episode_0311

Episode 311

While heading to the official residence, Juliana spoke first.

“Princess, have you seen it?”

It seems that Juliana, who is well-versed in handling items, sensed it the fastest.

“Yes, I saw it. As expected, it has a high level of protection magic.”

It was protective mana as solid as a barrier. This is not the magic Wihart himself used. Perhaps it is the effect of the item.

Do you wear something like that all the time? That may be so. The northern fortress is always ready for battle.

However, it could be seen as rude to prepare such a guard to greet an inspection team that included two of the most noble royals from the kingdom.

“It seemed like a pretty powerful spell. It might be possible to break it by projecting a large amount of mana that your mother possesses or by using Eila’s song, but Wihart himself would have to be calm for that to happen.”

But honestly, I can’t imagine it. The scene where that large military officer is calmly subdued.

Although the troops are outnumbered, it is doubtful whether there will be anyone who can overwhelm Wihart even with individual prowess. Even when discussing the kingdom’s strongest swordsman, it felt like the Wolf of the North was left out of the discussion.

“In the end, you have no choice but to look for loopholes. The moment when the protective barrier surrounding you disappears.”

“Yes… If it’s difficult to compete head-on, that’s the way to go. However, looking at the preparations that have been made even here, I don’t think I will be defenseless even if it is time to sleep.”

The carriage soon arrived at the front yard of the official residence. Wihart got off his horse and had a short conversation with Pilgret. It’s probably about protocol.

There were not many soldiers in the official residence. They were neatly arranged as if to welcome our visit. We got off the carriage with soldiers on both sides lined up.

“Now, this way.”

Wihart’s official residence looked like another small fortress rather than a place to conduct official business. Together with several knights, including Pilgret, we followed Wihart and entered the residence.

The office was on the second floor of the official residence. When I looked at the big red door, I had a strange feeling.

‘Is there…someone inside?’

Wihart opened the door without hesitation and went inside. There, a green-haired man wearing unfamiliar clothing was waiting for us.

Everyone, including me, seemed to have the same thought.

He’s a mage. It’s also quite powerful.

But that’s not all. That person was definitely… an imperial citizen.

“An inspection team, including the princess and queen, visited, Loinster. Let me introduce it to you too. This man is Ian Loinster. For some time now, he has been taking charge of all administrative work as my deputy.”

“You are an imperial citizen.”

“Yes. Here in Nordrier, we don’t ask where you are from. There is only ability. In that sense, Ian is already a member of our family.”

Ian Loinster bowed his head deeply. The etiquette of stretching out one’s arms was an imperial thing.

“Nice to meet you, inspection team. I am especially honored to meet these two noble women.”

It’s a bright laugh. So, I got the impression that he was a person who was good at hiding his true feelings.

Wihart may have been taken into the empire by this person. Thinking like that, I couldn’t relax.

I also gave him a reply with a mask of a smile on my face.

“Nice to meet you too. However, Margrave Wihart, I feel like it would be too much of a burden for just an administrator to be here. How about letting him leave for a while?”

“There is no need for that, princess. Most of the internal affairs of this northern fortress are entrusted to him. His presence here will serve the original purpose of the inspection team.”

…The tone of speech is becoming a little rude.

The knights around him were also looking at Wihart with uncomfortable faces. It wouldn’t be surprising if the atmosphere had been a bit more violent than before. The reason this wasn’t the case seemed to be because most of the knights harbored deep respect for him.

“It seems like you trust that person quite a bit.”

“Like I said, I’ve proven my abilities. Besides, isn’t there a maid there too? I think he would be qualified enough to be my adjutant.”

“Good. It might be better to have at least one practitioner to answer questions. If so, I will begin the inspection work immediately. Have you prepared the main documents?”

“Yes, of course.”

It was Ian who answered, not Wihart. He placed a large cardboard box on the shelf and placed it on the table. Inside was a lot of ledgers and documents.

“This is the record for the past two years. If you wish, I can prepare the previous one as well. What more do you need?”

“Let’s check first.”

The inspection team and I sat at the table. The knights and their opponents stood still.

Wihart, or Ian, seemed to know exactly the purpose of this inspection.

The reason for this inspection was the intrusion of the Black Goat Association. However, the documents prepared were not about inspection records or the situation on the road, but about the supplies and troops of the northern fortress.

You’re definitely not stupid. Did they already prepare for their actions to be discovered?

