The messenger, dispatched by Biron, used a horse although he donned the appearance of an ordinary citizen. Burdened with a bundle of valuable seasonings, he has been ordered to say he is a merchant if something were to happen.
「What’s your purpose in coming from the capital?」
Even if the coming and going to the current capital hasn’t been restricted yet, inspections, doing check ups similar to the ones at the national border, have been set up. The knights of the Third Knight Unit being in charge of that, looked out for the movements of the other knight units.
Sabnak poked his nose into this affair from behind the asking female knight.
「Yes, it is an order from the Lord of Fokalore, Tohno-sama, I received through a company in the capital…」 (Messenger)
「Eh?」 (Messenger)
Upon Sabnak’s words, the surrounding soldiers quickly restraint the messenger by tying him up.
「Probably there is no one who knows Hifumi-san as well as us, the Third Knight Unit… excluding Origa-san.」 (Sabnak)
「A-Actually…」 (Messenger)
The messenger lets Sabnak see the letter directed at Hifumi-san situated in his breast pocket that explained the progress of the battle at Münster.
Sabnak, having confirmed the signature of Biron on the letter, released the restraints of the messenger and told him to immediately go to the royal castle.
In Fokalore the civil officials currently were in the middle of their hectic work close to feeling faint whereas the officers and soldiers had free time. The adventurers are plenty in dealing with the monsters without it even being any significant combat. Even in Arosel, where Hifumi had decreased the number of adventurers by killing some, there doesn’t seem to be any problem in regards to the numbers as some of the adventurers have moved over from Fokalore.
The civil officials are preparing to educate the civil official candidates from the new territories and are making a new family register of the territory’s population.The increased number of staff members and soldiers are helping out. Not a single person has time.
Miyukare has also summoned the vacating army forces as assistance, getting them engaged in work. Right then, Alyssa, who should be training together with the territorial troops outside the city, came running.
「Alyssa-sama, although you are as lovely as ever, what has happened?」 (Miyukare)
「Put more effort into concealing your desire a bit better. Director of Military Affairs-sama, is there some emergency?」 (Caim)
Alyssa, not quite informed about the system in Vichy, didn’t understand well the thing called central committee either. Being called out at the place, where people line up in front of the gate, she brought him along without comprehending what would be good.
「That’s a…」 (Miyukare)
Miyukare, being dragged into it, reached out her hand towards the running-away Alyssa in vain.
「If you have this kind of free time, then please do your work. Since I am arranging for inns close to the mansion, you will explain the Lord’s absence. If they want to stay, lead them to an inn. If they want to go back, ask them about the reason of their visit, please.」 (Caim)
「Miyukare-san, there is a message from the national border. A messenger is heading towards here from Vichy…」 (Soldier)
「Huh? It’s the personal messenger of a person called Minoson, being one of the central committee. We are currently having him waiting for further instructions at the entrance of the city…」 (Soldier)
「Don’t bring Vichy’s internal troubles over here… For now I have to inform them about the Lord’s current absence. If the messenger intends to wait, have him stay at an inn close to the gate.」 (Miyukare)
‘This will be hopeless, if Hifumi doesn’t come back soon’, Miyukare thought.
At any rate, until Hifumi’s makes his decision, the messengers will only bump heads, if they aren’t kept in check. She decided to discuss this matter at the meeting with the other civil officials.
Until now Imeraria restrained herself from excessively using the deceased king and the next-to-be king as political arguments. But it had reached the point where she made use of them in the coronation announcement the other day. Although it had been a recommendation from the prime minister, she decided beforehand to strengthen her own foundation for the sake of protecting her younger brother. She considered this to be a necessary step.
「Then you are saying that the Second Knight Unit and the territorial army of Earl Biron are in a dangerous predicament?」 (Imeraria)
「At the time of my departure the city still hadn’t been directly attacked. But, observing the losses of the Second Knight Unit and judging the danger to be imminent, Earl Biron chose me to request for reinforcements as messenger.」 (Messenger)
The messenger, with a face full of sweat, hesitated to answer Imeraria’s question. If he answered poorly, rather than him being the cause, it would be taken as if Earl Biron was making light of the royal family. A reason, along the lines of ‘the territory is close thus they are in the same dilemma’, can’t be used.
