episode_0019

That day, in the end, Claire stayed up all night. With her face flushed crimson like a radish, she didn’t even come into the tent after bringing me underwear and a blanket. I heard later that she spent the night patrolling the perimeter. It was an unlucky occurrence for those who were on guard duty. When it came to conducting magical power inspections, she would shamelessly do such embarrassing things, but now, she was acting like a natural-born woman.

The next day, once her body had mostly recovered and she could move around without much difficulty, she was able to step outside the tent. Worried that someone might have heard that strange sound from yesterday, I walked out with my gaze fixed on the ground. If asked what that sound was, I was ready to flee. However, the reaction I received upon stepping outside was completely different.

“Captain! You’re safe!”

“It’s fortunate that you, as our squad leader, are unharmed. It’s an honor no less than being in the Royal Guard!!”

“Hey, what was that light, Captain?”

In order, it was Mia, Kilian, and Emma. Indeed, the issue was the light that I involuntarily emitted at the end of the battle. Everyone remembered only that. The dismissive or condescending tone they had before the battle was completely gone. In a way, this was rather fortunate. Sergeant Wigo was nowhere to be seen. He’d probably be somewhere, polishing his musket, just like when we first met.

“It’s fortunate that there’s no need to write a death notification after the first battle.”

In an era where soldiers melt away without much significance, when a soldier dies, the commander writes death notifications day and night to send home. Of course, it wasn’t a formalized regulation yet, so there were differences among commanders, but generally, it was customary to send them. Since becoming a squad leader, I had resigned myself to that.

I could only vaguely evade the questions from the squad members. Speaking the truth was out of the question, and remembering what happened yesterday, when Claire tried to conduct a magical power inspection and ended up not understanding anything, I couldn’t bring myself to say anything.

However, is that something to be roughly glossed over? It was an incident experienced firsthand by hundreds of soldiers near the 7th bridge. The higher-ups tried to investigate what had happened, and among the soldiers who directly experienced it, rumors about me were already circulating. Delphine de la Darc, the one who opposes the fiends, Saint Marianne Roche, and so on. Each rumor was burdensome. If these rumors were left as they were, it would truly lead the inquisitors to come looking for me.

“Phew. So-called Saint Marianne.”

“Lieutenant Claire.”

Claire, seeming to complain with her entire body about being tired, plopped down next to me. After showing the subordinates that I was okay, that I had recovered, I had hidden away in a secluded place to avoid the noisy rumors. How did she find out and come here?

“Lieutenant, are you really going on night patrol as per regulations?”

Claire nodded laboriously. Judging by her dirty uniform and boots, it seemed genuine. Goodness, who patrols so ignorantly? It’s common to patrol for a bit and then find somewhere to rest. At least that’s how the instructors I saw at the training school did it.

“Why didn’t you tell me yesterday?”

“Huh?”

“The rumors circulating in the unit. If this continues, you might be arrested for impersonating a saint, seriously.”

“I didn’t think there was a need for me to say it. If I had mentioned that such a rumor existed, wouldn’t you have been unable to focus solely on stability?”

It meant she was worried about me. Concern from someone who has protected you doesn’t feel bad.

“To be honest, I also thought it might be true.”

“…Even you, Lieutenant?”

It was bewildering to hear such words from the person who had watched me closest. Although I grew up in the Frankia Church orphanage… could it be that this absurd rumor was spurred by that?

“After conducting an investigation, that thought became firmer. Unidentifiable magic-like power, a sudden surge of abundant magic enveloping me in a golden light, and even the power to neutralize monsters.”

Listening to what Claire said, it seemed like something fitting for a saint or someone of that caliber. Could this be the faith that God spoke of? Am I not making people believe in God, but rather making those around me believe?

“Marianne, if you were in that position watching, you would have had no choice but to accept these rumors.”

Hearing Claire’s words, it was indeed rumored. After the passage of something akin to a semi-circular golden magical force, a warm something, the monsters turned to dust and disappeared, wounds were healed, and magic was completely restored. At the center of that power, a smiling girl bearing the kingdom’s emblem, the Lily, knelt under the moonlight, supporting the fallen flag with her body.

To the soldiers present, it appeared as if the delicate girl sacrificed herself against the evil to work a miracle for all. And three days later, she rose from her place, so the rumor was bound to spread.

This was a picture that could convert even non-believers to religion. It was such an exquisite situation that I even began to suspect whether the situation itself was orchestrated by that guy called God.

“Still, Major Claire, shouldn’t you do something to stop the rumors?”

“Why should I?”

“At this rate, you might end up being affiliated with the Francia Church, you know?”

