Constructed to protect the highway pa.s.sing through the imperial capital’s natural defenses to the north, the Sarcalnaa Mountains, Basragate Fortress is the empire’s oldest stronghold.
Long ago, the Empire’s influence extended only as far as the Sarcalnaa Mountains, its northern border. But after expanding to the south and east, it established a route heading north. This highway owed its existence to the Empire’s invasion of the Sartein region north of Brellwandy.
Basragate Fortress was constructed at that time.
At the beginning of the invasion, the frontline base at Basragate Fortress also served as the bridgehead.
Because this was the only route the invasion could take, the push-and-pull, back-and-forth struggle between the two sides continued for quite a long time.
The Empire feared the possibility of the enemy defeating its advance force and launching a counter-invasion, so Basragate Fortress was upgraded and fortified repeatedly, developing into a fortress solely dedicated to military operations.
In the end, there was no counter-invasion and no opportunity for the fortress to display its defensive capabilities, but as the Empire’s conquest of Sartein swept on, it turned its attention to maintaining the Sarcalnaa highway.
I’ve said this before, but the Sarcalnaa Mountains are also famous for the appearance of powerful monsters, so the fortress was also there to ensure safety on the road.
Incidentally, the empire’s northern border currently runs along the northernmost edge of the Sartein, where the fortified city of Kakraw.a.n.ga is giving the stink-eye to the Confederation, another of the three global superpowers. For this reason, it’s not wrong to say that Basragate Fortress now serves no military purpose.
“…and so we have the Basragate Fortress of today.”
My summary of Leon’s lecture, which I could hear coming from behind me: see above.
In truth, the story went on much longer, but more than half of it went in one ear and out the other. It was all about the history of the Empire, I think.
“Hmmm.”
And that was all I had to say about that. To be honest, I wasn’t really going to bother cramming that much information into my head.
More importantly, Basragate Fortress had actually come into view.
We finally made it? Thank G.o.d. Not gonna lie, I’ve had enough of carriage travel.
That was why I was. .h.i.tching a ride on Leon’s horse right now.
Mostly thanks to Palmira’s willfulness, riding one of the horses had somehow become a regular thing. Not for Aira — she wasn’t all that eager to ride, but Palmira and I would go for a change of pace. However, neither I nor Palmira had any experience riding horses, so someone had to ride with us.
At first, everyone took turns on Leon’s horse, but now, Palmira mostly rode with Leopard and I went with Leon.
When I turned to the side, I could see Palmira leaning forward on Leopard’s horse, looking all war-like. Curiously enough, there was a certain charm to the sight.
No matter how I looked at it, she was out of place. With Leopard out of his full battle gear, they looked just like a grandpa out with his granddaughter.
The fortress before us was like a dam, blocking the mountain valley.
Tall ramparts completely closed off the way forward with a grave solemnity. Unsurprisingly for such an old installation, its walls were tinted so that they seemed to melt into the terrain. They looked a bit like ruins, even, but from the flags atop the ramparts and the visible castle gate, where merchant caravans were gathered, anyone could tell that it was fully functional.
“Are we making a stop at the fortress?”
I asked, tilting my head to look up at Leon, who was closely glued to my back.
Truth be told, I want to stop. Since it’s just past noon now, I know it’ll be quick to travel the rest of the way to the capital all in one go, but it’ll still take about two days.1
Given its age and the gathering of the merchant caravans, the fortress had to be equipped with the appropriate facilities.
Okay, to be blunt, I wanted to sleep somewhere other than the carriage. And I wanted a bath.
“That’s the plan, more or less. Our pace thus far has been a bit hurried, so it would be good to take a proper rest. To be honest, those taking this route on foot are much more exhausted than usual.”
True enough. Since that night, our speed had risen halfway to a forced march to get to this point.
Plus, we might’ve been taking the highway, but it was quite narrow, and we had to mind the cliff while simultaneously keeping an eye out for monsters. These guys were the Elite Guard, but that said, they’d been put under more stress than usual.
Unless there’s a need, don’t push the troops beyond their limits.
I didn’t know much about commanding, but maybe he was following that frequently shared piece of common sense.
