Chapter 27
Translator: True Detective
Chapter 27
The Country with No More Hero (1)
A sunny afternoon. Pure white curtains fluttered with a warm breeze. Camellia opened her eyes to the fresh air tickling her nose.
"Huaaaam. I slept well!"
She got up from the bed stretching, and without fail, the sun was already floating in the middle of the sky.
However, the street was a bit noisier than usual. Someone made an expression saying they couldn't believe it, and someone was shouting something with an angry face.
"Hmm? Did something happen?"
She scratched her head looking out the window, then soon lost interest. Anyway, what happens outside there is none of her business. She was already excited at the thought of spending just a happy day today too.
"Hehe. Where should I go play this time?"
Finishing her meal, she hummed a song and passed the hallway with light footsteps. There were several candidate places, but as expected, playing with Unnie was the most fun.
"Huh?"
But Ilene wasn't in her room. Come to think of it, there have been many times she left her room empty recently. Probably, since she went on that thing called a mission?
Camellia immediately asked the servants and inquired about her whereabouts. Arriving like that, the sound of swinging a sword was heard sharply. A sign saying 'Do Not Disturb' hung on the training ground door.
Bam- Camellia pushed the door open without any hesitation.
"Unnie, good morning!"
"It's afternoon, not morning. Camellia."
At such a relentless appearance of her younger sister, Ilene sighed with an absurd expression. She sheathed her sword for a moment and wiped her body with a towel.
"More than that, didn't you see the sign I hung on the door?"
"I saw it! Don't worry. I will stay by your side so no one disturbs you!"
That is exactly what a disturbance is—Ilene was about to say that, but stopped her words seeing the innocent smile of her younger sister.
Whether she did or not, Camellia grabbed her hand and led her as usual.
"Unnie. Where shall we go play today? Garden? Or dessert cafe? Hehe. Unnie can choose too. Anywhere is fine as long as I am with you!"
Camellia urged her with a face full of anticipation. Ilene would normally have followed as if she couldn't help it at her younger sister's cuteness.
"Sorry. Camellia. Let's play next time."
"...Uh?"
But today was different. Recalling the farewell with a precious person a while ago, she slipped out of Camellia's hand.
"U-Unnie?"
Camellia standing blankly with a soulless expression. Leaving her like that, Ilene grabbed her sword again.
She realized desperately in the last mission. Now that he has left this place, no one can guarantee the peace until now anymore.
At that unfamiliar appearance, Camellia couldn't say anything. As it was an Unnie who usually listened to whatever she said, it came shockingly.
"Camellia. It's not too late for you either. Think seriously about what we can do for this country."
She couldn't understand those firm words. Why should she, a Princess, care about such things? Such things are what other people should do.
Why is Unnie suddenly saying such mean words.
"Unnie. You're mean. I'm really bored..."
"..."
Camellia whined being annoyed, but she didn't even pretend to hear.
"What is everyone doing. Please see Camellia off."
"Yes. Princess."
Eventually kicked out of the training ground, Camellia acted cross with her two cheeks puffed out full of dissatisfaction.
"I'm hmph too! Do you think I have no one to play with if not Unnie? Even if you ask me to play later, I will absolutely not play with you!"
Saying that, Camellia pondered for a moment, then tilted her head as if it was a bit too much.
"No, well. Still, if you really want to play, I guess it wouldn't be impossible to include you..."
Mumbling alone, Camellia moved her steps regretfully. If Unnie is a no, the person to play with is now decided. She barged into the King's office straight away without even knocking.
"Dad, let's play!"
Bam! She opened the door with an energetic voice, but she was flustered this time too.
He, who always welcomed her with a smiling face, was pressing his brow with his hand while sitting on the chair even though his daughter came.
At that appearance she saw for the first time, Camellia approached carefully.
"D-Dad...?"
"Yes. Our daughter came."
Fortunately, the King's expression looking at her relaxed a little. Only then relieved, as she was about to say let's play, a knock was heard.
"Your Majesty. Excuse me."
"...What is it."
The Royal Guard Captain formally reported to the King.
"A while ago, a report came up from the soldiers that the trend of the monsters in the underground sewer is suspicious."
"If it's the underground sewer, aren't we inspecting it regularly. Just who brought up such a report?"
