Alice Tale in Phantasmagoria

Interlude　Sacrament Invasion Battle (Before)

「――?」

I suddenly, turned toward the western sky as it caught my interest .
The faint madder color of the evening sun stabs through the gaps in the cloudy sky, my chest grows meaninglessly tight .
I wonder if the unit at the western national border is, completing its mission smoothly?

「……Master-sama?」

I suddenly stopped my horse so, the Fleurety that’s riding with me like I’m carrying her looks up with a curious seeming face .

「Eclair-sama? Is something the matter?」

The 2nd unit’s vice-captain――Noa follows after while bringing her horse over .
The wind blowing over the plains sways our hair, the horse’s neigh resounds across the land .
Wondering what it could be, the members of the 2nd unit that Alice entrusted to me gathered to me .

「Ah, uun . It’s nothing at all . 」

One month has pa.s.sed, since we separated from Alice’s group .
In the opposite direction from everyone fighting the commonwealth in the west, Eclair’s group is advancing to the east .
The mission regards the Sacrament disturbance .
It’s very important .
The troops borrowed for that purpose are Alice’s 2nd unit and, 5000 knights from Krancesca’s personal force .
However much it’s said that Sacrament’s main force has been deployed, their military force is too low .
The reality is that this isn’t the occasion to be worrying about others isn’t it .

「Then let’s hurry . Sacrament’s main force is currently deployed to the kingdom . There’s no chance of victory, except while princess-denka’s group holds out . 」
「That’s so isn’t it……Since it’ll be mortifying, if our side doesn’t fulfill our role won’t it . 」

I drove the tumult in my chest out by shaking my head .
It’s distracting .
I make my horse that had stopped its legs, gallop to the east once more .
As if surrounding me, everyone came along .

「Be rea.s.sured, Eclair-sama . We definitely won’t let Eclair-sama die . Because you-sama are, a special ent.i.ty to ojousama . 」

I didn’t intend to show that expression but, perhaps my focus was shaken .
Be that as it may……

「What are saying with special and such……It’s normal you know, normal!」

Ma, maa……it’s fine to give acknowledgement that Alice’s side is firmly in love with Eclair?
Fleurety’s cheeks are puffed .
I wonder if she still has reservations about Alice?

「Ah～, more importantly . This means the location to meet up with our reinforcements is, fine at the mountainous area up ahead?」
「There’s no mistake . We’ve already handled As.h.i.taka kingdom’s request, under princess-denka . 」
「Fu～n」

Krancesca iss it……
Surely it’s due to Alice irregardless though?
Speaking of As.h.i.taka kingdom, that’s also where that child had to deal with a huge issue on her own .
……I don’t know what they came here for though .

「It’s unreasonable to arrive today either way isn’t it . Let’s make camp for today, in front of the forest after this . Inform everyone . 」
「Ha, acknowledged . 」

At Noa’s signal, the message ran through the force .
Seriously……even though I don’t like commanding troops .
Things like status or position, it’s fine to choose those sorts of things via ability without involving such things but, it really is also a reality that the morale of the soldiers on the fringes changes with just that .
To think that a position like a princess-sama of Sacrament would serve a role in such a place, it’s something you wouldn’t expect isn’t

it .
I’m just being carried as palanquin whether now or in the past .
It don’t know if the intent is the right resource in the right place but……

「Fun……But Alice sent us out so that everyone could survive so, I have to answer that don’t I . 」

I try poking Fleurety’s puffed cheeks .
It’s amusing how the air comes out .
That’s so you know .
Isn’t there no way we’ll die .
That point, I wonder if she understands that, that death seeking dwarf――

◇■◇■◇

Having finished the activities planned for the day, the force was enjoying a moment of respite having finished preparing for camp .
The role of illumination changed from sun to torch, our meals are prepared and pleasant chatter can be heard from the soldiers drinking together by the swaying light sources .
As the unit is released from its tension and surrounded by a sense of security for the nonce, this side also ends up feeling rea.s.sured by looking at that .
We’re still just a little, distant from the battlefield .
Since it’s a waste to be constantly tense from here on .

「Master-sama, I came with fruit . 」

Retty came over, with short childish strides .
She came offering out a single rinal .
She apparently went and bothered the cook, this troublesome dragon-chan .

「Thank you Retty . But please eat it yourself . You’re in a growth period right?」

It’s a mystery just how much dragons eat but, since this child eats a lot .
Is Ilya also as such?
While I said that, kukyuu, that adorable stomach bug raised its voice .

「Fufu, see it’s telling you to hurry and give it over you know?」
「……I’m sorry . 」
「That’s not right is it . 」
「Un……Thank you, I’ll take this . 」

Yosh yosh, this is the result of my teachings isn’t it～ .
Not knowing how to say it I stroke the head of the self punishing Retty .
Narrowing her eyes while seeming pleased, Retty bit into the rinal .