If so, he may have touched the documents as well. I opened the most recent one and looked at its contents.

‘The reserves of military provisions and weapons… and troops… are also increasing. ‘It’s not that different from the expected numbers.’

There appears to be no manipulation of the documents. The detailed review will have to be left to the civil servants brought in.

I looked up from the paper and looked at Wihart.

“It’s quite interesting. The supplies and soldiers needed for battle are rapidly increasing. Do you mind if I ask what this means?”

“This is the gateway that protects the kingdom. There shouldn’t be a problem with strengthening your defenses, right?”

“If so, can you explain why?”

“It’s something that happened outside the fortress. The foreign nations were uniting their forces one by one. Maybe they’re getting ready to hit this place. As the kingdom’s front line, we could not neglect defense.”

“Immigrants are thinking of attacking Nordrier? You make a funny joke.”

Unless you want to commit suicide, that’s not possible. It is not at a level that can be broken through even if several small tribes combine. Of course it was an excuse, but among excuses, it was one that could immediately be dismissed as bullshit.

“Wouldn’t that be too rude to say? Have you lived on the outskirts of the kingdom for so long that you have forgotten how the kingdom’s subjects speak?”

It was Carmel that was euphemistically pointed out. Wihart’s increasingly rude tone of voice seemed to have been getting on my nerves ever since.

Wihart stared at Carmel who said that. Then, he suddenly burst into a hearty laugh that matched his appearance.

“Puh, hahahaha! That’s funny, Queen Carmel. You, and no one else, can say that. However, even though she is in the position of queen, she doesn’t really know if it’s because of her origins. Wihart is not a subject of the kingdom. If you studied history, you would know. It is ridiculous to say that King Lustier only made a brotherly oath with King Lustier as prince and lord, and that he was a subject.”

Everyone except me seemed as if they were going to boil at any moment due to the extreme rudeness. I tried to sound as calm as possible to calm down those around me.

“That’s a story from the founding period. Just because Luke the Great and Jonathan Wihart had a brother-like relationship, it would be even more foolish to think that that relationship would continue to this day. The relationship between Wihart and the kingdom has always been that of king and subject. It’s too old a story to use as a basis for your audacity, Largo Wihart.”

Wihart quickly stopped laughing at my answer. Wihart looked at my face for a long time as if trying to discover something, and then spoke in a fairly dry tone.

“I think there is a difference of opinion on that point. It looks like you haven’t neglected your studies, Princess Sera.”

“To annihilate the enemies of the kingdom, knowledge is power. Isn’t Margrave Wihart like that too?”

“That’s true. Knowing for sure is power.”

Wihart glanced at Ian. He slowly raised the corners of his mouth in a friendly smile.

“Well, the important thing is not such trivial courtesy, right? As his younger brother, I will faithfully assist King Fehat and fulfill my duty as the shield of the kingdom. In that case, Sarah Lustier, I would be your uncle.”

To be honest, I didn’t expect this.

I did not expect that he would come out so recklessly and yet claim to be the shield of the kingdom.

I felt a strange duality there.

If you are going to side with the empire, there is absolutely no reason to show this attitude.

Whether they do their best to pretend to be loyalists and then stab themselves in the back, or declare treason from the beginning and take us all hostage, it would be common for them to show a combination of intent and outward attitude.

Just to insult the royal family? No, that’s irrational. Of course, there are many people in this world who do irrational things simply based on their mood, but at least this beastly man did not seem that type.

“Margrave Wihart!”

In the end, it seems the knights couldn’t stand it anymore. He was glaring at Wihart, ready to pull out his sword. Philgret’s expression was also uncharacteristically intense.

“Cancel that statement immediately! As a knight serving the royal family, this is absolutely unacceptable!”

“Whoa, Philgret Ostana, the Commander of the Royal Knights…”

Wihart’s beard-covered mouth grinned. It was as if he had suddenly activated his desire to win as a warrior.

I still couldn’t figure out Wihart’s intentions. His purpose was invisible, like his real face hidden beneath that bushy beard.

If so, you might need a little more stimulation.

“Stop it, Philgret. I have no intention of considering him as my uncle, but I will not necessarily accuse him of harboring such ridiculous delusions.”

“…Yes.”

Philgret calmed down his emotions due to my calm demeanor and controlled the knights around him. I looked at Wihart again and said.

“Margrave Wihart.”

“Yes.”

“Do you remember exchanging secret letters with my mother, Queen Carmel?”