“Open the gates! Head for the Royal Capital!”
The Schreiaschwald defense force, the Third Army, abandoned the city and headed for the Royal Capital with our carriage at the forefront. The city’s residents and remaining forces had already departed as the First Army.
The Demon Army, arrayed north of Schreiaschwald, was near total destruction. For the past two days, we had only exchanged reconnaissance patrols, avoiding direct combat.
I, on the other hand, had been busy and my life without legs was truly agonizing. My Godspeed, Mode Three, was useless without legs. I could still use my hands quickly and my left hand’s super-vibration, but lacking legs was like being unable to move my lower body. It was a shame I couldn’t unleash my Godspeed Grind. Damn it!
“Captain, what will happen when we reach the Royal Capital?”
“Probably, the Third Army will be disbanded, reorganized under an Administrator, and assigned to a new unit.”
“Is that so? It’s a shame we became so close.”
Alana was adored by everyone like the Third Army’s mascot, so it would be a pity to part with her. It would be nice if they kept the entire Third Army together.
“Some people said they’d die if they were separated from Christine.”
‘Die!’ Christine would undoubtedly say that. Since they were all precious combatants and people who would die for Christine, I had to figure out how to separate them safely without them actually dying.
“I’ll talk to the Administrator. I hope it works out.”
“Yes.”
As Alana nuzzled my arm, a glowing frisbee flew between us.
“No mushy displays in the carriage!”
Sophia’s glowing spheres, named “Eight Lightning Ball,” transformed into slicing frisbees from the carriage bed.
“Come on, Sophia. Alana worked hard these past two days.”
“Even so…”
Five glowing frisbees were already circling me. Had they grown tired of just severing limbs and were now aiming for my neck?!
“Geez…”
The frisbees returned without Sophia’s command, and Alana, uncharacteristically sticking out her tongue, looked adorable. I wanted to kiss her.
Alana clung to my arm even tighter. She must have had a tough two days. She’d flown several Dorons alone for reconnaissance and even went on reconnaissance herself.
Christine had apparently managed the Third Army in my absence, giving detailed instructions exclusively to the women. Rufina seemed to have taken a liking to the blood of two Sand Dragons and hadn’t returned.
Orietta appeared to have been busy repairing the Railgun and developing new weapons, and she hadn’t returned either.
Richauda seemed to have grown significantly, which made me happy as her captain. I felt like a father, hoping she’d join the White Lily Corps and find a good man someday.
Sophia, meanwhile, had been refining her overpowered Eight Lightning Ball and using healing magic on the injured. However, she never did reattach my legs!
And then… that idiot in the next carriage! You, the drunkard! What do you mean “Alana’s backup”? Where did you steal that wine barrel from the carriage bed?
I won’t forget how for two days, I was told I had no legs, that my legs were just decoration, and then you, apparently liking that phrase, threatened to break my arms by saying, “Arms are just decoration.” Fortunately, I managed to prove they weren’t decoration by fondling Priscilla’s ample chest before they could be broken. It was truly a busy two days.
This morning, Sophia was supposed to reattach my legs, but during that time, you somehow brought over a wagon and as many wine barrels as you could carry.
“It would be a waste not to drink it, right?”
Indeed, it would be a waste to discard something someone worked hard to make. But it would also be a waste to give it all to Priscilla, who drinks like a fish. I just wish they would drink it with some appreciation and gratitude for the maker.
“But Captain, what is the Royal Capital like?”
What is it like… I don’t remember. Why don’t I remember? I think it was during the Guard Duty reinforcement month…
When I looked to the carriage bed for help, no one met my gaze. You all had free time, didn’t you? Now, it’s troublesome that I don’t know, and the members don’t remember either.
“A good person…”
Suddenly, without any warning, a voice called out from in front of the driver’s seat where I was sitting. Turning around, I saw her face. The Dark Elf’s shadow sat on my lap, her hands around my neck.
Easily navigating my reins to lead the horse, she sat on me. What a lover’s embrace. I love being sat on like this.
“It’s Shadow, isn’t it? When did you…?”
Surprised, I was surprised too. I wrapped my hands around her waist, pulling her close to prevent casting a shadow. This, in turn, provoked her. I felt sharp, dark killing intent from behind and from the side. Weren’t we just enjoying drinks together a moment ago? I don’t quite understand this.
“The good person, Miss Marte, has safely arrived at the Keibeck Royal Capital. She is currently using her connections to negotiate.”
I hadn’t forgotten, but it was Marte from Lauenstein. I’m glad she arrived safely. If she can get Keibeck to move, it will be perfect. I’ll have to leave the rest to Miss Marte.
“Thank you for your trouble. You can return the guards. What’s the situation with the Ashtal Empire?”
I had been in regular contact with Ashtal since the Koatotemites attacked, but I wished they had told me sooner about the Dark Elf’s six sisters’ unique ability to communicate even from a distance.
