CH 104

“Seems like things have calmed down a lot, huh?” I asked.

“Seems so,” Alexia said.

It was an afternoon. I was walking around the streets of Baltrain with her.

With the end of the festival, the city is regaining its usual appearance. Regarding the attempted assassination of the royal family the other day, although I can still hear some rumors, you could say that the city is mostly calm as usual.

Incidentally, I was training with everyone in the morning.

If the city is moving, as usual, we have to train as usual, and things are about the same.

With this uproar, I once again felt that peace was the best. It is a gift if you can just work up a sweat without being hounded by missions and incidents.

“Is the South District cleared up?” I asked.

“Somewhat,” Alexia said. “But it will take a while to safely resume farming.”

The South District had become such a gruesome scene, it’s in the middle of being cleaned up by the entire Kingdom Garrison under the supervision of the Knights. I don’t think I could say anything because I was the one that cut down so many people, but it seems that it will take a little more time to say that place will go back to being usual.

There’s a strong fear of infectious diseases. Baltrain is a densely packed city that does justice to its name as the royal capital, so even a single epidemic can be catastrophically fatal.

It’s been rumored that the Magic Division plays a central role in the post-processing here. The physical labor is undertaken by the Kingdom Garrison, but it seems that magic is the most effective in terms of mass disposal of corpses and infectious disease prevention.

Or rather, how do you even handle that giant number of corpses? There may be a graveyard in Baltrain, but I don’t know its location or its scale. Maybe they’ll be magically cremated.

On that note, Miu also said that the Magician’s Academy was a little hectic. Perhaps the faculty members were also being summoned for public duty.

Even if I was just casually walking around the city, I saw magicians here and there.

They wear robes that look like Thyssel’s, so they’re easy to spot. It’s natural because of the Magician’s Academy, but I’m really impressed that there are so many magicians out and about.

But once all of this is done and dusted, I’m afraid that Lucy’s going to have a little chat with me. She moves so lightly that I feel like she’s going to sneak into my house like before.

“Well, anyway, it seems that the domestic situation is going to be cleared up, isn’t it?” I asked.

“Yes,” Alexia said. “We still have to communicate with Supheniardvania, though.”

This incident is a little complicated.

The incident itself took place within the Kingdom of Rebelis, but the main culprit is Supheniardvania. Furthermore, although there is suspicion hanging over the Papal Faction, who split the ruling powers in two, the real political will seems to rest with the Royal Faction.

Of course, it will ultimately be the responsibility of Supheniardvania, but it is difficult to pin the blame on perpetrators. The opposing faction had moved beneath the awareness of the Royal Faction.

However, the royal family has no choice but to bear the brunt of the blame. I don’t know what the Kingdom of Rebelis will pursue, but I can’t think it won’t cause a fuss over there.

In any case, there is nothing wrong with the Kingdom of Rebelis regarding this matter. It is almost essential that some compensation be demanded from Supheniardvania, even if it’s only because they had endangered Princess Salacia.

By this time, the leaders of these neighboring countries will be holding their heads. Things will fall where they may, but how which way will they face this time?

Well, that’s not my problem nor am I directly affected, so it’s surprisingly easy for me.

“However, is Marbleheart going to be okay?” Alexia asked.

“Ah, right… I hope she’ll be fine,” I said.

And the topic naturally focuses on the people involved. It’s a little painful for me to be discussing this.

This attempted assassination of a member of the royal family. Rose was one of the main criminals.

No one but me knows that she was attempting it in the Kingdom of Rebelis. I did not share my conversation with Gatoga yesterday, not even with Alexia.

By the time Prince Glen had finished his itinerary and left the royal palace, I couldn’t see Rose any longer. It was reasoned away that Gatoga had sent her back because of her injury, and since that was plainly obvious, no one questioned the decision.

“There is no choice but to hope the medical system of Supheniardvania can handle her,” I said.

“I guess so,” Alexia said. “The only thing they have is recovery magic over there.”

Maybe it’s just because I got personally involved, because the other person is the Vice-Captain leader, or because she turned out to be my ex-disciple.

