Rose returned to Byakuya Castle and reported on the alliance to three knights.
I returned to Byakuya Castle by helicopter and met up with Ashes and the others at Major Toma’s guesthouse.
“Lady Rose! It’s good that you’re unharmed! Hey, Toma! What do you think you’re doing! To suddenly take Lady Rose somewhere, what are you thinking! What do you take a princess of a kingdom for…!”
The reaction was exactly as I expected, and I sighed.
That’s exactly why everyone in the Ghost Brigade dislikes you!
“Ashes! I will not allow any slander against my partner!”
“Huh? Partner? Lady Rose, what is that in reference to…”
“I’ll explain now, so please sit down. Quester and Clifford too.”
“Then princess, please explain. Oh, and about the assistance, how about trying it alone first?”
Alone? Could I do it? Colonel Roogetsu, who doesn’t acknowledge even Ashes and Quester as equals, agreed to negotiate with me…
“Is that possible?”
“That depends on the princess. This negotiation is not a matter of life and death. If it’s a situation where failure can be redone, it’s okay to fail. If it ends poorly, I will accompany you again.”
With that, Major Toma and the housekeeper, Mizar, left the living room.
First, try it alone, huh? Indeed, I should. If I’m always being carried, I won’t grow.
I remained and began speaking to the three knights gathered at the living room table.
“Everyone, please listen. I apologize for the post-approval, but actually…”
Upon hearing the terms of the agreement I made with Spec Company, the knights each offered their opinions.
“Isn’t this a good deal? The Rose Cross’s financial situation will improve dramatically.”
As Clifford, the one in charge of accounting, said this while stroking his beard, Ashes, the one in charge of scolding, pouted.
“But I don’t like Toma being Lady Rose’s advisor.”
“Ashes, he’s not an advisor, he’s a mentor.”
“Even worse! It’s unthinkable for a man of unknown identity to offer Lady Rose all sorts of opinions!”
“Ashes, while I understand your concern, do we have anyone among us skilled in covert operations? In fact, you didn’t even consider the possibility of the Emperor’s spy among the maids, did you?”
When Quester said this calmly, Ashes’ face turned red.
“If I think about it calmly, I would have considered such a thing! To seek a mentor from outside while we are here is like advertising that the Rose Cross has no talent! Clifford, you are in charge of domestic affairs, including intelligence. Don’t stay silent and say something!”
“I believe I have already stated my opinion, haven’t I? Including welcoming Lord Toma as a mentor, I believe Lady Rose’s decision is correct. Indeed, if we consider it calmly, we might have noticed the presence of spies among the maids. However, could any of us have identified who the spy was?”
“Ugh!… W-well…”
Clifford pressed Ashes further.
“Even if you can foresee Tron Company approaching Prince Adel and acting against us, do you, Ashes, have a plan to counter it? If you can’t devise a countermeasure even if you foresee it, what’s the point?”
“…Ugggh. B-but…”
“Ashes. We are knights, for better or worse. It is natural for a monarch to supplement what we lack. I also believe Lady Rose’s decision is correct.”
Sandwiched between the two knights, Ashes threw in the towel in exasperation.
“All right, all right! I’ll admit it if I have to! Toma is Lady Rose’s mentor! Let’s just go with that! Let him do his best as a behind-the-scenes supporter!”
“Now that you’ve accepted it, I’ll appoint Ashes as the liaison between the Ghost Brigade and the Rose Cross. All right?”
Ashes let out a stunned scream at my command.
“Why me! Isn’t Clifford here?”
“In peacetime, Clifford is busier than Ashes. He’s not only in charge of the Rose Cross’s domestic affairs but also serves as my secretary. Do you have any complaints?”
“I-it’s not that I have complaints, but…”
Oh, come on! I feel like a younger sister with a troublesome older sister! I know you’re actually happy!
“Ashes doesn’t seem inclined. Quester, please take over as liaison in Ashes’ place.”
“Understood. Leave it to me.”
“Wait, wait, I’ll do it! If I cannot respond to my lord’s command, it is a disgrace to a knight! Lady Rose, please reconsider, as I will diligently serve as the connection to the Ghost Brigade!”
You should have just said so honestly from the beginning. You’re really not straightforward.
“If you insist so much, I’ll leave it to Ashes. Ashes, let me be clear, the liaison is not a carrier pigeon! Fostering a relationship of trust with the Ghost Brigade is also part of your mission. Therefore, I will not tolerate any actions that look down on the Major or the members of the brigade, or that shake the relationship of trust with abusive language. If I see such a tendency, I will replace you immediately, understood?”
“Yes, I will keep that in mind.”
Please do keep it in mind… I’m starting to worry a little. Can I really do it?
“Quester, Clifford, please think about future strategies with the alliance with Spec Company in mind. You may consult with the Major once he’s finished napping.”
“Lady Rose, and me?”
“Ashes, you come with me. I’m going to see the Colonel now.”
“Yes! I will accompany you.”
Will I be able to persuade Colonel Roogetsu? Perhaps it would be better to have the Major accompany me…
No, what good will it do to rely on the Major for everything! I’ll do it myself!
Anyone who can’t even do that is a joke if they claim to change the world.
Suppressing my cowardly thoughts, I accompanied Ashes to the Byakuya Castle command center.
“…Toma is quite a handful. It seems he really dislikes being compared to Zaha and Barabanes. Though I wouldn’t actually equate Toma with them…”
As expected, Colonel Roogetsu did not look pleased when he heard that Major Toma had become an observer for the Rose Cross.
