The Daughter of Evil - Volume 3 - Chapter 1.15

Chapter 1, Section 1-The Star Fortress; Scene 5
Praeludium of Red, page 28-30

♣ Yukina ~In the Former Lucifenia Territory, “Town of Retasan/The Half Moon Pavilion”~

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That morning I wasn’t woken by the shrill cry of a white Rollam bird, nor the alarm bell of the fortress soldiers on watch, but by Lily calling to me from outside the Half Moon Pavilion.

She came into the inn before I could reply; I heard the sound of what must be her noisily stomping up the stairs, and then she vigorously threw open the door.

“What’s wrong? You’re here so early.”

“You up, Yukina? Let’s go. We’ve preparations to make.”

Being spoken to so brusquely by her, while she wore a military uniform, made me feel like I was some prisoner or criminal being taken somewhere. Or maybe that was just because of the walls that encompassed the town in a star pattern. Lily had said earlier that it was like a prison.

Anyhow, I certainly couldn’t ignore an order from Lily, the commander of the whole Retasan Fortress army. Despite not knowing the reason why, I quickly got out of bed, hurriedly got dressed, and did up my hair.

“Where’s your suitcase? I’ll help carry it,” Lily asked, either out of simple kindness or irritation with how sluggish I was upon just waking up.

“Huh? Am I going to be using my suitcase, Miss Lily?”

“Of course. You’re leaving the country today.”

At last I finally understood what it was she was getting at.

It had been twenty six days since I’d arrived at this town that was close to the border.

I had finally been given permission to enter the Empire of Beelzenia.

“Once they got your name it seems they immediately gave you the OK. The Freezis family’s reputation is pretty impressive. Or else you’ve got a friend over there… Anyway, thank goodness for that, huh?”

Lily explained to me the circumstances as we were walking on the road to the fortress gate, after I’d checked out of the inn.

She had always been a fast walker, but it seemed she was especially quick today. I desperately struggled to keep up with her while carrying along my suitcase.