“Stop it, Yuma! That’s too hasty!”
I thought Leimbruck was hot-headed, but you’re even more so, Yuma Bashar! In comparison, Fleet Helm’s killing intent felt genuine. Was he still calm, or was he ruthless?
“Princess, this person is a shadow. I can’t trust him!”
Oh, so you want to kill me? Should I just go for it? But it’s Fleet Helm standing next to Lady Annelyse, not you.
“Sheathe your sword, Yuma Bashar. As I said before, we need all the fighting power we can get right now. Internal strife is out of the question.”
Yuma Bashar reluctantly sheathed his sword and returned to his original position. My foresight might have seemed strange. I understand being doubted, but this is my second time. I can see things to some extent.
To be blunt, this castle… what happens to it? I don’t remember… this battle? I don’t remember…
All I can recall is that I took the Demon Lord’s head, but we died together. When did we fight? Was it here in the royal capital?
The last keyword I remembered was “Flüge.” This seems correct, so perhaps history is being altered successfully.
“Baron Shin, my subordinate was rude. We’ll assign you to the leftmost flank as part of the 1st Brigade.”
“Uh, yes…”
“You are dismissed. Thank you for your cooperation with Ashtal and Keibeck.”
“Y-yes. Then,excuse me.”
My head was spinning from the memory issues, making me feel slightly sick. I had said what I needed to say and heard what I wanted to hear, so I left Lady Annelyse’s tent.
“What do you think of Baron Mikael Shin…?”
“I’ve heard he’s quite a formidable man. He should be useful to the Princess.”
Leimbruck bowed his massive body respectfully.
“I don’t trust that man. He’s a deserter from Anaheim.”
Yuma Bashar glared outside the tent.
“What about Fleet Helm?”
The man standing beside Annelyse asked last.
“He’s a dangerous man. You can trust him, but perhaps not rely on him completely…”
Annelyse sighed.
“This is a crisis for Harm. It’s fine as long as he’s useful.”
My reception seems to be mixed.
“A good person…”
Waiting outside the tent was Iris of the shadows. Seeing a beauty like her at a time like this was a good medicine, and my unease vanished.
“Good work. Did you find anything out…?”
“Yes, a good person.”
We left the tent and walked towards the Third Army, which would now become the 1st Brigade. Glancing at Iris, I noticed her rings, earrings, and bracelets were missing.
Without these crucial factors for individual identification, I wouldn’t be able to tell anyone apart unless they took them off. Is it okay to ask, “Did you take them off?”
“So… what did you find out?”
I couldn’t ask. Taking off the gifts I gave her made me suspect infidelity, but I could definitively say that wasn’t the case, suggesting a deeper reason I couldn’t pry into.
“Yes. There were no empty rooms within the walls due to refugees. The houses outside the walls were unoccupied, so we borrowed one with a large bed.”
This is important, but it’s not what I asked for. I asked about Duke Flüge, not for a place where we could be alone. Still, it’s important…
“…S-excuse me. Duke Flüge’s territory is adjacent to the Kingdom of Keibeck in the west. In Lady Annelyse’s grandfather’s time, his territory was Lauenstein in the north, but during his parents’ generation, he was relocated by order of the current King. After that, his parents passed away, and it became Annelyse’s turn.”
She’s gone through quite a bit. If it’s near Keibeck, they likely had interactions, so perhaps the dispatch of troops will go smoothly.
“They have three legions and six hundred knights, with many mages as well. They are troops originally trained in Nordland, so I have high expectations.”
That’s good news. All I can hope for now is that Lady Annelyse is competent. The Flüge army will be positioned west of the North Gate in the central area, and since we, the 1st Brigade, are on the leftmost flank, we could escape to the West Gate. However, I’m concerned about being flanked by the Demon Army attacking from the West Gate.
“Thank you. What about the surrounding personnel? Like the Knight Commander or the butler?”
“I apologize. I couldn’t investigate that far…”
It’s sufficient to have investigated this much in such a short time. I thanked her with a kiss and pushed her down… because a laser beam flew at me.
“Damn it! How long is this going to take? I’ve already drained another barrel.”
Priscilla of the White Lily Corps is a monster! If she were drinking alone, she’d be a monster, but Priscilla was drinking with nobles and knights who were planning to separate from the Third Army.
“The conversation is over. Aren’t you drinking a bit too much? Do you know the word ‘rest day’?”
“…Never heard of it.”
Of course not! That’s a word salarymen use! Am I your wife worrying about your liver?!
“What happened to those nobles?”
Sophia asked in a voice as beautiful as birdsong. Beyond her, I saw people writhing in pain. They didn’t look like they were just throwing up from drinking too much.
“Sophia, please help those people. They are valuable combatants.”
“Yes. What a hassle.”
You’re the one who did it! There’s only one mage in this world who can shoot lasers! Seriously, don’t involve others!
