Helios Orb Chronicle – Chapter 254

Side: Prim

King Noct Rodpiece of the North was a close friend of the current Beast King Gumnos, and he also had a friendship with my father.

While it’s true that the King’s territory of the North borders Solemne across the Torrencia Strait, he was likely on guard against them. However, that man had no interest in the title or honor of King’s rank; he only thought of his people. I believe there were parts where he couldn’t get along with either the Beast King or my father.

But precisely because of that, I could trust and respect him.

That King Rodpiece is dead?

“Mana, where is Rodpiece located?”

“It’s about a day east of Ariba, which borders Solemne. It faces the Nadal Sea, but… Ah!”

Inside the Beast Carriage heading towards Amagi Castle, Yamato was asking Mana about Rodpiece’s location. Rodpiece, the capital of the King’s territory of the North, faces the Nadal Sea.

This means Solemne’s Steam Battleships can sufficiently overwhelm Rodpiece.

Of course, we can’t rule out the possibility that Leonas has moved, but Rodpiece isn’t far from Alegria either. If the Anti-Beast King Organization is active, it wouldn’t be strange for them to have gathered some information in Alegria.

“If we consider possibilities, it’s not a fleet but a small number of individuals, or perhaps they moved under the cover of night.”

“That’s likely. Even if the aim was imprecise, they could have managed to destroy the city. Well, we can’t be certain without knowing the exact situation.”

In the middle of the night?

There’s no way they could do something like that… No, we can’t say that for sure.

If they set fires, they could secure light, and Steam Battleships are powered by fire, so we have to consider it as a possibility.

“Regardless, information gathering is necessary. I’ll propose it to His Majesty, but I wonder what will happen.”

“It’ll probably depend on the King of the East. They need to pass through the Haura Great Forest, but it’s adjacent anyway, and more importantly, King Rein Estayte of the East has shown deference to Amister, so if anything happens, they should send word to Float.”

King Rein, huh.

He’s a bit too shrewd, and I doubt he was satisfied with his current position.

He’s a good lord who cares for his people, but I believe he desired the position of King, not just King’s rank.

When my mother and I were banished from Valentia, I figured the King’s territory of the West would be the first to be sealed off, so I excluded it and headed for Amister in the East. But I didn’t consider asking King Rein for help.

I thought he might cause some sort of trouble under the pretext of having protected us.

That’s why I took a large detour around Estayte and headed for Porton, but there I was caught up by pursuers, and then thieves appeared. All the drivers and servants were killed, and we had no choice but to flee.

That’s where I met Yamato.

“That’s probably the only way. But isn’t Estayte near a country called Bacion? Depending on when Rodpiece fell, has the information reached them?”

It’s just as Mako says.

Estayte borders the Holy Kingdom of Bacion.

However, it also borders Amister, so Count Crystallos continues to maintain vigilance in cooperation with the Holiner’s Guild of Bacion.

From Rodpiece to Estayte takes two days. There’s a possibility the information hasn’t reached them.

If we used Wyverns, it would take less than a day, but depending on the situation, it might be impossible.

“Thinking about that now is pointless. Besides, I intend to act myself, regardless of whether the King of the East has received information or not.”

Yamato looked at me and spoke with strong, reliable words.

“In some cases, that might be the only way. Whether Rodpiece was taken by Solemne or Leonas, it’s a problem that Amister cannot ignore.”

What Yuri says might be true.

If Rodpiece fell and King Noct lost his life, the King’s territory of the North has fallen into one of their hands.

No, with Leonas siding with Solemne now, it’s no exaggeration to say it has fallen into Solemne’s hands.

This means a part of Valentia has been occupied by Solemne.

Even the Beast King would likely mobilize the Beast Knights, but that would inevitably weaken Centros’s defenses, making it more likely the Beast King could be overthrown.

It’s a shame to say this when we should be protecting the Beast King, but we can’t afford to be sentimental.

If Valentia is dominated by Solemne, the common people will suffer the most.

Upon arriving at Amagi Castle, we conveyed our thoughts to Brother Rai.

It seems the fall of Rodpiece was reported via a letter from Alegria, but there was no communication from King Rein.

“Rodpiece fell three days ago. A loud noise was heard in Sokius that night, so it was likely artillery fire from Solemne’s Steam Battleships.”

Sokius is the southernmost city in Alegria and can be seen from Rodpiece.

The fact that the sound reached Sokius means it was definitely Steam Battleships.

Moreover, since it was at night, we don’t even know how many ships attacked.

The port of Rodpiece isn’t visible from Sokius, so they are probably anchored there.

“A letter has arrived from King Neige of the West regarding this matter.”

From Sister Neige?

King Neige Ovest of the West is a Foxy woman, five years older than me, and my cousin.

Neige’s mother was my mother’s elder sister, the previous Queen Ovest.

This means my mother is from the Ovest Royal Family.

