Chapter 6
Translator: True Detective
Chapter 6. Visiting the In-Laws
"You see that? That is Frostgard!"
Northern Region. NORTH.
In terms of direction, it’s the top.
In terms of temperature, it’s the bottom. In terms of civilization, it’s the outside.
A land that is cold and barren due to its geographical characteristics, and thus where strong humans grow.
In fantasy novels, especially in the Romance Fantasy genre, the North can be called a lump of clichés and a production factory for male leads.
Usually, the Grand Duke of the North has black hair and red eyes, his personality is cold but must be warm to his woman, and his territory is teeming with monsters but public order must be perfect—possessing such contradictory settings.
And now.
A black citadel covered in perpetual snow.
The Heart of the North. The breakwater protecting the Empire from demonic beasts.
Frostgard was before my eyes.
"It is my mother's hometown. I visited a few times when I was young, and I remember being amazed that the snow didn't melt even in summer. My maternal uncle held me up on those castle walls and showed me the snowscape. Do you see the crest on the wall over there? The Silver Wolf! It’s the symbol of the Grombalt family!"
Trot trot trot.
Lucia's steps were light.
Like a golden rabbit hopping around the snowfield.
Her voice was also full of life.
Just a few days ago, 'Hiek!' or 'Save me!' was her entire vocabulary list.
Now, Lucia is attempting conversation voluntarily.
It is the development of a relationship. The accumulation of trust.
Stockholm Syndrome, you say? Eh, no way.
Let's use beautiful vocabulary like blooming trust or sprouting affection rather than such negative words.
Because language dominates thought. Only by thinking positively do positive results emerge.
"Mother used to say. Although the winter in the North is cold, the hearts of the Northern people are warm."
She muttered while looking at the castle wall.
"……So I believe too. That everyone will welcome me."
Anyway, it’s a relief that she cheered up.
It was pitiable seeing her terrified for the past few days.
At first, it was a distance of five steps.
That became four steps, then three steps, and now two steps.
At this rate, we have become close rapidly.
"Everything will be resolved once I meet Uncle. Uncle Valter… although he looks blunt on the outside, he is a very affectionate person. He was really close with Mother. He adored me very much too."
Right. It is a kind of 'Introducing My Family' time.
Before bringing a boyfriend home, a girlfriend reassuring him saying, 'My family is strict, but don't be too nervous.' Isn't it exactly that?
Nervous? Me? Not at all.
Rather, I am looking forward to it.
Valter Grombalt.
Ruler of the North. Grand Duke of the Extreme Cold.
In the original novel 'The Owner of the Thorn Crown,' he is described as one of the strongest Sword Masters in the Empire. A typical martial artist who is magnanimous, reveres martial power, and respects the strong. A likable middle-aged character who tests the protagonist's party in the beginning but later becomes a reliable helper.
He is even a niece-fool.
He cherished his deceased younger sister (Lucia's mother) terribly, and is a doting uncle who can't refuse anything to her daughter, Lucia.
In other words, a figure with a high probability of becoming future family!
First impressions are important.
A neat, polite, and reliable knight.
A life savior who protected the Princess from all sorts of dangers.
With this title, it’s a free pass for the formal meeting.
Step. Step.
We walked toward the castle gate.
However, the closer we got to the gate, something felt strange.
'The atmosphere is chilly.'
Creak-
The sound of archers on the wall drawing their bowstrings was heard.
"Halt! If you come any closer, we will fire!"
A shout burst from atop the wall.
There, instead of a welcoming crowd, sharp spearheads were waiting.
Barricades were set up in front of the castle gate, and the soldiers at the checkpoint all had weapons in their hands.
It is a complete wartime footing.
Lucia seemed to feel it too, as her steps slowed down a bit.
"Identify yourselves! This is the Grand Duchy of Grombalt, Frostgard! Unidentified armed personnel cannot pass!"
Along with a booming shout, a massive man strode out from the gate.
