Chapter 215
Chapter 215
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 215
Chapter Title: The Blind Knight and the Enigmatic Mage, and the Nightmare Steeds -2
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The key point was that the ones currently clashing weren't Prince Irid or Northern Grand Duke Julius themselves. It was their champion warriors doing the fighting.
This was a pissing contest between knights who had drawn their blades for their lords' honor. And what that implied was clear: my precious cards—Centra and Heart—wouldn't work here.
Declaring in front of loyal knights, "I can do whatever I want with your lord's precious person!" might make them decide to lop off my head before this wicked mage could whisper sweet nothings in their lord's ear.
Sure, if I cranked up a megaphone and shouted loud enough for the Northern Grand Duke in his distant carriage to hear, "Your Heart is right here," I could flip the board entirely.
But what if I were a subordinate? If some random mage spouted nonsense and my lord came charging out of his carriage in his socks... I'd probably lop off his head first, even disobeying orders.
So, I needed a persuasion tactic that appealed squarely to the retainers.
I had to make them realize that stopping this fight now would ultimately benefit their lord.
First, I needed to inflate my presence. No one would listen to some stranger mage butting in. For a third party to open negotiations, I needed some real weight.
"......"
The knight on Prince Irid's side seemed to have heard of me, so that was good. She held her massive two-handed sword in a neutral stance, waiting.
"They're asking what you are."
"If you're asking about me, it's only right that I answer..."
Now, how to handle that growling warrior from the Northern Grand Duke's side.
I greeted her with aristocratic flair, piling on the honorifics to deck myself out like a nameplate around my neck and match her weight class.
"I am an external advisor to the Goddess Church 'Reformist Faction', the financial officer of the Violet Magic Tower, and today, your humble mediator."
"Mediation's done with blood and steel, not your flapping tongue, priestling."
Next up: image crafting.
To a beast from the northern mountains, anything soft or slender was a minus. Even in the face of blatant threats, I needed to act like a real man. And I had the perfect concept: war merchant.
I spread my arms wide with exaggerated flair.
"How could I not know the North's ancient traditions? Fear not... Once you see how much blood this soft tongue of mine can spill, you'll be shocked."
"......Hmph?"
"Pleased to meet you, though I won't take much of your time, lady. Just two words. Then, we'll surely reach a fine agreement."
"You reek of something foul... Spit it out. Let's see if that squishy lump in your mouth can soak up blood like my axe."
Quite poetic.
That growling, thuggish attitude that reminded her of Kim Lulu at first glance... It was probably all an act, with high odds.
She looked and acted like a beast picked up in the snowy mountains. But deep down, there had to be cool-headed calculation. If she were the type to let instincts rule her body, the Northern Grand Duke wouldn't have her by his side.
What did it mean that she was always at the forefront resolving incidents between convoys? It meant she was the most reliable pick overall from the group.
If she were a lightweight battle maniac like magical girl Kim Lulu, they'd have pulled her to the rear ages ago.
...Which meant persuasion might actually be easy. If she was clashing due to her lord's face, just opening an escape hatch would let the incident fizzle out on its own.
I settled on my two words.
"This city is holy ground under the Goddess's watchful gaze. If you're here for the Hero Selection Tournament, shouldn't you respect the faith of the Goddess Church that forms its foundation?"
"Hmph."
"And furthermore—'If your brother offers meat, you must reply with liquor.' The Grand Duke's house owes the Goddess one debt, so now it's time to follow the North's ancient proverb. Obeying your ancestors' words isn't shameful yielding."
"That grates on my nerves. What debt does the Grand Duke's house owe the Goddess?"
I stuck out my tongue and laid it out.
"Why, the debt for the misfortune that befell the Grand Duke's lady on her distant journey. The Goddess sheltered her, letting her defend herself from the bandit horde's assault."
"......"
"See you later. I'll visit the Grand Duke's side with the lady before it's too late, so prepare to welcome your guests. For the liquor... warmed strong brew would be ideal."
"Wait. Even for the Goddess's light, I'll withdraw! Causing a ruckus as festival guests is unbecoming, and kehet. Refusing to yield just to show off would be the real irreverence!"
We're stepping back for the Goddess's face, so if you stubborn lot don't and keep preening, you're the irreverent ones with no respect for Her.
The Northern warrior flipped them off neatly and led her group in retreat. The Grand Duke's massive convoy turned onto another road, leaving the wide avenue clear before Prince Irid's procession.
The imperial knight watched them withdraw for a long moment with her violet eyes, then.
"Thank you for the mediation, mage."
She gave me a curt bow.
I caught a strange vibe from her head tilting slightly, golden hair cascading down. Scrutinizing her features, I sensed genetic traits similar to Yuna's.
Maybe that's why, despite being total strangers, I felt a bit more open toward her. Like starting with goodwill toward a friend's family.
Same bloodline as Yuna, so my guard slipped a little. I knew better than to voice a lady's secrets, but I meddled anyway.
"No trouble. But..."
I hesitated a moment, then voiced my question.
