Yuusha-sama no Oshishou-sama

Chapter 46

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Chapter 46
New Movements (Part 2)

A meeting to discuss the recent campaign, and Petersia’s involvement, was held in a room of the palace.

Prince Alfred presided over the meeting. In attendance were ministers in charge of domestic affairs, bureaucrats, officers of General rank and above, and also certain n.o.bles.

They were discussing whether or not to wage war against Petersia.

Open debate was permitted, so there were various discussions all over the room.

Petersia’s landma.s.s was no more than two-thirds that of the empire, but unlike the Empire, Petersia did not border the land ruled by the Demon Lord.

Due to that, their military power had not decreased as much by the war against the Demon Lord’s army.

In addition to that, a rumor was spreading amongst them.

“Have you also heard the rumours, Sir?”

“I heard that she single-handedly annihilated an army of a thousand.”

“Rumor has it that she cut down a hundred men with a single swing of her sword, and blew away a village with a single spell. Her strength must be outrageous.”

“But, the Brave’s strength is terribly strong. With that power around, how can we ever relax? Rather, couldn’t she end up ruling the whole continent?”

The warmongers gradually voiced the rumours louder and louder.

Some of them were hopeful that if the Brave partic.i.p.ated, then they would win the war against Petersia.

‘What rubbish.’

Royce berated them in his mind.

Royce attended the Imperial Council as a feudal lord of a territory that bordered Petersia.

They were trying to wield the Brave’s power.

He wondered if any of those warmongers realized the significance of that action.

The Brave was immensely powerful.

The rumours had been exaggerated to the point that it was an army of a thousand, but he began to believe that it was actually possible.

In truth, as he returned to the battlefield with his knights as reinforcements, Royce had seen the traces of an existence that far exceeded common sense.

The path had been burned to a crisp.

The burns were the result of a wide-area fire-attribute offensive spell.

Royce had seen the flames rise up to the sky as he retreated.

But despite receiving such an attack, Leticia returned, and not a hair on her head was touched.

Despite that, corpses of knights were strewn all over the path.

Only a few people had survived.[1]

A single girl had caused this result.

He had heard of the Brave’s accomplishments during his time on the front lines, but he had never witnessed it in person.

He had believed that there was bound to be some exaggerations and distortions in the rumours.

But Royce couldn’t help but shudder at the memory of having witnessed that power firsthand.

When Kelvin left with Wynn and Locke to scout out Doria Village, Royce was left alone with Leticia.

Leticia had transformed.

The face of a youthful maiden that she had worn while with Wynn disappeared, replaced by an icy expression. She gave off an aura of inviolable sanct.i.ty that made her seem unapproachable.

It was exactly like the first time he had met Leticia.

As a Count, Royce had been to many parties and banquets.

He had been acquainted with n.o.bles and royalty from not only the Empire, but also from other countries.

She had transformed into Leticia van Mavis the Brave, clad in the dignified air of a lady of n.o.bility that belied a fierce spirit.

Royce had now seen how much of an influence the

Knight Cadet known as Wynn Byrd had on the Brave.

The debate continued as Royce contemplated.

“We should let Mavis the Brave lead our army against Petersia.”

“Wait! The Brave did move to support the Empire during the coup and during this battle, but it is not certain that she will lend us her strength.”

“If we declare war and the Brave doesn’t lend us her strength, what then?”

“Oh? Are you implying that our esteemed Imperial Knights would lose to Petersia without the Brave’s help?”

“I didn’t mean it like that. Our courageous knights would never lose to the Petersian army.”

“Then there is no problem with declaring war. You have said so yourself.”

Prince Alfred raised his hands.

The bickering va.s.sals stopped speaking and turned towards Alfred.

“I heard that there are rumours flying around that the Brave was at the battlefield. However, that is not possible. She was at my villa. It’s impossible for her to have been on the battlefield.”

“But there have been reports that it really was Brave Mavis. Some rumours say that she was seen acting with Count Elstead’s militia.”

“Are those not mere rumours? Count Elstead. Are these rumours true?”

Royce stood up as Prince Alfred looked towards him.

As he stood up, Royce heard murmurs all around him.

“That deserting coward…”

“Selfishly using the Brave’s power doesn’t change the fact that he tried to flee.”

Royce felt scornful gazes from all around him.

To the other n.o.bles, he was just a former General who had been demoted to the rank of Lieutenant.

As Count, he had some influence, but to them, his demotion was proof that he was on the losing side of a power struggle.

Since he couldn’t take part in the Council through his military rank, he had to force his way in as a lord of the affected area. They only saw him as somebody who was desperately trying to regain his power in vain.

He himself didn’t deny those accusations.

Moreover, his bulging belly and outward appearance lent even more credence to those rumours.

Royce did not say anything about the rumours surrounding him.

If he were to be dismissed from the Imperial Court due to those rumours, he would consider it a blessing.

