I and Lady Annelyse departed from the Royal Capital, heading straight for the town of Schreiaschwald. While I didn’t have excessive expectations, the horses were more than adequate. Their hip shapes too…
The town of Schreia was a bit far, and even if we hurried, we would only arrive in the middle of the night. I had decided to camp out for the night, aiming to reach the town by tomorrow morning.
The tent Fleet Helm had prepared was a small one for two people, and there was food for two as well. There were no sleeping bags, only a single, large, and rather cute blanket.
Perhaps Fleet Helm had been considerate of me. Could I imagine what was to come? Was it acceptable to imagine, even if only in my mind?
Of course, I was on watch outside. I expanded my Wide-Area Mind’s Eye to its maximum, ensuring I would know immediately if anything happened. I thought perhaps Fleet Helm was testing me.
After we finished eating, Lady Annelyse told me to go inside the tent and rest, but she seemed to not view me as a healthy young man, not even considering laying a hand on me. Honestly, I wanted to deepen our relationship…
While I let her rest, I decided that tomorrow, as soon as we found an Orc, we would return. As long as she could see even a little, she should be satisfied…
“Good morning, Mikael. It’s a pleasant morning, isn’t it?”
A beautiful woman on a refreshing morning. If she were in her undergarments, I had a feeling the day would bring even more good things.
“Lady Annelyse, you’re in your undergarments.”
“Oh dear, I’m sorry.”
She blushed and retreated into the tent, but seeing Lady Annelyse in her undergarments didn’t stir much in me. After all, the undergarments in this world were like T-shirts and shorts; to a Japanese person, they looked no different from casual wear for going out, not like the bras and panties they were used to.
I thought there would be something more, like sheer negligees, or perhaps nothing but perfume to wear to bed. Still, a Duchess doesn’t usually camp out, so I would engrave the pleasing sight in my heart.
“Mikael, please help me.”
Lady Annelyse emerged from the tent, staggering a little as she tried to put on her full armor mail, reaching for her back.
Normally, someone else would help her, but now, only I, a healthy young man, was around. Naturally, I put it on for her. My hands didn’t slip, not even once. I am a gentleman, after all.
I couldn’t say this to Priscilla, but I had thought about letting my hands slip. I managed to resist, but Lady Annelyse seemed to possess a peculiar charm.
Among the White Lily Corps, Christine was by far the most beautiful. Sophia was someone I wanted to embrace with carnal desire. Priscilla excelled in functional beauty.
Alana, Rufina, and Orietta had their good points too, but compared to the top members, Lady Annelyse seemed like a second or third-tier beauty. Yet, what was this charm that drew me in?
“Let’s go, Mikael.”
Once Lady Annelyse finished changing, she briskly walked towards the horses.
Hey! I haven’t changed yet, and breakfast is vital for my energy. I quickly packed up the tent, ate the leftovers from yesterday for breakfast, and changed. Was her charm just an illusion? And since when did she start calling me Mikael?
While discussing battle strategy, we dismounted our horses facing the street that served as the castle walls of Schreia, and from there, we proceeded on foot, carrying the Doron.
Hiding ourselves in the small woods we had scouted, I silenced Lady Annelyse’s complaints and handed her a crystal that could display the Doron’s images.
The Doron, which could only detect heat sources before, now transmitted images. Technological advancement is truly amazing. Orietta, who achieved this, is incredible. I must praise her when we return.
Raising the Doron’s altitude and looking into the town of Schreia, I saw that the Orc and Troll army had been reinforced, swelling into a massive force.
Lady Annelyse confirmed the situation, and our work here was done. As I fantasized about who I would “make out with” upon our return, my thoughts were once again interrupted.
“Let’s go inside.”
Is this idiot serious?! What an idiot! Didn’t I say we’d leave if I saw it? You liar! What are you going to do inside? Are you going to dance with the Ogres?! They aren’t the kind of beings you can negotiate with. Just because you’re a Duke doesn’t mean you can do whatever you want!
“That would be dangerous. The enemies are ferocious and will attack immediately. I cannot protect you alone, Your Grace.”
That was a slight lie. The plan was to show her the monsters via Doron and then return. Even if we were discovered and pursued, we could escape on horseback, and in the worst-case scenario, I could use Godspeed to carry her and flee.
Even if it came to fighting, it wouldn’t be hundreds of pursuers; twenty or thirty would be manageable with Mode Three. As long as no demons appeared, we could handle it. Why did she want to go inside?
“Mikael, don’t you find it strange? What is their motivation? Where do the food and supplies for such a large number come from? How were their weapons acquired? What is their chain of command? How strong are they? There are so many things I need to know.”
Indeed, there were many unknowns. Where did the supplies to support such an army come from? How much food does it take to sustain a single Sand Dragon? What do they even eat?
