Torn Asunder by War, A Sword Saint for Tomorrow X The Knight Wizards!! – Chapter 13

Chapter 13: Marriage and the New King’s Accession to the Throne
  Although the corridor was relatively bright due to the lighting fixtures installed in various places, shadows were cast as the returning Knight Captain and others proceeded. At that time, Izana, the daughter of King Strauss, was in the room of the Clawsolas K-type mage who had survived.
  
  It was a little while ago that the Royal Guards visited and informed them of the triumphant return of the Lizel Knights.
  
  “…It’s about time I went, isn’t it?”
  “Princess-sama, I apologize. For me alone to be disgracefully spared and live in shame…”
  
  Although it had not been announced to the public, the King of Lizel had passed away late at night two days ago, despite receiving the best possible medical treatment.
  
  The only survivor was Sariel, who had lost one eye due to the explosion that followed after the magic spear missed her directly. To her, who was wearing an eyepatch painfully, Izana spoke, as if spitting out the resentment that had been building up inside her.
  
  “I forgive you, everything about you… For now, heal your wounds.”
  
  To Izana, who had lost her mother at a young age, the former royal magician was like a kind but strict older sister. However, a large gap had formed between them in the past few years after she learned of her relationship with her father.
  
  However, after spending the whole day yesterday shut up in her room, crying her eyes out, she, who had received a proper education, resolved to accept everything at the age of sixteen.
  
  As part of that, she put an end to a problem that was nothing more than a personal matter, yet was like a small bone stuck in her throat.
  
  “Actually, Blaze-dono suggested earlier that I return to being your attendant, Princess. Once my wounds are healed, I will serve as your bodyguard. Though I am now disabled, this time I will protect you with my life…”
  
  Sensing the distance that had opened up between them due to her stiff words, Izana wondered if they could have built a good mother-daughter relationship if she had acknowledged the relationship between her and her father and agreed to the remarriage.
  
  （It’s too late now… How unladylike of me.）
  
  Depending on the circumstances, a boy who could inherit the country might have been born, but it was all water under the b*idge. Currently, she was the only direct descendant of the royal family in the Lizel Knight Kingdom, and in that sense, she quietly nodded at Sariel’s offer.
  
  “I’ll be counting on you, El-neesama.”
  “Huh!?”
  
  Intentionally using the nostalgic nickname from her childhood, Izana turned on her heel, leaving a smile that seemed to say she had surprised her.
  
  In response, the four guards who had been waiting in the corner of the room respectfully opened the door and escorted her, flanking her front and back.
  
  Walking down the sunlit corridor, Izana recalled the news of the successful destruction of the Spirit Gate in the Great Forest, which had been delivered by carrier pigeon beforehand, and muttered in a voice so low that the guards could not hear.
  
  “…The Rare Human warrior who contributed to the destruction of the Spirit Gate and single-handedly defeated a dragon species.”
  
  Closing her eyes for a moment, she cut off her thoughts, stood in front of the royal door leading to the audience chamber, and the guards opened it inward before her…
  
  A little while before that, in the audience chamber, three important ministers were huddled together, groaning.
  
  “I see… It’s very like King Strauss, if I may say so.”
  “Blaze, why, with you here!”
  
  While the Knight Captain Xenos was surprisingly calm, Vice-Captain Raizes, who was usually composed, was yelling. Meanwhile, Revia and I, who had been brought here due to this unexpected situation, were left alone.
  
  Before our eyes, the red-haired magician, who seemed to be her father, was being grabbed by the collar, and the Knight Captain stepped in between them.
  
  “Calm down, Raizes. Everyone dies eventually.”
  “There’s a time and place for everything!”
  
  “I admit my fault… I’m sorry.”
  “Ugh…”
  
  Regaining his composure after the red-haired magician apologized, the Vice-Captain pulled away and sighed.
  
  “What are we going to do? The only direct descendant of the royal family is Princess Izana… Will she be a figurehead?”
  “Hmm, a Knight King who can’t fight? Morale won’t be high when it matters most.”
  
  “Then will you succeed to the throne, Xenos? Honestly, I think that would be fine.”
  “Don’t be stupid, Blaze… There’s no legitimacy, and even if there was, it’s too much trouble, so I won’t do it!”
  
