Chapter 17
The dissonant alarm sound never gets any easier to hear, no matter how many tis I hear it.
I used to freeze in fear and surprise at first... but the mont my consciousness surfaced from the depths of sleep, I jumped out of bed.
"Lady Celestia"
As I raised my hand to show the maid who entered the bedroom that I was awake, I grabbed a shirt in a dull color from the closet and quickly changed.
I shoved a knife into the holster on my waist, secured it, and rushed to the guest room, where the guards and maids were already waiting.
I wonder if this is the fifth ti since I ca here?
Since I'm a guest and not a soldier, I never leave the room and simply wait, always ready to evacuate.
Smiling bitterly at how used to it I've beco, I approached the window and frowned at the still-blaring alarm.
"...The west side, huh."
It's probably the watchtower on the west side that's sounding the alarm.
This alarm sound has three main types—ranging from high-pitched and sharp to low and somber.
They're actually divided more finely, but the only ones I was taught are for assaults, reconnaissance units, and evacuation. The rest don't concern soone like who never leaves the fortress.
The aning changes depending on the type of sound, so it can warn us even faster than a ssenger.
Furthermore, depending on which watchtower is sounding the alarm, we can tell which of the two bordering countries is launching the attack.
"An assault from the west. If I rember right, that would be the Kingdom of Srelan...?"
I tapped the window fra with my finger as I looked down at the scattered lights flickering in the darkness.
The Kingdom of Srelan, which is aggressive and values strength, had been quiet for a while—so what's going on?
Over the mining rights near the border, the three nations—Russell, Srelan to the west, and Dolce to the east—have been locked in a tense standoff.
They send reconnaissance units around the mines and fortresses, and when those units are eliminated, they retaliate by attacking the fortress.
So are just light warnings, while others involve full-scale military advances and prolonged battles. But this year, there have only been three minor threats from Dolce.
—Knock... knock, knock.
At the distinctive knock, the guard at the door responded with the sa rhythm, and Rona peeked in through the opened door.
The alarm was still going, and with Rona appearing with such a tense expression, a heavy atmosphere filled the room.
"Celes, sorry, but I need you to move to Rudo's room."
"Understood."
"...You don't need to look so worried. We're just having all the guests stay in one room."
Was I making a worried face...?
Feeling bad for making Rona worry, I ran down the long hallway.
I'd never stepped foot on the other side of the staircase before, but the layout seed the sa, and it wasn't particularly lavish just because it was for royalty.
I stopped in front of the room at the very end, and after a similar exchange as earlier, the door opened to reveal Rudo sitting on the sofa with a sword in hand.
"Sorry, but I need you too, Celes."
"Got it."
While Rona and soone who seed to be Rudo's guard were talking, I signaled to my maid and guard with my hand, instructing them to take their positions.
I was taught this hand signal for situations where we can't speak, and it's proven useful many tis.
"Celes... what happened...?"
Seeing Rudo clutching his sword with a tense voice, I smiled deliberately as if it were nothing, trying to reassure him, who must be full of fear and anxiety.
"It's fine. This happens all the ti. The alarm will stop in a few more hours."
"...All the ti?"
"Is this your first ti hearing this sound, Rudo?"
"I've co here every year, but this is the first ti it's been like this."
I rember it happened several tis last year too, but I was wondering how it was around this ti when Rudo said, "Sit next to ," so I sat down without hesitation.
"I was briefed about it, but..."
"If it were really dangerous, we would've been evacuated already, so there's no need to worry too much."
"...Aren't you scared, Celes?"
"I'm used to it now."
"You can get used to sothing like this...?"
It's only natural to feel uneasy if it's your first ti.
But since Rudo is going to be staying for nearly another month, I figured I should tell him.
"It's still warm this year, so I think there'll be a few more assaults."
As Rudo tilted his head in confusion, I rubbed his shoulder and added, "Because it hasn't snowed yet."
"Snow...?"
"In winter, your body heat is drained, your visibility is limited, and there's the risk of hypothermia and frostbite. Along with lowered morale, it severely affects combat ability, so normally, no one would start a fight in that season. But this year is warr than usual, so..."
"So this will continue until it gets cold?"
"Who knows. It depends on what Srelan wants to do. But Grandfather is here, so there's nothing to worry about."
"Yeah... you're right."
Seeing Rudo manage a stiff smile, I felt relieved and quietly looked up at the knight standing beside him.
The man, who looked unmistakably like a knight no matter the angle, stared silently at the door without a hint of expression.
He was the only guard in the room.
I was surprised when I glanced around the room before entering and saw only one guard for the Crown Prince—but if no one else is showing up in this situation, then I guess there really are no others...
It seed awfully careless, but maybe that just ans he alone is enough.
"...Is there sothing?"
When he asked without moving his face, I hurriedly turned my gaze forward, realizing I had been staring too openly.
"Sorry. I just didn't expect there to be only one guard..."
"His Highness's presence here is confidential, so I'm the only one assigned."
"Don't worry—Altried is the vice-captain of the Royal Guard."
The Crown Prince, the vice-captain of the Royal Guard, and the granddaughter of a forr Marshal of the National Army.
Faced with such a prestigious lineup, the guards from the Rotish family standing by the door quietly pressed their stomachs in nervous anticipation.
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