Chapter 135
Chapter 135
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: 135. Riverside Tactics and Festival Revelry
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"To think you'd be so considerate of your guests...."
Christina Bakar.
On the surface, just a spoiled princess fresh into adulthood.
"How about coming to serve as my personal secretary while you're at it?"
But I knew better.
I'd long heard she was a brilliant strategist, gifted in surveying and terrain tactics since childhood.
On the Day of Purge.
It was this woman who secretly fed the crown prince a shortcut route when Bakar backed him.
"Thanks, but I'll have to pass. I prefer life here."
"Is that so? What a shame...."
She might look like she came just as a fan of the novel....
But in truth, she was an enemy scout casing Nostron's terrain.
"You're the first man I've met who's read this book. I was delighted...."
The princess pouted her lips and stared fixedly at the book.
She stole glances at the risqué illustrations added to the novel.
Her glasses slipping down her nose as she pored over it intently.
'Is she really here just for the novel...?'
Her gaze kept drifting back to the book, as if receiving a holy scripture.
Finally, she handed it to her guard captain and managed to tear her eyes away.
"Ahem.... Sorry, it's a limited edition not available in Bakar...."
The white-haired princess glanced up at me shyly.
"Very well. In light of your utmost sincerity, I'll stay longer."
The princess extended the back of her hand to me.
As expected, I gently took the snow maiden's cold hand and helped her rise.
"Yes, right this way to the next stop."
'At least I've somehow won her over....'
I'd worried she'd arrive late and ruin everything.
Relief washed over me as she showed renewed interest in Nostron's sights.
"First, to the Nocturne River from the novel."
"Yes, understood."
Buoyed by this, I glanced toward Irina.
Surely she'd be pleased too.
But.
"...?"
Irina's expression, watching from beside me, wasn't bright.
Her beautiful emerald eyes fixed intently somewhere.
I followed the second princess's gaze.
And....
'No way?'
I realized she was staring at my hand touching the princess's.
I headed for the river, avoiding her eyes for now.
'It must be my imagination.... No way she's jealous.'
"This is the Nocturne River, one of our city's famed landmarks."
We arrived at the riverbank after leaving the café.
Then, like a proper guide, I introduced the panorama to Princess Tina.
"It's said the slave knight and grand duchess rode flower boats here, savoring the scenery."
We approached the water's edge.
I recalled the novel's details as best I could, building rapport.
But....
"Hmm.... Quite wide and deep-looking, isn't it?"
Tina showed no interest in the flower boats, key to the novel.
Instead, she focused solely on the river's terrain.
Splash!
She even tossed nearby pebbles in, gauging depth by the splash.
"A man of considerable size wouldn't cross this easily."
I gazed coldly at the princess revealing her true colors.
"Indeed. No enemy has ever crossed it lightly since ancient times."
I narrowed my eyes in warning to her.
A meaningful smile signaling caution.
"Our forces have never lost defending from this river."
I emphasized Nostron's defensive strength to her subtly.
Ensuring she'd never eye this place again.
"Quite confident, aren't you?"
Tina's eyes flashed with a ruler's gleam at my words.
"But our warriors could ford a river like this on a single raft. Compared to the North Sea...."
"Compared to the North Sea, the water's warmer?"
I boldly countered the princess mocking our terrain.
"However, the fierce currents would delay entry considerably. At this rate, it'd take one...."
"30 minutes."
We answered each other in unison.
Irina watched, lips pursed.
"You're a fun one. A mere defense knight guessing that far?"
"As a knight guarding the city, assessing favorable defensive terrain is basic."
We praised each other.
Our lifeless eyes probing like we were peering into each other's souls.
"You're impressive yourself, Princess. Guessing all that from pebbles."
Tina, pleased by the praise, removed her glasses.
She tucked them away and folded her arms alone.
"Thank you. But this river you boast of so proudly has a glaring weakness."
"May I ask what it is?"
At my question, the white-haired princess pointed upstream.
"See the river's upper reaches there?"
I followed her gaze to Nostron Mountain, where the river began.
High altitude, fed by underground springs.
"That's your hint."
