Chapter 62: The Wind Chime Mercenary Group
Lestall Castle, reception room.
There, King Lestall’s surprised voice rose, prompting Royal Guards to rush to the scene.
“Y-You’re truly alive, King Royce!!”
“Yes, I did indeed go to the brink of death. But King Lestall, what is the meaning of this?”
Having dismissed the Royal Guards who had rushed in, King Lestall regained his composure.
He had Royce sit opposite him, while Genzou, who had come as Royce’s attendant, stood behind.
Instead of King Lestall, who was still mulling over the question, the Prime Minister answered.
“If this is about the treaty, I am deeply apologetic. However, I cannot go so far as to endanger all of Lestall. Even if it means breaking the treaty.”
“Hey, hey, that’s not right. We dedicated our country and our lives, you know? It’s not too late. I’ll let the matter of breaking the treaty slide. Lend us your soldiers!”
At Royce’s voice as he bowed his head, King Lestall and the Prime Minister exchanged glances.
“Soldiers, you say?”
“In this situation, what else is there!”
“I shall willingly accept the criticism for breaking the treaty. However, to be told to send soldiers after returning the country because we couldn’t fulfill our obligations, there’s no way I can agree.”
“This current situation, it was returned precisely because we absolutely cannot do that,” King Lestall showed his indignation.
“Returned… to Randolph… no, to General Razbel? Trying to settle things with just that now is a bit too convenient, isn’t it?”
“What… you haven’t returned to your country yet? I returned it directly to Princess Cornelia and Princess Yunon, you know?”
At those words, a crude “Huh?” escaped Royce.
From Royce’s perspective, he was being deceived with incomprehensible falsehoods during this emergency. It couldn’t be helped that a voice unbecoming of royalty escaped him.
“I see. It doesn’t seem like you came here to deceive us.”
“Hey, hey, what’s that when we’re the ones being deceived…”
Not just Royce, but even Genzou became filled with killing intent, and the atmosphere grew dangerously tense.
“Wait!! Your elder sister was apparently frozen in time by monsters. Hunters from our country rescued her, and in that process, we had her come here. Your Marquis Arbane is said to have confirmed it. Shown a perfect living image, presented with the Belfast Royal Family’s dagger and Marquis Arbane’s letter of credence, we had no choice but to acknowledge it.”
“Arbane acknowledged it!? What in the world is going on…”
“If you are so confused, you should return to your country once and confirm the current situation. We have not uttered a single falsehood.”
Royce showed confusion for a while, but quickly concluded that it wouldn’t solve the problem.
“Wait. Even if all of that is true. Lestall confiscated even the private assets of the Belfast Royal Family, and then just returning the dregs and calling it quits is unreasonable either way, right? If you can’t send soldiers, then at least you should return the contents of the treasury you collected, and all the taxes you’ve squeezed from the people up to now, shouldn’t you?”
From the previous exchange, he understood that they absolutely would not send soldiers.
In that case, money was his last resort.
He pressed on, trying to get out even a little.
“If it’s money, then I have already returned it. Hostilities began last year, but as we couldn’t send soldiers, we sent back every bit of what was collected from Belfast as funds, at the very least. With complete tax exemption added. As expected, I cannot return the taxes up to the present day. They have already been used for the sake of the people, including those under Razbel.”
Royce’s eyes widened upon hearing this somewhat unexpected story, but he quickly returned to a sharp gaze.
“Since you violated the treaty, you’ll naturally pay reparations too, right?”
“As a nation, we cannot. If we were to do that openly now, it would cast a shadow on the trust from the feudal lords. That shadow would become an opening for the Empire to exploit…”
King Lestall closed his eyes and bowed his head deeply to him.
“Kuh… you people, you really intend to say this is the end of it all, don’t you?”
He gritted his teeth and glared at King Lestall.
After a tense moment, it was King Lestall who exhaled.
“I am fully aware that we have committed a disloyalty… However, the situation does not permit it. You must understand, even our own country is on the brink of falling. Against the Mildrad-Empire alliance, the current Belfast-Lestall alliance cannot win. I, too, do not wish to be a shameless person who breaks promises. However, the circumstances do not allow it. If the Empire, which has grown even stronger, were to get serious now when we are unprepared, it would be the end…”
King Lestall finished speaking, his words tinged with regret.
Seeing him like that, Royce pondered whether he should reconsider his thoughts a little.
Things like the flow of funds could be investigated immediately upon returning. He wasn’t a king foolish enough to tell lies that would be quickly exposed.
If he intended to cut ties and feign complete ignorance, he wouldn’t have returned the money in the first place.
Then, he renewed his understanding that the next step was information.
“Has the Empire become that powerful…?”
“I see, it was only natural that information from over there wouldn’t reach your ears. My apologies. I inadvertently thought of it as it was in the old days. Hey, bring all the documents on the Empire here!”
King Lestall called out to his steward. They had to wait a while due to the sudden request, but an astonishing amount of documents was placed before them.
“Look through them, and take them if necessary.”
“Ah, yes…”
He, too, being a king, knew. Acquiring this information cost an enormous amount of money.
