Chapter 85: Unwavering Girls and the Knight King
[space_man][space_man]By the way, according to a report from Fold, the Knight Kingdom’s military officer stationed in the local small castle, Lady White Fox plans to intercept the Rigsia territorial army on the plains near Begnitz, a small city in the northeast of the territory. Until the time comes, the Lizel Knights will remain hidden in the nearby Great Forest.
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[space_man][space_man]In addition to the mages who set up the barrier to keep people away, arranged by the other side, and the mixed squad of eighty scouts and quartermaster brought from their own country, twenty exclusive knights and mages are spending their free time before the battle… Some of them seem to have nothing to do.
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[space_man][space_man]”Ugh~, I’m bored! Is there anything interesting to do?”
[space_man][space_man]”Revia-neesama, would you like to read?”
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[space_man][space_man]Eleia gently offered the book she was reading to the red-haired mage, who was restless with boredom, and tilted her head, her silver hair shining in the sunlight.
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[space_man][space_man]The heavy leather cover was marked with 『The Tale of the Third Knight King: Yagyu Chronicles』, which means it was probably a story about her and Lloyd’s ancestors.
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[space_man][space_man]”It’s a story that a Lord might like, but by reading this, you’ll get a better understanding of Onii-sama’s greatness, including the bloodline he inherited♪”
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[space_man][space_man]”Sorry, I don’t need it.”
[space_man][space_man]”…Your resolve doesn’t waver in the slightest.”
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[space_man][space_man]While I was giving Revia sweet canned peaches to appease her, feeling slightly terrified, a sharp-looking Zephyrus knight I vaguely remembered seeing somewhere came over with his subordinates.
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[space_man][space_man]”It’s been a while, Knight King-dono.”
[space_man][space_man]”I’m glad to see you’re well, Aynst-dono.”
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[space_man][space_man]I almost reflexively crushed the right palm that was offered to me in a natural gesture, but I realized he wasn’t a musclehead and managed to stop myself just in time, turning it into a simple handshake.
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[space_man][space_man]The Knight Captain looked momentarily surprised by my behavior, but then, as if nothing had happened, he introduced the mage standing behind him.
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[space_man][space_man]”This is the first time we’ve met face-to-face. My name is Eliza.”
[space_man][space_man]”That voice… Were you in the Begalta L-type?”
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[space_man][space_man]”Yes, I’m the mage assigned to the Knight Captain. It’s a pleasure to meet you…”
[space_man][space_man]”Ah, nice to meet you too.”
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[space_man][space_man]Just as I was about to be charmed by the auburn-haired woman who bowed her head politely, Raizes coughed loudly behind me.
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[space_man][space_man]His usual “As a king, you shouldn’t bow your head so easily” argument was heavily implied, so I returned a light bow and turned back to Aynst.
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[space_man][space_man]”Has the situation changed?”
[space_man][space_man]”No, it’s something else. Our Lord would like to know if you have some time.”
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[space_man][space_man]I could have refused his invitation, which was mixed with a wry smile, but when I glanced to the side, Revia, who was nibbling on a peach like a small animal, was staring at me with an expression that clearly said, “I want to go too!” So I nodded obediently.
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[space_man][space_man]Naturally, I couldn’t use the hidden Clawsolas for transportation, so I asked Cavalry Captain Aldo to find me a suitable warhorse. After a while, I set off with him and a few escort cavalry towards Winzard, the central city… As soon as we left the forest and entered the plains, a strong wind blew.
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[space_man][space_man]”Mmm, it feels pretty good.”
[space_man][space_man]”Indeed… By the way, why is Kotono here too?”
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[space_man][space_man]After giving a short reply to my red-haired partner, who was clinging to my arm, I asked while aligning my warhorse’s reins with the black-haired girl’s slightly ahead of me.
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[space_man][space_man]Ilia, the friendly mage with her own Clawsolas, and the caring Lise had stayed at the camp, so it was unusual for Kotono, who seemed cheerful but was selective with people, to come along alone.
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[space_man][space_man]”Well, Captain Xenos told me to take a look at the city in Zephyrus Domain… And Nina-sama is the same kind as us, right?”
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[space_man][space_man]”She’s German, not Japanese, though.”
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[space_man][space_man]Ignoring Kotono’s statement in Japanese, which she assumed those around her wouldn’t understand, I was impressed that she, like the silver-haired, blue-eyed mage, had an unwavering personality.
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[space_man][space_man]She complained that it was quite strange for someone who had lived in an environment far removed from war to be at the forefront of battle and wield a blade without hesitation.
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[space_man][space_man]It was a bit unexpected, so I mentioned that I had been quite conflicted when I first killed someone.
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[space_man][space_man]<...Sorry, I said something insensitive again.>
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[space_man][space_man]In short, it’s a broad interpretation of self-defense. It simply means that I will not hesitate if it is “necessary” to protect those close to me.
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[space_man][space_man]Instead, I avoid unnecessary killing, but since I am the one making the judgments, it’s still within the realm of self-righteousness. You could say I’m just making excuses for myself.
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[space_man][space_man]In the end, I guess she’ll just have to come to terms with it herself. As I was listening to the black-haired girl’s complaints, Aynst led us through the outer district where the Rare Humans lived, and we passed through the East Gate, which stood at the boundary between the new and old city districts.
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[space_man][space_man]Amidst the bustling crowds and the smoke rising from various steam engines, Kotono was looking at the cityscape with interest, and I was led along with the friendly Tsukigase siblings to the Clawsolas depot in the workshop district…
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[space_man][space_man]I understood it as a fantastical concept, but it was the first time I saw an airship floating just above the ground. Lady Nina, dressed in a red and black dress, stood beside the folding stairs that had been lowered from the hull.