Episode 90: The Letter
◇◇◇◇
Time turns back once more.
Ulgool had begun his battle against the two members of House Hoshiros.
“David, maximize your Magical Power Detection! If you’re even a moment late, you’re dead!”
“Yes!”
Ulgool’s signature move, “Hollow Shadow,” was a magic that blended into a black mist, then vanished in an instant.
It made his Magical Power and presence as faint as possible, a perfect ability to catch someone off guard.
Even those from House Hoshiros who knew the trick from years of armed conflict found it extremely difficult to prevent a surprise attack.
The two from House Hoshiros kept a certain distance, holding Ulgool in check with bow-like Magical Power beams, but the balance was soon broken.
“Guagh!”
Ulgool, forcing his way through with a Magical Power Shield, closed in and slashed off Galtano’s right arm with the long katana in his right hand.
“I’ll take over!”
David immediately switched in and launched a counterattack against Ulgool.
Ulgool blocked it with his katana.
Against one person, he could simply overpower them, but against two, he was forced into a battle of attrition.
Seeing Galtano regenerate with Healing Magic, Ulgool clicked his tongue.
“Your tenacity is top-notch as always. But I will definitely take you down here.”
Ulgool drew Magical Power from the door behind him.
A bluish-white light, like veins, surfaced on his arm and continued onto the katana.
Then, he disappeared with Hollow Shadow and approached the two.
“Demonbane Ray, huh… Switch, David!”
“Father?”
Galtano stepped forward, replacing David, who had been preparing.
David couldn’t handle the Demonbane Warrior’s rule-breaking physical enhancement.
Ulgool, seeing the fool who had meekly come forward, grinned.
“The blood of the great sinners—another one.”
Ulgool swung down his katana, clad in ferocious Magical Power.
Galtano blocked it with his Star Tool.
The sheer weight of the attack made Galtano’s entire body scream.
The katana’s momentum couldn’t be stopped, and the blade slid from Galtano’s shoulder toward his heart.
“Guoooooh! Now… do it, David!”
Just before the katana reached his heart, Galtano shouted.
David threw a square box at Galtano.
The box stopped in mid-air, and many black tentacles shot out, wrapping around Ulgool.
“Huh? What is this?”
“…Fuhaha, it seems it activated successfully. This is the end for you, Ulgool! Vanish into the sub-space!”
Galtano, bleeding from his mouth, wore a triumphant smile.
“I see… then I’ll definitely take one with me.”
“Huh?”
Ulgool further increased his Magical Power output.
Resisting the pulling force of the black tentacles, he swung his katana.
“Damn, where did this power come from! Guuuuh, stop it!”
“Say hello to Dalmeneos in the afterlife, current Marquis Hoshiros!”
Ulgool cut Galtano’s body in half.
His upper body slid off and collapsed onto the ground with a squelch.
—That’s one down for sure.
“You bastard, how dare you do that to my father!”
David fired multiple bow-like Magical Power beams at Ulgool.
The orthodox secret art passed down in House Hoshiros, Aim Arrow.
A powerful magic specialized in accuracy, firing speed, and rapid-fire.
(I can’t dodge this. Then…!)
Ulgool launched a desperate charge.
He knew instinctively that these black tentacles were dangerous.
(Before I get absorbed, I’ll take this one out too.)
Ulgool possessed an exceptional intuition and a willingness to act without thinking.
That must have been what did the trick.
“You monster…!”
Ulgool, covered in blood, closed in on David and unleashed a blow with all his might.
David braced himself for death.
However—
(Damn!)
The blow deviated slightly, only leaving a deep laceration on David’s body.
Ulgool was pulled in by the numerous black tentacles—and confined within that small box.
“Haa… haa… I did it, I took down Ulgool!”
David’s face lit up with joy.
He had taken down the source of Hoshiros’s suffering for decades.
His joy was exceptional.
He had paid too heavy a price with his father’s death, but that was the fate of a noble who lived for battle.
“Haha, hahahaha! That’s right, from now on, I am Marquis Hoshiros. Ulgool is gone, which means my era begins here… Gyaaaaaah!”
Suddenly, a massive thunderbolt struck David with an intense roar.
The smell of burnt flesh wafted through the air, and David collapsed to the ground.
“W-What on earth…”
When he looked up, a beautiful girl dressed as a man was standing there.
“I’m sorry… but you are an enemy who bared your fangs at my grandfather…”
The girl cast a cold gaze and raised her sword.
David couldn’t move due to the damage from Ulgool’s attack and the electric shock.
“W-Wait, miss! D-Don’t, please don’t!”
The girl, Luna, used the Star Tool that the Stella-Class man had possessed to cut off David’s head.
◇◇◇◇
The evening sun cast shadows on the ground.
Roa’s story was received by us with shock.
