86 - Chapter 12: We Are Not Instant Heroes
In a room of Radock Castle, there was a girl gazing at another girl sleeping in a luxurious bed.
"Lumilia-sama..."
It was Shannon.
This happened after those events. Perhaps because she had reunited with Shannon, who had been an ally from start to finish in this escape drama, Lumilia had lost consciousness. It was only natural, she thought.
Julia Radock, who had obtained information about the princess's escape from "certain sources," had protected Lumilia and brought her back to her territory. Along the way, it seemed Lumilia had told her the outline of the escape from the royal capital.
Thus, Shannon also learned, albeit simply, how Lumilia had arrived here, and she felt dizzy just thinking about the scale of that great adventure.
The girl named Lumilia El Albestein was the princess of this country and the legitimate successor. Therefore, she had been kept in a sheltered environment and had never even stepped outside the royal capital. Even going outside the royal castle was a rarity. Her amount of magical power, perhaps due to the influence of the fairy crest, was close to that of a legendary mage, but that was strictly for the purpose of performing rituals without incident, not a power for fighting.
The Albestein Kingdom was a nation that began as an absolute monarchy, but the royal family's power had declined as time passed.
It wasn't for any particularly complex reason, but simply because the various nobles who formed the state increased their power, and so the royal family's power declined relatively. That said, it was not that strange. When a country lasts for a long time, forces that feel fear toward the system or rebel against it always emerge from time to time.
Normally, the royal family, fearing this, would promote centralization or adjust the power of various forces to create a stalemate. However, the Albestein royal family, due to its origins, transitioned into a symbolic position of its own accord.
The reason they did not wield strong authority like the royal families of other countries was that royal authority resided in the blood itself.
The Great Fairy Cathedra. A bloodline that harbored its protection. That bloodline was the key to the ritual held every four years, and the success or failure of the ritual was the center of the nation's prosperity and, by extension, the heart of the nation's stability. Therefore, the royal family had value simply by existing, without needing to engage in detailed politics.
Yes, the ritual... the "Rite of Requiem."
It was a ritual to soothe the soul of the Spirit Dragon Albestein sealed in this land, and by releasing the excess through the dragon veins to the surface, it was a ritual to artificially create magic stone veins. If compared to the human body, it was close to something like bloodletting. Rather than a medical act in line with the times, it was simply a way to shave away the Spirit Dragon's power...
(It all began four years ago...)
In the Rite of Requiem four years ago, Lumilia failed to control the dragon veins.
The cause was unknown. Whether there was a problem with her, or if there was a problem elsewhere, it is still not known. However, since this country was built on the formula that complete control of the dragon veins equals the creation of new magic stone veins, the national economy plummeted all at once.
Almost at the same time, the Prime Minister's faction began to move actively. No, Shannon suspected that those movements had existed from the start.
It was infuriating to acknowledge their claims, but it was certainly abnormal. A country that relied solely on the export industry of magic stone veins. And the current situation where its success or failure depended on a single royal family. Those who had stayed close to the royal family and handled internal affairs could not have failed to view that as dangerous.
(But what the Prime Minister is trying to do is the privatization of the royal family...)
Of course, Lumilia, who took the place of the late king who died of illness, first desired dialogue with them, and for the past two years, she had repeated consultations after gaining actual power. However, the failure of the Rite of Requiem was too disadvantageous a weakness for her. Once that was exploited, none of her claims would pass.
They would push a ducal house they had elevated into Lumilia's husband and make her a puppet. To put the Prime Minister's faction's claims in a cynical summary, it ended there, but naturally, the royalist faction could not accept that.
That period of two years favored the Prime Minister's faction, not Lumilia.
After all, they held almost all of the internal affairs. Persuasion, blackmail, intimidation, bribes... they must have entangled her using every trick in the book. Before she knew it, Lumilia's allies within the court had dwindled to a handful.
And this year, the time for the Rite of Requiem is approaching once again.
(Eight years ago, in the first ritual, it was done without problem. Even if it failed last time, if she can control it properly in the next Rite of Requiem, perhaps...)
The wind might change... Shannon held such a faint hope and suggested to Lumilia that she take refuge in the Radock frontier territory, which was said to be the leader of the royalist faction. From there, they would solidify their allies, make a comeback, and if she could face the next ritual while lightening her mental burden even a little, surely...
Unaware that this was within the calculations of the villainous "adults."
●
"So, Sensei. What are we doing?"
"Now then, what should we do..."
Meanwhile, the Three Idiots, who had been led to another room in Radock Castle, were discussing their future while sinking into the sofa.
"Kazuha and the others are probably in the royal capital, right?"
