episode_0024

Swoosh.

Sasha gently scratched the black nape of her warhorse, Alexander, who had traversed numerous battlefields with her, but now seemed unusually tense. Her soothing gesture was meant to calm him, yet Sasha herself remained tensely poised.

She didn’t believe the words of Marianne, the captive from the Kingdom of Francia. She thought it was a fanciful tale fit for believing children or those who still believed in bogeymen even into their twenties.

However, the countless merfolk she had seen on the fields of the Delfine River under the moonlight made Sasha unable to disbelieve. The sight of that monster made Marianne’s warning flash through Sasha’s mind.

The nests of those creatures were in the Sangmarg and the Black Forest. Deciding that they could no longer loiter within Francian territory, she immediately turned the horse’s head toward the homeland.

There was no time to spare, not even to retrieve the infantry division defeated at the Delfine River. From the outset, she had no intention of saving them and sending them back home. The only unit she could trust was the Spearhead Infantry Division, her own private army. She regretted not heeding Marianne’s warning sooner as she led the Spearhead Infantry Division away from the Black Forest and into the territory of the homeland.

As they neared the Black Forest, monsters began appearing in the fields, and upon entering the homeland’s farmland, it had become completely eroded.

The homeland was vast. Not as expansive as the Kingdom of Francia, but substantial enough to fit within five fingers on the map of the Europa continent. However, most of the land was barren, with little grain production concentrated mainly in the western part of the territory. Due to this scarcity of grain, the homeland had been engaged in a continuous nerve-wracking conflict with the Kingdom of Francia.

Yet, all the precious farmlands that Sasha and the Spearhead Infantry Division were heading towards had been eroded. The wheat fields were covered in a black mucus-like substance, and there was no sign of people or livestock, not even a single bone.

After running for several days, Sasha reached the conclusion that over 90% of the farmland in the Muscovy Empire had vanished, and if it didn’t recover by the next sowing, the empire would collapse.

Looking at the monsters in front of her and the Changgi Legion, she could tell how this slime covering the ground had been created.

Dozens, even hundreds of monsters were turning into slime, gradually melting like ice cream before merging with the slime.

She paused her hand that had been calming Alexander. When giving orders to the Changgi Legion, she had always done so with just a whip or gesture. It had been enough, and saying little had seemed imposing. But now, Sasha was not satisfied with that level of control. She was a patriot loyal to the empire, regardless of what others outside or within the nobility might think. At least that’s how she saw herself.

“Sweep away those who defile the empire’s soil!”

A thousand Black Demons immediately charged forward. A thousand riders lowered their postures, firmly securing a thousand cavalry spears, drawing a resounding line.

Clang, thud!

It sounded like shells dropping. The monsters that came into contact with the black spearheads exploded. While not as heavy as the armored cavalry charge of the Frankia Kingdom’s past, Sasha’s Changgi Legion had their own unique spears.

These were remnants of the officially banned mage hunting in the empire. These cavalry spears, made from refining magical cores extracted from mages, had been used for centuries. Their supply was scarce, so when losses occurred, they naturally hunted mages.

“Indeed, returning to dust. Major Nikolai!”

“At your command.”

“I will give half of the Changgi Legion. Thoroughly prevent this damn slime from further encroaching on the empire’s land.”

“Then, will you be returning to Muscovy, sir?”

“Yes.”

Sasha was lost in thought as she watched Lieutenant Nikolai heading in the opposite direction with the 500th Spearhead Division. The malicious nobles of the capital, who held Ivan’s artillery under their control. She wanted to diminish their influence for the good of the Muscovian Empire, but now was not the time.

First, she had to give a briefing on the ongoing events at the Franquia-Moskovi border. She had told Lieutenant Nikolai to prevent further contamination, but she didn’t know how to deal with the already tainted land herself.

What remained untainted was the vast farmland east of the Delpine River. Securing that was the surest way for the Muscovian Empire to survive. The only problem was the capital’s nobles, always obstructing her path, incompetent fools who knew nothing but exploiting peasants and soldiers.

There was also an unresolved question. When she plundered Franquian territory east of the Delpine River or hastily returned after the Battle of the Delpine, there was no sign of this contamination in the Franquian Kingdom’s territory. So why did this sticky wave, originating from the Black Forest, spread so quickly?

Her head throbbed. Just a while ago, when she heard about the complete annihilation of the border defense forces in the Black Forest, she had thought it would be a simple operation, just a matter of giving those Franquian pigs a good thrashing. But it had already grown too big. Sasha didn’t think she couldn’t handle it. If not her in the Muscovian Empire, then who else could handle it? The answer to that question was always Sasha, no one else.

Sasha brushed off the dust of the monster on her spear. Looking at the faded black blade, Marianne came to mind. She would have made an excellent blade for herself.

#

“Did you call me to stick me in the palace?”

The Etlu Palace was magnificent. Unlike its plain white exterior, the interior boasted marble floors, outrageously ornate chandeliers, and walls and ceilings adorned with paintings. The furniture and armor placed in the corridors were so expensive that one couldn’t even begin to guess their worth.

