Chapter 33
Syltina and Milliane, who had split up with Alhart and the others, came to a place that was a bit farther away from the middle of the town to exchange horses .
“Good day, we would like to have the horses exchanged . ”
A grumpy-faced man came out of the door Syltina was knocking on .
“I’m a little busy now, so do it yourselves . ”
And so, the man showed her to the back of the hut .
“The stable is at the back . Head towards the stable at the right and connect the horses you brought . Then, select as many horses from the front like the ones you brought and call me again . Got it? Don’t go near the stable on the left . Don’t even think of just running away with the horses . Because if you do that, those guys will sink their fangs into your beautiful skin . ”
Several dogs resting not far away barked in response to the man’s warning .
“Understood . ”
The man withdrew into the hut sooner than the nodding Syltina could turn away .
“Isn’t that kind of customer service too irresponsible?”
Syltina, who lightly cursed outside the closed-door returned to Milliane who was waiting inside the carriage .
“Is…Is everything alright?”
Milliane, who let out a sigh of relief at Syltina’s return, asked worriedly .
“He said he was busy so he told us to do it by ourselves . ”
“Is it really okay to do so freely?”
“It’s okay because he expressly gave us permission to do so . Apparently he’s busy entertaining his guest who is a Knight . ”
“A Knight was there?”
“When the man opened the door, I could see feet clad in Military shoes exclusively provided to the Kingdom’s Knights . ”
“The Kingdom’s Knights…… I wonder which unit they are from?”
“I don’t really know up to that point, but…… Oh, right!”
“Eh? Syltinsama?”
Syltina notices something and heads to the back of the hut .
Milliane followed suit .
“They’re here, after all . ”
“Ummm… what about our horses?”
Syltina went to the stable on the left .
Looking at the harnesses equipped on the horses, she smiled .
“Those horses are military horses . The Knight inside definitely rode it here…… This way, we’ll know which unit that Knight belongs to . ”
Syltina pointed at the saddle on the horse’s back .
“Did you know that each of the units of the Kingdom’s Knights have their own emblem?”
“Ye-yes . ”
“A shield decorated with two chamomiles at the front and a sword . That emblem is used by the Special Commando Unit . ”
“It’s Famiras-sama’s unit, isn’t it?”
“You’re acquainted?”
“Somewhat . He was very friendly and kind . I wonder why he disappeared?”
“Why, isn’t it Fara you’re describing?”
“Eh!?”
“Well, that’s because I was made to protect such a troublesome brat . ”
A voice not belonging to Milliane responded to the question Syltina posed .
A huge man appeared behind Syltina .
Unruly hair that seemed like it had not been combed for a long time was carelessly tied in a clump at the back, while two-thirds of his face was covered with a beard . In between the gap of facial hair, peeked brown, drooping eyes .
If one word could be used to describe him, it would be a bear .
However, the man wore a uniform issued to the Knights of the Kingdom, and on the chest part of his clothes was the same emblem as the coat of arms on the horse’s harness .
In other words, the bear-like man was a Knight of the Kingdom under the Special Commando Unit .
And, to say at the least, it seemed that Milliane, and of course, Syltina, knew who the man was .
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“Are you… Famiras-sama?”
“Yes, it’s been a long time, little miss . ”
The man named Famiras Carranzado responded with a smile, probably, towards Milliane’s inquiry . The Special Commando Unit’s Captain was this person .
“Lady Syltina, too . ”
“It really has been quite a long time, hasn’t it?”
“Eh, but to call him Fara……”
“That’s Famiras’ nickname . By the way, Fara, I’m pretty sure you’re supposed to be joining up with Kuu-chan and the others, so what are you doing at this kind of place?”
“I had Heine go to Clarina’s side first . I’m in the middle of a little game . ”
“Game……It couldn’t be the mixing-normal-soldier-and-waiting-for-them-to-notice-when-he-got-in kind of silly game again, is it? That’s why you look like that… or it’s not a surprise anymore, is it?”
“Ooo, as expected!! Such insight!”
Laughing heartily, Famiras patted Syltina’s head as she glared at him with reproachful eyes that carried no heat .
Milliane, who was observing the interaction for a while, called out to them .
“Uh… umm… are the two of you close?”
“Yes! Lady Sylti, you haven’t told her yet?”
“Now that you mention it, I kind of forgot . ”
“… . . ?”
“Ah, you see, Milliane-sama, he’s also one of us . He was originally a member of The Dipterous Sword, who became a knight of this country to carry out the plan . ”
“So in other words, all the other members of the Special Commando Unit are, too?”
“Fara and Vice-Captain Heine are the only ones who belong to The Dipterous Sword Guild . Well, the other people don’t belong to us, but they are cooperating with the plan . ”
“Well, it was originally for that purpose that we gathered and trained them anyway . ”
“Those people could be trusted . Fara and Heine trained them, so their skill is guaranteed . ”
“So, you also have allies inside the Kingdom . ”
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“There are still others, you know . Whether we can meet them is…… So, what did Fara come here for anyway?”