"Are you using black magic, by any chance?"
"......Pardon?"
"If not, then it's a false alarm. I'm no expert in prescriptions, but I know nothing good comes from it. Best to hold back if you can."
"......"
A scent, perhaps. Or another sense altogether.
I could feel her soul was wounded. Like how Bennett had crushed his own soul with black magic to squeeze out mana.
I hadn't always had this ability; it started recently... after taking in that malignancy.
Presumably, 'it' made tormenting humans its trade, so it had senses tuned to measure suffering. Maybe that transferred to me... That's my theory.
When that Yurensuto knight used her transformation ability, I clearly heard her soul crack.
Was it a curse, or... like First Princess Elaine's prior transformation, some radical self-harm feature attached?
Either way, one thing was certain: the more she used transformation, the shorter her lifespan got.
The Yurensuto knight, her secret pierced, showed raw panic on her face like Yuna when caught off-guard. Then she smiled like embers in ash.
"It doesn't concern you. Thank you for your worry."
"......"
"His Highness seems to be looking for you. You should head back..."
With that odd reply, she sent me off.
===============================================================
The moment I boarded the carriage, I brought it up.
"Your Highness, about that knight... She seemed to be dying every time she transformed."
"How'd you spot that on first meeting—no, never mind. Common sense doesn't apply when you're involved. If you saw it, that simplifies things."
He already knew?
Prince Irid fiddled with an artifact for comms security, then opened the door to an unexpected truth.
"Mad mage, you seem dead set on jumping into the Hero Selection Tournament for real. But that's not our goal."
"......Pardon?"
Then why drag this huge convoy all the way to the holy city of Trumpet Hall in person?
Prince Irid dispelled my doubt right away.
"I'm here... for side benefits, sure, but at core, it's my sister's request. She asked me to bring that knight you saw—Cisel Yurensuto—to the tournament. And—"
And.
"To ensure she doesn't win."
"Help her win... no, make sure she loses?"
"Exactly. Cisel Yurensuto plans to become a hero, heal her soul, and return to the eastern front. But my sister's will differs. She wants her to retire."
Strange story.
From that brief clash just now, the knight was a master at the peak of transformation prowess, and if she went all out, she'd rank among the empire's top forces.
Her loyalty was spotless. Willing to grind down her own soul for the empire? That was devotion unto death.
And they wanted such a valuable asset retired?
"Imperial blood treads countless people underfoot from birth to grave, commanding them. I did too. In time... you naturally develop a way of receiving retainers."
Prince Irid tapped the table. Spiderwebs of paperwork seemed to spread from him—an illusion from my imagination, but not far off the truth.
He gripped everything through administrative domestic affairs. His power was still fledgling and raw, so the web had gaps here and there.
If he donned the crown, those threads would span the empire. Snaring moths from afar without stirring from his seat.
That's his type.
"I don't appoint disloyal sorts as retainers. Those who slip my grasp or act independently... I keep them at arm's length."
"You use me heavily, though."
"You're not my retainer, and strictly speaking, you're the one using me. You prattle on while doing whatever you please."
On the flip side.
First Princess Elaine was like a flag drawn in a painting, leading the vanguard. A warrior waving a massive banner, forging ahead with platinum hair streaming behind, showing the path. The masses followed.
"My sister leads retainers with her unique charisma. Raving wolves or power-hungry jackals—if they stand under her banner, she takes them all. Even she has exceptions."
"Exceptions?"
"She doesn't use those who've lost themselves. The desireless, the empty-hearted... they lack the qualification to stand under her path of conquest."
I could relate.
Dreamless people are no fun.
That's why she was banishing the soul-grinding knight from military service.
It sounded harsh at first, but the emotion flickering in Prince Irid's eyes was far from winter's chill. I didn't see post-change Elaine as cold-hearted either.
Banished from service, so.
"...She hopes Cisel Yurensuto finds her life again."
That's why Prince Irid looked at me and made his request.
"Your magic changed me and my sister wholesale."
"Indeed it did."
"We don't want a talented knight wasting her life away pointlessly. Give her a chance to change. In return, she'll gladly aid your plans."
"......"
First Princess Elaine wishing her retainer to reclaim her life, and Prince Irid rushing here barefoot at his big sis's behest. Cute.
My lips curled up.
Situations like this get my blood pumping unbidden.
They want a session from me. My two precious players brought a new one. And they hope to reap whatever tragedy befell her... through a game!
Then I'll gladly accept. She's even from Yuna's family. I can pack in the family service!
"Leave it to me. That's my specialty."
"......Don't grin so sleazily; I can't trust you like that. Control your face, somehow...!"
I'll do it. Unravel her issue and help her find meaning.
The first tournament, the Tournament of Courage, approaches. Let's weave her tale on this grand stage. Perfect venue.
Let's write it. Heroes gathering with their backstories to become true heroes. And through battling and bonding with them, the knight rediscovers her lost pieces.
Tentative title:
The Knight's Adventure ~Clash of the Passion Tournament~.