「Imeraria-sama, isn’t this the result of Earl Biron avoiding to be dragged into the chaos at the royal castle?」 (Sabnak)
「With all due respect, including my Knight Unit, the people, concerned with the royal castle, have been divided into princess faction and prince faction. There was a strife over influence behind the scenes because Imeraria-sama’s declaration from before. Given that Earl Biron’s standing in this situation was still pending, it would come to him having to rely on either faction for even talking to anyone within the castle.」 (Sabnak)
「Most likely Earl Biron chose this method in order to support Imeraria-sama. But the news of Imeraria-sama’s announcement a few days ago and the prolapse with the First Knight Unit shouldn’t have circulated to the Biron earldom as of yet. Therefore, avoiding to contact the royal castle, entangled in its factions, he selected to directly appeal towards Hifumi-san, who is reputed to be the head of the princess faction and also can be called the strongest internal war potential currently.」 (Sabnak)
「Since his family is the one my elder sister has married into, I am grasping the circumstances of the Biron earldom to a certain extent.」 (Sabnak)
「Sabnak-san. Immediately lead the soldiers… though I considered this, it won’t do, if you don’t help with the management of Hifumi-sama’s territory.」 (Imeraria)
‘Since my brother-in-law is in danger, I really want to take her up on this’, perspired within Sabnak’s mind.
「… Which reminds me, there was a woman within the Third Knight Unit who owned a peculiar personal history.」 (Imeraria)
「Is this about Phyrinion?」 (Sabnak) (T/N: フィリニオン or Fuirinion」
「Eh?」 (Sabnak)
「B-But…」 (Sabnak)
「It doesn’t matter. I will give Phyrinion-san a letter explaining the reasons… Rather than the matters of the territory, they will be more interested in the information about the battlefield. Messenger of Biron earldom.」 (Imeraria)
「As for your duty entrusted to you by Earl Biron, you will accompany Phyrinion and that chamberlain. I’m sorry that it will take some time.」 (Imeraria)
「Far from it! I am very grateful for receiving your words of consideration towards a single soldier like me!」 (Messenger)
While holding such thoughts, Sabnak had complicated mental state as to whether he should feel relieved of his burden, feel a bit lonely or even be delighted to have been given a chance to play an active role as a knight.
「… So?」 (Hifumi)
「Most likely the central committee of Vichy is beginning to break up. The person calling himself Minoson is an old-timer within the central committee as well. It seems that the city, where he is working as representative, is the one most distant from Orsongrande.」 (Miyukare)
‘What to do to cause the greatest chaos? Should the war become more violent? Or should the scale of the chaos be increased?
「Gather everyone from both sides, the messengers as well as those accompanying them. I will talk to them directly.」 (Hifumi)
「Merely some harmonious chatting.」 (Hifumi)
Seeing Hifumi easily answering Caim’s question, Miyukare judged it to be a definite lie.
The conference room has become jam-packed when everyone entered as there is a large number of people.
「Good grief, what is Representative Minoson thinking?」
People, who have a status to some degree, have come. As the two fat men are quarreling with each other, their armed guards are taking an imposing stance.
Swiftly opening the door, Hifumi silently entered and sat down on the chair at the head of the table. Origa was standing at his back.
Suddenly inquiring about the real issue at hand, the messengers faltered for a moment, but the messenger from the committee, wiping his sweat, began to speak.
「Tell this to Imeraria. I don’t care.」 (Hifumi)
「Therefore-」 (Messenger C)
「Such bothersome discussion is the job of the royal castle. Do not bring every single matter to me. I won’t accept any peace or discussions. However, if you are looking for a fight, you will get one. That person is?」 (Hifumi)
He takes out a letter while trembling with fear. He passes it to Hifumi through Origa.
Hifumi scanned the letter and looked at Minoson’s messenger laughing smugly.
「There is an interesting story written here. Let’s agree to the entirety of the story. Since I am going to convey the contents to the royal castle, it will also result in being approved by the country and not only me.」 (Hifumi)
「Tell Minoson that he won’t regret the cooperation, if this story is the truth.」 (Hifumi)
Hifumi told the messenger, who was leaving in order to quickly return and convey Hifumi’s reply, that it would be fine to use the rail cars for movement until the national border. As the talks had ended, Hifumi decided to exit the room.
Even the messengers from the committee, standing up with such a force that the chairs were knocked over, felt uneasy about the details that caused Hifumi’s sudden change.
「It’s Pursang」 (Messenger C) (T/N: ピュルサン or Pyurusan)
「Wh-What a…」 (Messenger C)
「Listen」 (Hifumi)
「This is my residence. You are free to return or go forward, but since my business with you has finished, get the hell out of here right away.」 (Hifumi)
「I told you that I don’t care.」 (Hifumi)
「If you are an enemy, I will kill you. That’s all.」 (Hifumi)
Watching Hifumi leaving without stopping this time no matter what they even say, the messengers dejectedly returned to their inn.