A warrior wearing a bear skin.
He carried twin axes at his waist, and war paint was etched on his face.
They say Northern warriors are like wolves; his gaze is fierce.
What is it? Why so hostile? What did I do?
…I recalled my appearance.
A massive body over 2 meters.
Black armor covering the entire body.
Bloodstains smeared here and there.
And a terrifying greatsword on the back.
……
It is indeed a visual perfect for being misunderstood as a kidnapper.
"Uh, excuse me, wait a moment…!"
Lucia seemed about to say something, but I had already taken a step forward.
Originally, misunderstandings come from a lack of conversation.
I just need to reveal our identities sincerely and politely, and request passage.
A very easy task.
'Greetings, brave warriors of the North. I am a passing knight. I have escorted Her Highness the Princess who was in distress, so I would appreciate it if you could open the gates.'
It is a perfect sentence.
Polite, courteous, and even the situation explanation is neat.
Now, I just need to convey this simple message.
"I am a passing knight."
"Only those who don't value their lives may block my path."
……?
Wait.
What did I say?
"Wh-What?!"
The bear-skin commander's face turned red.
"Alert stance! Prepare for battle!"
Rumble-
The soldiers at the checkpoint in front of the gate ran out and formed an encirclement in a semi-circle shape.
Spears. Axes. Greatswords. Flails. Warhammers.
As expected of Northern warriors, their armament state is very bloody.
The archers on the wall also pulled their bowstrings tighter.
"Don't move! Drop your weapons immediately and kneel!"
The commander shouted.
No, wait a minute.
I wasn't threatening you just now, you know? It was just really, simply a greeting, you know?
'It is a misunderstanding. I am not an enemy. I merely escorted Her Highness the Princess safely. Please calm down and let us resolve this through conversation.'
This time it is truly perfect.
A rational sentence proposing a peaceful resolution.
Any intellectual would agree……
"I do not listen to the words of those weaker than me."
Ahhhhh.
Again.
Why is it like this again.
Kooong-!
Regardless of my will, pitch-black aura spewed out from my body.
The energy of the Abyss rose like a haze, heavily suppressing the surrounding air.
"So open the gate. Do not test my patience."
I can see the soldiers' legs trembling. Among them, there was even a guy who already dropped his weapon.
"You bastard… Dare to do this in front of Frostgard…!"
The commander raised his twin axes.
Oh no. Conversation isn't working.
In an instant, it became a touch-and-go situation.
'No, why is it turning out like this?!'
I felt wronged.
I am just a son-in-law here to greet the in-laws!
Please open the door! The son-in-law is here! You don't have to catch a seed hen for me, just open the door!
But the situation had already left my hands.
If they attack, I have to counterattack too.
If I counterattack?
The elite soldiers of Frostgard will be ground to dust in my hands.
Then the relationship with the in-laws will be ruined, and the romance with Lucia will also end in a bloodbath.
It was then.
"Stop!"
Lucia, who was hiding behind me, jumped out.
She blocked my front.
Showing her small back, as if protecting me.
"What is that?" "Is it the monster's companion?" "Sounds like a woman's voice……"
The soldiers murmured.
It is natural.
Right now, Lucia is wearing my black cloak over her head.
Appearance buried in black cloth from head to toe.
Suspicious Person No. 1 (Me). Suspicious Person No. 2 standing next to him.
Objectively looking, we look like accomplices.
"Step back! Are you that monster's gang!"
The commander raised his axe.
"No! I am──"
Lucia's voice trembled.
But she did not back down.
She raised both hands and grabbed the cloak.
And.
Whoosh.
The black cloth was thrown back.
"I am the successor to the legitimacy of the first Emperor of the Astellia Empire, Leonhardt I. Granddaughter of the late Emperor Karl III, and eldest daughter of the current Emperor Maximilian II. The Silver Wolf of the North, a descendant of the Grombalt family. The only daughter of Princess Teresia Grombalt, and niece of the Grand Duke of the North, His Highness Valter Grombalt."
