Chapter 61 The Knight of Burning Purpose and a Reluctant Trip to Japan
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
The crop harvest was going well. Our diet had significantly improved compared to before.
Though they had both lost the place they called home, they seemed quite content with life here.
The major renovation of the farm area was scheduled for after the next time I brought back more seeds and saplings from Japan. For now, Liliarette was drawing up plans for land parceling in preparation.
Thanks to the crops we could harvest every five days, our Resource Points were steadily increasing. The day we could level up the domain would likely come soon.
On the other hand, the seasonings I’d brought from Japan were almost gone.
It hadn’t even been a month since I came back to this world, but… it looked like it was time to head back there for a resupply.
There was no way I could go back to my previous diet. Once a person’s standard of living goes up, it’s not so easy to lower it again—that’s a universal truth. The fact that the two Princesses have been able to handle it is honestly amazing.
”So, here’s the thing. I don’t really want to go, but… I think I’ll head to Japan tomorrow,” I announced to the two of them over lunch. I had already told Ami-chan about it.
”Since it’s been proven we can grow the crops you brought here. And we have sugar now, too…” Liliarette remarked.
”Exactly. Besides, Liliarette was kind enough to prepare a letter of introduction, so I plan to try trading in the Republic¹.”
If it weren’t for the two of them… and if the development of the domain wasn’t involved, I probably never would have proactively worked like this. The fact that this is a different world with a different environment from Japan also plays a big part.
”Ah… in that case. Would it be alright if I went out for a little while this afternoon?” Cleonora inquired.
”Of course, you’re free to do whatever you like, but… where are you planning to go?”
When I go to Japan, the shortest I’ll be gone is five days. Cleonora apparently wanted to go somewhere before then.
”On the western edge of this Demon Forest, near the entrance… there are people who were exiled² along with me. I just wanted to check up on them and see how they are doing after all this time.”
That’s right, I recalled. Cleonora had attempted a rebellion against Princess Viorga and was exiled along with her followers. They had all been stripped of their noble titles and ordered to settle the Demon Forest.
”They haven’t really ventured deep into the forest to begin serious development, but I couldn’t check on them much the other day when I flew to the Royal Capital.”
Up until recently, Cleonora had no way of leaving the domain. But now, she could safely fly to the edge of the forest and back. She probably wanted to tell them that she was safe, if possible. With me gone to Japan and Liliarette to look after, she must have decided this was the best time.
”It shouldn’t take too long. Even if I leave now, I should be back by evening,” she assured me.
”In that case… I suppose it’s alright. Just be careful, please.”
”Yes!”
After lunch, Cleonora transformed into Cursed Kill—Eme-rald and left the domain. I picked up the remaining Liliarette and moved toward the bed.
”……? Shimizu, why the bed…? I would prefer the table, as I wish to continue contemplating the future land division…” she asked with a slight flush.
”No, no. I’m going to be gone for five days starting tomorrow. I have to pour plenty of Magic Power into you, Liliarette. You don’t have as much as Eme-chan yet.”
”Well… if that is the case. Then… I ask you to proceed,” she consented.
After all, Liliarette couldn’t even move freely without transforming into her Magic Girl form… As her Dominator〈Quester〉, I had to properly contribute to increasing her Magic Power!
* * *
”Alvia-sama! We are almost at our destination!”
”Hmph… we have been sent to quite the remote frontier. Infuriating!”
We, the White Lily Knights, were riding our horses towards the Demon Forest under the command of Princess Viorga.
The White Lily Knights have a different standing than the five official knight orders of the Emmeld Kingdom. We are entirely composed of unmarried noblewomen who possess Magic Power, and we operate independently as Princess Viorga’s direct extension.
There are forty of us in total, and by rule, no one older than Princess Viorga may be a member. In recent years, the White Lily Knights had continuously expanded their influence within the Emmeld Kingdom.
The primary reason for this was the almost total purge of the First Queen’s faction. We all originated from Princess Viorga’s faction and had served her since the height of the factional struggle. Thus, Princess Viorga’s trust in us is profound.
Furthermore, since Princess Viorga is a woman, it is difficult to have a male bodyguard constantly by her side. That is where we can be useful.
