3
“We’ve been expecting you, Your Highness.”
The one who came to greet us was a woman who appeared to belong to the Imperial Mage Division. She had long, light blue hair and a distinctive tattoo etched onto her right cheek. But despite her striking appearance, she carried a very calm atmosphere.
“Lady Epika and Lord Rudolf are waiting for you inside.”
“Yes, thank you.”
“This way, please.”
The woman glanced at me for just a moment before turning back to Princess Valtrune and beginning to lead the way.
“…Do you know her?” Princess Valtrune whispered. She must have been referring to the light-blue-haired woman guiding us. I searched my memory for anyone matching her description, but…
“No, I don’t recognize her.”
No one came to mind.
“She’s one of the most talented in the Mage Division. Her name is Cornelia.”
“I still don’t recall the name.”
I had no memory of fighting her in the past. Even if I had, if she didn’t leave an impression, she must have been just one of the many Imperial soldiers I’d cut down without a second thought.
“Her skills are impeccable, you know.”
“Do you want to add her to our side?”
“Fufu, that’s not possible. Not yet.”
I understood that Cornelia was a capable person. But I couldn’t guess how I was supposed to interact with her.
“This way.”
Called again, I looked up to see a man and a woman elegantly enjoying some tea.
“Cornelia, thank you for guiding us. You may return to your duties.”
“Yes, ma’am! Well then, Your Highness, Lady Epika, Lord Rudolf… I shall take my leave.”
As Cornelia left, I felt her gaze on me again.
“…Excuse me, Personal Knight-sama.” As she passed by me, she whispered that one thing.
“……”
She was gone through the door before I had a chance to reply. It wasn’t unpleasant, but I definitely felt her gaze, as if I were being appraised. I could understand why Princess Valtrune praised her. She wasn’t just looking at my title of Personal Knight; her eyes were trying to probe my very core. While still mindful of Cornelia, I quickly returned my focus to the two people before me.
“Lady Valtrune. Thank you for making time for us during your busy schedule.”
“It’s quite all right. This is important for me as well.”
I straightened my back and took a long breath. Epika von Darius. Rudolf von Argus. Both were nobles, and I had to be cautious in how I dealt with them. Epika wore an extremely amiable face, but I couldn’t help but feel it was completely insincere.
“So, this is your Personal Knight… His name is… um…?”
“Aldia Graetz.”
“Right, right! Aldia. I remember now!”
She had an innocent smile… at least, from an objective standpoint. Epika, the commander of the Imperial Mage Division, was popular in the military. Her mature appearance gave off a sense of reassurance, and her slightly murky, violet-blue eyes were so deep you felt you could be pulled into them. She wasn’t just skilled; she was also an expert at strongly influencing people’s hearts.
“Let’s support the future of the Empire together. A pleasure to meet you.”
I hesitated for a moment, wondering whether or not to take the hand she offered, but…
“Yes. A pleasure.”
…I couldn’t create a tense atmosphere in front of Princess Valtrune. Thinking that, I accepted her hand. It was grasped with surprising strength. In that instant, I felt as if something close to her true, usually hidden, nature had surfaced.
“Hmm.”
“…Um, is something wrong?”
“Oh no. I was just so curious what kind of person Lady Valtrune’s first ever Personal Knight would be.”
Her gaze raked over me, from top to bottom. I understood this from my experience fighting her. We may have shaken hands, but I didn’t trust her one bit. It’s extremely difficult to deal with someone when you don’t know what they’re thinking. As my expression stiffened, Epika’s smile only grew more unpleasant.
“You’re the only one Lady Valtrune has ever taken a liking to, after all. I want to know all about you, too.”
—Yep. I really can’t stand this woman. I desperately tried to keep my feelings from showing on my face.
“Epika, that’s enough.”
In the midst of this, Rudolf’s voice cut in, chiding her.
“…Rudolf? I’m just trying to get to know him.”
“Like hell you are. It’s painfully obvious you’re cornering him and scheming something.”
Rudolf, commander of the Imperial Cavalry Division. In contrast to Epika, he was a straightforward fighter. And just like his fighting style, his way of speaking was blunt and direct. As her equal in rank, he seemed to have understood her personality for a long time.
“Let go of his hand. You’re scaring him.”
“He is not scared. …I’m putting all this pressure on him, and he’s barely even flinched. Right?”
“……”
Well, if I panicked at something like this, I wouldn’t be much of a Personal Knight. It’s only because I’ve survived so many hellish battles that I can withstand her pressure.
“Aren’t you curious about him too, Rudolf?”
“Yeah, I am… But that’s a separate issue. Just cut it out.”
Hearing Rudolf, Epika put on her innocent smile again and released my hand.
“My apologies. I got a little carried away.”
“…It’s fine.”
For someone apologizing, she didn’t look the least bit sorry. As the tense atmosphere lingered, Princess Valtrune’s cough cut through it, changing the mood instantly.