「Go ahead Eclair-sama, please eat as well . This is today’s provisions . Though I have nothing to say in its defense if it’s lacking . 」

Noa smiled as she carried two soups, eat a lot, she also distributed it to Retty with that .
There’s also 2 buns of bread with that .

「Thank you, Noa . I’ll partake――――?」

A moment of nausea like the soup’s smell stunk came surging up, when it was presented .

「……Huh?」

……I can’t endure this!
I rejected the soup a moment later and, it flew into the nearby thicket .

「U――eeee! Aee……!」

Wha, what……?
Something like my physical condition being that bad……I wouldn’t think that though……?
As much as I was feeling that it had become empty within my stomach, I scattered vomit into the thicket .

「――Haa, haa……this is the worst . 」

Retty and Noa came jumping over with pale complexions, as if I’d caused them to worry .

「Master-sama!」
「Eclair-sama! How is your body!?」
「……It’s alright so, you’re making too much of this . Because it kind of just felt a little bad . It’ll recover with sleep okay . 」

Ah～ I feel bad .
I say my thanks for the thoughtful act when Noa brought water and, wash my mouth .

「Are you really alright Eclair-sama? I’m, a novice but I am an aspiring medical magician . It’s possible if it’s a

a simple examination . 」
「Tha, that so?」
「Hai . There are a small number in ojousama’s mansion that engage in healing with myself included so, I was thinking I want to increase that after this . 」
「Thank you . I believe it isn’t anything major but……perhaps I’ll request it, just to be sure . 」

To think such a thing as that there would be a medical magician, you can’t underestimate Alice’s mansion can you .
That means this child is the 2nd unit’s vice-captain as well as their medical magician then .
A rather scarce human resource isn’t that .
……For something like such a child to accompany Eclair, was it Ilya?
Seriously, should I say that child meddles too much already .

「Master-sama, your body isn’t well? Has this side, taken too much magic power……?」
「That’s wrong, don’t underestimate me Retty . Something like the magic power apportioned to you is a quant.i.ty easier than going for a walk you know . 」

That isn’t acting strong, it’s true .
As such, this poor bodily condition is still a mystery .

「You have a position with responsibility so, you may have been tired out to that extent I guess . Now then we’ll do the examination in the tent . I’ll look at your body’s condition with magic so, please take it easy . 」
「Eei, thank you . 」

Since there shouldn’t be anything lacking in the medical goods we prepared……Maa, surely it isn’t something to make that much of a big deal out of though .
The smell of the food just happened to stink so, since it’s just to the extent that I felt like vomiting a little .
If I get to sleep early, surely there’ll be no problem tomorrow――

◇■◇■◇

We arrived at the meeting place .
Both sides are at the mountains dividing Wilmington and Sacrament’s borders .
The deep forest that continues to As.h.i.taka kingdom is in that s.p.a.ce .
The plains that that forest exits into are, our meeting place .
Releasing my flotation magic, I descend to the surface .
The Retty I was carrying also, hurriedly put her feet on the ground to end her scary journey through the sky .
Apparently she has a fear of heights .

「Fuu……always flying is, tiring isn’t it . 」

We traveled in the sky, from the campground to the meeting place .
It took a considerable expenditure of magic power .
This time was as tiring as doing a circuit around Alice’s mansion on my hands .

「Master-sama……is there, something this side could do?」
「It’s alright . I’m not that weak so, it’s fine if you don’t worry . 」

This child, she’s cowardly with Eclair so she’s p.r.o.ne to worry isn’t she .
Even though she’s confident and aggressive in front of Alice .
I can’t laugh though……

「Eclair-sama, you have done good work . How is your health?」
「Mo～, everyone’s doing this……it’s alright . I flew while being cautious . 」

After the s.p.a.ce of a moment, Noa’s group came galloping on horses .
The unit is advancing without delay .
Those not riding horses are, already a little tired though……

「As expected, it would have been better to have been supplied by the rear……」
「Having come this far, we can’t say that right . What would the people of the kingdom do? Surely they’re enduring while believing that Sacrament will crumble you know . 」
「However……」
「Our lives depending on this, is the same for everyone . Furthermore you see……even if she

if she doesn’t say it she feels Eclair is the most precious . 」

Just a little, I stroked my stomach .
Retty saw that while thinking that my stomach hurt and, came to stroke Eclair’s stomach like it was a serious matter .
It tickles .

「Look, we’ve already arrived you know . Surely this isn’t the occasion for an argument . 」

A formation is already laid out where the forest ends in front of us .

「…………I, I understand . 」

That’s a face for not understanding at all issn’t it～ .
As I slumped my shoulders, a messenger from As.h.i.taka kingdom hurriedly came over .
A large man in shin.o.bi attire clad in pure black, it seemed as if there was a time I’d seen him somewhere .

「Master-sama, protect……!」
「Snapping at him is no good okay, Retty . It’s fine so please fall back . 」

Seriously, perhaps I should have come here after leaving her with Rin?
However much I say that we’ve made a dragon contract, since she is a child isn’t she……
Watching such an exchange out of the corner of the eye, the morose large man made a greeting and came before my eyes .

