CH 189

Ani to Ane(TN:Elder brother and Elder sister)

***---***

In the Guild of Bakkenheim, there was a shop that offered snacks from early in the morning.

Or rather, it was a restaurant during the day, a bar at night, and a fast food establishment in the morning.

There weren't as many people coming and going in the Guild early in the morning as I thought.

Bakkenheim was larger than Volzard and had a more complicated townscape, so it took time to get out of the city from the Guild in the center.

For this reason, it seemed that it was customary for many people who received work in the early morning to complete the order procedure by the day before.

A security guard told me that if it got a little later, the hallway would be crowded with people.

It seemed that it rained during the night, and the road in front of the guild was damp.

The streetlights that were still lit in the dimly lit city were blurred by the drifting fog.

Takayama and I were waiting for the Volzard Family's carriage, but the sparsely populated town looked like a scene from a movie.

"Somehow, it has a certain air."

"Right ... Because Hikarigaoka had nothing but apartment complexes."

"Right. It had a completely different atmosphere."

Then came the sound of hooves, and a large carriage with four horses appeared as if it was oozing out of the mist.

On the driver's stand was Johannes-san, the butler of the Volzard Family, dressed in a black coat.

As I bowed my head towards the approaching carriage, I could see Johannes-san giving a light nod.

When the carriage slowed down and stopped in front of the guild, the cabin door opened and the maid Fione got out.

"Good morning. Kent-sama, please go inside the cabin. Shuichi-san, please sit next to Johannes."

We looked at each other for a moment, but followed Fione-san's words, Takayama went up to the coachman's stand and exchanged greetings with Johannes.

After taking a deep breath, I boarded the cabin.

The Volzard Family's cabin was a little smaller than the Headquarter Guild's, with seats fitting 3 people in the back, 2 on the right, and 1 on the left.

Two men were sitting in the three-person seat, and a lone woman was sitting in the two-person seat on the right.(TN:I knew it was all 3 of Klaus' kids that were being escorted, but up until this point it only said 'son' instead of 'sons', so it was rather ambiguous ...)

"Good morning. I'm Kent Kokubu."

When I greeted them at the entrance of the cabin, the man sitting on the right side of the three-person seat replied to me.

"I am Klaus Volzard's eldest son, Augusto. This is my Imouto, the eldest daughter, Angelina, and this is the second son, Baldini. It's a pleasure to meet you."

"Y, yes, to you as well, it's a pleasure to meet you."

Augusto-san had parts of his face that were similar to Marianne-san, but his strong-willed chin was similar to that of Klaus-san.

His language was firm, but it was refreshing rather than intimidating.

Such an Augusto-san gave me a light bow, and I bowed back, but I struggled to hold back my laughter.

As Augusto-san, who was very serious, bowed his head lightly, the bunny ears growing on his head bowed with him.

I know it's prejudice against appearance and discrimination, but it's unfair, it's too funny, it's totally a skit!

"Ufufufu ... You're Riche's lover ... I heard that you were the hero who protected Volzard, so I thought you were a bigger person, really, you ..."

"Yes, it's a pleasure to meet you."

Angelina-san's features were somewhat similar to Klaus-san's, but her eyes were a little droopy, giving her an airy feeling.

Her ears were normal ears, but I was captivated by her clearly similar proportions to Marianne-san.

"Aniue, is a child like this really an S-rank?"

"Dii, you must have heard about his achievements. Unless Father, Mother, and Riche colluded to deceive us, he is performing well for an S-rank. However, with that alone, I can't judge that he is suitable as Riche's spouse."(TN:Technically Baldini's name has an extended 'i', so it should be Baldiini, which is why it's Dii, but the actual name should only have one 'i', so it's like this.)

"Is that so ..."

Baldini-san, the second son of the Volzard Family who was giving me a stern look, seemed to be one year older than me, this person as well, his looks, facial features, and bunny ears were just like Marianne-san.

It was really surreal that two handsome guys with bunny ears were having a serious conversation.

"Umm, where would it be okay for me to sit?"

I thought it was probably the single seat on the left side, but when I checked just to be sure, Angelina patted the east next to her and spoke.

"Please have a seat next to me ..."

"Ojou-sama, such a thing as letting the likes of an adventurer sit next to Ojou-sama, it cannot be allowed!"

Fione-san who was behind me raised her voice in protest, but Angelina-san answered with a smile.