The spacious room where the Magic Division members were gathered was splendid in every way. The large table was filled with dishes never before seen or tasted by the soldiers, leaving them no time to complain, but I was dissatisfied.

Frederic Montoire, the Viscount, whom I met at the end of the palace garden, appeared to be a wise and scholarly middle-aged man. At first glance, he seemed more like a quiet scholar who had returned to his hometown rather than the actual ruler of the Kingdom of Francia. However, seeing his sly smile sent shivers down my spine. It resembled Auguste’s smile, yet it felt twisted.

“Where are you going, Lieutenant?”

“To find the Captain.”

“Are you allowed to wander around the palace as you please?”

“Do you think they’d kill a victorious soldier?”

I roughly answered Kilian’s question and left the room. Endless corridors stretched out on either side. Although I confidently stepped out, I had no idea where to go to find Claire.

She had gone in a different direction from us. While the Magic Division members headed towards the room with the buffet under the guidance of the servants, she followed her father, Frederic, somewhere else. Claire didn’t seem happy despite the prospect of meeting her father after a long time.

“There doesn’t seem to be anyone to guide us.”

Normally, there would be a servant waiting inside the room or by the door, but not a single one was in sight. I thought all palaces were like that, but maybe not all of them.

I memorized the painting and furniture in front of the door so I could find my way back and headed left for now. The place was so vast that it seemed easy to get lost if I just kept walking.

“Excuse me…”

I hadn’t met anyone while wandering around the palace. I saw busy officials and patrolling guards. I wondered how many maids and manservants I had encountered.

No one was in sight near the room where the Magic Division stayed. However, after walking for about ten minutes from there, I saw many people and felt a lively atmosphere. It felt like the servant had led us astray.

However, having many people around didn’t mean that there were many who would answer my questions. The palace guards remained silent, while the maids and servants were snickering knowingly. I must have looked quite comical. Even though I had changed into a completely ruined military uniform from Granbier, I still looked shabby.

“Who’s there! Who brought this thing into the palace! Get rid of it immediately.”

Startled by the sharp voice coming from behind me, I turned around. A blonde girl in a pastel-toned dress with a sapphire necklace was pointing at me with her long finger. How could she say such a thing upon seeing a person?

“I don’t know who you are, but isn’t that a bit harsh?”

In a moment of anger, I spoke without thinking, unaware that the situation would escalate so quickly. My heart sank. I had made a mistake! At the same time, I belatedly realized that I was currently in the heart of the Etlu Palace, the center of the Francian Kingdom.

Chaos ensued around me. People were either shooting me looks of disdain or signaling that I was in big trouble. Almost everyone was doing so. Judging by the reactions, the girl, who seemed to hold a very high position, flipped her finger that had been pointing at me, gesturing for me to come closer. I didn’t make the foolish mistake of approaching further. I wanted to climb the social ladder, live comfortably, and prosper.

As I approached, she prodded at my clothes with her ornate fan, inspecting me closely. Then, using the fan, she lifted my chin and examined me further.

“Are you a spy for the Gonguk?”

In an instant, all the palace guards surrounding us encircled me. Unconsciously, I raised my hands.

“A spy! There’s a limit to catching innocent people!”

Ironically, as someone who had been captured by the Gonguk’s Spearmaidens and escaped, such words were not only disappointing but also humiliating. Moreover, did they not recognize the distinct aroma of veteran tea emanating from this Francian-style magical infantry uniform?

“I can smell something fishy in your magic power. Can’t believe you’re not a spy for the Gonguk.”

“I wanted to argue that I might stink because I couldn’t wash, but her serious expression prevented me from speaking out.”

“I am Marian Rousse, a member of the Delphine Corps who rushed here upon receiving His Majesty’s summons!”

Her expression changed from boredom at the mention of receiving His Majesty’s summons. Thankfully, her suspicious gaze shifted away. Even though it seemed a bit overdone, I felt it was better to clearly state my affiliation.

“Oh, you’re one of the magical infantry in the front. Guards, go and take care of it. Don’t make the atmosphere too hostile.”

The guards surrounding me scattered without hesitation at a single word, reminding me of how Sasha used to command her subordinates like limbs.

“Hmm, I heard the first victorious unit was coming, but it’s nothing special, is it? Their magic power is pathetic.”

Although the Parisian defense forces achieved victory, strictly speaking, the 7th Bridge Battle was a little earlier, so the title of the first victory fell to the Delphine Corps.

I was getting irritated by the nagging remarks, but this time, I managed to keep my temper in check. There were few who could freely maneuver the guards, except for a few key figures in the royal court, excluding exceptions like Sasha. So, the girl in front of me, who was looking down on me…

“Marian!”

It was Claire’s cheerful voice. It was like a ray of light in this uncomfortable atmosphere. I wonder if the conversation with her father went well. Claire seemed pleased to see me, smiling at first, then widening her eyes as she looked at the girl next to me.

“Princess René!”

Hah, Princess René? Is this the same incredibly arrogant princess that Lieutenant Gerald described? And the first impression left on such an incredible person is that of a mere servant. It felt like my goal of being nonchalantly sent from the rear had just moved a step further away.