Side: Eris
"Fumu. Well, if that's the case, I have no objection. I'll leave the Princess's escort to someone else."
Cleana's master and foster parent, Feigel-sen, said this and granted us permission to visit his home that day.
"As expected of Eris-shishou. You got Master to agree so easily."
Cleana praises me, but I didn't really do anything impressive.
Yesterday, he'd been intrigued by Cleana's stroy about me defeating the Headmaster—so I drew his interest from there. So I caught onto that interest, told him that I wanted his opinion after seeing our research, and suggested that we conduct various experiments at his home.
Since it was part of our research, this wasn't something we should do in public anyway. Research results aren't something you disclose to just anyone; they should only be shown to people you trust and whose abilities you recognize.
Therefore, Princess Innis left us to it and accompanied Yuki-san and the others on their capital tour and research at the library.
So far—things are mostly going as planned.
Perhaps I should explain this approach to Cleana.
"There's a flow to every conversation. Once you learn to grasp it, things become much easier."
That's right—the flow of conversation.
You could call it the equivalent of breathing in battle. Negotiations have something similar.
If you seize—no, take hold of—the initiative, various things become much easier.
"Learning to grasp the flow of a conversation is useful not only in business, but also in negotiations. It's worth remembering."
"Nn. Educative. Ratz, teach me when you have free time."
"Leave it to me~"
We talk like this as we follow behind Feigel-san along the way.
As we discussed yesterday, we are currently traveling separately from everyone else to Feigel-san's house so that we can proceed with our efforts to win him over.
Princess Innis is moving together with Yuki-san and the others, while Milly and Kirika have already infiltrated the royal capital and begun various activities.
"Surprisingly, there certainly seem to be a lot of expensive-looking mansions here."
"Indeed. Is this the district where the nobles live?"
We left the royal castle and parted ways at what seemed to be the central square, but after that, the people around us thinned out.
The only ones we occasionally pass are people dressed in expensive clothing who appear to be nobles, and guards who are likely on patrol.
"Nn. That's right."
"Indeed. I was not originally a noble myself, but after my achievements at the Academy and the results of my research were recognized, I was granted a noble title in August and allowed to establish my residence in this area, where only nobles are permitted to live."
"Based on that story, was your original birthplace a different country?"
"Yes. Originally, I was born in the countryside of Jilva. After various events, while I was aiming to become a mage, I learned of the Academy's existence and decided to enroll."
"Did you never consider returning to Jilva?"
"Who knows? At the time, it was His Majesty himself who approached me. I was so moved that I completely forgot about my homeland. Besides, Jilva and August were not directly opposed to one another, so I had no particular negative feelings toward Aguust."
I see.
If your talent was recognized and you were recruited, unless it was an enemy nation, you would naturally accept the offer. It would provide a more stable life, and the people around you would probably be proud of you as well.
As we continue talking, Feigel-san stops in front of a house.
"This is my home, and also my research facility."
Behind Faigel-san as he says that is a large mansion with a main building of about three stories and a two-story annex.
"Is the two-story one over there the laboratory?"
"Yes. Can you tell?"
"Research inevitably involves failures."
It is charred enough to make the answer obvious.
Granted, whenever Zargis screws up like that, I threaten to cut his repair budget.
Still, Yuki-san says explosions are inevitable when developing this kind of new technology, so for now I merely give verbal warnings. If things get any worse, though, I may have him build a shack out in the wilderness and conduct his research there.
"Hmm. Now then, speaking of which, we were talking about research and such. Shall we do it in the main building? Or would the laboratory in the annex be better?"
"Master. Our goal is not to relax at a home. The laboratory is fine."
"Yes. Just as Cleana says, the laboratory is fine."
"Indeed. If we use the main building, there will be servants around, too. There are things we would rather not have other people overhear."
"That is true. Since it is a discussion of each other's research, the laboratory is indeed better."
After speaking to a maid who appears to be in charge of managing the mansion, we enter the research laboratory.
The inside is just as messy as Zargis's place.
Is this just how researchers are?
"...As cluttered as ever."
"It may look disorganized, but in reality, everything is arranged in a perfectly orderly—"
"—I've heard that many times. It doesn't matter if only Master understands it. The problem is how it looks to everyone else. For now, Eris-shishou and Ratz, sit in those chairs."
While saying so, Cleana begins tidying up the top of the table.