  While watching the civil and military leaders start to argue noisily, I whispered into the ear of Revia, who was also at a loss for what to do.
  
  （The King’s death, the second-best option… Is it okay to eavesdrop on this?）
  （Ah, now that you mention it… Should we sneak out?）
  
  Perhaps it was because I was distracted by her smiling jokingly, but I was unexpectedly hit by a stray bullet.
  
  “If she’s going to be a figurehead, it’s better if she’s young… Hey, Claude.”
  “I refuse, Knight Captain Xenos.”
  
  I immediately refused, but it was already too late. Blaze, who I guessed was the Chief Magician from the conversation I overheard, looked at me with an appraising gaze.
  
  “Revi, is that the one from the report…?”
  “Yeah, it’s the Rare Human knight, Claude, Otou-san.”
  
  “It seems you saved my daughter from danger. I thank you.”
  “No, it was just a matter of circumstance.”
  
  After politely thanking me, who was much younger than him, he asked his beloved daughter.
  
  “Is he strong?”
  “Yeah, he’s strong. And quick-witted too.”
  
  The three of them turned their attention to us at Revia’s innocent remark, and in the awkward atmosphere, the door at the back slowly opened.
  
  As the beautiful girl with black hair and blue eyes, protected by four guards, stood beside the throne, everyone bowed deeply, so I followed suit.
  
  “Thank you all for your hard work.”
  “Princess-sama, what can we say about this recent matter…”
  
  “Thank you, Knight Captain Xenos… But now is not the time to be hanging our heads.”
  
  The princess continued, speaking resolutely.
  
  “It’s impossible to keep my father’s death a secret forever. The people will be worried.”
  “Then, what should we do?”
  
  “We will announce it, but we will combine it with the joyous occasion of a new king’s accession to the throne. Yes, let’s add the destruction of the Spirit Gate and the victory in the Great Forest as a flourish.”
  
  Although no one mentioned it because she spoke so naturally, question marks appeared above everyone’s heads. Knight Captain Xenos, who had been leading the conversation, asked on everyone’s behalf.
  
  “A ‘new king,’ you say?”
  “Yes, prepare for the marriage immediately… I entrust the selection to you.”
  
  “… Is that alright?”
  “I never intended to do anything as indecent as choose someone to spend my life with.”
  
  Immediately after being stunned by the princess’s bold declaration, the Knight Captain, with a smirk, silently pointed at me, and her emerald gaze turned towards me.
  
  “Then, I propose this Rare Human knight, Claude.”
  “I understand… Are you alright with that?”
  
  （Wh-what are you going to do, Claude!?）
  （What can I do… Can I do this?）
  
  I whispered back to Revia, who was nudging me in the side, but apparently, the princess heard me and cleared her throat slightly.
  
  “Look at my black hair. It shares the same origin as yours. The founder of the current royal family, the third Knight King Shugen, was a Rare Human who came from the Horizon of Causality… If so, I would like to follow his example.”
  
  “Hmm, we can use the legend and say that the new king took over the will of the previous king after witnessing his brave death…”
  
  Raizes nodded as if to solidify the plan, and continued with unsettling words.
  
  I felt a sense of responsibility and hesitated, but… I had nowhere else to go, and as long as I stayed here, I didn’t think I could give up considering the Knight Captain’s dedicated personality.
  
  Besides, to be honest, I wouldn’t mind being the lord of a country, and it would leave a bad taste in my mouth to flatly refuse the request of the old-fashioned and strong-willed princess.
  
  “…Have you reached a conclusion, Sir Claude?”
  
  “I am young and inexperienced, but if that is acceptable…”
  “Of course. I will support you as your consort.”
  
  Although I was bewildered, I took her outstretched hand and accepted her proposal. This would lead to several restless days…
  
  The wedding ceremony was held without a hitch in a simplified form due to the mourning period, and the brave death of the previous king and the new king’s accession to the throne were announced both domestically and internationally. Thus, the countries neighboring the dominion of the “Hour of Ruin” entered a new phase, involving the Lizel Knight Kingdom.
  
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