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[That f*cking goddess would probably make them do that.]
As I pointed that out, Erika propped her chin on her hand.
[…Correct. It’s so typical of Vysis to make such a promise to Princess Cattleya. I’ve even heard that if they do better than Bakuos in this war, she’ll have all of Bakuos’ forces pulled out of the Holy Kingdom of Neia’s territory… And then, she’ll allow Neia to formally join the Holy Alliance again.]
[Formally rejoining this Holy Alliance could also mean that—-]
[Yes, that means that she’s recognizing their independence from the Bakuos Empire. Moreover, it will be all under the authorization of the Goddess Vysis.]
“Fumu” Eve appears to be convinced.
[If it’s the Goddess’s decree, then Bakuos couldn’t disobey huh.]
[I also heard that in this war, Bakuos has sent a large number of troops to the east, south and west.]
[………]
That f*cking asshole of a goddess, she really got one heck of a way of doing things.
“She’ll grant them their independence, depending on their achievements.”
At first glance, this may seem like a warm-hearted promise.
However, this had actually stirred up both of those countries.
She placed the condition of “having more achievements than Bakuos” to Neia.
After they heard what she said, Bakuos would send out their men out of desperation.
Since the loss of the Five Dragon Warriors, they have lost their presence as the country with the strongest army.
Bakuos will also want to make their presence known in this war.
However, if they are inferior compared to the country that they had just occupied, Neia in this war…
All their imperial prestige would fall down in the drain.
Naturally, there’s no escaping the complete loss of their presence in the future.
Meanwhile, it would also be quite difficult for Neia.
They’re competing against Bakuos who also came in this war to make a serious achievement.
They would need to desperately fight to make lots of accomplishments.
And no matter how things would turn out, it would still be favorable for the goddess.
It’s because the two countries who got their asses kicked would be fighting with a “high morale”.
…That’s what that f*cking goddess might be thinking.
[However Erika, how did you acquire such intelligence even though you’re here in the Demon Zone?]
Eve curiously said.
[It seems like that information is now spreading all over the continent though? They’re especially circulating around the Holy Kingdom of Neia, it’s like there’s no one who doesn’t know about this. It seems like Princess Cattleya herself was taking the initiative in spreading out this information… Well, I guess she intends to use this as a deterrent to prevent Vysis from breaking her promise.]
For the people, the effect of “the goddess’s promise” is really great.
Therefore, the more this information spreads, the better it is for their country’s morale.
[The Bakuos soldiers were apparently being high-handed in Neia’s territory, so I’m sure that the citizens of Neia would want to drive them out themselves if they could.]
Creak
Eve deeply leaned her back on the back of her chair.
[Fumu… However, it would also be difficult to have more achievements than Bakuos Empire in that war.]
[——No, I don’t think that’s the case.]
Seras, who had been silently listening, interjected.
[If the princess herself has made the decision to join the war, there must have been a reason. I think that the princess thinks that they have a chance in achieving more than Bakuos. Besides, she wouldn’t have made such a promise widely known if her odds were close to none.]
Seras’ words sound convincing.
Erika was about to reach for the whiskey bottle but she stopped.
[…Seras used to be the leader of the Holy Knights, right? Therefore, I thought of making you hear this information but, umm… Am I perhaps being insensitive when I mentioned that?]
Seras slightly smiles.
[No, that’s not the case at all. I’m supposed to be dead already after all… And my priority right now is to use all of my strength in achieving the objective of my king, Touka-dono. I’ve also said my goodbye with the Princess. Besides—–]
Placing her hand on her chest, the smile on Seras’ face deepens.
[I believe that the Princess and Neia’s Holy Knights will definitely be able to bring Neia back from Bakuos’ hands.]
Erika gently brushes her fingers on the surface of the silver cup in her hand.
[The Former Leader of the Holy Knights, Seras Ashrain, unbeknown to everyone, destroyed the main force of the Black Dragon Knights and their leader, the “Humanity’s Strongest”… I guess you’ve already done your work huh.]
Seras wryly smiles.
[It was Touka-dono who destroyed them. I didn’t do anything. However, you may be right—- As someone who actually confronted Civit Gartland, right now…]
Squeeze
Seras clenches the hand that she held out in front of her chest.
[I can’t help but feel relieved… That the “Humanity’s Strongest” won’t appear and obstruct the path of the Princess from now on…]
Chapter 173
For this reason----
It was late in the night—–
I was sitting on the edge of the bed as I said my prayers.
(Princess, may the fortunes of war be with you…)
Clutched in my hand is the necklace that Princess Cattleya handed towards me on the day I parted ways with her.
