88 - Fellow Disciples
On the first floor of the inn, Miranda had a troubled look on her face.
Shannon was drinking fruit juice near her older sister, Miranda.
Around them, there were more people than usual, perhaps because the number of guests was increasing.
Novem, Aria, and Clara were packing their luggage.
Monica was in the rental warehouse, making final adjustments to the porter.
I spoke to Miranda.
"Can't we secure any tickets?"
Miranda nodded.
"The prices have gone up, but more than that, it's so crowded that they say it's better to avoid it for a while."
Apparently, she was told that reservations were full, and it was becoming difficult to secure lodging as well.
"Central for a while, then... I wanted to depart as soon as possible."
Miranda said,
"The timing was bad. That aside, Shannon."
"What?"
"You should help out a little. Everyone is busy, and here you are, leisurely drinking juice."
Miranda looked exasperated, but the juice was something Shannon had bought herself.
Since they were technically companions, the rewards were split equally.
And Miranda was the one managing Shannon's rewards.
She gave her an allowance from that amount, so Shannon had money she could spend freely.
"Ehh~"
As Shannon made a reluctant face, Miranda brought her fist down.
An attack that outmaneuvered Shannon's attempt to dodge.
"Ouch..."
"Haa, Lyell, you're going shopping, right?"
"Eh? Ah, yeah."
I already had everything I needed, but I was using the shopping as an excuse to observe the current state of Central.
I hadn't noticed before, but the residents of Central had accepted the annulment of the engagement relatively favorably.
And it seemed that the fact that Celes was the next queen was important to the residents as well.
Before I knew it, the whole country seemed to be in a state of madness.
While not entirely, the Walt family had repeatedly made contact with major lords and power players over the last few years.
While I was locked away, the outside world must have changed significantly because of Celes.
"In that case, take Shannon along as a luggage carrier. She's been idling lately, so please work her to the bone."
"You couldn't possibly make a cute girl carry luggage, could you, Lyell?"
As Shannon struck a cute pose, I replied with a smile.
"If you were actually cute. You might look cute on the outside, but your inside is terrible, so I can definitely work you to the bone."
When I said that, Shannon muttered,
"...And I told you I wouldn't let you regret it."
"Guh! ...You're actually bringing that up?"
The voice of the Third Generation echoed from the jewel.
『Hahaha, that was great. I can't wait for the next one.』
The Fourth Generation joined in.
『As for me, the other blunder lines were also quite amusing.』
(T-these guys...)
Thinking that, I let out a sigh.
"Just walking around outside is fine, right? Come on, go get ready."
At those words, Miranda nodded.
"Come on, Shannon, get ready."
Shannon finished her juice and slogged up the stairs.
"I don't even want to go outside because it's cold."
Watching Shannon complain incessantly, Miranda sighed.
I gave a wry smile.
Even though it was daytime, my breath was white, and the cold bit deep.
As Shannon and I walked through the royal capital, we held hands so we wouldn't get separated.
Shannon asked,
"Even if you say shopping, there's nothing to buy, right?"
Since she was looking at me with judging eyes, I pressed my hand to my face.
"Then just buy some trinkets. Aria is out browsing the stalls."
"Don't lump me in with Aria. I am a fragile young lady, after all."
"You were one. Look, if you find something that interests you, let me know. I'll be listening to the surrounding rumors."
As we walked, I listened to the voices of the residents talking around us.
Because I was matching my pace to Shannon's, my speed was slow.
"Did you hear? Apparently, Celes-sama has arrived in Central."
"She's later than scheduled. Is everything alright?"
"Speaking of which, there seemed to be a commotion at the gate yesterday..."
Hearing that, I stopped in my tracks.
Shannon tilted her head.
"What's wrong?"
"N-no... it's nothing. (Are my parents here... and Celes too?)"
Then, Shannon said exasperatedly,
"You're weird. Hey, buy me that."
Shannon pointed to a stall selling accessories.
Inside, there were various pieces of jewelry that looked quite cheap.
Looking at the merchandise, Shannon pointed to just one.
"This one."
"This? I mean, it's cheap, so it's fine, but... wait! You have your own allowance!"
Just as I was about to buy it, I remembered.
Shannon had her own money.
When she realized I'd noticed, she clicked her tongue.
"Tch, just buy it for me."
"It's cheap, so whatever. You really need to fix that personality of yours."
I bought it reluctantly, and Shannon happily put the item in her pocket.
It didn't look like anything of value to me, but if Shannon was happy, maybe there was a reason.
Though—
"I'll brag about this to my older sister. Now I can get my revenge."
—maybe she wasn't thinking that deeply.
As we moved away from the stall, I noticed an acquaintance nearby.
The one singing was Eva.
