Volume 1 Chapter 44 Reunion
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
It has been approximately a month since they left Baron Tethyrkan.
The end of the year has already arrived.
The coronation ceremony likely took place some time ago, but there is no pressing need for them to rush their journey. They can afford to take their time to gather strength and regroup. It seems Princess Purruun thinks along these lines as well.
Puruun also appears a bit more relieved now that she has a better understanding of Tomori’s situation. Since then, she hasn’t fallen ill and has maintained a good level of composure. The road is starting to descend, and once they reach the foot of this mountain, they will enter the Rainsheyn territory. By this point, there is almost no concern about being attacked by enemies.
A few days later, Lord Rainsheyn’s mansion came into view. The carriage pulled up in front of the estate, and just as the princess was about to disembark, a voice called out from a distance.
”Princess────────!”
It’s Lady Claudel. Puruun is so glad to see she’s safe.
”Oh, Princess! Even though it was planned, 2 months in a carriage… but I’m just happy you’re safe. Ms. Puruun, you’ve worked hard too… and who is this?”
”Oh, this is Tomori, a maid hired by the princess in the Coral territory… and I’d like to keep this confidential, but this girl knows Yuuta.”
”Well, darling──umm, Mr. Yuuta? Then we must take care of her too.”
Huh? Did she just say darling? As Puruun looked puzzled, Lady Claudel ushered everyone into the mansion.
”Come in, come in. We have a lot to talk about, but first, please relax, and then we can discuss what’s next!”
And it was here that Puruun took a bath for the first time. The princess wanted to join her, but Lady Claudel instructed her to be mindful of the hierarchy in front of others, so reluctantly, she went in alone with the maids.
Puruun was in the bath with Tomori, and just by watching how she used the shower, it seemed like Tomori was more accustomed to it, washing her long hair skillfully. Speaking of which, Yuuta had taught her how to use the shower back at Ilman’s inn.
She wonders if this kind of luxury is normal in that world over there.
Still, during this cold season, this is just crazy!
Thinking about it, like Ellulu, she kind of want to visit that world too.
That night, she had a nice meal and got some sleep.
A few days later, Lord Rainsheyn showed up, and they had a strategy meeting. It seems like the neighboring lords are here too. Puruun listened in on their conversations.
The coronation ceremony seems to have gone smoothly, but many lords didn’t attend, and it looks like the new king Aaron is starting to plan an expedition against those lords who won’t comply. However, his available forces are the Royal Capital Military and the Duke Asunabal’s private military.
While they have a decent number of troops, the Royal Capital Military is mainly for defending the capital and isn’t suited for expeditions. The Duke’s military will also have to rush from their territory, but if they haven’t arrived in the Royal Capital this winter, they won’t make it until next winter. They can’t gather troops during the busy farming season.
”So, our plan is this: after the rice planting season, we’ll surround the Royal Capital with a coalition military from the neighboring lords and cut off the Duke’s military from the Royal Capital Military. Then, if we large landowners advance to face the Royal Capital Military, I think the enemy will have no choice but to surrender. What do you think?”
At Lord Rainsheyn’s words, the lords started sharing their opinions.
”I think the outline is fine. If we rise up like that, the fence-sitting lords will likely follow us.”
”However, during the national funeral, some were forced to pledge loyalty. What will happen to them?”
”If they come at us, they’re enemies, but if they just stay put, it won’t immediately be seen as betrayal against the prince. Well, for their sake, it might be safer to restrain the prince before the curse of defiance activates.”
”Then, let’s persuade them to cooperate in that direction…”
……
……
”Alright then, next summer. The front base will be… at Mr. Mihail’s place. If the expeditionary military is going out, that’s the first target, but… to prevent that, we should ask the surrounding lords of the Royal Capital for military support. Everyone, make sure to stay prepared.”
The strategy meeting wrapped up, and led by Lord Rainsheyn, the participating lords cheered.
”For the future of the kingdom and Queen Asuka!”
”Yeahhhh!”
* * *
”Ah… I’ve finally been put on the palanquin. It’s a bit sad that I can’t be as close with Puru as before. But, this is a fate I’ve carried from the start, so I’m ready for it.”
The princess said, looking a bit lonely.
”Princess, don’t worry. I’m not going anywhere. I’ll stay by your side until the end!”
Puru assured her, her voice steady and full of loyalty.
”Thank you, Puru. But let’s take a little break here. There are still a few months until the military moves, and I need to study a bit more as a queen under Lord Rainsheyn.
