“It feels like there’s a reason behind this. I do feel like I should confront them, but if she’s Kent’s Contract Fairy, then that person is aware of it too.”
Margaret had some thoughts about Fuuko and Catherine’s suspicious behavior, but she understood that if Fuuko was Kent’s Contract Fairy, then Hanako, the Country God, was also aware of it. Because of this, she stopped mentioning it.
“By the way, I’d like to speak with Hanako in person. Could you please help me arrange it?”
Margaret changed the subject and asked Catherine if she could set up a meeting with Hanako.
“I apologize, but actually, the other day, Hanako left a letter and disappeared from Kent’s side.”
“What? She’s gone?”
When Catherine relayed that Hanako had disappeared after leaving a letter, Margaret’s face turned pale.
“Your Majesty, is everything alright?”
Seeing Margaret’s distressed expression, which she rarely showed, Catherine felt she had to ask the reason why.
“Since you, a Saintess, would have access to information close by, I’ll tell you here and now.”
Margaret decided to share her worries with Catherine.
“Actually, when the Duchy attacked, our country suffered considerable damage. At a recent meeting of our top officials, the consensus was that we should launch a retaliatory attack. Therefore, a large-scale military operation against the Duchy is planned for the near future.”
“Retaliation against the Duchy? Are you planning to cross that forest?”
“That’s right.”
Margaret’s words, stating that the Kingdom would launch a retaliatory attack against the Duchy, surprised Catherine. This was because the forest separating the Kingdom and the Duchy did not permit the movement of large organized groups of people, and despite numerous attempts by the Kingdom to send troops to the Duchy in the past, none had been successful. Historical records indicated that Soldiers got lost in the deep forest, their units disintegrated, and they wandered for a long time before many either returned to the Kingdom or were officially declared fallen in battle. It was unclear if anyone had actually made it through the forest to the Duchy, as no returning soldiers could confirm it.
“According to past records, despite sending forces multiple times, they suffered heavy losses each time and never succeeded!”
“Yes, I mentioned that at the meeting. However, they pushed the opinion that if the Duchy’s forces could have passed through the forest and come to our side in large numbers, then the forest’s legends are mere superstition or their effects have weakened, meaning it should be passable.”
Catherine argued that crossing the forest was reckless, and Margaret shared the same opinion.
“I only know about the forest’s mysterious power from literature and reports from past troop deployments. Perhaps, as others say, its effect has worn off and troop movement is now possible. It is true that if the Duchy’s Army could pass, perhaps our Kingdom’s Army could too. However, I cannot look at it so optimistically. It’s just a hunch, but I have a bad feeling about this. That’s why I wanted to seek advice from Hanako, the Country God.”
Margaret seemed to want Hanako’s advice regarding the invasion of the Duchy.
“I too have lost my son, Randolph. Truly, I am enduring the rage of having my child murdered. But I cannot afford to lose many Soldiers in a fit of anger. Soldiers are our country’s people, and I believe reckless battles should be avoided. What do you think, Catherine?”
“I…”
Asked for her opinion by Margaret, Catherine found herself at a loss for words. Not long ago, she was merely a baker’s daughter, but now she was in a position to lead and command troops. She realized that if ordered, she might have to go to battle even knowing it was reckless, so she couldn’t properly answer.
“Please tell me your thoughts without worrying about your position.”
“I would want to avoid sending many Soldiers into a place where it’s uncertain if anyone will return alive, putting them in danger.”
“I thought you would say that, Catherine.”
Hearing Catherine’s true feelings, Margaret expressed relief.
“I’ve ended up complaining a bit. I have plans later, so I must be going now. Given these circumstances, Catherine, please be prepared.”
“Yes.”
With those words, Margaret left the Saintess’s office.
“Sigh, things are starting to feel ominous.”
Catherine let out a big sigh after ensuring Margaret had left.
“Hey, Catherine, is a war going to happen?”
“Based on Your Majesty’s words, if things continue this way, it may indeed happen.”
Yuria, who had fulfilled her duties as a maid and remained silent in front of the Queen, switched to “friend mode” after Margaret’s departure and asked Catherine with a worried look.
“Otsupain, Yuria, I’d like to talk with Fuuko for a moment. Could you both excuse us?”
“As guards, I cannot do that.”
“Nor can I. As Catherine’s personal servant, I cannot leave your side.”
“Please, I’m asking you.”
Catherine asked Otsupain and Yuria to leave so she could speak with Fuuko. However, being within the castle, they were hesitant to leave their posts.
“Pleease?”
“Hmph, very well. If asked in such a way, I have no choice. We will wait outside, so please call us when you are finished.”
“If Otsupain-sama is going, then I have no choice either. Call me if anything happens.”
Catherine pleaded with the two who were refusing, clasping her hands together. Otsupain relented first, and Yuria followed, leaving the room.
“So, you have something to tell me, right? Well, I can vaguely imagine what it is.”
“I’ll be direct. What will happen if the Kingdom’s Army crosses the forest and advances into the Duchy?”
“You’re asking directly, aren’t you! Without the Country God’s protection, the forest cannot be crossed. You’ll get lost and die, or if you’re lucky, you might return to the Kingdom. But you cannot get through to the Duchy.”
Fuuko answered Catherine’s question honestly.
“Then what about the Duchy’s Army crossing the forest and entering the Kingdom?”
“That’s simple. I let them through, so of course they could! That forest can be traversed by large numbers of people if either I or Hanako permits it!”
“Huh? Is that so?”
“Well, it’s a violation for us to interfere in human wars, so we haven’t done it until now. But if I were to violate it, allowing tens of thousands of soldiers to pass would be no trouble at all!”
The reason why large numbers like an army couldn’t pass before was due to it being a permission-based system requiring either Fuuko or Hanako’s approval, and an agreement between Country Gods not to directly interfere in military actions. Fuuko revealed that if she chose to violate this rule, armies could easily pass.
“By that logic, if Fuuko-chan allows the Kingdom’s Army to pass, they can enter the Duchy, right?”
“Of course that’s how it would be. Hanako absolutely doesn’t interfere with these matters, so asking her would be useless.”
“Then, if the Kingdom’s Army invades the forest, will you let them pass?”
“There’s no way I would! I am contracted with my Master and am currently in the Kingdom, but I am a being called the Country God of the Duchy. I absolutely will not allow anything that would bring misfortune to the people of the Duchy!”
Fuuko shared the same conviction as Hanako to improve the country as its Country God. She clearly stated to Catherine that she would not permit the Kingdom’s Army to pass through the forest.
“I see. It’s clear now that if the Kingdom’s Army enters the forest as things stand, there will be immense sacrifices.”
“So, what will you do? Your Majesty, the Saintess of the Kingdom?”
“Of course, I will work to prevent the Kingdom’s Army from entering the forest.”
“If there are many casualties, my Master might be sad, so perhaps that’s for the best.”
After hearing Fuuko’s explanation, Catherine’s course of action became clear. She decided to act according to this policy from now on.
