Side: Innis - First Princess of the Kingdom of August
I am currently issuing orders based on the instructions I have just given.
Geez—just when a junior from academy comes to visit, this happens...
No... this is not something that should be called a mere 'this'. It is content that should be called a troublesome matter. This is a problem that could shake the entire country, after all.
However, in a way, I suppose I should consider myself fortunate...
"...Old Master Feigel. I think we should ask Dragon Knight Amanda-dono for her cooperation."
While running my pen across the parchment, I speak to Master Feigel, who is processing documents just like I am.
"Dragon Knight Amanda, huh...? Indeed, with that Dragon Knight, we could grasp the situation relatively safely and quickly. However, how far do you intend to request her cooperation? Surely, you aren't thinking of having her rescue His Majesty...?"
"No matter how powerful a Dragon Knight is, once she lands on the ground, she can be targeted. I haven't gone that far. Besides, even Father may not yet know about the Dragon Knight situation. The letter may or may not have reached him by now. It would be dangerous even for her to land within our own forces. With that in mind, I would be satisfied if she could scout the enemy and determine where Father is. Of course, I will have her carry the August flag to make it clear that she is an ally. If we're lucky, she might even be able to rescue Father."
"...Well, that is reasonable."
Master Feigel merely says so and continues running his pen.
"...You aren't going to object?"
"There is no point. The current situation is one step away from the worst possible outcome. If word spreads that His Majesty has been killed, the Royal Capital will fall into panic. That would only slow our response even further. If the news spreads throughout the country, bandits will begin appearing everywhere, and public order across the kingdom will deteriorate. We would have to divert soldiers to deal with that, further weakening our forces. It would become a vicious cycle. However, if Dragon Knight Amanda-dono is with us, we can ascertain the situation early. And even if, at worst, His Majesty has already been killed, we can tell the people that the legendary Dragon Knight is on our side. That would raise morale and allow us to declare that August has not been defeated. The name ‘Dragon Knight' alone carries that much weight."
"You're certainly being honest. You aren't saying that Amanda-dono herself will be useful?"
"Of course not. Amanda-dono, and her husband Eoid-dono as well, are still students. They likely have no experience with a full-scale war. They were ordinary civilians to begin with. Judging from their interactions so far, they have never been in a position of authority. Certainly, their individual combat abilities are extraordinary, but that assessment is based on what we have seen so far. It does not tell us how they will perform in a war. Once on a battlefield, it is quite common for someone proud of their strength to be struck by an arrow and die before they even know what happened."
Just as Master Feigel says, war against humans is completely different from defeating monsters, dueling at the Academy, or hunting bandits.
You are fighting an organized force under a unified command.
It is no half-hearted matter.
No matter how strong an individual is, if they cannot coordinate with others, they will only become a hindrance. And it is hardly uncommon for that very thing to cause a defeat.
That is why I didn't expect Master Feigel to agree with me sending my junior, Amanda—who has virtually zero experience—into battle, even if it is strictly for scouting.
"I fully expected you to object, telling me not to send youth to the battlefield."
"...Under normal circumstances, I would have. But the situation is different. His Majesty, who is an exceptionally skilled commander, is personally leading the battle and has chosen to fight on the assumption that we may have to hold a defensive position and retreat. I do not believe our opponent possesses mediocre strength. We should assume that the reports about magic swords and fire staffs are true. Against such a powerful enemy, the name of a Dragon Knight would be reassuring. In fact, I refrained from bringing it up because I thought Your Highness would be opposed to Amanda-dono and the others participating."
"If it were a normal war or a small skirmish, I wouldn't have thought about dragging my junior, Amanda, into it either. But as you said, Master, I also realized we cannot take this situation lightly. That is why, even if I don't put her on the frontlines, I thought... we could at least make use of her mobility."
As we talk, I continue checking documents, signing them, and handing them to the waiting officials so that my instructions can be carried out.
...Good. I've finished most of the paperwork that needs to be done immediately.
It seems Master Feigel has finished as well; he sets down his pen and looks over at me.
"Then, shall we proceed?"
"Yes. Call Dragon Knight Amanda-dono and the others. I'll speak to them myself."
Saying so, I issue orders to another attendant to go fetch my juniors.
I feel somewhat guilty toward Yuki-dono and his group, who are in the middle of researching, though.
"However, those mercenaries will be coming with them. How do you intend to persuade them? They are Amanda-dono's guards. They will not agree to anything dangerous."
"However, if we can get them to agree, they will become a very powerful force. Am I wrong?"
"According to my assessment, yes."
"Your assessment has never been wrong. That is why I will make them agree no matter what. Don't worry, I have a plan."
"Oh? Those people seem to be the type who are faithful to their job. No matter how much money you pile up, they will prioritize the contract they made with the Headmaster, you know? Rather, that very attitude is what makes them trustworthy as mercenaries."
