Chapter 03 “Messenger from the Empire”
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Part 1
The next morning.
A representative of the delegation visiting from the Holy Magical Empire of Voldenowa appeared in the audience chamber of the royal palace.
He has an audience with the King [Roland Rafa Horfalt] and the Queen [Milene Rafa Horfalt].
Milene was checking sideways, worried that Roland might be getting upset by the early morning urgency of his business.
(He’s being very vigilant today.)
Roland’s usual nonchalant attitude had disappeared, and he was more than serious, he was wary.
Although his expression was masked, the slight changes made Milene aware of it.
The head of the delegation, a messenger from the empire, kneels and bows his head.
“We are very grateful to your country for welcoming us despite this impromptu visit.”
Hearing the messenger’s words, Roland opens his mouth with a gentle smile.
“We cannot treat your country with disrespect, which has taken care of us during the war with Raschel. I would like to know the reason for your sudden visit.”
“We have only one matter of business. We are here to welcome Her Imperial Highness Princess Mirialis Luks Erzberger.”
The dignitaries and nobles in the audience hall buzzed upon hearing the messenger’s words.
“Her Imperial Highness?”
“Who is he talking about?”
“When did we welcome Her Imperial Highness?”
Like all the unaware nobles and important figures, Milene was also inwardly surprised.
She just acts like she doesn’t want to show it on her face, but she is puzzled by the talk about Her Imperial Highness.
(Mirialis? I don’t remember there being such a princess in the Empire. Is she a baby or a child with special circumstances? But why would she be in the Kingdom? ——No, don’t tell me!)
Milene arrived at the answer while thinking, but it was Roland who opened his mouth first.
“I have not heard that we receive the princess of the Empire in our country, is there a reason for this?”
The messenger replies to Roland, who honestly says he does not know.
“Due to certain circumstances, she had to hide her identity and was raised as a commoner. Currently, she is studying as a foreign student at the academy of the Kingdom of Horfalt.”
“A foreign student from the Empire, was it Her Imperial Highness?”
Roland muttered, deliberately surprised.
The messenger again wishes to Roland.
“Even though she grew up a commoner, Her Imperial Highness has a rightful place. We would like to bring her to the Empire and treat her appropriately.”
The messenger shows slight impatience.
Roland asks.
“Still, it’s a bit sudden. Since she is studying abroad, why not wait until she has finished her studies? Why not wait six months for Her Imperial Highness to return to your country?”
When asked why he is in such a hurry to bring her back, the messenger gives a vague answer.
“I was only ordered to bring back Her Imperial Highness Princess Miliaris, but I don’t know the details, so I can’t give you an answer.”
Roland backs down at the messenger who bows deeply to him.
“Are you taking her home right away?”
“Yes.”
As the conversation progressed, Milene was thinking about Mirialis —— Mia.
(Thinking back, I wonder the reason Emperor Karl was in Fraser territory at that time was to see Mia-chan? Granddaughter or daughter —— If he can’t disclose it, there must be a good reason for it. But why would he suddenly bring her back to the empire as a princess?)
It is hard to believe that he would bring Mia back now and let her participate in the struggle for succession.
Milene predicts that something has happened in the empire.
(We have too little information. Until the day they bring Her Imperial Highness back, let us entertain the envoys and explore the inner workings of the empire. ——At least, if we had connected with Emperor Karl a little earlier, we could have sent a diplomat over there.)
From the perspective of the Kingdom of Horfalt, the Voldenowa Holy Magic Empire is a distant country.
The reason for this lies in the Holy Kingdom of Raschel.
Because of the Voldenowa Holy Magic Empire’s close ties to the Holy Kingdom of Raschel, the Kingdom of Horfalt was not actively involved.
It is the same on the Empire’s side.
They did not actively try to get involved with the kingdom of Horfalt, but were wary of each other.
Ten years ago, Empire approached them and had many discussions.
It was only this year that they began accepting international students.
From here on, the two countries were to promote diplomatic relations through foreign exchange students.
Milene looked down at the Imperial messenger from her high seat.
The messenger’s expression relaxes for a moment from relief when he is able to bring Mia back.
(What’s that face just now?)
Milene has a bad feeling about the messenger’s face with a dark smile.
Milene was wary of the messenger, but her gaze naturally moved to a young —— too young knight in the delegation.
