Torn Asunder by War, A Sword Saint for Tomorrow X The Knight Wizards!! – Chapter 71

Chapter 71: The Expedition Isn’t Over Until We Return to the Castle!
  The two heavily damaged Clawsolas units, number two and three, will be transported to the workshop in the capital of the Lichtea Principality for repairs. The detailed arrangements have been entrusted to Zaisel, the resident officer.
  
  In addition, regarding compensation for the families of the pilots who died in the second unit, a portion of the remuneration scheduled to be paid by the Principality will be allocated. The chief magician in our country will handle the details.
  
  On the way back after finishing our work, I’m thinking about the aftermath and what needs to be done. As part of that, I speak to the Clawsolas Svel S-type unit behind us via the telepathy device.
  
  『Kotono, I’ll ask you directly… Can you continue like this?』
  『Hmm, to be honest, it’s scary.』
  
  Since her first battle turned out to be unexpectedly fierce, it wouldn’t be surprising if she said she wanted to get out of the Clawsolas. However, her frank words leave me a little surprised.
  
  『The Lichtea soldiers… They had more casualties than the Knight Kingdom, but if we don’t fight, the people we saw in the city will die, right?』
  
  『Generally speaking, that’s correct.』
  
  I convey the simple truth without embellishment and wait for a while. Kotono, who must have been lost in thought, murmurs in a small voice.
  
  『…I’ll try a little harder. I don’t want people to die without me knowing.』
  『If you feel it’s too much, don’t hesitate to tell me. I’ll respect your decision.』
  
  『Thank you. If that happens, I’ll become Kurato-san’s concubine, so please take care of me♪』
  『You should discuss that with Izana… no, I mean, your sister-in-law.』
  
  I can immediately picture being abducted to an empty room in the royal castle and receiving corrective guidance from the one-eyed magician, and a dry laugh escapes me.
  
  Even without that, I haven’t been able to spend much time with Izana lately due to training and paperwork, and with this dispatch of reinforcements, I’ve neglected her for nearly two weeks.
  
  Just as I’m feeling really sorry, an interruption comes through the telepathy device from the ash-gray Clawsolas unit walking ahead.
  
  『I couldn’t help but overhear. Eleia has already claimed the concubine position.』
  『Oh my, Onii-sama♪』
  
  『That’s strangely nostalgic. Were you serious about that…?』
  『Of course. It’s a brother’s duty to find the best possible partner for his sister, isn’t it?』
  
  I sigh at the siscon knight who asks back as if it’s only natural. Recalling the time when I first met the silver-haired, blue-eyed siblings, I’m thinking about how to respond when I hear a cute cough.
  
  『If I can’t be with Onii-sama, I wouldn’t mind withering away alone, but if Claude-sama is willing, I would be honored.』
  
  『It doesn’t mean much when you say it like a second-hand offer, even if it’s polite.』
  『Fufu, because it’s an undeniable truth.』
  
  Exasperated by Eleia, who utters such outrageous words without a shred of remorse, I turn to Revia, who has been quiet until now, for help. A slightly displeased tone rings in my ears.
  
  『Hmm, I’m hearing about this from Lloyd for the first time. I mean, I’m working hard to control a battered Bel-chan, and Claude and the others are having fun.』
  
  『It’s funny how this started as a serious conversation…』
  『Sorry, I’m the one who derailed it.』
  
  As my partner’s words, laced with a hint of resentment, suggest, the Clawsolas Belphegor has been pushed beyond its output limit and is starting to show signs of wear and tear.
  
  I made the twin elves who secretly messed with the magic core’s program and loosened various limiters take responsibility, but there’s a limit to what we can do for repairs on the road.
  
  Therefore, Revia, who is in charge of power control, is under a lot of stress. While appeasing her and Kotono with soothing words, we continue our journey. Meanwhile, at the Knight Kingdom’s royal castle, the melancholic Izana is enjoying afternoon tea with her attendant magician.
  
  『…But still, there are casualties, aren’t there?』
  
  Sariel, with her one eye closed, picks up on the words uttered like a monologue and recalls the audience with the messenger squad the day before yesterday.
  
  Upon receiving the report that the allied forces of Lizel, Lichtea, and Bardia had repelled the “Hour of Ruin,” and that the Knight King and her childhood friend were safe, Izana’s face, which had broken into a smile, clouded over at the following words.
  
  ‘Considering the loss rates of other countries, it’s not a bad result, but that’s not the issue, is it?’
  
  To cheer up her kind-hearted younger sister, the one-eyed magician takes a sip of the herbal tea made with dried chamomile from Miss Fine before speaking in a comforting tone.
  
  “If you fight, you can’t avoid casualties. The knights go to the battlefield knowing this, thinking of those they want to protect. It’s painful for those who wait, but let’s warmly welcome them when they return.”
  
  “Thank you, El-neesan. I’m sorry for making you worry.”
  
  She smiles faintly, tilts the wooden mug she’s holding with both hands, and finishes the amber herbal tea. She has a meeting with Vice-Captain Raizes, who stayed behind, and Chief Magician Blaze regarding the expeditionary force.
  
  Naturally, the citizens of the royal capital Asia are aware of the dispatch of reinforcements to the Lichtea Principality, and an “official announcement” is needed to inform them of the situation in advance.
  
  ‘The scribes will spread the word among the people, so it’s a simple task of just preparing the document.’
  
  The shrewd Raizes seems to prefer exaggerated expressions for the public, but her partner, Claude, dislikes excessive publicity, so Izana changes her mindset, determined to do her best, and walks down the hallway.
  
  Unaware of her secret efforts… the Knight King, who returned in triumph in the evening, seemed tired. He quickly finished his bath and meal and went to bed with few words.