negotiations before involving Phyrinion.

It’s about a request to instruct the knight order as well as the national armed forces.

Being the initiator and an acquaintance of Hifumi, Sabnak has assisted in the guarding of the former soldiers of Horant on their travel to Fokalore before returning to the royal castle. He also had the national task to make sure they arrive with his own eyes.

Along the way he, alongside the accompanying soldier of the national army, participated in the training of Fokalore’s soldiers.

Excluding Vaiya, who participated several times, the soldiers of the national army only inclined their heads to the side in doubt whether the unfamiliar training regime had any effect.

However, in addition to the merit of hunting during journeys, the Fokalore soldiers killed a bandit group, they encountered by chance, by themselves while the national army was confused. Due to them displaying conspicuous fighting strength, the national army’s soldiers improved by imitating their training.

And before long they arrived at Fokalore.

“On top of the attendants having increased considerably, the person in charge is absent…” (Caim)

Caim expressionlessly muttereda few words as if being fed up. Splitting the soldiers, who came from Horant to immigrate, into groups and assigning accommodations, he quickly broke up the soldiers and had staff members guide them.

The staff and territorial soldiers, who were instructed without delay, began to move without any particular disorder. The soldier, who was chosen to explain the state of affairs to Miyukare, dropped his shoulders, feeling to have drawn the short end of the stick as it was apparent that Miyukare would be displeased about Alyssa not returning, and walked away.

Vaiya, who was rolled up in that skilled performance, is guided to Phyrinion by Brokkra.

Being guided and entering the feudal lord’s mansion, Vaiya showed interest in its structure.

The neatly cleaned-up first floor is completely a public space. There is a clerk on standby at the information desk to give easy-to-understand guidance. A row of counters is lining up in a clear order for all kinds of reports. The residents are quietly talking in the meeting space. It’s rather busy with people like apparently newly-wed who are exchanging information with fellow couples and people, who are reminiscing with others that lost their relatives as well.

“This is amazing…” (Vaiya)

Brokkra explained in detail as Vaiya was taken aback.

“All of this is following the teachings of Lord-sama. Each of the staff members, with the exception of us 5 civil official slaves, has their own individual role and it had been established that they use the pre-set format as well. They are managing everything like the occupation, family structure and address of the inhabitants.” (Brokkra)

“Address?” (Vaiya)

Vaiya posed a question hearing an unknown word.

“Beginning with this city, there is a manager and a name for each block of the cities and villages Lord-sama controls. And since all buildings have a number added to them, it has reached the point that any building is defined by its block’s name and number. The delivery service, that begun as private organisation, is using that as well.” (Brokkra)

“What a…” (Vaiya)

Vaiya can’t hide his shock due to them being able to organise things and people in a way even the capital can’t. At the time of realising that there were a lot of things he should study besides military affairs, he regretted to not have brought along even more of the other knights as well.

The office, used by Phyrinion, is on the second floor of the mansion. Usually there are people coming and going without interruption, but now that a envoy of the royal castle has come, the flow of people had been stopped temporarily.

Once Brokkra knocked on the door, Krinola came over and opened it.

As they enter, Phyrinion stands up to welcome them.

“Welcome. Although we’ve heard about the envoy from the royal castle, I hope you can accept me, Phyrinion el Amazelotto, as representative.” (Phyrinion)

Since the moment he looked at the slightly tired expression of the smiling Phyrinion, Vaiya couldn’t avert his eyes from Phyrinion. Her soft, green and lush wavy hair and her brightly glittering orange pupils. Noticing his own leering at her smiling lips, Vaiya turned away his look in a fluster.

“Is anything wrong?” (Phyrinion)

“N-No! Please excuse me!” (Vaiya)

Vaiya, who unintentionally ends up using a loud voice, sits down urged by they reception while blushing. Brokkra tells them that his next official duty is waiting for him and leaves.

“I’m the vice-captain of the newly established Royal Knight Order, Vaiya Zuellen. (T/N: >> Tsue~ren)” (Vaiya)

Given that his face heated up once he looked at her face, he greeted her while looking slightly downwards, but as he was wearing the uniform of the knight order which attracts attention, his face flushed all the more.

