153 - Selva's Assassins
――Inside the royal castle of Rolfis.
It was the room of Dario Selva, the second prince of Selva and the fiancé.
He paced the spacious room restlessly, biting his thumbnail.
Inside the room, a guard knight brought from Selva cautioned Dario.
"Your Highness, I believe such behavior is unbecoming. Since the current situation of the country has been sent via documents, all that remains is to wait for instructions."
At that, Dario shouted at the knight.
"Don't mess with me! How could you possibly understand how I feel! How I felt when I was sent to Galleria and Lusworth, only to be miserably sent back! I was the spare for my elder brother, and finally, there was a possibility that I could have my own territory! And then that brat, that braaaat!!"
Dario grabbed a vase and smashed it against the wall, then slumped down on the spot, breathing heavily.
The second son. A life spent staying in his room as a spare for his brother. Once his brother grew up without issue and children were born, he was to be sent to another country as a groom.
However, he failed to interest the princess of Galleria and Lusworth, who were called Valkyries, and was instead sent as a groom to the small nation of Rolfis.
"...If I had become king, I intended to make it a vassal state immediately! If Selva teamed up with Zain, we would have enough military power to oppose Galleria and Lusworth..."
Bordering Galleria and Lusworth, who were fighting fiercely, Selva also needed to increase its national strength.
The reason they teamed up with Zain was that Selva planned to rule Rolfis after Zain, who wanted to plunder Rolfis, ran wild.
An exhausted Rolfis would have no choice but to rely on Selva. A deal had been struck with Zain behind the scenes, and Selva would mediate to end the war――that was the scenario.
"That brat! Because of him, I'll be looked down upon again!"
The knight let out a sigh and spoke to Dario.
"We are moving so as not to let them grasp their location, but it is impossible for them to escape. They will never reach Fort Noineel."
At those words, Dario said.
"Then bring me his head immediately! Because of that one person, Selva is being put in a predicament! Why are you being so leisurely!"
Dario took his frustration out on the knight guarding him, but his head was full of how to somehow break through the current situation.
He had reported to the country, but the reason he wanted to handle it himself no matter what was likely because he was panicking.
"Some girls, and one old man... I will show you that I can handle them quickly."
The knight, believing that Liel and the others had not gone outside, showed confidence. After all, there had been no report that they had left Rolfis――.
The castle town of Rolfis.
Walking with Miranda, I confirmed the reactions approaching us.
They showed blatant hostility and, despite it still being light out, kept a certain distance from us.
I tried to obtain information on the opponents with the skill [Real Spec], but there was too much information to narrow it down.
As I pressed my head, Miranda entwined her arm with mine.
"Are you okay? You look pale."
Told this, I shook my head.
"They're approaching. Six reactions. Two groups of three. They're watching us."
"You can even tell that much?"
As I walked with Miranda.
"I've become able to. However, I'm not used to using it yet."
Miranda nodded a few times and cast her gaze around. The six were trying to keep their distance immediately, and Miranda spotted a stall.
"Liel, I want to eat that."
"Huh? Well, I guess it's fine. We haven't even been able to sightsee, so which one should we pick?"
Perhaps because of the atmosphere that war was coming, there was a certain anxiety on the faces of the people walking. All that could be heard were rumors of war.
When I bought food at the stall, the surrounding reactions seemed to let down their guard and closed the distance again.
Miranda also sensed the hostility around us and spoke to me while eating.
"Do you think they'll make a move here?"
They are likely chasing us and trying to find the location of Aura-san and the others. They probably think they are still staying there and haven't gone outside.
"It seems possible if we return to the inn. Well, I thought it would turn out like this... but it seems it's just Selva acting alone."
Only Selva was chasing us, there was no overt movement from Rolfis.
From within the Jewel Orb, the third generation spoke.
'Maybe there aren't that many collaborators within Rolfis. Well, there's only one direct princess, if they're choosing a partner, they might compromise with a prince of Selva.'
