Part 5 of chapter
1.
“It's time.”
<This is Kaze
Number 1. No changes in the “rumor”.>
“There are no
changes, huh.”
<Kaze Number 1
reporting no changes.>
<Kaze Number 2
reporting no changes.>
“A moat and a
wall around the castle; a classic defense. I wonder what place should
we attack?”
<We should
request an investigation, then.>
“I just sent in a
request right now.”
<We, the Kaze,
are here in the castle. Isn't the best choice to open the gates from
within?>
<Is this castle
really such an impregnable fortress?>
<The founder of
the old Mismarcan dynasty was the head of the old Majestia
family...so, in other words, he is of the same blood as the current
Imperial family. That means our magic and our techniques are
very similar. I don't know how much power Mismarca has retained, but
this castle was built during that age. I saw some unfamiliar crests
earlier...they had a bell and a hammer on them. I don't think those
are ordinary magical defenses.>
Rustle.
“Hold on...”
<...What's
wrong?>
“...It was
probably some kid from the neighborhood who got lost.”
<It's an empty
house; things like that probably happen from time to time.>
“Wait, where have
I seen that kid...”
<...?>
“No way, probably
not.”
<Do you need
backup?>
“Nay. Let's stop
here. This country has good security. We should change locations
soon. It doesn't look like he saw me. Then, the next time will be at
one six zero zero. Acknowledged.
<Number 1
acknowledged.>
<Number 2
acknowledged.>
“End of
transmission.”
…
The kid was leaving
by climbing up the wall.
Then, just where
did he enter from?
If he had jumped
into this garden filled with bushes and scrubs, he would've made a
louder noise.
“...Emergency. I
need to change my location.”
<As I thought,
there was a problem.>
“No, its not such
a big issue.”
<Number 1
acknowledged.>
<Number 2
acknowledged.>
“End of
transmission.”
*
Mahiro landed a bit
roughly on the paved stone street. It was a pretty high wall. He
brushed away the dust that gathered on his clothes, disguising him as
a common citizen.
“Now, what to
do...”
Mahiro adjusted his
hat that was dislodged during the fall low over his eyes.
“As expected, the
visitor was there, huh...”
Mahiro gave the
uninhabited houses a fleeting glance, and was just about to leave
when...
“I found you,
young master!”
He turned around,
startled. Pariel was furiously riding towards him on her fierce, gray
horse.
“You already
found me?! Ungh, you've been getting good at this lately...!”
“Now, young
master, come home and study like an obedient young man!
Oohohohohoho!”
She even chased him
into such a street, shouting so scarily.
“Where would you
find a home tutor that looks like an adventurer?!”
Pariel was wearing a casual, sleeveless attire instead of her usual collared uniform,
brandishing her sword as she charged at him. Anyhow, Mahiro started
running away from her.
“I'm currently a
free person! Humans, no matter who they are, have the natural right to liberty! Heaven gave everyone equal rights! Someone! Anyone! Help
me please! Right now an innocent, young boy's basic rights are being
cruelly trampled over!!”
“Oohohohohoho!!”
“Waaaaaa~~~~!!”
Mahiro sprinted
with all of his strength, dashing all over the place, trying to
escape.
*
And, so, Mahiro was
caught.
Clip clop, clip
clop. Pariel had put the exhausted Mahiro behind her, and the two
rode together on the walking horse.
“Ha...It's bad to
run so much...”
“Isn't it because
you don't exercise enough? So, you should at least practice the sword
a little...”
“Haa, haa, I
ran...from the horse...for thirty minutes...isn't that proof
enough...of my health...haa, haa.”
Well, that was so,
but.
“By the way,
Prince.”
“What's up?”
“Why are you
riding behind me?”
“What about it?”
“What about
it...a guy riding behind a girl is...to be honest, poor behavior,
isn't it?”
“Right now, I'm
not a high-class young man, so that shouldn't matter.”
“But, still...”
“...Right now,
I'm really tired.”
“But...”
“Riding a living
animal is very cruel, isn't it.”
“No one thinks
that about riding a horse. And aren't you riding one right now?”
“If it's really
like that, ride behind me, then.”
“...”
Pariel had a bad
premonition.
“Prince...don't
tell me you don't know how to ride a horse?”
“To be
frank...yes.”
Bam.
“Huhh!?”
“It's okay. Turn
left here. I won't escape anymore, so let's return to the castle
together.”
“Turn
left...wait, you want to go outside the town?!”
“Didn't I say so?
Inspection.”
“...Really?'
Mahiro kicked
around his feet.
“Inspection~,
inspection~”
“I-I get it! Stop
throwing a tantrum like a child! You'll make the horse go wild!”
The town was
surrounded by a wall, with various gates allowing people passage. They headed onto the main street, away from the castle, towards
the southern gate.
“...What is it?”
This small country
had no particular value for traders and other travelers. Therefore,
there usually weren't many people entering and leaving the country.
But today, the place was crowded and chaotic. The two went closer for
a look.
“Out of the way,
out of the way! We're closing this gate right now.”
“What's the
reason? Tell us the reason!”
“We have orders
not to let anyone in or out!”