“…Weren’t you planning to cut us off?”
“Originally, as a king, this would be where I feign ignorance… But recently, a young child saved my grandchild’s life. Perhaps I was a little affected by such an unclouded heart.”
King Lestall replied with a faint smile tinged with apology.
The more Royce looked through the Empire’s documents, the more he realized that even Lestall was truly in danger.
Compared to fifteen years ago, the Empire’s military power had drastically increased.
If Belfast fell, there would be no disadvantage to Lestall even if they pretended the promise never existed.
Prioritizing one’s own country’s safety is a king’s duty.
A king who acts on duty and compassion when his country’s survival is at stake is a foolish king.
Royce understood that saying anything more would be useless and opened his mouth.
“…I understand. I’ll at least keep in mind that King Lestall had no ill intent. Well, I can understand wanting to feign ignorance. When you’re facing an army of twenty thousand…”
Those words contained the sarcasm of, ‘Even if we ask to join hands, there won’t be a next time, will there?’
King Lestall, too, was unaware that it had become such an all-out war, and his expression twisted.
“I had heard that large-scale conscription was underway, but I see… it’s that much, huh. King Royce, a mercenary group called Wind Chime has come to the Randall territory. Since you’ve come this far, it would be good to meet them.”
These words were delivered with a serious, composed expression, as if offering advice.
But to Royce, it sounded only like a provocation.
“No, if you’re going to say that, then give us some funds…”
That’s right, he had no money to hire them. Because his request for funds had been refused.
“If it’s you, they might even take the job for free, you know?”
“Huh? Could that possibly mean…”
“King Royce… you’ve become quite rough, haven’t you. Speak with a little more dignity. You are a king too, are you not?”
“None of your business. But I appreciate the advice. And the documents.”
Royce said, “If we’re alive, let’s meet again,” shook hands with King Lestall, and left the royal palace.
Afterward, when he opened the box containing the compiled documents to re-examine the Empire’s information, five hundred large gold coins emerged.
“Hah, so this is severance money, huh…”
It was something he desperately wanted right now, but Royce stared at the gold coins with eyes tinged with dissatisfaction.
He had adopted a friendly attitude to leave open future possibilities, but in reality, he was seething with anger.
“So, long story short, we achieved absolutely nothingggg!”
Yurisia, who couldn’t go into the royal castle with them but had firmly accompanied the group, looked at Royce with a slightly complex yet happy expression, thinking he was just like a completely flippant Rui.
“Haaah. It’s regrettable to agree with King Lestall’s words, but please regain your dignity. Since the country has been returned, the throne has nominally and actually returned to Your Majesty.”
“Your Majesty! Congratulations!” the four soldiers who had accompanied them raised joyous voices.
However, although Royce waved his hand in response, he turned a displeased face to Genzou.
“It can’t be helped, can it? We were betrayed on our very last, desperate move…”
Indeed, he didn’t know the scale of the Wind Chime Mercenary Group, but even if he asked them to fight an enemy ten times their strength, the chances of them accepting were low, and even if they did, it would be a drop in the ocean.
Nevertheless, believing there was no option but to go and meet them, they headed for Marquis Randall’s territory while cramming the Empire’s documents into their heads.
“Still, I wonder who started Wind Chime. I’m looking forward to going and seeing.”
“From the way King Lestall spoke, it’s highly likely they’re people from Belfast.”
And so, they arrived at a large long-term lodging, the likes of which didn’t even exist in Belfast.
According to King Lestall, Marquis Randall has hired them as opponents for military exercises with his private army. He gave Royce not only information but also a document to terminate the contract.
If Marquis Randall terminates the contract from his side, he’ll have to pay the full contract fee.
And once the Wind Chime Mercenary Group receives a lump sum of money, they’ll be able to move more freely.
Naturally, the Royal Family will compensate House Randall for its losses.
This was probably King Lestall’s way of showing as much consideration as possible.
At the inn’s reception, Royce showed them an envelope bearing the royal seal and requested, “I need to deliver this directly to the Wind Chime’s leader, so please let me through.”
Of course, this document was meant for the Marquis, but Royce’s long years as a fugitive had taught him to lie smoothly.
No one could refuse when shown something bearing the royal family’s seal.
As expected, he was led to the front of the room. An inn employee knocked, went inside to explain, and then a woman’s voice said, “Please come in.”
The employee gave a quick bow and then practically fled back to their work.
Royce, stepping inside, let out a dumbfounded “Heh?”
“No way… Royce, Your Majesty…?”
“Evelyn… is that you?”
Called by her nickname, she literally leaped at him, exclaiming, “Your Majesty!!” and he caught her.
“Whoa, hey, I asked for the leader of the Wind Chime Mercenary Group, you know? Could it be you, Evelyn?”
“Yes! More importantly, Your Majesty, you’re safe… I’m so glad you’re safe…”
At her loud cry, people started trickling in, wondering what was going on.
They were probably members of the Wind Chime Mercenary Group.
Several among them were frozen, their mouths agape.
“Th-The Captain of the Imperial Guard Knights!!”
“Hey, so it’s him!”