“I see, well done for now, Roa.”
“Ehehe.”
I stroked Roa’s head.
To take down the next head of Hoshiros, even if he was damaged.
Roa, who had been a beautiful girl, had now become a full-fledged man.
“The head of Hoshiros and the next head are dead, and grandfather is inside that Jewel Box?”
“Yes…”
It was truly a small box, less than ten centimeters on each side.
Physically speaking, it was impossible.
However, in this world of magic, it couldn’t be said for certain.
I had once investigated and experimented with the idea that something like space magic existed, but I still hadn’t been able to realize it.
“It is likely an ancient relic from a superpower,”
said Princess Luna, who had her clothes torn earlier.
She was now wearing a blanket.
“An ancient relic from a superpower?”
“Yes. More than twelve hundred years ago, there was a superpower, and the magical tools made with its advanced technology that have survived to this day are called ancient relics.”
“I see.”
“All of the ancient relics that have been confirmed to date have the potential to disrupt the balance of nations, so they are kept under strict guard. Among them, the Jewel Box is said to be an ancient relic that confines people in sub-space.”
Such dangerous things existed?
If the enemy used them, we would have to be careful.
“Is there a way to call grandfather back from the Jewel Box?”
“I’m sorry, I don’t know…”
I tried pouring Magical Power into the Jewel Box as a test.
But it didn’t respond at all.
“It’s no good… There must be some condition.”
“Is grandfather alright…?”
“I don’t know, but we have no choice but to believe he’s safe.”
Now, what to do from here…
Father was unconscious right now, and we couldn’t stay in enemy territory forever.
“Getrude, is it safe to assume that the final decision-making power for this delegation has now shifted to me?”
“You may. May I make a suggestion?”
“…What is it?”
I was a little wary of Getrude’s suggestion.
She wasn’t going to say something like, “Let’s kill Luna and Nicholas as they are,” was she…
“Lord Sharka, this is the heart of enemy territory, so there’s no telling when another attack might occur. We should abandon the ceasefire and retreat immediately.”
“Hmm.”
She didn’t make a barbaric suggestion after all.
Getrude’s proposal was perfectly logical.
Considering everyone’s safety, we couldn’t stay here forever.
As the highest authority, I couldn’t make a rash decision.
After hesitating, I made a decision.
“…Lady Luna, I’m sorry, but the Ceasefire Talks end here.”
I abruptly bid farewell to Luna.
I had agreed to Getrude’s plan.
Father would probably say the same.
“Eh?”
“As things stand, a ceasefire with Naia is impossible. After what Naia has done to cause this situation, there’s no way we can build a relationship of trust.”
“…”
From a situational point of view, Hoshiros was probably mostly at fault.
However, this incident had created a strong sense of distrust toward the Kingdom of Naia in everyone’s hearts.
I was looking at Luna with a biased eye, so I felt there was a gap between my thoughts and everyone else’s.
Therefore, this time, I would speak for my subordinates.
“…However, it’s not like there’s no option—Lady Luna, would you and Lord Nicholas consider defecting to Ortenos?”
“!”
Here, I dangled a carrot in front of Luna.
There should be no problem with me poaching Luna personally.
Under the pretext of interfering with Naia’s queen succession issue.
This would be a win-win for me and for Ortenos.
…Well, it wasn’t a method I particularly liked.
“Even if I return to the Kingdom of Naia now, I’ll be labeled as the princess who failed the ceasefire. Knowing the inside situation, there’s even a chance Alberto’s faction might try to eliminate me. If you come with us, I can guarantee your safety. What do you say, Lady Luna?”
Most of it is also my personal desire.
If Luna were to come to Ortenos, as the acting head of the family, I could handle all the procedures and assert my ownership.
Then, all that’s left is a lovey-dovey smooch.
Luna seemed a bit troubled.
If she truly cared about her country, she should refuse immediately, but it seems she’s weighing something against me.
I truly hope that Luna will be someone who walks with me towards a future paradise.
While holding such a wish, I waited for Luna’s reply, but—
“…I’m sorry. I cannot do that.”
Luna turned her eyes, filled with strong determination, towards me.
She was wearing the mask of a noble.
I was shocked by that, to a small extent.
(I guess not…)
She must have something she needs to prioritize over taking my hand now.
Luna’s reactions so far haven’t been bad.
It was clear that we had good compatibility when we used Healing Magic on each other.
An ordinary infatuated noble would have taken my hand here.
“I see… That’s a shame.”
While I’m disappointed that my invitation was turned down, there’s also a part of me that’s pleased.
I realized that Luna isn’t a woman who would easily fall into desire.
(I still want her.)
I want this girl to become mine while still holding her noble aspirations.
This girl is worth obsessing over.
(How can I get this princess? How?)
The problem is that Luna and I are enemies.