Not that many others did.
“Gotcha. Then I should be getting back to the carriage soon.”
“No, let’s go like this.”
“Ehh?”
I’ve been lulled into a false sense of security.
Recently, I’ve gotten a little more used to being called ‘Princess’ by the soldiers. But entering a place I’ve never been before, like this…
It was pretty long overdue, but earlier, I was thinking: How about I get used to being called Princess?
Though I’d heard about it from Rupert in Telaberan, I asked Sieg how others really saw us. As the story goes, [Leon found his long-lost childhood friend, so he’s taking care of her]. Who the h.e.l.l thought that up?
But, in terms of [Chris’s] story, I certainly wouldn’t call it a lie.
It’s all a little too neat, huh. But considering fact is stranger than fiction, you might even say that this is far more believable.
“The main point is, you’ll be my fiancée in the capital, so it’ll be hard on me if you don’t adjust,”
Leon said, shamelessly.
Oh yeah, that’s true.
So much happened on the way here that it slipped my mind, but that was half my objective in going to the capital to begin with.
The other half was to collect my compensation for the slavery sting, but that had been pushed even further to the back of my mind.
‘Get used to it.’ So I’m told, but honestly, I don’t want to get used to it any more than I already have. For me, this is already more than enough… well, the only way I see this going is with me crossing a dangerous line.
“Oh, for G.o.d’s sake… c’mon, lemme down.”
Because he had a point, my resistance didn’t have any real bite in it.
I didn’t just ride with Leon, I couldn’t even get down without him. Leon was holding the reins, of course, so in a sense, sitting in front of him had trapped me.
Looks like I’m not getting out of this one…
We approached the gate. I had no other choice but to give up.
–
–
It didn’t take long to pa.s.s through the gates.
I’d gone through this place many times in the past for one thing or another, but making a flashy entrance on horseback was a first for me. It was a fresh experience, in a way.
This was the imperial capital’s northern doorstep — naturally, entrants had to undergo inspection. But maybe they knew we were army, or maybe someone on our side had sent advance notice, because we strolled right on in. Casting a sidelong glance at the merchants undergoing inspection — southbound, like us — I went through the gates.
Leon would stand out even if he were left to his own devices, but now he was riding a horse together with a woman.
I could see why, but coming out from the ma.s.s of caravans, pa.s.sing through the gate, and even after getting inside, he was naturally the center of attention.
Leon was probably used to it. Paying the stares no mind, he urged the horse forward.
I, on the other hand, had never been scrutinized by so many curious eyes in my life. It made me uncomfortable. I had no choice to but to look down and shrink down as small as possible in front of Leon.
Uh, how do I put this? I feel like it’s not Leon those gazes are focusing on, but me.
“…Quit s.c.r.e.w.i.n.g around, you b.a.s.t.a.r.d…”
“Well, it can’t be helped, you know.”
I’m so embarra.s.sed I could just drop dead. Just what kind of sick punishment is this? Leon’s carefree att.i.tude p.i.s.ses me off.
I want to get to wherever we’re going and take refuge in a room as soon as possible. Then, if I can, I’m wiping this moment from my memory forever. I’m gonna drink today. I wanna drink until I forget.
“Lord Leon!”
While I sat there, curled up as small as possible, someone came out. I turned my face in the direction of that voice.
There stood a big man in the prime of his life. At first glance, I thought he was a mountain bandit.
His heavily scarred face sported an eyepatch; by intuition alone, I could tell the giant had a history of [long military service]. Probably had a nickname too. From his appearance, he had to be some big shot here at the fortress.
He had several young soldiers by his side like attendants.
“Ah, Gary. Sorry to make you come all the way out here.”
“No, not at all! Thank you for your hard work on the operation. The details… I only know what I’ve heard, but it was a sordid business, wasn’t it!?”
As Leon dismounted, he offered some words of thanks to the man he called Gary. And Gary, facing him, responded with a bighearted grin.
Or should I say it’s his voice that’s big? And heroic, in contrast to his appearance.
Calling the slavers ‘sordid’, he gave me an appraising look. That said, I wasn’t grossed out by it. But it did make me very uncomfortable. Well, whatever, just get me off this d.a.m.n horse already.
