Chapter 412 Word 400: Death

'Your Highness!　You're jumping the gun!

Marc, riding behind me, advised me to do so, but instead of dismissing it, I increased my horse's speed even more.

I don't need to use magic to make my horse fast. I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that my horse is one of the horses that I've carefully selected to sell my warhorse to the merchants.

Even I, with my inferior riding skills, can be more than fast enough.

Riding around them are the knights of the Kingsguard. This kind of situation is not unusual for them.

Moreover, it's the 3rd Kingsguard, trained by Erna. There's no way they're going to lag behind their escort targets.

However, the knights following behind are not so lucky.

''The distance is opening up. ......

Erna muttered as she looked behind her.

A group of knights and us at the front.

Little by little the gap began to appear.

But there was no time to match the back.

They started running without preparation. The fatigue we're feeling is nothing compared to ours. We don't know what's going on.

Still, we'll have to let them do their best.

''It's not so much the horse's problem as it is the knights'. You should say a few words to them.

'There's no amount of motivation that comes from my words. They're eastern knights, remember?

I don't know if it's a northern knight, but in the east, my words have no power.

If there's any possibility, it's only Duke Reinfeldt calling out to me. But the Duke of Reinfeldt is also on the edge.

The messenger boy, Ted, who is guiding the way, has already been transferred to the kinsman knight's horse.

Reinfeldt is a little behind us.

We don't have much room for everyone.

When I was thinking like that, the sounds coming from behind me increased all at once.

When I turned around, I saw a group of knights approaching us.

'They're catching up with us, aren't they?　Why?

Someone must have come along to lead them.

The head of the knights.

There was a woman in a blue cloak there.

She would have started later than us, but she's already caught up with us, which is tongue-in-cheek.

It's not polite to go into battle all of a sudden. You should at least say a word to me.

'I thought Sister Lise would catch up with me.

The reason why the knights were roused was because the Liese sister stood at the front of them.

To the knights of the east, the Liese sister, who is in charge of the eastern border, is not just a royal family.

She's an object of worship.

If they let such a person run in front of them, they also get excited about not being late.

''What's the matter?　Jurgen, are you breathing?

'It's an act: ......!　Don't worry about it: ......!

Somehow, the Duke of Reinfeldt, who has managed to join us, exhales wildly and tells a glaring lie.

But it's typical of him that he doesn't end with a lie.

I guess it's just willpower, but he's biting at the idea of not being late for sister Liese.

''So?　What's going on?

The princess's exile has been hastened. She's already being hunted by her pursuers.

That's a big deal.

'Yes, so I've gone into battle. A battle on the border means the start of a war. I'm the only one who can bear the responsibility.

...... what I can do for you.

The deputy is the name of the Emperor ...... and I intend to fulfill that responsibility.

"Huh. ...... will let me have a look. Your responsibilities.

Saying that, Sister Liese slowed her horse down a bit.　

If she wanted to, she would be able to pass me if she wanted to, but she's going to match me here.

Well, if I increase my speed any more, I'll be leaving the knights behind in earnest.

And the forced march continues for a while.

Night dawned and morning came and we continued running.

After focusing only on speed, we managed to reach the border area.

There we found something unexpected.

"Your Highness, ...... is that group ......?

The people.

What we saw was a group of about two hundred people.

They were exhausted to see, but they were still walking forward.

''Old man!''

Ted, who was riding the horse of the Kingsguard Knight, shouted loudly.

I quickly take a course towards the group.

You know him, don't you?

Yes!

Ted indicated a large old man.

There was a bow in his hand and he pointed it at us for a moment.

That alone was enough to make the kinsmen knights wary of him, and I could tell that he was reasonably competent.

''Old man!　Guys!　You're safe!

When Ted got close, he got off his horse and ran over to the old man and hugged him.

Then the children behind him took their turn to hug him, too.

It's a touching scene, but there's no one important in it.

'It's Arnold Lakes Ardler, the Seventh Prince of the Empire. I've heard that the princess of the clan is in exile, but where is the princess?

This is ...... my apologies.

When the old man fell to his knees, the people fell to their knees in unison.

This old man must have led them to this point.

'My name is Travis. Her Royal Highness used a different route than we did and escaped.

''Does that mean ...... that the enemy's pursuers have concentrated on the princess's side?''

Yes, sir. We were only attacked by a few soldiers.

Normally, we would be the bait.

But that was not the case.

If Mia is not here, does that mean she is beside the princess?

''Your Highness, I didn't hear that even the people are coming into exile. When it comes to accepting this many people, as expected, I must ask His Majesty ......

I'll take care of this. I'll take care of everyone. I'll leave the protection to the knights.

"But .......

'It's like an afterthought!　What's that too?　Was the Empire so small that it couldn't even accept this level of numbers!

'It will be a problem. Once you accept it, you'll have to accept it again.

No matter. If you don't want to live in the Empire, send them to your country. After we've won.

Advising, Marc let out a sigh and withdrew.

The nobles in the imperial capital will be picky.

No matter how much he's a plenipotentiary, it's too much to say anything to your father and accept it.

But right now, I can't be bothered with that.

If the enemy's pursuers were to concentrate on Mia and the others, it would really be a matter of time.