Essentially, we are closer to Princess Viorga than any other knight or noble—closer to the Princess who now holds the true, practical power in this country.
All of us train our bodies, and some also possess talent as sorcery users. Some within the First Queen’s faction mock us as Princess Viorga’s private army, but what is wrong with that? We are proud of it.
But now, we were heading toward the Demon Forest, a remote frontier far from the Royal Capital.
Damn that Hero! I acknowledge his success in reclaiming the territory, but to be utterly useless when he’s needed most… I fumed internally.
The incident that prompted us to leave Princess Viorga’s side and travel to this frontier had occurred just a few days ago.
Incredibly, a young sorcery user who had mastered Flying Sorcery had kidnapped Liliarette-sama. According to Princess Viorga, this sorcery user was of considerably high rank… no, a Guru-level³ of skill.
Knowing the kind heart of Princess Viorga, her spirit must have been filled with sorrow when Liliarette-sama was snatched right before her eyes. She lamented her own powerlessness greatly.
However, when Liliarette-sama was taken, Princess Viorga had confirmed that the girl was carrying the Holy Sword〈Misericord〉.
At the time, she was shocked, but upon later investigation, it was confirmed to be the genuine article.
The Holy Sword〈Misericord〉 is set with a secret jewel crafted by the sacred arts of Ragnarond, the Holy Capital. And it is the sword belonging to Princess Viorga’s sister, Lady Cleonora… no, the traitor Cleonora.
Originally, there was no reason to leave such a sword with a traitor. Yet, Princess Viorga extended mercy even to Cleonora, who had dared to conspire with the Empire and brought harm to the Royal Family.
That mercy was the command to develop the Demon Forest. And because that region is dangerous, she did not even confiscate the Holy Sword〈Misericord〉, deeming it necessary for Cleonora’s survival.
Ah…! How very kind of her…! I constantly worry that this very gentleness of Princess Viorga will one day be her undoing. We, the White Lily Knights, must anticipate every threat and protect Princess Viorga.
Princess Viorga, having confirmed that the girl who took Liliarette-sama possessed the Holy Sword〈Misericord〉, was worried about the fate of Cleonora, who had been reduced to a commoner and sent to the Demon Forest.
Even though she was no longer her sister… even though Cleonora became a traitor and was exiled as a commoner to the frontier, Princess Viorga still continued to worry about her safety…!
’Alvia. I need you to go in my stead and check on the settlers in the Demon Forest—to verify Cleonora’s safety. If that girl has stolen the Holy Sword from Cleonora… the thought of it is keeping me up at night. I can barely sleep,’ Princess Viorga had pleaded.
And so, Princess Viorga entrusted us, the most trusted White Lily Knights, with the mission of verifying Cleonora’s safety.
A total of twenty individuals were exiled and reduced to commoners due to the crime of treason. The group is small, and once we reach the Demon Forest, we should be able to confirm their situation quickly.
’Oh, and also… could you please check on how much of the forest they have managed to clear? If they are truly repenting their crimes and working diligently for our kingdom… while a full pardon would be difficult, I wish to offer some measure of support.’
These were also Princess Viorga’s words. Truly… her kindness is excessive! They all originally deserved the death penalty!
I will never forgive those traitors. They sought to overthrow such a gentle and compassionate person simply because she was the daughter of the Second Queen. And they stopped at nothing to achieve it, even communicating with the Empire and attempting to harm the Royal Family itself. Frankly, if I saw their faces now, I would draw my sword and strike them down immediately.
But everything is for Princess Viorga. I must suppress my own rage and fulfill my duty to report back on the settlers’ progress.
The person riding next to me must be feeling the same way; they let out a heavy sigh.
”If only the Heroes were doing their jobs properly…! Liliarette-sama would never have been kidnapped…!”
”……Say no more. It changes nothing.”
On the night Liliarette-sama was kidnapped, three of the four Heroes were spending time in the lower town. They were reportedly drinking with commoners during that time.
The only one who remained in the castle was the Holy Sword Hero, but upon later investigation, it was found he was hosting a woman in his room. Of course, this has not been reported to Princess Viorga.
They were found by Princess Viorga in another world and granted the power of the Hero, yet they prove useless in the one moment that matters! If only you had fulfilled your duty, Princess Viorga would not have been consumed by such sorrow!
