After finishing brief self-introductions, we moved from the tent to the Milrose and, thanks to Natalia-san’s arrangement, were treated to a meal.
「What will you do after this, Demon King-sama?」
「Let’s see… moving as a group will probably take about four or five days…」
「That’s not what I meant… What about your wives?」
「Well… I’ll go to sleep as is. It was quite a forced march today…」
「Same for me… Crossing the mountain was tough…」
Amilia and Selene gave bitter smiles. It was true that today’s march, crossing the mountain in one go, had been quite strenuous. The soldiers must be tired as well.
「I will return to the tent once. There are things to prepare for early tomorrow morning…」
What Liliana meant was that she had already instructed the supply unit to serve the soldiers some alcohol and a slightly more luxurious meal as a reward for today’s hard march. She was probably going to check on the supply unit’s condition and the horses’ fatigue levels.
「I see… Then we will prepare your rooms.」
When she rang the bell, a maid appeared. Natalia-san told her to prepare the bedrooms, and the maid hurried out.
「In that case, Natalia-san, I’ll go back with Liliana for a bit.」
「Yuuki-sama? I can handle it alone.」
「Even so, it’ll be faster with two people, right?」
「That’s true, but…」
Liliana glanced at Amilia. She seemed to be saying to be considerate of the Saintess (Amilia) since Natalia-san was present.
「Yuuki, go help Liliana. I’ll head back to the room with Selene first.」
「Okaaay. I’m pretty sleepy too, so I’ll leave the night work to you two who are strong at night～」
Selene, who had drunk quite a bit, looked rather drowsy. Since it was a formal invitation, she had been forcing herself to stay awake.
「You look pretty tired… Will Amilia be okay handling it?」
「Yes, leave it to me.」
Right after she answered, the maid from earlier returned.
「Then, allow me to guide you to your rooms first.」
Natalia-san stood up and opened the door.
「Well then, Liliana, I’m leaving Yuuki to you.」
「Yuuuki-shaaan, good niiight～」
Amilia lent her shoulder to the very sleepy Selene and they left together.
「Then, Demon King-sama and Demon Queen-sama, please come this way.」
Guided by the remaining maid, we headed toward the bell tower.
「Demon King-sama, please don’t take offense. My lady may not look it, but she really loves alcohol. She was excited because she finally had a chance to drink after so long…」
About halfway there, the maid suddenly apologized.
「I see… We also pushed hard with the forced march, so I’m sorry we didn’t have much leeway… Please tell her that next time we’ll all drink together with Ulberick-san as well…」
「Yes, I’ll pass that on later.」
We climbed the bell tower, then I carried Liliana and flew up into the sky.
「Thank you. We’ll head straight back to the room.」
「Understood. Have a safe return.」
◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆
The next morning, we left the castle together with the sharp-looking Natalia-san. Since we had already left the capital the day before, we set out early in the morning.
「Natalia-san, you look energetic…」
「Yes! I drank a lot of alcohol!」
「I see…」
Then Amilia came riding out on horseback.
「Good morning, Yuuki, Natalia-san.」
「Good morning, Amilia.」
「Good morning, Princess.」
She dismounted and gave a respectful bow.
「Sorry to keep you waiting～」
「I’m sorry it took so long…」
Selene and Liliana appeared. Liliana had changed into ornate armor for the departure ceremony, which had taken time.
「It’s fine. We’re the ones who asked for the unreasonable schedule.」
We all turned to face forward. About 300 knights were looking our way.
「We, the Milrose Knight Order, though only 300 in number, will become the hands and feet of Amilia Philresia-sama and assist in Her Highness’s succession to the throne!!」
――Clang! Clang!
The knights struck their shields with their swords.
「Thank you. We are grateful for everyone’s support!」
「Uoooooooh!!」
The knights’ armor shone in the morning sun as they raised their battle cry.
「Then let us depart!!」
「Uoooooooh!!」
A particularly loud roar echoed, and the march began.
◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆
◇Baldan Side◇
One week after sending assassins to the Demon King’s engagement party, I had finally escaped the life of cowering in fear from that Demon King’s shadow and enjoyed a proper night’s sleep for the first time in a while. That very night, I received shocking information from a spy.
「What the fuuuuuck!!」
I slammed the report onto the desk and roared without thinking.
「That little brat has the Holy Sword?!」
That’s impossible. The Holy Sword is in my possession and should still be sealed…
「Shit! Shit!! What the hell do you mean legitimate successor!!」
「And… there’s one more bad report…」
「What is it?!」
My head felt like the veins were about to burst. I took medicine to calm myself.
「Half of the troops currently in the capital have defected. They’ve set up camp in the plains nearby.」
「N-No way…」
「It seems the talk of the legitimate successor has spread among the soldiers. The entire anti-war faction has switched sides.」
「Damn it!! Those opportunistic nobles refused to send troops, so I accepted the anti-war faction, and now they betray me at a time like this…」
At this rate, when that shitty brat’s army arrives, we won’t have the strength to win…
「No choice… Gather the spies and spread this into the wells.」
I handed the spy my trump card. If people drank this, the capital would fall into chaos.
「Also… one more thing. An unidentified hill has appeared right near the capital.」
「I don’t care about that!! Just go spread it already!!」
「Y-Yes!!」
I whipped the spy and drove him out. Then I opened the hidden door to the Holy Sword to confirm it was still there.
「Good, it’s still here… And the one I brought is being trained nicely…」
I looked down at the ghostly man and laughed. That little brat is the legitimate successor?
Then all I have to do is throw this guy at her.
「Ahaha! Ahahahaha!!」
I couldn’t hold back my laughter. With this, victory was basically mine!
「………………A……A……Re……」
Leave a Reply