Chapter 434
(Kyle Calendar
Year 515: Age 22)
First Time in
the Imperial Capital
Translator : PolterGlast
Three months after returning in triumph from the
three-country expedition, exactly as promised, I departed Kusanagi
accompanied by Miseri to attend the new Emperor's accession ceremony and
the awards ceremony for distinguished services in the Imperial Capital Griffin.
Some time had passed since the battle ended, but through the messenger sent by Sieghart,
I learned of the Third Prince's difficult position—the two incidents
that occurred in the Imperial Capital, their details, and the new sources of
conflict they birthed. Because of that, honestly speaking, I was even doubting
whether the awards ceremony could even be held. By the way, the sources of
conflict the Empire still harbors are...
·
One.
The Emperor died an incomprehensible death, the culprit is still unknown, and
the Empire is still in the vortex of confusion.
·
Two.
Among the disgruntled nobles, suspicion of the Emperor's assassination is
directed at the Third Prince.
·
Three.
In the midst of this confusion, the First Prince fled; his whereabouts
are still unknown and he has not been captured.
·
Four.
Taking this situation as a good opportunity, those who would be implicated by
the rebellion began to move all at once, and are largely uniting under an anti-Third
Prince banner.
Therefore, the political situation within the Empire
has become unstable, and they are desperately proceeding with countermeasures.
It was explained that holding the Emperor's accession ceremony and the awards
ceremony this time was not because the Empire had stabilized, but
expecting political effects. The objectives of that are...
·
One.
To show off friendly relations with neighboring countries starting with the Westlights
Demon Territory Dukedom, and suppress the hostile factions that are still
maneuvering.
·
Two.
At this late stage, to smoke out those who oppose the Emperor's will at the
awards ceremony, politically 『publicly execute』 them as those unable to read the times, and whittle down
the opposition faction's power.
『For that purpose as well, I ask that
Archduke-heika please attend
the accession ceremony as a sworn ally supporting the new Emperor, and
participate in the awards ceremony as a venue for us to express our gratitude
anew.』
In the letter sent by Sieghart upon inviting me as a
state guest, it was added as such. Well, I had received an invitation from the Third
Prince since before, and feeling that if I could contribute to the
stability of his governance it would be a blessing, I agreed to participate in
the accession ceremony with a ready answer, but I understood that the situation
was not one where going to the Imperial Capital for sightseeing would be
fulfilled. It seems we are scheduled to be in a position to receive gratitude
from the Empire (new Emperor) anew for the subjugation of both the rebel
army and the invading army on this occasion, but it seems the situation is such
that even the degree of that will be difficult. Partly due to such
circumstances, the accompanying personnel were a corresponding number, aligning
an elite five thousand cavalry of the Demon Territory Knights led by the
Commander. In addition, joining our column were Clarisse-denka as the representative envoy of
the Kyle Kingdom, which had also received an invitation, and five
thousand cavalry of the Royal Capital Knights led by Knight Commander Gouras
serving as her escort.
「It seems the Empire is in a
situation where optimism is not permitted; we too shall coordinate with Gouras-dono and
exercise utmost caution.」
「Right. Precisely because of this
situation, we need to become the backing for the new Emperor, you see.」
When I said so, I unintentionally smiled wryly. Someone like
me, the backing for the Emperor of the Empire? I'm saying something
pretty grandiose myself, huh. Moreover, towards the person at the top of the
country that destroyed the Kyle Kingdom and took my life in the previous
history. I fought desperately to protect my family and comrades, but looking
back, compared to when I first started redoing things in my third life, I am
now in a position I couldn't even imagine. Of course, there are many other things
I couldn't even imagine either, though...
※
We were supposed to join up with Clarisse-denka's party in Kusanagi and
head for the Imperial Capital together guided by Count Durul, but... for
some reason there were those who joined that column as well.
「My friend, to enter the Imperial
Capital riding side-by-side with you, it has become quite an interesting
development.」
「......」
I mean, you know... is it really okay for the King of a
country to come out so casually! When I saw their column visiting Kusanagi,
I had a bad premonition, though. From the Principality of Fearalt, which
had similarly been invited to the accession ceremony, Marquis Flame as a
special envoy and five thousand cavalry of the Royal Guard Division,
including three hundred of the Magic Corps, had been dispatched, but...