As I narrowed my eyes fox-like at the watercourse, the princess looked up at me steadily.
She coyly covered her mouth with her fist, expectant of my answer.
"No way...."
As if testing me.
"You plan to seize the upstream and breach the dam?"
The princess grinned, clearly enjoying our strategic exchange.
She giggled girlishly, flashing a seductive smile.
"Not bad. Correct."
Tina closed her eyes gently.
"No river is perfectly defensible; flaws exist."
I gazed coldly at the spirited princess with eyes shut.
And thought.
This woman.
She could become a threat to the empire.
Perhaps that's why.
I boldly told the arrogant foreign princess.
"Nothing in the world lacks flaws."
"True. Even this beloved Nostron of yours could burn at a whim."
The princess opened her fierce blue eyes.
"In wartime, you must watch even such spots."
She thought she'd pierced my blind spot.
Her gaze wished for my fear.
But....
"No need for such worries."
Instead, I looked down at her like a child.
Then said.
"We've preemptively dug stockades and trenches in the forests."
"What...?"
The princess frowned, unprepared for that.
I leaned in close to her flustered face.
"And from the start...."
Like a fox guarding the mountain.
"The mountain will never fall."
The princess stared blankly at my black eyes.
Lifeless ones, deep beyond the river before us.
"As long as I'm defending it."
She swallowed hard at my warning glare.
No one had ever spoken so boldly before her.
My unexpected response intrigued her.
"Ha. Entertaining."
Tina swept back her wind-tossed white hair.
Glancing at me.
"You're a commoner in the Leon Empire, right?"
"Yes."
Tina shook her head regretfully at my modest defense knight insignia.
"What a pity. A man so full of duty relegated to the frontier."
The princess turned to her two distant guard captains.
Their uniforms bristled with Bakar Empire's ornate medals.
"Hard to believe, but those two guarding me are general-rank in our military."
Imperial guard captains and vice captains.
In our empire, only dukes or earls like Richard could hold such posts.
"All commoner-born, too."
Understanding her point, I turned away.
Gazing indifferently at the riverbank.
"..."
The princess stared at my feigned obliviousness.
"In Bakar, we don't discriminate by birth in using people."
"I see."
At my cool response, the white-haired princess clasped her hands behind her back alone.
Savoring the breeze leisurely, she said.
"Humble, aren't you."
Tina drew closer step by step.
"Unlike your looks, you're quite loyal in these matters."
She tilted her face close to mine.
Lips nearly brushing my cheek.
"But remember this, Mikhail."
The white-haired princess whispered in my ear.
"People should follow those who need them."
Tina smiled contentedly.
"So, come to Bakar sometime...."
The princess blew warm breath in my ear.
Just as she moved to make a secretive offer.
"Princess Christina."
A voice cut between us, cold as river water.
Harsh as glacial peaks.
"Excuse me, but it's time for dinner."
Irina.
The doe-eyed beauty now stood between us with icy eyes.
"The wheat festival starts soon in Nostron. How about viewing that?"
The silver-haired woman smiled sweetly.
Yet her gaze held an inexplicable menace.
"Oh...? Is that so?"
Tina sensed the killing intent at once.
Arms folded, she met Irina's eyes.
"Yes, more 'sights' than this quiet river. Shall we move?"
The silver-haired princess warned against eyeing elsewhere.
Feeling it, the white-haired one chuckled.
"Well, I tend to value what others overlook."
She glanced at me.
Her eyes glinted fierce as a tundra predator.
"And I've already found something quite intriguing...."
I cleared my throat and turned away.
Irina then pressed close beside me.
Like a snow wolf guarding her fox.
"No need to hunt for sights at the square."
Tina eyed Irina and me alternately.
Then smirked arrogantly.
"Fine. Night's still young."
The princess clasped hands behind her and led ahead.
Preparing to head to the square with her guards.
'Whew....'
I sighed inwardly in relief.
With a courteous gesture, I pointed the two princesses toward Nostron Square.
"This way. Great restaurant near the festival site."
I clasped hands smiling obsequiously.
Then sandwiched between the princesses, easing the mood.
"Even frequented by nobles. You'll both enjoy it."