If we don’t resolve this relationship, the next time we meet might be on the battlefield.
“Lady Luna—no, never mind…”
I couldn’t find the words to continue.
Being the person in charge here also made my position difficult.
More than anything, any further resistance would be—unseemly.
Just as I was about to give the order to my subordinates to withdraw,
“Lord Sharka—”
Luna called out to me.
“—I believe it’s too early to decide to break off the Ceasefire Talks. If you need a place to rest, I can guide you. I believe we can prepare enough refreshments to satisfy everyone from Ortenos.”
“…Refreshments?”
“Yes.”
Luna gave a bewitching smile.
Judging from the nuance of “refreshments,” it’s some kind of code word.
In this case, it means she can provide benefits to Ortenos.
“Where is this place to rest?”
“There’s a State Guest House about two ‘Nikel’ away from here. The Ceasefire Talks were originally scheduled for multiple days, so everyone from Ortenos can stay there as well.”
It’s nearly thirty kilometers from here to Bangwall.
Considering that night will fall soon, it would be a burden to return by carriage.
“I understand. I’ll take you up on your offer, Lady Luna.”
“Yes, that would be best.”
Luna gave a lovely smile that would put flowers to shame.
It seems my connection with Luna will continue.
I’m relieved about that for now.
“Let’s head there as soon as preparations are complete.”
Infatuation can be said to be the very essence of nobility in a way.
It’s a true feeling that can’t be completely concealed.
But right now, Luna is completely covering it with the mask of a noble.
What is Luna thinking as she invited me?
Is it for the sake of her country? For the sake of the ceasefire? Or perhaps…?
I thought about various things, but I couldn’t understand the girl’s heart anymore.
◇◇◇◇
By the time we arrived at the State Guest House, the moon was out.
The moon looks somewhat different from the one on Earth, but its role of brightly illuminating the night path remains the same.
As befitting a State Guest House, it has a garden, a pond, and flower fields, making it a scenic place.
Everyone gathered in the dining room for dinner.
I immediately asked Luna about the refreshments, in other words, the terms of the ceasefire.
I don’t like being kept in suspense for too long.
Then, Luna presented some very favorable conditions.
“So, you’re saying you’ll cede all of the western area of the Elhoro River south of Ronshant?”
“Yes, it’s the least we can do to compensate for the great inconvenience caused to House Ortenos.”
Even Getrude was impressed by these conditions.
“Is this a sanction against Hoshiros?”
“You may interpret it as you wish.”
Luna evaded the answer.
In a way, Hoshiros’s blunder has made the ceasefire easier to achieve.
From Luna’s perspective, weakening Hoshiros’s power would weaken the Alberto faction, so Luna’s ceasefire conditions would inevitably become more lenient.
She probably intends to condemn Hoshiros after returning to Gordasht.
“…I understand. I’ll consider it positively.”
We finished the small conference called a dinner party.
According to Luna’s plan, we were supposed to deepen our friendship at this State Guest House and aim for a ceasefire.
Therefore, this State Guest House was well-equipped with amenities and was sufficient as a noble’s hospitality.
After that, while giving Nicoletta suggestive looks, I took a bath and purified myself.
Then, I returned to the assigned room and prepared for bed.
(In the end, I couldn’t read Luna’s true intentions.)
I rolled a Gold Coin on the desk.
If nothing happens, we’re scheduled to leave here before noon tomorrow.
(So, I’ll be saying goodbye to Luna then.)
I was reminded of the kind of relationship that I had experienced countless times in my previous life, one that ends without anything happening.
That’s how life usually is.
In my student days, the people I thought might be my soulmates usually ended up marrying men I didn’t know.
“How sad…”
Just as my heart was about to fall apart, Nicoletta entered the room.
“What’s wrong?”
Nicoletta had a subtle expression on her face and was holding something in her hands.
“I apologize if this is very unpleasant, but I have received a letter from the eldest daughter of the hateful Carlina—”
“Give it to me.”
I snatched the letter from Nicoletta, almost taking it by force.
I couldn’t stop the corners of my mouth from rising as I read it.
Come to think of it, my relationship with Luna—started with a letter.
“I have something to do. No need to accompany me.”
I left my room with light steps.
It seems I still have some luck left.
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Important announcement from the author
To my beloved readers, it’s time for a revolt!
I’m going to try to write a “description that exquisitely stimulates sexual desire” in the next chapter!
However, this is a dangerous act that may violate Kakuyomu’s guidelines on sexual expression.
I’m just a weak human being.
I might chicken out and make it a “morning after” scene…
So, I want you to share your courage (stars) with me.
Of course, only if you think my work is interesting.
With your cooperation, I’m sure I can create something thick and rich.
So…
Let’s go, you guys, get fired up!
(I’m sorry, it’s all a joke, thank you for your support as always!)