「Undertaking the command for As.h.i.taka kingdom, I’m called Jin . Are you-dono the commander . 」

While I had thought he was the messenger, commander is he .
A grand matter .

「That’s right . Entrusted with Wilmington’s force, Eclair・Sacrament okay . 」

The black clad man, made a bewildered face .
Got you .

「Is there something?」
「Wilmington’s force is……by Sacrament’s own child?」
「Right, furthermore Sacrament’s invasion will advance from here . Amusing right?」

Wrinkles formed, around those eyebrows that I seem to have had the event of seeing somewhere .

「How absurd……no, since it could be said to be that person’s wish, perhaps I should nod even at this level of erraticity . 」

That person?

「Nn?」
「Mu?」

A soldier doing watch came running in, sooner than a question could be put to the lips .

「Excuse me! A message just came in from a scout that, an intercepting unit has been sent out from Sacrament’s territory! The number is around 20 thousand!」
「……That so, good work . Continue your watch . 」
「Haa . 」

Their intent is not to crush each of us but, to strike once we’ve a.s.sembled?
Is it the matter of it being bothersome to increase the number of sorties each time……

「……This means we’re being looked down on doesn’t it . 」
「It does seem that way . 」

But this is also a suitable place for this arrangement .
If this becomes a clash on these plains, the side with the advantage in numbers will win as long as there isn’t an extreme difference in military strength .
Even having met up our military strength is somewhere less than 10 thousand .

「……Please go say this to the soldiers in your place . Death is forbidden, until 1 person defeats 2 people . 」
「It’s basically fine even if it ends up being 10 people defeated right?」
「Haven’t you said it . I have high expectations of, the samurai of As.h.i.taka kingdom you know . 」

I suppose that’s acting cool like Alice, saying for n.o.body to die but……
It also has the vexation of a head that doesn’t have flowers blooming in it to that degree doesn’t it .

「We hold to duty and see virtue through . Return the favour that’s taken . Since there’s a debt of onedebt of one country’s existence . 」
「……」

Alice you, what might you have gone and done .

――――!?

「――Wait a moment, magic power is……something’s coming!」

The scouts overlooked it?
――No, is it faster than the information could arrive!
I look to the sky in Sacrament’s direction and, moments later that black speck came flying in before the eye .
What is inside that black flame is――

「Eclair, it’s been a while hasn’t it . 」
「Leoneil……」

My sibling with the same scarlet hair .
A silver haired girl, Leymia supported him and, Leoneil came down from the sky .
That was surprising……for him to suddenly come over here .
I was thoroughly convinced he was deployed to the kingdom under ojii-sama’s orders .

「What, is it possible that you’ve come to take the general’s head or such?」
「Haha, that’s what Alice-dono did before isn’t it? But that’s wrong you know . 」

Despite him saying as such, starting with Retty everyone around me is entering a battle ready posture .
This is overly reckless regardless even of how they’re Leoneil and Leymia .
There’s worth in listening to what they have to say for that very reason, is it .
Signaling with my eyes, I convey such that everyone around me won’t suddenly attack .
If we fight, sacrifices will result even if we don’t lose after all……though it’s frustrating .

「So, what are your conditions? Please stop your advance, won’t be listened to you know . 」

In that case, you all please stop invading first .

「That’s wrong Eclair . We also want to be added to this force――We, want to defeat Sacrament together . 」

My eyes shrunk to a point .

「Haaaaaaaaa!? Ano, the wondrous boy-chama, who always did as ojii-sama said, who is you is!?」
「Oi, watch your mouth you cursed princess demon eye holder . You’ll be killed . 」
「I won’t forgive……an affront towards master-sama . 」

Somehow a war is starting to occur next to me .

「……Just how did this come to pa.s.s . 」
「Un . It’s simple, because I believe, this will become something that saves Sacrament . 」

Pointlessly refreshing smile……
It seems he’s rather popular among girls but, I’m not good with this guy amm I .

「As always, for the country’s sake is it . Ma, that’s more believable than a poorly thought out reason though . 」

For the sake of Sacrament, is it .
To Eclair it’s a country that doesn’t have such things as feelings for the homeland bubbling up though……
It’s a place that should be protected to this person isn’t it .

「――It’s fine though . 」
「Oi!」
「Eclair-sama!」

Though I do understand the feelings that make Jin and Noa want to raise their voices to admonish me you see .
But well, since I know that this guy isn’t underhanded to that extent .
I feel that this isn’t a trap or the like……that might be naive though .

「In exchange, properly do it under Eclair! Under! We’ll have you be obedient to orders you understand?」
「I don’t mind, I vow on this Raikiri . 」

He gives his pledge while holding the magician slaying magic sword to the heavens .
Maa, frankly it’s good news that, the swordsmen who can match Shion in a duel have increased isn’t it .
It’s alright so long as we’re wary of danger right .
More importantly since now is the time of battle .
Please wait, since we’ll clean this up immediately and come to aid you――!