01. What Business Do You Have With A Mere Pharmacist? (2/2)
“I considered the significance of the enemy’s invasion and everything. The people of Theodora residing in that desert area want the rich nature and iron mines of Inferus.h.i.+a. That is what they want but those guys don’t know how to produce crops and the methods of mining. To do it, they have no choice but to use the locals. Do you get it?”
Alex meekly nodded. Shal continued.
“In other words, Theodora’s army will kill Inferus.h.i.+a’s army but not the citizens. They will keep them alive and make them work. The country will fall if the people will die, you know? With a pretext like that, dispute between countries is not a very significant topic for people in the countryside. The head of the nation will change, but they will do the same thing as usual. They will diligently work in the fields, transport harvested vegetables and receive money. Only that.”
“…But!”
“Do you think it’s heartless? Sorry, but that’s how humans are. As long as their usual way of life will not change, they will not willingly take action. Similarly, me too.”
Shal leaned his body to the back of the seat.
“I’m content with my current life. As long as someone won’t barge in and destroy that, I won’t do anything. I am not interested with this country’s fate anymore.”
“…Then if someone will intrude on that, you will take action?”
“You’ll lead the enemies to this town? I didn’t expect you had that kind of nerve.”
Alex let out a small groan, he looked like he wanted to say something but decided against it.
“…I see.”
Alex nodded, his expression colored with some disappointment. Apparently, he judged that persuasion appears to be impossible.
“I understand your point, but I cannot go back. I promised Leon that I will come back with you. I will not return to the battlefield until you do so.”
“Did Leon told you I’ll give in if you cling to me?”
It hit the bull’s eye, Alex remained silent. Shal breathed a sigh.
“If you will let me say my opinion, I think Leon’s intention is different.”
“Different…?”
“It’s fine if you didn’t notice. Well, do as you like. I’m not so inhuman that even I, will throw out His Highness. You can settle down here tonight, but I don’t mind if you stay here for how long if you plan to stick with me. I will take care of you while you’re here but I won’t be responsible for you after that. That’s only what you need to remember.”
The next room is vacant, use anything in the house as you want, Shal left those words and withdrew to his own room.
Closing the door, Shal softly clicked his tongue. Even if I return to the front lines, one person cannot dramatically change the tide of the war, what is that b.a.s.t.a.r.d Leon thinking!? He hurled curse words at his friend who’s out of sight but in fact, he saw through Leonhard’s aim.
But that is just a stopgap “for now”, he intends to draw out Shal to the battlefield eventually.
If Shal who was famed as 【Hero of Rodell】 returned, morale will rise and may be the driving force to repel the enemy. Furthermore, in addition to Shal’s combat skills, his troop-commanding ability is also high. Shal was once entrusted the role of commanding 1000 Rider Knights.
From the start, Leonhard’s aim is 『Shal must return to being a Knight』.
Five years ago, Shal retired from the military due to a certain event. That event left a deep scar in Shal’s heart, Leonhard also knows the circ.u.mstances in detail more than anyone. Nevertheless, he obstinately requested Shal to come back to service. Please consider my feelings here, he wants to say. Contrary to his appearance, Shal is awfully delicate and has a tendency to drag out things. Leonhard might think it is irritating.
『Are you still agonizing over it?』
『This country needs your strength.』
Leonhard had always written those things in the occasional letters they exchanged.
Leonhard is trying to encourage his friend who disappeared from the center stage five years ago. His worries were transmitted to Shal, too. However, the trauma still remains.
“…Leon. It’s heavy…for me.”
Muttered Shal, suddenly recalling Alex’s face.
The first time they met was when Shal received his reward for protecting the King from enemy spies during the Rodell inspection. In the Royal Palace’s throne room he entered for the first time, he remembered the demure Alex next to the King. He was probably seven or eight years old at that time.
After that, they met again after several years. It’s lucky for Shal that Alex cannot remember “that time”. If Alex ever mentioned that to persuade him, the confidence that he will keep on being stubborn has somewhat disappeared.
It has been eight years since then. With some traces of his looks from that time, Alex grew up as a dignified young man―――.
“…How do I say this, Leon is good-looking, the Crown Prince is good-looking ―― Why are all n.o.bles so handsome!?”
The only n.o.bles Shal knows are the two of them so it’s only natural for him to have this statistics. Even so, he thinks that both of them are even more beautiful than a woman.
What are you thinking, me!? Shal scolded himself, and threw down his body on the bed.
Alex realized that he knew nothing about the man named Shal Hardeen.
The things Alex knows about Shal are trifling. He is called the【Hero of Rodell】, he suddenly retired from the military five years ago and hid his whereabouts, he is an incomparable master of sword, and is apparently a friend of Archery Corps Commander Leonhard. Besides, all these things are just what he heard from other people.
How can he shake that man’s heart?
“Your Highness… It is already late at night, will you sleep now? You must be tired from the continuous horse-ride.”
The Guard Knight urged him. However, instead of answering, Alex threw in a question.
“Do you know anything about Colonel Hardeen?”
“Eh… no, that. I do not consider myself that well-informed.”
“I see… But I think he had a reason for obstinately refusing to fight…”
Alex was thinking when the knight incidentally recalled something and opened his mouth.
“Which reminds me, Colonel Hardeen had an older brother.”
“Older brother…?”
“Yes. His rank was Major General, he also belonged to the same Knight Corps as the Colonel and was the 10000 Knights Captain. If I remember correctly, he pa.s.sed away around seven or eight years ago.”
“Seven or eight years… Is his older brother’s death the reason why Colonel retired?”
He was referred to as 10000 Knights Captain, it must mean he was「A Person Who Commands 10000 Rider Knights」.
Before Alex sunk into his sea of thoughts, the Knight appealed for him to rest in the same way as a while ago. Alex nodded obediently, but it was mentioned that there is only one room. So what should they do?
“What do you intend to do?”
“I will borrow this sofa. Please make use of the room, Your Highness.”
“…Sorry. Thank you.”
Alex smiled, seemingly a little apologetic and went to the room. The Guard Knight sat down on the sofa and breathed out.
The rain had become even more tempestuous, and there’s no knowing when the lightning will cease.
It seems like the night is still long―――.
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