‘I have to look after my subordinates. I can’t just get framed and hole up in my territory.’

Royce sighed discretely.

“I was tasked with sheltering the commoners at the rear of the army. I would not have had the honour to work with the Brave.”

“You weren’t escorting commoners, you were deserting, were you not?”

Royce glanced at the source of the voice, and saw Marquis Welt van Cliffdorf.

“There were reports that you had used your militia to drive off an enemy force stationed at some village, but there were also reports that you had actually stole the Brave’s accomplishments.”

“Oh? I am very interested in where you heard those reports, Marquis. I was ordered to escort the commoners by the late General Feyl. Somebody must have greatly misunderstood, if they thought I had fled. As for the enemies in that village, I had summoned my militia to drive them off so that I could protect the commoners. I am, after all, a coward. I prepared for every possible outcome. I was just blessed with the fact that I came across an enemy force while retreating. Also, the ‘some village’ you were talking about, happens to be a village in your territory, Doria Village. I do believe some thanks are in order for driving out an enemy force that was terrorizing your precious subjects.”

“Tch… I am deeply thankful.”

Welt clicked his tongue in annoyance.

“We will leave it at that, Count Elstead, Marquis Cliffdorf. There truly was an order signed by General Feyl ordering Count Elstead to retreat. He did not desert. Furthermore, the Brave stayed at the Royal Villa.”

Alfred looked towards the n.o.bles who had claimed that the Brave was at the battlefield.

“Do you have anything to add? Will you claim that I am lying?”

“No, I wouldn’t presume to… ”

“With all due respect, Your Highness. Even if she’s the Brave, she is still a full-fledged n.o.ble of the Empire, with royal blood in her veins. If Your Highness were to order it, would she not have no alternative but to obey?”

“That should be the case. However, she has been consecrated by the G.o.ddess Anastasia. We cannot force her to do anything. Duke Mavis, am I right?”

Alfred then turned to face Leticia’s father, Duke Lecter van Mavis. Duke Mavis wore a sour expression.

“I am afraid so. Your Highness does not have a higher blessing than her.”

“As I thought.”

“If I may, Your Highness.”

Welt once again spoke up.

“Even if the Brave will not proactively lend us her power, it does not make sense to not consider her as part of our military strength. If her country is in a crisis, she will still move to save it. That possibility can still act as a deterrence to other countries.”

“I also have one more thing to say. The army also has the Knight Cadet known as the Master of the Brave. He cannot disobey an order from the leaders of the Knight Order. We could always consider the possibility of ordering him to ask the Brave to lend us her power.”

“Ah, that is true.”

“I see. It is true that he cannot go against an order. And as his disciple, she cannot disobey her Master.”

Some of the n.o.bles murmured in approval.

“At Your Highness’s command, I will immediately order that Knight Cadet to ask the Brave to lend us her power against Petersia. We shall show those Petersian dogs h.e.l.l. Shall we?”

Welt gloated at Royce as he said that.

As a n.o.ble, he could also express his opinion, despite Welt’s higher rank.

However, as according to military ranks, he was a mere Lieutenant, while Welt was a Commander.[2]

He couldn’t object, nor speak up. He could only comply.

“Only Marquis Cliffdorf could think of that action.”

“I can already imagine those Petersian whelps turning tail and fleeing upon seeing the Brave at the head of our Imperial Knight Order!”

Welt nodded in satisfaction at that exclamation of flattery, raising his hand in the air.

“Your Highness, at your command, I will lead the army with the Brave, and the Empire’s flag shall fly over Peterisa’s palace. Will it, and it shall be done!”

“Ah, about that, Marquis Cliffdorf.”

Believing that everything was decided, Welt smiled at Alfred.

“I am sorry, but Knight Cadet Wynn Byrd has been rea.s.signed.”

“Huh?”

“There’s a good reason behind this.”

After a stunned silence, the conference hall broke into an uproar.

“Ahaha, that was funny.”

“This is not a laughing matter, Your Highness. The criticism towards Cadet Byrd is growing stronger.”

The meeting had ended.

Only Alfred and Royce remained in the hall.

“I wonder, can we do anything to keep those warmongers in check?”

“At least they can no longer do as they please with Wynn Byrd.”

“He is still the Brave’s one and only weakness. We had to take preventative measures. Besides, you didn’t object, did you?”

“I personally would have liked to do it more cautiously.”

Royce sighed.

“Also, is that personnel selection really fine?”

“Ah, there won’t be any problems, I think”

“I would say that there is a mountain of problems. A commoner, and more importantly, a male knight, accompanying the princess?”

“The further away my little sister is from the aristocratic power struggles, the better. Moreover, it is also hard to make use of Cadet Byrd this way. In the first place, I wonder if those mongers understand what ‘deterrence’ means.”

―‘The Empire has prepared to use the Brave’s power for itself…’

That would be the opposite of deterrence.

Leticia’s power would allow them to defeat any country.

However, that was only if the enemy was only one country.

