Chapter 193
When I returned to the camp, it seed to be bustling with activity.
Crowding in were Neia’s Holy Knights.
Seras has already gone out of the camp together with the princess.
From the looks of it......
It seems that the ti they spent before her farewell she spent with her was reasonably well.
Seras noticed right away my return.
With a hand gesture...
“Just stay right there for now.”
After telling her so, Seras returned to dealing with the Holy Knights.
[It seems that Seras still had the affection of her subordinates.]
With her voice still changed, Eve continued.
[I’m sure that the Princess Cattleya has a lot to do with the fact that she’s still so well-liked.]
If you only look at her previous actions, Seras was the leader of the Kings who abandoned her country just when it was on the brink of being occupied by the enemies.
However, it’s likely that the princess skillfully manipulated their impressions of her.
“I had my own ideas, so I let Seras escape at that ti.”
Did she explain it that way to the remaining Holy Knights?
Otherwise, it was unlikely that everyone would treat the Forr Knight Leader with such warmth.
And, in fact, Seras ca to this place as their allies—- She even brought allies to participate in this war.
“I’ve been making Seras do things differently just in case sothing like this were to happen.”
And if it were explained like so, the Holy Knights...
“The Princess let Seras-sama escaped with consideration for the benefit of our future.”
Then, they were convinced—- or rather, they don’t have any choice but to be convinced.
Regardless of what the intention may be, Seras’ escape at that ti has led the situation to “this”.
It’s because everything ended this way.
But well...
[In the end, all of Princess Cattleya’s actions must have been for Seras’ best interests.]
[That Princess is just thinking about Seras Ashrain wellbeing huh.]
Touching her chin, Eve took a sidelong glance towards .
[What is it?]
[Seras Ashrain’s “future” now entirely depends on you though.]
“Fuunnn...” I snorted.
[......I guess that’s true.]
As we parted ways for the ti being, a well-dressed knight turned up in the camp.
I could see Neia’s crest in her clothing.
[Cattleya-sama, Duke Polarie has co to visit along with an Alion commander. How would you like to respond?]
Tilting her head, the Princess checks her pocket watch.
[There should still be so ti before the war council begins though.]
[No, actually......]
The knight glances at Seras.
[“We were hoping to et Seras-sama” is what they said.]
Glancing down for a bit, the Princess have a small smile on her face.
[I see. Co to think of it, Duke Polarie was quite obsessed with Seras’ “rembrances”, wasn’t he? However, you should rather get the permission of her “current” master rather than mine, don’t you think?]
Saying so, the Princess looked towards .
Then, the Holy Knight’s gaze followed hers and turned towards .
However...... I have my convenient mask.
While wearing a mask, the others couldn’t read the slightest change in my expression.
I may allocate my attention resource to controlling my expression towards other areas instead.
Stepping forward, I said.
[Duke Polarie is a noble from Alion, wasn’t he? Would having Seras et him to be in the best interest of the Holy Kingdom of Neia?]
For a mont, the Princess looks like she’s struck by surprise.
However, she soon regained her smile.
[That’s right...... Duke Polarie is the next head of a dukedom that’s highly renowned not just in Alion. So that we could maintain his good impression with “our country”, it wouldn’t be disadvantageous if we consider the future...... or so that’s what I think.]
“I see...” I said.
[In that case, it should be fine to have him talk with her on the condition that Princess Cattleya was to accompany them. Of course, that would only be if Seras herself is fine with it......]
Looking like she understood, Seras places her hand on her chest.
[I’d be happy if I can be of any help to the Princess. I’ve also received Milord’s permission.]
Seras quickly left the camp with the Holy Knights in tow.
Atop her horse, the Princess stops near us.
[Thank you very much for your concern.]
[I’ve heard that in this war, the Holy Kingdom of Neia’s return to the Holy Alliance will depend on your rits. That decision is made by Alion’s Goddess, the person who reigns as the de facto leader of the Holy Alliance...... In that case, the impressions from Alion’s most influential people should be important at so point. Besides—–]
I look up at the Princess atop her horse.