Sister Neige was very fond of me, like a younger sister, but when she heard I had died, she rebelled against the Beast King. As soon as she learned I was alive, she withdrew her cooperation with the Anti-Beast King Organization and is now governing the King’s territory of the West independently. Was that the story?

“What did King Neige say?”

“It seems a letter arrived from the Beast King. It also mentioned the fall of Solemne’s Steam Battleships and Rodpiece.”

Why to Sister Neige?

The Beast King considers Sister Neige an enemy, right?

So why is he doing something like sending aid to the enemy?

“Ovest has many Hunters, but not that many High Class ones, so their military strength against Solemne is insufficient. Therefore, they are inquiring if the Order’s Guild can be dispatched if possible.”

The Order’s Guild in Ovest?

No, that might be impossible.

They’ve already raised border security to watch for Retisencia and the Anti-Beast King Organization, and they’ve dispatched troops to Torencia. Even the Order’s Guild can’t spare much more combat power.

“That’s right. Therefore, no Order’s Guild will be dispatched to Ovest. Instead, we want you to go to Wing Crest. Is that acceptable?”

For me, it’s exactly what I want, but is it okay?

“We were planning to investigate Rodpiece, but is that alright?”

“If possible, we’d appreciate it, but considering Rodpiece has fallen, it would be better to head to Ovest first. If things go badly, they might already be under attack.”

Indeed.

We need to take a large detour around the Gagun Great Forest, but Ovest also faces the sea, so Solemne must think it’s an easy target to conquer.

“Understood. In that case, should we transfer to Dragonia first and then have them fly to Eos?”

“That would be the fastest.”

“Then, Brother, if Ovest is attacked, are we allowed to annihilate the Steam Battleships?”

“Of course. Ah, I’ll be going this time as well. We need to hear Lord Neige’s account, and that might change Amister’s response.”

Are you going to the battlefield again?

Well, it’s true that if the King comes, it will save trouble.

It’s also likely for the reason that returning to Amagi Castle via Alka will be quick, minimizing the time spent.

“If there are no Steam Battleships, it’s fine, but if there are, we might get caught up in it?”

“That’s what I want. Rather, I’d like to see for myself what Steam Battleships are like.”

Why is he so belligerent?

Well, Brother Rai has only seen stationary Steam Battleships, so it’s natural that he’d want to see them in action.

“Understood. What about the Royal Order?”

“May they accompany us?”

“No, please let them. It would be improper to make a formal visit without guards.”

Yamato is right.

The trip to Torencia was sudden, so we had no choice but to take on the role of guards… but this too is sudden.

“Then, for now, let’s have about three people accompany us. I’ll prepare quickly.”

Saying so, Brother Rai instructed the Butler in the salon to summon three readily available members of the Royal Order.

It’s a pity for the Royal Order who have to go along.

After a while, the Prime Minister, Laina, entered with a tired expression.

There are three members of the Royal Order as well, but they seem to sense something bad and have faces full of apprehension.

“This time it’s Valentia, and to the West, Ovest.”

“As expected, you understand well. Now that Rodpiece has fallen, Ovest must be defended at all costs. However, since they are at odds with the Beast King, Ovest’s military strength is insufficient. That’s why we decided to send Wing Crest, but shouldn’t I also go, considering there might be some developments?”

“I understand what you wish to say, and it’s also for the purpose of quickly conquering Solemne, so I suppose it’s unavoidable. However, wouldn’t it be fine to go after Ovest’s safety is confirmed?”

The Royal Order members nodded at the Prime Minister’s words.

“He wants to see moving Steam Battleshps. We don’t know if they’re attacking, but the possibility isn’t low.”

“I thought as much. Therefore, all three members of the Royal Order are over level 50. I apologize, but please take care of His Majesty and the others.”

” ” “Yes!” ” ”

The three members of the Royal Order saluted with impeccable movements, but dissatisfaction was clearly evident on their faces.

I understand their feeling of doubt about the purpose of guarding given that Brother Rai’s level is higher, but all I can say is to give up.

Including the three Royal Order members, we departed from Amagi Castle immediately.

However, it took no time at all as we went from Sayuri’s Mansion to Alka, then Bacion, and finally flew to Eos after transferring to Dragunia.

I intend to register Ovest with the Gate Crystal during this trip, but our stock of Feather Drake is running low, so we’ll need to hunt some soon.

“What is that!?”

After about two hours on the Beast Carriage being carried by Eos, the city of Ovest came into view.

However, smoke was rising from Ovest.

The cause was about twenty iron ships floating in the sea.

Were we too late?

No, the shelling is still ongoing, so we should consider ourselves to have made it in time.

“Yamato!”

“Yeah, let’s sink them all!”

“I can’t overlook such a massacre, so I’m going too.”

“Of course, me too!”

It’s a relief that Mana and Mako will cooperate.

With four Ancient Classes among us, we can sink that many in no time.

I, Yamato, Mana, and Mako jumped from the deck of the beast carriage that Eos was carrying to sink Solemne’s Steam Battleships.