Torn Asunder by War, A Sword Saint for Tomorrow X The Knight Wizards!! – Chapter 138

Chapter 138: Decisive Reckless Individuals and the Flower of the Battlefield
  “Get out, Elbeato-dono. If you miss this chance, there won’t be another opportunity to fight. Being protected by a brave lady’s back is unacceptable for someone who practices martial arts, wouldn’t you agree?”
  
  “I’m troubled by being blatantly provoked by a weak soldier like you… It’s not a matter of skill, is it? I had a feeling, but I might not get along with Knight King-dono.”
  
  The second son of Marquis Hazen of the Almaine territory, whom I had been introduced to by an acquaintance from the Neutral Faction at the music festival in the core city of Raydas a while ago, let out an exaggerated sigh. He stopped just short of grabbing the hilt of his military sword, hesitated slightly, and then raised both hands.
  
  I had moved to a position where I could see the people I had knocked unconscious during the conversation and was observing the situation. Suppressing my disappointment, I lowered the tip of the cursed forged blade “Shiranui,” which I was holding in the Hidari Kousoku-dan stance.
  
  As we exchanged glances for a few seconds in that state, Revia also entered the second-floor room from the completely broken window, manipulating the airflow caused by wind magic.
  
  “Hmm, the subjugation… seems to be no problem. Are you injured?”
  “Ah, I’m fine. I didn’t take a single hit.”
  
  I replied to the red-haired mage girl who tilted her head and asked with concern. As I let her touch me freely, Elbeato, who had a suspicious expression, gave a wry smile and gradually relaxed.
  
  He asked me to let him tend to his fallen subordinates, so I nodded. I watched as the female knight, who had just regained consciousness and was pretending to be asleep in order to get revenge, was embraced.
  
  “I’m sorry, I pushed you too hard…”
  “Ugh…”
  
  Apparently, the middle-aged woman missed the timing to open her eyelids and respond to the voice, and she moved her body to create a prelude for her awakening. Unfortunately, the door behind her opened at that moment, and everyone’s attention was diverted.
  The ones who appeared from the hallway were the silver-haired, blue-eyed knight Lloyd and Dino, who were supported by wind mages and had entered the second floor of the trading house at the same time. I also caught a glimpse of the squire knights escorting the captured rebels who seemed to have been disarmed.
  
  “As we planned, we’re not sure whose forces they are, so we’re neutralizing them without killing them and gathering them in the corner room…”
  
  “Is the mastermind an acquaintance after all, Claude-ou?”
  “I only met him once at the theater concert.”
  
  Since Izana was also with me at that time, I let a smile of the black-haired, neat girl flash in the corner of my mind. I asked the blue-haired knight to call for someone who was free and had the two fallen rebels, who showed no signs of waking up, carried out as well.
  
  Taking advantage of the flow, the female knight, who had stealthily gotten up, rubbed her red and swollen left cheek and glared at me with resentment.
  
  “You’re merciless, something to learn from. I wouldn’t be able to lightly punch a lady in the face.”
  “…Certainly, when facing someone with a weapon, unnecessary consideration is just arrogance.”
  
  “Haw, Lloyd-san, that’s not a compliment at all. Dino, you shouldn’t just agree obediently. If you don’t treat girls kindly, Lise-san will hate you.”
  
  While muttering to myself, “It’s different during a desperate battle,” I shrugged in front of Elbeato, who had brought up peacetime ethics. The three of us, including myself, were being scolded by Revia… Then, the more nervous one of the two captains, who I had left in charge of the first floor of the trading house, entered the room.
  
  He silenced his old friend’s only daughter, whom he had known since his military academy days, with his silent pressure, tightening the somewhat relaxed atmosphere.
  
  “When I came to report after taking control of the lower floor, it seems you are unexpectedly relaxed.”
  
  “It’s strange for me to point this out, but because the public order in the city is not good, the ruling class cannot ignore the violence of other forces. It would be troublesome if the patrol unit that heard the commotion arrives and the information reaches the headquarters.”
  
  The nobleman’s second son casually interjected, implicitly suggesting a change of location, but the young officer behind Raizes shook his head in denial.
  
  The emblem on the collar of his imperial uniform was a “lion standing up,” leaving no doubt that he was a member of the Rigsia territorial army.
  
  “I don’t know who you are, but we have an agreement with the Knight Kingdom. It was Baron Ramsey who originally requested our cooperation with the investigation in exchange for the Clawsolas parts that remained in the territory.”
  
  “I was also concerned about the guys who were spreading bad rumors about the deceased, and some of the tools that I couldn’t get through Nina-dono were worn out…”
  
  Apparently, there is also a full-fledged Clawsolas workshop in the second largest city, Dresden. Depending on the item, they said they could produce it urgently. So, on behalf of the busy Baron, they mobilized the Knight Kingdom’s scouts and knights, leading to the present situation.
  
  Due to such circumstances, the elite of the Rigsia territorial army, the 1st Brigade, 1st Battalion, 2nd Company, led by the son of the Deputy Brigade Commander, who had been active in the elimination of the remaining enemies, also participated in the blockade of the surrounding area. There was no need to fear the discovery of the trading house attack.
  
  Except for Lloyd and the others, who left to maintain the occupied state and keep watch, those who remained sat down on the leather sofas in the room as if it were natural.
  
  Of course, I felt that Revia, who sat down neatly next to me, was a little out of place, but if I forcibly drove her away, she would get upset. So, I decided to put that aside and discuss the intentions of each faction.