Chapter 111

Diamond Legion! Sortie!

They stayed in the village to recuperate from their tiredness and fatigue. They were introduced to a merchant who was heading to a neighboring town.

“Be careful out there, okay?”

Muzic shouted as they left.

Mia waved back at Muzic.

“We’re completely indebted to him. I wish there was a way we can repay him.”

Mia said to Sion. However, she did not get a response from him. She looked at him and heard him muttering...

“I hope Keithwood, and the others are safe...”

Sion muttered. Mia noticed his slightly anxious appearance... and remembers.

Ah! That’s right! Of course...

The reason they fell into the river was because their carriage was attacked by assassins. After that, they don’t know what happened to the carriage or whether Keithwood and Tiona were safe.

Hm? Why does it matter to me whether those two are safe?

After all, those two were her enemies. Still...

Well, I guess I can spare a moment to pray for their safety.

Mia thinks again. Keithwood is an important person for Sion. Just like how Anne is an important vassal for her.

I’m surprised that Sion has a human-like quality...

The earnestness of their friendship struck a chord with her and so she spares a little time to pray for their safety.

They were using the Forkroad wagons. I’d feel terrible for Chloe if something happened to it. I also pray for the driver, I suppose. Keithwood helped me with the sandwich, and the same goes for Tiona. So, I can spare them a bit of prayer, I guess...

It was ten years ago that the recruitment began in response to the king’s decree. They recruited regardless of status, nationality, or even criminal background. They searched everywhere for people of immense stature; bringing in people who are gigantic. Successful candidates were put through rigorous military training to drill them into elite soldiers. The result of all this was the creation of a terrifying army of hulking muscleman. Each built like a tank.

“I heard that they wear all-metal body armor. And they hold huge battles axes in one hand as if it’s weight is nothing.”

Sion explained this with a grim seriousness. Mia, on the other hand, had a dreamy sparkle in her eyes.

That... looks really strong!

Mia doesn’t hate big guys. In fact, she had a positive impression of them. This is obvious with her previous experience with Captain Dion and his deputy.

I wonder if I can recruit some of them to join as my Princess Guard.

“By the sun, the magnitude of the damage they can do will be unimaginable.”

Even though it is a revolutionary army, they are still citizens of this country. These are the people who stood up because they couldn’t bear the heavy tax. The king has decided instead to supress them with the most brutal force. Sion felt anger towards that king.

He understood that rebellions need to be quashed to protect the sovereignty of the royalty. He also understood that it was necessary to use overwhelming force to minimize casualties in the army’s side. But there must be a limit to these things.

The opponent to whom such strong force should be directed should also be a trained regular army of another country. Moreover, in Sion’s memory, this is their first campaign. Morale should be quite high. They would be hungry for glory and blood.

Sion looked at Mia who was still smiling. He could not understand why Mia was still in a good mood even after hearing everything. He could glean no further insight from her face. So, he turned back to the merchant to ask a question. To Sion’s surprise, it was where he got his answer to Mia’s behavior.

“So how much damage is there?”

“From the stories that I’ve heard, none whatsoever.”

“...What?”

“Apparently, there hasn’t been any actual fighting yet. I mean they are the Diamond Legion after all. And diamonds are pricey. You can’t field them willy-nilly.”

That was all Sion needed to hear to put all the pieces together. He finally realized what’s happening. At the same time, a chill of a shock ran down his spine.

N-No way... Did Mia figure all of this out already? So, this was the reason why she was just smiling even after hearing what I said?

Things, however, were rolling in a direction that no one expected.