Ardella's Judgment
"For a mock battle, the atmosphere sure feels pretty damn vicious."
A clear voice, standing out alone amid the utterly murderous tension, instantly colored the surroundings. The cold sweat trickling down my back stopped, and my pounding heart gradually settled back to its normal rhythm.
"Kernax."
"...Yes."
Kernax's voice, which had risen in pitch, returned to its usual calm.
"Was this a mock battle?"
"Ah—"
"Haha, you got it right on the money! We were just about to shift formations for a mock battle that feels like the real deal. Of course."
That uppity bitch had the gall not only to cut off Kernax but to spew utter bullshit on top of it.
"Who the hell are you?"
"Ah!! Sorry for the late intro. I'm Lania Vioorin, the eldest daughter of Viscount Vioorin. Feel free to call me Lania."
"Fine, Lania."
"Yes."
"Cut off my knight's words one more time, and I'll rip out that tongue of yours. Watch yourself."
"...."
The air around us grew heavy. But my mood? Light as a feather. Feels damn good.
"Kernax."
"Yes. I've never heard anything about a mock battle."
"I see. Then what's the reason for this standoff?"
"That is..."
Kernax calmly explained everything that had happened since we arrived here, not missing a single detail.
"Hmm. So those scratches on the carriage came from that."
"Yes."
"This is ridiculous."
She sounded genuinely baffled, her words laced with dry chuckles here and there.
"Is the viscount's second daughter here?"
"...I'm Lenia Vioorin, the second daughter."
"Who hit you?"
"...I let my guard down while training."
"Fine, we'll let that slide. Anyway, from what I heard, the person in charge here is the second daughter, Lenia. You received the orders as the responsible party. But looking at this mess, it feels like I got the wrong info. I'll give you a chance to explain."
"That is..."
The pitiful second daughter, Lenia—probably the one who got slapped by that uppity bitch—tried her best to steady her trembling voice. She explained the situation so meticulously and slowly, it made anyone listening feel sorry for her.
Here's what went down.
The eldest, Lania, was supposed to be handling a territory war in another city and cleaning up afterward by now. But out of nowhere, the opponents who requested the war paid compensation and backed out. With nothing left to do, this bitchy eldest dragged her soldiers here to "help" her sister Lenia, instead of staying put in her own city.
"Got it. But Lenia."
"Yes."
"I asked why that one over there is playing boss when her showing up is just support. Why are you spouting nonsense?"
"Th-that's..."
"Your father, Viscount Vioorin, officially appointed you, Lenia, as the person in charge. Am I wrong?"
"N-no, you're... you're right."
"The one in charge here is still you, Lenia. Right?"
"...Yes."
"Good. Last question. We clearly warned them that carriage bears our family's crest. Yet that one dared scratch it and mobilized soldiers to tear it apart? Do you admit this is true? If it's a lie, say so now."
"...It's all... all true."
The atmosphere grew even heavier.
"Bellanis."
"Yes, Captain."
"Cut off one of that one's legs and kill the rest."
"Yes."
Target: Lania Vioorin and subordinates
Shing—!! A sharp sound rang out.
"D-don't move!! Lady Ardella!!"
The second daughter desperately called out to Ardella. Her voice dripped with urgency and anxiety.
"I admit Lania and her soldiers committed crimes. But that's... that's too much. Please consider that this is Vioorin viscountcy territory, not Filoria county."
"I've considered everything. This is my decision. Bellanis."
As Ardella called Bellanis, sharp sounds of swords being drawn echoed from all around.
"Eek?!"
"Sp-spare us!!"
"We were just following orders!!"
The soldiers' terrified screams spread like rot, turning the place into chaos. Right then—
"Young lady."
Beneo's voice cut through the noisy screams crystal clear, unfazed.
"Hold for a moment."
"Very well."
The area fell silent at Beneo's request.
"Speak if you have something to say."
"May I borrow your ear for a second."
"Go ahead."
Beneo's armored boots clacked rhythmically, then stopped. She'd probably reached Ardella's side.
"...Is this true?"
"Yes. The lord said to report the facts to you if something like this happened."
"...."
"Then."
The boot steps resumed, followed by a low grrr rumble, and then silence. Beneo had returned to her spot.
The tense, nightmarish atmosphere suddenly turned chaotic. Hiccups, gasps, faint whimpers of fear leaked from everywhere. Everyone waited breathlessly for Ardella to speak.
"...Lenia."
"Y-yes!!"
"Disarm the soldiers and lock them all up."
"Th-thank you!!"
Lenia, fearing Ardella might change her mind, yelled, "What are you waiting for?! Drop your weapons and kneel now!!" She ordered her soldiers thrown in jail.
"Lania."
"Y-yes... yes."
Unlike the relieved second daughter, our uppity eldest answered Ardella like she was on death's door, voice weak.
"Come here."
"...."
A brief silence. Then—
"Gahk...!!"
