CH 31

Oh, I’m so sorry. Your Highness. Safaris here seem to have a weakness for you. ……” 

“Ha?!!”

The sudden shift of responsibility from Barzen made Safaris shout. “I knew it,” nodded Célia, her lips pursed.

“You’d better get used to it, Colonel Safaris! I’ve heard that the Colonel hates women, but we’re comrades who fight together. You won’t make it on the battlefield like that!” 

“…… I’m very, very sorry, Your Highness.”

Safaris glanced reproachfully at his superior next to him and bowed to her.

“You are old enough, Colonel, to get over your misogyny and find someone to marry. You may not have the best eyes, but the Colonel doesn’t have a bad face, and I’m sure you’ll find someone for you soon enough if you want to!”  

“…………I will do my best. Thank you for your consideration.”

Safaris, still reluctant, hides his face to hide his expression.

Barzen intervenes with a crisp tap on Safaris’ shoulder.

“I’ll give him a good hard time, and I hope you’ll forgive me. But we were talking about the war, weren’t we? I would like to hear what you have to say about it, Your Highness!” 

“Yes, of course!　I’ve always wanted to talk to you about the war!”

“Ho, ho, that’s good!”

Barzen smiles and relaxes his cheeks at the innocent approach of Célia. 

“This again……”

Safaris is not very fond of the Imperial Princess and holder of the Holy Sword, Célia von Althlein. The main reason for this is the superior officer beside her.

The old general Gracos Barzen was a man of great courage and fame throughout the Empire.

He was known as the devil by his enemies and the god of war by his allies.

Safaris had always admired the stern but benevolent Barzen, and was even moved to tears when he was chosen as his second-in-command a few years ago, following the retirement of his predecessor.

“The brave general, whom I have always admired, is like this when it comes to Her Highness the Princess. Oh, what a …… pity!”

But when he is in contact with Her Highness Princess Célia, he becomes as pathetic as an old man who is weak with his grandchildren. 

Whenever he sees him, Safaris feels a pang of pity.

“So, Grandpa. What did you and the colonel talk about?”

“Well, we’ve been talking about how to bring down Fortress Blaine.”

Célia asked with an innocent tilt of her head. When Barzen was asked about it, he spoke up without a second thought.

“We know that Blaine Fortress is even more solid than Barceo Fortress on the border, and that it is well stocked with water and provisions. It will take some time to bring it down.” 

“And it’s General Bazel Garst who is guarding it. It’s not going to be easy.”

“Hmm, this is so great! The enemy’s general.”

Barzen explained, and Safaris added from the side. She nodded her head in admiration.

“Of course. General Garst is a fierce warrior who has defended their borders for twenty years. He is the patron saint of the Kingdom of Zain.”

“Wow, that’s he’s even better than Grandpa?””

“No way! Of course, I’m better than him!”

Barzen replies to Célia’s innocent question in an impassioned tone.

“He is a young man, 20 years younger than me, though a fierce general. He may be capable, but he is still a weak man in the kingdom of Zain. He is no match for us!”

“That’s my grandfather!””

“Mmm-hmm!”

Barzen is proud due to the princess’s praise. Safaris, looking blankly at such a superior officer, opens his mouth with water.

“It is also true, however, that it is the guardian gods of weak countries that have hindered the empire’s path to supremacy. This battle will not be an easy one.” 

“Hmm… shall I go and get his head then?”

She says it like it’s nothing.

“I could go into the fortress alone and kill the man. Then we’d win this war, wouldn’t we?”

“No, Your Highness! Your Highness cannot be in such danger!”

Barzen shouted, his shoulders heaving with anger. The old general’s countenance, which had been so gentle before, changed to a stern one.

“For God’s sake, Princess. Don’t do anything as reckless as you did at Barceo Fortress! I thought my heart would stop then!” 

As a matter of fact, it was largely due to the efforts of Célia that the Imperial troops were able to defeat the border fortress of Barceo in such a short time.

As the keeper of the holy sword, the princess stepped out unannounced just as the Imperial troops were about to attack the fortress, and with her incredible physical strength she was able to leap over the walls and enter the fortress.

Once inside the fortress, she drew her holy sword and went on a rampage, throwing the enemy into confusion, so that when the walls were poorly defended, the Imperial troops led by Barzen defeated them.

She was a hero in this battle. She was a worthy keeper of the holy sword, but for Barzen, who loved her dearly, it was a nightmare.

“Promise me, Princess, promise me! Do not fight so recklessly, and I won’t become a worried old man again!” 

“Um, that’s…….” 

Célia flinches at Barzen’s words but falters and clasps the forefingers of both hands together, muddling her words. 

From the way she avoided saying anything explicitly, it seems that she was planning to do the same thing in this attack on the Blaine fortress.

“ Pri.N.Cess!” (「ひ・め・で・ん・か！」)

“auu…”

The old general comes at her with a look of rage and tears in his eyes.

At the sight of these two, Safaris shakes his head somberly and offers a helping hand from his side.

“Your Highness. Your outstanding performance in the battle the other day was truly magnificent. However, if only Her Highness …… plays an active role, we and many other officers will lose the opportunity to play an active role. There are some soldiers who would like to use this opportunity to take credit for their success and rise in the ranks, so we would appreciate it if you would pass the credit on to us?” 

“Hmm …… if that’s the case ………… okay.” 

Célia thought for quite a long time and nodded, somewhat dissatisfied.

Although Her Highness is a brave woman, she never wants to take credit for the work of her vassals. If Safaris mentions other soldiers in this way, she will certainly understand.  

The purity and benevolence of her character were undoubtedly known to Safaris, who was not fond of her.

“In return,” Safaris said, “if I ever need your help, I will call you immediately. Please be patient until then” 

“Yes, I understand. I’ll look forward to it,”

“Well, well, well, that’s a good decision, Princess. That is why you are a princess and that’s how you should be!” 

Barzen pats her gently on the head and thanks Safaris by making eye contact.

“………”

With a shrug of his shoulders, Safaris responded silently to his superior, turning his gaze away from the two and towards the direction of the fortress.