episode_0053

The moment Princess Heinne realized that her father had essentially failed against the Pope, upon hearing of the disastrous failure of the film “Fillaht’s Great Adventure” directed by Director Gwiberto and produced by Marcus.

“Why don’t we just crush those arrogant empresses with our powerful military force? The Pope can be overthrown just like the previous emperors…”

“That sounds like a good idea.”

Heinne listened to the nonsense that didn’t make sense with one ear and firmly adjusted her clothes.

Although she carried relics on her body for survival, it was not enough to prepare adequately for climbing the mountains in the middle of winter.

It was a moment that ended at the point where the carefully prepared plan for the Pope’s decree was thwarted.

It was not feasible to open a two-faced front against the Pope and the empresses. Therefore, she had to prioritize how to approach the negotiating Pope from a certain angle.

Heinne was convinced that the foolish Orabi would eventually suffer greatly due to his temper.

Would he be crushed after attempting a rebellion out of greed for power?

But now was not the time to think about such things.

After forcibly silencing the crown prince with the power of the emperor, the imperial family immediately ascended the Alpen Mountain Range.

The nobles blocked the path to the Pope’s decree. However, the guards seemed lax, perhaps not expecting the emperor to cross the mountains.

Therefore, they had to act quickly before other nobles noticed and made a move.

Although the preparations were somewhat lacking, there was no other choice given the urgency of the situation.

Heinne silently took hold of the sled given to her.

They climbed the Alpen for a while.

“It seems to be getting dark. How far have we come now?”

“We have reached the summit, Your Highness. The descent will be easier, so do not worry.”

“…Life.”

Heinne wondered what she was doing since the beginning of the new year.

Although they were a harmonious family, her position was truly precarious.

As they passed over the rocks on the sled, their bodies bounced weakly with each step. Her situation was no different.

With snow falling, it was difficult to see the obstacles on the road. However, they were making good progress climbing up like this.

Heinne raised her head slightly from the cold wind and looked ahead.

“Father, perhaps we should take a break around here… What do you think?”

“If you wish to stay on the mountain even after dark, that’s fine. I will continue.”

Her father grabbed the guide’s shoulder and stubbornly climbed the mountain, even touching the ground with his hands.

In the morning, there were two feet, at lunch there were three, and by evening there were four. A riddle worth solving was quickly completed.

He didn’t look like an emperor of the empire. As for her Orabi, she decided not to care whether he fell or not.

The mountain path was slippery, and there were cases where some attendants fell, but so far, they managed to crawl back up and join successfully.

Of course, it was uncertain whether this luck would continue until they reached their destination.

Still, with this momentum, they seemed likely to descend the mountain completely before sunset.

After that, they could spend the night in the first village they encountered. If they left early the next day, they might be able to see the Pope by the end of the month.

It was a moment when Heinne roughly estimated the time of arrival in her mind.

Rustle, the sound of bushes shaking. The weight of the snow falling from the tree branches in clumps was not unusual to hear.

However, the sound of footsteps was accompanied by voices. This was not something that should be heard in the middle of the mountain.

“What’s this? You’re wearing nice clothes.”

“Lately, I’ve been so irritated, and you guys seem like a good target for venting! Hand over everything you have.”

“…What?”

With the Emperor by their side, none of the companions were vulgar or sinister enough to utter such words.

The ones who were leading the way slowly turned their frozen heads in the cold. And with mouths frozen and unable to open easily, they shouted.

The most unpleasant words to hear when climbing a mountain.

‘This isn’t the mountain’ followed by the undisputed second place, ‘It’s bandits!’

The bandits who had been aided in escaping to the land of Kanosa by the thieves were once again fleeing to the mountains from the shining sword, which could be considered Heinrich’s own fault.

Normally, even if they were bandits, they would have assessed their opponents properly.

However, within the past six months, all their fellow criminals had been wiped out, and their income had been cut in half.

In addition, the threat to their lives in front of the shining sword, and the fact that the cold was eating away at their minds, causing their heads to spin half-crazed.

If the opponent had not been easy, they would have known that their life was precious and would have retreated appropriately, but they did not.

The act of being followed by knights and magicians behind was no different from declaring war. It was not something the Emperor would do to be arrested.

Of course, they were not unarmed to prepare for such a situation, so if the group had pushed back with numbers and stood united, it would have been worth a try, but it was a time when they were already climbing the mountain in a daze.