She had composed a song about the Griffon subjugation and was performing it in Central.
Just as she was finishing, applause broke out, and small copper coins and copper coins were tossed into a metal cylinder.
"A singer? That's the elf from before. Come to think of it, I've never actually listened to a singer's storytelling or songs properly."
Since Shannon said that, I took her hand and headed toward Eva.
As the customers happily dispersed, Eva threw a coat over her costume.
"Are you finished already?"
As I said that, Eva gathered the money.
"Sorry~ the next singer is coming, so I have to clear the spot... wait, Lyell? Are you on a date with this girl today?"
I gave a wry smile at Eva's teasing gaze.
"Something like that. Shannon said she wanted to hear some songs and stories. I'll help you."
"Ah, you don't have to."
I gathered the coins and put them into the can.
Seeing the can fill up, Eva looked happy.
"Maybe I should look for a bigger container. But these things have their ups and downs, and if I switch to a big one and the customers stop coming... hmm."
While I watched Eva worry, Shannon pulled my arm.
She was urging me.
"Hey, I'll pay you, so could you let us hear a song or a story in a suitable place? Shannon was with us during the Griffon subjugation, so a different song would be better if possible."
Eva thought for a moment.
"A different song, huh. In that case, the 'Two Great Valkyries' who have been staring each other down in other countries were popular until recently, or the 'Saintess'... but the topic of the 'Queen' might be good too. For a girl, maybe a princess is better than a knight or a general?"
Just as I thought another set of grandiose names had appeared, Shannon looked excited.
Looking at the tired Eva, I said,
"Three large copper coins for a meal and one song. How about that?"
Whether the conditions were favorable or not, Eva agreed happily.
"I'm in! I'll sing. Since it's come to this, I'll sing my heart out for you!"
The conditions I offered seemed to be an extraordinary deal for Eva.
Shannon also looked happy.
She was waving her hands around, giving an impression much younger than her actual age. She must have been looking forward to it that much.
"Really! Yay!"
She was overjoyed at the prospect of hearing a singer's songs and stories.
In this regard, she really seemed like a young child.
"I'm performing for individuals this afternoon... I really made the right choice leaving my clan!"
Did she really?
As I thought that, the Sixth Generation, who also had experience running away from home, spoke up.
『...In this girl's case, it's fine because she has a dream, but I wish she wouldn't forget that there are family members worrying about her because she ran away.』
Then, the Fifth and Seventh Generations chimed in.
『Coming from you, that has not a shred of persuasiveness.』
『Indeed.』
The Sixth Generation didn't speak, but I could easily imagine him feeling depressed.
Looking around, I said to Eva,
"It looks like the next singers have arrived."
The others took off their coats and were lightly dressed despite the cold.
They claimed it was winter attire, but just looking at them made me feel cold.
The trio of elves consisted of one singer and two instrument players.
Eva glared at them.
"Oh, if it isn't Eva, that country bumpkin from the Nihil clan."
A female elf, brushing back her beautiful blonde hair, provoked Eva.
"Just because you grew up in the city, you look down on me... you're still a low-ranker who can't even sing in a shop! We're in the same position! The same!"
As Eva fought back, the other elf replied,
"It's because people like you keep flowing in that it's becoming hard to secure a spot! Show some consideration for your compatriots who have settled here!"
Being an elf must be tough too.
Holding the hand of an exasperated Shannon, I waited for Eva.
"Compatriots? You're an enemy, an enemy! Besides, the Nihil are the oldest clan among elves. I'd appreciate it if you didn't make light of us."
"That's why I hate you people, always looking down on others! Just because you have a few more songs and stories!"
"What? Are you frustrated? I guess it's true that you people don't have many songs worth passing down."
"Kieeee, I'm so frustrated!"
It seemed there was a lot of drama even among elves. The two male elves behind them watched the argument with exasperated looks.
When they noticed us, they apologized.
"I'm sorry. This is just like a greeting, so it'll be over in a bit."
"Ah, yes."
"I'm truly sorry. She's a quite popular singer, but since Eva arrived recently, things have been... complicated."
They seemed to be struggling, so I couldn't bring myself to complain.
We waited for Eva to finish her argument, and then we headed off to eat.
After finishing our meal and listening to the songs and stories, we walked through the darkening streets of Central.
It was a road with few pedestrians.
When we stepped outside, it was snowing, and the snow had begun to accumulate.
(I thought it was cold, so it's snowing, huh)
We walked, treading on the snow.
Having been held up for several hours after the meal, Shannon had heard many songs and stories.
Shannon looked satisfied, but Eva was exhausted in her place.
"Man~ today was really fun. Especially the 'Two Great Valkyries staring each other down,' that was the best."
