Side-Frederica
After receiving a branch of the Heavenly Tree as a gift from His Majesty and obtaining permission concerning Fiana’s family, we departed Float and headed for Memoria, the capital of the Marquisate of Amatista, which I govern.
Since it was close to Float, Athena flew us there in her dragon form. We arrived in about two hours. According to Eos, Athena is one of the faster Dragonians. While her evolution into a Hydragonian is a factor, the biggest reason is the Dragon Resonance Contract she formed with Yamato.
However, things escalated when water magic was suddenly unleashed towards Athena. Yamato, who was seated in the driver’s seat of the Beast Carriage, quickly nullified it. But this carriage carried not only myself, the Lord, but also H.R.H. Manalease and Sir Yuri, Princesses of this kingdom. And Athena, who was attacked, is the daughter of the Holy Mother Dragon Gaia. This is a serious problem. Furthermore, to attack us when we sent a letter announcing our return by dragonized Dragonian is nothing short of a major blunder. Whether by Hunters or Orders, it’s a grave offense.
“My sincerest apologies, H.R.H. Manalease, Sir Yuri. I will disembark and explain first.”
“Yes, please do. And be sure to find out who attacked us.”
“Of course. Yamato, I’m counting on you.”
“Leave it to me.”
Yamato leaped from the Beast Carriage, holding me in his arms. Thanks to the Engraving Magic called Fly Wind, there was no fear of crashing into the ground. Moreover, I’m sure Yamato wouldn’t be incapacitated by the impact of a fall.
At the entrance of Memoria, Orders were waiting in combat formation, but they seemed bewildered. This was likely an arbitrary decision by someone. Who could it be… could it be him? The Order’s Master was reprimanding the Order that attacked Athena, but that Order showed no signs of remorse.
“Is that Jezal Torviles?”
“Yes. He is a candidate for my fiancé and the Sub-Order’s Master of Memoria. Though, judging by his demeanor just now, it seems he ignored the Order’s Master’s orders and attacked on his own. He also didn’t seem to care who was in the Beast Carriage, so punishment is certain.”
Upon seeing me and Yamato disembark before the Orders, they all saluted in unison. Their perfectly synchronized movements, coupled with their renewed equipment, made them resemble a renowned knightly order. Jezal followed suit, but for a moment, he cast a displeased look towards Yamato, indicating that the news of my engagement had indeed reached him.
“Welcome back, Marquis Frederica.”
“Yes, I have just returned. However, what is the meaning of this? His Majesty should have reported our return in a dragon-carried Beast Carriage, correct?”
“M-my apologies. We received a report of an approaching Dragon, so I ordered the Orders to prepare for engagement. However, upon realizing it was a Beast Carriage, I strictly ordered them not to attack. But our Sub-Order’s Master violated those orders and attacked without authorization…”
When I questioned the Order’s Master in a stern tone, I received the answer I expected. Honestly, the excuses are always the same with this Order’s Master.
“As I suspected. However, since you confirmed it was a Beast Carriage, you must have also known who was inside, correct? What do you say, Jezal?”
“With all due respect, Marquis Frederica, I did not confirm it was a Beast Carriage. I do not know if it was a Dragonian or something else. I attacked because I heard a monster was approaching Memoria.”
Jezal answered with confidence, but those words are forbidden. And that he didn’t confirm the Beast Carriage… that’s impossible.
“You didn’t confirm the Beast Carriage? But the Order’s Master confirmed it and strictly ordered you not to attack, right? Yet you attacked. Do you have an explanation for this?”
“An explanation? I merely judged that the Order’s Master was hallucinating. Therefore, I had no intention of attacking you, Marquis. This was all done to protect Memoria.”
He spewed those words without a shred of remorse. But he seems to have forgotten something crucial.
“Then what about the letter stating we would be returning in a dragon-carried Beast Carriage?”
“I did read it. However, a dragonized Dragonian is no different from a monster. Even with a familiar contract, I had no choice but to deem it dangerous.”
Yes, he’s out. It’s true that in Amister, not everyone misunderstands Dragonians, and it’s also true that a dragonized Dragonian once nearly destroyed the country. But a dragonized Dragonian is still a dragon, meaning a human. More importantly, those words are an act of folly that would provoke the wrath of my fiancé standing beside me.
“I understand. Your arbitrary decision nearly brought great harm not only to Memoria but also to Amister, so you cannot go unpunished. Furthermore, since H.R.H. Manalease and H.R.H. Yuriana were on board that Beast Carriage, we must consider treason charges.”
“Wh-what?!”
Is this something to be surprised about? I already informed you that H.R.H. Manalease and Sir Yuri would be accompanying us.
“Of course. If you read the letter, you should have known that H.R.H. Manalease and H.R.H. Yuriana would be accompanying us. And the Dragonian you attacked is the daughter of the Holy Mother Dragon Gaia? Even in self-defense, you cannot escape punishment.”
Gaia is a gentle soul, so I don’t think she’ll be subjected to severe punishment, but…
“Th-that can’t be…”
“Also, he is my fiancé. The fact that you attacked me and my fiancé means that even a light punishment would be removal from the Order’s Guild, wouldn’t it?”
I had already heard about Jezal’s disposition from Emperor Reinhardt and Sir Tolman. While his background check is still ongoing, the current incident alone is sufficient grounds for punishment. This saves them the unnecessary trouble, as they wanted to have him removed quickly. Of course, the Order’s Master will also be punished for failing to control him.
“Yamato, it’s alright now. Have Athena descend.”
“Understood.”
Yamato waved his hand, and Athena began to descend.
“N-no, stop!”