Finally, when everyone had completed their situation assessment, they all ran down the slope like rolling stones.

Of course, there was a priority, so at least the sled on which the princess rode was not abandoned. However, the speed had become incomparable to before.

Creaking. A more fantastic thrill than before enveloped Heine.

Being scratched by branches, dirt flying into her eyes, and experiencing short moments of flight over frozen hills.

The only thought that came to the princess’s mind as she tightly held onto the sled was, ‘If I die here, will it be the end of the civil war?’

If the civil war were to break out, it might not be so bad if it were to erupt fiercely with the deaths of the Emperor’s family.

Heine finally let go of her sanity.

*****

This winter, for the most part, could be spent warmly.

This was because the wheat sown in spring yielded a huge harvest in autumn.

Licia, who blessed herself with half-hearted prayers, was more than pleased when she saw the results.

While nearby villages had similar results to the previous year, the villages in Alpen saw an additional 30% increase in income.

Usually, when the harvest increased by half, about 15%, it was called a good year, and when it decreased, it was called a bad year.

Even though last year was not so bad, with such results, calling it just a good year was not enough.

Farming was a task that required the entire family to pitch in. Even a four-year-old child was mobilized to chase away birds pecking at the grains in the fields.

Therefore, everyone in Alpen, mixing a bit of exaggeration with sincerity, called it a miracle.

“You did it, Licia.”

“Did I… really help?”

“Yes. That grain can now be used for those starving in winter, or it can be used to buy things needed in winter.”

“I can help the people in the village!”

“Of course.”

The girl with a warm heart was genuinely happy about this fact.

“I can control the harvest!”

“Uh…?”

…Maybe.

Anyway, after celebrating the harvest season with a grand festival, helping those who couldn’t endure the winter, and still having money left over.

Even after gathering firewood to the brim, I couldn’t handle the overflowing wealth, so I had to find a new use for it.

That’s why I decided to pick out a fancy medieval sports car for Lycia.

I was about to give her a gift, and since she seemed to be familiar with horseback riding from our time together, I thought she might enjoy it.

First, I had to give the horse a name.

Just like Sanchu, I named it Dulsinea, after a memorable knight from literature.

Then I asked the girl to ride it once. Since I chose a well-behaved one, I wasn’t worried about it suddenly accelerating like Sanchu used to.

“Oops…!”

“Alright, let’s try it again, be careful.”

“…It’s hard to balance. I’m sorry for messing up the gift you gave me.”

“No need to apologize, it seems like your leg strength is lacking. It can’t be helped. You’ll have to ride with me for a while.”

“Yes, that’s true…”

Lycia had briefly mounted Sanchu alone not too long ago, so I thought it would be fine, but she seemed to struggle when actually riding.

Since I couldn’t ask for a refund, Dulsinea ended up being used as my pack horse and walking companion.

While it lacked the strength to charge into battle with a lance like Sanchu, it was still a good use of its strength. Knights are supposed to travel with at least two horses anyway.

On a day when the snow fell softly enough not to bother the eyes, I set out with the girl to make a lap around the Alpen.

For no particular reason, just to pray for a good harvest next year. It was a long process that spanned several days, as it was impossible to circle the entire Alpen in one day.

Whenever there were no people on the road, the girl would cling to me in my arms to avoid being seen using magic and would bless the fields.

As the work was halfway done and we were heading towards the next area along a path with a clear view of the Alpen Mountains, Lycia pointed at the mountain.

I narrowed my eyes and followed her finger.

“…People?”

There were too many to be considered illegal hunters who had come out for a hunt. There were almost a hundred of them. Judging by the numbers, it seemed like a small baron nearby had brought his entire army, but upon closer inspection, one group was chasing another.

And the only ones who would do such a thing were bandits.

I had a hunch that they were the thieves I had missed. The girl sitting in front of me turned her head and nodded once.

If she were an ordinary child, it would be best to send her back to the village.

But Lycia was not an ordinary child, and she seemed determined to help.

“When the battle begins, hide well. I’ll call you when it’s over, so wait.”

“I’ll be fine if I go with you… Yes.”

I turned Dulsinea towards the Alpen Mountains.

After a long time, the eerie sound of metal clashing and the desperate cries for life echoed in the air.