episode_0027

The flag of the Delphine Corps’ Lily Emblem Battalion, which was commissioned by the royal family, was indeed displayed at the royal palace. At the peak of the banquet, His Majesty the King presented a new Lily Crest, more splendidly embroidered than its predecessor.

The lily motif had grown larger, adorned with stems and other flowers around it. The previous numeral “1” had disappeared, replaced instead by muskets and halberds crossing to guard the lily emblem.

The rewards did not end there. Cler and each platoon leader were promoted to 1st rank, and the corps members were given substantial silver coins. Moreover, they were no longer under the command of the Delphine Corps’ battalion but had become an independent unit.

Losing a formidable magical infantry battalion like this was a blow to the Delphine Corps, but this decision came from the Army Command. It seemed that they felt the need to slightly disperse the corps’ strength, as battles were no longer confined to the Delphine River alone.

Furthermore, it appeared that they deemed 16 members, the size of an independently operating unit, too few, so three platoons, totaling 15 magical infantry, were augmented. Given that Commander Cler had now been promoted to Major, this was an appropriate gesture.

“The Royal Magical Corps…”

At this juncture, the royal family was entering a phase of establishing their own power, asserting that they could no longer be swayed by the Montuar family. The Royal Magical Corps would likely be the first step in this process, except it was ironic that the leader of the corps was from the Montuar family.

“Wait, ‘Royal’?”

If it was royal, wouldn’t it ultimately be entwined with Princess Rene? She was already known to be an exceptional mage, so the royal family might find some excuse to replace Cler with Rene as the head of the corps.

Given their less than favorable first impression of each other, if the corps leader were to be replaced, it could very well block my path to success. Whether it was due to the chilling thought or the shivering cold night wind, I found myself trembling.

The banquet ended successfully. I hastily brushed off the incident where I grabbed Claire’s wrist and left, claiming it was to report on urgent military matters.

Marquis Marcel showed no further interest in me, nor did he approach Claire. Instead, he spent more time with other noblewomen, and his previous arm-in-arm gestures seemed merely a display for his fiancée. Did I overreact?

Despite feeling sore and exhausted after spending hours in uncomfortable attire at the banquet hall, I couldn’t immediately retire to my room.

I had to return to the battlefield tomorrow. I didn’t yet know where, but it wouldn’t be Paris. It was already late at night, but I felt an urge to wander around Paris.

“Just wear the dress… whatever.”

I wondered how many times I would wear such a dress. More than that, it was too much trouble to call the maids to help me remove it. The high-heeled boots and the uncomfortable narrowing skirt had become somewhat bearable by now.

Paris suited the term “city of lights.” Despite the absence of streetlights in this era, torches and magical stones illuminated Paris brightly. Even though it was late at night, soldiers were on guard or patrolling, yet the citizens of Paris did not give up their daily lives.

Numerous outdoor tables hosted as many drinking sessions, and the shops seemed open until late. The procession of carriages carrying nobles and officials back to their mansions after the banquet caused a modern traffic jam on the streets. Truly, it was a city that never slept.

Some recognized my uniform and offered salutes. Given the recent attack by insurgents, there was a special regard for the soldiers. Some street vendors even offered free food. I had to decline, feeling too full already.

“Hmm?”

I witnessed a perplexing scene while enjoying the Parisian night. It was only her back, but it was unmistakably Princess René. The haughty princess who had demanded I leave immediately because I was “a little too nosy.”

She was walking the streets of Paris. Even if one were to look favorably upon it, it couldn’t be called a clean street. And she was alone, without any attendants? I wondered if she might be someone else, so I approached a bit closer, but there was no mistaking it was her. The only difference was that her attire was much, much simpler than what I had seen at the palace.

“Maybe I should follow her for a bit.”

Perhaps I could uncover the secret of this powerful sorceress and princess. Having something like that might serve as a useful defense, given our less-than-pleasant initial encounter.

René purchased a few items from the shops. She seemed to be on friendly terms with the shopkeeper, engaging in conversation. I couldn’t quite make out what they were saying, and I wanted to get closer, but my clothes stood out too much, and I might have been noticed.

As she strolled down the street humming a tune, a hand suddenly shot out from an alley and pulled her inside. Even a remarkable sorceress could be vulnerable when caught off guard, and an attack from an unexpected direction could be fatal. Thinking I might earn some points by helping René, I dashed into the alley.

The scene inside was completely different from what I had anticipated. I had expected her to at least put up a fight if she were ambushed, being as renowned a sorceress as she was rumored to be. But she wasn’t fighting back at all; René was cowering on the ground, her eyes filled with fear, as she stared at the dagger being thrust toward her.

“Princess!”

A full-force body blow, empowered by magic, is quite potent. I was in such a tense situation that I couldn’t even think about mounting a proper defense. After being sent rolling several meters by the body blow, the figure in the black mask of darkness bounced up from the recoil and soon vanished into the shadows.

René looked at me with a bewildered expression. There were so many things I wanted to ask, but for now, she took my offered hand and I helped her to her feet.

“Ugh!”

Stumbling as if she had twisted her ankle, she limped. Internally clicking her tongue, I supported her and spoke.

“Princess, how can you wander alone without any attendants?”

“I, I have my reasons.”

“You nearly got into big trouble. What about the recent attack? An assassin sent from the enemy kingdom?”

She didn’t respond to any of my questions. At that moment, a movie from my past life came to mind. Asking such questions was incredibly rude, but I couldn’t just let this curiosity go unanswered.

“Perhaps… you’re not the princess?”

“W-what? How dare you!”

“Clearly, Princess René is a high-level mage. Rumor has it she wouldn’t just passively endure. Furthermore, yesterday’s princess had a different temperament. There was no hint of weakness. So, the conclusion is… you are not the princess. Who are you?”

“I am René Valon de Francia, the Third Princess! How dare you doubt me!”

Forcing her body upright with her sprained ankle, she then, with textbook-like breath control, loudly declared her name and identity. Yet, I was convinced. She wasn’t the René I knew.

“A person can’t completely change in just one day. Reveal your true identity. Or do you want to be executed for impersonating royalty?”

“Insolent! You brat!”

“Just say you’re Princess René’s stand-in. It’s too obvious.”

“…Sigh, don’t tell anyone else.”

As expected. A stand-in.

“So, what about the assassin? They seemed too amateur to target the real Princess René.”

Seemingly unable to maintain her posture after being exposed, she leaned on me again.

“The story is a bit long, but I’ll tell you once we get to my place.”

If she’s a royal stand-in, they usually reside within the palace. Having them stay outside poses too great a risk of exposure.

She revealed herself as Jojet and was planning to visit her original home for the last time. While doing so, she encountered an assassin who knew she was a stand-in and claimed someone from the royal family had sent him. Probably someone at odds with Princess Rene. As someone still unfamiliar with the power games of the royal court, no one came to mind. Last night, Princess Rene came to Jojet and asked her to continue standing in for her for quite some time as there would be an extended absence from the palace.

“For quite some time? How long is quite some time?”

“Her Highness said it might take a few months when she visited late last night.”

A few months? Jojet was originally Rene’s stand-in, spending time in hidden chambers of the complex palace, slipping out on Rene’s behalf or performing stand-in duties when needed. However, having to do this for several months was unprecedented. So, where could Princess Rene be going, leaving the palace empty for months without a word?

“She didn’t mention where she was going?”

“No, she didn’t say anything.”

Sigh. Somehow, a foreboding feeling crept over her.