The "Two Great Valkyries" Shannon mentioned were the top two leaders of countries engaged in war with each other.
The monarchs personally led their armies into battle, and because of the intensity, they were feared and called Valkyries or War Consorts.
"No, that's way too scary. Why do they fight so many times every year? They're idiots."
Between countries that fought repeatedly at the border, mercenaries also participated, but they apparently turned back after seeing the strength of the two and judging that the casualties would be too high.
Eva, with a tired expression, said,
"I'm glad you liked it. I've only heard about it and haven't seen it myself, but it seems the number of battles has increased considerably in the last few years. Though they've always been on bad terms."
Hearing that, the Fifth Generation and others spoke up.
『...Isn't that just that? Rather than fighting a real war every year, they're just hitting each other according to set rules.』
They began to suggest it was a fixed match.
The Fourth Generation agreed.
『There are those kinds of wars. If you really killed each other and became weak, you'd just be destroyed by the surrounding nations, which would be stupid.』
(Is that a pattern too? When I think of war, I have a much more tragic image of it.)
That was probably mainly due to the Third Generation's memories.
Eva looked at me and grinned.
"The Queen and the Saintess are also said to be beautiful, Mr. Hero."
I cleared my throat.
Previously, I had declared to Eva that she should pass down my heroic tales. I had been in a weird mood after my growth spurt, but now it was being used as material to tease me.
I tried to change the subject, but Shannon, who was holding my hand, stopped.
"What's wrong?"
"...No way, why?"
Her eyes widened. Her yellow eyes shone golden, and her gaze was fixed on a knight leading four subordinate soldiers.
Looking at the equipment of the knight and soldiers, I immediately understood who they were.
From within the jewel, the Seventh Generation—
『Lyell, move immediately. The opponent hasn't noticed us yet!』
The Third Generation didn't seem to understand.
『What? What happened? Or rather, is it an acquaintance?』
The knight, who was questioning a resident of Central, handed over silver coins from his wallet when the resident pointed in our direction.
"L-Lyell, it hurts!"
I must have gripped her hand too tightly, and as soon as Shannon complained, I let go.
"S-sorry. More importantly, we have to get out of here immediately—"
As I turned around to take Eva with me, the opponent called out to us.
"Could you wait a moment? I am interested in that singer. I hear she has a wonderful singing voice. I would like my master, Celes-sama, to hear the talk of the Griffon subjugation."
The knight, who spoke to Eva in a very gentle voice, had long, silky black hair.
He approached us with a smile, but as always, he left no openings.
The uniform the knight was wearing, and the uniforms of the soldiers, were those of the Walt family.
"Oh?"
The knight seemed to have noticed me.
"...You, are you Lyell?"
As Alfred Baden's voice turned low, the four soldiers he brought also became alert and began to move to surround us.
From within the jewel, the Seventh Generation muttered spitefully.
『Calling Lyell by his name without honorifics, he's certainly become arrogant. That brat from the Baden family.』
I turned around and stood in front of Alfred, as if to protect Shannon and Eva.
"Should I say it's been a long time? I didn't expect to meet you in a place like this."
In fact, I had heard rumors that Celes had entered the royal capital. That's why I wanted to gather information in a place where I wouldn't meet her.
(I can't even identify individuals with my skills. I can't believe I ran into him here.)
As I thought that, the people around us were smirking.
The soldiers were likely not Alfred's soldiers, but soldiers of the Walt family.
"A failure who was kicked out of the Walt family is with women in a place like this? Moreover, an elf and a young girl... hm? Are you Shannon of the Sarkrai family?"
Alfred seemed to know about Shannon.
Shannon hid behind me.
"W-what's with you people!"
When Eva shouted at the soldiers who had begun to surround them, Alfred sighed and said,
"Lyell's woman, huh. That's interesting too. I'm sure Celes-sama will praise me. The question is, how did you kidnap them?"
Perhaps because he thought he was an overwhelmingly strong person, Alfred was arrogant.
It was true that I only had a dagger for portable use.
To fight this many people, it was precarious.
The voice of the Sixth Generation spoke up.
『People of the Walt family, huh? Quite the condescending attitude.』
The Fifth Generation didn't like it either.
『It makes me sad. In the past, we were looked down upon by everyone and struggled to climb up...』
The Third Generation, while exasperated, said to the Fifth,
『Anyone becomes like that once they have power. But this boy is from the Baden family.』
The Fourth Generation seemed angry.
『The Baden family, who parasitized the Walt family for so long, huh.』
The Seventh Generation said,
『Lyell, do it! We give you permission!』
(It's not a matter of permission or not... but, he's not going to let us go, is he?)
Alfred seemed to want to humiliate me. Moreover, since he claimed it was for Celes, it was something I couldn't accept.