“Royal Knight Order?” (Phyrinion)

Phyrinion involuntarily knitted her brows due to the unfamiliar expression.

“Though it is disgraceful, it’s an incomplete knight order that still has a bit work left to do as organisation as it was just founded the other day. The captain is Sabnak-dono, who hails from the Third Knight Order just like you. It’s likely that he is just about now returning to the capital almost as if replacing me.” (Vaiya)

“He is… By the way, you know about me belonging to the Third Knight Order?” (Phyrinion)

“I was told various things by Sabnak-dono before leaving Münster. Since you are probably experiencing hardships as his replacement, he wants to help you if he gets a chance to do so.” (Vaiya)

Vaiya pretended to not notice her instantaneous angry expression due to Sabnak’s verbal message. Rather than that, he is embarrassed to have become more talkative than usual without hurrying up the talks at all.

“Looks like various things have happened in the royal castle.” (Phyrinion)

“Yes, both, the First and Second, Knight Orders have been dissolved. Earl Tohno has played a great part in that.” (Vaiya)

Vaiya explained the situation as far as he knew himself to Phyrinion.

Although there were various things he wanted to be taught from now on, he planned to tell Phyrinion all of the news without being concerned about them being highly classified information.

The war with Horant, the matter of Hifumi marching into Horant, the prince’s death and the princess’ decision. Phyrinion silently listened to all of the topics.

“… Thank you very much. The world is changing at an outrageous speed. Even the incomprehensible common sense of the original lord of this territory, I was able to realise it once again.” (Phyrinion)

Choosing this timing, Krinola exchanged the completely cooled-down black tea. Stealing a fleeting glance at Vaiya’s face during the time of placing the cups, she almost unintentionally burst into laughter. She is wondering why her own master doesn’t realise the state of the male in front of her.

“And? You surely haven’t expressly accompanied the travel of the defeated soldiers from Horant for the sake of reporting the state of things this time, right?” (Phyrinion)

“Yes, of course not. Though I also ascertained the immigrants from Horant with my own eyes, the real issue for me to come here is to convey a request from the royal castle.” (Vaiya)

“From the royal castle? Are the contents intended for my ears?” (Phyrinion)

Phyrinion made sure whether it was fine to not wait for Hifumi to return, but even grasping that, Vaiya does nothing more but continuing the prior discussion.

“Of course I’m well aware that the final decision will rest with the feudal lord. However, judging from Earl Tohno’s character, he makes prompt decisions if possible. Before that I planned to request a prior examination whether or not it will be possible.” (Vaiya)

Certainly there is also the possibility of Hifumi deciding during his stay at the royal castle, but at any rate it might be different if there is or isn’t a preparatory phase.

“If that’s what this is about, I will listen to your story.” (Phyrinion)

“Fokalore’s feudal army’s state of being undefeated, we came to the conclusion that the secret of their strength lies in the content of their training regimen. Therefore, because there won’t be a problem in borrowing a few soldiers from the feudal army, we are planning to request them to coach the national army.” (Vaiya)

“With such kind of talk, it’s even fine to talk to the civil official slaves about it. There’s probably no one as well-informed about this territory as them.” (Phyrinion)

“It’s to the degree of them knowing more than the feudal lord”, Vaiya gaze was glued to Phyrinion’s smile as she said that while laughing.

“Umm, is there something wrong?” (Phyrinion)

As expected, even Phyrinion would notice it if she was stared at with a bright right face. Though, in her case it was a feeling of wondering whether she had said anything offending in this situation.

At last noticing that he was watching her in fascination due to being called, Vaiya averted his gaze while stroking his cheeks in panic.

“E-Excuse me! Just, seeing… your beaut… y…” (Vaiya)

Vaiya doesn’t make eye contact wit Phyrinion realising the meaning of those words after finishing them.

Even Phyrinion ended up hanging her head in shame with a bright red face thanks to the unforeseen words.

“Umm… thank you very much…” (Phyrinion)

After squeezing out words of thanks a few times, both of them ended up silently looking downwards with red faces.

Krinola, who left the room quietly, got enthusiastic about reporting this to Phyrinion’s family’s home, the Amazelotto household.