kscans

Chapter 118 - The Secrets of the Claudia Kingdom and the Little One

"Good evening!"

The Little One, still held in Dorfen’s arms, knocked on the front door. A reply came from within, and a young man peeked his head out. His face, visible through the slightly ajar door, was anxious. Tilting her head at him, the Little One handed her packages to Dorfen and hopped down from his arms.

"My apologies for calling so late at night. I am Chihiro, daughter of Count George of Frontier. Behind me are my brother, Chihaya, and our guard, Dorfen. It is a pleasure to meet you."

The man grew even more flustered at the sight of the young girl performing a lovely curtsy.

"A, a noble? Is something wrong? We are just living quietly here, I assure you. We’ve done nothing to be ashamed of…"

Suspicious of the young man’s stammering response, Dorfen gripped the door with a firm hand.

"What are you talking about? My master has simply brought some gifts for the church’s orphanage."

The man flinched and jumped back as the well-built knight glared at him. With a glance in the man's direction, Dorfen quietly pushed the door open.

"I purchased these from the street stalls. They look delicious, don’t they? Where are the children?"

The Little One was all smiles.

Most churches had an orphanage attached. And under their strict rules, the children were sure to be living a very formal life. That was the case even for churches in Frontier, so one could only imagine what it was like elsewhere. They would surely be delighted with the gifts. She had come thinking she could provide them with a moment of peace, but something seemed off. The young man was trembling. Hearing the commotion, people were gathering here and there, but no one approached. If anything, a faint fear flickered in the eyes of the people watching from a distance.

What was this?

The Little One surveyed her surroundings and noticed a gap in a door at the back of the church. Several pairs of eyes peeked out from it. A church was typically built in a square shape, with a courtyard in the middle, and the four sides surrounding the courtyard were divided into respective sections. This area in the front was the sanctuary. That meant the door beyond it should face the courtyard. And several pairs of eyes were peeking from there.

Are there multiple people over there? In the courtyard at this hour, why?

Ignoring the young man’s attempts to stop her, the Little One strode toward the back of the sanctuary and, with a bang, threw open the door that should have led to the courtyard.

Her eyes widened, and she was at a loss for words.

As far as she could see, the space was crammed with people huddled in thin blankets. There were nearly a hundred of them.

"What is this…?"

The young man, who had come scrambling after her, prostrated himself at the Little One’s feet, pressing his head to the floor.

"Please, overlook this! They have nowhere else to go! I beg you, have mercy…!!"

The man pleaded desperately, bowing his head. The people around them watched with worried expressions. The faces of those in the courtyard were frozen in despair.

"I only came to bring you some gifts, you know? But this is perfect. Please take the warm snacks to the courtyard. And the sweets, please carry them to the orphanage."

Hearing the instructions of the sweetly smiling Little One, Dorfen took the bag Chihaya was holding as well and offered both to the man.

"Ah…? Huh?"

Perhaps hearing the word "sweets," the small children hiding behind a pillar were now looking this way, their eyes sparkling.

"Um…? Is there no punishment?"

"Punishment? Why?"

The young man stared at the Little One, who was gazing back with a puzzled look, and began to explain in fits and starts. For some reason, the words just spilled out of his mouth. In the end, tears began to fall, and the young man collapsed onto the gifts he had received, sobbing his heart out. The Little One looked down at him, her eyes trembling.

"I see… You’ve got to be kidding me."

An aura of anger rose from the little girl’s body.

According to the man’s story, the people gathered in the courtyard were the village’s poor. By order of the king, the slum where their shacks stood had been torn down, and its inhabitants had been driven out into the wilderness. Unable to bear such a cruel act, the priest of this church had gathered them and sheltered them in the church courtyard. However, a noble who took issue with this had accused the priest, tied him up with rope, and dragged him away.

"‘I leave the rest to you’… that was all he said…. We don’t even know what happened to the priest…!"

"And the one who took him said it was the king’s order, correct?"

The young man nodded through his sobs.

"First Donautil, then Castrato, is this whole world full of nothing but idiots?"

A fine turn of phrase, indeed.

