Chapter 206

Nigel, Freide, Damien, Milia, and Rana were all staying at the Remnant Academy dormitory.

Due to the chaos caused by conflicts big and small across the empire, the academy’s dispatch support had been indefinitely suspended.

“Civil war? Seriously, things have gotten way out of hand… Anyway, I’m glad you look unharmed. I was worried since I heard you fought the Empire’s greatest swordsman.”

“I almost died. That Ghost Sword thing was ridiculously cheap.”

Truth be told, I was as good as dead, and it was Hersela who saved me.

“I still can’t believe it. Who would have thought Sir Valenstein would betray the empire?”

“Sir? He’s just a senile old man. All he knows is cutting people’s chests in half.”

I pointed to my chest, still wrapped in bandages.

By the time we reach Randenburg, it should be healed… but for now, it still aches with every step.

“Are you really okay, sis? Should I cast a healing spell on you?”

“I’d appreciate it. Please do.”

“Leave it to me!”

Rana’s holy light gently enveloped my chest.

The lingering pain gradually faded.

“Feeling better. At this rate, it won’t take long to fully recover.”

Honestly, her healing abilities are overwhelming.

She seems even better than before. At this level, she might be on par with a high-ranking bishop.

“Hey, Hashelle… There’s a rumor going around lately. It’s not true, right? That you… ate people?”

Milia asked hesitantly, looking a bit uneasy.

Freide, Nigel, and Rana also seemed curious but couldn’t bring themselves to ask, exchanging cautious glances.

Well, it’s a natural question. The rumor has spread everywhere, so they must have heard it…

“Yeah. Even I wouldn’t eat people…”

I didn’t lie.

It wasn’t me—it was Hersela who ate them, right?

—

Freide plans to head north soon.

She says she’ll fight the beastmen in place of Duke Pailoon.

Since it seemed like she was going alone, I convinced her to take Damien’s group with her.

Staying here would just be a waste of time, and it’d be better to gain experience fighting the beastmen.

“Alright. I wasn’t comfortable sending Freide alone either.”

“A large-scale invasion… It’s a bit unsettling, but both Damien and I have gotten much stronger. We’ll do our best.”

After a moment of thought, Damien and Milia nodded.

It’s been a while since I last saw them, but Damien has definitely grown stronger.

The aura he exudes is even more intense than Duver’s. With the right opportunity, he might soon reach master level.

Maybe he’ll return as a master after this battle.

Milia has also been training hard. Her back muscles are noticeably more developed than before.

The bow she’s carrying is also a much stronger composite bow than her previous one.

With those three, I can rest easy.

—

Nigel, of course, was planning to head east with me.

The only hiccup was Rana stubbornly insisting on coming along.

“Hey, Rana? Where we’re going isn’t for hunting monsters—it’s a battlefield. And not just any battlefield, but a war against thousands of Ka’har. It’s no place for you.”

“If I don’t go with you, sis, you’ll end up on the brink of death again! I’ll stay quietly behind the barrier, so can’t you take me with you?”

What am I supposed to do with this…?

“How about assigning her to the rear for healing duties? She’s young, but healers of her level are rare. She’d be a big help.”

“That’s right! I’m confident in my healing miracles!”

…It’s not confidence—it’s all she can do.

In the end, I couldn’t break Rana’s stubbornness. I hope this turns out okay.

—

Even though the empire is in a civil war, the members of the special council, except for Freide, didn’t seem too concerned.

Calix, uninterested in the civil war, handed me a bunch of vegetables, telling me to appreciate the elegance of vegetarianism.

Where did he even get these? There’s no way a 2-meter-tall muscular bald dragonkin is tending a garden.

Evian is busy trying to increase the number of illegitimate children in the Panam Kingdom.

That guy’s really out of his mind.

What was surprising was Ferne’s reaction.

The fairy, who was usually drunk and holed up in her room, came to me sober for once.

“About this civil war… Do you think it’ll last long?”

“I don’t know. Why?”

“If the war drags on, the enemies won’t just be in the north and east… Tell the 1st Prince. Don’t trust the fairies.”

Aren’t you a fairy too…?

Ferne left after that warning.

If the civil war prolongs, Alfheim might intervene.

…What a headache. This is practically turning into a world war.