"That's right. Which is exactly why, if my junior Amanda says she will join the fight, they will have no choice but to accompany her as escorts to protect her. Am I wrong?"
"That is true."
"Therefore, I intend to use Cleana there."
"Use Cleana?"
"Yes. My apologies to you, Master, but I will draft Cleana into our nation's military force. Although she seems to be married to Yuki-dono, in terms of status, she is still a citizen of August."
"That could make an enemy out of Yuki-dono, you know? As for myself, I have no objections to having Cleana join the fight, but..."
"That's the point. My junior Amanda seems to be on good terms with Cleana as well. Thinking of Yuki-dono and Cleana, Amanda will surely nod and agree to participate. It's not as if I'm telling her to stand on the very frontlines, after all. In exchange, once this war is settled, I will formally recognize the relationship between the two of them and guarantee she won't be drafted in the future. How about that?"
"Hmm. In short, drafting Cleana is merely a move to prompt Amanda-dono's participation. Well, Amanda-dono will likely bite the bait, but Yuki-dono won't look favorably upon Cleana being put in danger and Amanda-dono's escort duty being compromised, will he? And how do you plan to make excuses to the Academy and the Headmaster afterward?"
"First, I will sincerely bow my head and apologize. However, if we do not do something about this situation, Amanda will ultimately be sent to the literal frontlines as a Dragon Knight rather than just for scouting. Am I wrong?"
"Indeed... There is also the objective of spreading the name of Dragon Knight Amanda, after all. In the end, it benefits the Academy as well."
"Well, I am using them arbitrarily. I'll manage that end with an apology combined with padded financial support. If the country falls into ruin like this, we won't even be able to do that much. We can just sell off some of the castle's artwork to make ends meet. That Headmaster Poppuri isn't so cruel in times of emergency. She's the type to sell favors when the opportunity arises."
Headmaster Poppuri may be shrewd, but she knows how to consider the circumstances.
She would never make demands that would cause August to collapse.
At most, our debt to her would increase on paper.
"Now, regarding Yuki-dono: we should assume that gentleman has already read through all our intentions. That is why, without foolishly hiding anything, I have no choice but to beg for his cooperation. Regarding Amanda's escort duty as well, I can only show our sincerity by saying I will personally explain it to the Headmaster."
"...There is no other way. And if Yuki-dono truly cares about Cleana, he should be willing to lend us a hand."
"Yes. In fact, if Cleana were not Yuki-dono's partner, the entire plan of deploying the Dragon Knight this time might have fallen through. In that sense, you could say Cleana chose an excellent partner."
Just as we finished speaking up to that point, a message arrived stating that my junior Amanda and Yuki-dono's mercenary group had arrived.
That was faster than expected.
For now, Master Feigel and I make our way to the same room as before.
"Forgive me for calling you here and making you wait."
As soon as I enter the room, I say so and offer a light apology to Yuki-dono and his group, who are drinking tea.
"No, not at all. We actually returned because we had something to discuss with Princess Innis as well. Apologies for interrupting while you are busy."
After taking a sip of the tea that had been prepared, I speak.
"Something to discuss, is it? Forgive me, but before I hear what you have to say, would it be alright if we start with our side first?"
"Yes, I don't mind."
"You may have already noticed, but August is currently in a very dire situation. Not the neighboring powers like the Jilva Empire, Roelle, or the beastman nation of White Forest, but a small country in the rear—the Sacred Kingdom of Hiffy—declared war on us. Immediately after, they attacked the region where Father, His Majesty, was conducting an inspection. To protect the citizens, His Majesty immediately gathered his royal guards and the local army to launch a counterattack, but the enemy's assault was fierce. Judging the situation to be grim, he called for evacuations in the surrounding villages and towns, and while transporting the wounded and sending messengers, he alerted the royal capital of the situation."
Hearing this story, the only ones showing surprise are my juniors, Amanda and Eoid.
"No way, is something like that really happening...?"
"...I didn't think Yuki-san and the others were lying, but to think it's true..."
So they had already caught wind of the information after all.
Well, with wounded soldiers being brought in, the news would naturally spread quickly.
Damn it, I have no choice but to reinforce the soldiers maintaining public order.
"I understand the situation. So, calling us here means you want to borrow the power of the Dragon Knight, correct?"
"I appreciate how quick on the uptake you are. That is correct."
"Ehh?! B-But I've never been on a battlefield before..."
"You don't need to worry about that. I am not asking you to fight on the very frontlines. I want you to perform reconnaissance."
"You want to grasp a more accurate picture of the situation, then?"