Considering the surrounding situation, Zain has no royalty. Galleria and Lusworth exist a bit further away, but apparently, women are ruling. There was nothing in the documents about them having children.
The fourth generation said.
'He seemed quite short-tempered. Even so, if they had cooperated with Rolfis to attack us, we could have moved things in a good direction after the recovery.'
He said things suggesting he wanted Rolfis to move if they were to attack.
The fifth generation also said.
'Because we could flush out those who cooperated with Selva. Well, if they don't show their tails, I guess that's fine.'
I ate the stall snack in my hand and spoke to Miranda.
"Shall we keep walking through the town?"
At that, Miranda looked a bit bored.
"While being watched by such boorish people? If it's a date, then it's fine."
I gave a wry smile.
"A date while being watched? I'm not so sure about that."
We continued walking through Rolfis. When it became noon, we ate, and then walked again. After taking a break, the sun began to set and the number of people decreased.
It was then that the pursuers made their move.
When I intentionally entered a narrow alley, three of the group of six had moved ahead to sandwich us.
In the map I saw in my head, the sight of them hurriedly moving ahead to corner us was relatively amusing.
(They're getting a bit lost because it's not their hometown.)
Advancing quickly with Miranda, I intentionally reached a dead end.
"Here it is."
I raised my hand and used magic.
"Fire Bullet."
The fireball flew toward the sky, being sucked into the sky that looked like a mixture of purple and orange.
The surroundings were slightly wide, but it was a place like a garbage dump.
Looking at the entrance, three of the knights who had been chasing us appeared――.
Their clothing was adventurer-style.
They looked a bit tired, but I could tell they were trying not to show it. I had them watch for hours and finally lured them in. It's only natural they'd be tired.
"...There's no mistake, it's Liel and Miranda. Why don't you lead us to the Saintess of Zain?"
The three who drew their swords approached us.
I said.
"The group of three on the roof hasn't caught up yet, you know? It would have been better to wait a bit longer before attacking."
Then, the man who seemed to be the leader did not show any sign of panic. It's a bit lonely.
"A skill user, huh. If it's a support type, they're not scary in combat. Two of you take the man, and one take the woman. Our allies will be here soon."
I felt the leader's magic swell. Then, his body grew rapidly, and his jacket burst open.
Muscles bulged as much as possible, and he became like a mass of muscle.
Miranda said.
"Wow, there's a skill like this too."
The opponent grinned, and his tone was rougher than before.
"There's no way a support-type skill can beat me, a front-line skill user. Kill the man. Once you make the woman spit out the Saintess's location, you can do whatever you want with her."
His eyes were bloodshot, and he seemed quite excited.
The two who seemed to be subordinates kept their distance from the leader. However, as if that displeased him, the leader punched one of them away.
He crashed into the wall, and one of them fell to the ground and stopped moving. He wasn't alive.
The seventh generation said.
'Does he lose self-control when he increases his strength? Hmm, perhaps it's a skill called [Berserk]? However, to choose a skill user like this as a pursuer again.'
While exasperated, he explained in a calm voice.
The leader shouted.
"Answer me!"
"Y-Yes!"
When the subordinate hurriedly spoke, the leader turned and came toward me. I stopped Miranda with my hand as she tried to step in front of me, and I drew my saber.
The opponent was a giant to the point that the sword he held looked thin, but I stepped forward regardless.
I won't use a skill.
Avoiding the slash the opponent brought down, I cut the opponent's arm with my saber. However, the strike I intended to sever only left a shallow cut with a bit of blood.
"You're tough."
"You dove into my range, you idiot!"
As the leader tried to grab me with his left hand, I discarded my saber and grabbed his arm. As a cracking sound echoed, the leader's bellicose smile distorted.
Skill――[Limit Burst]――the second stage of the first generation's skill.
"...Nobody said I only have one skill."