"Ara, Kent-san and I will become family one day, so there's no problem. Fione, sit over there. Now, Kent-san, come."

"Haa, excuse me."

When I sat down next to Angelina-san, she wrapped her arm around my shoulders and drew me in and hugged me.

"Aneue! What are you doing."

"Ara, are you jealous? Recently, you haven't even held hands with your Onee-chan ..."

Angelina-san was holding me in her arms, stroking my head with 'iiko, iiko', as she dealt with Baldini-san.(TN: 'iiko' means good child, it's a way of dealing with small children.)

"U, umm ... Angelina-san, as expected, this is a bit embarrassing ..."

"Ara, do you not like it?"

"No, I don't particularly mind, but ..."

"Then, just stay like this for a while, and also, please call me Ange-oneechan."

"Th, that is, that ... Klaus-san told me not to call you in an overly familiar manner ..."

"Ara, why is that? Once you marry Riche, we'll become a family. Isn't it normal for us to be overly familiar?"

"That may be so ..."

"Then, try calling me Ange-oneechan, ye ~ s."

"A, Ange-oneechan ..."

"Yes, well done. Kent is a good boy ..."

Fuaa ... 

I understood why Mart and the others wanted to be stroked.

"Aneue! Please restrain yourself!"

"What? Does Dii want 'iiko, iiko', too?"

"I don't want you to do such a shameful thing!"

"Mou, you've become so rebellious ... In the past, Onee-tan, Onee-tan, you found it unpleasant if we didn't sleep or bathe together."(TN:Onee-tan is a childish way of saying Onee-chan, like lisping.)

What, something like that, I'm so jealous.

"When exactly are you talking about. That was five or ten years ago!"

Yeah, there's a big difference between 5 years and 10 years, so please clarify which one.

"Seriously, I wonder when you became so twisted ... But, it's okay, because I got such a cute Otouto, right, Kent."

"Y, yes ... Ange-oneechan."

"Nn ~ ! ... Kent is a good boy ..."

Howaaaa ... Until we reach Volzard, is it okay to stay like this?

"Ange, you should quickly release Kent. That will interfere with his work as a bodyguard."

"Ara, not good ... That's right. I'm sorry, Kent."

"N, no ... It's okay."

Kuh! ... You said something unnecessary, damned Augusto.

Oh, Fione-san from the opposite seat, and Baldini-san from diagonally in front, were looking at me like they were looking at a trash insect.

"Well, Kent. I would like to confirm something, is it okay?"

"Yes, what is it, Augusto-san."

"I heard that you will move to a different place in the middle of our escort and do a different job, is that true?"

"Yes, I plan to go back to the world I originally lived in and also go to Resenburg."

"What are you talking about, you ..."

"Dii, please don't interrupt us, we're in the middle of an important conversation."

"I'm sorry ... Aniue."

Augusto-san rebuked Baldini, who tried to flare up at me, softly, but with a firm attitude.

"If it's just listening to the contents of the story, it's hard to believe, but I know from the way you talk that it's not a joke or a lie. However, if the story is true, I think that the only one who will be our escort while you are away, is the one who is next to Johannes ..."

"No, my genus are lurking in the shadows, so they will serve as escorts while I move elsewhere."

"About those genus, but I wonder if they're useful as an escort? I'd like to see them if possible ..."

"I guarantee their abilities. If it's a Rock Ogre, they can defeat it with a single blow, and I'll leave someone to contact me with behind, so if something happens, I'll come back. However, if they show up, I heard that horses are afraid of monsters ..."

"I see, I understand. If the security system is perfect, I have no complaints."

After Augusto-san agreed with my explanation, he took out a thick leather-bound book and started reading.

In place of Augusto-san who started reading, Angelina-san asked with a sense of curiosity.

"Hey Kent, I heard that there is always a Kobold with Riche, are they here, too?"

"Yes, they are. However, I don't know the effect on the horses, so to come out ..."

"I see ... it's a pity."

Fione-san, who was sitting across from me, nodded with great regret.(TN:Maybe he wasn't wrong about Fione's hands itching from wanting to mofu after all ...)

"Then, I'll introduce you when we get to the inn tonight."

"Maa, I'm looking forward to it."

Yup, Fione-san was also nodding at high speed.

"Hey, Kent. Didn't you just say you were going to Resenburg?"

"Yes, that's what I said."

"Is it about the succession to the throne?"

"Yes, it is."

Augusto-san, who must have been listening to the conversation, also lifted his gaze from the book and turned his attention to me.

