Chapter 453
(Kyle Calendar Year 516:
Age 23)
A Disturbing Honeymoon
① A Meaningful Boat Journey
The
day after the marriage ceremony of the King and Queen of the Fearalt
Principality concluded, we were on a ship descending towards Salaam.
『The King and Queen will tour the
Principality together with representatives from various countries, to guide
Queen Clarisse around the Principality and show the Principality's
majesty to the representatives.』
It
seemed that outwardly, it was announced in this way. After all, we couldn't
possibly say, even if our mouths were torn open, that the heads of state of
three countries were accompanying the King and Queen. Therefore, we, the state
guests, were supposed to have returned to our respective countries after the
marriage ceremony ended, and the majority of the military forces we led had
also returned home. Only the military force from the Kyle Kingdom was
accompanying them because they 『happened』
to share the same return route.
「Even so, a leisurely boat journey is
not meant to be, is it?」
On
the deck of the ship descending the great river, I let out a big breath while
looking at the shores on both sides. This river continues from south of Feari
to the sea, but its width is very broad, and it seemed to be easily three
hundred mels to the opposite shore. The ship was proceeding leisurely closer to
the right bank than the center, but...
「That's right. Because the shores are
continuously guarded by an imposing military force. Would you say this is also
the result of the newly conducted construction?」
「In that case... does the road on the
right bank continue all the way to Salaam? I feel a bit sorry for those
proceeding by land...」
Thinking
I'd enjoy the peaceful rural scenery a little, I invited Yoltia and Yuka
out to the side of the ship, but a continuous military force of guards
stretched endlessly along the shore on the right bank.
「Yeah, according to Marquis Flame's
explanation, it will eventually connect to the sea. Since it's a VIP party this
time, the Royal Guard Division who knows the circumstances seems to be having a
hard time too, huh?」
They
are proceeding along the newly built highway along the river in preparation for
any unexpected attacks. Moreover, the highway is crowded with those finely
divided into units running parallel to the ships, and those moving ahead to
stand guard at night. The soldiers mobilized for security on the land route are
twenty thousand cavalry from the Principality and two thousand cavalry from the
Kyle Kingdom handling that duty, so I suppose the confusion on the
highway can't be helped, though. Because such a military force was coming and
going, the scenery visible from the side of the ship had an imposing atmosphere
just like a battlefield.
「Certainly, it's not a leisurely...
trip with this. Still, for me, it's my first boat journey, and it's very
enjoyable. I feel sorry for Miseri-san, but...」
It
might be just as Yuka says. Yoltia, while accompanying me to
battlefields, had also descended to Salaam by ship before, so compared
to that time, she probably feels a sense of incongruity like I do, but since
it's Yuka's first time, it must be fresh for her.
Incidentally,
Miseri is in a cabin having a face-to-face meeting with civil officials
from the two countries, the Principality (Fearalt) and the Empire
(Griffonia). They are working out the details regarding the allocation
of the newly constructed national border highway and the city set up along the
way among the countries, and commercial agreements for making it a tax-free
city. Normally, these were scheduled to be done in Feari, but if
possible, I wanted to show Miseri the city of Salaam too. After
all, the civil officials she raised are still playing active roles there, and I
thought she'd want to see them in action. Therefore, as my selfishness, I had
the civil officials from the other parties accompany us and conduct it on board
during the outbound journey.
「There's no need to feel sorry. Right
now is a battlefield for Miseri, and once we arrive at our destination,
it will be our turn to head out to the battlefield. We'll have her rest
leisurely in Salaam.」
Miseri, who is neither a Mage nor a
warrior, cannot accompany us on the hunt in the Demon Territory, after all.
Similarly, Queen Alicia is also supposed to spend time in Salaam
during the hunt, so the two good friends can enjoy sightseeing.
「However... that's not the only
reason I can't calm down.」
As
I said so, lively laughter echoed from the gazebo set up on the bow side. Yoltia
and Yuka, who realized what I meant, also smiled bitterly. Because...
originally, ten ships were prepared for this boat journey, and the
representatives of each country were supposed to board separately, you know? So
why did all the leaders gather on the ship I'm riding! With this, if this ship
were to sink due to some unforeseen circumstance, the leaders would be wiped
out! There's no point in dispersing the risk! I mean, how lonely can you get!
It
started with a conversation just before departure.
◇
When
returning to Salaam, I called out to Halim, the head of the Tia
Trading Company, and Zahark, the Acting Governor of Salaam,
who took the trouble to travel to Feari.
「I'm sorry we couldn't take our time
even though you took the trouble to come to Feari. Instead, since we'll
be using a ship for the journey to Salaam, I thought we could listen to
your reports leisurely on board... would you mind? Of course, we've secured
space to accommodate a corresponding number of people and some luggage.」
「Of course, a triumphant return with Archduke-heika
will make our companions envious. The heads of the various organizations formed
in Salaam have also been brought along, so please let us greet you anew
on this occasion. Those guys will be deeply moved too!」
「Understood. I also wanted to hear
about the new trade route that I heard about from Yoltia-sama. To
be able to board the same ship as Heika and the Princesses will be a
great story to tell the fellows back home.」
However,
there was a person who, for some reason, was listening to this conversation
right beside me. I mean, since he was normally and casually wearing the
military uniform of the Royal Guard Knights, even I didn't notice him.