[If you’re with her, I know that there wouldn’t be anything strange happening there.]
[You can leave that to . I know how to deal with those n’s “perverted idiocy” to a much greater extent than Seras does. I will live up to your trust, Berzegia-dono. And then......]
The Princess is looking in a certain direction.
[That thing we’ve talked about earlier, it seems to be ready. I’ve already given them instructions—– The rest will be just as Berzegia-dono sees fit.]
I lightly bowed.
[Thank you for your assistance.]
[I feel that just this wouldn’t be enough, considering what you’ve done for us though. Including that incident with the Five Dragon Warriors, our debts toward you aren’t sothing we could easily repay. Well—–]
The Princess gracefully her hand over her mouth.
[If my marriage to Civit Gartland had gone just as planned, and if I had carried the child of “Humanity’s Strongest” in my womb, and if my child had been born inheriting the blood of soone worthy of being called the strongest, I would have made my child carry the flag of the people opposing Bakuos—– or so that’s what I think.]
She lightheartedly said.
She certainly is quite a frightening Princess-sama.
However...
[I guess it was because you were by her side, Seras was able to keep her “purity” among the impurities of this world.]
[...................]
[I really admire your iron will. Even after you lost your father, the forr king, and even your own country, you never lost hold of your will. Always thinking of your country and striving to do your best...... This is exactly what a person who stands above others should be.]
In terms of the locations of each country, the Holy Kingdom of Neia may be an important piece in the future.
There’s no harm in flattering them and acquiring their goodwill.
......Well, all those flatteries I’ve said were actually true though.
Thereupon, the Princess...
[If I didn’t feel that my people were worthy of my protection, I wouldn’t have been so desperate in this place, I would have abandoned my country and fled long ago.]
—is what she said.
Fumu.
[That isn’t just you acting on your duty as royalty, but that’s also because of your personal feelings huh.]
[That’s also the sa case with Seras. If I felt that Seras wasn’t worth protecting, I wouldn’t have protected her from the hands of my father, and I don’t think I would have let her escape from the demonic clutches of Bakuos.]
[——You’re also a Princess worthy of such protection more than you thought. You should understand looking at Seras.]
Silence enshrouded the area for a mont.
I look at the appearance of the Princess lit by the bonfire slowly swaying about.
Her dignified features.
Her face is probably always wearing “makeup”.
I wonder if this unique atmosphere drifting in the air is because of her elegance?
Returning her gaze to , the Princess’s eyes relaxed.
[You’re a strange person, Berzegia-dono.]
[Everyone would think you’re strange if you’re wearing a mask like this.]
[That’s not what I an—- With all due respect, I never thought a gentleman like you would be what Seras likes.]
With a hint of admiration, the Princess said.
[I’m also a little curious to see what you’ll look like when you take off that “mask”. The strange thing is that you don’t look like you’re acting on a false persona even when you’re currently wearing your mask. How should I say this...... It’s like “there are two real people inside you”—– or so that’s how I strangely felt.]
▽
The direction Seras and the others were heading has sohow beco crowded.
We decided to take a detour and avoided that crowd.
Unassumingly, I brush away the curtain with my hand.
I then stepped into the camp enclosure, followed by Eve.
(T/N: 陣幕 / jinmaku)
A curtain functioning as an improvised blindfold, concealing the interior of our camp from the outside.
However, there’s no ceiling in our camp just like the Princess’ camp.
Looking up, I could see the clear night sky.
(T/N: Let set this straight. They’re in a place where there is no such thing as easily made tents, so camps there are mostly just cloths over sticks. 陣幕/camp enclosure, however, are tents with cloths all over, acting as walls. if you have seen those anis with ancient Japanese settings like oda nobuna no yabou, you should be able to see them.)
(T/N: I dunno where to put this image, so Imma place this one here.)
Reviews
All reviews (0)