Chapter 56: Following the Scent…
After leaving the West Gate and riding for a while, Raku and Fuu suddenly plunged into the forest.
I was relieved that both of them chose to enter the forest at the same time. They must be properly following the scent.
“Are we close?”
“Kuuun…”
“Woof!”
They seemed somewhat unsure, but after going a little further, they barked powerfully.
In a slightly open area within the forest, Raku and Fuu sniffed around.
It seemed certain that she had been here…
Looking around, I saw a campsite with simple tents. Further in, I could see a place where the ground was blackened.
This was probably completely dried blood.
The thought that Yuri had been there sent a chill down my spine.
“Does the trail end here?”
The two of them walked around separately, sniffing the ground, then Fuu barked at Raku and started running.
Good. The scent must be continuing.
Thinking that, I proceeded, and further ahead, there was a similar trace of blood.
On the road leading from Razbel towards Mildrad, right in the middle of it, clear traces of a battle could be seen.
Again…? Could it be that Yuri did all of this…?
No, even for Yuri, that’s unlikely.
While I was thinking that, this time they started moving again quickly.
With confidence, they now ran back along the road towards Razbel. Good. It seemed she hadn’t gone further in that direction.
That is, if Fuu was truly following Yuri’s scent.
No, what’s the point of doubting? Raku and Fuu were both serious, and I could see that they were both acting with the same intention.
Please, be found soon.
Wishing that, I gripped the reins tightly.
Following the scent, we arrived at a small village.
We were stopped by a gatekeeper at its entrance, but Fuu and Raku both looked at me and barked once.
“Um, I’m looking for someone. Please, just let us pass through the village.”
“No way, no way! It’s decided that no outsiders are allowed in here. So the person you’re looking for isn’t here.”
He said that, but Fuu’s eyes were still looking straight into the village.
“Roosevelt, Knight Commander, has requested me to conduct a search. It’ll be a problem if I’m stopped here!”
“…Proof of that? No, it could be faked. If you want to search, bring the person himself. If you can prove it to that extent, I’ll let you through under supervision.”
Bringing him in person, don’t say such unreasonable things.
In this situation, the Knight Commander can’t just go out easily.
Should I try to force my way through…?
No, it’s scary to think about Raku and the others getting attacked.
…Given that her trail is leading back this way, perhaps I shouldn’t try to force things here.
“Understood. I’ll come back later. But before that, one more thing.”
“What is it? No matter what you say, you’re not getting in.”
To him, who was being rude, I warned that there was a high possibility the Daltone Army would attack with a large force soon, so at the very least, they should prepare to evacuate quickly. And if possible, it would be better to evacuate south in advance.
“O-oh. Thanks for the warning. Well, not that we plan on running…”
He replied, his hostility seemingly deflated by my words. I said, “Well then,” and left the place.
I returned directly to Belfast Castle and explained the search situation to the Knight Commander.
“Wait a minute. I was aware that enemies lurking in the forest had been subjugated by someone, but there was something similar along the road too?”
“Yes. From the looks of it, the battle site was about the same scale as the one in the forest, and no bodies were found at all.”
Putting that aside for a moment, I prefaced, and then consulted him about what to do, since Fuu was heading into the village but we were stopped because outsiders aren’t allowed.
“Of all places, that village… Indeed, they probably wouldn’t let outsiders in. That village, you see—”
As I listened to the story, it was apparently a village of people who were forcibly taken to Daltone during the war before I was born. Former Belfast soldiers who had deserted went to rescue them directly, and after bringing them back, they settled there.
They don’t trust Lestall, so they don’t side with Razbel either.
It’s said to be a village created by such people, banding together.
“But is that so… Those bloodstains, were they indeed from those who went out…? Perhaps I should go there directly myself once more and try to persuade them.”
Listening to his mutterings, it seemed he was only thinking about military strength, not Yuri. It’s natural for a Knight Commander, but it would be a problem if he forgot about Yuri.
“Um, if you go, about Yuri too…”
“Ah, of course. However, don’t expect too much. If we make a wrong move there, it will lead to armed conflict.”
Saying that, he described the situation in that village.
It’s said to be in a state of semi-extraterritoriality.
They haven’t recognized annexation by the Kingdom of Lestall, to the extent that even Razbel’s territorial army is refused entry, and it’s said they once fell into a touch-and-go situation.
One-third of that village’s inhabitants are said to be High Knights, a rank above Senior Soldiers. And they are fierce warriors, about a hundred of them, who have continuously rescued their families from Daltone.
He said that if it came to an armed conflict, they would suffer considerable damage.
“Oh my. Then wasn’t the General furious?”
“Ahaha, you’d think so, wouldn’t you? But, as long as his family isn’t involved, he’s actually quite mild-mannered. From the beginning, the Margrave said that since he couldn’t get their families back for them, but they’re still paying taxes, they should be allowed to do as they please. Well, that’s not good in its own way, though.”