“I intend to take the nobles and knights with us. …Christine, please talk to the administrator. I’ll leave the method to you.”
“…Understood. …If you refuse, I’ll kill you.”
Let’s go more gently. You just need to use the power of support. A technique to manipulate them with pounding hearts. I’d prefer no deaths.
“We will be under Duke Flüge as the 1st Brigade. Our formation will be the leftmost flank to the west of the North Gate. Everyone, let’s move. We’ll continue the drinking party after we’re in position.”
“Alright, let’s drink! All of you, stand up! This is the after-party!”
Putting aside the incorrect phrasing, we moved as a new unit. Naturally, I carried Richarda.
Underage drinking is prohibited. I don’t know if there are minors in this world, but it’s a shame for Priscilla to accompany them. With life among these wild mercenaries, Father Mikael is worried.
After setting up camp on the left flank and organizing the troops, I, along with the White Lily Corps and Richarda, borrowed an unoccupied house. There’s no way I can let Richarda stay with those beasts.
Only I and Alana joined the invitation to “continue this” upon entering the house. Christine was persuading the administrator, while Sophia and Rufina were led out by Orietta.
Except for Sophia, I have a bad feeling whenever Rufina and Orietta are involved. I hope no one dies.
Priscilla’s suggestion to “share the alcohol with the other units” was rejected. I laid Richarda down on the bed and we began the second round.
Well, it should be fine to drink. Schreiaschwald will probably fall today, but they suffered near-total casualties, so they won’t be able to recover that easily.
Anaheim Offen, Runelius, and Et have fallen. Of the two cities leading to the capital, Schreiaschwald and the neighboring city whose name I’ve forgotten have also fallen.
They’ll probably regroup their divided forces in front of the royal capital for a final assault. That’s why it’s taking time. This is fortunate for us as well.
Knights from all over will gather, and mercenaries and adventurers will likely come too. If we can buy time for negotiations with Keibeck and Rothfar, we might be able to defend Klinshvelbach Castle.
I’ve gained a moment of respite. The fighting here will be fierce. Many will die, both enemy and ally. Perhaps even members of the White Lily Corps…
“You haven’t had enough to drink.”
Is it because I’m not drinking enough, or is it… For now, let’s drink. Beautiful Priscilla is in front of me, and cute Alana is sitting beside me.
Darkness began to envelop the surroundings, and the lantern flames flickered. The wind picked up, and the windows rattled. From afar, I could even hear the laughter of my brigade companions.
“What happens next…”
Priscilla asked, setting down her cup and putting Mennat fruit into her mouth. Alana seemed to have already passed out from drinking.
“We will fight the Demon Army with Duke Flüge. This will likely be the decisive battle.”
“…”
Priscilla must understand too. Harm alone cannot defeat the Demon Army. Klinshvelbach Castle might fall, and we have to fight a losing battle.
“We won’t lose. Reinforcements are gathering from all over, and the Asht Empire is also sending knights.”
Priscilla finished the wine in her cup and refilled it to the brim. Even if the Asht Empire and the Keibeck Kingdom hurry, they won’t make it in time for the battle at the royal capital. We, stationed outside the walls, are on the front lines.
“What about Richarda? I’m also a brigade commander, and if Christine talks to the administrator, one person can be moved to the rear.”
All that’s behind us is the wall. Being within the walls is safer than the front lines. Priscilla, concerned for Richarda, is worried.
“She’s… she’s fine. She’s already lost her virginity, so it’s up to her now…”
What! When did she lose it? I, as her father, cannot forgive this!
“I-is that so?”
“Did you see Richarda’s eyes after the previous battle? They’ve become sharp…”
Priscilla looked a little sad. Does virginity mean her first battle? Father, I was surprised. Is her sadness because she’s grown up and is becoming independent? Or because she chose to live on the battlefield?
I felt a surge of affection for Priscilla and set down my drink to kiss her. I will protect you, Priscilla. Richarda and all the members of the White Lily Corps too.
“…Carry me upstairs.”
I picked up Priscilla. The stairs creaked, and Priscilla wrapped her arms around my neck, hugging me tightly and burying her face in me.
When I laid her on the bed, I gave her a light kiss again. Then, I passionately desired Priscilla. As I removed her armor and clothes, I saw that her tanned skin was flushed a faint pink.
“You’re beautiful, Priscilla.”
I spent a tender time with Priscilla… Huh? Am I forgetting something… Something I need to remember… Something it’s better not to remember right now…
“Ah!”
“…What is it? Are you done already? The night is long.”
“Ah, excuse me. The night is still young.”
With Godspeed Mode Two, I satisfied Priscilla, and with Mode Three, I left the room and hurried. To that place I had completely forgotten.
“A good person…”
Iris, who was waiting, numbered three. The night in the royal capital is long.
