Altina the Sword Princess

Chapter 4

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Chapter 4

Chapter 4 Heading to the South

One week later——

Imperial Year 851, August 20th.

The Fourth Army led by Généralissime Marie Quatre Argentina de Belgaria set off from the Imperial Capital Versailles.

They were about 8,000 strong.

On top of the 500 cavalry and 4,000 infantry from Fort Volks, they were joined by 2,000 mercenaries and 1,500 regular soldiers hailing from the south.

The long lines of soldiers marched along the road.

Regis was seated inside a white carriage.

【… It has been a while.】

【Indeed.】

Clarisse was seated opposite him.

There were just the two of them at this time.

Altina was at the head of the formation, riding on her Karakara. Eddie and Eric was beside her as guards.

Abidal Evra led the cavalry that was to the front of the formation.

At the very back was the mercenary group 《Renard Pendu》. A contract had not been formalized with them yet.

They were merely tagging along because they believed Regis when he said the Mercenary King Gilbert will come to the south.

A week wasn’t enough to post a letter to Fort Volks and receive a reply. Even Regis wasn’t sure how Gilbert would reply, whether if he would accept.

The acting band leader Jessica and her 10 years old sister Martina travelled together.

Franziska still haven’t recovered because of dystrophia, and had to stay in the capital. Bastian was taking care of her.

Behind them——

Elise rode on another carriage.

On the battlefield, the guest had to stay in the rear while the strategist remained in the center—— that was the official reason he gave.

Regis who realized Elise’s true ident.i.ty was worried about others finding out who she was, and didn’t want her to know unnecessary information, so he quarantined her off.

Clarisse looked in the direction of the capital.

【She is very reluctant to see you go.】

【Hmm? Ahh, you mean Ms Fanrine. A lot has happened after all...】

Because she was traveling with Regis, she met in life threatening danger. Marked by a.s.sa.s.sins, soldiers bared their blades at them, and they travelled for several days in the treacherous hills.

Why didn’t Fanrine hate Regis?

Wasn’t that the biggest mystery?

How unfathomable.

Clarisse narrowed her eyes.

【Yes, a lot of things.】

【Yes.】

【Including crossdressing?】

【Ughh… I will be happy if you can forget about that.】

【If you want to erase my memory, than you will have to cover it up with even stronger ones, Sir Regis.】

【What do you want me to do, Ms Clarisse?】

【How about dressing up like a maid?】

【I’m not interested in crossdressing.】

【I’m just kidding.】

【I won’t wear skirts either.】

She probably guessed that Regis would answer this way, so Clarisse turned her gaze back to the window.

【… It’s a pity, I already made the preparation.】

【You’ve already made preparation!?】

He finally noticed that on the roof of the

white carriage where Altina’s personal belongings were stored, there was something else stashed there.

【A-Anyway… It’s great that Ms Fanrine joined the Généralissime Office. She is capable and has a wide social network.】

The Généralissime Office staff stayed in the capital for the mean time. After all, be it personnel, supplies or intel, all these would be centered around the capital.

The building within the palace where the Ministry of Military Affairs was using had been occupied by admin officers from Latreille’s First Army.

The Généralissime Office suddenly lost its base of operations… Right after this issue popped up, Gauchen found a mansion owned by a n.o.ble whose House was on the decline.

The Fourth Army’s administrative that would turn into chaos without Regis could finally operate normally.

They have hired about 150 ex-officers from the old Military Affairs Ministry. Most of them were commoners or n.o.bles who weren’t the first born, and all of them were young.

As the Ministry of Military Affairs had more than 2,000 staff, this number seemed really low. But since Gauchen said that this would be enough, he would leave it to him for now.

Regis also needed to learn how to utilize his subordinates.

He was a First Grade Admin Officer in the Imperial Empire, but he didn’t have any direct subordinates. Only retired officers and Regis was like this.

Clarisse returned her gaze back to Regis.

【By the way… have you sent a letter to your family?】

【It should be fine right? Speaking of which, have my brother-in-law Enzo went home yet?】

【No, he’s still in Fort Volks… At least he was when we set off.】

【Is that really fine? He had already left home for such a long time.】

【What about you, Sir Regis?】

Why is she asking again, is there any meaning behind this—— Regis thought.

After he splitted up with Altina, the notification that was sent to his sister was…

【Ah, was my killed in action notification sent to my sister!?】

Clarisse nodded.