Since that day, I have not relied on the Heroes. No… Princess Viorga must feel the same way. That is why she turned to us once again to check on the welfare of her sister and the state of the settlement.
”Alvia-sama! The forest is beginning to appear!”
”Good!”
—
Author:
So, Shimizu is off to Japan. Meanwhile, Princess Viorga, having seen the Holy Sword carried by Eme-rald, is sending her private guard—the White Lily Knights—to the Cleonora settlement.
—
Summary:
Shimizu, feeling his newfound higher quality of life, reluctantly prepares for a resource run back to Japan. His domain planning with Liliarette is interrupted by Cleonora, who uses the opportunity to check on her exiled comrades in the Demon Forest. Simultaneously, the loyal and politically charged White Lily Knight, Alvia, is deployed by Princess Viorga. Viorga’s mission is ostensibly to check on the ‘traitor’ Cleonora, but is fueled by the shock of seeing the Holy Sword Misericord in the hands of the Magic Girl who kidnapped Liliarette-sama.
—
Character Insight:
Shimizu’s self-interest is evolving into a form of responsibility, though he frames it cynically (he needs seasoning). Alvia is a perfect foil: she is fiercely loyal to Viorga, completely blind to her manipulation, and views every action through the lens of Viorga’s purity and everyone else’s failure (especially the Heroes). Viorga is successfully using the perceived ‘kidnapping’ as a means to surveil her sister’s exile camp.
—
Behind the Scene:
The true state of affairs is one of dramatic irony: the ‘kidnapper’ of Liliarette-sama was actually Cleonora in her Magic Girl form, who only briefly flew with Liliarette before returning her, and the Holy Sword belongs to Cleonora. Viorga is exploiting a misunderstanding to gather intelligence and control the narrative, which Alvia eagerly enforces.
—
T/L:
¹ Republic: This is likely a neighboring nation mentioned in the larger story world, distinct from the Emmeld Kingdom, suggesting a more politically open or commerce-driven society. It’s where Shimizu plans to attempt trade with the letter of introduction Liliarette prepared. ↩
² Exiled: Cleonora and her group were ‘放逐 (houchiku),’ which is a formal, harsh term for banishment or expulsion, specifically related to the political punishment for their coup attempt. They were sent to the dangerous Demon Forest to clear and settle the land. ↩
³ Guru-level: The Japanese uses the English word ‘Guru’ to denote a master or a person of extremely high, near-legendary skill in sorcery, suggesting the kidnapper’s power is far beyond the norm. ↩
Notes:
• Liliarette – The other Princess, who sacrificed her ability to walk and her sorcery talent to save her sister, Cleonora. She is imprisoned in the East Tower and is being used as a political and monetary pawn by Viorga. C-cup, true golden hair, waist-length hair, the fringe was a slightly blunt, hair on her left side was braided to the chest.
• Ami – A palm-sized fairy-like being from a world separate from both Earth and the isekai realm. She has light blue hair tied in a ponytail, mischievous blue eyes, and tiny wings that flutter behind her. Her outfit consists of a provocative high-cut leotard and a short jacket that looks like a miniskirt from the back, leaving her legs bare. Despite her playful appearance, she is actively searching for a contractor who can protect her from dangerous pursuers in exchange for the powers she offers.
• Cleonora – The second princess. Have a yellow blonde hair. Usually styled as hairbun. D-cup.
• Viorga – The First Princess of the Emmeld Kingdom. She is a beautiful, young woman with long golden hair and sharp blue eyes, always dressed in an elaborate crimson and gold royal gown. She is utterly ruthless, viewing all people—including the summoned Heroes and her own family—as disposable assets in her political games. Looks like Aileen Lauren from certain series.
• Alvia – A Captain in the White Lily Knights, a private military force loyal only to Princess Viorga. She is deeply devoted to Viorga and views all others, especially the exiled Cleonora and the incompetent Heroes, with disdain and suspicion. She is on a mission to verify Cleonora’s safety and the progress of the exile camp.The protagonist’s classmate and long-time crush since middle school. She is charismatic, a bit strong-willed, and has strong leadership qualities. She is considered one of the ‘idols’ of the high school. Her hair is black long haired. Daddy’s girl.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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