The space itself is wide enough that there is room to step, but various documents and materials are placed on top of the shelves and tables.
Feigel-san joins in and tidies up alongside her. Ratz and I cannot move around recklessly in someone else's laboratory, so we watch over the two of them cleaning up.
"Speaking of which, did you receive a message from Onii-san and the others?"
"Yes. Apparently, they finished a brief tour of the royal capital without any problems and are now researching things at the royal capital's library."
"If they had actually taken their time sightseeing, they wouldn't have had any time left for research. And since the princess is their guide, perhaps everyone around them steered things toward finishing the tour as quickly as possible."
"That may be so. Having a country's princess leisurely wander around the castle town is probably the last thing her guards would want, for security reasons."
While we are having such a conversation, Cleana brings over drinks, perhaps having finished tidying up.
"Nn, sorry to keep you waiting. Take a breather with this."
"Thank you."
"Thank you. I'll have some."
"It has been a while since I had Cleana's tea. Fumu, neither good nor bad."
"...I don't need half-hearted reviews."
While drinking tea and having light conversation like that, a person who appears to be a maid enters the room.
"Feigel-sama."
"What is it?"
"A summons has arrived from the royal castle. You are instructed to come immediately."
Ara? Just as we were about to discuss various things, what could this be?
"Immediately, is it? My apologies, guests. It seems some trouble has occurred. May we continue this conversation another day?"
"Yes, that's fine."
"Yes. Well then, shall we go join up with Onii-san's group? There's no reason for us to be a nuisance here either."
"Nn. Let's rejoin Yuki."
Saying so, we part ways with Feigel-san at the mansion's gate right away.
The summons seems to be extremely urgent; a carriage was already waiting in front of the gate, and as soon as Feigel-san boarded, it sped away instantly.
"A summons like this is rare. I have no memory of one."
"It really seems like something happened."
"Indeed. There might have been some development on the Onii-san's side as well. Let's ask via Call."
Ratz confirms that there are no people around, applies magic concealment, and makes a Call.
"Hello, Jessica. Is now a good time?"
『Ah, yes. We were actually about to contact you as well.』
"You were?"
『Yes. Princess Innis was summoned back to the royal castle. Did anything happen on your end?』
Princess Innis was summoned back as well?
Should we assume that something fairly serious has happened?
"Feigel-san was summoned back to the royal castle as well. They even sent a carriage to bring him there immediately."
『Your side too? ...Then the prince's sudden illness sounds suspicious.』
"The reason Princess Innis was summoned back was because of the prince's sudden illness?"
『Yes. Perhaps they thought she wouldn't return if they simply told her it was an urgent matter.』
"Ah, that sounds plausible."
Indeed, Princess Innis has such a straightforward and decisive personality that I doubt she would willingly abandon a tour she herself proposed without a solid reason.
"By the way, are everyone else at the library? Or are you heading back together?"
『They remain at the library. For now, escort soldiers are attached to us, and there are no issues when returning. Princess Inis also seemed to feel bad about making us cut our research short in the middle, so it feels like we're remaining to look into things while gathering information and keeping in touch.』
"Then we'll head to the library and meet up with you."
『Yes. Please do.』
After ending the call, we head toward the library under Cleana's guidance.
* * *
"Still, for the Princess and the Court Magician to be summoned, something extraordinary must have happened."
"Nn, it's considered an extraordinary situation. Such as the Prince being gravely injured."
"There's that possibility too. If it's a grave injury rather than a sudden illness, in addition to determining whether it's an accident or an incident, various post-event measures must be taken. Oh, isn't that Vixen-san?"
Ratz points her finger as she says that.
Sure enough, someone who appears to be Vixen-san is hurriedly running toward the royal castle.
"Was Vixen-san summoned as well?"
"I don't know. But since he is the Vice Captain of the Royal Guard, it's not impossible."
"There's no point standing here speculating. Milly and the others are gathering information around the city. Let's hurry to the library and meet up with Yuki-san and the others."
Something feels strange.
For now, it may be best to meet up with Yuki-san and the others and focus on figuring out what is happening.
With Cleana guiding us, we have no trouble finding the library, paying the admission fee, and entering.
"Ah, Eris. Over here."
Before I even have a chance to look around, Jessica and Deriue come over to greet us and call out.
However, there is no cluster of people who look like our group nearby.
"Due to coming together with the Princess, fortunately or unfortunately, we were granted the use of a private room."
"""Ah."""