“I have been appointed as my supervisor from Spec Company. It’s not that I dislike joining the brigade, is it?”
“Lady Rose, you went out to report that?”
Amara asked, placing teacups in front of me and Ashes.
“That’s part of it, but I also wanted to discuss the cooperative relationship between the Rose Cross and the Last Legion.”
As I said that, the eyes of Nayuta, who was standing behind the Colonel, smiled faintly.
‘I wonder what this little girl intends to cooperate with Lady Setsuna on…’ you thought, right?
“…Nayuta, is something so amusing? A little girl solely based on her family background approaching the strongest soldier of the Mechanist Army?”
“…!!… I-I’m not particularly…”
It seems I hit the mark. Now that the nail has been hit, I’ll drive it in. It’s for future reference, so let’s be thorough!
“A little girl with no combat experience, let alone having been on a battlefield, negotiating with a perfect match and commander of the strongest unit… *chuckles* Indeed, it’s strange. What a ridiculous comedy.”
“…Nayuta, that was extremely rude. Nayuta, you may withdraw now.”
“Lady Setsuna! I, however…”
“I told you to withdraw, didn’t I?”
With sharp eyes like a bird of prey, Nayuta bowed and hesitantly retreated to the ante-room.
“Is what just happened the Izuruha Nations proverb, ‘Eyes speak more than the mouth’?”
“Not quite. The Izuruha Nations also have this saying: ‘A man, after three days without seeing him, should be regarded with new eyes.’ However, it seems women don’t need three days.”
…The Colonel’s gaze became serious. Yes, I am serious too, so the Colonel must be serious as well.
“I’m a bit embarrassed to be praised by Colonel Roogetsu… but to be honest, it’s very pleasant.”
“Forgive my rudeness, but I’ll be honest as well. I underestimated Princess Rose a little. The offspring of a lion is indeed a lion, and they have magnificent fangs.”
“Isn’t comparing my father to a lion a bit too much?”
“No, no, His Majesty the Emperor’s life is truly that of a ‘lion itself’.”
…A meaningful smile. Kanata said this in the forest… “Those who can do things tend to imbue hidden meanings into their words.”
This is it. It sounds like a compliment at first glance, but… if you consider the hidden meaning…
“I heard that male lions are like nobles who are only interested in territorial disputes and leave all hunting and childcare to the females. Indeed, my father’s life is that of a lion itself, isn’t it?”
That’s what you meant, right? Yes, I understood from the satisfied smile that appeared on your well-defined face.
But you also understood that I am capable of negotiating with the Colonel, right? I’m stretching as far as I can.
“*chuckles* I understand Princess Rose’s capabilities well. Then, let us get to the main topic.”
“Yes. What I want to say first is that we, the Rose Cross, want to march in step with the Last Legion. This is the premise of our discussion.”
“A very attractive premise. And what do you desire from us?”
“It seems there will be a large-scale offensive operation by the Alliance Army soon, correct?”
“…You are well informed.”
Did my question with a question irritate you? I should avoid provoking Colonel Roogetsu’s pride any further.
“To put it directly. I want you to let me command Ashes and Quester in the next campaign.”
“That is a request I cannot answer immediately. Ashes and Quester are scheduled to be deployed in crucial situations. Leading strong individuals like the Sword Saint and the Guardian God in battle is too much of a burden for Princess Rose, who has no combat experience, don’t you think?”
“Don’t worry, that’s why there’s an observer. If Major Toma, who has never allowed a single survivor, accompanies me as a staff officer, I don’t think there will be any problems, what do you say?”
“Hmm, that might be so. If I send out the Sword Saint, the Guardian God, and the Grim Reaper, a considerable battle result can be expected as long as they don’t get in their way. So, what benefits does the brigade… no, what benefits are there for me?”
“There are two. Which do you want to open first, the large chest or the small chest?”
“You seem well-versed not only in Izuruha Nations proverbs but also in fairy tales. To avoid treading the same path as the anecdotes, let’s open the small chest first. What will come out?”
“Regarding the Rose Cross’s deployment, you may decide the strategic objectives, Colonel. The Rose Cross will operate according to the plan drawn by the Colonel… Is this not essentially equivalent to the Colonel commanding the Rose Cross? I would be the field commander, so to speak.”
I want to achieve victory in my first battle and gain renown, no matter the form. In a time of war, no one will follow a weak leader.
“First, to achieve renown without being tied to form, huh? Princess Rose understands the process. Let me hear what’s in the large chest. I’m looking forward to seeing what kind of fruit it contains.”
“The fruit in the large chest cannot be obtained immediately. First, I will ‘kick out’ my brother. While there are distant relatives of the royal family, there are only two direct heirs: my brother and I. If my brother is deposed, I will be the next emperor. Once the succession to the throne is secure… you understand, don’t you?”
Colonel Roogetsu glared at me with the eyes of a bird of prey. …The light in the Colonel’s eyes was very similar to my father’s.
The fiery gaze of someone burning with ambition…
Is that what I look like now…?
“…I see. The princess seems to be quite ambitious. You are a completely different person from when I first met you… Did your ambition sprout after going through the ordeal in the Witch’s Forest?”
The Colonel said, having no doubt crossed many death lines himself, and I returned a smile.
*chuckles* The Colonel misunderstands. What changed me wasn’t crossing the death line.
It was my encounter with Kanata… and the wolves who live by their fangs. It’s what changed me.