A kicking sound, followed by a death rattle from the eldest's mouth.
"Get up."
"Y-yes... gahk...!!"
"Get up."
"...Kuhk!!"
"Get up."
"Sp-spare..."
"Get up. Or I'll cut off those useless legs."
"...Eek."
The eldest's terrified scream echoed, followed by uncountable cries from her mouth. The noisy surroundings naturally quieted.
"Gahk... kuhk... p-please forgive..."
"Lenia."
"...Yes."
"Deal with her where I can't see. If she shows her face again before we leave the city, I'll really cut off her legs."
"Yes. And... thank you for showing mercy."
"Get her out."
"...Take her to the annex."
With the second daughter's words, silence fell outside for a while. Only endless footsteps echoed.
"...Ahem."
As the footsteps thinned, Ardella suddenly cleared her throat.
Clop clop. Hoofbeats approached slowly, then stopped.
"Adventurer Siron... what are you doing there?"
"...On a request."
"Is that request protecting someone, by any chance?"
Siron just nodded.
"And that someone is the man I know?"
"Yep."
"...Haaaaah."
Ardella let out a very long sigh.
"...It's all over, so you can come out now."
"Was just about to."
Siron replied curtly to Ardella as always. At least she's using polite language.
Anyway, Siron got out of the carriage first, Giena following. The two reached out to me as they looked back.
No matter how I thought about it, my build was way bigger than theirs, but it felt like they were treating me like a kid. Not that I didn't take their hands—I did, and stepped down.
"Eek."
Getting out, I flinched on instinct. Knights in white silver armor, lined up thick beside Ardella with their horses, all staring right at me. No joke, they gleamed so bright it hurt my eyes.
"Hm. That outfit from last time."
"Pardon? Ah, yes."
I adjusted my baju and nodded politely to Ardella, who was eyeing me.
"Eaten yet?"
"Not yet."
"I see. Lenia."
"...."
Ardella called the second daughter, but no reply. Everyone's eyes turned to Lenia, who was blankly staring at my face. Looking closer, not just her—her soldiers and knights were all gaping at me too.
"Ahem!!"
Kernax coughed pointedly, oozing displeasure. Lenia's eyes widened, her face flushing red instantly.
"S-sorry."
"Whatever. More importantly, shouldn't we head inside? What's your take?"
"Ah!! I ordered a banquet prepared. Jena!!"
The second daughter shouted, and a short-haired woman dashed out from the soldiers.
"Yes!!"
"Guide the soldiers to rest and dine together."
"Got it!!"
The soldier named Jena saluted, ran to our side yelling "Platoon leader here?", and Rina stepped up proudly with "That's me." As they whispered, Lenia continued.
"I've prepared a separate banquet hall for the knights. Told them to build barracks for rest before it ends."
"Don't worry about us—focus on the soldiers."
"Understood."
Lenia bowed to Ardella.
"Then, please head inside. Our knights will guide yours."
"Alright."
Ardella dismounted lightly.
"Bellanis. Handle it."
"Yes, Captain."
Bayu-clad Bellanis led her horse over and took Ardella's reins. Ardella approached me naturally after handing it off.
She glanced at Siron and Giena flanking me.
"If you're escorts, why not fall back like proper ones?"
"...This is safer."
"Could be, depending. But no need to stick that close here."
"Dunno. Their eyes are rolling like crazy—doesn't look safe to me."
Siron shot back bluntly at Ardella's words. Good thing Ardella didn't look pissed, and her knights weren't fussed either. Instead, Lenia and some others fidgeted, watching the exchange tensely. (Including me, for the record.)
"...."
"...."
Ardella and Siron stared silently. Glared is more like it.
After a long glare-off, Ardella suddenly reached for me.
I looked at her offered hand, her face, Siron's face beside her. Had to turn my head three times.
Ardella's was her usual stoic blank; Siron's eyebrows were V'd in fury. Anyone could see she was pissed as hell.
"My hand feels empty."
"...."
Ardella wiggled her fingers in front; a creepy growl started from Siron's mouth beside me.
What the—? Feels like déjà vu. Oh yeah. Back at the temple when I first met Ardella, something similar happened.
People grow. But damn if this situation didn't grow up and come back too.
All eyes were on us. Obviously, given Ardella's status and position here, taking her hand made sense. But I couldn't.
As I dizzily agonized—
Swish.
"Huh?"
A heavy sensation wrapped my waist, and my body floated up in an instant.
—Grrrrr.
The drake, quiet till now, suddenly rose and coiled its tail around me, lifting me.
Everyone froze. But inwardly, I praised the drake big time.
My airborne body lowered slowly. But the spot was... off.
"...."
"...?"
I landed right next to Beneo. Super close.
All eyes, including Ardella's, locked on me and Beneo.
"...."
Beneo subtly stepped aside.
—Grr.
Swish.
The drake's tail coiled back around my waist, sticking me to Beneo's side again.
"...."
"...."
An awkward silence stretched on.