CH 19

Translated by SoundOfDestiny

Greeted by a thousand horsemen, Raidorl Zain climbed into the carriage provided for him.

As for the pioneer cities, he left that to the guild master, Zafis.

Before Raidorl was sent to the frontier to become a lord, Zafis and other old adventurers ruled the city in his place. Thus, it was possible to run the town without Raidorl.

“Not that my brother or the Prime Minister won’t try something crazy……although I’d like to believe that they’re not that stupid……”

The pioneer city is a place that prevents the flow of demons from the jungle in the south of the Kingdom of Zain.

If someone were to cause chaos in the city, the demons would flow into the kingdom, and other places within the Zain Kingdom would be caught between the empire and the demon horde.

His brother Granard and the Vizier banished Raidorl.

This may have been due to Granard’s personal grudge, but it was also because he feared that the emergence of a holy sword holder would cause political strife.

It is not something that Raidorl would condone, but there is no doubt that they are serious about protecting their country.

They would not go out of their way to destroy the country by harming a pioneer city.

“At any rate, …… I’m going to be in hostile territory from here on. I’ve got to be on my toes.”

Raidorl looks out of the carriage window, his gaze fixed on the road ahead. As the young prince’s eyes turned determined, a concerned voice came from beside him.

“What’s the matter, Master?”

“No …… there’s nothing.”

Raidorl responds by waving lightly at the girl in the maid’s uniform.

The only one who accompanies him is Neimilia, the only one who is willing to ride into the lap of the brother who excluded her master. The young man who is the keeper of the holy sword and the witch who was once known as ‘The Doom’ are sitting in a carriage side by side.

And sitting opposite them was a young man in his twenties. The man in charge of this unit was Darren Garst, the Thousand Horsemen Chief.

“If you do not feel well, please tell us at once, Your Royal Highness Raidorl.” 

Raidorl’s lips twisted sarcastically at the young knight’s glowering comment. 

“Ehhh, I’m going to be respected as royalty?”

“Of course. You are definitely a legitimate member of the royal bloodline of Zain.” 

“…… So, if I have to fight with my brother, will you stand by me?”

“Please……don’t say that, Your Highness. Even if it is a joke, not everyone can take it.” 

Darren frowns and complains while Raidorl shrugs his shoulders and laughs scornfully.

“You’ll have to forgive me for complaining like this. My Dearest brother has thrown away a useless prince and then called back because of some circumstances. I’m sure you understand what I feel about this right?”

“……, Your Highness. I know it’s not my place to say this, but His Majesty Granard is sincerely hoping that he and you can reconcile and stand together against the Empire. I would be grateful if you would consider that.”

“I don’t like it. I think it’s refreshingly selfish.” 

Raidorl became the keeper of the Holy Sword and because of that he became an obstacle, so he was banished to the frontier and cut him off.

Now HE needs the power of the Holy Sword, so he asks for reconciliation/forgiveness without sincerity. 

It’s all about the kingdom. It is the selfish ego of his elder brother King Granard.

“I wish he would have left us alone. Then we wouldn’t have had to fight each other.” 

“Neimilia.”

“Yes, Master?”

Raidorl pointed to his throat and called out the maid’s name, and Neimilia nodded with a smile.

She took out a water bag and a wooden cup from her bag, which she had brought with her from the pioneer city and began to make tea in the carriage.

“Please wait a moment while I heat it up.” 

“Aaa” 

When Neimilia clasps the cup of tea in her hands, the liquid inside bubbles up. Before long, a mellow aroma rises from the cup with the steam. 

“Yes, it’s ready. Please excuse the milk, it’s not …… out yet.” 

“…… Don’t say a word. Thank you.”

“What?! So, the woman is a sorceress?”

Darren’s eyes widened in surprise as Neimilia handed Raidorl a cup of tea.

In this world, a person who can use magic is called a sorcerer.

It is said that there is only one sorcerer in a thousand, and as such, they are often considered a valuable resource and kept around by the state and nobility.

“Magic …… and no chanting magic!　Why is there so much magic in the middle of nowhere?”

The children of sorcerers are more likely to inherit a magical background, and even if they don’t serve in the royal court, they have no trouble finding marriage partners. And if they can use magic without chanting, it would be so much the better.

There is no reason why a sorcerer should be living in a dangerous frontier city when there are so many noblemen and wealthy merchants to choose from.

Darren was speechless and surprised, Raidorl smiled mischievously as he accepted a cup of tea from Neimilia.

“What’s the matter? I don’t remember showing you anything so surprising, do you?”

“Well…… that makes sense. But why did Your Highness bring her alone?”

“Hurm?”

“There are not more than ten sorcerers in the court who are proficient in the use of chantless magic. If you have that kind of talent as your bodyguard, then you don’t need another bodyguard.” 

Darren nodded, his honest face slightly tense.

He understood that the maid who called herself Neimilia was one of the best sorcerers in the world. The question is, why did Raidorl reveal this to Darren?

“I don’t think it’s because he wanted a cup of tea. This is a warning……!”

“I have a good sorcerer on my side. So don’t do anything stupid.”

Raidorl is pointing his finger at Darren.

“And …… this also means that His Highness does not trust us. He doesn’t believe in me or in His Majesty the King one bit. I’m not sure if he’s really trying to save the country when he accompanied me to the capital. What on earth is the purpose of this……?”

Darren remains silent and ponders. The more he thinks about it, the darker his thoughts will sink, and the more anguish he will feel, as if his guts were stuffed with lead.

Whether he knows it or not, Raidorl sips his cup with a calm expression.

“Well, tea is always better when it’s made by Neimilia.”

“What a waste of words. It was worth the extra honey.”

“…… I take back what I said. What the hell did you put in my tea?” 

Raidorl and Neimilia started to argue in the carriage, as if they were a married couple.

As Darren watched them, he pondered Raidorl’s intentions with a grave look on his face.