Chapter 109: Ambush (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 109: Ambush (1)
It was absurd. War? This was an event that never happened in the original story.
Still...
It wasn't entirely implausible. I hadn't expected Cedric to just sit still, after all.
Even so, a war? In the novel, the Quincy were only mentioned to list Cedric’s achievements, but they weren't opponents to be taken lightly.
Though they were fewer in number compared to the Empire, they were natural-born warriors. I had heard that a single Quincy possessed the strength of ten grown men from the Empire.
Furthermore, they were said to wield a mysterious power called sorcery—an ability even the mages of the Magic Tower were wary of.
"Hah, those guys?"
"It’s not impossible. They’ve been eyeing the southern lands for ages."
"Besides, with the plague causing such chaos, wouldn't now be the perfect opportunity?"
The men shouted as if a war breaking out was a certainty. One man, his neck flushed red, let out a boisterous laugh.
"Well, it’s got nothing to do with us anyway. That’s all happening way down south!"
"Exactly. If war breaks out, I’ll just have to sell fruit to the south at a premium."
"Keke, listen to this merchant! Always thinking about business!"
"And you aren't?"
"Of course I am!"
The men, who had seemed worried when I first overheard them, were now laughing loudly together. I stared at them blankly.
Because the Empire was divided into noble territories, it felt more like a federation than a single unified nation. Thus, these men weren't necessarily wrong for failing to grasp the gravity of the situation in the south.
Still, I couldn't help but feel heavy-hearted. Now that I was a princess, war was no longer someone else's problem.
If Cedric really was colluding with the Quincy, this could even escalate into a civil war. I furrowed my brows in anxiety.
"My Lady, are you perhaps tired?"
"Your complexion doesn't look well."
Philip and Hamilton checked on me simultaneously. I stared at them for a moment before turning to Hamilton.
"Sir Hamilton, is there going to be a war?"
"Pardon?"
"I heard the Quincy are going to invade from the south."
I asked as if I had just happened to overhear it at the night market. At my words, Hamilton’s expression turned serious.
"Do not worry. Everything will be fine."
"Really?"
"Of course."
Hamilton wasn't just a knight; he was a merchant running a trading company. But even if he were still an active Imperial Knight, I wouldn't have believed him. It was obvious he was lying.
"Her Majesty the Empress sent a reply to the message we sent via carrier pigeon. Please focus only on returning to the Imperial Palace to see her."
"Okay..."
Still, I felt a sense of relief knowing that Veronica had received news of me. I knew from the original story that she had been so heartbroken by Claudia’s death that she turned to darkness. I hoped the current Veronica wouldn't have to suffer that kind of grief.
Right, for now, let’s just focus on getting back safely.
I was doing everything I possibly could.
I had sent Nathaniel to resolve the southern plague; I had tried to find the children being experimented on with poison, even if it was by chance; and I had secured evidence that the Apocrypha was on the same side as the Temple.
I was doing a great deal for someone in a child’s body. A war was not something I could handle on my own.
Besides...
I feel like there’s a reason the Empress Dowager is so persistent in targeting me.
I had a feeling she hadn't given up yet. That was why, even while exploring the city, a sense of unease lingered in my mind.
"Dia, I want to go back now."
"Understood."
Hamilton nodded and carefully picked me up. Philip watched him with a look of indignation, as if his job had been stolen.
Hamilton ignored him and began to walk. Desmond followed leisurely behind him.
Leaving the glittering night scenery behind, I quietly returned to our lodgings.
*
Clatter, clatter.
True to Hamilton’s word that we would only stay for a day, we set off early the next morning.
Once we left the city, nothing but monotonous forest paths followed. Perhaps because I had seen this scenery so often after warping, my expression remained dull.
Maybe that was why the people of the trading company around me seemed restless. However, I couldn't bring myself to care about them.
Being outside was nice for a day or two, but after eating my fill and seeing all the sights, I felt a hollow emptiness in my heart. The endless, repetitive forest path only made it worse.
I wonder if Nathaniel is okay.
Even though I was the one who sent him, it felt as if a rough lump was lodged in my chest.
I had heard from the well-informed Easterners that the plague was now subsiding. If so, Nathaniel and Melissa must have performed their duties brilliantly as I expected, and both should be fine—yet my low mood didn't improve.
Nathaniel was just as young as I was now. No matter how much I thought about it, I felt like I had done him wrong. More than anything, I felt lonely without him, as he had always been by my side.
Not just Nathaniel, but Veronica and Sophia too. And Marianne, Demia, Abel...
One by one, the faces I missed drifted through my mind. Suddenly, my vision blurred uncontrollably.
"O-Oh, My Lady!"
"Hic..."
When I suddenly began to weep piteously, the people of the trading company were startled. Philip, in particular, looked at me as if he were the one being strangled.
"My Lady, are you hurt? Are you in pain?"
"Is the carriage too fast?"
"The forest path is quite rough..."
Unaware that I was homesick, they searched for other reasons. Fearing they might even bring Hamilton over, I shook my head.
"No... I just miss my mom. Sniff."
"Ah..."
At that, the pitying gazes intensified. I tightly hugged Desmond, who was rubbing his snout against my shoulder as if trying to act cute.
[You will see her soon. So do not cry, Master.]
[That's right, we're right here with you!]
'Yeah.'
Even Desmond, who usually bickered with me, tried his best to comfort me. He seemed quite shocked to see me crying, since I had always acted tough as his master.
I let out a small laugh through my tears. Perhaps because of this child’s body, even a little bit of stress made the tears flow like this. Come to think of it, if I were a normal child, I probably wouldn't have been able to endure all this.
"If the Empire didn't regulate the Magic Tower, warp magic would be more widely used."
"I know, right? Maybe in the North where they ignore the Temple, but elsewhere..."
"It’s all because everyone is walking on eggshells around the Temple."
The Easterners, who were more open-minded than those in other regions, spoke ill of the Temple without hesitation.
The North didn't follow the Temple’s word to begin with, but other regions were different. The South, in particular, was loyal to the Temple because of its large population and the fact that the Temple had purified the plague.
But the Easterners were different. Though less extreme than the North, they were openly complaining about having to travel uncomfortably by carriage because warp magic hadn't been developed. If warp magic were as advanced as it was in the North, they would have been raking in even more money by now.
Come to think of it, I had used a warp when I went to the North with Veronica. I had assumed other regions would use warp magic just as well, but I never imagined the Temple’s dislike for the Magic Tower would lead people to avoid magic.
Yet it was ironic that the Temple used it themselves whenever it was convenient. My tears having vanished, I cursed the Temple in my heart.
"Anyway, the sun will set soon, so you'll be able to rest comfortably."
"Okay."
A member of the trading company spoke to me in a kind voice. As she said, the sun would set soon, the carriage would stop, and we would prepare to camp.
Thanks to my Indestructible Body, the rattling of the carriage didn't exhaust me, but I was getting bored of the same scenery. I nodded, thinking the timing was perfect.
Screeech!
"......!"
However, the procession ahead came to a sudden halt. As we nearly collided with the carriage in front, a harsh shout erupted from the coachman. Those beside me also looked surprised, their eyes widening.
"What is it?"
"Bandits again?"
"Attacks have been strangely frequent lately."
I recalled the bandit attack before I had met the trading company. Since it happened occasionally, the people of the company didn't seem particularly worried. They seemed to have full faith in Hamilton’s skills.
After a moment of surprise, I relaxed. I figured that if I just waited, Hamilton would drive the bandits away again.
But it was then.
Whish!
[Master!]
"......!"
Something flew rapidly toward where I was sitting. Startled, I looked up.