The fastest way is from the air, but if we only let the Kingsguard go, the responsibility could fall on Erna.

There are plenty of excuses that can be made, but Erna's position isn't that good because of me. It's certainly not a good idea to make things worse.

While I was thinking about this, a white dragon descended from the sky.

''I'm sorry for being late. It was in the message.

It was Finn who came down saying that.

Indeed, Finn was flying around the north as a messenger.

Did you deliberately turn back?

It's a good decision.

''Sister Liese, I leave you in charge of the knights.

What about you?

Air to Border.

As I said that, I straddled the flying dragon's back while aiding Finn, who had just descended, with his hand.

''Erna and the Konoe Knight, continue!　Leave some of the knights for protection!

All right. We'll follow you on the trail.

Please!

'Prince Arnolt!　Get my sister Mia!

I'm on it!

With that, I headed from the sky to the border.

■■■■

We no longer have Ted's guidance.

We'll have to search the border area from the air, and this is where Finn comes alive.

'I'll have Norva follow the scent of people!

Can you do it?

I trained them once, sir. Reconnaissance seemed to be the only way to survive.

Good!

Not a very funny reason, but thanks to that, we didn't need directions.

The duo of Finn and Norva flew free in the sky and headed for the plains near the border.

Then Norva purred.

'It's close!　Would you like to be ambushed?

Drop!　The situation is too unclear!

What we could see were two girls surrounded by a troop of about a thousand people.

We landed on a slightly higher hill.

The Liese sisters who had been following us have yet to arrive.

I'm Arnolt Rakesh Ardler, the Seventh Prince of the Empire. What in the world are you doing in our lands?

As I say it, I take a step forward.

What I see in my eyes is Mia bleeding and collapsing, and a girl holding out her arms to protect her.

Perhaps she is the princess of the clan.

''Well, well, well. ''His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales is coming personally.''

Answer me: ...... What are you doing?

I'm here to take out a deserter.

You think those two girls are deserters?

Yes,

A man who seemed to be the commander announced this with an ikebana.

We're just chasing after deserters who have entered Imperial territory.

You think you can get away with such an explanation.

Do you expect me to believe you?

Wouldn't it be better for you if you believed it?　The war against the clan will only be waged after careful preparations have been made. That's what they're supposed to be talking about. If they engage us here, the two armies that are staring at each other on the border will start to move as well, right?

So what's the problem?

'The Empire must be busy fighting for the throne. You don't want the emperor to stare at you either, do you?

I want to punch you right now.

Behind me, Marc whispered, "He's a Colonel Abraham, who defected from the imperial army to the clan.

''He's a Colonel Abraham who defected from the imperial army to the clan. They say he is a dangerous man who wields a magic sword.

'You're an ex-imperial soldier or ...... you've heard of my reputation?'

'Of course. It was well known that he was a desiccated prince. But that was a provisional figure. You got serious, and you went on to be appointed as the Plenipotentiary of the North. You wouldn't want to lose it. That position.

You don't know anything, do you?　It's not every day that I get my father's stare. You could start a war here, and I wouldn't mind, would I?

As I said it, I made eye contact with Erna.

That gave Erna a small nod as she figured out what I was thinking.

'War?　A few of your prized Kingsguard knights and one dragon knight. Isn't that reckless at any price?

'You're not ignorant of the power of the Kingsguard knights, are you?　What's a thousand people to do with a thousand?

Very confident. But don't forget that we have a hostage here. As I'm sure you already know, this is Princess Marianne of the clan. If we can't save her and let her die, we have a big problem.

We've got to save him, man.

The moment I said that.

A strong wind enveloped Marianne and Mia and lifted them up as it was.

It's Erna's wind magic. It's quite an advanced technique to accurately float a person from a distance, but it's not a big deal to Erna.

She's not considered a prodigy just because of her swordsmanship alone.

''Tch!''

Abraham moves to keep him from doing so, but Finn has it under control.

Countless lightning strikes stop Abraham from moving.

'Stop them!　Don't give it to him!

It's too late.

Marianne and Mia climbed up to a height beyond the soldiers' reach and were carried up to us.

When they landed safely, Marianne rushed towards me and fell to her knees.

'Your Highness Arnold!　Princess Marianne calls on Your Highness to rescue her.　Please save our country from tyranny!　I will defect to the Empire for that!

Yes, sir.

Now we've got our cause in hand.

It's enough to silence the noisy nobles in the imperial capital.

''Please return it to us: ...... The princess of the clan belongs to the clan.

'Well ......, but she's an exile. Give it up.

You're going to say, "Yes, sir," and back off?

Back off. I can let you off the hook.

If you're willing to retreat, that's all the better.

Mia's injuries seem to be more serious than I thought.

The knights of the Kingsguard are treating her with a grim face.

If possible, I'd like to take them to a treatment specialist immediately.

But as expected, the other party does not retreat either.

''If you won't return it, then it's war.

'Well ...... then there's no bargaining chip. You are all dead. Remember this well--the Empire is not in the habit of kicking out people once they've been welcomed in.

The image of an emperor I had seen once flashed through my mind.

I decided to imitate it.