So, Puru, please take Tomori and go to Mr. Yuuta’s place. This is an order. And let’s meet in Ilman during the rice planting season next year.”
After thinking for a while, Puruun replied.
”Princess… thank you… I will definitely go to Ilman.”
”Yeah! And make sure to sneak Mr. Yuuta along too!”
”Huh?”
”Did you forget our promise? Before becoming king, I need to brush up on the whole man-woman thing… just kidding, just kidding…”
”That didn’t sound like a joke…”
Since a carriage was going to Ilman to convey the details of this strategy meeting to Lord Mihail, Puruun and Tomori were allowed to ride in it. There should be regular services from Ilman to the Royal Capital, whether it’s through the upper mansion or the merchant guild.
So, Puruun and Tomori headed to Ilman to meet Yuuta and Akari.
* * *
”What did you say! Asuka has risen up under the banner of succession to the throne!”
The angry voice of the new king Aaron echoed through the royal castle.
At the end of last year, the coronation went smoothly, and just as he was about to give his first New Year’s speech as the new king, he received some shocking news.
”What’s going on? Didn’t Lord Coral have inside information here? And not just running away, but planning to go against me… Who’s backing him?”
”It seems Lord Coral has lost track of the princess. She’s probably with one of the main instigators of this uprising, Lord Rainsheyn, by now…”
General Naskinpos explained.
”Rainsheyn! General Naskinpos. Send troops to Rainsheyn’s territory immediately! This is clearly treason!”
The new king was getting more and more furious.
”My King… it’s not possible right away. We need to gather our allies first… We can’t just leave the Royal Capital empty…”
”Don’t mess with me! Then send my uncle’s troops here urgently!”
The new king pressed Duke Asunabal.
”Wait, wait, My King. My troops will also take some time to reach the Royal Capital. Even if I move them now, it won’t be immediate…”
”Damn it, all of you… then gather troops from the surrounding lords immediately. If they don’t comply, they’ll be considered traitors too!”
”Understood, I’ll arrange it right away.”
The Duke said, and the general stepped back.
The new king sat down in his chair and began to meditate.
He thought she was just running away because she hated him, but he never imagined she was thinking of something so outrageous… Maybe her daily indulgence in lust was just a cover to prevent such thoughts from arising. He needs to rethink his perception of Asuka.
But what to do? It’s hard to believe that his foolish uncle and the general could have anticipated this situation that neither of them even imagined. They probably have no proper preparations. Fortunately, they haven’t taken Brother Yōmo’s life. Should he reconcile with his brother?
No, that won’t do. He must remain king at all costs.
No matter the outcome, he has to confront the rebellious forces as a king.
As Asunabal and Naskinpos sat in a separate room, discussing the situation, the new king stood up from his chair, his mind made up. “Then, let us proceed with the New Year’s address.”
* * *
Asunabal, the Duke, and Naskinpos, the military general, were deep in conversation in another room.
”General! If we defeat Rainsheyn, it will be a complete victory. I’d like the military to exert all its strength.”
”Of course, Your Excellency the Duke. However, while we may be able to hold our own near the Royal Capital, if we are to subjugate Rainsheyn and the other lords, it won’t be possible without your private military forces.”
The two men sighed simultaneously. “Hoooooo.”
”So, General, do you actually think we can win?”
”Well, at this point, we can’t say for sure that we’ll lose… But we should also prepare for the possibility of defeat…”
”Do you mean a plan for escape?”
”No, no, Your Excellency the Duke. As a military man myself, I’m not suggesting we flee. But we do have several channels with the Empire due to that project, so we can make use of them. Oh, and of course, Your Excellency the Duke, there will be no obstacles if you decide to seek refuge in the Empire.”
”Damn. But if we’re going to rely on the Empire’s power, we need to make sure that project doesn’t come to light.”
”Yes, if the full extent of the project were to be revealed after the new king is overthrown, the Empire would be furious. Now, Your Excellency the Duke, about that project…”
”What? Don’t tell me you’re planning to defect to the Empire.”
”No, no, it’s not that. I was thinking that to avoid any trouble, we should eliminate everyone involved…”
”Yes, that’s a good idea. I’ll leave that to you, General.”
And so, the two men began making arrangements to transfer their assets and families to the Empire as soon as possible.
* * *
I ended up joining Mr. Agohige’s caravan and headed towards Tokura Village. We arrived in Ilman after the new year.
I was able to meet Ms. Sharlin there, and she regaled me with stories of her escape from the Royal Capital, but after a few days, she left with the caravan for Tokura Village.