I wrote a letter to Leopold and handed it to the dormitory manager.

It’d be better to consult him in person, but I don’t have the time for that now.

—

I went to Asha’s workshop to request repairs for my armor, which had been torn to shreds by Valenstein.

I also handed over the reward I received from Leopold.

“Hashelle, you always push yourself too hard. If you overwork your body at a young age, you’ll suffer when you’re older.”

“What can I do? There’s no one else who can handle it but me. I guess I’ll just have to push myself a bit harder.”

He shrugged and forced a smile.

Every time I get involved, things seem to go south… But if I hadn’t stepped in, there would have been more than a few incidents where everyone would have died.

“Sounds like something a knight would say. Come to think of it, you do hold a knight’s title, don’t you?”

“I’d say I’m the real deal among knights.”

After all, I’m the descendant of the Twelve Knights. Though, given the worst rumors that spread afterward, it seems no one believes the information that was released as if to defend it.

While Asha examined the torn metal plate, I spent some time looking around the workshop.

Is Leonor inside…? I should meet her too.

“By the way, how’s business these days? With the empire in this state, I imagine you’re having a tough time too.”

“Not at all? In fact, I’ve been busier than ever.”

“Really?”

After the civil war broke out, Asha quickly switched her production line. From a few high-end items crafted by demi-humans to mass-producing weapons of questionable quality.

She’s producing swords, spears, arrowheads, and selling them to both the Ernst and Leopold factions. The production cost isn’t much different from regular military supplies, but the quality is a step above, so they sell like hotcakes.

“Well, it’s common for arms dealers to make money during wars.”

I had nothing to say to her smiling face. From the beastman leather goods to this, it’s like she’s become some kind of death merchant in just half a year…

How did it come to this?

“…Judging by the damage, it looks like it was torn by Jin’s sword. It’ll take about three hours to repair… Why don’t you rest inside? You should meet ‘her’ too.”

“Alright. Thanks.”

Leaving my armor with Asha, I headed inside the workshop to meet Leonor.

—-

“I heard the rumors. Seems like you got properly beaten by a witch.”

Leonor, whom I met again, was in much better shape than before. Her bloodshot eyes were still the same, but at least she could wash and live normally now.

“Played like a puppet on a string. It’s infuriating.”

“I had a feeling it would turn out like this when I heard the plan. Just a day earlier than I expected. So, what are you planning to do now?”

I explained everything that had happened to Leonor. What she knew was probably just the rumors Asha had picked up.

“So… my brother is as good as dead, and my safety is now in your hands. Since Isabella has rebelled, there’s no point in me staying around. My fate is quite tragic. From an imperial princess to the daughter of a traitor and a servant of the Ka’har tribe… Though it’s better than being imprisoned in a monastery.”

“Well, you won’t be treated like a princess… but I don’t plan to treat you like a servant either?”

Do you even know how to do servant-like tasks?

“Don’t look so troubled, it’s just a joke. So, do I just follow you around now? You said you’re heading east, right?”

“Follow me? Why?”

Leonor crossed her arms and shook her head lightly. The ample curves inherited from her mother swayed on her arms.

“Of course. Staying in the capital would just be a waste of time, and joining Leopold’s forces wouldn’t do me any good. So, I have no choice but to follow you. You said you’d be responsible for my safety for life, so you wouldn’t just abandon me, would you? If you want, I can even call you ‘Master’ or ‘Miss.'”

…For a moment, I was tempted, but that’s not my fault.

“No, that’s a bit too much. The people of Randenburg would recognize the princess’s face. If you show up there, rumors would spread that Leopold or I have kidnapped the princess and are holding her hostage. We’re already in a tough spot with all the bad rumors.”

“You could wear a helmet or a mask to cover your face. Just be careful with your voice, and I don’t think you’ll be recognized.”

I tried to persuade her for a while, but she showed no signs of changing her mind. Maybe I’m just not good at persuasion. Leopold was always good at it.

After three hours of debate, she finally decided to join the eastern campaign. Her helmet was made by Asha.

—-

The next day, we left the capital’s walls in the carriage Ludwig had gifted us.

Me, Nigel, Rana, and Leonor. Only four of us, but in terms of skill, such an elite group is rare. Probably.