Regis hugged his head. Did they sent her the body and personal effects too!? But they belonged to someone else!

【Oh no… I never thought about putting the affairs of my death in order. No, did anyone send her the notice that this is a mistake?】

【I wonder…?】

【Well, the ones who send out bereavement notification… is the Ministry of Military Affairs, which has been dissolved!?】

What about the pending jobs? The logistical supplies, promotions and a.s.signment had been taken over by the First Army and the Généralissime Office.

What about the cancelation of the bereavement notification!?

Regis broke out in cold sweat.

【I-I will be lectured! I can’t do anything about the mistake, but I didn’t contact her for over a week even though I was fine! P-Paper… Pen...】

【Over here, Sir Regis. Please calm down.】

【Y-Y-Yes.】

【There’s a saying in this world, ‘too little too late’.】

【That’s not a consolation at all!】

Regis imagined how he would be lectured the next time he meets his sister as he wrote swiftly inside the wobbling carriage.

Clarisse looked at him with a gentle smile.

【……】

【W-What is it?】

【I’m really glad that Sir Regis returned safe and sound.】

【The person you love to tease is back, so you won’t feel bored anymore right?】

【Ara… Even I will have times when I feel plainly happy. After all, the person I like a lot has returned safely.】

【You are saying such things again…】

Regis sighed.

This must be another trap. Regis adopted a defensive pose, but she was all smiles as she looked his way. In the end they were just looking at each other.

【Fufufu… What’s the matter, Sir Regis? If you want to have something sweet, I have some sugary snacks here.】

【Ah, no… Where’s the follow up?】

【It’s nothing. I’m just overjoyed that Sir Regis who I liked so much has returned safely.】

【Eh…】

【Does Sir Regis think it is a waste to be a little happy about meeting me again?】

【No no, that makes me happy too.】

【Well, I’m very glad to hear that.】

Even after waiting for a while, she didn’t follow up with any teasing words.

Clarisse’s cheek was dyed with a shade of red.

Regis’ face was heating up.

He felt bashful and returned his gaze to the letter. His hands were trembling, but that had nothing to do with the carriage shaking.

【Wait… Ms Clarisse… This is embarra.s.sing.】

【No. I was really worried about you, Sir Regis. I really like you.】

【Uwahh.】

He couldn’t write any further. Regis felt that his brain was a mess.

On the 3rd day of their journey to the south——

Noon.

There was a scout report.

A merchant with a caravan that came from the south wishes to meet with the army.

Regis crossed his arms.

【Hmm… We don’t have the time for trade negotiations… But since they came from the south, maybe we can gleam some intel about the war from them. Alright, we will meet them. Please tell the Princess that we will take a break for 30 minutes.】

【Understood!】

The messenger saluted.

After that, the merchant sent a message that they wish to visit the headquarters.

It seems like the other party just wanted to meet with Regis.

Even if it was a business negotiation, Altina will just tell Regis 【I will leave it to you】, and she was already tired from the march.

After a short wait, a lady walked forth from the midst of the troops.

Her hair that was as black as ink was draped over her black dress. Regis thought it would be a man since the visitor was a merchant, and didn’t expect such a young lady.

A young girl in a white dress followed behind her. She had a laced parasol in her hands to keep the bright sun from harming the lady’s skin. Since she wasn’t dressed like a maid, then that young girl was probably a servant.

The thing about her that was most unlike a merchant was her lack of any luggage.

The impression she gave was of a aristocratic lady out on a stroll. Why did the scouts report say that she was a merchant from a caravan?

She pulled aside the veil before her face, and her eyes as dark as obsidian looked Regis’ way.

【Seems like you’re still alive, Regis?】

It was an alluring voice, but the tone was just like a man.

Regis gulped.

【Ehh!? Ms Eleanor!?】

The visitor was Eleanor Ailred Winn de Tiraso Laverde. The daughter of a Duke house, she was a capable lady with the known as 《La Renard du Sud》.

Regis was just wondering why he didn’t see her at the banquet some days ago, and now they meet here.

Eleanor said with a trembling voice:

【… Regis, it’s been a while, but what I’m about to say pains me a lot.】

【What’s the matter?】

【Please help us.】

A sudden squall that was louder than the wind blew by, sweeping the parasol in the young girl’s hands into the sky.

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