150 - Princess Her Highness
The royal castle of Rolfis was solidly built.
The castle town gave a functional, or in other words, frugal impression.
Within such a frugal royal castle, only the audience chamber was luxurious. However, it seemed as though many of the decorations had been forced upon it.
A red carpet was laid out, and on a raised platform sat the princess in a large chair. Beside her sat her fiancé, Prince Selva.
Princess Her Highness, Annelie Rolfis, wore her hair in a half-up style. However, she seemed to take pride in its length. The ends were tied, and when she sat, she draped her hair over her shoulders.
Her purple hair grew thinner toward the bottom third of the tips.
She wore a white dress and a red cloak over her shoulders, perhaps to support her hair.
Her skin was white, and her expression seemed gentle. Her slightly drooping eyes were green.
However, her expression looked a bit troubled.
She kept glancing at the reaction of her fiancé sitting beside her—Dario Selva. While Dario sat with a smile, his smile was stiff, as if he were displeased internally.
With white hair and loose white clothing, his brown skin seemed to stand out. His red eyes were looking at us.
Beside the Princess—on the level below, sitting in the closest position—the Chancellor, Lombolt, cleared his throat and continued the conversation.
"Now then, is it correct that your request is for independence?"
Gastone-san, the former High Priest, denied it. Since they both had sparse hair on their heads, perhaps they felt some kinship, as his tone toward Lombolt-san was gentle.
(Lombolt-san looks like he's had a hard time.)
His head was hairless, and his eyes were sharp. His body was also thin, making me worry just by looking at him. That was Lombolt-san.
"No. We are not aiming for independence, but for reclamation. We asked for this meeting to explicitly state that we will not initiate any attacks against the people of Rolfis."
Nobles and knights surrounded us, making the audience chamber feel cramped.
From within the jewel, rude voices could be heard.
The Seventh said.
"...It's more shabby than my estate."
The Third said.
"Well, the land is smaller compared to the Fourth's time. It can't be helped."
The Fifth, checking the faces present, said.
"The scale is small, so they can't gather many soldiers. ...If they can't match the numbers, they increase the quality. I see, it seems they're making an effort... but why does only this room feel strange? Everything else is frugal."
The Fourth said.
"The taste is kind of bad. Even I think the taste is bad."
The Sixth seemed to be looking at Dario.
"...Could it be the taste of that prince called Dario? A collar on his arm, and he's wearing an excessive amount of ornaments. He doesn't even seem like a nouveau riche."
Selva was also a country with a fair amount of history. He wasn't nouveau riche, but one couldn't say he had good taste.
(Is that just the national character? If so, did she match it for Selva's sake?)
Lombolt-san spoke to Gastone-san.
"I see, so you intend to move toward reclamation. And for that, you wish for our assistance."
The one who spoke up here was Selma-san.
"No, we will move independently. That said, after the reclamation, we may seek cooperation."
Aura-san remained silent. Both Aura-san and Selma-san were wearing dresses prepared by Monica, drawing the gazes of the men around them.
Dario whispered something to Princess Annelie.
After seeing that, I turned my gaze to the surroundings. I didn't miss the bitter expressions on the faces of Alette-san and the knights nearby.
Then, Princess Annelie spoke.
"But moving independently must be difficult. Why not stay here in Rolfis? I believe there are things we can do to help."
Selma-san replied.
"No, the sentiment alone is enough. We understand how selfishly we are speaking while Zain is causing trouble for Rolfis."
What we wanted in this place was a promise that neither side would lay a hand on the other. And my own purpose was to see the Princess.
Novem, who was beside me, looked at the Princess expressionlessly. It wasn't a smile, nor a serious expression—rather, it felt as if they were assessing something.
On the opposite side, Miranda was standing.
Miranda was directing her gaze toward Dario.
Princess Annelie continued.
"If you were to stay here, negotiations would surely be possible. We are prepared to hand over mithril. Could you lend us your strength to avoid war?"
In response to the persuasion, Selma-san said.
"We appreciate the offer. However, we are already past the stage of avoiding war. I hear both armies are already gathering at the border. It seems skirmishes are already occurring. Furthermore, Zain is seeking visible results."
Zain didn't want mithril from the start. They wanted a pretext to invade. It just so happened that mithril appeared at the right timing.
As Selma-san tried to persuade Princess Annelie, her fiancé, Dario, moved. He stood up and clapped.
When everyone's gaze turned toward him, Dario spoke.