Alexia is quite worried about Rose. That’s a good thing, I can’t say anything bad about it, but I’m still having a slight problem with how to react.

Although Gatoga says he will try to do as much as he can, the efficacy is not guaranteed, so that’s still a worry.

“Well… she is strong,” I said. “I hope she survives.”

“… Yes, I hope so, too,” Alexia said.

This isn’t just well wishes over a simple injury, but I’m not foolish enough to tell her what I really meant.

Somehow I seem to be deceiving Alexia and everyone else, or rather that I am lying to them, but I was upset because of Rose’s fate, and I have no choice but to keep silent.

Seems my stomach is going to be in knots for a while.

Even though I know no one’s going to poke and prod, it’s not easy to keep a secret.

“… Shall we head back?” I asked.

“Yes,” Alexia said. “… You don’t need to go so hard too, Master.”

“Hahaha, thank you for your concern,” I said.

Hmm, is Alexia worried, too? Perhaps she’s seen her Master so worried about his ex-disciple.

She’s not entirely wrong, but she still doesn’t get it. My stomach was already twisting anew.

“But, I’m glad that Prince Glen and Princess Salacia weren’t injured,” I said as we turned back to the Knights’ HQ.

“Yes, indeed,” Alexia said as she followed me. “It’s because you took charge of the area, Master.”

“I don’t think so?” I asked.

“It was so,” Alexia said.

It seems that after Prince Glen and Princess Salacia fled, they were able to safely reach the royal palace with Alexia and Henblitz escorting them.

I heard that it was a forced march, picking up Rebelio Knights along the way, but they showed much strength in such a terrible crisis.

I wonder if it’s because they’re going to be the foundations of the country’s future? Once they make up their minds, they’re much stronger and faster than most people.

“Your name has also risen, Master,” Alexia said.

“No, no,” I said.

Alexia is trying to hype me up now that she’s got the chance, even as we’re just heading to the Knights’ HQ.

Fuck’s sake, I just wanted to be an old man in the countryside, but why did this happen? I’m not as dissatisfied with my life as I am now, but it’s still awkward for my name to spread throughout the world.

We reached the main gate and nodded at the guards.

“Captain Alexia!” someone cried.

“… Evans? What’s wrong?” Alexia said.

And now, there was Evans, one of the younger Rebelio Knights.

I feel like he’s always in a hurry. I feel as if I’m looking at him as a parent, thinking, “Even though he’s still a young man, he is still a Knight, so he should at least be a little more composed.”

“We’ve received a letter from the royal palace. It seems to be addressed to you, Captain,” Evans said, pulling a letter out of a chest pocket.

“Understood, I’ll go read it,” Alexia said, taking it. “Dismissed, Evans.”

“Ma’am!” Evans replied.

The wax seal is undeniable the royal family’s emblem It’s probably the same seal as my letter of appointment letter for the position of Special Instructor, I’ve got little doubts about it.

Alexia glanced at the sealed letter and opened it with a steady hand.

“… A summons?” I asked.

When it comes to sealed letters coming right now, is it because of the previous incident? Even though she successfully escorted Princess Salacia to safety, it is also true that she has been exposed to her danger. I don’t want her to be blamed for that.

“Yes,” Alexia said. “It’s to thank us for our service and an invitation to a banquet.”

“Well, that’s certainly good, isn’t it?” I said. “You should go and show your gratitude.”

Apparently, Princess Salacia has no intention of blaming the Knights of Rebelio for this incident. Rather, it would be a great honor for her to receive compliments from the royal family, albeit through a letter.

A soft smile emerges on Alexia’s face as she reads the letter.

Yes, yes, there should be proper thanks for your good work. I’m glad that the Kingdom of Rebelis is a decent country. I was wondering what to do if we were scolded for this. No, I wouldn’t do anything.

However, a banquet with the royal family.

I’m sure there will be delicious food, but I would like to skip it myself. It’s better for me to have a homecooked dinner Miu than to eat in such a stiff place.

With that thought, Alexia spelled out the rest of the letter with a pleasant smile on her face.

“You do realize you’re also addressed by name here, Master?” she said.

“… Huh?”

… What, why?