He was someone I once thought of as a senior disciple, but now I felt nothing but disgust.
"It would be fine to immobilize you and take the two of them. Or, right in front of your eyes—"
As Alfred fantasized, he drew the saber hanging from his waist.
However, what I was looking at was not the drawn saber.
"—Hey."
"Ah?"
Alfred seemed dissatisfied, as if I had interrupted him while he was speaking.
But that didn't matter to me.
What I wanted to ask about was the dagger hanging from Alfred's waist.
It was a dagger I had seen before, and it wasn't something Alfred should have.
"Where did you get that dagger?"
"This? This was given to me as a reward by Celes-sama. Are you envious? Unlike a failure like you, she is very—"
"No. Where did Celes get that dagger?"
Despite me glaring at Alfred, the surrounding soldiers didn't react. However, the moment I called Celes by her name without honorifics, they all drew their swords at once.
As expected of trained soldiers, their quality was different.
"...Add '-sama', you trash. You should be grateful just to be kept alive! Just thinking that you share the same blood as her makes me hate you!"
"—I don't care. It doesn't matter what you think. That dagger belonged to an acquaintance of mine. Where did you get it!"
When I shouted, Alfred felt pleased by my rage.
"Those three clumsy adventurers? They refused Celes-sama's invitation, so they were disposed of personally. They were lucky. The dagger now belongs to Celes-sama. I'm sure the dagger feels much more honored to be with her than with those three idiots!"
At the laughter of Alfred and the soldiers, Shannon was trembling.
And Eva.
"Wait, these guys are crazy. We have to run now."
Alfred's expression became serious as he spoke to Eva.
His attitude was completely different from when he first spoke to her.
"You're running away even though you can have your songs heard by Celes-sama? Does a mere elf dare defy Celes-sama... Cut off her limbs. Even without limbs, it's no problem as long as she can sing."
"Yes, sir!"
As the soldiers approached, I snapped my fingers.
A magic circle and a box appeared from the ground, opened automatically, and a saber flew out.
As I caught the saber thrown into the air, the magic circle and box disappeared.
I used a skill on the approaching soldiers.
"...Up-Down."
Using the Fourth Generation's skill, the sharpness of everyone's movements vanished. Even so, they continued to move to execute the order.
From within the jewel, the Fourth Generation gave instructions.
『They're well-trained. Moreover, they aren't shaken even when a skill is used. It's a complicated feeling when the enemy is this competent. Lyell, if the opponent is higher rank, skills like this have a weaker effect, or the opponent will cancel them on their own. Don't let your guard down... although—』
I raised my left hand and used magic.
"Lightning!"
Purple lightning struck Alfred and the soldiers, and they collapsed to the ground upon being electrocuted. I suppressed the power, so their lives were not in danger.
『—In terms of actual ability, Lyell is the higher rank, though.』
As the soldiers fell to the magic, screams could be heard from the surroundings.
It was a street with few pedestrians, but we must have been discovered.
"Alright, Eva, take Shannon and—!"
I blocked an attack with my saber.
The one who had lunged at me with a saber was Alfred.
"I'm a bit numb, Lyell. Using magic against your senior disciple... have you become cunning in your own cowardly way?"
I pushed him back, took some distance, and took a stance.
Alfred was from the same school, and he was a difficult opponent to fight.
Behind me, Eva was hugging Shannon.
I wanted to let the two of them escape, but despite the magic, the soldiers were already standing up.
They were glaring at me, preparing to slash.
Alfred said,
"You lot, I'll hold Lyell here. Get the other two."
As the soldiers moved, and I tried to protect the two, Alfred lunged with his saber.
I pulled my leg back and shifted my body, and he tried to swing horizontally.
I blocked it with my saber, and Alfred launched a kick.
I flew backward from the impact, and then I slashed the soldiers who were approaching Shannon and Eva.
However, after blocking my attack, the opponent took some distance.
The Third Generation sighed.
『...Lyell, he's no longer an opponent you can hold back. You're outnumbered as well. If you keep holding back, Shannon-chan and Eva-chan will die.』
The Fifth Generation agreed.
『Make up your mind. Moreover, you should escape this place immediately.』
(I know)
Gripping the jewel, I took a stance once more.
Alfred and the others narrowed their eyes at my movement.
"This guy is more capable than I thought."
At the soldier's words, Alfred gave an order, sounding displeased.
"Crush Lyell first. Celes-sama is looking forward to the elf's song. If we take any more time, Celes-sama will get bored."
Seeing Alfred and the others draw their swords and attack just for that reason, I felt a real headache coming on.
At the same time—.
"I'll be taking that dagger back."
I thought about taking back Rondo-san's dagger.
And at the same time, anger surged alongside the fear of Celes.