"We have heard that the Second and Third Princes of Resenburg died, but we have not heard anything after that. What is happening in Resenburg right now?"

"Then, I'll tell you about the situation after the Second and Third Princes were killed in Lastock."

When I started to talk, Augusto-san closed the book and took a serious attitude to listen, and Baldini, who was looking at me critically, listened with a serious expression.

To begin with, the Second Prince and the others' misbehavior, the fact that Margrave Havre Calvine was manipulating the threads behind the scenes, that he was planning to cooperate with Barshania, that the life of the First Prince was also lost, that the opposing faction was Camilla's, and that the Diethelm siblings came together and gained recognition as the next King.

Havre colluded with the Prime Minster, and went to the royal castle where the current King and the Knight Commander were rounded up, Camilla arrived, and I talked about the final confrontation.

When I finished speaking, Augusto-san immediately asked me a question.

"If that Camilla Resenburg takes control, there is no possibility of antagonizing Volzard, right?"

"Since it's something that humans do, I can't say for sure that it's absolutely certain, but you can think of the possibility as almost zero."

"On the other hand, what if that Havre Calvine takes control?"

"I can't say for sure because I don't know what's going on in other people's heads, but the chances of them starting a fight should be much higher than they would be with Camilla."

"Hypothetically speaking, hypothetically, if Resenburg attacks at this point in time, do you think Volzard can win?"

"There's no problem. My genus, hands down, will kick them around."

Augusto-san nodded at my words, but Baldini didn't seem to trust me.

"Fuun, you can say anything with your mouth. If you're going to talk big, do it after you've actually routed a large army."

"With over 40,000 soldiers in Barshania, we toyed with them, and stopped the invasion of Resenburg."

"Eeehhh ... Just Kent and his genus? How did you do it?"

"Umm ... Harassment and threats."

To the astonished Angelina-san, I told the story of how I dissuaded the Emperor of Barshania by disturbing the sleep of his soldiers, and threatened to bring down the bridges and sink ships if he did not cancel his campaign.

"I see ... I understand why Father acknowledged your relationship with Riche."

"Really, Kent is amazing ..."

Hyaaha ~~ !! Again, Angelina-san hugged me with 'iiko, iiko'.

It's bad ... I might not be able to resist the addictive nature of being 'iiko, iiko', Ange-oneechan ...

"Aniue, Aneue as well, do you believe what he says? Barshania might have just happened to change their policy and cancel the dispatch of troops, and he might just be talking about it as if taking credit for it."

"If that's the case, why is the Princess of Barshania trying to marry Kent?"

"Aniue, is that story true?"

"It was attached to a letter from Father. The fact that the Princess of Barshania is coming to Volzard for marriage means the same thing as creating a friendly relationship between Volzard and Barshania. As Riche's older brother, it's an unpleasant story, but as a Lord's Family, this story should be welcomed."

"But, this guy ..."

"Dii, it's true that Kent is younger than us, looks dull, and isn't part of the aristocracy. However, don't let what you see and your personal feelings cloud your eyes and make a mistake in your assessment. That is something that as a Lord's Family, you should never do."

"Yes, I understand, Aniue."

Umm, you're dissing me indirectly, aren't you.

Damned Augusto ... In honor of Ange-oneechan's 'iiko, iiko', I'll spare you today.

After leaving Bakkenheim, the carriage went smoothly along the highway.

In the season when the monsoon blew from the northwest, it didn't rain much.

That was because the wind that crossed the desert and went over the Kabasa Pass brought dry air.

Since there was little rain, the roads were not muddy and the carriages could run smoothly.

There were two places to be careful of on the way between Bakkenheim and Volzard.

The first place was Rivarre Pass, and the other was the Irosun Great Forest.

Bran passed in one day, but it would take a day and a half for a normal carriage to get through.

After lunch on the second day, we would enter the forest.

Wild beasts lived in deep forests, and to a lesser extent, monsters also inhabited them.

And then, those who were kicked out of society and disguised themselves as bandits were hiding in search of prey.

While passing through the Irosun Great Forest, unless there was an emergency call from someone else, I planned to stay as the escort.

Maa, it was obviously an excessive force against bandits if I put all my genus into it.

There were more concerns about being targeted when the carriage was stationary than when it was moving.

So, I headed back to Japan to pick up the mobile projector before stopping at a village along the way for a lunch break.