"That is, former Captain Carmil conveyed it to the soldiers guarding that place. He said he felt an ego in the movements of the monsters including the Poison Rat King, and advised an investigation."
Carmil. Hearing that name, the King let out a hollow laugh.
"Ha, haha. It's not even funny."
"Your Majesty...?"
Acting like a knight despite abandoning the country and betraying the Royal Family. Does he still think he is the Hero of this country.
Did he think I, the King of a nation, would be swayed by the words of a guy like you? If so, it was a very arrogant and insolent thought.
As only bad feelings remained for Carmil, all his words and actions didn't sound good. It felt as if he was mocking and being sarcastic to him.
Therefore, right now, he didn't even want to hear his name, let alone anything related to him.
"You guys figure it out. In the future, never report news related to that person to me again."
"B-But Your Majesty. Because other knight orders refused this matter, the troops to investigate..."
"Didn't you hear just now? Not to mention even a single letter of that guy's name in front of me! Or, can you not hear my royal command either?"
At those words, the Royal Guard Captain bowed his waist with a pale face.
"I-I apologize! Your Majesty. Please forgive my sin."
"That's enough, step back right now."
Hurriedly stepping back at the King's wrath, the Royal Guard Captain had no choice but to pace the hallway.
"Phew. What to do with this."
The 2nd Knight Order was currently out on a mission, and the 3rd Knight Order refused asking why they had to do such dirty work.
Then the only one left is the 1st Knight Order...
"My head is already starting to hurt."
If the 4th Knight Order was here, there would have been no need to worry about such things. Because we could have just passed it all onto those commoners.
Eventually, he headed to the cathedral with heavy steps. Due to the events of a few days ago, currently most of the members including the Captain and Vice-Captain were receiving treatment there.
"Kuk. I'm telling you to treat it a little more gently!"
"I am doing it gently. Please endure a little."
"Kueeeeu. It hurts too much. Just when is the Saintess coming."
"Damn it. Carmil, you bastard. I will absolutely not forgive you when we meet next time!"
Groans and grudges were heard from here and there. Passing between them, the Royal Guard Captain headed to the room where Leohar was.
"May I see the Captain?"
"Yes. Fortunately, he is currently past the critical stage with holy arts. Of course, it's also thanks to the neck being cut shallower than thought. Still, he needs to rest, so please finish your business shortly."
At the nun's request, he nodded and entered the room. Leohar, who was lying in the bedroom, rolled only his eyes and looked at him.
He moved his lips with a cracked voice.
"Here... what brings you?"
"Captain Leohar. Actually, I came for the investigation matter of the underground sewer. The condition of the monsters there is unusual, so I intend to draft the members of the 1st Knight Order."
"..."
The Royal Guard Captain omitted Carmil's name just in case and spoke. Nevertheless, Leohar looked at the ceiling for a moment, then soon sneered.
"Are you right now... telling our 1st Knight Order to do such trivial work. Do you think we are funny now too?"
"Captain. It does not mean that! According to the report, it is just to prepare for possible danger..."
"Is it Your Majesty's command?"
At those words, the Royal Guard Captain paused. He said figure it out, but didn't go as far as saying you can take the knights.
At that appearance of his, Leohar didn't deal with him further as if he knew it would be so. Eventually, he had to leave the hospital room without gaining any harvest.
"Haa. It can't be helped. I have no choice but to form the investigation team with soldiers."
In the first place, work like the underground sewer was originally their job.
"Tsk. Roughly twenty people should be enough."
It won't be a big deal anyway. The Royal Guard Captain left the cathedral grumbling.
Beneath the capital of the peaceful Kingdom, something unidentifiable was squirming slowly in the underground sewer.
Gurgle. Gurrgle.
From all over the darkness, bizarre screams echoed as if resonating, and distorted shadows grew little by little as if swallowing the space.
"Fufut. Growing well."
The girl stroked those monsters as if commendable.
"Well, seeing whose blood you ate. You should earn your keep."
The girl suddenly lifted her head. Surely right about now, up there is full of blue sky and humans' warm smiles, right?
"Fufu, fufuhu. Ahahahahahaha!"
Therefore, I was looking forward to it more.
Until that sky is all dyed ash-gray, and all directions spread with screams.
"Just how long will it take?"
Drip. Drip drip.
Around the blood flowing from the girl's hand, before she knew it, numerous shadows were gathering.