The cold wind of the North blew her hair.
Gold.
Dazzling gold poured down.
Although messy from the journey of a few days, hair that shone like platinum when reflected in the sunlight.
Emerald eyes stared straight at the soldiers.
Murmur murmur-
A stir arose among the soldiers.
"Blonde hair and green eyes……!" "Don't tell me……?"
Blonde hair and green eyes.
Characteristics possessed only by the direct lineage of the Astellia Imperial Family.
It is common knowledge known to every citizen of the Empire.
"With the Crown Prince, my brother, assassinated by traitors, I am the rightful successor to the throne── The Empire's 1st Imperial Princess, Lucia Von Astellia!"
The expression of the commander wearing the bear skin changed.
From a growling beast to a bewildered human.
"If you are Lady Teresia's daughter… Her Highness Lucia? Is it really Your Highness?"
"Yes, Sir Brynjolf. It’s me. It’s Lucia. Do you remember having a snowball fight when I was young? I packed snow and threw it, and it hit Sir’s face."
"You were alive…!"
Tears welled up in the commander's eyes.
The sight of a terrifyingly massive warrior on the verge of tears.
"Then what about over there?"
The commander's gaze turned to me. Eyes still filled with wariness.
Lucia looked back at me.
"This person is……"
She seemed to hesitate for a moment.
Thinking about how to define our relationship.
But soon she lifted her head.
Whatever choice Lucia makes, I was ready to accept it.
Even if she says 'This person is a suspicious person.' Even if she says 'I don't know him.' Even if she says 'He bullied me. He made me bark like a dog.'
I understand it all.
Looking back objectively at the actions I showed for the past few days……
Honestly, there is no room for excuses.
However.
"This person is the benefactor who saved me! He escorted me safely all the way here."
A trembling but clear voice.
"He gave me his cloak when I was shivering from cold, cooked warm stew when I was hungry, and stood in front of me whenever demonic beasts appeared. If it weren't for this person, I would have become wolf food in the snowfield! So you must not treat him disrespectfully!"
Ohhhhh!
My heart became hot.
The moment when a week of hardship is rewarded.
As expected, sincerity works!
I almost shed tears.
Following that, people flocked from inside the castle gate.
Old knights, civil officials, old maids…
Their eyes turned to Lucia.
"Her Highness the Princess was alive!" "She looks exactly like Lady Teresia…… Ah, those eyes……" "You don't know how worried we were hearing the sad news from the Imperial Palace…"
People gathered.
Surrounding Lucia.
Shedding tears.
Rejoicing.
Welcoming.
"Your Highness, it is truly a relief……!" "Ah, you were safe……!"
Tears gathered in Lucia's eyes too.
"……Thank you. Everyone……"
Lucia's voice cracked.
The bluff of trying to act strong wasn't needed for this moment.
Just a girl who returned home.
A daughter who returned to her mother's hometown.
I took a step back and watched that scene.
Because this moment belongs solely to her.
Although it was the cold northern snowfield, that scene was incredibly warm.
It was warm.
And I felt proud.
I brought her here safely.
Although there were many twists and turns.
I finally did it.
"Excuse me, Knight-nim."
Lucia looked back at me.
With a face stained with tear tracks, but with an expression somewhat brightened.
"……Let's go in together."
Together.
From a companion to a partner.
It is progress in the relationship.
"Okay."
I stood next to Lucia and walked toward the castle gate together.
Like this, the first quest. 'Rescue and Escort the Heroine' was completed successfully.
The stronghold of the Northern Grand Duke's family.
A base where Lucia will grow her power, gather companions, and prepare to reclaim the Empire.
I will probably be there next to her.
As a reliable sword. As a trustworthy shield.
And someday……
'Father-in-law… no wait, Wife's uncle? Uncle-in-law? Anyway, I must greet His Highness the Grand Duke.'
Swollen with anticipation, I stepped inside the castle gate.