――――――.
Had dusk fallen?
Mana-lit streetlamps twinkled.
Yet the square burned hotter than they, alive with festival fervor.
Nostron citizens filled the streets, praying for bountiful harvest.
They greeted Irina and me nonstop along the way.
"The city's atmosphere is lively."
"Yes, all thanks to Sir Veil's efforts."
Irina boasted proudly, as if prouder than me.
"Since Veil arrived, Nostron's security is the safest in the north."
"No, I just did my duty."
I brushed it off with a smile.
I'd merely trained the Thor clan that once followed Luper.
Word spread after, and crime syndicates plummeted.
"Now imperial kin can dine carefree at local spots."
Tina nodded in agreement.
She smiled at her tense guards.
"Relax your glares a bit. You're scaring the citizens."
"Understood."
The two knights dusted their collars.
Easing vigilance per her order.
"Remember, we're tourists, not royals here."
The loosened knights' eyes caught the openly dressed women.
"...!"
Bellies bared under tied-up loose white shirts.
Long skirts below, strolling casually.
To further ease the men's wariness, I grinned slyly.
"Traditional attire in our empire. Summers so hot, they farm like that."
I naturally herded them to the square.
Ordered the band there to amp up the music.
Blend in.
"You'll enjoy it too. Festivals always excite me."
"Ahem...."
Men used to buttoned-up women coughed awkwardly.
Eyes darting, they sipped beer at tables.
Irina too.
She stole glances at the belly-baring dancers.
"Come, Princess Christina, try this. Nostron's famed wheat beer."
Brisk music heralded cold brews.
"Now that's booze. Diplomatic meets always served wine...."
Christina laughed heartily.
A true northerner, straightforward as they come.
She sipped the chilled beer.
Exhaled deeply, satisfied by the cool rush.
"Princess Irina, won't you have some?"
"Of course."
The refined silver-haired princess.
She took her plain beer.
"I prefer spots like this over pretentious ones anyway."
Irina chugged.
Tina chuckled at her boldness.
"Hehe... Perfect. This is the vibe I wanted."
The princess matched Irina's spirit.
They clinked glasses, bonding.
She knew work from play.
"Won't you drink?"
The white-haired princess downed her huge mug in seconds.
Her slight frame belied a monstrous tolerance.
"Uh, I...."
"Veil's under a drinking ban now."
As I started, flushed-nosed Irina answered for me.
"Can't drink while serving royals."
Sound logic.
But Tina breezed past Irina's shield.
"That embarrasses my guards who've already drunk."
The princess shoved a massive festival mug my way.
Far bigger than Mago's shop ones.
"Come, one drink. My special permission—no one's grilling you."
I eyed the beer, sighing inwardly.
Glanced at knights glaring 'dare refuse the princess?'
'Fine, part of hospitality....'
I squeezed eyes shut.
Circulated aura to stay sober, clearing my head.
Opened to grab it.
"...?"
The mug vanished.
"Hoh...."
Guards and princess eyed Irina.
Anxiety hit me; I turned.
And.
"Fwaaah...."
Faced the second princess, who'd emptied two man-sized mugs.
"As I said, that's not possible."
Booze-flushed?
Her eyes softened.
Shy innocence gone, seductive adult now.
"Veil's my knight. I'll manage him."
Tina laughed dryly at Irina's gall.
"Fair enough. Seeing you push so hard shows sincerity."
She eyed me and the princess back and forth.
Noted Irina's odd gaze on me.
"But in Bakar, beer needs a drinking buddy."
Tina raised a finger at the second princess.
Like a battle cry.
"So you'll drink with me instead, hard."
The princess smirked.
Her bear-like eyes warned fiercely.
"Unlike my looks, my appetite's fierce."
Christina shed her thick jacket.
Pent-up heat billowed out.
"Whew...."
Heat dispersed, revealing sweat-soaked clingy tee.
Its scent alluringly musky.
And the voluptuous figure hidden beneath.
Even made Irina swallow hard.
"Fine."
Irina met the princess's eyes coldly.
Clasped her mug humbly.
"Unlike my looks, I can drink too."