17-1 Part 3
Shinza, Wanna Drop By My Place!?
- Au-chan -
Translator : PolterGlast
「That's
cold, bro. Well... Prince Yord is that kind of guy, but he prioritizes
the profits of the Knight Order. So there ain't many who'd think of opposing
him or voicing their opinions.」
「Then isn't
that bad? It'll be a disaster if the higher-ups find out you entertained us.」
「Well,
it's a rural town like this, it'll probably be fine. Hey, you guys will keep
quiet, right?」
Despite looking like
this, he seems to be popular. The tavern staff agreed with the knight's words
in unison.
「My
name is Aureus. I'm one of those who feels uneasy about Knight Commander
Yord's methods. This ain't about justice or that kind of naive stuff,
it's a simpler... unease...」
However, it seems
this is the only thing he can't say in a loud voice. Lowering his voice, the
alcohol-smelling knight Aureus stated his true feelings.
「Hoh...
Interesting, speak the rest of it.」
「Umu, I
also hate Prince Yord. Arrogant despite being weak, he's a boring man in
every way.」
「Wait, everyone,
let's stop badmouthing Yord-sama in the Knight Order's territory...!?」
I suppose taking pleasure in backbiting is
questionable, but Yord is Georg-aniue's enemy. When that Yord is
spat upon by his subordinate knights, I don't feel bad about it.
「That
person is short-tempered and heartless. He is certainly first-rate as a
military commander, but if you ask if he has the caliber of a Knight Commander,
well, that's questionable. His tolerance is small, or rather... Ah, this is
just between us, alright?」
「Understood.
It's off the record.」
「What's
that? A trendy word in the Imperial Capital?」
「This Shinza
is a bibliophile! He knows many words we don't know, ehem!」
「Heeeh~~,
so he's the scholarly type.」
「Nay.
If anything, he is simply an excessive libertine...」
Don't interrupt the
conversation using strange words, Zirant directed cold eyes at me. In
that opening, when I snatched Zirant's jerky and bit into it, her
eyebrows rose sharply in displeasure.
「Then,
who do you support?」
「Hahaha,
if I supported anyone other than Yord-sama, Ore-chan would be
ostracized by the Knight Order. But, well, if I were to speak off the record...
After all, Prince Georg would be the safest bet, wouldn't he...」
The moment I heard
he supported Aniue, I couldn't suppress a smile. Aniue is my
pride. While ashamed of myself for being unable to hide my emotions, it was
still a joyous thing.
「I
agree, Prince Georg is equal and fair. He is misunderstood as a fierce
man, but he is a noble youth with a kind heart.」
「Hahaha.
Ah—... Or maybe, unexpectedly. Prince Ashley-sama or someone might be
good too...」
Just as I thought
that, I was surprised by a surprise attack. Because suddenly my other name
popped out while on a journey where I could just be Shinza. Even knowing
I was seen through, I couldn't help but down my ale.
「...Hohoh!?
You have quite a good eye, Au-chan!」
「Is
that, perhaps, referring to Ore-chan...?」
「Sigrun-sama,
despite appearances, this person is a Knight-sama, you know!?」
「You
don't need to add 'despite appearances' there... Say, for Kachua-chan,
how about Sig-chan?」
「Ooh,
you'll call me by a nickname! Haaaah, I wonder why... Why won't everyone call
me by a nickname!」
This makes me, who
panicked, look like an idiot... I was the only one in shock, while the Sigrun
vicinity continued their foolish exchange. Sigrun is a troublemaker.
Doesn't everyone guess that a deep relationship like calling each other by
nicknames would invite disturbances into their peaceful lives?
「Ore-chan
will call you that. Sig-chan!」
「Ooh, Au-chan!
You're a good guy!」
「That's
why Sigrun-sama, I'm telling you he looks dirty but this person is a
knight!」
「Hahaha,
call me manly instead, Kachua-chan...?」
Zirant. I
don't really understand, but hasn't this man named Aureus seen through
our true identities?
『Indeed.
That is entirely possible. You aside, Sigrun is a conspicuous woman.
Both her infamy and fame seem to be quite something.』
Aniue had
more opportunities to interact with Sigrun during military training, and
was quite fed up with her at one point. If one is sharp with information, it's
not impossible to reach General Georg via Sigrun, and eventually
reach me.
「But
you see, bro. Prince Georg has problems too.」
「No, I
don't think so.」
Since he started
saying strange things, I denied it immediately. There are no problems with Aniue.
That man is exactly the vessel for Emperor. At my attitude, the knight Aureus
laughed as if amused.
「Prince
Georg is a General of the Imperial army. From the Knight Order's
perspective, he's an opponent they don't want advancing any further. And there
are many folks who share the same circumstances as Ore-chan's Knight
Order, you see.」
「That
is... Well, I suppose so. I won't deny that point.」
It's true that Aniue
has many enemies. However, that is because Aniue is sincere and one of
the few decent Princes.