"No, truly wonderful. A Saint standing up for her homeland... no, she was a former Saint, wasn't she. I find you beautiful. However, I would like you to look not only at your own affairs, but also at the current situation of Rolfis. To put it bluntly, your side caused this commotion. Isn't it only right to cooperate with us?"
It was certainly a correct opinion, but I already knew.
That Selva was moving behind the scenes and steadily making preparations.
After summarizing the information from the informant Rauno-san and hearing the conclusion—the hypothesis—he reached, there were parts I could agree with.
(Selva is also impatient.)
The reason Selva was impatient was that the neighboring country bordered a nation where two great Valkyries—two female paragons—were in conflict.
To counter this, in addition to increasing national power, they sought cooperation with other countries. Rauno-san's hypothesis was that this country was Zain, not Rolfis.
(Well, I don't know where the real objective is, but whether they carve it up or steal it, it's certain that Zain and Selva will reap the benefits.)
This time, Rolfis was in the position of being preyed upon.
Aura-san spoke. She seemed a bit bored with the atmosphere of this place.
"...We said we would settle the problem ourselves. Besides, you've heard our proposal. Would it not be beneficial for your side as well?"
Our proposal.
It was an uprising in the territory of Zain that had once been the territory of Rolfis. We would reclaim a now-dilapidated fort and raise an independent force there.
I didn't want to do it because it was a hassle, but since I couldn't side with Rolfis, I had no choice but to choose that option.
After all, the current Rolfis was nearly under the thumb of her fiancé, Dario. That meant they were moving according to Selva's intentions.
(If I carelessly sided with them, it would be either being kept as a pet or assassinated... what a pain.)
One of the nobles lined up raised their voice.
"Princess. If an uprising occurs in the frontier, Zain will have to turn some of its troops in that direction. In other words, it means the number of enemies on the front line will decrease. Should we not accept this proposal?"
Other nobles added.
"Right now, it is important to deplete the enemy's combat power. From Zain's perspective, they shouldn't be able to overlook an uprising by the former Saint and her companions. Rather, I believe we should provide some support. Supplies, soldiers, and funds. The more, the better."
They said they would support us, but in short, they were trying to get us to draw the enemy's attention. It was a correct judgment to protect their own country.
Then, Princess Annelie said.
"To be thinking of fighting before the war even begins... politics should be about searching for a means to avoid it at all costs."
(She's not wrong. However, this person's mistake is—)
The Sixth voiced my thoughts.
"—Naive. The war is not about to begin. It has already begun. If this girl hadn't spoken up during peacetime, she might have become a good queen."
The Third added.
"She looks good, so she's just right as a figurehead. Well, the problem is that she's blind with love, isn't it?"
Yes, whether she was in love with the Prince of Selva or not, she was completely obedient to him.
The terrible part was that she adopted Dario's opinions over those of her vassals. Various problems were occurring internally, and the domestic situation of Rolfis was in shambles.
(I can't trust this person because her opinion changes immediately based on her fiancé's.)
The reason the previous heads called Princess Annelie terrible was because of such information. Princess Annelie's words had no credibility. Therefore, she could not be trusted.
There were too many unstable elements as a collaborator. That's why I kept my distance.
Alette-san offered her opinion to Princess Annelie.
"Princess, it would not be strange for Zain to move at any moment. Avoidance is already impossible. Please, for the sake of both parties, in this place—"
And once again, the opinion was cut off.
Dario pointed at me.
"I permitted you to be here because you are a candidate for the next Vice Commander, but it seems you lack the capacity for it. It is important to negotiate until the very last moment for the sake of the people. Besides, are your eyes holes? A mere adventurer—and an unknown one at that—as a temporary Knight Commander? Do you seriously believe that someone who has never led troops can take a fort? If so, we shall tell you... that you are incompetent."
Hearing those words, the Third trembled.
"T-True. Lyell... hasn't experienced a real war yet. That's not a mistake."
I agreed.
And in the audience chamber, I could see the nobles and knights enduring their anger. Even so, Dario's words continued.
"I hear it's a gathering of about a hundred adventurers. Can you even reach the fort?"
Alette-san followed up for me.
"...Lyell-dono is a highly skilled adventurer even in Beim. I shall guarantee that. I also believe he has future potential."
Dario laughed through his nose.
"Completely unreliable. This is why the knights of Rolfis are useless. Knights imitating adventurers, earning for themselves..."
Princess Annelie, sitting beside Dario, said.