"Y-You bastard!"
As the leader raised his right arm holding the sword, I performed a leg sweep. As the leader fell, I turned my gaze to the other enemy, who was rolling on the ground, limbs bound by Miranda's threads.
The leader, thinking I had looked away, tried to stab me. I moved half a step to the side and avoided the sword.
I drew a spare saber and stabbed it straight into his head, then looked at the sky. After several flashes of light, Mei, in the form of a Kirin, descended.
I sheathed my saber, picked up the fallen one, and looked at Miranda.
"Now, what should we do?"
The man rolling on the ground had a pale expression as he looked at us. However, he kept his mouth shut and glared at us.
When Mei landed on the ground.
"The three who were above... I defeated them, but that's not a problem, right?"
Hearing that, I said.
"Then let's ask this person to deliver a message. 'Your Highness, your response was disappointingly poor.' Could you tell him that?"
The opponent looked at the ground regretfully.
"I don't know. Who is this 'Your Highness'?"
As a final resistance, the man tried to feign ignorance.
Whether he delivers it or not doesn't matter to me.
The fact that we fought here is what's important. Of course, he doesn't have anything that proves he's an assassin from Selva. But I understand Selva's response.
I looked at Miranda.
"Can the threads be undone?"
"They'll disappear after a while. Well, they might stay like this for a few hours."
After looking at the rolling man once, I put Miranda on Mei's back. Then I climbed on, and Mei raced up into the sky.
The sky of Rolfis had grown dark, so no one would be able to confirm Mei's figure. Even if they could, it wouldn't mean anything.
As we rapidly left Rolfis, Mei explained to me.
"People were gathering around the fort. About two hundred, maybe? Also, there's still no movement from Zain."
Hearing that, the fourth generation seemed to have a question.
'Still? According to the plan, it was touch-and-go whether they'd make it in time. Why is it taking so long?'
The third generation added to that opinion.
'...You did let them escape properly, right? Come to think of it, was it only one knight who escaped?'
The fifth generation said.
'They might have been attacked by monsters on the way. However, that gives us more time. Though I don't want to spend too much time.'
There are many worries. Things are going well, but there's a limit to maintaining food and armaments with just our party.
The seventh generation said.
'Or perhaps they are trying to send more troops than planned. Around a hundred... Given the importance, I thought they'd move a thousand.'
The third generation made a prediction.
'Assuming they arrived safely, there's no guarantee the knight reported our numbers accurately. They might be moving a considerable force.'
The fifth generation gave me instructions.
'Liel, let's scout the enemy's movements on the way back. It'll be hard on Mei, but let's check the terrain as well.'
I spoke to Mei.
"Mei, can you fly a bit more? I want to check the enemy's movements on the way back."
Then, Mei said.
"Again? I mean, sure, but..."
She seemed exasperated. Miranda had her arms wrapped around my waist from my back and spoke from behind.
"Liel, what are you thinking?"
I spoke to Miranda.
"No, it's just that it's more than I thought――"
――Rather than the temple in the city of Zain, the Knight Commander was receiving a report inside the castle.
Wearing ornate armor, the news had flown in just as he was about to set out.
"You... you should have just rushed to some fort!"
The man who threw documents at the battered knight was Armand Benoit. A Knight Commander in his mid-forties, he was one of those in favor of this war.
The knight was trembling, but explained the circumstances.
"I didn't know where the enemy's agents were! Five hundred soldiers who suddenly appeared at the fort cannot move without being found! To bring this news back, I rode my horse desperately!"
Armand, looking frustrated, looked at the knight in front of him and felt suspicious that he wasn't wearing armaments.
"Without even a weapon? You didn't just run away, did you!"
"I lost them fighting monsters! Even so, I desperately came this far――"
Perhaps because the shouting continued in the Knight Commander's office, it could be heard outside. A girl accompanied by a shrine maiden entered the room.