“My fish will
rot!”
“I need to
deliver these goods today!”
“At least let me
take these medicines!”
“I'm only going
out to hunt for a little bit!”
“That's right!
What do you mean I can't return to my home?!”
The crowd was grumbling its dissatisfaction and was just on the verge of erupting into a
riot.
“Why are they
closing the gates?”
“...As I thought,
the Empire is coming? That's the captain of the defense squad...”
After getting closer, Mahiro got off of the horse and asked a young guard with a
serious face.
“What's happening
here?”
“Huh? It's as you
see. We're closing the gates now, and will inspect and check everyone
leaving the country...Y-Your Highness!?”
Hearing the guard's
panicked shout and seeing his pointed finger, the tumult around the
gate immediately died down as everyone turned around to look at
Mahiro. The captain, however, had a different reaction to Mahiro's
appearance.
“Don't tell me
you escaped from the castle again...I didn't expect the idiot prince
to be here...!”
“Don't say
something cold like that. It's pretty mean. This is different from
the usual.”
That was because
the prince always acted like an idiot.
“It's exactly because of you always doing something like this! What are you doing...? You were supposed to
remain in the castle as His Majesty's replacement...well, this gate
is the center of attention right now.”
It seems that the
captain knew of Mahiro's usual behavior. Inside the station, there
were a few simple tables and chairs made out of wood, and several
polished shields and spears were propped up against the wall. It was
very much so a common guard station. There were several young looking
guards inside .
“Ah, the Prince!
Welcome! Please enjoy. Do you want some juice?”
“Prince, I have
some new card games here! Let's play together! I won't lose this
time!”
“Prince, do you
want some ice cream? Ice cream!”
“Prince, there's
this dancer girl at the bar in the downtown's second district that
makes you feel so good...”
Well, the guards
were being friendly, and really almost overly so...
“Who said that
you idiots could take a break?! Return to your stations!”
As the captain
yelled angrily, the various young soldiers rushed out, escaping his
rage.
“Prince, you seem
to know these people really well. And wait, what was that suspicious
comment about a bar?”
“E-eh, um, that
was, you know, that was a secret message about Edelweiss.”
As Pariel sighed,
Mahiro turned around to face the captain with a direct face.
“Leaving that
aside, who ordered the doors be closed and caused such an uproar?”
“Yes, it was on
orders from the Minister of Internal Affairs, Kalro. It was to
prevent spies from the Imperial army from infiltrating.”
“...That was why
everyone was prevented from leaving?”
“Of course they
weren't told the reason. We can't have a disturbance after what His
Majesty said this morning...”
“Then stop this
at once.”
At these unexpected
words, the captain's and Pariel's eyes grew wide with surprise.
“Why, Prince?”
“Hmm? There's no
meaning to it.”
“No meaning to
it...we can't so easily...”
“Anyway, if you
continue this, there will be people hurt. Fish will rot. The factory
over there will be unable to function because it didn't receive
today's delivery. And most of all, if that clinic doesn't receive
these medicines...”
(By any chance...)
Pariel wondered how
this Prince was able to know the lives of the citizens so minutely.
The captain was probably thinking the same thing as she exchanged
looks with him.
“If some famous,
wanted criminal snuck in, then how do you plan on stopping him from
escaping? Return to the usual state of alert at once. I order you this with
the full authority that Father entrusted me with.”
“Ye-yes!”
“Also, notify the
northern gate of the same thing afterwards. Use Edelweiss's name,
though.”
“Huh? But isn't
this your order, Your Highness?”
“The captain over
there won't listen if you mention my name. Even though I'm serious
this time.”
“Aha, I see. I
understand. Then, I will go immediately.”
The captain
departed from the guard station. After the doors were opened, the
crowd began to disperse with thoughts of relief. The captain
returned, and used to telephone to relay the order to the captain of
the northern gate. Chin. He hung up the wall-mounted telephone with a
loud clang.
“They said that
they will stop inspection at once.”
“Good. That's one
thing settled.”
But, Pariel said.
“What if there
really was a spy who infiltrated here?”
“It'll be all
right. They haven't invaded here yet.”
“That is so,
but...”
“Well at least
everyone was able to return to their peaceful and stable lives.”
(How should I say
it...)
As she thought, the
prince actually gave some thought to being a prince. Even though it
was supposed to be a normal thing, she felt great relief at this.
Even though the prince was always messing around, he was still kind
at heart. That was probably why the king said such things, and put
such a task on Mahiro's shoulders.
Pariel
unconsciously smiled.
“So, the king
knew you wouldn't be going out to play?”
“...Well. As you
heard from Father, I won't need to do anything special. The retainers will handle everything,
so all I have to do is sit on the throne.”
“So, Prince, why
did you do that then...?”
“Since I don't
have to do anything, it shouldn't be a problem if I use this time to play!”
“It's important
that you sit on the throne!”
So, in the end, the
two returned together to the castle.
< Previous
Next >
Thanks!
ReplyDeleteMaybe Mahiro isn't so much of an idiot?
ReplyDeleteThanks for the translation!!
lol...Mahiro's awesome <(O_O <)
Delete