“Shall we get down to business?”
Her voice reached my ears, pulling the conversation back on track. As if declaring the time for probing was over, she spoke with a dignified expression.
“First, let me introduce him properly. This is my Personal Knight, Aldia. I brought him from the Kingdom… but I guarantee his strength.”
Those words were directed at Epika and Rudolf. I felt they contained an implicit warning: “Don’t mess with him anymore.”
“I see. If Lady Valtrune vouches for him, he must be very strong indeed.”
“Yes. At least, to this day, I have never seen anyone who can defeat him.”
At her words, Epika’s eyes narrowed.
“No one who can defeat him… That is very interesting.”
“If you doubt it, you should try a mock battle with him when you have time. Then you’ll see just how strong Aldia is.”
Princess Valtrune’s estimation of me was surprisingly high.
“In that case, do you have a little time… after this?”
Epika’s violet-blue eyes grew sharper.
“Aldia is strong. I’m sure it would be a good experience for you too, Epika.”
“Well, it would be a pity to kill him… so I’ll be sure to go easy on him.”
“That’s true. Aldia, you mustn’t kill her, all right?”
Epika probably meant that as a taunt, but Princess Valtrune’s swift counterattack was devastating. Thrown off balance, Epika’s expression darkened.
“You seem to think very highly of this boy.”
“Yes. If he hadn’t appeared, the position of my Personal Knight would have remained vacant. He alone possesses the strength worthy of the title.”
That was as good as saying that even Epika, with her post as commander of the Mage Division, lacked the requisite strength. Taunt after taunt. The heavy atmosphere grew heavier.
“You say some interesting things, Lady Valtrune… fufu.”
Somehow, this was turning into a situation where I was now required to fight Epika. Her fighting spirit was flaring up, burning with an unsettling intensity. And Princess Valtrune, too, seemed to be getting a little worked up. I gently squeezed her hand.
“Your Highness, please calm down.”
“…I’m sorry. I lost my composure for a moment.”
“It’s all right. But there are things we need to discuss right now.”
Our original purpose was to discuss the transfer of Ritziareite and the formation of the Provisional Elite Corps. I didn’t mind sparring with Epika, but I was reluctant to drag out our time in this room.
“We’ve gotten sidetracked. The things I really want to discuss are Ritziareite and Marquis Rigel.”
At her words, Rudolf, who had been mostly silent, reacted.
“Marquis Rigel… You mean that bastard.”
“Rudolf, don’t just butt into the conversation…!”
“Epika, I’m not free enough to sit through your useless chatter.”
“——! Ugh, you’re so annoying.”
“Let’s hear the details about this ‘clash with Marquis Rigel.'”
It seemed we were switching to the topic of Marquis Rigel. I was just breathing a sigh of relief when Epika cut in again.
“…You know? I personally don’t care about Marquis Rigel.”
“What?”
“If we’re going to talk, I’d rather prioritize Ritziareite… that girl.”
In contrast to Rudolf, who showed strong interest in Rigel, Epika showed strong interest in Ritziareite. The two, with their opposing views, glared at each other.
“Ousting Marquis Rigel is a top priority for the Imperial army as well. We should discuss that before we talk about some random soldier named Ritziareite.”
“Haaaah. Rudolf, you just don’t get it. Whether we oust Rigel or not, the corruption in the Imperial army isn’t going to stop. Rather than worrying about the future of this sinking ship, isn’t it more constructive to discuss the young people who will shoulder the Empire’s future?”
“You don’t know that yet!”
“Oh, I do. Because I don’t feel there’s any future for the Imperial army.”
“Your subjective judgment is worthless.”
“Oh? My judgment, as commander of the Mage Division, is almost always correct.”
Their argument was going nowhere.
“Let’s talk about Ritziareite first.”
At this point, the order didn’t matter. In the end, Princess Valtrune’s single word settled it. I wasn’t thinking too deeply about the priority, as we were going to discuss both topics eventually.
“As you both know, she has been transferred from the Imperial army to the Provisional Elite Corps.”
It was an after-the-fact report, but she informed them of Ritziareite’s new posting.
“Yes, I know. I’m so glad… She found a place that recognizes her effort and skill.”
Apparently, she was well aware of Ritziareite’s circumstances. Following Epika, Rudolf also nodded.
“Yeah, the Dragon Division is rampant with aristocratic favoritism. Especially for women… I hear they’re treated horribly.”
“It’s beyond ‘horrible.’ You’re so naive, Rudolf.”
“What?”
They were exchanging hostile glares again. Given her high interest in Ritziareite, it seemed Epika grasped the situation more deeply.
“The Dragon Division… unless you’re a noble male, you can’t get promoted. Not even if you have outstanding skill. The mistreatment is far harsher than you imagine, Rudolf. And if a girl is even a little bit strong, the backlash against her is even worse.”
