Torn Asunder by War, A Sword Saint for Tomorrow X The Knight Wizards!! – Chapter 78

Chapter 78: No Choice Anymore
  “Even those who are on bad terms with Lady White Fox, I find it hard to believe they would deliberately cause trouble in another territory…”
  
  “Your Majesty, guards always act with the assumption of the worst-case scenario.”
  “”‘Regret comes after, not before,”” as they say.”
  
  As usual, I don’t know where she picks these things up, but Izana smiles softly at the one-eyed magician while quoting a proverb from a Kamakura-era text.
  
  Taking advantage of the slightly softened atmosphere, I was urged to board the carriage, its number of horses and load adjusted to match a human’s walking pace. Just before getting in, I turned to the Vice-Captain, who was staying at the camp to make flexible decisions.
  
  “Sorry, I’ll leave things here to you.”
  “Please do your best, Lord Raizes.”
  
  “I’ll do my best. You two should go and relax once in a while.”
  
  Seen off by the veteran knight’s uncharacteristic words, I boarded the carriage with Izana beside me and headed towards the south gate of the central city, which was open during the music festival.
  
  Although the area was crowded with people, they began to disperse, wary of Sariel and the Royal Guards who were escorting the slowly moving carriage.
  
  If one has even a shred of common sense, they would find it troublesome to get involved with complicated people like nobles.
  
  I’m no exception, and as I admonished myself inwardly, the carriage continued to move… After passing through the south gate and reaching the wide main street designed for Clawsolas operation, the sight of stalls taking advantage of the business opportunity and people coming and going jumped into view.
  
  “It’s quite lively, isn’t it?”
  “Yes, just looking at it makes me feel a little excited.”
  
  At the corner of the street where the cheerful Izana was looking, a man with his chin on a chinrest and his violin held between his collarbone and jaw was playing a melody with a deep timbre.
  Outside the crowd listening on the street, another musician, who had been preparing unnoticed, slowly began to play the same instrument, improvising a concerto with the man next to him.
  
  “Hmm, in this case, I’d also like a harpsichord.”
  “…That would be a bit unreasonable, wouldn’t it?”
  
  The “gravicembalo col piano e forte,” also known as the pianoforte, the prototype of the piano, is not only difficult to carry around, but also a handmade craft that costs millions of yen when converted to Japanese currency.
  
  I thought it would be impossible to bring it outdoors so casually, but… there it was, sitting in the crowded central plaza.
  
  There, a group of about fifteen people were playing orchestral instruments, including flutes and lutes, and it was lively to the eye.
  
  “It can’t be helped that it’s difficult to pass through…”
  “It means we should also quietly “”listen to the music.”””
  
  Following Izana, who gently closed her emerald eyes and concentrated, I also turned my attention to the music while watching the guards call out to the audience so that the carriage could move along the outer edge.
  
  After a while, we finally reached the lord’s mansion after passing through the central plaza of the city of Raydas, which had become a sort of outdoor concert hall. In the entrance hall, we were greeted by the muscular Count Radglyph Eisen, accompanied by a lady.
  
  “It’s been a while, Knight King, I’ve heard about your exploits in the Lichtea Principality!”
  “I heard you repelled a superior species, a general of the “”Hour of Ruin””. That’s wonderful!”
  
  The charming lady, dressed in a chic navy blue dress and a white shawl, smiled and praised the battle near the capital Vern. However, since there were casualties on the allied side as well, I replied with humble words.
  
  “Victory depends on luck… I don’t want to be praised too much, both of you.”
  “Hmm, modesty is a virtue, but depending on the situation, it can also invite resentment.”
  
  After exchanging brief greetings, the Count’s rugged right hand was extended as he approached within a reasonable distance.
  
  Since there was no choice anymore, I accepted his invitation, which was disguised as a handshake, and resisted his attempt to crush my right hand with all his might.
  
  “Ggh, you’ve been polishing your muscles even more!”
  “I’ve also been training every day!”
  
  “…You must be having a hard time too, Queen Izana.”
  “Fufu, isn’t it manly and adorable♪?”
  
  Right after the unexpected reaction from the girl who still retained some childishness, the lady fell silent, and I could hear Fine’s small sigh beside me.
  
  “Lady Else, His Majesty is usually a thoughtful person. Please don’t misunderstand him as a musclehead.”
  “I apologize, for a moment I thought everyone here was a believer in muscles…”
  
  The lady, who had been vague in her words, nodded as if relieved about something. However, Commander Xenos seemed to mutter something in dissatisfaction.
  
  It seems he wasn’t satisfied with being told off, as he usually imposes high-intensity muscle training on his disciples, including Dino, under the belief that “”well-trained muscles never betray you.””
  
  “Ladies wouldn’t understand, but in the end, it’s the muscles that have the last laugh.”
  
  “I don’t understand, really…”
  “I’m sorry, please just ignore my foster father.”
  
  After waiting for Izana’s faint laughter to stop as she looked at her childhood friend bowing down in embarrassment, Radglyph, who had finished his handshake long ago, took control of the situation.
  
  It seems they were planning to go to a concert at the city theater tonight, and he had secured a block of seats for us, including our guards…
  While enjoying the sweets and herbal tea baked by Lidy, his attendant and officially recognized mistress, we chatted for a while, including the Knight Commander and his daughter. Then, we split into three carriages, including the Eisen family’s, and headed towards the west district.