Chapter 143 – The Monster (1/2)
The soldiers of Horant, who escaped without even a single one experiencing Hifumi’s threat, headed in the direction of the capital city to run away from the border where the mayhem continues while dawn hasn’t broken.
More or less they have entrusted the message “it’s for the sake of informing the capital’ for their superiors to another soldier so that it isn’t considered as fleeing, but since they haven’t received an order, they will likely be treated as deserters, strictly speaking.
However, that much doesn’t seem to be apparent to those running away themselves.
They took advantage of the chaos, procured a carriage by giving the same reason from before and vigorously rushed out towards the highway.
Hifumi, who made sure of that up to that point, seizes a warhorse, which was set free from the stable temporarily due to the fire, and follows the carriage at a distance where he can’t be confirmed by sight.
Although there isn’t any harness attached, he skilfully keeps balance with a half-lotus position where he placed the top of his right foot on his left knee.
“They are slow.” (Hifumi)
In the long run the speed between a carriage and a single rider will be different.
Hifumi, who felt troubled by having to regulate so that he doesn’t suddenly overtake them, ended up going too far while the carriage’s soldiers made camp.
Because it was a route he remembered, he decides to go ahead while expecting them to head in the direction of the capital city.
“If I’m going to have a chat anyway, I guess the guys at the top are better.” (Hifumi)
Though it was a horse he chose by intuition, it was apparently a winner. Exhibiting its splendid leg strength of a swift, fawn-coloured horse, he reached a location where he could see the capital city after three days.
Hifumi, who approached a village in the vicinity, decides to give the horse into custody to a farmer, who was there, after handing him some money.
Lying down after borrowing a shed the farmer uses, he waited for the night.
◆◇◆
The capital city of Horant, Adolameruk.
Although it’s a country that currently has no legitimate ruler, the confusion of Prime Minister Kuzemu grasping the power within the castle has no effect on the populace and lower soldiers. The city was relatively calm.
Of course the confrontation with Orsongrande has raised unease amongst the people. There’s also the matter of Kuzemu deliberately announcing that the successor, Nelgal, “is deemed to be taken prisoner by Orsongrande.” It has reached the point that many soldiers can be seen controlling and guarding the city and the security at the entrance to the city has become strict as well.
However, compared to what they felt to be strict, it was in a word, 「weak」, in Hifumi’s case.
With the number of soldiers, who are standing absent-mindedly in front of the closed gate while holding their spears, being 10, are they careless because they are far from the border? Several sentries, who are lazily walking around without any motivation, are visible.
Without there being even a single of them who realized Hifumi’s figure closing in while taking advantage of the night’s blackness, there was no one questioning him even when he invaded by scaling the wall smoothly.
Hifumi, who got angry once again, continuing after the soldiers at the national border, due to there being no more than this level of surveillance even in the capital city, heads silently to the castle while killing his footsteps nevertheless.
“I did go around killing the soldiers the last time I came here, didn’t I? That was fun. Setting aside the crown prince’s way of doing things, they fought while doing their best. However, even if I just did the same thing, it would be boring.” (Hifumi)
While muttering under his breath, the figure of Hifumi blended with the buildings’ shades and he vanished as if melting away and went towards the castle.
☺☻☺
When Vaiya’s vanguard unit, which took Viine and the others along, arrived at the defence encampment where Imeraria waits it was just the time of Hifumi leaving the horse in the village with the capital city right in front of his eyes.
The sun is starting to sink, there are heavy clouds, which are thinly sticking to the sky, and a light rain is falling.
“The Knight Vaiya has arrived just now.” (Vaiya)
Seeing Vaiya, who visited the tent with Imeraria in it to report his arrival, being wet due to the rain, a maid quietly handed him a towel.
“Vaiya-san, I’m sorry for having you come here in hurry.” (Imeraria)
“It’s for Your esteemed Majesty. I feel that I want to receive your appreciation and praises after I obtained military results.” (Vaiya)
Vaiya showing a feeling of being obliged in an exaggerated manner to a degree that it can be regarded as ridiculous is for the sake of him easing his own tension of having entered the battlefield, is something Imeraria understands. Unintentionally chuckling, she urges him towards the reception sofa.