I mean, the Division Commander Krugel leading the Royal Guard
Division... who exactly are you talking about! This time too, that King has
disguised himself as the Division Commander and come out incognito again! How
am I supposed to cover for this from here on? Seriously, give me a break...
「Krugel-heika,
how is this acceptable as the King of a country?」
「Hahaha, isn't my friend also a King
in charge of a country now? If so, I think we are equals now? Since the Archduke
is participating for the Demon Territory Dukedom, there shouldn't be any
problem with Kings of other countries participating either.」
「Well... it's not like I, who was
saved by Heika's light footwork, am in a position to say anything, but
you don't intend to participate in the accession ceremony just like that as the
Royal Guard Division Commander, do you?」
As expected, I think that would be bad. But this person is a
master of 『incognito』, and this time Marquis Flame
also had a look of resignation.
「Hahaha, I'm on terms with the new
Emperor where we previously exchanged cups in Kusanagi and Teigoon,
after all. As expected, I'll be participating in the congratulatory banquet as
King, and I've conveyed that matter privately through the return messenger.」
If that's the case... well, it's fine, though. Actually,
there are those in my camp who are participating incognito, so I'm not in a
position to say anything about Krugel-heika, after all.
「My, for the two of you who are Kings
to be talking so happily... I would like to join the conversation as well.」
I mean, the Princess who happily brought her horse
closer—normally, it's an unprecedented story for an unmarried Princess to go
out as an envoy to another country, you know! Though there are already two
previous convictions... It seems there was a great dispute on the Kyle
Kingdom side over who to dispatch as a special envoy despite receiving the
invitation from the Empire. Of course, the 『tomboy』 apparently raised her hand before anyone else, but the King
and those around her were strongly opposed, it seems. In the end, while the
King himself participating was hesitated upon, there was no appropriate
person...
「Since there's an excellent 『driver』,
he'll handle the 『tomboy』 well.」
When such an opinion came from some raccoon dog somewhere,
it seems the dispatch of Denka was reluctantly decided, but... who
exactly is the 『excellent
driver』!
「My, sighing even though it's a
long-awaited journey?」
「I was just slightly struck by the
harmonious sight of you two.」
That's obvious. From my perspective, I'm in the position of
having been asked to look after you, after all. The two of them are making a
big fuss as if it's a honeymoon, no, a premarital trip, but. No, the Kyle
Kingdom side doesn't know of Krugel-heika's
participation, and in the unlikely event the story of a 『premarital trip』 gets out, it'll become a huge uproar involving Heika
again. Seriously... it's a headache-inducing story.
「My? Isn't Archduke-heika exactly the same as us?」
「???」
No, right... I don't want to admit it, but am I the same
kind? Yoltia has duties as a Mage, but Miseri is here in
accordance with our previous promise... Indeed, I feel like I told her it was
for 『sightseeing
in the Imperial Capital』... However, the one I'm accompanied by is my legitimate
wife, the Archduchess! This is absolutely different! Come to think of it, in
the end, everyone who pledged to meet again in Kusanagi that day has
gathered again changing the location, haven't they. Is this also karmic
destiny?
「Umm... is it alright for us to be
beside you, Takuhir-sama?」
To the harmonious two lining their horses up on my right
side, Miseri, who was running alongside on my left side, spoke to me in
a small voice. This time, Miseri and Yoltia are accompanying me
as Archduchesses, but Yoltia also has duties as a Mage, and
although she is a companion, she is expected to be part of the fighting
strength. On the other hand, Miseri is accompanying me strictly in the
position of Archduchess this time, and Yuka volunteered to oversee the
domestic affairs of Termira in her absence. Yoltia has visited
the Principality twice, so she has some immunity to Krugel-heika
and the tomboy, but Miseri is different. In addition, externally, the
fact that they are in the position of being (or planning to be) the same as the
Princess of their former homeland, the Kyle Kingdom, as the
Archduchesses of the Principality, was making them overly tense. They
probably still can't completely come to terms with this part, but they just
have to get used to it. Because even now, I feel embarrassed being called King,
and feel somewhat restless, after all.
