Problems Within The Empire
『Kana! I’ll definitely return you to the original world!』
“I wonder what was that about……”
This place is the inside the Regalia Empire’s Imperial Castle. I’m lying on the bed in the room prepared for my use; there’s nothing in particular to do, and I’m just lying around.
It has been two months since the war with the Nanor Kingdom. We, who were rescued by Gargante-san, managed to barely escape with our lives.
I also managed to save Ijuuin and the others, who were quite seriously injured and were hovering between life and death, with my Healing Magic. If I didn’t have『The One Who Heals』, I think neither their arms nor their legs would’ve regenerated.
I think there were less than three thousand Regalia troops that managed to escape to the Imperial Capital. Against the Nanor troops, that approach from behind, and the allied troops, that appear from various places, all we could do was run away.
His Majesty was furious when he saw us returned in disgrace, but the Prime Minister mediated, saying that it is not the time for that now, so we went unpunished at that time, and were immediately sent back to the front lines.
However, the allied troops’ attacks were ferocious, and they occupied a third of the Regalia Empire. Although we managed to restrain the invasion somehow at that point, if we fought any more, let alone the remaining territory, Regalia Empire itself will be in danger, the Prime Minister says.
His Majesty, his face had gone past being red and turned purple in anger, but he decided on a ceasefire. Although the Regalia Empire against Nanor Kingdom’s war, had turned into the Regalia Empire against Five Nation Alliance Army, the war concluded with Regalia Empire’s defeat.
Although the war ended, it became about the defeated country’s compensation this time around. It seems the representatives of the respective countries came and had a discussion at the Imperial Capital.
The result of that was, to compensate money to the Celia Kingdom, Forest Falia Kingdom, and the Runwalker March, and cede the land occupied by the Worvest Kingdom, Arcadia State, and the Nanor Kingdom.
Because of that, the Regalia Empire’s national strength ended up falling quite a bit than before the war.
Taking responsibility for the defeat against the Nanor Kingdom, General Gregorius and his subordinates were executed. We were shaking, thinking that maybe we might be executed as well, but because he doesn’t wish for the military strength to decline any further, us Hero group had no punishment.
It has been two months since those jam-packed days, and I still can’t forget those words even now.
The silver-haired youngster that I encountered at the Nanor Kingdom. It should’ve been my first time meeting that person at that time. However, that youngster had a vibe like he knows me.
Honestly, I’m not interested in any man other than Hayato-niisan. Besides, the feelings inside of me hadn’t settled down yet either. I had just, buried it within the depths of my heart because there’s the war.
Nevertheless. That youngster ends up stuck in my head no matter what. I wonder why……. His final words. Those words are stuck deep in my heart. It’s a voice that cares for me, even though we should be strangers.
“Haa, I don’t get it”
As I’m thinking about such things, there’s a knock on the door. When I get up from the bed and open the door
“……Mari”
Mari was standing at the corridor. I wonder what’s the matter?
“Kana-min. His Majesty is summoning everybody”
His Majesty is? Even though ever since that war, we hadn’t really been summoned other than to report on the war. I wonder what’s wrong?
“I got it. Let’s go then”
“Uh-huh”
Mari and I walk side by side. However, we didn’t even speak a word. It’s not that we don’t get along. Experiencing something like that, both Mari and I are exhausted emotionally.
If I say something like that, the soldiers will probably get angry at me. However, we originally came from a world without war. That experience gave us more unseeable wounds than we had thought.
In such a manner, we silently arrived at the audience room. When we were prompted by the soldiers and went inside, everybody of the Hero group other than us was present.
Furthermore, the princes and princesses. Imperial Prince Clift and Lucy who normally wouldn’t be around were also there. How rare. However, Lucy’s expression is somewhat gloomy……is it my imagination?
We too kneel behind the Hero group. After confirming that everybody is present, they have His Majesty enter. And then
“Raise your heads”
We raise our heads at those words. Although His Majesty is sitting in the throne, he didn’t have as much spirit as before.
“Here you are, Heroes. I summoned you people because, a messenger from Nanor came in regard to the matters of the recent war”
A messenger from the Nanor Kingdom. I wonder if something happened.