However, seizing that moment, Jezal drew his sword and lunged at Yamato. His movements were so swift that even the Order’s Master couldn’t stop him. But such an attack wouldn’t even harm Yamato.
“Im-impossible!”
Jezal’s expression turned to shock as Yamato caught his sword made of Jade Silver with one hand. With this, there’s no need to wait for the investigation; his death sentence is decided.
“You’re the fool. Not only did you attack me, who was aboard with Mana, Yuri, and Rika, but you also called Athena and the other Dragonians monsters? To utter such nonsense and then attack me means you don’t value your life, doesn’t it?”
“D-don’t be ridiculous! How dare a mere Hunter defy the Sub-Order’s Master of Memoria!?”
“That’s exactly the kind of foolishness I’m talking about.”
Saying that, Yamato presented his License. As Jezal’s face turned paler and paler, he stared at it.
“Im-impossible… Not only an M-rank Hunter, but an O-rank Order? Y-you don’t mean… you aren’t…!”
“You should have received word from Float. It was said that Rika’s fiancé is an O-rank Order. A rebellious Sub-Order’s Master and an O-rank Order, which one do you think His Majesty and the Grand Order’s Master will listen to?”
There’s no need to think about it. Besides, Jezal is on the verge of being expelled from the Order’s Guild, so neither His Majesty nor the Grand Order’s Master will grant him an audience. Moreover, knowing H.R.H. Manalease and H.R.H. Yuriana were on board and attacking Athena is unforgivable.
“You are Jezal Torviles. Not only did you attack us knowing we were on board, but the very act of pointing a sword at Yamato is grounds for treason.”
“Furthermore, this Silver Dragonian is the daughter of the Holy Mother Dragon Gaia. We will inform you of the judgment later, but for now, your actions will be restricted by enslavement magic.”
Mana and Yuri, who had descended from the Beast Carriage, delivered their judgment to Jezal.
“Wh-what?! I-I implore you to reconsider! I attacked to protect Memoria from a monster! I never imagined Your Highnesses were aboard! It was an unavoidable situation!”
“Do you think such an excuse will work? We informed you of our travel plans, and there’s no way you couldn’t see the Beast Carriage. Especially if you’re High Class. You probably intended to force Athena to drop the Beast Carriage by attacking her, then take the opportunity to kill Yamato and abduct Rika, didn’t you? How shortsighted.”
“…”
Jezal fell silent. Mana’s words were correct. Moreover, if the Beast Carriage had fallen, it would have been impossible for the occupants to survive. Not only Yamato but I, Mana, and Yuri would have lost our lives. It was an outright assassination attempt on royalty. The idea of marrying such a fool is unthinkable, even if the Heavenly Tree were to break.
“And to you, Order’s Master.”
“Y-yes!”
” you clearly gave instructions, but your Sub-Order’s Master still resorted to such a heinous act. You cannot escape punishment either.”
“Indeed. I heard the previous Master appointed him, and that they are of a higher level. However, that is no excuse whatsoever. It is a shameful act for an Order meant to protect the people.”
“…Yes.”
He looks contrite, but based on the report I heard at Float, Jezal’s arrogance is unforgivable. Furthermore, the Order’s Master took office after Jezal’s appointment as Sub-Order’s Master and, being of a lower level, couldn’t assert himself. Despite my repeated admonishments since before I became the Provincial Governor of Feel, there was no improvement. Punishment is only natural.
“And where is Chris?”
“Th-that…”
I heard that Chris, who serves as Yuri’s Escort Order and distinguished himself by protecting Feel during the recent Alliance, was to be appointed as Memoria’s Sub-Order’s Master. However, to do that, Jezal needed to be dealt with, and evidence had to be gathered. Chris is here in Memoria for that purpose, but there’s no sign of him. The Order’s Master is hesitating, so he must be hiding something.
“I’m asking where Chris is. Or is there a reason you can’t say?”
“…No, Chris is currently at the Healer’s Guild.”
Perhaps giving in, the Order’s Master finally spoke. At the Healer’s Guild? Why would Chris be there?
“…I understand. I will hear directly from Chris what happened. If anything happens to Chris, you will also be subject to appropriate punishment. Also, it goes without saying that you are forbidden from going to see Chris.”
“…Yes.”
While I’m curious about what happened, the fact that he’s at the Healer’s Guild means he’s likely not in mortal danger. I need to go to the Healer’s Guild immediately and hear the details from Chris.
“Mana, are you done with this one?”
“Yes. You can do as you please, as long as you don’t kill him.”
“Understood.”
With Mana’s permission, Yamato crushed the Jade Silver sword in his hand and simultaneously activated Niflheim, encasing Jezal in ice. It’s better to use the enslavement magic while he’s unconscious.
“Someone, contact the Priests’ Guild immediately. We need him to use enslavement magic on him.”
“Yes!”
Following my orders, several Orders rushed towards the Priests’ Guild. Temple Magic Constraining has little effect on High Class users, so they need to use its advanced magic, High Constraining. However, only the Priests’ Master and a few others can use High Constraining, so it might take some time. Before that, I should convey this much.
“In the coming days, the Grand Order’s Master will likely visit. While I don’t know what will happen to the Order’s Master, the Sub-Order’s Master will be handed over at that time. Furthermore, a successor for the Sub-Order’s Master has already been decided and will be concurrently appointed.”
A murmur arose, but it was met with welcoming voices. It seems Jezal was doing as he pleased in my absence. Depending on the investigation results, he might truly lose his head. I also bear responsibility, so I must ensure the affected residents are properly compensated, and I need to ask Mother to thoroughly restore order in Memoria. But that won’t be enough, so I need to think of something.