No matter which way they turned, they would be surrounded by potential enemies.

If they even appeared to try to use her power…

“In the first place, the Empire would be destroyed.”

Alfred brought his hands together, his face relaxing.

“As her brother, don’t you think I should give my little sister every chance she can get?”

The Knight Order’s headquarters was in the same place as the Knight School.

Wynn walked through the front gates with a big sigh.

Tiara had demanded that he change into his uniform.

That meant that what awaited him was something that he had to wear a uniform for. His heart sank upon that realization.

‘I wonder why I was summoned. It might be some sort of reward from the fight a few days ago, but that wouldn’t have anything to do with Princess Tiara. First of all, I’m only a Knight Cadet. They shouldn’t need to call me to the Knight Order’s headquarters in uniform like this.’

Moreover, if he were to receive a medal of honour, then he shouldn’t be the only one summoned.

The Empire had suffered considerable losses due to the advance force being defeated by the Petersian army.

In the unlikely chance that he really was being promoted or honoured for his achievements, it would have been fine to notify him through Lieutenant Royce.

It had been two months since the Knight Academy was closed due to the shortage of knights.

Wynn’s environment had completely changed since the school had closed down.

Rather, all of the students had experienced the changes.

Across the Remulshil Empire’s northern border was the vast lands the Demon Lord had once ruled over.

Until the Brave finally slew the Demon Lord, humans and monsters fought endlessly in those lands, like a never-ending nightmare.

Most monsters, and of course, all demons, were physically superior to humans. In addition to that, lower-ranked monsters multiplied quickly. The Empire made heavy sacrifices to keep the demons at bay.

Even after the Demon Lord had been slain, the northern border still continued to suffer considerable damage from monster attacks.

Due to that, they couldn’t rea.s.sign any of the elite knights guarding the northern border. As a result, the southern part of the Empire ended up shorthanded.

Because of that, the Empire had to enlist the students.

He checked in at the receptionist’s desk, where the receptionist led him to a room upstairs.

Even though the Knight Academy was a part of the headquarters, Wynn had never been to the upper floors.

At most, he had only been to the first floor to turn in paperwork.

The former palace was adorned with ornate decorations on its pillars and murals on the wall, but unlike in the Knight Academy, many of the furnishings had been cleared away.

He was led to a remote room on that floor.

The door was made of a large piece of black oak. Wynn had never seen such an imposing door.

The words ‘Aristocratic Guests’ were written across the door.

“Umm… Is this really the right room?”

“It is. I was told to lead you to this room.”

Wynn whirled around to face the woman who had led him, but she merely flashed a smile, then walked away.

Alone, Wynn stood there, intimidated by the imposing door.

‘What should I do? They won’t get angry if I open it, will they?’

Wynn was frozen in front of the door, but afraid of keeping the important person who had summoned him waiting, he gathered his resolve and knocked on the door.

“You may enter.”

Upon receiving permission to enter, Wynn pushed open the door with an “Excuse me.”

As he entered the room meant for welcoming guests of the Knight Order, he saw a portrait of a gallant knight mounted on a horse. The pommel of the knight’s sword, the knight’s shield and armour, were all made of gold and inset with precious jewels. The painting was clearly an extremely high-cla.s.s item.

In the middle of the room, he saw four people around a large table, waiting for him.

Of the four, three of them were seated.

‘Hm? Lieutenant? Why are Cornelia and Princess Tiara also here?’

The only one standing was Lieutenant Royce, Wynn’s commanding officer.

Tiara nodded at him, while Cornelia made a small wave and smiled.

Upon seeing familiar faces, Wynn felt slightly more relieved.

“Knight Cadet Wynn Byrd, reporting.“

‘Hm? Who is the one sitting in the middle? I feel like I have seen him before…’

The young man seated in-between Cornelia and Tiara nodded solemnly in response to Wynn’s greeting.

His clothes looked similar to the Knight Order’s uniform, but was made of a thick white cloth. The white cloth was ornately embroidered with golden thread.

Only the Imperial Guards were allowed to wear the white uniform, and only a select few had theirs adorned with gold.

The man was sitting in the seat of honour. That meant that he was more important than Wynn’s cla.s.smate, Cornelia, the first princess and the second-in-line to the throne, and the Great Sage, the Elven Princess Tiara.

That meant—

“Ah, stand at ease. This is not a formal meeting. Today, as the Remulshil Empire’s Prince, I wanted to have a meeting with you, the Master of the Brave, Wynn Byrd.”

That meant that this man was Alfred van Remulshil.

In a fl.u.s.ter, Wynn bowed down towards the prince.

“I would like to make you my sister’s subordinate.”

AN: With this, the second arc is finished. Up next would be the third arc, but I wanted to give you a lighter arc next.

Translator NotesI thought the goal was no survivors!?Commander is bigger than General… I’m too lazy to retcon terminology… the terminology here is quite a mess anyways…

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