Chapter 176: (Self Edited) The Hou Household’s Territory

Riding through the night, we finally reached the Hou Household’s territory in the afternoon, only to find soldiers on the territorial border. There were about 2000 soldiers waiting about two kilometers beyond the border.“We have been waiting for you, Yuri-dono.” (Gin)

It was Gin Toga, whom I had met one day in the forest of Kilghina. A familiar old man was also lined up to salute me.

“Thank you for your hard work. You’ve arrived.” (Yuri)

“I’m sorry to trouble you, but can you tell me the current situation?” (??)

This old man was an old man who had the equivalent title of clan duke, which was the equivalent of a title below the rank of natural nobility. They control the whole area around here.

“I will tell you about the details in Karakumo in the presence of lords. To put it simply, Father, Mother and the Queen were poisoned at the meeting.” (Yuri)

“How can it be…” (??)

“It was the Witches who did it. Think of it as a war.” (Yuri)

I didn’t miss the look of delight from the old man’s face.

‘To remove the Witches from the royal capital and take the kingdom…. The sound of these words may be a moving feeling for the Knights. In history, several General households in Shaalta were unable to resist this allure, and were bannered, assassinated, defeated and lost to history. It has been successful in countries that existed in the past, but it has been a long time since they were destroyed.’

“Well then, let’s go to Karakumo as soon as possible.” (Gin)

Gin said.

“Her Highness Carol is in the carriage. She has consumed a small amount of poison and isn’t feeling well. I want her to rest at the nearest inn before Karakumo.” (Yuri)

“I understand. I will arrange it.” (Gin)

‘No.’

“No, I will leave only after I have seen it with my own eyes. You will send eagles to the lords, or release pigeons and call them to Karakumo.” (Yuri)

“Understood.” (Gin)

“So, what happened to Father’s eagle, White Dusk?” (Yuri)

“It is resting in a nearby village. There seems to be no problem.” (Gin)

‘Is that so? I’m glad.’

“…Hmm?” (Gin)

Gin suddenly squinted and looked beyond my back. Extending that way was the road I came from.

‘What is it?’

I turned around as well and saw a Knight straddling on a Galloping Bird. The whole body and the bird were messed up all over the place, as if they had been showered in blood. The blood that had already dried turned red and black. It was reminiscent of a horrific battle.

It was Soim.

Soim straddled slowly toward us as he glanced back to the road. When he finally came up to me, he got off the Galloping Bird.

“Soim! You’re safe!” (Yuri)

‘That’s good! That’s good.’

“Yes, well. …Haah.” (Soim)

With a deep sigh, Soim removed the strange face guard he had on his way out.

‘How should I say it… It’s not a feeling that he is tired.  It isn’t a sigh of that. It is a sigh of disappointment. I couldn’t feel a drop of joy from him.’

“What? What’s wrong?” (Yuri)

“Those people… they aren’t bad. But I’m still disappointed.” (Soim)

Soim was still looking toward the road after getting off the bird.

‘Is he expecting the enemy to come? He has arrived though.’

“I don’t know what happened, but shouldn’t you be glad? You’ve survived.” (Yuri)

“Haa~~…” (Soim)

Soim sighed once more. It was a really deep sigh.

‘Judging from Soim’s horrific appearance, it seems certain that the Witches have let go of their pursuit. However, it seems that the pursuers didn’t meet Soim’s expectations. So, only five people showed up?’

“If that’s the case I’m sure the lords would have managed just fine without me. There were small fries after all.” (Soim)

“Is that so…” (Yuri)

‘What a shame…’

“I didn’t expect they would just retreat and never come back…” (Soim)

‘Shouldn’t it be normal if they come back… What with those people… For some reason, I could hear that. What in the world was going on? He doesn’t seem to be hurt though…’

“Young Master, I’m sorry but I’m going to have to take some time off… I haven’t had a drink in a long time and I’m in the mood for one.” (Soim)

“O-oouh… take a good rest.” (Yuri)

“…Haa… those people… really…” (Soim)

Soim straddled the bird and proceeded along the road with a melancholy look on his blood-soaked back, which was covered in layers of blood splatters.

—

“We have arrived.” (Yuri) Sᴇaʀᴄh the N0vᴇlFire(.)nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of nøvels early and in the highest quality.

I opened the door of the carriage and inside were Carol, the head maid and Shamu.

“Haa…haa…” (Carol)

Carol didn’t seem to have the energy to reply. Her thin breath escaping in ragged gasps as if she was breathless while her eyes vacant.