"I am sorry, Dario-sama. However, Alette's statement was out of concern for the country. Please forgive her."
The Fourth said.
"Well, she's young. About the same as Lyell? You make mistakes in judgment due to love. But this timing is fatal."
In the audience chamber, an argument broke out between the surrounding nobles, knights, and Dario. We were completely left out.
Suppressing a wry smile, I asked for permission to speak.
"Excuse me. May I speak?"
When the room fell silent, Lombolt-san looked at me and gave permission.
"...I was rude as well. Please go ahead."
I looked not at Dario, but at Princess Annelie, and spoke.
"Then, if we obtain the fort, will all problems disappear?"
Perhaps angered by being ignored, Dario interrupted from the side.
"Obtain it? Someone who doesn't know the battlefield talks a big game."
Dario was in his mid-twenties. However, as far as I had researched, there was no record of him being on a battlefield. I looked at Princess Annelie once more.
"So, if we obtain the fort... if we obtain Fort Noineel, will all the problems be solved?"
Well, they wouldn't be solved.
However, perhaps because he was angry and thought we couldn't do it, Dario said.
"Go ahead and try. It's fine if you come back defeated, but make sure you don't get the precious Saint stolen away!"
The Fifth's voice sounded.
"It's more convenient for this guy if we're not around. Rather, it might be better if we lose and disappear."
And so, Princess Annelie also said.
"Yes. If you can do that, we can leave the Saint and her companions to you."
Internally.
(Already treating them as the Saint. Moreover, does she think her position is superior? It's not like we're relying on her... but this is convenient.)
As I bowed on the spot, there was a reaction from my skill.
There was a reaction rapidly approaching the audience chamber.
The Third called out to me. It seemed they were thinking of a prank.
"Lyell, right here—"
Hearing that, while thinking I'd be embarrassed if I failed, I acted exaggeratedly.
"Then I, Lyell Walt, shall show you that I can obtain the fort. Oh, it's simple. Let's see... yes, with this, everything is over."
When I snapped my fingers, the surroundings directed gazes that mocked me. Princess Annelie was taken aback. Dario looked at me.
"Have you gone mad?"
While he was saying that with a nasty smile, Novem spoke beside me.
"Lyell-sama, your joke has gone too far."
And Miranda as well.
"It would be fine if you were always like that, though."
They looked at me with exasperation. However, neither of them directed a mocking gaze toward me.
Then, the doors of the audience chamber were flung open.
The one who entered was a knight who seemed to be a messenger. Perhaps he was in a hurry, as he was out of breath. After taking one deep breath.
"M-Messenger! Fort Noineel has—"
The reactions of those around were amusing. Many people widened their eyes, looking back and forth between my face and the messenger's face.
But internally, I was.
(I'm glad I was right... I didn't have to be embarrassed.)
I felt relieved.
"—Fort Noineel has been taken by a group calling themselves the Holy Order of Knights!"
While the surroundings fell into chaos, I spoke to Princess Annelie.
"Then, this is acceptable, right? We will head to the fort. Don't worry, we'll draw the enemy's attention. So that Rolfis becomes even slightly more advantaged. Ah, and we don't need support. Since your side must be struggling as well. Also, please make effective use of this opportunity we've created."
As I said that and tried to leave the audience chamber with everyone, a voice called out from behind. It was Dario.
"W-Wait! Do you understand what you've done! With this, the avoidance of war between Rolfis and Zain is gone! Everything is your responsibility!"
From the jewel, the Third's amused voice could be heard.
"Lyell's responsibility? Ahahaha!! No, no... this is a problem between Zain and Zain, and he just did it because it happened to be easy to start an uprising. Besides, since he notified them in advance, isn't he being quite conscientious? How cruel. Even though he went through the trouble of notifying them."
(In advance, huh. Well, I told them before the information reached them, but how malicious.)
The Third had known it would turn out like this and was enjoying it. Truly black-hearted.
I had prepared enough combat power to take it. However, I hadn't expected the messenger to rush in at this timing.
I looked back and said one thing.
"Oh, you want me to take responsibility? But that's a problem... I have no rights or obligations toward Rolfis. I question whether there is a need for me to take responsibility. Well then, I shall be taking my leave as I will be busy from now on."
When leaving the audience chamber, Alette-san gave me a thumbs-up from a position where Dario couldn't see.
She seemed considerably happy.
However, for us, the busy part starts now.
"Now, shall we move to the next action?"
I decided to move to the next action quickly.