Chapter 114
Chapter 114
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 114
Chapter Title: Return to the Capital
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A day passed with preparations for departure and a bit of rest, and the next morning arrived.
With the soldiers' help, we carefully loaded Volker into a wagon-like carriage.
"We can't have him rolling out, so let's secure him well."
"Yes, sir."
"Urgh..."
And to keep him from trying anything, we bound his body with ropes, citing his inability to move properly yet.
Volker, who had been shouting at the top of his lungs at first, flinched but saw the soldiers ignoring his yells. He seemed to lose his spirit, offering no more reaction than a groan when the ropes tightened around him.
His body was covered in injuries and not in great shape, but he was sturdy—well-fed and without fever.
As long as we checked on him regularly along the way, we could reach the capital without his wounds worsening severely.
"Let's move out."
After finishing Volker's transport preparations, my group and I set off for Rainesberg.
We kept swapping horses and minimized rest stops to push forward.
"Urgh..."
"Are you all right?"
"My butt, my thighs..."
Because of this, Erika grimaced and rubbed her legs the moment she dismounted upon arriving in Rainesberg.
Anna and Axel were used to riding hard as soldiers, but Erika clearly lacked their skill in comparison.
"It was a tough journey, yet you endured well."
"Hee hee. Thank you, Legion Commander."
She had followed along without complaining much despite the hardship, allowing us to arrive a bit faster than I'd expected.
While she unpacked from the saddle, I approached the wagon and pulled back the covering cloth.
"Holding up?"
"...Not at all."
"Sounds like you're fine, then."
Volker scowled in response, but fortunately, his voice still carried strength.
Unlucky for him, he hadn't developed the usual complications like inflammation or fever that plague the wounded.
On the contrary, his time unconscious had acted like rest; despite the severe injuries, he was remarkably healthy.
"Legion Commander Victor, you've arrived."
"Yes. Take this man to a guest room. As a criminal who defied His Majesty's—no, Her Majesty's—orders, keep a close watch to ensure no suspicious moves."
"Understood."
I handed him over to the approaching Royal Guard and had them monitor him temporarily until his disposition was decided.
I'd have preferred tossing him straight into a dungeon, but to acknowledge and build Luise's authority, it wouldn't do to act rashly before she officially ordered his imprisonment.
"Let's head to the palace."
"Yes!"
Anna, Erika, and I sent off the wagon and made for the imperial palace together.
"It's so quiet. Last time, it was really bustling..."
"Mm... Ah, I get what you mean."
Erika chatted with Anna while looking around.
The capital bustled with active people, far from quiet, but it paled compared to the clamor after victory over Brotan Kingdom.
"I asked Her Majesty to hold off."
"You did, Legion Commander...?"
"I wrote that we need to head straight south, so rewards and such should wait until the south is sorted."
Leaving Volker in Manzheim risked trouble, so I'd brought him along despite the delay, but victory celebrations and awards could wait—no issue there. I'd included that in my letter.
Seeing the capital proceeding as usual, it seemed Luise had handled it well.
"Ah, I see..."
Erika nodded at my explanation.
"The south—Este Kingdom?"
"They haven't declared a stance, but they're likely allies. Lavria Republic is the one that declared war on us."
"...Lavria, huh."
As we walked the main avenue, discussing the southern situation that piqued her interest,
"...!"
we ran into an official sprinting from the palace, gasping for breath.
"Legion Commander Victor, is that you?"
"Yes."
"I'll guide you right away. Her Majesty awaits."
"...Understood."
Following the urgent official, we entered the palace depths without hindrance.
"Your Majesty! Legion Commander Victor and his party have arrived!"
"Let them in."
"Yes! Right this way, Legion Commander."
And rather than the audience chamber, Luise awaited in her lounge.
She might be anticipating something, or perhaps just impatient.
I entered the lounge with a touch of tension.
Luise, who'd clung to the ill-fitting garb of a 'stern and authoritative emperor' for the sake of appearances,
had been eagerly awaiting Victor's updates as they trickled in, counting the moments until he reached the capital.
Today, after finishing some work, she was reading reports in the lounge when
"Legion Commander Victor and his party have reached Rainesberg. Also, Volker..."
"...Bring them here at once."
"...?"
"Move!"
"Y-Yes!"
At the news of their arrival, she hounded the officials.
"...When will he get here?"
"They're coming as fast as possible."
"Sigh..."
She could easily wait years for something she wanted, but now even minutes until Victor arrived grated on her.
Feeling her patience wane, she didn't mind— she knew her capricious nature well.
Instead, she savored the odd mix of irritation and excitement, awaiting Victor's arrival.
"Hm..."
"Your Majesty! Legion Commander Victor and his party have arrived!"
"Let them in."
And finally,
"I've completed my mission and returned, Your Majesty."
Victor entered the lounge and knelt beside the seated Luise.
Anna and Erika, who'd left with him, knelt behind him as well.
"No need for such formality here. Rise and sit before me. Erika Bauman, and... Anna, was it?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"All of you, sit."
"...Thank you."
She had Victor's group sit before her and set down her teacup.
"No need to ask how Legion Commander Victor performed. Erika Bauman."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Did you carry out your mission well?"
"Here it is."
Luise took the thick stack of papers from Erika and quickly skimmed through, flipping pages.
"Mm. Well done."
As instructed, Erika's records detailed Victor's mission from start to finish—right down to his subtle expressions and gestures.
Satisfied, Luise set the records aside and looked at Victor.
"Legion Commander Victor. Any discomfort from Erika Bauman's accompaniment?"
"None."
"Good. Then Erika Bauman will continue missions with Legion Commander Victor."
"Understood, Your Majesty."
Victor bowed deeply, and Luise nodded.
"I'd love to keep you all here and ask more, but you're worn from the trip from Ceres Pass. Everyone but Legion Commander Victor may go."
"Understood."
"General, I'll wait out front."
"Mm."
In the end, her interest was Victor alone; she dismissed Anna and Erika with gentle firmness.
Once they left the lounge,
"So, Victor."
"Yes."
"How's the west? All wrapped up?"
"They won't stir for a while. Paris Kingdom has fully withdrawn its forces, and Esperia Kingdom will need years to recover."
Victor gave a textbook answer,
but
"That doesn't matter."
Luise crossed her legs and leaned forward.
"What I want to know is if the results satisfied you."
"..."
"Well? Satisfied?"
Under Luise's gaze, Victor slightly lowered his head in silence.
That brief pause was enough for her to guess his intent.
"Not quite, then. It wasn't sudden pity for Esperia Kingdom."
"Correct."
"You mentioned odd happenings in the south. Is that it?"
"Yes."
"Hmm..."
The reports she'd received didn't paint the south as that dire, so she pondered.
"We must sort the south soon. Once western defenses are manned, I plan to move the Crimson Dragon Legion south immediately."
Victor's stance was firm.
"...Can you explain?"
At Luise's question,
"...Only to Your Majesty."
"Mm."
After a moment's hesitation, Victor spoke carefully.
"I suspect intervention by another dragon."
"...What? A dragon?"
"Yes. The legendary dragon we call the 'Black Dragon'—Kalligo. I believe this is the aftermath of his movements."
At Victor's confident claim of another dragon's involvement—told only to her—
"Ho. Tell me more."
Luise grinned, listening intently.
Her heart pounded with anticipation.