“Although he was the type who wears clothes as too serious person since the time when he was still in the Second Knight Order, his character mellowed out after the training in Fokalore and getting married”, she recalls Sabnak having mentioned that at some time.
Once she looks casually, Vaiya is still in the state of standing without sitting down.
“What’s wrong?” (Imeraria)
“As a matter of fact, there are people accompanying me…” (Vaiya)
“Accompanying, you say?” (Imeraria)
“Yes, as they named themselves as acquaintances of Earl Tohno, they told me that they want to meet with him. They have joined me after I took over from Fokalore’s civil official, Paryu-san. Those fellow travellers are unique. It’s my humble wish to have them introduced to Your Majesty on this occasion.” (Vaiya)
Imeraria pondered, but Vaiya shouldn’t have brought along anyone suspicious either.
“Where are those people?” (Imeraria)
“Currently they are in the middle of talking with Captain Sabnak.” (Vaiya)
It will probably be alright if Sabnak judges them as being no problem, Imeraria made a maid go contact Sabnak so that they will enter the tent together with him.
“How’s the situation in the capital?” (Imeraria)
“There haven’t been any particular problems. Even as for the public order, since I requested Midas-san to handle it, there won’t be any issues, I think? There don’t seem to be any particular moves in Vichy’s direction either.” (Vaiya)
Intentionally mentioning it as in the “direction” of Vichy includes Fokalore as well.
“Your Majesty, for you to reinforce our war potential at this time, were there some movements by Horant?” (Vaiya)
Due to Vaiya talking uneasily, Imeraria smiles calmly.
“The ones moving will be our side. The full details will be explained at the next war council.” (Imeraria)
“It’s Sabnak. Umm, I brought the, guests?” (Sabnak)
Sabnak’s voice was audible from outside the tent, but Imeraria knitted her eyebrows due to his evasive manner of speech.
“Please enter.” (Imeraria)
“Excuse me.” (Sabnak)
The one who entered the tent first was Sabnak.
And, seeing the four who followed after him, Imeraria became speechless.
“Your Majesty, these are the gentlemen and ladies from the wastelands who crossed a great distance to meet with Earl Tohno.” (Sabnak)
“I’m the elf Puuse.”
“I’m Viine.”
“I’m called Gengu ~ssu.”
“I-I am, M-Malfas!”
“… Your Majesty?”
“… Ha!” (Imeraria)
Imeraria was in a state of having her mouth opened while looking at the beastmen, but recoveringdue to Sabnak’s call, she elegantly wipes the edges of her mouth with a handkerchief.
“I’m the queen of Orsongrande Kingdom, Imeraria. It looks like it was a long trip from the wastelands. It’s the first time for me to encounter elves and beastmen, but… do you understand my words?” (Imeraria)
Looking at each other’s faces, Puuse takes one step forward.
“Queen-sama, we are using the same language. I think a conversation won’t be a problem?” (Puuse)
“So, about the matter of having come to meet with Hifumi-sama…” (Imeraria)
After asking several questions, Imeraria arranged for Puuse’s group to be allowed using separate tents for men and women out of consideration that they can wait for Hifumi in the encampment.
Once Puuse and the others, who are grateful for the warm reception, left while being led by maids, Imeraria sank her back into the sofa while curbing her brows.
“… What did Hifumi-sama do in the wastelands? Really, something like a beastwoman chasing him up to here.” (Imeraria)
Alongside a deep sigh, she drinks her cold black tea.
“Anyway, it was a saving grace that Origa-san wasn’t here. Sabnak-san, I leave it to you that they and Origa-san don’t run into each other until Hifumi-sama returns.” (Imeraria)
“Aren’t you imagining too much there? They are people who have likewise fallen in love with Hifumi-san, so if they get along well…” (Sabnak)
“Sabnak-san, you are naive.” (Imeraria)
She stabs Sabnak with an unusually sharp gaze.