Torn Asunder by War, A Sword Saint for Tomorrow X The Knight Wizards!! – Chapter 143

Chapter 143: The King’s Return and the Festival
  — Latter part of the 12th month, Continental Calendar Year 1547 —
  
  In the early morning, the first to catch sight of several knight silhouettes was one of the guards who had climbed the northern ramparts and was peering through a high-performance variable magnification telescope. Drawn by his voice, the others also witnessed the same sight.
  
  Incidentally, the corridor they were on was about 14 meters above ground. If you consider a right triangle with this height as one side and the Earth’s radius （from the parallel world） as the other, the visible distance to the horizon, calculated using the Pythagorean theorem and considering the refractive index of light, is about 15 kilometers.
  
  “Even if they enter our field of vision, it’s still a long way from here…”
  “Even before they reach an identifiable range, a forerunner will likely arrive.”
  
  “Haha, if that’s not the case, it’ll be a bit of a commotion.”
  “… You mean knights from another territory? Don’t say such ominous things.”
  
  The squad leader, who was in charge of the site, was admonishing the young guard who spoke carelessly about what would happen if the capital’s only countermeasures were two Clawsolas units. Just then, another guard announced the arrival of a horseman who had rushed ahead.
  The cavalryman who arrived below swiftly removed his hooded camouflage cloak, revealing his affiliation through his uniform and standard light armor. Then, he took a deep breath to project his voice.
  
  “I am Fritz Reitz, Vice-Captain of the expeditionary force’s scout unit! I am heading to the castle to report the King’s return, let me pass!!”
  
  “Thank you for your long winter journey. Please, proceed.”
  
  Following the strict hierarchy of the military organization, the squad leader responded respectfully to the Vice-Captain, who was of a higher rank. The scout then passed through the portcullis and the gate, which had been opened during the daytime.
  
  After receiving a brief military salute from several guards standing on both sides of the gate, he skillfully navigated through the scattered people with his expert horsemanship and proceeded down the main street at a canter.
  
  One of the guards watching his figure from the wall broke into a joyful expression and muttered.
  
  “At this rate, even if they’re matching their marching speed to the infantry, His Majesty and Raizes-sama will be back by the afternoon. Finally, the postponed Knight King Festival will be held.”
  
  “That being said, we’re stuck at the North Gate until the evening shift change.”
  “Let’s all go to the tavern when we’re off duty.”
  
  The guards on the wall corridor bantered lightheartedly, and the residents of the capital, who had heard rumors of the expeditionary force’s return, were also somewhat excited. In contrast… the majority of the returning individuals, who were being eagerly awaited, were exhausted.
  
  
  This was particularly true for the regular soldiers who had continued their march for about two weeks, shivering in the cold, and traversing snowy mountain paths when necessary.
  
  They had camped on the outskirts of the nearest city, Vintal, to adjust their arrival time, but it was impossible for the accumulated fatigue to disappear overnight.
  
  『Even if they say the festival will start with the Knight King’s return…』
  『Yeah… There’s a bit of a temperature difference.』
  
  I couldn’t help but dampen the mood as I looked out at the foot soldiers through the pseudo-eyeballs of my mount, Belphegor. Revia, in the back seat, agreed with me. However, the mastermind behind the festival was probably her father, Blaze, the Chief Magician who also served as Prime Minister, and his focus was likely on boosting national morale.
  
  Objectively speaking, the constant dispatch of messengers to the Empire to check on the local situation and the timing of their return was probably for the sake of the festival.
  
  Harboring such suspicions, and after glancing at the disconnected external loudspeaker, I let out a few grumbles.
  
  『I’d rather go straight to the royal bathhouse and float in the bathtub…』
  『I want to dive into a fluffy bed and sleep soundly until noon.』
  
  Though our shared thoughts, voiced almost simultaneously, reflected everyone’s feelings, the festival was unavoidable. Izana, who couldn’t join the battlefield, had worked hard on the arrangements for the Knight King Festival, and many citizens of the capital were looking forward to it.
  
  Resigned to the inevitable, Kotono’s voice, hesitant as if she was debating whether to speak or not, reached us through the shared communication line of the Telepathy Device, which was active during the march.
  
  “It’s not as bad as the Rigsia territory in the Empire, but there have been casualties here too. I feel like… something doesn’t quite align.”
  
  I could empathize with her feelings of mourning for the war dead, including our classmate, the bow knight Darvi, and his mage partner… However, in this parallel world where the “Hour of Ruin” wreaks havoc, we would only destroy ourselves if we grieved after every battle.
  
  Perhaps it was one of Kotono’s virtues that she could openly express the burdens that everyone, including Ilia, who was riding in the Svel S-type No. 1 unit, carried in their hearts without pretense.
  
  “Thanks to them, lives have been saved, and a foundation has been laid to prevent future collapse. It’s okay not to get used to losing, but can’t we honor their valiant efforts?”
  
  “… Yeah, I’ll try my best, Kurato-san.”
  
  Hearing her somewhat subdued reply, Revia thoughtfully switched to a private communication line and connected to the modified Clawsolas, Guardia.
  
  I had no reason to object, so I readily understood her intentions and asked Dino and Lise, who had rescued Kotono from the wetlands, to “look after her.”
  
  “You’re causing trouble again…”
  “Don’t complain, Dino-kun. You don’t need to be needlessly tsundere.”
  
  While chuckling at my junior, who was kind at heart despite his sharp tongue, I expressed my gratitude to Lise for readily agreeing. Then, I focused on moving my mount at a steady pace.
  
  When we arrived at the North Gate of the capital, two Clawsolas units bearing flags with a Westernized version of the Seiwa Genji’s “Three-Leaf Gentian” crest and an honor guard were there to greet us. We were guided into the bustling city streets, where confetti danced in the air.
  END