He was about fifteen years old? In the kingdom, he would have been a young man before entering the academy, but he looked imposing in his imperial black knight’s outfit.
He has the confidence and demeanor of a strong man combined with the cheekiness of youth.
There is a certain arrogance in the way he looks at Roland and her.
(I wonder who he is?)
Perhaps noticing Milene’s gaze, the young man steps forward and kneels.
“May I ask for permission to speak, King Roland?”
The messenger looks puzzled, as if the young man is acting on his own.
“——I permit you. Raise your head.”
When Roland gave his permission, the young man looked up and smiled.
It is a face that has the youthfulness and cheekiness of a young man.
“It is my pleasure to meet you for the first time. My name is [Leenhardt Rua Kirchner]. Actually, one of my seniors is studying in this country, so I thought I would like a chance to talk with him as a way of saying hello.”
The small, red-haired, impertinent young man spoke without hesitation in front of the king of another country.
“Come to think of it, there were two foreign students.”
“I think that since my senior is the personal knight of Her Imperial Highness Princess Mirialis, we will be returning to the country together. Before that, I was curious to know what kind of place he studied at.”
Roland nodded after a moment’s thought.
“I don’t mind.”
“Thank you, King Roland.”
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Part 2
On that day, someone claiming to be a messenger from the Empire visited the school.
There were a few people who appeared to be in civilian positions, but there were thirty knights and soldiers who appeared to be guards.
There was a slight sense of caution that a group of people had arrived.
But that vigilance is soon lifted.
“Leenhardt?”
“Long time no see, senpai.”
In the plaza in front of the entrance of the school building, Finn and a young man with red hair were meeting each other and looking friendly.
I watched the scene from a distance with Luxion, and breathed a sigh of relief.
“So he is an acquaintance of Finn, huh? I was worried for nothing.”
[——I cannot confirm the response of the magic equipment. Apparently, he does not have a core.]
Luxion did not let his guard down as usual.
I listen to Finn and the others’ conversation.
Finn, who is reunited with his junior, still seems confused.
It would be unavoidable if a messenger suddenly came from the Empire.
“More importantly, what brings you to the Kingdom? You came all of a sudden, did something happen in the empire?”
Leenhardt, responding to Finn’s question, brushes off the details.
“I’ll explain the details later. But more importantly, where is Duke Bartfalt, who gave senpai a hard time?”
Leenhardt’s eyes meet mine as he searches his surroundings.
Finn’s junior, who looked cheeky, looked at me and smiled —— somewhat belligerent.
I wave my hand and mutter in a whisper that can’t be heard.
“He’s a cheeky little brat.”
[That’s the impression the nobles of the kingdom have of Master.]
As usual, I ignore Luxion’s sarcasm and listen to Finn and the others’ conversation.
Finn corrects Leenhardt about my title.
“He’s the Grand Duke now.”
“The kingdom seems to be short of talent. Ah, and more importantly, there is a sword saint in the kingdom, right? I was kind of looking forward to it, since I heard there was a son of a sword saint at the academy.”
Leenhardt lightly tapped the two sabers at his waist with his left hand.
Leenhardt, who is lowering his daisho-like saber swords, is apparently asking for Chris. (TLN: matched pair of long and short swords)
However, Finn appears to be slightly wary.
“This is not an empire. If you try anything, consider me an enemy.”
“You are as serious as ever, senpai. Well, that’s all right——where is Her Imperial Highness Princess Mirialis?”
Finn was astonished when Leenhardt’s mood changed dramatically.
Finn grabs Leenhardt’s chest with his right hand.
“How do you know Mia’s real name!?”
Seeing Finn enraged, Leenhardt made a troublesome face.
It is the Empire’s messenger who answers.
“Herring-dono, we are here by order of His Majesty to receive Her Highness Princess Miliaris.”
“His Majesty’s? Why would Emperor Karl call Mia?”
In the presence of other people, it seems that he does not call Karl-san “old man”.
As Finn released Leenhardt, the messenger took one look at me with a smile on his face.
In doing so, I think he saw Luxion at my side.
The messenger says.
“I would like to go over the details with you alone, with no one else present. I will explain the situation, including the matter of Her Highness Princess Mirialis.”
As it was, Finn and the others were left the school and taken to the harbor —— to an imperial airship.
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Part 3
The airships used by the delegation were those used by nobles in the Empire.
