Because of Alyssas pursuit the numbers of the Vichy army dwindled even more though they took flight escaping Rhone.
The offensive lasted for a few days and the activity of the border security in Rhone was arranged to resu. All was explained to the citizens of Arosel and the tidying up began. Alyssa returned to Arosel wearing a tired facial expression.
Sleepy (Alyssa)
Yes, thanks for your hard work. Sleep well. (Origa)
Having received the report from Alyssa, Origa saw her off unsteadily returning to her own room within the building of the Lord.
Origa herself had to commit herself to such things as returning the temporarily refuging citizens back to their own hos and giving orders to the soldiers left behind to clean up the city. Having her injury completely healed by the magic potion, she acted more vigorously than before.
And now she is handling her own and Hifumis share of travel preparations.
In the briefing session with Midas, Midas had no other choice but to accept the one-sided instructions in regards to the report contents from Hifumi. The result was a report stating Pajou and the other knights of the Third Knight Unit, which Hifumi had killed, had been killed in action in the battle with Vichy.
Because it would cause a huge loss of face for the royalty, if the truth of Iraria giving the order to assassinate another noble were to be spread, Midas gladly accepted that kind of conclusion as it was far more amicable than he had imagined it to be. Although it was wrong towards Pajou, there was no better solution without this whole situation having a dramatic impact on the princess.
But Midas tension recurred once he heard Hifumis words after this topic was settled.
I will go to the royal castle soon as I have to talk with Iraria. (Hifumi)
Yo-You have to talk ? (Midas)
No matter how you look at it, I am a noble of Orsongrande, so it is necessary to return triumphantly and give a report of the victory, I think. (Hifumi)
Like this it beca a matter of Hifumi heading towards the royal capital, alongside the surviving mbers of the Third Knight Unit, by himself without taking any soldiers along. In order to protect the territory, all of the territorial soldiers will be left behind.
It will be only us, so I wont particularly mind if you attack during the trip, okay? (Hifumi)
You must be joking (Midas)
As Hifumi laughed impishly, Midas barely managed to squeeze out an answer.
The political centre of Horant is the capital city, Ludan.
The Ludan castle, where the aged king Suprangel Geng Horant (T/N: >> Supurangeru Gengu Horanto) resides, is called royal castle. He has been holding the throne for the long ti of 50 years.
However, the one having substantial ability in the ways of politics, being his directly descending grandchild, was Belldore. (T/N: >> Verudore Miyunsuta) extrely close to the national border to Horant on Orsongrandes side.
This town has the sa scale as Fokalore and, including several farm villages in its circumference, an earl called Biron is governing it.
Biron isnt particularly close to either the prince or the princess. He wasnt very well-inford about the situation taking place close to Vichy where Fokalore played a central role as his territory could also be said to be on the opposite side. Even the the request for stationing the troops of the Second Knight Unit this ti was sothing he only reluctantly accepted due to the docunts having the signature of the prince. The communication with the knight unit also only started at the ti the Second Knight Units captain, Stifels, ca to visit in order to exchange greetings. Birons stance was Just do whatever you want.
Why has a knight unit co all the way to this place? (Biron)
Without trying to conceal his dissatisfaction, Biron complained to his butler, standing close-by, as he was sitting dead tired on a sofa.
He was a still young head of a household at the age of 30 years. With the death due to illness of his father 5 years ago, he was called back ho to succeed the Earlship although he had been working as bureaucrat in the capital.
Even the current circumstances, he understands that Vichy and Horant have a connection notwithstanding the lack of information. He also knew that there wasnt even any point in provoking Horant. Of course, anticipating an ergency situation, a lot more soldiers are patrolling the area close to the border than usual. He also knew well that he might have to to dispatch troops on short call.
At any rate, since quite many soldiers were deployed to another place, the maintanence of public order in the whole town started to show holes. His only wish was for the whole situation to quickly finish not caring whether the rising noble Hifumi, whose face he doesnt even know, wins or loses.
Not only that, in regards to the Second Knight Unit, turning up here recklessly and in a fighting mood, Biron was highly vigilant.
If sothing strange happens and hostilities with Horant unfold, he doesnt have the intention to lose, but he will feel unease about the safety of the town of Mnster. His own territorial soldiers will be depleted as well.
Moreover, the Second Knight Unit is building a simple fortress in the middle between Mnster and the national border. It goes even as far that they are talking about inviting Prince Ayperos there for encouragent. To begin with, due to the influence of the princess popularity, Prince Ayperos has a thin presence with the plain achievents he has earned. Biron can do nothing but sigh.
I guess it is a suggestion by the queen, but doesnt she understand that starting a war here will cause his evaluation to puml even more? (Biron)
Or, do they have so certain plan for victory or tools able to make it happen, I wonder? Biron pondered about that. But if there were such things, it would be impossible for that haughty, over-confident Stifels to stay silent about it.
If that new viscount called Hifumi or sothing like that is able to defeat Vichy at an early stage, then (Biron)
It reached the point that Biron thought to join Princess Irarias faction, if he gets involved in the movents of the prince and the Second Knight Unit, although he kept a neutral stance before.
Hifumi, entering the royal castle together with Midass group of the Third Knight Unit, was imdiately allowed to have an audience in the audience room. It seems to be about the matter of being conferred so kind of reward. Because of Midas using a fast to report the state of affairs, the room was dominated by an air of restlessness as if sothing had to be frantically smoothed over.
(I guess they plan to pay reparations. I think thats an idea the pri minister ca up with.) (Hifumi)
While thinking Maa, I dont really care either way, Hifumi knelled rely for forms sake.
