Volume 6 - CH 8

Chapter 8 – To The Battlefield

Having returned to the room where his party members were waiting, Eto told them that he had been entrusted with the key to control the connecting bridge by Margrave.

“What’s that! Isn’t that a secret key?! To think there is something like a key to move the bridge that sank to the bottom of the lake, that’s just like in a story!”

Hearing Eto’s story, Kohaku seemed to be greatly interested in that, especially with the secret key.

“Actually, there are things on the battlefield that I don’t want to show to Kohaku, who isn’t an adult yet. To be honest, I’d like Kohaku to wait here.” Eto said.

“No way. Absolutely no way. I will go with everyone.”

Eto can see in Kohaku’s eyes that she intends to go with them no matter what happens.

At that moment, Eto regretted that he had spoken the things in the wrong order. Because of that, it surely would be difficult to convince Kohaku, who is excited after seeing the secret key, to stay. Wondering what he should do, Eto looked at Kohaku’s father, Amou.

“Kohaku would be fine. If there is something wrong approaching her, I’ll keep it away.” Amou said.

“I will also protect Kohaku.”

Saying that, Sorano placed her hand on her chest, as if taking the stance of taking an oath.

Among many adventurers who are accustomed to fighting monsters, there are many of them who avoid killing other humans. However, during escort requests, they will still have to fight against people even if they tried to avoid it when the caravan they escorted was attacked by thieves. For that reason, Kohaku will eventually need to get used to it, but Eto thought that being on a battlefield all of a sudden will be tough for her.

As Eto was thinking about that, Amou stood up.

“Eto, it’s not like we are sent to a fierce battlefield, right? We just have to use the key to control the bridge and then help the siege as much as possible, right?”

“Aa, that’s right.”

“Then, it would be fine. Or rather, why is Eto more overprotective of Kohaku than me, her father?”

“Hahaha, that’s true. Understood. Then, shall the four of us go to the battlefield?”

Eto looked at his party members, who nodded at him.

“No, it’s six people.”

Suddenly, someone’s voice can be heard from somewhere.

Hearing that, Eto stiffened for a moment. And Kohaku, who reached out her hand to see the key that Eto had, froze in that position. The only thing that made Eto not ready for battle was because he was familiar with the voice.

“Narl-san, peeping is bad taste, you know?”

Then, Narl and Nii appeared silently from behind the window curtain leading to the balcony. Even Sorano was surprised by their sudden appearance as she couldn’t detect their presence.

Narl then casually pulled out his right hand, which was in his pocket. Looking at that movement, Eto thought that it is highly possible that Narl is hiding a magic tool in his pocket. And that magic tool should be able to erase their presence and noises. Otherwise, it is probably impossible for them to hide in the room without being noticed by Sorano.

“We will accompany you. Best regards.”

“Best regards.”

Saying that, Narl and Nii bowed to Eto and his party.

“I’m fine with that, but can you please not enter our room without permission?”

Eto said to Narl and Nii, but they didn’t nod.

The next day, Eto went to meet Commanding Officer Andrea and explained about the key he received from Margrave. Then, Eto told Andrea that since he was entrusted with it, he and his party intended to go to the battlefield and cooperate in the siege. Andrea then wrote a letter of introduction to the Commander at the battlefield and bowed to Eto’s party, requesting them to help resolve the situation.

That same day, Eto, Kohaku, Sorano, Amou, Narl, and Nii rode horses to the southern fort and arrived at the destination around noon the next day. When Eto showed the letter of introduction written by Andrea to the knights, they were immediately guided to the Commander’s tent.

The Commander was a bearded man with a beautiful bald head. He is a little taller than Kohaku, and moves a lot even when talking. And that movement was so funny that Eto wondered if he had the talent to be a comedian throughout the meeting. Because if he didn’t think about something like that, silently listening to the Commander’s story would be a hassle.

“Hoo, so you received the key to move the connecting bridge! In that case, do give it to us.”

Saying that, with his face flustered with excitement while gripping his fist, the Commander tried to pick the key from Eto’s hand.

“I am very sorry, this key was something that Margrave directly entrusted to me. I also have been told to return it after using it, so I can’t give you the key. However, as long as the Commander orders, I will use the key to raise the bridge.”

In response to Eto’s reply, the Commander stopped moving, but soon the toes of his feet began to move, as he stroked his beard.

“You can’t give it, huh. This is troubling.” The Commander said, as if to show his displeasure.

Naturally, Eto wasn’t told by Margrave to return the key, but because he had a feeling that the key wouldn’t be given back to him if he gave it to the Commander, he lied. Because Eto wanted to properly return the key to Margrave.

The Commander seemed to be exasperated at the unresponsive Eto, even though he had shown displeasure toward him. Then, he became more and more displeased with Eto. In the end, judging that it would be useless no matter what he said, the Commander seemed to give up.

“I will tell you when to use the key later. So do stand by until then.” The Commander said and then unilaterally stopped talking.

As Eto and his party were about to leave, a military attaché entered the tent and reported, “Hero-sama has arrived.”. And almost immediately, the Hero’s party entered the tent.

“Why are you here–”

When Hero Ronaldo saw Eto, he tried to say something with a surprised expression. But thinking that it probably wouldn’t be a worthless exchange, Eto interrupted him halfway.

“Long time no see. We came to the Margrave territory at the request of the Knights Order, and that request is related to the crime committed by the Acting Lord Riesenbolt. And we are here at the request of Margrave Stainbolt himself.”

“You are the one–”

“We have no intention of disturbing Hero-sama, so please allow us to participate in the war.”

“We don’t need–”

“Allow me to make it clear, we are here at the request of Margrave Stainbolt himself. We hope you will keep this in mind.”

Eto declared his position to interrupt Hero’s voice.

Then, leaving the Hero, who was at a loss for words, Eto and his party leave the tent after exchanging greetings with Lana with his eyes.

“Fuu, I’m tired.” Eto sighed.

“Fufu, Eto was more like the bad guy there.” Amber said with a laugh.