「The
Parliament, the State Church, the great nobles, and also criminal
organizations... It's troublesome if the Imperial army gains power. The balance
of power in this Empire could collapse.」
「Want
some jerky, Au-chan?」
「Oh,
thanks, Sig-chan.」
Since Sigrun
gave some to someone else, I directed expectant eyes at Zirant to give
me some too. Then, deciding not to let it be stolen anymore, the greedy dragon
hugged the plate of jerky.
「Sigrun,
give me one too...」
「Alright.
But call me Sig-tan!」
「-tan!?
It would make you a hero to make Shinza say that from his mouth!」
「...I'll
pass. It seems I don't have the courage to add '-tan' to your name.」
「You're
so cooooold, Shinzaaaaaa?!!」
Sigrun is Sigrun.
Taking hold of such a female hero and calling her Sig-tan is impossible.
There is nothing but a sense of incongruity.
「So,
getting back to the topic, bro. In that respect, Prince Ashley is
neutral for the time being, right? Because he doesn't belong anywhere, I think
he might be the safest choice as the Emperor of the country... That's what Ore-chan
thinks. ...Say, bro?」
『Umu,
you've been completely found out. Kukuku... You've become quite a big shot too.』
I agree with Zirant.
The knight Aureus was looking at me as Ashley. Is that why he
made contact like this? But even so, I can't read his intentions...
「The
Crown Prince will succeed the country. There was never a turn for Prince Georg
or others from the start.」
「No...
I hear the Crown Prince is a lost cause now.」
「What
did you say?」
「Haven't
you been told? I heard the Crown Prince has fallen ill with a sickness of the
heart. To be blunt, it's a bad situation. If the Crown Prince is disinherited,
there will probably be a scramble for the Imperial throne. The second in line,
Prince Julius-sama, will probably declare himself Emperor, but—there
probably won't be many who acknowledge him.」
Aureus stated
it matter-of-factly, but if his words are true, it's as good as promising chaos
in the Empire. From now on, those with succession rights to the Imperial throne
will fight each other. In the worst-case scenario, civil war.
「I see!
I don't really understand, but it's a shitty situation!!」
「Hahaha,
no doubt about it. Well, it's troubling 'cause it ain't a laughing matter...
The ones who will suffer are the people. Ore-chan wants to protect this
town too.」
Georg-aniue
and Atomina-aneue will be dragged into political strife. As children of
the Emperor, neither of them is the type to hesitate to dedicate themselves to
this country.
「Bro,
if you make such a scary face, Kachua-chan will get scared, you know?」
「Ah... Shinza,
I understand how you feel, but calm down. I (Atashi) will help Shinza
too...」
I absolutely want to
protect those two. Brooding over it so much, my emotions had shown on the
surface.
「I am
not agitated. I was just seriously pondering how bad it is.」
「No
doubt... Everyone has something they want to protect. Screw civil wars.」
From the perspective
of the knight class, war is a chance for promotion. However, Aureus was
the type of person who valued the duty of a noble more.
「Well,
in the midst of all that, an organization was born not aiming for the Imperial
throne, but trying to protect the Empire from chaos. Rumor has it that the
famous Black Horn Sigrun has also joined them. ...Say, bro, Ore-chan
wants to make a connection with the [Shadows of Bergelmir]. Won't you
take me to Prince Ashley-sama in Erin?」
A slightly
suspicious man who has seen through our true identities says he wants to become
an ally. He's certainly excellent in terms of being sharp-minded. However, his
position is a knight, and the possibility that he is a secret investigator for Yord
still hasn't vanished.
「...Sorry,
but it's impossible. We have a detour planned.」
「Heeh~,
where are you going?」
「Beyond
the Wasteland of the Farthest End, to our Horned race's village! Returning
home, I thought I'd introduce this fine man to the folks in my hometown,
wahahaha!!」
「Ha,
just the four of you...? Uwa, you guys are bigger idiots than I expected...」
「Yeah...
When Shinza and Sigrun-sama are together, it's usually like
this...」
「Then Ore-chan
will tag along too. I am a knight, after all; I can fight somewhat. Besides,
since I wanna be trusted, so I'm down to offer up my life for you guys. Like,
total fast-food style.」
Throwing himself
into a dangerous zone for the sake of trust? Not bad. If he runs away halfway
through because he values his life, then that's the extent of our relationship.
「You're
the Lord of this town, aren't you. Is it okay to leave?」
「Yeah,
thanks to you guys, the troublemakers are gone. If anything, there's even
change left over. Well, let's talk details over drinks.」
A new keg of ale was opened, and it was decided that we would stay a night at the knight Aureus's mansion that day. For a spy of Yord, he's far too open, and his evaluation of Yord is far too low. I decided to try trusting this suspicious man for just a while.
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