“H-His Majesty Royceeeeee!?”
Some of the members who had been frozen in shock started clamoring all at once. Simultaneously, whispers like, “The Boss Lady is hugging a man!” and “Unforgivable!” could be heard.
This was an encounter with a mercenary group. Naturally, all of them were using Enhanced Hearing.
The soldiers who had accompanied Royce exchanged hushed, teasing remarks like, “They say it’s unforgivable, Your Majesty.”
“The country is in crisis right now! More importantly, let’s talk about Belfast first.”
When Royce cut them short, everyone, except for the members unrelated to Belfast, straightened up with a “Hah!” and placed a hand on their chest.
“Enough of that. Evelyn, I came here to request your mercenary group to join the war.
The enemy numbers twenty thousand. I know it’s a reckless request, but will you accept?”
“Of course! This mercenary group was originally formed to rush to Your Majesty’s side when you went into hiding in Daltone. Our direction changed when we heard you had passed away, but our resolve has not.”
At her words, other members who hadn’t quite understood murmured, “Ah, so that’s why the Boss Lady… We were originally planning to go to Razbel once our contract here ended.”
“I see. Thank you, Evelyn…”
“No, thank you for being alive!”
And so, the matter was quickly settled, and the Wind Chime Mercenary Group came under Royce’s command.
They immediately began to align their information.
Royce’s forces consisted of fifty Imperial Guard Knights and thirty Senior Knights. The Wind Chime Mercenary Group numbered two hundred in total: ten equivalent to Senior Knights, one hundred fifty equivalent to Senior Soldiers, and forty new recruits.
Evelyn wholeheartedly praised Royce for still having such a force without relying on Razbel.
“No… even this is less than half of what we had.
Everyone fought like demons, though.”
Royce looked down, appearing desolate.
Evelyn reached out a hand, wanting to comfort him, but it was easy to imagine how brutal it must have been, and she couldn’t find the words.
“As I’ve said many times, there’s no need to look down, Sire!” Genzou declared.
“Without wavering in your resolve, you’ve slaughtered a hundred times more of those detestable Daltone soldiers than we’ve lost!”
Genzou’s words were a slight exaggeration, but mostly true.
Over the past fifteen years, they had continuously slaughtered seven to eight thousand enemy soldiers.
It was precisely thanks to them that Daltone hadn’t been able to make a move until recently.
Evelyn and the others trembled at such an astounding feat, but then her expression changed as if she’d suddenly realized something.
“Your Majesty being here, in defiance of the treaty… does that mean the time to retake Belfast is near?!”
“No, that’s already done. Lestall has acknowledged the treaty violation and decided to return it.”
“””Oooooooooh!!”””
Royce silenced them with a hand gesture as their shouts were loud enough to shake the inn.
“However, separate from the war, there’s some unsettling news that’s no laughing matter.”
Royce, prefacing it as something he heard at Lestall Castle, told those around him about someone impersonating his older sister.
He had only believed that King Lestall was in a situation where he had no choice but to acknowledge it; Royce didn’t think for a moment that it was true.
“That’s a death sentence, isn’t it…”
Everyone nodded at Evelyn’s words.
Impersonating royalty and plotting to take over the country—no matter how you looked at it, it could only mean capital punishment.
“No, it might not be that simple.
I can’t imagine that Urbain guy would betray us.”
“Indeed,” Genzou agreed. “I’ve known him for a long time as well, but he is not a man driven by selfish desires.”
Having rushed to a conclusion, Evelyn bowed her head and said, “…You’re right. My apologies.”
“This is happening under such circumstances. It’s probably not so much a takeover as some other reason behind it.
That’s why I’m not keen on returning carelessly.
If the country were to split due to internal strife at a time like this, it would be a disaster.”
“I see. So, you’ll have Razbel’s forces engage in the wartime activities first.
It’s a natural course of action for Your Majesty’s unit to be the reinforcements in any case, so that should be fine.”
Evelyn declared enthusiastically that if there were subversive elements, it would be more convenient if they were whittled down.
“I can’t decide that much without knowing the circumstances, but for now, we’ll gather information and see how things play out.”
When Royce announced that this concluded the discussion for the time being, Evelyn’s gaze turned to Yurisia.
“Your Majesty, if I recall correctly, you didn’t take me with you back then because of my age…?”
Royce, faced with her terrifying glare, sensed danger and quickened his speech.
“No, no, no! There are special circumstances! She has a reason to go to war!”
Yurisia, discovering another trait Royce shared with Rui, looked up at him with a flushed, lovestruck expression.
“This girl is looking up at Your Majesty with quite an amorous gaze, but…?”
“I told you, it’s not like that! Don’t you believe my words anymore?”
“Only when it comes to matters involving women, then yes…”
Yurisia, superimposing the dejected Royce onto Rui, stared at him while murmuring, “Cute.”
Evelyn felt irritated by this display.
“Hah, that’s why I told you, Sire,” Genzou sighed. “You must be cautious in your dealings with women.”
The attendant soldiers chimed in, echoing Genzou’s voice.
It didn’t take long before Royce could no longer bear it and burst out in anger.