At that moment, a gatekeeper soldier rushed into the barracks flustered.
“Commander! This is terrible!!”
“What’s all the commotion? What happened?”
Don’t tell me the Daltone Army has already arrived!?
I became anxious, but I calmed myself thinking a gatekeeper wouldn’t be the one to report that.
“It’s… Her Highness the Princess… Please come at once!!”
“Ah, Cornelia-san has come…”
As I said that, Roosevelt, Knight Commander, made a dubious expression. “Cornelia, Her Highness the Princess, you say…?”
It was a face of complete disbelief.
Well, it can’t be helped. She’s someone who was said to have died over twenty years ago.
“It would be quicker if you met them first. They are the important people Uncle Rudolf said he was bringing.”
He asked the soldier who came to report, “Is Rudolph with them too?” The soldier nodded, “Yes…”
Precisely because of that, he couldn’t dismiss it all as a lie and showed a confused look.
“Understood. We can confirm if we go. Let’s go at once. Rui, you come too. You seem to know a lot about this.”
When I followed him to the gate, the Princesses’ party and Uncle Rudolf and Aunt Mary were there.
Roosevelt-san, looking at them dumbfounded, pulled Uncle Rudolf’s arm.
“Rudolph… what is the meaning of this? Why are there people who are such spitting images…?”
“Didn’t you hear from the General? No, well, I was truly surprised by this too…”
Roosevelt-san, exuding an air of someone dealing with something too delicate to touch, started whispering with Uncle Rudolf, but Yunon-san stepped forward as if to say, “This is bothersome.”
“You’re still as fidgety as ever! Surely, you haven’t forgotten my face, have you?”
“No, of course I remember it, but… it’s more like, you haven’t changed so much it’s unbelievable…”
That’s true. If things were normal, she should be over forty years old.
At those words, Yunon-san shot him a sharp glare.
“I see, then I’ll prove it with my memories!! That was when you were ten, at your debut, wasn’t it—”
And so, she began to describe in detail how Roosevelt-san had been too nervous, messed up his speech, and started crying, but she was stopped midway by Cornelia-san.
“More importantly than that, Rui-sama, why are you here before us…?”
“Ah, I have a high-speed means of travel. It only works for a single person, though.”
I explained because they looked at me as if they’d seen a ghost, but this time they made a sorrowful face.
“Knowing their forces are ten times ours, why did you come…” Yunon-san continued with a sad face, and I understood the meaning of their gazes.
But that’s, everyone’s in the same boat, right?
I only thought that for a moment, as words continued incessantly from those around me.
“That’s right. Rui, this place is no good! Evacuate to Oldam immediately!”
“That’s right, it’s dangerous. Please leave this to us.”
“That’s right. No matter how strong Rui-sama is, with a tenfold difference in military strength…”
No, even if everyone’s saying all sorts of things, I looked towards Roosevelt-san, and he said, “For now, let’s move,” guiding us into the castle.
I followed, looking around the interior of the castle, which I was entering for the first time, with great interest.
He opened the door to a room, saying, “This way,” but the two Princesses stopped in their tracks.
“Are you still doubting us? Or, is that room no longer here?”
Wondering what she meant, I peeked into the room, but it was just a normal, beautiful reception room.
“No, um, I don’t have the authority to use that one…”
“Well, very well. Then, could you call for Randolph?”
Following them into the room, I was made to sit by the two Princesses, and they sat on either side of me.
Aoi-san, Chinatsu, and the others stood back behind us, while Uncle and Aunt stood by the wall.
“Huh, is this really my spot?” I thought, feeling uneasy, and was about to stand up, but Yunon-san stopped me.
“No, but I don’t intend to reveal myself or anything… Just give me a little say, and I’ll be fine by the wall.”
Yeah. As long as I have the authority to search for Yuri and can arrange my and Yuri’s placement afterward, that’s all I need.
No, wait, since it looks like this is going to be a losing battle, shouldn’t I be able to move more freely?
I should probably do anything that doesn’t seem like it’ll get in the way.
“No. I can’t stand you being treated as inferior. Sorry, but that’s not happening, okay?”
Ooh, looks like hiding isn’t an option either way.
“Alright. But I’m not succeeding Dad, okay?” I made sure to clearly state my intentions, as that was the one thing I wouldn’t compromise on.
It’s a position someone like me, who’s bad at domestic affairs and other complicated stuff, shouldn’t take.
They say an incompetent leader is a sin, after all.
“…I’d like to say that’s also a no, but for now, it’s fine.
I’ve heard about the circumstances you grew up in, and I understand you can’t just switch gears.”
I wondered if Cornelia-san felt the same way, and when I looked at her, she inexplicably took my hand.
“It will be alright. I shall support you.”
“Me too. There’s no need to be timid. Be confident.”
No, that’s not quite what I meant… but oh well.
I did state my intentions clearly, after all.
Just then, the door opened, and General Razbel entered.