※
When the march had proceeded partway, Count Kamin,
who was ordered to act as the host on the journey, also joined us, and with
five thousand cavalry from each of the three countries and two thousand cavalry
from the Empire side, making a total of seventeen thousand cavalry, the
party headed for the Imperial Capital. After several more days of traveling
from then on, we finally arrived at the Imperial Capital Griffin, and
passed through the city gates that boasted a majestic appearance several times
larger compared to the Royal Capital of the Kyle Kingdom.
「Westlights Demon Territory Dukedom Archduke Takuhir-heika, and the Kyle Kingdom Special Envoy / Principality
of Fearalt Special Envoy Party, have arrived!」
When it was loudly declared, music rang out all at once, and
a flower shower of tens of thousands scattered in the sky in welcome, but...
Huh? What is this feeling of déjà vu...
「Coming all this way, welcome to the
Imperial Capital Griffin. I respectfully express my gratitude.」
Saying so, a single person I knew well, clad in military
uniform, knelt in the center of the main street. Moreover, the streets of the
Imperial Capital had been swept beautifully clean, single-stem flowers were
arranged in front of where the populace lined up on the left and right behind
human walls of soldiers, and that continued endlessly ahead. I mean... you even
know about this! Yes, because this was in the exact same style as the 『flower path』 where I welcomed the King of Kyle in Teigoon
in the past. Krugel-heika, Clarisse-denka, and Sieghart were
silently staring intently at me, who was dumbfounded. Huh? Did something
happen? Could it be... is that it? Because it's disproportionate to my stature,
I dislike it, but. Nominally I am the highest-ranking person, so does that mean
everyone is not speaking until I open my mouth? It's troublesome but it can't
be helped; I made up my mind and opened my mouth.
「Good work on such a heartfelt
welcome! Will you also convey to Grat-dono
, who will newly become Emperor,
that 『I
am filled with gratitude』?」
「Ha, with gratitude!」
After saying so and bowing his head, Sieghart floated
a smile from his solemn expression for just an instant. To dare produce a
welcome in our style, this must surely be his consideration and his
mischievousness.
「Then from here on, I will guide
everyone from each country who has favored us with their attendance. I will
guide everyone from the Westlights Demon Territory Dukedom, and serve as
the person in charge of security. Count Durul will guide the envoy party
of the Kyle Kingdom, and Count Kamin will guide the envoy party
of the Principality of Fearalt, and each will serve as the person in
charge of security.」
I see. So individuals who know us well and whom we can feel
secure with will be the persons in charge of security. This must also be a part
of their consideration. However, I think Count Durul and Count Kamin
will have no end of worries during their stay, though... Because it's a
Princess with a previous conviction of 『sneaking out selfishly and returning in the morning』, and a King who is a 『master of incognito』, after all. I let out a large sigh,
alternately looking at the persons in charge of security with their solemn
faces, and the two with their prim faces.
「My? That's a gaze with some
implication, but is there something about us?」
Tch, sharp-eyed. I should give them a warning as a 『driver』 just in case.
「Selfish actions like in Salaam
are forbidden. Because it will also become a matter of responsibility for the
security personnel, you know. Especially since you are visiting as diplomatic
envoys this time, going out without permission is absolutely out of the
question!」
Hey! Why are you blatantly looking away! Were you perhaps
intending to fully enjoy 『the first night (in the Imperial Capital)』 this time as well?
「Heika, I'm relying on you too! This is the Empire, you
know.」
「Hahaha, my friend also has no end of
worries. But I promise, there will be no going out together.」
Hearing those words, Marquis Flame who was in the back also floated an expression of blatant relief. However, I had not understood the true meaning pointed to by Heika's words. And then... from the first night before the formal event of meeting the new Emperor the next day, my anxieties would hit the mark. In a form exceeding what I imagined...
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