Chapter 122 – Tumbling Dice (1/2)

“What are they thinking!?” (Imeraria)

Totally unusual of her, Imeraria hit the desk.

Even Sabnak, who came to tell her the news, shows an enraged expression while pursing his lips just like Imeraria.

At the same time as the the information about the death of Suprangel, Horant’s king, reached them, they got a message that an alliance of nobles led by Earl Aspilketa (T/N: Asupirukueta) raised an army and was marching towards Horant.

“The war with Horant was over! It was finished with Hifumi-sama defeating the crown prince who started an offensive against our country!” (Imeraria)

Sitting down on her chair violently, she calmed her breath while sipping some black tea.

“They have sent exchange students to Fokalore and there are also soldiers who have gone to Horant from Fokalore to instruct over there. Moreover, right after the king of an allied country passed away…” (Imeraria)

“It’s a big problem.” (Sabnak)

“Please don’t talk as if it’s someone else’s problem, Sabnak-san.” (Imeraria)

“Good grief”, Imeraria faces a paper close at hand and dibbled the pen in the inkwell.

“The households supporting Earl Aspilketa… there’s even eight houses involved…?” (Imeraria)

While looking at the report listing the names of the participating nobles and the amount of soldiers they provided, she adds up the total number of soldiers.

Actually mobilizing military forces of around 500, they have apparently departed towards the border in groups by each group taking a 10th of the total amount as “escorts.”

Feeling a headache, Imeraria placed her slender finger strongly on her brow and curbed it.

“Haven’t they mobilized almost all of their territorial soldiers with these numbers?” (Imeraria)

“I fear that it’s likely so. Their aim is probably to completely take over Horant. I guess brother-in-law is… no, Earl Biron will confine them, but… likely they will cut their way through due to the numerical difference.” (Sabnak)

“The nightmare of the former Second Knight Order might be re-enacted on a larger scale.” (Sabnak)

Imeraria, who returned a nod towards Sabnak’s prediction, drums on the paper with the pen nib. A black stain spread slowly.

“… It’s different. This time Hifumi-sama won’t be there.” (Imeraria)

“A war will occur. Won’t he come running to participate in it?” (Sabnak)

“Expecting that to some degree, we can’t get too optimistic. Besides, even if it’s settled by relying on that gentleman, something similar will probably occur again.” (Imeraria)

Sabnak felt a doubt due to Imeraria’s words.

“So, you are saying?” (Sabnak)

Since I had a memory about the names lined up in this list, I pondered about it for the whole time, but finally I recalled it.” (Imeraria)

The eyes of Imeraria, who lifted her face from the document, were filled with sadness.

“They are all members of mother’s… the previous queen’s faction. After mother had died, they offered candid advice to me and Hifumi-sama at every opportunity.” (Imeraria)

If one refers to their influence, they were people close to not existing though, Imeraria sighed. Although the most they could do was spouting sarcastic remarks in the assembly hall, that sarcasm was plainly stressful.

“Perhaps,” (Imeraria)

Putting down the pen, Imeraria looked up to the ceiling.

“They are trying to oppose Hfumi-sama. Aren’t they believing that they can regain their influence if they raise deeds of arms? Since they likely know that I won’t stop treating Hifumi-sama the way I do, they think that they will be able to suppress me if they achieve deeds of arms exceeding those of Hifumi-sama.” (Imeraria)

“And they are probably planning to assign a puppet of theirs as my prince consort”, Imeraria says.

“What to say…? With all due respect, I can’t call that anything but shallow thinking.” (Sabnak)

“I’m shocked”, Sabnak shook his head.

“That shallow thinking is something that will incite the other nobles as well.” (Imeraria)

“… Thus, how will you deal with it?” (Sabnak)

“Right now I’m revoking the status of Earl Aspilketa and the nobles who dispatched their troops together with him as support. Please arrest all of their family members. I will decide their fate later on. Designate Earl Aspilketa, who is the household’s head, and all the other family heads of the participating nobles as our country’s public enemy. Notify all noble households that those, who don’t abide to the prohibition of sheltering them, will be punished.” (Imeraria)

“Ha! At your command!” (Sabnak)

Imeraria continued to speak to Sabnak who straightened himself with his heels clinking together.

“Sabnak-san, I want you to form a unit including the royal guards to pursuit the rebels and restrain the damage to Horant. Put emphasize on speed. I will convey to the nobles, who are along your way, that I want them to dispatch soldiers.” (Imeraria)

“At your will.” (Sabnak)

“And, I will take command in this pursuit battle.” (Imeraria)

“… Ha?” (Sabnak)

Not minding Sabnak’s bewilderment, Imeraria stood up.

“Since I’m not taken seriously considering that I’m a woman, fellows, who do things like that pop up. Let me show them that I’m able to fight as well.” (Imeraria)

Undoubtedly, the one she wants to show that aren’t the rebelling nobles, Sabnak had a hunch in his mind when he looked at that aspect appropriate of Imeraria’s age and calmed down albeit only a bit.

Though, it’s not like he can voice it out either.

“Since there’s nothing like a military uniform for me, let’s see… it will be alright with a riding habit. I will be able to give out commands from atop a horse. We will depart together with the troops once the preparations are in order.” (Imeraria)

Unable to stop the completely motivated Imeraria, Sabnak ended up with quickly organizing guard unit by choosing the elites.

“… Which reminds me…” (Imeraria)

“I have remembered something”, Imeraria muttered a few words.

“Nelgal-san, who is supposed to be the successor of King Suprangel, is studying abroad in Fokalore…” (Imeraria)

Recalling something quite important, Imeraria stopped Sabnak who was about to leave the room.

“Is it possible that the other nobles are aware of Nelgal-san’s whereabouts and situation?” (Imeraria)

“Let’s see… as we haven’t particularly hidden the facts, they might know about it if there are for example nobles who have their relatives study in Fokalore.” (Sabnak)

Upon those words Imeraria lowered her eyes on the list of rebels she had checked previously.

“… I think we have to at least confine those who look like they could become leaders to gather Horant if I cause a disturbance.” (Imeraria)

Due to Sabnak agreeing, Imeraria raised her face and continued,

“Besides, regarding Hifumi-sama, I guess we will keep him away some way or another. Even so, if it proves impossible to deal with the person himself directly, we will use someone close to him…” (Imeraria)

Imeraria, who came up with those thoughts in a mere few seconds, hit the list laying on the desk.

“Please contact Midas-san. Tell him to immediately head towards Fokalore while leading a mounted unit of 10 knights. If he’s able to join up with Origa-san on the way, have him act as her escort, please. If it’s Midas-san, he is acquainted with Hifumi-sama as well as Origa-san. As I have heard that he is a knight who is able to deal with them flexibly, he is suitable for the task, I think.” (Imeraria)

“Understood.” (Sabnak)

Be that as it may, neither of them really considered that Origa would actually get kidnapped or killed. However they were worried about recklessly stirring up matters at parts they didn’t want to get overly much provoked.

☺☻☺