All of us understood at the same time.
It would be inconvenient for everyone involved if a princess came here and simply used the same area as ordinary visitors.
It would be inconvenient both for the library administrators and for the ordinary visitors...
"In a sense, it is convenient. Thanks to that, the accompanying soldiers are waiting outside the room. It makes it easier for us to discuss secret matters as well."
"My companions have arrived. Thank you for your consideration."
"Yes! I'm glad to see you have returned safely!"
"I have requested chairs to be brought over just now, so once those arrive, please sit down and conduct your guard duty."
Jessica was apparently showing consideration to the soldier who remained standing at attention to accompany us.
To be sure, even if it double as surveillance anyway, it won't produce results, and it would be pitiable if he had to stay standing like this for several hours.
"No, there is no need for such consideration..."
"No, no. I've already requested it, and I know well that you are performing your duty admirably. Our research won't end right away either, so you may wait inside together with us if you like."
"I must decline that. Doing so would prevent me from fulfilling a soldier's duty. I will gratefully make use of the chairs, so please proceed with your research. If anything comes up, please call on me again."
So earnest.
If asked by Jessica whether to enter inside, a soldier this earnest would definitely never enter.
Holding such thoughts, as I enter the room, books are piled on top of the table, but no one is opening a book to look things up; everyone is gathered around Yuki, staring at the Call screen.
"Did some information arrive, Yuki-san?"
"Ah, Eris and the others. You made it."
"Yes. Just now."
"Good. Then take a look at this."
Saying so, the visual field of Wyvern Wy-chan was projected onto the Call screen...
On that screen were soldiers being carried into the barracks one after another.
...No matter how you look at them, they are tattered like defeated soldiers.
However, the number isn't just one or two people. At a glance, there are over 50 of them.
"What happened?"
"No, I don't know the exact details yet. But considering they were accepted despite barging into the barracks out of nowhere, they seem to be soldiers of August. As expected, I can't have Wy-chan speak up and ask about the situation."
"Doing that would cause an even bigger uproar~ Still, which unit do these soldiers belong to, and where were they carried in from? Cleana, do you know?"
Ratz turns the question toward Cleana, who is from this country.
But Cleana quietly shakes her head...
"...Sorry, I don't know."
"I see~ Well, it's impossible to remember things you have no interest in. It's not a major unit, or perhaps they're soldiers who don't appear in public much."
"Ah, then maybe Vixen-san went running to the royal castle to report this?"
"Ah, that might be it."
"What do you mean? Is Vixen-san not at the barracks right now?"
"Yes, earlier, We saw him riding a horse in the middle of town."
"Then they're gathering the people in charge at the royal castle... I don't really want to spy on them, but this could affect us too. If we want accurate information, I suppose we have no choice."
Yuki-san says that and switches the display to the surveillance screen of the royal castle, which has been turned into a dungeon.
Of course, we have turned all the important locations we have visited so far into dungeons, not just August. These days, we are also preventing mana from accumulating around the Academy.
At first, we were worried that the diffusion of magical power required to turn places into dungeons would cause monsters to appear in huge numbers. However, once we figured out the flow of that magical power, we began leaving our comrades stationed around the Academy, where it accumulates, and regularly culling the monsters. As a result, there is virtually no chance of a massive outbreak caused by us.
"...There's the Princess. Feigel-san is in the same room. And the one hurrying toward them is Vixen-san."
We watch the surveillance footage of the interior through the call screen just like Yuki-san.
Sure enough, everyone is gathered in a large conference room.
There are quite a few people besides those three, so it really does seem to be a major incident.
『Pardon the intrusion!』
On the screen, Vixen-san hurriedly enters the room.
『You've arrived, Vixen. So, how is it? What is the status?』
『Most have suffered injuries, and we are extremely busy making arrangements for treatment.』
『I see. And you're certain?』
『Yes. There is no mistake. They are the Royal Guard who accompanied His Majesty on his inspection tour, along with local troops.』
At Vixen-san's words, everyone in the conference room falls into a commotion.
For the King's own Royal Guard being brought back battered and broken like this... Something truly serious must have happened.
『W-Where is His Majesty? Did you not find him!?』
One of the men asks Vixen-san.
『No... His Majesty was not among the wounded soldiers who were sent here...』
『Was there no message or messenger? If they are sending only wounded soldiers, then this is a retreat, isn't it?』
『Yes. That is correct. I received a written order from the deputy captain of the Royal Guard, who gathered the wounded soldiers and led them here.』
With that, Vixen-san hands the written order to Feigel-san.