At Later's words, Geoglyph nodded, saying it's likely.
After that, the Three Idiots also heard the route Princess Lumilia had taken from Shannon, albeit in a simplified manner.
Among that, they also heard the story of the three female adventurers who helped her and risked their lives to let her escape... the Three Girls. Unlike these three, those three were not reckless people who relied on power plays. The two thought that if they were facing an opponent they couldn't beat, they might surrender.
"For my part, since I've found the whereabouts of the Three Girls, I want to collect them quickly and escape this country. Or rather, I have nothing but bad premonitions, so I want to stay away from the Radock territory at the very least... but."
Where Geoglyph and Later's glances were directed.
"Kuuu...! Fifteen years of hardship! For the first time, for the first time, I have encountered a natural one!!"
There was a yuri pig who was still floating in excitement.
"This is the problem..."
"The princess is more ecstatic than ever before."
After all, she had witnessed a natural yuri couple that was already complete, not a farmed one she had worked on herself. Moreover, it was a powerful combo of a princess and a female knight. There was no way this yuri pig wouldn't be excited.
"At this rate, she won't move even with a lever, right?"
"Why not just lure her with other yuri?"
"Can you prepare something that can beat the 'Princess x Female Knight' icon Marie is talking about?"
"It's outside my specialty, so I don't know... Which one is strong?"
"I'm outside my specialty too. It's like asking which is stronger, space opera or cyberpunk."
As the two worried about what to do, the idiot at the center of the storm turned her face around, her eyes still sparkling.
"That is a good question, you two idiots! Listen well. Even if we call it yuri, there are various types. It is not necessarily limited to romance. For instance, if it's limited to romance, it's called Girls' Love. And so, the state of Princess Lumilia and Shannon-chan is similar to 'a relationship where it's ambiguous whether it's love or friendship,' 'a relationship where romance is one of the possibilities,' which is what is called 'woman-woman' (onna-onna)."
"And a princess and a female knight! This is simply wonderful! A master-servant relationship, and yet two people attracted to each other despite being of the same sex! But the fact that they themselves still don't quite understand whether it's friendship or affection is truly bittersweet! Truly excellent! Ah, I want to catch them in a maiden's maze!! Muha!!"
"Ah... I felt like I dropped out for a second even though I wasn't waiting for a traffic light."
"Some people are skilled at intentionally controlling micro-sleeps, you know, professional drivers."
The two idiots cast blank stares at the yuri pig, who had finally started singing due to her high tension.
"So, what are you doing, Marie? I get that you're keen, but."
"Oh? Are you going to keep me company?"
"Well, I can't just leave you... right?"
At those words with such a hidden meaning, Marianne returned to her senses for a moment.
"...Don't get angry, so just tell me your true feelings."
'If I keep her company here, then the next time something happens for my own reasons, I can involve Marie (Princess) without hesitation.'
"You absolute bastards, you've got some nerve...!?"
In short, it was a calculating thought to sell a favor and create a debt.
"Well, regardless of true feelings, the public stance is... or rather, regardless of the public stance, the true feeling is, yeah, I'm worried, you know?"
"Right, right, we have to collect Kazuha and the others too, right?"
"Their whereabouts are unknown since they let the princess escape, right?"
"Seems so. However, since the one who dealt with them was apparently the domestic maximum combat power of former Gold rank... they're probably captured honestly. At least, if it's Latia, she would do that. Now, Count Radock's men are running to confirm."
"Those three can't handle a Gold rank yet..."
"I've never seen a Gold rank adventurer before... is there that much of a difference?"
At Marianne's question, Later looked up at the ceiling, saying ah.
"This is based on my master's standards, okay? In those terms, it's about the level where I can finally win comfortably by utilizing the Holy Scripture to the fullest."
"That explanation makes it even harder to understand."
"Why not just narrow the Holy Scripture's form changes to one, Ray?"
"That means one weapon, right? If the environment including the terrain is even, it's a tie or a slight loss."
"And without the Holy Scripture?"
"7:2:1 for my loss, my win, and a draw."
'Is he a monster (desu no)?'
"That's why it's impossible for those three. They can't even beat me alone, all three of them together. Well, since Lilitia is there, they probably won't be killed recklessly."
"She is a Saint, after all. They probably can't lay a hand on her, including Latia and Kazuha."
If they did, it would be an international incident. It was unlikely that the Prime Minister's faction, who already had troublesome matters internally, would make such a mistake.
There was a knock on the guest room, and a voice called out from outside.
"Excuse me for interrupting your conversation. The master of this house has finished preparations, so please proceed to the hall."
It seemed the time for a full-scale discussion had come.
●
"I understand the story. It seems you've had your own struggles, Shannon."