Dorfen’s lips curled into a sharp smile. He could already see what would happen next without even having to think. True to his prediction, the Little One gritted her teeth and explained that they had nothing to do with those people. They were simply on a goodwill visit from another country. She then assigned several knights from her unit to guard the church. The monster unit, as if it were a matter of course, stuck close to the knights.

"Anyone who tries to enter the church, anyone who tries to cause harm, crush them all without mercy. The use of magic is also permitted."

"""Yes, ma’am!!"""

The knights placed a hand on their chests and raised their weapons. The monster unit followed suit, saluting.

The Little One gave a firm nod and rushed out of the church. Upon arriving at the inn, Dorfen opened the door to reveal her unit, already assembled and waiting. Their speed was impressive. The Little One looked satisfied.

"Dorfen, send a herald to the lord of this domain. Confirm if the priest is there."

"Yes, ma’am." Dorfen moved immediately.

"Hyrulia, take Molotov and his sister to the church. Things might get rough from here on. I want them somewhere safe."

"As you wish." Hyrulia also went straight to the second floor, where the puppeteer siblings were staying.

"Adonis and Zack, you go to the church too. Make sure the children and the poor get their fill to eat."

Taking the bag of gold coins the Little One offered, the two nodded willingly.

"Got it. Be careful."

"This is packed with preserved food and sweets. Make sure you eat… alright?"

The Little One received a sealing orb from Zack and grinned broadly.

"You’re the best. Thank you."

Just as the remaining knights began preparing for departure, Kazuki, having heard the commotion, came down the stairs.

"Hey, what’s all this about?"

"Oh, right, you guys were here too. It might be best if we go our separate ways from here."

In place of the Little One, who was scurrying about, Dorfen, having just dispatched a swift horseman, explained to Kazuki what had happened at the church.

"What? The poor? And the priest who sheltered them is missing? Why not just leave it be?"

"Our master is not the type to leave it be. Depending on the circumstances, it may come to a raid. That is why we suggest you travel separately."

With a cunning smile, an unsettling light spilled from Dorfen’s eyes. The other knights were the same. Kazuki instinctively took a few steps back, catching the faint, dangerous scent of a powder keg in the air. He recognized this feeling.

Long ago, back when the Golden King still visited Kilfan.

Kazuki would never forget the several thousand knights who had charged forth, their fury on full display. With a banner of crimson emblazoned with a golden hexagram leading the way, they had kicked up a cloud of dust and raced like arrows shot from a bow. Every one of them had exuded the same atmosphere as the Little One’s unit did now.

This was the air of battle.

Why were they so eager for a fight?

This village was in another country, wasn’t it? Frontier had no obligation to help.

Ignoring the bewildered Kazuki and his companions, the now-ready unit brought forth a carriage.

"Preparations complete. Shall we fly?"

They had even procured several horses from somewhere. They were a far cry from the knights’ warhorses, but they were decent enough steeds.

"No, let’s go by land. We have to give them time. For excuses, or for scheming."

Give them time? Shouldn’t it be the opposite?

The knight’s face was a mask of confusion. The Little One gave him a wicked, faint smile.

"We need a pretext, don’t we?"

As if in understanding, the knights’ lips twisted into smirks.

Wait, isn’t this strange? Why are you all so ready for a fight?!

Kazuki stared in disbelief at the young girl who was so eager to give her opponent time to resist and counterattack, just so she could meet them head-on. His mind was in turmoil.

And so, leaving Kazuki’s caravan behind, the Little One’s monster-drawn carriage set off for the border lord’s town.

It was a charming sight when a single honeybee landed on the shoulder of the oblivious Kazuki and gently poked his head.

Ready for a fight, playing it by ear, and kicking down any wall that stands in her way, that is the creed of the Little One.

"Her Highness is especially unstoppable when food and children are involved."

Beside the dumbfounded Kazuki, Hyrulia smiled with a hint of resignation. And so, the current border lord remained unaware of the one-sided hostility now directed his way.

It is but a footnote that Romel, having received the news from his wind-riding spies, couldn’t help but groan from a sudden headache.

No matter where she is, the Little One is the Little One. Today as always, she forges her own path.