Chapter 136 – Want You Bad (2/2)
The soldiers from Horant became speechless due to that and same applied to Midas’ group.
“Aggression… could you inform me of the situation please?” (Nelgal)
Vaiya nods towards Nelgal who continued his question while having a pale face.
“The enemies from your country, who plotted an invasion into Orsongrande, have been held back by the troops of Earl Biron, who is governing the area of Münster, a city close to the national border and Fokalore’s territorial troops of Tohno Earldom, which have been stationed in Horant. They prevented the invasion by Horant.” (Vaiya)
“However”, once Vaiya straightens himself by spreading his feet lightly, the chain of the kusarigama, which hung at his waist, makes a sound.
“The soldiers of Fokalore’s feudal army, which protected your country, were killed by the troops of your country. The area of the national border has been at present occupied by soldiers from Horant.” (Vaiya)
One of the soldiers from Horant gulps.
Even if the authenticity of those details are a different matter, it’s currently clear that soldiers affiliated to Orsongrande were killed by soldiers from Horant, is what they have been told. At this point in time it’s similar as to ((both countries)) having returned to being fellow enemy nations.
“H-However, those aren’t Nelgal-sama’s instructions! You know that, right!?”
A single soldier raised his voice, but Nelgal stopped him by raising his hand.
“Even if it might not be my order, I can’t escape from taking responsibility for it seeing as I’m the country’s representative… is what you are saying, right?” (Nelgal)
Due to Nelgal’s remark, Vaiya, who paused while closing his eyes, breathes in.
“The people, who were in the instruction unit from Fokalore and who are assumed to be dead, use the same weapon as me. Although it’s been only for a short while, they are people with whom I trained while sweating together.” (Vaiya)
Grasping the chain tightly, Vaiya repeatedly took deep breaths and released his hand.
“Although I’m aware that I’m venting my anger, I want to beat down the power of your Horant, if I voice out my real feelings.” (Vaiya)
Vaiya took out yet another parchment and showed it to Nelgal after opening it.
“… However, on top of not having yet finished the coronation, as Nelgal-sama himself said before, it’s not like he is the son of the deceased King Suprangel.”
What was unfolded was a postscript to the previous decree.
“There is nothing I can do about having you stay in the capital, but I have received an order to welcome you politely and to make sure that you can rest there without any inconveniences. It’s the same for your guards as well. Please, I’d like you to accept the request from our country’s queen.” (Vaiya)
“It’s not something I can say carelessly, but I will keep it in mind.” (Nelgal)
Nelgal replied with a sad expression to the bowing Vaiya.
“I shall entrust myself to your country. Please take my escorting soldiers into your consideration as much as possible, too.” (Nelgal)
“I shall promise you that.” (Vaiya)
“Great. Furthermore, if possible, I’d like to have the privilege of sending a letter to Her Majesty, Imeraria.” (Vaiya)
Vaiya, who lifted his head, was puzzled.
“Letter, you say? I don’t mind, but… may I confirm what kind of content it’s about?” (Vaiya)
“No problem. It’s a petition for clemency.” (Nelgal)
“H-Her Majesty, Imeraria, will never consider something like executing you, Nelgal-dono.” (Midas)
Nelgal unintentionally spilled a smile due to the flustering Midas.
“It’s not for me. I’m merely feeling that I want her to spare the lives of the people, who are working in the castle, and the soldiers of my country if at all possible. What I’m afraid of is that those, who will apparently rampage in my birthplace, will be Her Majesty’s, Imeraria’s, confidants. Do not provoke the wrath of a superior? It’s just that.” (Nelgal)
The soldiers of Horant, who aren’t quite aware of Hifumi, looked at each other, but Midas, Vaiya and their men had a cold sweat different from the one before.
☺☻☺
“Well then, today’s agenda is about the treatment of the girls, but…”
“Before that, please tell us who those girls are. I grasp that they are elves and beastmen. But what I want to know is why they have come to Fokalore.”
In a room within the feudal lord’s mansion. Doelgar threw that question at Caim who tried to literally start a meeting in the room that has been used by the civil officials for meetings.
Once Caim surveys the civil officials that gathered, there are Miyukare and Brokra, who are nodding in agreement, besides Paryu, who has become the mediator of Puuse’s group who arrived in Fokalore.
“Well then, let’s have Paryu explain.” (Caim)
After nominating her indifferently, Caim sat down while being expressionless and quickly finished his preparations to take notes.
“Eh, me?” (Paryu)
Paryu, who is the youngest, conveyed more or less what she had been told by Puuse’s group to everyone even while being tense due being pierced by the gazes of the other four.
“Umm, the elven woman is Puuse-san. The rabbit beastman is Viine-san, the dog beastman is Gengu-san and the tiger beastboy is Malfas-kun.” (Paryu)
The group, which had been sheltered in a city facing the wastelands, has been put on a platform wagon and has been transported until Fokalore yesterday around this time. Currently they are staying in an inn which is close-by.
The arrangement of an inn and such were Caim’s instructions, but as they were able to confirm that they have no hostility and that there are women among them too, Paryu, who was available to help, had temporarily taken over the duty of looking after them.
It was due to the judgement of Caim, who knew that they came to meet Hifumi, that there weren’t entrusted to other staff members.
“Located on the other side of the wastelands there’s a city where beastmen, humans and elves live together in a county called Swordland. It seems they came from there.” (Paryu)
“I see.” (Caim)
The one who obediently nodded while agreeing is only Caim.
“A country on the other side of the wastelands, huh? I knew of the rumours, but it really existed, eh?”
“It’s the first time I’ve seen an elf or such. That’s also a surprise.”
“I can’t imagine something like beastmen and elves living in the same city.”
Caim listened to the chats between Miyukare and the others, who exchanged their opinions, for a while, but once he judged that there won’t be anything similar to a conclusion, he turned his look towards Paryu.
“Paryu, I heard that their objective is to meet with Lord-sama, but did you learn the full details?” (Caim)
“Ah, yes.” (Paryu)
Paryu, who was once again exposed to their looks after they suddenly stopped their chatting, earnestly reads out the memo in her hand.
“It seems that the rabbit beastman Viine-san is a slave bought by Lord-sama. I was told that she was immediately set free after studying for a while, but… she is similar to us.” (Paryu)
“Though we aren’t completely free at all, are we?”
Due to Doelgar leaking “We are about to die due to work”, Miyukare glared at him and said 「It’s still better than going on campaigns」. The one who participated in the mobilisation of the all-male military forces was apparently quite stressed despite having been together with Alyssa.
Once the two become silent after being glared at by Caim, Paryu continues.
“That Viine-san is, umm….” (Paryu)
“Is it something difficult to mention?” (Brokra)
Noticing that Paryu was blushing, Brokra took the memo.
“Oh… The rabbit beastman called Viine-san apparently came here to be together with Lord-sama. The other people are her escort. Only the tiger beastboy apparently has the wish to become Lord-sama’s pupil.” (Brokra)
“Oh my, oh my, how lovely. She’s honestly in love.”
“Miyukare, you are too sly, right? Paryu, you are already 16 years old, aren’t you? Don’t get bashful over this much.”
“B-But…” (Paryu)
Being somewhat embarrassed, Paryu held her cheeks with both hands.
Ignoring all of that chatting, Caim flatly said,
“Well then, please tell me your real opinion.” (Caim)
Everyone tilts their heads to the side.
“Don’t you understand that a very huge problem cropped up? She came here in order to get close to Lord-sama. In other words, it’s about a rival in love for the madam having appeared.” (Caim)
“So, what will we do?” Caim said while looking at the faces of everyone present one after the other, but none of them met his gaze.