“The operation proceeded without a hitch. She used to be an acquaintance of mine, so I’m giving her shelter.”
Standing in front of me, Leon held onto me on both sides and swiftly lifted me off the horse.
In the distance, I could see a soldier running over with something like a stepstool. He probably went to get it just for this. Man, if I’d just waited. I could feel the embarra.s.sment all the way to the bottom of my heart.
“Is that so! Gary Crossford, at your service! I am the general in command of this fortress! This is my adjutant, Percival Belgaia. A pleasure to make your acquaintance, beautiful young lady.”
Nudged forward to stand in front of Gary, I got a booming but surprisingly genteel introduction.
I wouldn’t have thought so myself, but Gary was a general. The soldier beside him, his polar opposite, also offered me some light pleasantries to go with his introduction.
This was my first time receiving a warm welcome from people of such status, Leon excepted, and I had no idea what I was supposed to do.
At a loss, I looked at Leon.
“This is Christine Rouelle Felmiran,”
said Leon, under my gaze.
Though the words shocked me to the core, Leon urged me on with his eyes, so I returned the others’ courtesy.
In this situation, it would be —
“Please call me Chris.”
Telling myself to keep up the act, I curtsied, lightly holding the hem of my dress as I lowered my head.
I had no idea if I did it right, but that was how I imagined an upper-cla.s.s lady would introduce herself.
Though, asking them to call me Chris was just me taking a little revenge on Leon.
Leon probably meant to signal me that our performance would start here, but for me, I couldn’t help but have more and more complicated feelings about becoming [Chris].
“This is… I appreciate the courtesy, Chris. However–”
Did I pull it off? Or did I screw up? My heart was pounding as Gary breathed in a bit sharply, alternating his gaze between Leon and me.
The h.e.l.l? Did I do something wrong…?
“However, this is the first time I’ve seen a woman who could stand on even footing with Lord Leon.”
Hearing his unexpected words, I turned rigid in a snap.
Well, in terms of appearance, maybe? I haven’t really thought about it, but I’m an unrivaled — gosh, what’s the word. Uh, nope, it’s not coming to me.
Because I explicitly viewed my stay in this body as a transient one before, I had objectively arrived at the same a.s.sessment, but now that I was adjusting to this body and my new circ.u.mstances, I didn’t want to think of myself as beautiful. That would be grade-A embarra.s.sment.
“At the moment, she’s also tired from the long journey. Could you prepare a room for her, if possible, a bath?”
At a loss for words and deeply uncomfortable, Leon’s words came as a relief to me. Frankly, wondering when I’d slip up had me on edge.
“Gary, we’ve got three women under our protection. Keep that in mind when you’re getting things ready.”
“Leopard, is that you! …You b.a.s.t.a.r.d, I shouldn’t underestimate you either!”
“Shut it.”
Without me noticing, Leopard had gotten off his horse and come over with Aira and Palmira in tow. Judging from their exchange, he and Gary were old friends.
They certainly had a tendency to act the same way.
“I am Aira.”
“Palmira.”
Aira, more convincingly than me, and Palmira, her hand resting on her sword, performed the appropriate courtesies.
I’ve got nothing to say about Aira, but just how does Palmira’s get-up come across to these guys? I might not have been worried, but I was awfully curious.
“Oh, here are more lovely young ladies! The rooms and baths have already been prepared. It won’t be much, but we plan to hold a banquet in recognition of the Elite Guard’s service, so if you like, please attend!”
Fortunately, it looked like the heat was completely off me now.
2 Palmira’s expression was dissatisfied, but it didn’t really matter.
Anyway, I’m getting in that bath.
Without giving much thought to the banquet coming afterward, I followed after Leon and Gary as they started walking.
Author’s Notes
I do have a sense that I’ve written too much on the extra details.
I know, I should advance the story a little faster.
Footnotes
1. Last chapter, Sieg said it would take five days, with plans to reach the fortress the following day. Now it’s the following day, and they have two days to go? Yeah… ↵
2. Skipped: それもどうかとは思うし ↵