I wanted to take back what I just said. My inner masculinity was screaming at me to retract my words, but it was already spoken. I turned my gaze away from Claire for no reason. As I did, I spoke.

“If you’re sleepy, rest your eyes for a moment.”

I rested my shoulder on Claire’s head, which seemed almost about to lean or speak. Yes, this was better if I wanted to distract myself. Although I had repeatedly vowed in my mind, I absolutely didn’t want to be laid down. Yesterday’s incident was simply unavoidable.

“Hmm. It would be nice if Marianne could treat us with that light again. It really made fatigue vanish last time.”

“Please don’t think of it as a fatigue recovery potion for the Colonel.”

Claire didn’t respond. The only sound that filled the silence was her breathing. By now, I had grown somewhat accustomed to it. It was nothing compared to when I first held her waist in the dark forest or when she collapsed from magical exhaustion and nestled into my arms on horseback.

Claire leaned on my shoulder and slept deeply until noon.

#

Seeing Lieutenant Gerald after a long time, he was still just a communication officer. He seemed completely indifferent to such treatment. Was there satisfaction in simply carrying out the role of a messenger, without participating in battles or serving as a staff officer? If so, did he really need to hold the rank of an officer?

“From the survivor of Saint Marg’s, Marianne Roche, formerly known as Delphine’s Jean D’Arc. I have two pieces of news for you. Good and bad. Which one do you want to hear first?”

“I’ll start with the good news.”

“You’ve been ordered to Paris. It’s a command from His Majesty the King!”

“Uh, what?”

The phrase “Extradition to Paris for the Saint Pretender” flashed through my mind. So, the bad news must be that going to Paris is like going to face a trial! I waited for Lieutenant Gerald’s next words, swallowing hard.

“Oh, why do you look so pale? It’s because it’s His Majesty’s order, isn’t it? You’re nervous because of that. Don’t worry. I didn’t call you here to reprimand you! I called for the direct Magic Infantry Battalion of the Delphine Defense Corps.”

Phew. Indeed, that’s a relief. At least, the trial has been avoided. Claire, who was waiting alongside me for the Lieutenant’s words, asked.

“The direct battalion still has missions to carry out here. Why were they called?”

“That’s the bad news. Don’t be surprised. I was shocked when I heard this news too.”

Another gulp.

“Paris has been attacked.”

“What? By whom?”

“By those monsters. Fortunately, the Etlu Palace is unharmed, but regardless of nobles or commoners, many have died. Princess Renée managed to at least subdue the monsters, but…”

[Rene Princess? I understand she’s a figure in the royal family, but it was the first time I’d heard that name. How did she organize the monsters? If Rene Princess claims to have organized the attack that took place in Paris, guarded by the Royal Guards and numerous soldiers, it must mean she handled it politically or administratively, right?

“Marianne, so to speak. Don’t you know about Rene Princess? Your expression says it all. I’ll tell you this once, so listen well.”

The third princess, the foremost mage of the Kingdom of Francia. Perhaps the foremost mage on the continent of Europa. At just twenty years old, three years older than me and one year younger than Claire. Anyway, such an extraordinary person is protecting the Francian royal family and Paris. I wondered if our going there would make any difference. My question was instead voiced by Claire.

“Since Princess Rene is there, is it necessary for our battalion to go?”

“Haha, Major Claire. The atmosphere in the capital isn’t good. It’s the nobles’ main opinion that the recent turmoil in Paris is due to the excessive deployment of forces from the Delphine Legion.”

“Is that so…?”

“But isn’t it impossible to call back the legion? It seems they want the unit that played a pivotal role in the victory of the battle three days ago to visit the capital and show respect.”

I couldn’t think of any instance where an entire unit that achieved a significant feat in battle would be called back to the rear. It wouldn’t be just for that reason. We’d find out once we got there, but it felt uneasy.

“In any case, it’s an order we can’t refuse, Lieutenant.”

I shrugged my shoulders in response. As I did, Gerald, as usual, continued speaking with a shrug.

“That’s right. Oh, and there’s one more piece of bad news.”

“Yes?”

“It seems the commander is quite displeased with Marianne’s arbitrary interpretation of orders.”

No, that old goat! I thought he was a seasoned veteran, barely escaping Sasha’s clutches to report the information. Was he just an old fogey? He should have issued a sensible order from the start.]

“Originally, it would have been a disciplinary action, but after the rumors about the achievements in the last battle and the return of General Jandark, it seems like they are treading carefully. I heard that the Central Division is going to convene a disciplinary committee after returning from Paris. Well, let’s see how this goes.”