"Yes. At the moment, information is mixed up, and there are parts where we cannot judge how much of it is fact. There are mainly three things I want checked: First, the positions of our army and the enemy army. Second, the enemy's numbers. Third, confirming Father's safety. Regarding the last point about Father, I would be grateful if you could bring him back with you as is. However, if a battle is underway, there is a risk they might mistakenly attack the Dragon Knight. So, only if possible. That is what I wish to request. Well? Will you accept?"
"U-Um... I think I can do it, but..."
My junior Amanda seems to think she can handle it after hearing the details.
...The issue lies with Yuki-dono.
"I understand the request. However, we were hired to escort Dragon Knight Amanda and Eoid. You understand that as escorts, we cannot easily agree to heading into a warzone, even if it is just for scouting, right?"
"Yes, I am well aware. Of course, I will follow up properly. I will personally explain to the Headmaster that Yuki-dono and your group are not at fault."
I understand that I am asking for something unreasonable.
I am asking to make use of another country's military asset, after all.
Since my junior Amanda hasn't dealt with political exchanges like this yet, she likely accepted out of a sense of schoolmate camaraderie. However, as an escort who received the request from the Headmaster, Yuki-dono understands just how troublesome this situation is.
That is why we need to discuss this properly, or it could become a major problem later.
"I see. So you have properly thought through that aspect. Very well."
"You understand, then? In that case..."
Seeing Yuki-dono nod, I assume I have obtained his cooperation and am about to stand up from my chair when...
『Well then, we need to properly talk about the contract, don't we?』
I hear the voice of the little Headmaster coming from somewhere.
"This voice..."
"As usual, what an unpleasantly youthful voice."
『How rude as always, Feigel. You've turned completely into an old man, but I am a fresh and lively maiden, you know?』
"Far from a maiden, you have the appearance of a child, though."
『Haah, why did you turn out so cynical? You were so cute when you first enrolled.』
"It was because of you that I turned out like this! Putting that aside, you've invented something again, haven't you?"
While I am bewildered, Master Feigel nonchalantly exchanges words with the Headmaster's voice.
『Ha ha ha! That's right. Innis, you should really develop a bit more ability to grasp situations. Anyway, Yuki-dono.』
At those words, Yuki-dono takes a spherical crystal out of the pouch hanging from his waist.
It is a splendidly spherical crystal. The sphere alone must be worth quite a lot.
However, that isn't the only issue.
Faintly inside the crystal, Headmaster Poppuri herself can be seen, and her voice is coming from it.
"H-Headmaster!? When did you turn into a crystal!?"
『Ooh, giving that kind of reaction, are we? Calm down. Feigel, explain it to her.』
"...I know you are fond of making absurd inventions, but I never imagined you would make something like this. Ahem. Your Highness, this is most likely a magical device that allows communication with someone far away."
"What!? You made something that incredible!?"
"That's right. I had been researching it little by little, and I've finally completed it. But the cost of producing even one is extremely high. So I can't simply entrust them to just anyone. You understand what would happen if they were misused, right?"
"Yes, I can understand that."
『Well, that's how it is. I had Dragon Knight Amanda bring it along to introduce her while transporting it, but it seems I was a little too late.』
"No, I view this situation as a stroke of good fortune. Thanks to this, we can smooth out our discussion and go to Father's rescue, after all."
『Mm. That positive attitude of yours—it hasn't changed. As for me, I'm satisfied to see Innis doing so well. And you are trustworthy too.』
"Then...?"
When I gaze at the Headmaster expectantly, she smiles gently...
『Dragon Knight Amanda!』
"Yes!?"
『We have received August Kingdom's plea for aid and have decided to respond to it. From now on, jump in to assist based on your and Eoid's judgment!』
"Yes!"
『I ask the escorting mercenary band to continue guarding Amanda and the others for an added reward. Please stop them from doing anything reckless.』
"Understood."
Issuing commands like that, the Headmaster is the same good person she has always been.
『Now then, I will draft the contract documents on my end. Don't slack on your preparations over there either, Innis.』
"I understand."
『Also, make sure you issue official written orders so that the escorts, Yuki-dono and his group, are under no circumstances separated from Dragon Knight Amanda and Eoid. Include freedom of action as well.』
"Yes. I will treat Dragon Knight Amanda-dono and the escorting mercenary group under Yuki-dono as directly under my command, allowing them to take tactical action freely."
『Umu. Then there's no problem. Now, all that's left is to issue instructions. Innis, you can do it. I pray I receive a report of good results.』
Saying so, the voice fades away.
I don't know what mechanism it uses, but being able to communicate over long distances is truly convenient.
Including this matter, I must express my deep gratitude to the Headmaster.
...No. First, we need to overcome the current crisis. If we lose, there will be no opportunity to thank anyone.
"Now then, please look at this map."
Saying so, Master Feigel nonchalantly spreads out a map, and I begin informing them of the planned reconnaissance areas.
...Father, please be safe.
* * *