Touka, who was already lying down on the bed, called out from behind me.
[As I thought, you’re really worried about them huh?]
[Yeah. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t worried about her.
I wryly smile.
[However, the Princess also had the Holy Knights with her. I’m sure that they’ll be able to protect the princess.]
[You really trust them huh.]
[The Princess has her own paths to take—- and I have my own. For now, we just have to trust each other’s paths and move on.]
[…You’ve already finished parting ways with her?]
[Yes. If we hadn’t said our farewells with each other back then… I don’t know if I would have been as calm as I am now.]
Standing up, I walk towards the door.
[Excuse me, I need to use the facilities.]
[You don’t have to give up on one thing just to have another.]
[Fufu, you may be right.]
Leaving behind a wry smile, I left the room.
* * *
A few distance down the hallway, I found myself stopping as I gently placed my hand over my chest.
[————————-]
(Princess…)
An intense feeling of being tightened swirled in my chest.
Well… There was no way I could be at peace.
With the hand held in front of my chest, I could feel the necklace that Cattleya handed to me that day.
We have already finished saying our farewells.
That’s what I said to Touka.
However, not only the Bakuos soldiers—- There’s also the Five Dragon Warriors drawing near at that time.
We don’t even have any time to be sad that we would be separated for a really long time—
(That day…)
The last words that Cattleya said just as she helped me escape.
“Isn’t it enough that the days we spent together and the memories of those days are irreplaceable? Well then, I bid you goodbye.”
Even though she’s the one who’s going to stay in a place like this where she might die…
Filled with confidence in her
small smile, she said those words to me.
However, I could only——
(I couldn’t say goodbye like I wanted to…)
[……………]
Neia’s army, led by Cattleya herself, is going to enter the war.
When I heard that from Erika, I’m internally feeling upset.
I’ve already expected that they would be demanded to raise an army.
However, I never thought that it would turn into a battle to take back our country…
I didn’t see that coming.
It’s true that the odds weren’t in their favor.
My evaluation on Cattleya shouldn’t be mistaken.
However, that evaluation should only amount to half of what Cattleya should be.
(She also had the audacity to place her bet on something that “she doesn’t have any choice but to take”. And of course… The princess is willing to risk even her own life if she finds it necessary…)
Will Cattleya make it through this war?
Taking Neia back from the hands of Bakuos…
Yes—- This battle is also a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Neia.
(On the contrary though, if they were to miss this opportunity, I don’t know when they will get the next one…)
Cattleya must have felt that she doesn’t have any choice but to take this opportunity.
Cattleya and I grew up together as if we were biological sisters.
I wonder if that’s why…
I felt like I could see her thoughts and her determination as if it was placed in the palm of my hand.
(However, I can’t run towards her side. Therefore, please… Please stay safe…)
I am now the knight devoting my sword to Touka Mimori…
I’ve been entrusted with being the Deputy Leader of the Fly King Squadron.
And I will fulfill this responsibility that was entrusted towards me.
(That’s right…)
I must also make sure that Touka doesn’t suspect a thing.
He’s surprisingly quite perceptive.
(That’s why——)
From now on, I’ll have to be more vigilant in keeping this under wraps.
I don’t want to make him feel any more worried.
I pledged—– that I will devote my life to him.
This life will be used to accomplish his goals.
That’s why this confusion…
This uneasiness…
This… emotions…
I will bury them deep within my heart.
(…Although I did make a mistake once when I let my emotions get the better of me.)
However, it was just a one-time thing.
(Yes, my emotions… I’ll just convey them after Touka-dono’s journey is finished. Until then, as his faithful knight… With this sword—–)
I will kill this self.
That’s what it means to serve someone.
I must not become a hindrance for his purpose.
Yes, until he accomplish his revenge to the Goddess—–
[…………]
(The Goddess…)
Was that idea of Neia’s independence suggested by the Goddess?
(Supposing that the Goddess deceived the Princess… And if something were to happen to the Princess as a result of that—–)
I would surely never be able to forgive the Goddess for all my life.
Once again, I could only offer a deep prayer.
[…………]
When Touka accomplishes his goal, if only the both of them were fortunate enough to safely stay alive…
(At that time—–)
I want to meet her again.
The Princess.
When I pledged so within my heart, I found my grip unto my necklace tightening again.
[Seras.]
(Eh…?)
My heart skipped a beat.
Before I knew it, a few distance behind me…
[…Touka-dono.]
Touka was standing there.
[Is there something you need assistance with?]
[I was just wondering if you’re alright.]
[………]
I make sure to compose myself.
In my head, I start assembling the words I need to say.