The ends of her long silver hair were in vertical rolls. Clad in the attire of a Saintess, she looked at the Knight Commander with green eyes.
"Armand, what is the meaning of this? Weren't Aura and Selma, who fled, disposed of?"
As Armand put his knee to the floor, the battered knight also knelt.
"N-No, this is still uncertain information."
Remis Zain――the current Saintess, spoke of the rumors spreading in Zain.
"There were rumors that Aura, who escaped my assassination, was gathering troops in Beim to revolt."
"T-That was just a rumor without evidence."
Remis spoke in an exasperated tone.
"They actually revolted. I heard rumors it was about a hundred people, but five hundred soldiers? Could it be that they have some kind of backing? You're not going to leave this as it is, are you?"
Armand, the Knight Commander, wanted to head to the front and take command immediately. How long had he longed for this day.
(Slip of a girl. She should just be a decoration. But indeed, I cannot leave it be... I can move one to two thousand. But if I fail with that...)
About twenty thousand soldiers were moving.
There were also mercenary groups, so the exact number wasn't known. However, not all were soldiers fighting on the front line. There were also units providing support from the rear. The current reality was that about fourteen to fifteen thousand were actually capable of fighting.
(If there are too few, it will be difficult to push Rolfis back on the front line. Besides, who do I send? I lowered the contract fee for the mercenary groups by giving them freedom to plunder, so I don't think they'll move.)
Allowing plundering in his own territory was something Armand hesitated over, even for him.
But if that's the case, how many soldiers should he direct?
(Should I leave it? I don't think they can move either...)
While Armand was thinking desperately, Remis spoke.
"Enough. I command it. Send three thousand."
"Three thousand!? That's excessive force. Let's see how it goes with a thousand and keep them pinned down. Although the fort was taken, they shouldn't be able to move. We can deal with them slowly after returning!"
However, Remis spoke irritably.
"Even though there are rumors that I fear the Aura who revolted? Moreover, it's known that the opponent has a hundred people, and you're telling me to endure while people think I fear that small a number?"
Armand panicked.
(What does this mean? Why such a rumor... it's too fast for the rumor to spread after this guy brought back the information. Could there really be a traitor? No, everyone who sided with Selma was sent to the frontier. I see, they let them through on purpose!)
Given the current state of Zain, it wouldn't be strange.
(If they're not within the temple, there's a high possibility they've infiltrated the city. But with mercenaries coming and going like this, finding them is... who do I send? If there's a traitor among my allies even in this situation... in that case, I shall go.)
Putting the judgment of the knight aside, Armand stood up.
"I understand. I will head to Fort Noineel immediately with three thousand elites."
Three thousand, Armand thought that with that many, he could crush even five hundred, as the knight had said.
Remis was surprised that Armand's attitude had changed so suddenly.
(I doubt there are really five hundred. There's a possibility he reported a small number as a large one. But even if there are actually that many, three thousand can trample them.)
Armand did not trust everything in the knight's report. And he thought that even if the enemy didn't come out of the fort, he could crush them with numbers.
Then, Remis said.
"Of course that's not allowed. In the first place, your job is to be my guard."
The Holy Knights. Their original role was to guard the Saintess. To be the shield of the Saintess. However, while calling itself a religious state, it was a country that continued to plunder and wage war on its surroundings.
Such a role was merely a formality.
In fact, Armand's family had been knights for generations, and they were no different from other countries, only that they didn't call themselves nobles.
"Wasn't it the Saintess-sama who said it was important? I shall command it myself and ensure the rebels are slaughtered for your viewing pleasure."
Armand pushed through and called to the knight.
"Come. I want to hear the details. Well then, Saintess-sama, I shall take my leave."
(Hmph, there are plenty of replacements for you.)
If Remis were killed, Aura and the others who assassinated her would not gain the support of the people. Armand thought so, and didn't mind if Remis died.
Remis looked spitefully at the departing Armand――.