「That sounds good. The boat journey
that time was very pleasant and stimulating. Could I also be added to the
drinking party?」
「Eh?」
「Ah? Brother! No, th-th-th-the King-heika!」
「......」
Are
you okay, Halim, you look like a chicken? Zahark, who had never
met 『Brother』
before, also grasped the situation, turning pale and trembling.
「King Krugel, wouldn't that
cause hindrances...」
「Ah... that's right. Certainly,
wearing these clothes would cause hindrances, wouldn't it? My friend's point is
valid, so when boarding the ship, I will change my clothes to look like an 『older brother』.」
No,
that's not what I meant, and that's not the problem. Besides, for the time
being... this is a honeymoon, you know! Is it okay to be on a different ship
from the bride? Before I could even speak to him, the King had already gone off
somewhere, though.
「「......」」
Zahark and Halim were completely
frozen.
「Um... if we decline to board now...
it would be considered disrespectful, right?」
「Halim's words are correct... I guess.」 (Sorry)
「We won't have our heads cut off...
right?」
「I don't think they'd go that far,
but... sorry, could you give up?」 (Zahark, this is also a
trial, please give up)
With
this, it was confirmed that they would be invited to a fun drinking banquet.
Furthermore... the situation developed in a direction far beyond their
imaginations. At departure, Zahark, Halim, and the others lined
up in a row, waiting for the King to board, but...
「My friends, I have also brought
companions with whom we can drink and converse happily. Let us all exchange
cups together.」
「Wha!」
I
couldn't help but let out a strange voice at the companions following behind 『Brother』. Because, you know...
「I too... oops, I received an
invitation from 『Brother』.
I wanted to drink with the interesting men that Takuhir-dono said he
picked up from the streets, you see. I'm intruding.」
I
mean... you are the Emperor-heika of the Empire, you know!
Come to think of it, this person... was the kind of person who casually mingled
with regular soldiers and ate meals with them on the battlefield...
「I also received an invitation from 『Brother』, and it seems to be an enjoyable
gathering, so by all means!」
「I am here as well.」
You
guys are the King and Queen of the Lute-Vile-Cain Kingdom, right? Is
that really okay! Come to think of it, King Crajyu was adored by the
soldiers since his days as an unconventional Prince, and Queen Alicia
was the kind of person who would mingle with the territory residents and fight.
To begin with, both of them were unconventional figures despite being
royalty...
「I am out of place compared to
everyone here, but... to Archduke-heika, I am also one of his 『brothers』. I have been allowed to join the
companions.」
No,
you're my real brother, so you're a 『brother』
companion? That's a joke I can't laugh at, you know? I was surprised by my
brother's courage to participate alongside the assembled Kings, though.
However... is it at least a saving grace that the runaway horse isn't here?
With that thought, I let out a big sigh.
「Of course I am here. Did you intend
to leave me out all alone in the unlikely event it turns into a meeting about
the hunt?」 『Gah!』 She was here after all! Before I knew it, the tomboy
wearing a maid outfit to remain inconspicuous...
「Since that is the case, we will also
intrude.」 Following her was a beaming Sieghart,
and a pale-faced Knight Commander Gouras and Marquis Flame,
but... We thoroughly discussed the procedures and deployments for the hunt last
night, didn't we! What now? Probably, Sieghart was just out of
curiosity, and the Knight Commander and Marquis had no choice but to follow
along out of duty, albeit reluctantly. Well, those standing at the top are
basically lonely, but the relationships here let them forget that. Can't be
helped, huh... However, are Zahark, Halim, and the others
fortunate just by not knowing the true identities of Brother's companions? If
they knew everything, they wouldn't just be deeply moved; it would become an
event they wouldn't even be able to talk about as a souvenir story. I couldn't
help but let out another big sigh.
◇
And
so, in the gazebo, a gathering of 『Brother』
and his fun companions was held, and the noise and laughter were still leaking
out now. Zahark, Halim, and the others, who were stiff at first,
seemed to be kneading their drinks with smiles, perhaps because the alcohol had
taken effect a little and they had gotten used to the atmosphere. Well,
occasionally their mouths seemed to twitch, but let's pretend I didn't see
that. Hoping it would be of at least some help, I sent Raphael in,
but... Even he, who usually bantered boldly, seemed to be drinking while making
himself quite small right now. Of course, this is not power harassment. Because
I had heard from Marianne, who was accompanying us on this trip, that 『even in Feari, he goes out night after night and
doesn't return until morning,』 so I figured he probably hadn't had
enough to drink.
The
first day passed with such a meaningful (?) banquet, but they weren't just
making merry on the journey. On the second day, they firmly cut off the alcohol
to prepare for the following day. I myself felt that the second day was
conversely a more meaningful boat journey. First, a multilateral meeting
involving the heads of the three countries and the representative of the Kyle
Kingdom (my brother), where they approved the basic proposals drafted by
the civil officials the day before, such as the allocation of the occupied
space for the city to be built at the national border and the tax exemption
plan, and concluded treaties. Next, bilateral meetings between the two
countries were held as needed, where future coordination of commerce and such
were discussed. The one who played the most active role in this setting was
Queen Alicia. The leaders of each country must have been surprised by
her skill, despite her young and still innocent appearance. Thinking about it
now, it might have been King Krugel's consideration to make effective
use of the free time during the boat journey. Using the banquet as a pretext,
that is.
And after a full two days of the boat journey, early in the morning the ship docked at the ferry crossing near Salaam. Just like this, we would head straight to the Demon Territory near the national border. While harboring various anxieties...
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