"No, I have separated from my lord whom I must protect halfway through the journey... I only feel shame for my own incompetence."
Those gathered in the castle's reception room were the castle owner Julia Radock, Shannon, and the Three Idiots.
Julia heard Shannon's journey so far and offered words of appreciation. In fact, Shannon's adventure was as great as Lumilia's. Although not to the extent of Lumilia, she too was a sheltered person who had never left the royal capital, and since her world consisted of the royal castle and the knights, she was naive to the world.
In the midst of such a flight. There was no way there were no struggles. Moreover, she had been hit by the trouble of being separated from her lord halfway through.
"And... you are the collaborators."
"Yes. The Copper rank adventurer party, 'Serious Breakers.' They are very reassuring people."
"...A very edgy name. Well, fine. I thank you, adventurers. Oh, that's right, my men returned a while ago. They've brought back interesting information."
Now, the ones who helped in that great adventure were the Three Idiots standing next to Shannon.
For a moment, Julia frowned at the ridiculous name 'Serious Breakers,' but she brushed it off, thinking that such things happen among commoners, and spoke the information she had just received.
"The people you are looking for... fortunately or unfortunately, because Saint Lilitia was there, they were quite conspicuous. I hear they are currently under house arrest at the mansion of Duke Gardel Vertex, the Prime Minister. They are undoubtedly safe."
And that was the information the Three Idiots desired. As the leader, representing the party, Geoglyph spoke.
"We don't know the personality of this Lord Vertex, but is he not a careless person?"
"Indeed, the position of Prime Minister of our country is a hereditary rotation among the four great ducal houses. But if he weren't there, this country would have declined much earlier."
"Julia-sama."
At the self-deprecating remark, the butler standing behind Julia tried to restrain her, but she only looked exasperated.
"It's fine, old man. In this situation just before a civil war, what's the point of putting on airs? Even if we've already been laughed at by other countries, we're in such a state that we can't say anything back."
The prestige of a nation only makes sense when the country is functioning normally. Although it hadn't exploded yet, the country was already in a state of being split. For Julia, who had been the vice-commander of the Royal Knights, she valued the essence over such airs.
"Now, as for your treatment... the front line, or Shannon's attendants, which do you prefer?"
"...That choice of words makes it sound as if it's already decided that we will participate in the civil war."
Perhaps because of that.
Julia Radock pressed the Three Idiots. Through prior investigation, the Three Idiots' combat capabilities had been revealed. She wouldn't let them go easily, but Geoglyph was a bit taken aback by how direct she was.
"In fact, you have no choice. You must have your reasons for going to the royal capital, but... you were unlucky. You became involved with Shannon, and you became involved with Princess Lumilia. In terms of information blockade, we cannot simply expel you for free."
"And how does that lead to participation? We wouldn't mind at all if we just collected the Three Girls after the tide has been decided."
"For our part, we aren't that relaxed either. We'll use whatever we can. Of course, we'll provide a reward."
"That's a problem. We are adventurers, not mercenaries."
"I recall there is an international agreement of the Adventurer's Guild. Not to participate in any war, not to let them participate, was it? Rest assured. I will provide the reward as an individual, not as an adventurer. Such things can be handled however one wants depending on the interpretation. As the youngest son, even if you are a noble, you should understand, right?"
"It's true. In fact, in the previous Harvesta decisive battle, the Triad Army had brought adventurers into their own army. Of course, that was a forced legal interpretation that could only be used because of the special situation where the Kessel army was controlling monsters."
"Even so, I have no intention of following along obediently."
"Our country is adjacent to the Empire. To prevent them from showing an inappropriate interest, it's better to settle this."
"To prevent them from showing an inappropriate interest, wouldn't it be bad for Imperials to be involved in this?"
"I'll just treat you as adventurers of unknown origin, volunteers, and so on. It's nothing for you to worry about."
A young raccoon and a female fox are arguing back and forth, but it's a parallel line.
Geoglyph... the Three Idiots don't care who wins as long as they can collect the Three Girls, but they don't like being used.
Julia and Shannon want to use this abnormally high combat power and prevent them from accidentally flowing to the Prime Minister's faction.
Neither side would yield their claims, and neither would yield, and while on the surface it was peaceful, they were kicking each other under the table. If this were an exchange between nations, it would still be in the very beginning. But this is between individuals. And between a noble and a commoner. It wouldn't last long.
That is.
"I say that, but..."
"Sigh... you're being noisy and troublesome, you mere adventurer. Shut up and obey."
Just by a power-holder announcing it, the commoner becomes unable to say anything.
"Ha, hahaha, that's quite unreasonable..."