I was informed by Sir Mihail that the princess, with the backing of Lord Rainsheyn, had risen up with the goal of inheriting the throne. Ms. Claudel’s words had come true.
I informed him about the gate and the Sistemador, but he apologized and said that the princess’s matter took priority, putting off dealing with the medals for the time being.
Sir Mihail provided me with a small house on the outskirts of Ilman, where I now live with my family.
”Hmm, so it seems like there might be a war this summer? Is this place safe?”
Ms. Akari asked me worriedly.
”Well, Sir Mihail said he’s not sure either. He mentioned that a military envoy from Lord Rainsheyn will be arriving soon, so we’ll know more then.”
”I see. But the Royal Capital might be dangerous too. Should we have MelMel and EllEll come here as well? Maybe it would’ve been better if they had evacuated with Mr. Agohige’s caravan to Tokura Village.”
Indeed, it might have been better for Ms. Akari and Karin to do so, but it’s too late now.
Without any particular job to do, I spent my days occasionally running errands for Sir Mihail or accompanying him on hunting trips. Then, one night, I received an urgent summons from Sir Mihail, asking me to come to the mansion immediately.
When I entered the room I was led to, I saw a male Elf I didn’t recognize.
No! I do recognize him! I know this guy very well!
”Sistemador!”
Yes, it was the Elf from the gate, Sistemador!
For a moment, my mind went completely blank, and I almost lunged forward, but Lady Beyond held me back in a tight grip.
”Mr. Yuuta. Calm down. This person isn’t going to run or hide anymore!”
Hearing that snapped me back to reality.
”But, Lady Beyond. Why is this guy here?”
”Well, well, first, sit down, Mr. Yuuta.”
Sir Mihail said as he entered the room.
”He ran here for safety. It seems the military has started silencing people involved in the gate research. He felt his life was in danger and came here seeking help.”
”Yeah…”
His face, hair, and clothes were all a mess. It was clear he had desperately escaped.
”As they say, ‘a cornered bird will seek refuge,’ so Mr. Yuuta, let’s protect him for now. Once both of you have calmed down, how about discussing things?”
Sir Mihail’s words helped me regain some composure.
”Mr. Sistemador, this person is Mr. Yuuta. You might be surprised to find out why he knows your name.”
Saying that, Mr. Mihail led Sistemador into the back room.
Ms. Minowa brought in some tea, but I sat there for a while, stunned.
Lady Beyond spoke to me.
”I know you’re surprised, but I think this is lucky for you. My husband was too busy with the princess to help, and now this guy has come. You should consider this a sign that the gods are on your side.”
”Yeah…”
When I got home and told Ms. Akari about it, she was also shocked but said something similar to Lady Beyond.
”It’s a good thing, Yuuta. Someone from the military research lab, a place you could never reach, just showed up right in front of you. Let’s think positively!”
Yeah, right. What was I even doing, just standing there in shock? All those years of hard work were finally paying off, right? And that night, I made love to Ms. Akari over and over, like I was trying to shake off some lingering doubts.
Two days later, since Sistemador was feeling better both physically and mentally, Sir Mihail sent someone to suggest we have a meeting at the mansion.
I headed straight to the mansion, thinking about how to organize my thoughts along the way, but when I arrived, I saw a crowd gathered in front of the place. It looked like a big carriage. I wondered if we had some guests.
As I got closer to the entrance, I heard a voice from behind.
”Yuuta!”
I turned around and… there was Puruun standing there!
”Wait? Puruun? What are you doing here… oh, right. You’re with Lord Rainsheyn’s military delegation! Is the princess with you too?”
”Nope. The princess is with Lord Rainsheyn. So, I came with this person…”
Guided by Puruun, a woman in a maid outfit stepped forward.
”Huh?” I looked at her face and for a moment, I didn’t recognize her.
”…Yuu-chan? ……Yuu-chan!”
”Wait, wait? Tomori? Is that you!”
”Wow, I’m so glad! Finally got to see you!”
Saying that, Tomori jumped into my arms.
”Tomori… Puruun, what’s going on here?”
”Oh, you didn’t see the letter. Right, I sent it to the Royal Capital… you’ve been here all this time? The person I wrote about in the letter, the one in the mountains… it was Tomori!”
Oh, I see. Tomori had come here. But I never expected she’d been helped by Puruun… Oh! I need to tell Ms. Akari quickly! I completely forgot about Sistemador and hurriedly took Tomori and Puruun back to my place.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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