[You’re checking if I’m alright, is it? I admit that I’m a bit shaken upon hearing that news about Neia. However…]
Slowly, I put away the necklace I held in front of my chest.
[I’m alright now.]
Striving to keep my calm, I said.
[Regardless of the outcome of this battle, the Princess will surely take back Neia one day. Moreover… Didn’t I tell you already? I am now your knight—- a knight who already died once before. I will not look back to my past anymore. Now… I will use my power all for your sake.]
[All for my sake huh——- Is that really the truth though?]
My lie was seen through.
I realized that.
——-Badump——–
[My… My apologies. As expected, when I heard of the Holy Kingdom of Neia where I once lived… I admit that I might be influenced by my past emotions. However, please be relieved… I will—-]
[That’s enough.]
[Eh, umm… Touka-dono…?]
I could tell that Touka is approaching based on the sound of his footsteps.
I could also tell that he’s quite irritated.
There’s no lie in his words.
Touka was genuinely irritated.
It was also the first emotion that he ever directed towards me.
—–I could feel my heart beating faster.
Touka stops right behind me.
[If that’s really the case—–]
I close down my eyes.
[……………]
[What the heck are you crying for?]
[…,———Eh?]
I just noticed it.
Looking at the floor with my blurry vision, a lot of teardrops have gathered…
When did this happen?
Before I knew it, I’ve already had ——
—-been crying all this time?
My voice shouldn’t have trembled before…
My body should have already stopped trembling.
Suddenly…
Pat
I could feel Touka’s hand placed on my head.
[————-Ah.]
[I’m sorry… but you’re not the only one who could see through lies.]
[Touka-dono…?]
[Say, Seras.]
[W- What is it—-]
Towards my quivering response, He responded sounding like he comprehended something.
[As I thought, you’re really weird.]
[Eh?]
[I’ve never experienced that feeling of irritation towards someone before, not even towards my Aunt.]
(His aunt…?)
[This feeling… This is honestly the first time I’ve felt it ever since the day I was born.]
I did say he sounded irritated before.
However, the irritation in Touka’s voice has already disappeared.
Instead, there was gentleness in his voice.
And a bit of bewilderment.
I feel like he himself was surprised by his emotions.
[Thereupon, Seras.]
[W- What is it…]
[You need to stop holding yourself back—– It’s fine for you to stay selfish once in a while.]
[———,… Eh?]
[That promise you said that one time that you would do anything I said… You must have forgotten about it huh.]
[U- Umm… Touka-dono? What did you just…]
[You… You really must have wanted to help her, right? To become that Princess’s strength… However, you won’t say that you want to help her. No… You probably can’t, right?]
[—————-]
This… won’t do.
&nb
sp; This won’t do at all.
[N- No… I—-]
[Back when we were having dinner, Erika and the others were there, so I didn’t point it out towards them but… You’re so obvious, you know?]
[Eh—–]
[It’s easy to see how important that “Princess” is to Seras, I could tell that just by looking at you until now. You know, you have said before that I look different when I talk about my Uncle and his family but…]
Touka began barraging me with words, one sentence after another.
[Those times when you talk about that “Princess”… Do you know what face you’re making at those times?]
[The face I’m making… is it?]
[That face you’re making towards that “Princess”, the person who would set out on a battlefield in which you wouldn’t know if she could even survive… It would be unreasonable for your emotions not to get disarrayed.]
[T- That is…]
[I’m grateful that you’re trying to suppress these varying emotions of yours while working with me, as you’re really aware that you are my “sword”. However, suppressing your feelings even towards someone you really care about… That’s wrong.]
I could feel my face scrunching up as I somehow tried to weave the words that I needed to reply.
I somehow tried to pick up words to speak.
[——-Touka-dono, the Princess and I… already… properly finished our farewells…]
[You’re wrong.]
[Eh?]
[If you really finished giving her a proper farewell, you’re going to have to look a lot nicer than you are now. Well… You still have a lot of things to learn in acting, Seras.]
I clench my teeth.
I, at least, tried—– to hold back these tears, but I couldn’t stop weeping.
My mind wouldn’t stop overflowing with questions.
Why—
Why is he…
—-this is too much for me…
…Someone may be watching us.
[I think I know how painful it is, not being able to properly say your farewells.]
A proper farewell.
I could only gasp in surprise.
———Ah, I see.
That’s what it means.
The people important to him.
He also wasn’t able to finish saying any proper farewells towards them.
[If you want to continue to serve as my “sword” as you swore… That in itself is fine. However… I think it’s still not too late to properly say your goodbyes to that Princess, right?]
[However…]
