Chapter 41.1 - Minstrel

Chapter 41.1 : Minstrel

◆ Sword Maiden Shirone

Algore kingdom was a human kingdom located in the farthest north amongst all the human kingdoms.

According to Chiyuki-san, Algore meant 「Surveillance」 in this world’s language.

The name originated from the name of a hundred eyes giant. Even if some of this giant’s eyes were closed, the others would be wide open; time and space wise it possessed no blindspot, thereby overlooking this entire world. Therefore, the name of the giant held the meaning of 「Surveillance」.

In accordance to the name of that giant, everyone in Algore continuously monitored the situation in Nargol.

In the first place, Algore was originally a fortress built to hold back the kingdom of goblins that existed in the southern part of Akeron mountain range from spreading even further.

Numerous warriors from all around the world gathered in this fortress to attack Nargol.

After the warriors in that fortress destroyed the goblin kingdom, they went further into Akeron mountain range to begin their attack on Nargol.

And then, not a single one of them ever returned.

Thus, Algore was a country that was built by the warriors who remained in the fortress.

For these reasons, Algore possessed different characteristics compared to other countries.

In general, human countries were surrounded by ramparts so that the citizens could live in that country peacefully. But, Algore didn’t have a plot of land where humans could live easily since it was formed from a fortress. Thus, Algore had never been a wealthy country. Their food circumstance was also rather poor.

And then, maybe because of their warrior ancestors, Algorians have a slightly rough disposition.

That’s why any fight in the fortress is just considered like everyday’s affair.

But then, even for a fight, it’s only on the level of brawl. I heard that the matter never escalated to murder.

Or so at least until we came here with Reiji.

「WHAT IN THE WORLD IS WRONG WITH THE PEOPLE OF THIS COUNTRY!」

Kyouka-san was grumbling.

We’re currently inside a guest room of the Algore kingdom. We had an audience with Omiros’s father just a while ago.

Though he more or less gave a warm welcome, it’s all clear from his attitude that he didn’t wish for us to remain if possible. And it’s not just the king, it’s the same for his retainers, too.

I know their feelings since we would also be inviting troublesome opponents, ogres, but it’s disheartening that we are treated like a nuisance.

And bringing Regena along is just like adding salt on a wound. They’re obviously hostile toward Regena.

Algore had just experienced a civil war. Though the battle had already ended, the traces of that battle seemed to linger even till now.

I felt that there’s less people now compared to the first time when we came to this place. The reason for that was obviously the civil war. The scars that were left on the stone building told tales about that brutal event. There’s no doubt about it, many people died during that civil war.

And then, the origin of that civil war was Regena’s father, Qupis. It seemed that they still hate Qupis even now.

We, who brought the daughter of Qupis, are obviously uninvited and unwelcome guests for them.

「GEEZ, WHAT IN THE WORLD IS WRONG WITH THEM! EVEN THOUGH REGENA-SAN HERSELF HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE CIVIL WAR!!」

Kyouka-san was angry.

According to Regena, it seemed that the person herself didn’t participate in the civil war. Rather, she even tried to stop it from happening.

Maybe the reason for Kyouka-san’s anger was because Regena acknowledged their claims.

Regena just kept her silence in the corner of the room. She hadn’t spoken anything after entering the room.

「It seems that Regena-san is not welcomed anymore in this country….」

Kaya-san responded to Kyouka. I agree with her. I never expected that things would escalate to the point of a civil war. No one wanted Regena to return to this country.

Except for Omiros. Omiros was the only one who’s concerned about Regena. But, regardless of his feelings, there’s nothing he could do.

As long as Regena remained in this country, she’s going to be butchered sooner or later.

「If you all think so, then take me back to Nargol! Please send me back to my dear master’s side!! 」

Hearing Kaya-san’s voice, Regena, who kept her silence until now, suddenly raised her voice.

She continued to glare at us after saying so.

「What should we do, Shirone-sama?」

Kaya-san was asking me.

「U~hn. What shall … we do, huh?」

That’s also what I’m worried about.

We had already extracted a considerable amount of information from Regena. To be honest, our best choice was to send her back.

But then, I was worried about Omiros. What made me hesitate to separate them was because he kept worrying about Regena.

「U~hn, well there’s this matter about Omiros-kun, too…」

I muttered in a low voice.

「… In short, you’ll leave this matter to Omiros, right?」

「If Shirone-sama says so, then I have nothing to say in this regard.」

Kaya-san and Kyouka nodded after hearing my words.

Hearing our conversation, Regena started sulking from the side.

「We must think about another matter too, Shirone-sama.」

Kaya-san suddenly pointed out something to me.

「What could it be? Kaya-san?」

I asked to Kaya-san curiously.

「It’s about those ogres. It seems those guys were positioning Myulmidon around Algore. They’re going to arrive sooner or later.」

I nodded to Kaya-san.

Those ogres were aiming for our life. To be honest, they were just a hindrance since facing against Kuroki was already draining every last bit of my attention.

「Kaya, can’t we do something about those ogres before they arrive in Algore?」

Kaya-san shook her head in denial to Kyouka-san’s query.

「I’ve been asking the people of this kingdom, but it seems that no one knows the whereabouts of the sweet castle or the whereabouts of its master, the queen of blue forest, Kujig. But, there’s a legend being passed down for generations that one must run immediately as soon as they smell a sweet smelling place. I might be able to pinpoint its location if I search for the place from where those antmen are coming, but … such method would probably take too much time. Kuroki-san might have already reached here during that time.」