The exterior and interior have been carefully designed, making you feel like a luxury hotel.
Messenger and Leenhardt —— and Finn and Brave.
When the four gathered in a room, the messenger was the first to open his mouth.
“Emperor Karl passed away.”
“——What do you mean?”
For a moment, Finn’s mind refused to comprehend what was being said.
He could not imagine that Karl, who had been in good health not long ago, had died.
To Finn, who cannot accept the reality, Leenhardt explains in a troublesome manner, sitting in a chair and folding his hands behind his head.
“The previous emperor died and Moritz-sama ascended to the throne. We came to pick up Milliaris at the order of Moritz-sama.”
Finn squeezes his hand and gives Leenhardt a stern look.
“What happened? Is it an accident?”
If Karl, who was healthy for nothing, were to die, he would immediately imagine that it was an accidental death.
But Leenhardt says bluntly.
“His Majesty Moritz led a private army to kill the previous emperor. I haven’t heard the details, he seems to have committed some kind of betrayal.”
“That old man betrayed the Empire! Did the Crown Prince did it? Don’t tell me, Mia also will be…”
Finn turns his gaze to Brave.
That is to wear the magic armor in this place.
Isn’t Moritz trying to bring Mia back so he can assassinate her?
Such imagination is the result of Finn’s caution.
[I will not forgive anyone who touches Mia, even if it’s you!]
When Brave even showed the motivation, Leenhardt scratched his head.
Annoyingly —— as it is, he tells them of a reality that they don’t anticipate.
“His Majesty Moritz is not interested in Milialis-sama. What he is interested in is a magic creature just like Brave.”
Finn and Brave stop moving.
Leenhardt says, deciding that they are willing to listen.
“Arcadia – a very large magic creature has been revived. The core of my magic equipment is also obediently following.”
It was Brave who was flustered to hear the name.
[Why is Arcadia still alive? It should have been sunk by the old humans! It sank with three ships that were the trump cards of the old humans along with it!]
Arcadia, a fortress floating in the sky, the trump card of new humans that sank long ago.
It sank with the old humans’ trump card, and even Brave thought that its survival was unlikely.
“Even if you to tell me that. It was actually revived and is now Moritz-sama’s adviser.”
Finn asks Leenhardt.
“Did it do that to His Majesty? Why are you following it? Didn’t General Gunther say anything?”
Leenhardt shakes his head at Finn’s outrage.
“We have more problems than that. Well, I’ll talk about it in detail when we get back to the Empire. It’s going to be quite a hassle.”
When Finn, unconvinced, tried to open his mouth, the messenger, who had been silent until now, moved.
He went in front of Finn and handed him a letter from Moritz.
“Herring-dono, His Majesty Moritz has a confidential request for you.”
“Request?”
Concerned that it is not an order, Finn opens the letter’s seal and checks its contents.
Surprised by its contents, he opened his eyes and clutched the letter.
“——What do you mean, you want me to assassinate Leon?”
The messenger explains the situation with fright to Finn, who radiates a killing intent.
“The Empire is already preparing to declare war on the Kingdom.”
“Wha? Why! If this is about Raschel——”
“No, not about that. We, the empire, are incompatible with the Kingdom. This is not a war to bring them to submission. The Empire —— will fight to destroy the kingdom once and for all.”
It is. This is not a war to bring you to its knees. The Empire will fight to destroy the kingdom once and for all.”
Finn puts his right hand to his face in disbelief.
“Don’t be kidding! What’s the point of starting a war now?”
Finn was unconvinced, and Leenhardt let out a sigh of amazement.
“Senpai has become much more mellow. It’s a real shame, because you used to be more like a sharp blade.”
“——Do you want to fight right here?”
When Finn turned the murderous intent on Leenhardt, he was pleased.
“I wish I had brought my magic equipment so I could have lived up to senpai’s expectations.”
Leenhardt was a magic knight, but he was not accompanied by a magic core.
Apparently, he left it in the Empire.
The messenger clears his throat at the two, who are in a threatening mood.
“That’s enough, both of you. I would rather have Herring-dono defeat the trump card of the kingdom, the Grand Duke Bartfalt. This is also for the sake of Miliaris-sama.”
“What do you mean?”
“Actually——”
When Finn heard the truth from the messenger, he loosened his clenched hand —— and looked up at the ceiling.
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