Chapter 151 – Girlfriend (1/2)

“Ouch, ouch!” (Sabnak)

Ignoring Sabnak who rolls around on top of the platform wagon due to the pain caused by the lash, Imeraria sent for the nearby Alyssa.

“What is it?” (Alyssa)

“It seems like you don’t have any longer intention to learn polite speech… well, I guess that’s fine. Have you heard anything from Hifumi-sama?” (Imeraria)

“No, nothing.” (Alyssa)

Alyssa shakes her head.

It appears that she was just left behind at the time of Kuzemu’s abduction and sent back here.

“… Then, what does Hifumi-sama want us to do?” (Imeraria)

“He explained that clearly, didn’t he? He told us to do our best since he prepared a location which we have to capture while risking our lives, right?” (Alyssa)

Due to Alyssa tilting her head and asking “What are you talking about?”, Imeraria, who grasped the lash tightly to a degree that it changed into the shape of the character U, corrected her sitting on the chair.

“Let me change the question. What do you think will happen inside that castle?” (Imeraria)

“Who knows. I think we will understand once we go there, but… let’s send someone as scout?” (Alyssa)

When Imeraria shifted her look to Nelgal who is nearby, she could see Nelgal shaking his head with a sigh mixed in.

“… Please, I leave it to you.” (Nelgal)

Originally it should probably be Horant’s side’s task to send scouts, but those, who possess such skills, currently don’t exist anywhere but Fokalore.

If Origa was here, it might have been possible to investigate with echolocation, but an user, who can use such particular magic except Origa, doesn’t exist.

“Two people, follow me!” (Alyssa)

Alyssa, who jumped off the platform wagon, took two soldiers, who jumped up as if it was first come, first served, along and quickly disappeared from in front of the castle. It seems that she plans to observe the castle from another platform wagon.

“As expected, she acts promptly.” (Nelgal)

Imeraria was greatly perplexed at Nelgal who admires Alyssa.

“Her excellence is nice, but… her not necessarily being our ally is not so advantageous…” (Imeraria)

Nelgal looked up at the castle once again while answering with nothing more but a groan.

Kuzemu is still hanging there just as before, but it seems that he has already no strength left to scream. As if hanging his head, his head is lowered in a crestfallen manner.

“Let’s have a preparatory meeting until Alyssa-san returns. This place is Horant. What kind of plans do you have, Nelgal-sama?” (Imeraria)

Imeraria, who confirmed that Sabnak stood up unsteadily on his feet, asks while staring at Nelgal.

Nelgal gulped. It might be called a question regarding “the current situation” if only examined superficially, but in his ears it sounded like a demand to clarify their standpoint as “nation.”

(What is she thinking about…?) (Nelgal)

It might be a keen viewpoint, but Nelgal felt a tension he couldn’t erase.

Imeraria is asking how I plan to deal with Orsongrande which has intervened in Horant’s internal affairs, Nelgal believed.

Unable to conceal his hesitation, Nelgal, who brooded over it for a short while, clearly stated,

“Please, let me continue the cooperation with your country. After my coronation, I will have the privilege to express my gratitude without fail. … I don’t possess the authority to talk at equal rank with Your Majesty the Queen at the current point in time. All shall follow Your Majesty’s heart’s desires.” (Nelgal)

“You heard him, didn’t you, Sabnak?” (Imeraria)

“Yes, Your Majesty.” (Sabnak)

Imeraria gave instructions to Sabnak, who bowed his head respectfully, in a flat voice.

“Arrange for spear throwers and soldiers who are strong at long distance attacks. I don’t mind if you borrow Fokalore’s help either. That man called Kuzemu or such is a nuisance. Let’s get rid of him.” (Imeraria)

Nelgal attempted to say something, but gulped it down at once.

☺☻☺

“We found that box on the other side of the castle’s gate where the soldiers enter. We didn’t realize it until we got inside the building.”

Just when they were able to prepare the spear throwers, Alyssa’s group returned.

Though we don’t know how once we step through the castle gate, which is still open after the soldiers within the castle ran away, won’t immortal soldiers jump out from that box?

“Do you know the whereabouts of Hifumi-sama, Origa-san and rabbitwoman-san?” (Imeraria)

“Not at all. They were in a place where they can’t be seen inside the building.” (Alyssa)

“I see. Got it.” (Imeraria)

Imeraria stands up quietly and places her right hand on Alyssa’s shoulder.

“From now on it’s necessary to resolve this situation under mine and Alyssa’s orders. If we are able to do that, Hifumi-sama might become a bit more obedient as well.” (Imeraria)

“That might be the case.” (Alyssa)

Alyssa added it probably won’t be the end though in her mind.

“Well, then will we gain control of the castle by having everyone charge?”

“Yes, we will show them something like that.” (Imeraria)

Due to Alyssa not understanding well, Imeraria muttered “it will be alright” to her.

“Without a doubt certain people are inside the castle. Fortunately there are people here who are knowledgeable about this castle, too. There’s absolutely no necessity for us to move according to Hifumi-sama’s plans either.” (Imeraria)

The explanation of the details seems to have finished. Neither Nelgal nor Sabnak are interrupting her speech.

“Alyssa-san, you will act as guide together with the two soldiers of Horant and Nelgal-sama and I will come along as observer. Sabnak-san and Vaiya-san will serve as my guards. We will infiltrate the castle with these six people.” (Imeraria)

“Won’t we be discovered by Hifumi-san?” (Alyssa)

“That doesn’t matter.” (Imeraria)

Imeraria laughs with a “Fufu.”

“Even if we are discovered by Hifumi-sama, he probably won’t come to interfere with us. To begin with, that gentleman shouldn’t make a move. If he did something like that, it would end with Hifumi-sama’s victory in the blink of an eye.” (Imeraria)

“In the same way it’s hard to believe that Origa will come to meddle with us”, Imeraria guesses. After finishing the preparations of the ordeal, they are expected to watch how Imeraria and Alyssa deal with it.

“I will explain the strategy.” (Imeraria)

Imeraria got worked up and said “This time we will definitely cause Hifumi to be surprised.”

☺☻☺

At the time when the uproar in the castle began, Tannin came back to the capital city in secret.

“Good grief, they rushed until this place in the twinkling of an eye, didn’t they? See, it was correct to run away.” (Tannin)

Hiding his horse close to the entrance of the city, he approaches his own mansion, which is located close to the castle, while making sure to avoid public attention.

Originally there are many soldiers patrolling the area with its many noble mansions, but influenced by the turmoil at the castle, they have apparently been mobilized to keep away the neighbourhood’s residents.

“The servants ran away, too…? Though that’s fine since it’s convenient.” (Tannin)

While thinking gathering the luggage by myself is troublesome, he enters through the back-door and not the front-door.

“… Is there no one here?” (Tannin)

“Tannin-sama.”

“Uwaah!?” (Tannin)

Being suddenly greeted, Tannin released a jumpy voice.

“Ah, y-you are… Levi, aren’t you?” (Tannin)