“Yuri…?” (Shamu)

Shamu also seemed to be dazed, and her eyes were shifty. The cobblestone pavements weren’t smooth like asphalt paved roads, and the higher the speed, the more violently the carriage swayed. The carriages incorporated a bit of wooden suspension, but even so, the vibration wasn’t sleep-inducing.

It was only natural that this would happen, since we had ridden it through the night and until the afternoon.

“Head Maid, I’m sorry, but you’ll have to work a bit longer.” (Yuri)

Only the head maid, who couldn’t hide her slight haggardness, was sitting on a chair with her back erected.

I went into the carriage, held Carol’s knees and shoulders and lifted her up. I carried her out of the carriage as slow as possible as if she were a fragile item and entered the inn at the post town we were heading to.

“T-this way.” (??)

Horrified by the sudden arrival of a distinguished guest, the innkeeper showed us to his first-class guest room. I followed him through the inn and into the guest room.

The post town of Roshi wasn’t very large, and since it wasn’t used very often in normal travel, there was only one moderately sized inn. It wasn’t much of a first-class guest room, but at the moment, Carol needed a bed to rest on anyway.

I laid Carol gently on the bed.

“Head Maid, let me get what you need.” (Yuri)

“Thank you. My Lord.” (??)

The head maid bowed her head and casually dismissed the innkeeper for the room and left him.

‘He is probably being thoughtful.’

I sat on the bedside and looked at Carol. She looked ill, but she didn’t look like there was an immediate danger to her life.

“Carol. You’ll be resting here.” (Yuri)

“Yes…” (Carol)

It seemed that she could hear me.

“This is the Hou Household’s territory. You’re safe now… you should get some sleep.” (Yuri)

“Go ahead… Yuri. Quickly… to the royal capital…” (Carol)

Carol began to speak something like a whisper. She was voicing as if she was driven by something.

“Don’t talk anymore. It’s bad for you.” (Yuri)

“I’m fine…. just go… regain Sibyaku…” (Carol)

“Got it. I got it. Then, I’m going, alright.” (Yuri)

When I held Carol’s hand, it was hot. Perhaps, it was a little feverish. She gripped back with surprisingly strong force.

“I depend on you…” (Carol)

“Aah, I’ve been asked. Don’t worry, I’ll get it back…” (Yuri)

I let go of Carol’s hand and walked out of the room. As soon as I left the room, the head maid was there, bowing her head for some reason.

“Please leave Carol-sama to me. Please be assured that I have the knowledge of nursing care.” (??)

The head maid said in a whisper that I could only hear.

“It might be a good idea to give her a drink of thin rice gruel with a feeding cup. Be careful of the humidity in the room.” (Yuri)

“Understood.” (??)

“I’ll take the noisy soldiers to the next town.” (Yuri)

The voices of soldiers bustling on the streets, conversing and communicating orders, echoed here as well.

‘I can’t scold them because they are doing it without malice as part of their normal duties. They, too, had marched all night. Although I want to let them sleep, I couldn’t let them use this inn.’

“Soon, local soldiers will be sent to guard. If you hear any noise that disturbs your sleep, do something about it immediately. I’ll give strict orders to the mayor.” (Yuri)

“Yes, Master.” (??)

“Take good care of yourself. Remember the face of all the staff at the inn, and if you see anyone else in the inn, report them to the authorities. This inn is reserved for you.” (Yuri)

“Yes.” (??)

‘I wonder if she really understands. We’ve known each other for a long time, and I’ve never seen a flam in her work, so I guess it’s all good.’

“If anyone appears claiming to be the Queen’s Sword, call in the soldiers to capture them. They may be on the enemy side. If she is on our side, she shouldn’t resist. If they do, let them talk to Carol.” (Yuri)

“Yes, Master. I will do so.” (??)

‘I’m not sure about the principle of action of the Queen’s Sword. They would probably behave like a kind of fanatic, so it’s not surprising that they will be like slaves to Carya the moment Carya wears the crown. Carol probably knows the most about them, but now isn’t the time to ask. The next person who might know is Myaro, but she isn’t here. To begin with, are there any Queen’s Swords left? They could have all died protecting Queen Simone.’

“This is the last one, but it’s the most important.” (Yuri)

“Yes.” (??)

“If her condition suddenly changes, let me know in a hurry.” (Yuri)

“I understand. I know the feeling of Master.” (??)

The head maid bowed her head once more.

“Then, I’ll fly to Karakumo. Please take care of the rest.” (Yuri)

TLN:

This chapter is the last chapter of Volume 12.