“First, the rest of the Heroes who were held captive in Nanor, Jin, Madarame, Tadashi, Satou, Susumu, Tanaka, Kai, Shimizu, had apparently been sent to the mines as criminal slaves. However, Kai and Shimizu alone were changed to being sold to a brothel”
We were lost for words at what he said. It’s a piece of happy news that they were not killed, but to be sent the mines…….. Shimizu-kun was sold to a brothel. We’d have been sold to a brothel too if we had been captured……. I couldn’t stop shaking when I think about that.
“After that, annoyingly, it seems all the territory the Empire ceded will become the Nanor Kingdom’s domain. It seems the Arcadia and Worvest turned it down. They also dispatched the Nanor Kingdom’s First Princess, Alexia・Nanor, as the magistrate”
“In that case is it not also possible to take the land back?”
At His Highness’ words, a certain General comments. However, His Highness shakes his head at those words.
“That will probably be difficult. Nanor’s troops are now still at the border of the territory that became Nanor’s domain and the current Regalia Empire. Furthermore, Worvest and Arcadia’s borders are also within that territory. If we attack, those two countries will probably send reinforcement immediately. If it comes down to that, it probably won’t end with a cessation this time around”
At His Majesty’s words, the General ends up going silent.
“Furthermore, the problem is the fact that that magistrate, Princess Alexia, is engaged”
……? I wonder what the problem with the fact that Princess Alexia is engaged is? As I’m listening to it blindly
“Her fiance is, as it was also stated in Gargante’s intel, a youngster called the Lightning Emperor. How truly annoying. For him to be crowned an Emperor like me”
“It is a possibility, but I suppose this turning down of the cessation had also been discussed between the three countries. For the sake of handing that territory to that fiance”
“I suppose. That youngster seems to be engaged to the First Princess of Worvest, and the First Princess of Arcadia as well after all”
……it’s like some kind of a novel huh. There were also similar stories in the novels that Nii-san had though. But, I understood from the word ‘youngster’ and lightning. That it’s the youngster I encountered that time.
That ferocious Magic, and that overwhelming air of intimidation. I couldn’t stop shaking just from standing in front of him. Even when I ask Mari, who’s good in Magic, she says she doesn’t know about that Magic.
“It is a truly annoying subject, but it’s a man to the extent that Gargante fears. It is probably better not to make enemies with him with the current national strength. I want to win him over if possible”
“The three countries probably won’t keep quiet about it. I hear that he is originally the child of Margrave Runwalker after all”
“As I thought, for the sake of not making enemies with him”
“It cannot be helped”
The conversation between His Majesty and the Prime Minister advances without our knowledge. And then
“Second Imperial Princess, Luciana・Regalia-sama, to the front”
“……hah”
With the Prime Minister’s voice, Lucy goes in front of His Majesty. And then she kneels before His Majesty
“Luciana. I will betroth you to Nanor Kingdom’s Levielt・Runwalker. This is for the sake of the country”
“……understood”
“Wha!”
We were surprised by His Majesty’s unexpected words. And then, the one who’s the most surprised amongst us is, of course, Takumi-kun. It isn’t strange since he was engaged to Lucy.
“Nanor’s side probably doesn’t want to stir up any trouble either now. They shouldn’t refuse this. Send a messenger to Nanor. Luciana, you will prepare so that you can set off at any time”
“I understand”
His Majesty then went off. I couldn’t do anything but look at Takumi-kun, who’s grasping his hands so tightly that he’s bleeding.
◇◇◇
“Tsk, that old fool. Getting all timid”
“It can’t be helped. That was quite a horrible opponent. Besides, there’s also the Sword Saint in Nanor after all”
“It’s to the extent that you go that far huh. I shall keep an eye out. And how is Aniue‘s assassination?”
“The preparations are done. Ready at any time”
“Alright. Good grief, even though it’d have been great if he died in the war as well. Making work for me. Let’s conveniently use Takumi Kaidou, who was Luciana’s fiance. If it’s him, he probably bears hatred for the Imperial Family since his engagement was broken, and on top of that, they used Luciana in politics. If we blame it onto him……”