“The Ashtal Empire is already mobilizing and heading towards Harmonia. Since there has been no request from Harmonia, and negotiations with Rothfar are not complete, they are expected to come via Keibeck in the worst-case scenario.”
That’s not good. Taking the Keibeck route will take too long. It would be faster to go through the Sandrine Great Forest and advance through Rothfar. Also, is it alright to send troops to Harmonia without their request? While Keibeck and Ashtal likely have good relations and would allow passage, Harmonia, with only the Royal Capital and a southern city remaining, might have no choice but to make a stand at the Royal Capital and await reinforcements.
“But it’s amazing that Ashtal is moving. Just because of my… baron’s request?”
“Regarding that, His Majesty the Emperor appears to have investigated deeply. It’s likely that many of our shadows have infiltrated Harmonia as well.”
As expected, it seems my words alone weren’t enough to make them move. Perhaps my influence is still limited? I am trying quite hard, after all.
“Also, changing the subject… why has my waist been wiggling for so long?”
How inappropriate during a serious discussion! If you move too much, my Petty will transform into a Buster Sword.
“Ah, my good person. This is the shared sensation of us six sisters. At this moment, the sisters scattered across various regions are feeling what I am feeling… ahhh…”
It’s incredible that they can share not only thoughts but also sensations. The sisters in the distant Asht and Keibeck are experiencing the same thing. It’s fine when I’m alone, but what about in public? Since I have the opportunity, I’ll fondle her breasts.
“Ahhh…”
“Guh!”
“What in the hell are you doing! *Hic*… Woooey…”
Priscilla, who should have been in the next carriage, struck me vertically on the head with the handle of her Halberd. Let me enjoy myself a little longer.
“That hurt, Priscilla. It was just a little information exchange, with remote locations. And you’ve had too much to drink. Your speech is slurred.”
“Damn right! ‘Drink, but don’t be drunk by it!’ Hahaha!”
She’s drunk. What century is “damn right” from? Is that even understood in this world?! But her flushed face and hot body are quite alluring.
“Let’s calm down a bit. Shadow, uh…”
“My good person, please call us Iris from now on. When we share consciousness and sensations, the six of us feel like one. The whole is the individual, and the individual is the whole.”
This sounds like a Zen koan, but I’m glad they’re unifying their name. I made sure to distinguish each of them, but mistaking a girl’s name is a serious problem.
“Wh-when we need bodily fluid replenishment, use our names…”
Right. In that case, I’ll know by the position of the black circles. It should be fine. Probably…
“Understood, Iris. I’d like to ask, what’s the situation in the Royal Capital?”
The Kingdom of Harmonia, the Royal Capital Klinshberbach. I passed through it, but I have no memory of the city. No one remembers it anyway, so I should ask. I don’t remember it either.
“Various regional knights and mercenary groups are gathering at the castle one after another, but with the addition of refugees from the north, the city’s functions are saturated… haaa…”
“What is the King saying?”
“He’s calling for a decisive battle… asking refugees to arm themselves and fight too… Aahh…”
And then…
“Guh!”
A second vertical blow from the Halberd.
“The conversation is over. How long are you going to keep this up? If you want, I’ll take over.”
Take over what? Will you listen on my behalf? Will you drive the carriage for me?
Priscilla leaped to our carriage and said, “Alana, switch places. Don’t drop the wine barrels,” and stood beside me. Grabbing Iris, who was unceremoniously shaking her hips, she threw her onto the carriage bed.
“Priscilla, how could you!”
That felt good, can’t you continue a little longer… No, throwing someone around like an object. Do you have any heart?
“I said I’ll take over. You gotta eat something different once in a while, or your stomach will get upset. Sophia, bring out the soundproof tent.”
Take over, is that what you meant? Does “stomach upset” mean I’m a bad bacterium? E. coli? It seems my treatment has been downgraded to the level of bacteria.
Seeing Sophia efficiently bring out the soundproof tent from the carriage bed, I grabbed Iris, who was hunched over from a blow to the side, by the collar and dragged her into the tent.
“Richauda, you coming too?”
Seeing Richauda’s vacant stare, I said, “It’s too early for you, I guess…” and went into the soundproof tent with Iris.
“My good person…”
I can’t, I’m sorry, good luck. I can only pray in my heart. I’d like to participate if possible, but I have the work of leading the Third Army. Let’s do it alone next time.
“Richauda, move to the next carriage with Alana. Alana, follow us at a slight distance behind.”
At least let’s separate Richauda. It’s still too early for you. I’ll find a good person for you someday.
“Priscilla, you’re quite intense. The carriage is creaking. Should we get a new carriage when we get to the Royal Capital?”
Yes, we need a sturdier carriage. Perhaps I should get a larger driver’s seat as well.
“Isn’t that because Sophia is also moving?”
“It’s fine. You can’t see from the outside because of the robe. Ah, this feels good…”
I should buy a large, soft seat for the driver’s area. It must be in the Royal Capital.