Swatting away the hand that was still messing with her hair, Syltina asks Famiras who seemed to be looking out for something .
Noticing the behavior, Syltina clarifies .
“If it’s the Saintess, then, she’s out exploring in a different place . The only ones who came here are Milliane and I . I’ve already talked to Milliane about the plan, so it’s alright to be at ease . ”
“What the…you should’ve said so from the start . I was being vigilant for nothing!”
Famiras, who sighs in relief and relaxes his shoulders, pulls out a piece of paper from his pocket .
“This is the order the King gave the Special Commando Unit . ”
“Ummm…… Pffft…… Ahaha! Hahahahaha!! His… His Majesty is strictly ordering the Special Commando Unit to procure supplies!! Ahahaha!!”
“Hey, hey, don’t laugh . Supply procurement is also important in a battle, you know?”
“I know where you’re coming from . But, asking the Special Commando Unit to procure supplies? Can you seriously answer this without laughing?”
“There’s nothing I could do about it . The nation’s top brass are getting desperate . I told the King that the guys in the Special Commando Unit would only obey mine or Heine’s orders . On the condition that he agrees to that, then the Special Commando Unit will go no matter how dangerous or unfavorable the battlefield is, that’s why I came today . Because now, at this time, it is the worst condition the country has ever been in . The top brass somehow wants us to join in the battle against Rulan Kingdom, but the guy they’re asking doesn’t even have a lick of loyalty to the country despite having enough power as the Captain of the Special Command Forces . So, rather than an order, this is actually a request…… the reality is that His Majesty was able to persuade me and put the supply procurement in my hands . ”
“I wish they, along with the King, could realize their own incompetence in not being able to be the ones to raise the strongest troops in the country . I wonder how they intend to win without the help of the Special Command Troops?”
“Beats me . Don’t you think they’re going to offer up the Saintess as a last resort though?”
“Fufu . If that happens, then I’m looking forward to the Saintess’ reaction, but unfortunately for them, we will be intervening before that happens . ”
“I suppose . You aren’t in contact with the King, right? Shall I give you some information about their movement?”
“Yes, but I was told that there will be no contact until the Purification Journey is complete since it’s too troublesome for them to intervene . But, it’s fine . Tyr is around, so collecting information using the wind is a breeze . ”
Up to that point in the conversation, Syltina hears a voice calling her from outside the stables .
“Syltinsama!”
“Oh my, Tyr, what happened?”
“Please come at once! The Saintess has…!!!”
“…… Is she causing problems again?”
“Yes . And that extraordinary fellow, too . ”
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“Ah……”
Famiras once again pats Syltina on the head as she drops her shoulders, dejectedly .
This time, Syltina, who was reluctant to accept it, took a deep breath and fired herself up .
“Okay! Well then, I’m sorry Milliane-sama, but please have the horses exchanged as we originally intended . Please change everyone except for Karen . Fara, forgive me, but please choose good horses for Milliane-sama . Also, it would be helpful if you could negotiate with the owner on her behalf . Milliane-sama probably can’t talk directly to him after all . ”
“Ah, y-yes!”
“Roger . ”
“Milliane-sama…… Right, after you get the horses exchanged, please wait by the public square we passed on the way here . I will pick you up from there . After that, let’s look for the lodgings together, okay?”
“Okay . ”
“Ah, hey, Lady Sylti!!”
Famiras calls after and grabs Syltina’s arm as she starts to leave .
“How much do you know?”
Despite the brief moment, Syltina was able to properly understand the meaning behind the question and answered .
“The Royal Government does not intend to let anyone know about this battle, and the fact that they are sending in a platoon to keep the citizens from noticing, is information directly from the Rideiran Kingdom . I also heard from The Dipterous Sword Guild that Rulan Kingdom intends to make a large detour around Manrinia, one of the tainted lands, and begin the invasion from Rideiran Kingdom’s second largest port town, Rakayan . ”
“Alright . Well then, this is the latest information . The Kingdom also thinks that the Rulan Kingdom will attack Rakayan first and make their base there . That’s why the country’s soldiers are now moving towards Rakayan . It seems they’re intending to keep this a secret from the citizens for a bit longer, but they’re not stupid . They’re bound to gradually notice it . It’s still fine for now, but by the time they actually find out, the Saintess’ name will surely come up as a refuge when the situation becomes desperate . ”
“I know, that’s why after this, we’ll try to avoid Manrinia as much as possible . Although, the problem is, how could I get the Saintess to believe that the roads leading there are definitely bad!? Well, Yuto’s there anyway, so I’m thinking that maybe I can get him to deceive her again . ”
“I see . If you’re properly thinking about it, then it’s fine . Sorry for keeping you . ”
“It’s fine . Well then, Fara, take care . Till we meet again!”
“Yeah, same to you, Lady Sylti . May luck be on your side, as they say . ”
“Yes, I wish the same to you . ”
Without a hitch, Syltina rushed after Tyrtinkle as soon as Famiras released his hold on her .