Suppressing the quivering of her legs seeing that figure, Iraria talked about the recognition of his services while standing in the audience room.
Her voice seed to shake, but since the eyes of the other nobles rested on her, she desperately put strength into her stomach.
Your military gains on this occasion were very splendid. Crushing a large army with such a small force is sothing that will be handed down to future generation in this country. It is extrely regrettable that the Third Knight Unit suffered such victims, but (Iraria)
Although she senses how the inner part of her eyes is heating up due to bitterness, she keeps pasting a smile on her face.
As reward for his achievents this ti, Hifumi Touno shall beco an earl and be given new territory in addition to the territory gained as result of the war. Does anyone have an objection to this decree? (Iraria)
The nobles, lined up on both sides of the audience hall, remained silent.
It doesnt look like they are giving their active support to this decree, but there is no way to not confer any reward in light of this much distinguished war service. Besides they didnt think anyone would want sothing like a region placed in-between Hifumis territory and a foreign country.
It doesnt seem that there is an objection. So be it. As replacent for my deceased father, the king, I, in my na as Iraria Torie Orsongrande, grant Hifumi Touno the title of earl of the Orsongrande kingdom. (Iraria)
Sporadic applause could be heard. Hifumi got up remaining silent and left the audience hall after turning a fleeting glance at Iraria.
While seeing him off and whispering in low voices about this impoliteness, the nobles left the hall before being prompted to do so by Iraria.
Iraria-sama. (Pri Minister)
Choosing the ti when the other nobles had departed the hall, the pri minister stepped forward.
What is it? (Iraria)
That is was it alright to do that? (Pri Minister)
What else did you expect to do? There is no way that this countrys defense war potential can deal with him anymore. I have also heard about Hifumis turbulent kind of plan from Midas, but nevertheless there is no other choice but to use the fact that Hifumi-sama is affiliated to this country. Currently it is impossible to eliminate him. (Iraria)
After looking fleetingly at the kings throne Iraria tugged her pursed lips.
Confirm the reason why he isnt killing . And then dont fail to ask him directly what he is planning to do from now on. Please co to my office later on and give a report. (Iraria)
That is, because it is dangerous (Pri Minister)
It will be futile to worry about plans or guards if it is aningless. (Iraria) (T/N: In other words, no matter what they plan, any action will be pointless if they dont know what Hifumi is planning)
Hearing about the news of having lost a trusted subordinate, Iraria felt shaken for a short while, calming down only slightly. It would be intolerable for her to stop her own assigned duty for sothing like weeping.
What is Ayperos doing? (Iraria)
I was told he departed this morning to observe the battlefield at Horant. (Pri Minister)
Such a selfish thing (Iraria)
Even though it would be fine for him to focus on preparing to beco the next king, Iraria thought. Prince Ayperos, having no accomplishnts of his own, had consulted with his mother, the queen, without Iraria knowing about it. She didnt consider it to be necessary for the next king to be accomplished either.
Anyways, as the situation had to only settle down for the sake of crowning Ayperos, this was Irarias current goal.
With Hifumi returning to the antechamber of the room prepared for him, Origa, waiting as chamberlain, stood up and greeted him.
Sabnak of the Third Knight Unit is present there as well. Having been summoned by Hifumi, he wore a bewildered facial expression.
You are early, Sabnak. Take a seat for the ti being. (Hifumi)
What business do you have with ? (Sabnak)
Sabnak had been inford by Midas about Pajous final monts. On that occasion he was told that there is no malice regarding his survival, but as he still has betrayed his colleagues, he cant sweep away his dread of possibly being killed.
Its fine to not have such formal posture. Just now I have also taken hold of the old Vichy territory ranging from Rhone to Arosel. I have also obtained the rank of earl. (Hifumi)
He drank the tea Origa had prepared.
Congratulations. Though it feels lacking as compensation for trying to harm Hifumi-sama. (Origa)
Towards Origas words of praise, Hifumi gives an appropriate answer with Ah, yes. He has stopped listening to her seriously.
From likewise, congratulations. With this you are in na and reality a mber of the greater nobles of Orsongrande. (Sabnak)
I dont give a damn about the title, but there is hope that we can earn the necessary funds for our activities with this. But there arent enough helping hands. (Hifumi)
Helping hands? (Sabnak)
Sabnak, not wanting to recall the only vague mories of an already remote past, rembers the hell of paperwork called temporary feudal lord of Fokalore and cold sweat runs down his spine.
It is necessary to entrust the acting of a proxy for to soone since I will be absent from the territory for a while. (Hifumi)
In his eardrums Sabnak can hear the *doki doki* of his heart from within his body.
Since the civil official slaves can handle it to a certain degree, it will be settled by acting as boss. Everything has been prepared as well, so it will be good if you co to Fokalore for around 10 days. (Hifumi)
It has already been decided to designate Sabnak.
Including the case with Pajou, Midas, and himself, and considering the matter of turning a blind eye towards the Knight Unit, Sabnak simply wasnt able to refuse.
Understood (Sabnak)
Convincing himself that it wont turn into such a hell like previously this ti around as there are even staff mbers, Sabnak told them that he had to prepare and left.
Well then, all that is left now is Iraria. (Hifumi)
Just as Hifumi muttered this, a white maid enters and tells him that he has been called by Iraria.
Origa, gather the populace in front of the castle by having the Third Knight Unit assist you. It has to be a place where they can see the balcony we talked about before. Ah, yea, also tell them There is an important announcent for the people from the princess. (Hifumi)
Important announcent is it (Origa)
While we are at it, I think it will be refreshing for those in the castle as well. (Hifumi)
Origa responded to Hifumis words with a smile and laughter.
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