“You know a lot about it… Lady Epika.”
After saying her piece, she looked out the window, as if in ridicule.
“One of the talented mages who joined my division was originally in the Dragon Division, too. She’s strong, better than any man, and could overpower your average soldier with her raw skill. But when she first transferred, her self-esteem was terribly low.”
After saying that, she quietly spat out her feelings, tinged with irritation. ‘That’s why… I hate the Dragon Division.’ She clearly had strong feelings on the matter.
“So, I am grateful to you, Lady Valtrune, in no small way. It goes against my principles to see a talented person crushed.”
She said this, and took a sip of her tea.
4
After that, the discussion turned to Marquis Rigel. Rudolf, who had shown strong interest in this topic, grimaced. It seemed he couldn’t stand the atmosphere of aristocratic favoritism that permeated the Imperial army. He appeared to feel intense fury, especially toward the Dragon Division for buckling under Marquis Rigel’s pressure.
“The nobility is nothing but shit! I hate this idea that they can do whatever they want just because they have money!” Rudolf slammed his fist on the table, making the teacups rattle.
“We can’t let that bastard get any more arrogant.”
“But we can’t do anything about it. So~ frustrating.”
“Tch…!”
Epika looked as if she was enjoying Rudolf’s reaction. What a nasty personality. As I watched them, Princess Valtrune turned a serious face to the two generals.
“We will handle Marquis Rigel. You have no objection to us striking him down, correct?”
“Of course. In fact, we’d like to ask you to do it.”
“I see… With both of your consent, then, we will be thorough in our dealings with Marquis Rigel.”
The two of them here would likely not interfere. They wouldn’t support us, but they also wouldn’t lend a hand to Marquis Rigel if he found himself in a pinch.
“Aldia, how are the preparations for the Provisional Elite Corps coming along?” Asked by Princess Valtrune, I recalled the current progress.
“General Ritziareite is pushing the troops’ growth at a rapid pace. Her training methods are a bit forceful, but if it’s to prepare for the battle with Marquis Rigel, I see no issue.”
“I see. And what about those we brought from the Kingdom?”
“They are gaining experience so they can take command on the front lines. For now, we’ve had them conduct practical operations, such as clearing out bandit strongholds in the suburbs and engaging criminal organizations.”
As I said that, Rudolf raised his hand.
“Hold on. Clearing out bandit strongholds? How did you find them? The Imperial army only manages to locate them a few times a year!”
To give the soldiers combat experience, we needed to find these anti-social forces. Normally, as Rudolf said, their whereabouts are almost impossible to track. However, thanks to Fadi, that problem has been solved. As a brilliant assassin, he is also well-versed in the information of the underworld. A mission like finding a bandit hideout is a simple task for him.
“My apologies, but that information is confidential.”
“Wh-! Why?!”
“The Provisional Elite Corps is a separate organization from the Imperial army. Therefore, we cannot share intelligence.”
Leaking internal information leads to a breakdown of order. The truth was that it was all thanks to Fadi, who had joined Princess Valtrune’s service, but there was no need to tell them that.
“That’s how it is, Rudolf. If you want to use the Imperial army to deal with the bandit threat, you’ll have to find them yourselves.”
At her words, Rudolf didn’t pursue the matter any further.
“Understood. My apologies for my rude question.”
“I’m glad you understand.”
We had finished discussing most of the main points.
“Are there any other questions?” Princess Valtrune asked for any final opinions before closing the meeting. At that, Epika’s violet-blue eyes narrowed.
“In that case, I have one… if I may?”
“Yes, of course.”
After getting the Princess’s permission, she closed in on me.
“To be honest, I didn’t care about the content of this meeting. From the day you appeared at Lady Valtrune’s side as her Personal Knight, my interest has been focused solely on you.”
This feeling… I knew it. Epika’s face floated in a gray landscape, and a harsh scene of magic flying everywhere flickered in my mind. I could feel Epika’s fighting spirit being stirred up. It was just like that time, on that eerie, rain-soaked battlefield where I faced her. The magic flowing through her entire body stimulated my skin, like an electric current. Directing a fraction of my awareness to the sword at my waist, I asked,
“Is there something you want from me?”
“If you’re recognized by Lady Valtrune, you must be strong. I get that.”
“……”
“But, you know… I don’t care if you went to Philnotes’s Military Academy or what, but the position of Personal Knight isn’t something a young man like you can obtain so easily. Do you understand that?”
“I am fully aware of the gravity of the position.”
This was a vow I had staked my life on. I hadn’t accepted it with some half-baked resolve. But Epika was asking—if I truly had that much resolve.
“If you are prepared… fine. Spar with me. I want to see for myself, with my own eyes.”
There was no lie in her words. It wasn’t just a test; I could see right through to the malicious air about her, the desire to crush me completely.
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