Letting out a dry laugh, Geoglyph scratched the back of his head, thinking it's a problem.
"It can't be helped. Then..."
Geoglyph knows.
He was the one among the Three Idiots who was born closest to medieval power. Therefore, he knows deep down the essence of things that existed in his previous life... that the world is entirely about dynamics of power.
Violence, authority, money, and muscle... society is formed because all kinds of power work in complex ways in all directions.
To not be drowned by that power, to not despise it, to not fear it, but to learn from it is how a person becomes strong... those were the words of the guardian he admired, but because of that, it became part of his flesh and blood and is useful even in this world.
Regardless of what that power is, if you are lethargic against the power directed at you, you'll just be eaten.
An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. If you don't return the same power that is directed at you, the opponent will not understand you. They have no need to. Communication through words and conversation is, after all, just a prelude. It is a passing point, not a goal. Everyone only tries to solve it in that prelude because they feel the power behind that goal or background. Therefore, discussions are established. If the goal is unmovably decided, it's just a waste of time and irrational to go to the end.
"...I refuse, female fox."
It's decided. No contest... and after that, a brawl using the power (background) one possesses.
Just as conversation between people with an IQ difference of twenty doesn't work, people who have learned different kinds of dynamics of power also pass each other by strangely. That's why their principles and claims clash, and even though the root, the essence is the same, they are not understood, they do not understand, and they cannot.
Yes... in the end, to those who wield violence, you must return the same violence to be understood. And in the medieval era, that is the most correctly and universally understood power.
Then, as a person who believes in the dynamics of power... against the approaching violence, Geoglyph will make it known through violence.
"Ray. Marie. Sorry, but that's how it is. ...Got it?"
"I don't mind, Sensei. ...Once you're let under the thumb, it's over everywhere."
"It can't be helped, I suppose."
And Later and Marianne also understood that well. For those who have accumulated power through their own efforts, there is no duty required by others, but if there is one, it is to let the surroundings know through warning colors that they possess such power. By doing so, useless collisions and collisions and accidents would decrease.
"Hoh, a mere third son of a noble. Do you dare to defy the head of the house, myself?"
"Let me return the words. ...A mere head of a noble house, you're quite looking down on me while facing the Demon King of the Night Sky, aren't you?"
The switch is flipped.
From the third son of a frontier noble who is a daydreamer, to a politician who has learned the dynamics of power in another world, though shared. The groundwork and the number of faction members were the power in that world, but here, one's own combat ability is the power. So there is no objection to showing it... and he changed his tone of voice.
(Princess! Princess! Sensei's chuunibyou switch is on! Even though Latia isn't here!)
(Ah, this is probably his plan to make it a heroic tale to increase Latia's affection later!)
(He's surprisingly cunning...!?)
(He can't be honest and act cool in front of the woman he loves. He's quite a coward, after all.)
Shut up, you guys, look in the mirror, he shot back in his mind.
"Wa-wait a minute! All three of you! No matter how much, to pick a fight with Count Radock...!"
"I say that, but Shannon. We are not slaves, nor are we mercenaries. Moreover, we are foreigners. They think we'd just honestly nod and say yes when told to be silent meat shields, without even bringing the Three Girls back?"
"That's true, but..."
"Hey, young raccoon. Then what? Do you want to entrust a unit of your army to people whose origins are unknown?"
"What are you talking about in your sleep, female fox. This Demon King will personally lead your army. ...It's decided to be the whole army, right?"
"You...!"
Hmph? If you get angry at this level, you're shallow, female fox. If you want to act as a manager, use your head before you groan.
The interaction that was peaceful on the surface had turned into a battle of provocations in an instant. Shannon, who was originally unfamiliar with the political field, could not keep up with the speed. But between Julia and Geoglyph, the conclusion had already been reached.
"Fine... As you wish, I'll move my mouth and hands along with my head. ...Follow me, young raccoon."
"Hmph. Very well. Do your best to wag your tail and lead the way for me, female fox."
Sparks flew between their gazes, and the two of them left the reception room together.
"Ah, ah... they're planning to kill each other, aren't they? So? Old man butler, shouldn't you stop them?"
"Since the other two are not participating, that is likely the case, is it not?"
Oh, he's quite perceptive. But Geo is surprisingly hot-blooded, isn't he?
"Since I have been the butler of this house for a long time, I have seen many hot-blooded people in the frontier count's territory. I have grown used to it. Now, then, let us prepare the secret weapon. You three, please come this way."
Shrugging his shoulders, the butler with a bitter smile led the two idiots out of the reception room.
"Eh? Eh? Eh?"
Furthermore, Shannon, who could not keep up with the speed of events, was still confused.
To be continued next week.