Feigel-san checks whether the order is authentic, breaks the seal, and reads it.
『...This is a grave situation.』
『What does it say?』
『It appears that one of August's neighboring vassal states has declared war on our country.』
『『『What did you say!?』』』
The conference room fills with an atmosphere of disbelief.
『And His Majesty, who happened to be there on an inspection tour, was presumably caught up in the situation. It seems he personally took command of the local troops and the Royal Guard and attempted to drive the enemy back.』
『Father certainly would do that. So, did they successfully repel them?』
『The opposing forces were initially 1,000 against 3,000, so in numbers, His Majesty was apparently completely at an advantage, but it seems the enemy was entirely equipped with what appear to be Magic Swords and Staves of Fire.』
『How much of this story is actually true?』
『I do not know. However, perhaps the sight of that equipment gave His Majesty a bad feeling, because rather than engaging them on the open plains, he chose to defend from a fortified position. However, the enemy's offensive is fierce, and it seems His Majesty is already preparing for a retreat. At present, they are diverting troops from the defensive line to evacuate the local residents. They have requested that we send an army to establish a new defensive line.』
『I see. So that's why the local soldiers were sent here as well. Vixen, immediately go and ask the wounded soldiers whether the contents Old Master Feigel just read are correct.』
『Understood!』
『Master Feigel, immediately mobilize the army to establish a defensive line. Send half of the Royal Capital Defense Force. Contact the regional armies as well.』
『Understood.』
『Finish the preparation period in 5 days at minimum!! If the story is true, it wouldn't be strange for Father and the others to come retreating back at any moment. Prepare a system to receive them as well!』
『Understood!』
『Bring me a map!! We'll contact the regions that may have suffered damage and predict Father's retreat route. Send out the scouts today and have them determine Father's current location!!』
『『『Understood!!』』』
The intensity is incredible.
But this command ability...
She might actually be more capable than Seraria.
『How shall we explain the situation to the people?』
『Even if we try to hide it, the wounded soldiers at the barracks will expose the truth. Don't conceal it unnecessarily. Tell them that an enemy country has attacked us and that we are sending forces to intercept them. Do not mention the possibility of a retreat. That would cause public order to deteriorate. If Father—the King himself—is personally taking command, no one will expect us to lose.』
『Understood.』
Just like that, she efficiently handles not only military orders but also measures to strengthen security in the royal capital and preparations against an increase in bandit activity.
"...Jessica, Samantha, Cleana, if my memory serves me right, I heard that aside from the six great powers, including the demi-human country, most of the other countries are insignificant and dependent on the six major powers. Is that correct?"
"Yes. That is correct. They maintain the appearance of being independent countries, but they are essentially vassal states."
"That is right. As Jessica says, while there are wars between small nations, I have never heard of them picking a fight with one of the 6 Major Powers."
"Nn. In the first place, there is no merit in waging war. They should benefit more from maintaining regional stability as a vassal state."
I see.
Jessica had told me this before, but apparently this aspect is similar to the continent where Weed is located.
Using the 6 Major Powers as a shield, they maintain a form of non-interference. After all, if a major power falls, they would have to fight other major powers in its place. On the Weed's continent, there was also the additional purpose of keeping the Demon King in check.
"In other words, the enemy moved because they can overthrow a major power and are fully capable of dealing with other major powers as well, huh."
"""......"""
Everyone falls silent at Yuki-san's words.
Yes, if you think about it right away, you would realize.
There is no way the people directly involved could fail to think of something that even we can immediately figure out.
Which means they really must have some sort of plan behind this.
"On top of that, every single one of them is carrying what appear to be Magic Swords and enchanted staffs... They might even know about what we're looking for."
"Then, Onii-san..."
"Yeah. We'll participate in this war as a mercenary corps. The other side will likely want our fighting force as well."
Saying so, Yuki-san points at Amanda and Eoid, who are put to sleep with magic.
"I won't let them do anything dangerous. But let's make use of them right away. Milly, Kirika, you heard that, right?"
『Yes.』
『Not a single word missed.』
"Milly and Kirika, continue gathering detailed information in the capital. We'll contact Poppuri and Lara."
『『Yes!』』
Good grief, it seems like we won't be able to have a relaxing honeymoon at all.