Even though we left Landshelt a little before noon, it was just past 6:00 in the morning at Nerima Garrison.

Suzuki-san hadn't come to work yet, but she had the mobile projector box on her desk.

I greeted the SDF officer on duty, checked the contents of the box, left a note for Suzuki-san, and returned.

After returning to the carriage, after a while, I could see the village where we would rest at noon.

In villages along the highway, there were facilities like drive-ins for people traveling in horse-drawn carriages.

It was a place where humans ate and rested, and the horses also got fodder, water, and rest, Takayama and Johannes took care of the horses and looked after the carriage, while eating just sandwiches and milk.

While protecting the three members of the Volzard Family, I also ended up with the same menu.

When we were traveling with Reese-san, Gunther-kun prepared meals for us, and we all ate the same food at the same place at the same time, but when it came to guarding as a serious escort, this form must have been natural.

After the break, the carriage started moving again, and after Fred confirmed that there were no suspicious pursuers, I headed for Resenburg.

"Then, Augusto-san, I'm going to Resenburg for a moment. I will leave the ex-knight Skeleton as the leader, five Undead Lizardment, and two Kobolds for communication, so don't worry."

"Alright. Can you tell me the results of that as well?"

"That's right ... If there's no problematic content ... I will."

"That's fine. Then, go ahead."

"Yes, I'll be back, please excuse me."

With Basten, who was accustomed to escort duties, as the leader, and Zae-tachi as strength, while Mart and Mirt were asked to act as liaisons.

With Reinhardt and Fred at the head, I led the rest of my genus to the royal castle of Aldaros to see how Camilla was doing.

Today's meeting would be held in a room called the Chamber of Proceedings of the Royal Castle, where the King consulted the nobles about the future of the country.

However, it seemed that the room hadn't been used for many years, and that was probably why the Prime Minister's tyranny was passing through.

In the Chamber of Proceedings, a wide, long table was placed.

Those with the same opinion would line up along the long side, and on the opposite side where the width was set so that you could not reach even if you swung a sword, the opposition lined up.

It seemed that the King would sit in the so-called birthday seat, watch the two factions arguing across the table, and finally make a decision.

In the Chamber of Proceedings, on the table, there were cards with the names of who would sit where.

From the King's point of view, the right side was Camilla's faction, and the left side was Havre Calvine's faction.

Sitting by Camilla's side were Count Gleisner, Count Saruel, and the Commanders of the Royal Guard, Magdalos and Oswald.

On the other hand, sitting on the side of Havre were Prime Minister Florenz, Knight Commander Berdets, and two other nobles whom Havre had enticed before coming to the capital.

As of last night, Havre said that he had doubts about the Knight Commander, but had he reconsidered, or was he pretending, he even had a faint smile on his face.

Camilla, who sat in front of him, clenched her molars and glared at Havre.

"Camilla-sama, will last night's mouse help today, or don't you need it?"

"Fuu, not knowing is, in a way, a blessing."

"What do you mean? What can a mouse do?"

"You will understand shortly, the true terror of Maou-sama."

Contrary to a few moments ago, Havre glared at Camilla, who had a relaxed smile on her face, with blue streaks floating on his temples.

Immediately after that, the back door opened and a man who appeared to be the chamberlain raised his voice.

"His Majesty the King, has arrived!"

The current King, Alexis Resenburg, who showed up, couldn't support his overweight body with only his own legs, and his right hand was supported by a cane, and his left hand was supported by his maid.

Even walking a few meters seemed to be a trial, and it took a long time to reach the large chair, and when he collapsed in it, he was breathing hard and didn't seem to have the leeway to say a word.

Seeing that, Havre bowed to the King, stood up from his seat, stood next to the King, and called out to the attendees.

"To all of you in attendance, I, Havre Calvine, would like to address you first."

Havre cut off his words and gave a light nod to the attendees before continuing.

"I am risking my life for today's appeal. Our country Resenburg is in the worst crisis since its founding. Nevertheless, we have spent too much time in idleness. With all due respect, from His Majesty the King, down to every last knight!"

Havre held up his left hand and pointed to the people sitting at the end of the table.

It was when the gaze of the attendees drifted from Havre to the last seat, lured by that movement.

Just as I thought I heard a light sound like metal scraping, the pale head of King Alexis Resenburg flew into the air.

Havre, with the posture of shaking off the blood-stained sword, smiled triumphantly at Camilla, who was sitting on the other side of the splattering blood.