Who made their weapons? Do they have blacksmiths? When I think of blacksmiths in another world, I think of Dwarves, but are the Dwarves on the enemy side?
I remembered that there were many things I needed to know. I had only focused on defeating the immediate enemies, but as a Duke, shouldn’t she know more about the overall situation?
“We cannot go inside. It’s too dangerous. Please endure it here.”
“But…”
“I’ll go. Lady Annelyse, you wait here.”
“But…”
“Please don’t think that you have to do everything alone, Your Grace. Didn’t you say before that you had to send your subordinates into danger… This is that moment.”
“I can fight too!”
“What’s needed isn’t fighting. Think about what is necessary for you.”
I felt like I was saying that to myself. It was one thing if it were just the White Lily Corps, but now I was the captain of the 1st Brigade. Had the time for me to use Godspeed and do whatever I pleased come to an end?
“I’ve set the Doron to patrol automatically. Lady Annelyse, please investigate the enemy from here.”
Without waiting for a reply, I headed towards the town in Mode Three. Lady Annelyse said she could fight, but that was just lip service. It seemed I also had a tendency to pour fuel on the fire. Had I adapted to this world that much? …Will I grow large breasts?
Ordinarily, I would have preferred to sneak in at night, but if I waited until night, Lady Annelyse might add more quests, so I decided to go immediately.
Even though it was tactically incorrect, my own curiosity was piqued. What about the provisions for monsters, especially those as large as Sand Dragons?
Goblins and Orcs would likely need food similar to humans. Trolls would probably just need a larger quantity. But what about Sand Dragons?
How much food does it take to maintain that colossal body? If roasted Orcs and stewed Trolls appeared on our tables daily, it would be a great help to us.
While contemplating these thoughts, I reached the houses that formed the outer wall of Schreia. Peeking through the window, I saw that they were filled with earth and used as castle walls, just like before.
I went near the West Gate, but found no enemies. I quietly flew to the top of the castle walls and hid. Peering into the town from atop the wall, I saw a disgusting number of Orcs crammed together, with several giants sitting with their knees hugged to their chests near the North Gate.
“This is impossible…”
There was no way I could search inside. If I went in, I would definitely be discovered, and instead of twenty or thirty, I could be pursued by hundreds. As I suppressed my curiosity and began to consider retreating, a Hobgoblin riding a Wardog sprinted from the West Gate.
Was it reconnaissance? I went to the edge of the wall to observe. The Wardog sniffed the air and headed directly towards Lady Annelyse.
Did it find me by scent? It passed by without noticing me, perhaps because the smell of my usual outdoor living was stronger than my personal scent.
From now on, I should bathe more often and prepare myself. If possible, I’d like to use soap and have a bubble bath, and enjoy it with someone… With that decision made, I pursued the Wardog in Godspeed.
At Godspeed, I could easily catch up to a Wardog. I could even overtake it with Mode Two and carry Lady Annelyse away with ease.
But I didn’t catch up, nor did I overtake it. I maintained a certain distance from the Wardog and ran towards the woods where Lady Annelyse was.
Upon entering the woods, the Wardog’s speed decreased, but it continued to charge directly towards Lady Annelyse.
With the Wardog’s ferocious roar, Lady Annelyse finally realized she was in danger. She set down the crystal and drew her sword.
It’s okay. I’m watching everything with my Wide-Area Mind’s Eye. I can see Lady Annelyse drawing her sword, but even a common farmer would have a better stance. Is this the extent of her “ability to fight”?
I certainly don’t intend to wait until Lady Annelyse is in dire trouble and calls my name! I have no intention of being the hero who comes to the rescue at the very end!
Nor do I intend to wait until my presence is revealed after Lady Annelyse’s clothes are torn to shreds by the Wardog and Hobgoblin, revealing the ultimate state of ecchi! …I think.
I just want her to understand what a battle is. A battle is a exchange of lives. It’s different from devising strategies on paper. Lady Annelyse said she wanted to know because she didn’t know.
That’s fine. “Know your enemy and know yourself,” and investigating the enemy’s movements is also necessary. Lady Annelyse said she wanted to know because she didn’t. Then I’ll teach her about the exchange of lives.
“Mikael!”
“…I’m right here.”
Lady Annelyse, with her sword hand trembling and her stance unsteady, was surrounded by Wardogs, but she seemed intent on fighting.
Lady Annelyse looked at the person who called out from behind her. Those eyes were filled with relief and affection. Huh? Did I fail? I didn’t need the affection… Though I’ll accept it if she offers, can those eyes remain open until the end?
I placed my right hand, holding her sword, over Lady Annelyse’s and my left arm went around her waist and towards the front. Together, like one entity, we swung our blades at the approaching enemies.
