Chapter 136 – Want You Bad (1/2)
At the end of defending against the attacks from Horant without suffering any particular damage, the enemies disappeared from Münster’s defensive encampment.
The soldiers are taking turns between resting and maintaining as well as checking the tools used for defending. Imeraria has withdrawn to the rear together with Biron and they are taking a break in their respective tents.
Inside one of those, Sabnak, who is the one in charge on-site, busily gave orders.
“Inform me about the situation.” (Alyssa)
Once Sabnak, who was suddenly addressed, looked over his shoulders, he wondered for just an instant whether there was no one there, but when he lowered his line of sight, he discovered Alyssa looking up at him.
“Ah, Alyssa-… san.” (Sabnak)
Receiving a mysterious pressure from the soldiers of Fokalore, who are behind her, once he uses her name without an honorific, he adds a “-san” to her name in panic.
“Reinforcements from Fokalore, huh…? That’s welcome.” (Sabnak)
Surprised by their fast arrival that exceeded the expectations in his mind, he thought that he’d like them to not ransack the battlefield as much as possible, but he produced a smile even while his face was twitching.
“So, Hifumi-san and the others are…” (Sabnak)
“They will be here very soon. Origa is with him as well.” (Alyssa)
Alyssa immediately answers the question which had a thread of hope put into it.
Reality is abnormally harsh, Sabnak wanted to cry, but since he owns a title he has to keep it together at this place.
“We were attacked in this defensive encampment only once by Horant, but we were able to repel them. I can’t predict how the other side will move, however the surroundings of the national border have been completely occupied by Horant.” (Sabnak)
Sabnak, who told her the information he received from the observing soldiers, mentioned that he wanted to ascertain the state of affairs now anyway.
“I see… is it fine for us to borrow a corner in the encampment?” (Alyssa)
“I don’t mind, of course… what do you plan to do once Hifumi-san arrives?” (Sabnak)
Alyssa shook her head saying “it’s different” towards Sabnak’s question.
“Since my subordinates suffered losses by Horant in this time’s case, I will go rescue them as the one responsible for them. Hifumi-san will just watch.” (Alyssa)
“… Eh? That Hifumi-san will just watch without participating in the battle?” (Sabnak)
Due to Sabnak muttering “no way”, Alyssa got angry and puffed up her cheeks.
“It’s the truth! This is my revenge, so I will be the one to execute it!” (Alyssa)
Sabnak smiled foolishly, but his face became dark at the mention of the word “revenge.”
“Revenge… it is?” (Sabnak)
Sabnak hasn’t forgotten the time when he met Hifumi for the first time in Arosel. At that time Hifumi helped Origa and Kasha, who were still slaves, to accomplish their revenge going even as far as lending them his own weapons.
“So that means, you… no, the Fokalore feudal army will invade Horant?” (Sabnak)
“Of course.” (Alyssa)
“P-Please wait a moment! Currently I’m the one giving the orders in this place, but this encampment and military operation is under the command of Her Majesty Imeraria! Even though it’s already a difficult situation even at the best of times, it will be troublesome if you invade without permission.” (Sabnak)
“However, Hifumi-san has said it’s fine.” (Alyssa)
“That’s before thinking it over properly!” (Sabnak)
Placing his hand on her shoulder to plead to Alyssa while bending his back, Sabnak shows a face that looks like he is sobbing.
“Her Majesty the Queen and an Earl, both of them are people in high positions. You can’t decide something on your own accord without getting the permission from such people in high positions regarding such important matter, right?” (Sabnak)
“… I guess so?” (Alyssa)
“That’s how it is. … It would be great if you didn’t display high-handed absurdity like that couple, Alyssa-san. For starters, let’s discuss it with Her Majesty and Earl Biron. Come on, let’s just do that.” (Sabnak)
Seeing the state of Alyssa who seems to be agreeing with him at least partially, Sabnak sighed in relief.
If Alyssa went out for an unreasonable offensive, it would be also possible for this encampment to be broken through when it received a large-scaled counter-attack from Horant.
Sabnak, who thinks I’d like them to calm down somewhat and cooperate with us by just pushing back them back to the national border if possible, lifts his head.
“Yo. You became quite the big boy after climbing the ranks.” (Hifumi)
“Sabnak-san’s evaluation of us seems to be such.” (Origa)
With their horses lined up, Origa, who glares at Sabnak, and a smiling Hifumi were there.
☺☻☺
“Please stop, Midas-san.” (Vaiya)
“… Vaiya, huh? What’s this about?” (Midas)
The one who stood before Midas, who was about to enter the capital together with Nelgal’s group, weren’t the underlings of the rebelling nobles or thieves, but the Vice-Captain of the Royal Knight Order, Vaiya, Midas realized after squinting.
“It has been decided that I’m the one in charge during the absence of Her Majesty and Captain Sabnak.” (Vaiya)
“That’s not what I want to hear. What I want to know is why it’s necessary for you to stand in our way.” (Midas)
The two of them are acquaintances despite having different affiliations. Vaiya is superior as he has a rank of nobility, but Midas is his senpai*. Being in different units, namely the Royal Knight Order and the ordinary knight order, they possess the same ranks as Vice-Captains. (T/N: Hard to localize as it contains different meanings in the Japanese language and the word “senior” wouldn’t be enough to explain those)
“It’s because of the carriage over there.” (Vaiya)
The one Vaiya pointed at is the one with Nelgal on board.
As the coachman and the soldiers, who are securing the vicinity of the carriage, belong to Horant, they are grasping the scabbards of their swords with tensed expressions due to the sudden situation.
“Is His Highness, the next king of Horant, boarding it?” (Vaiya)
“What will you do, if that is the case? What you are doing is equivalent to a grave, diplomatic affront.” (Midas)
“It’s an order by Her Majesty. I was told to welcome His Highness, Nelgal, and have him wait in the capital until the situation has settled down.” (Vaiya)
The decree, which Vaiya took out after saying “the circumstances have changed”, was definitely signed by Imeraria.
Midas hesitated while fixedly staring at the decree without returning any words either.
There’s the possibility of Vaiya having become a puppet of Horant or the rebelling nobles, but basically he is known for his high evaluation as being a trustable person.
The one who broke the silence was a soldier from Horant.
“Are you betraying us at this point after regarding us like allies!?”
“N-No…” (Midas)
Facing the flustered Midas, the enraged soldier of Horant at last took a sword in his hand.
Tension travels across Midas’ group and Vaiya’s group, which is lining up right in front of them. If they draw their swords here, there won’t be any choice but to cut them down without questions asked.
“Please wait.” (Nelgal)
The one who stopped the soldier from Horant was Nelgal who disembarked from the carriage.
At the moment he, who looks somewhat thin due to his anxiety, came close, Midas dismounted.
“Midas-san, is the decree, he possesses, the real thing?” (Nelgal)
“… There’s probably no mistake in that.” (Sabnak)
Hearing Midas’ reply, a grieving voice is raised by the soldiers of Horant, but after having calmed them down, Nelgal faced Vaiya.
“For such a decree to appear means that something happened in our country, right?” (Nelgal)
“That’s right, Your Highness, Nelgal.” (Vaiya)
“Please stop with the “Your Highness.” Although I have been designated as heir, I’m still a child in the middle of studying. I’m a youngster who merely has a distant, distant blood relation with His Majesty, Suprangel.” (Nelgal)
Vaiya, who has sweat gathering on the forehead of his stiff face due to the shy Nelgal, carefully folds the decree.
“We have observed an act of aggression towards Orsongrande by your country, Horant.” (Vaiya)