Chapter 97
Chapter 97
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 97
Chapter Title: Carriage Debate (2)
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Rumble―――.
The carriage wheels shook roughly.
However, the two women sitting on either side of me didn't so much as twitch.
They simply stared daggers at each other, with me sandwiched right in the middle.
"The Tutton Archduchess is one of the most seasoned Swordmasters out there. Rumor has it she's already inherited all of her father's secret techniques."
Clea had snatched my monocle at some point and was now polishing it herself. Her warm breath caressed the lens, followed by a fresh, crisp scent that coated it perfectly.
"Warden, you're still lacking in raw power, so you'd be at a disadvantage against her."
It was true, but it stung all the same.
"That's why you need to leverage your signature mobility and turn it into a war of attrition."
She gave her objective assessment, based on all the years she'd spent watching over me as my closest aide.
But the princess, no stranger to duels herself, wasn't having any of it.
She crossed her arms alone, exuding the lofty aura of a master Swordmaster.
"It seems you still don't fully grasp the warden's abilities."
Camillia elegantly crossed her legs. As she tilted her head slightly, a cascade of radiant golden hair flowed beautifully down her side.
"To wield daggers at near-sonic speeds, you need pure, raw strength."
Camillia's gaze flicked down toward my thigh.
The spot that had unleashed explosive speed in short bursts.
"In that regard, the warden has already surpassed the muscle power of an average man."
As she uncrossed her legs, her thick thigh brushed lightly against my pants.
In response, Clea pressed her leg, wrapped in brown stockings, right up against mine.
"It's still not enough. Right now, Warden, the dumbbells you can lift with one hand are around 100kg."
Clea gazed at me with those tender eyes, as if I were still a frail boy.
100kg dumbbells were pretty impressive in my book...
'But how the hell does she know my workout weights?'
"My analysis shows that without relying on mana, you need to lift at least 120kg to withstand the Tutton Archduchess's axe blade."
"Doesn't matter. I'll personally train my aide's strength myself."
She lightly rolled up the sleeves of her dress shirt.
They were far slimmer and leaner than mine, but I could feel the intense mana and vitality from her highly trained body.
Just sitting next to her made me feel invigorated, like some of that energy was rubbing off on me.
And with us pressed so close, even I was starting to feel pretty good.
But then.
"From now on, I'll be joining him at that 'Gold Gym' he goes to."
My expression twisted in confusion.
How did this woman know about my gym?
"Aren't you already swamped with state affairs, Your Highness?"
"If you handle them diligently without putting them off, there's plenty of free time to spare."
"I worked as an imperial secretary, and trust me, diligence alone won't cut it."
"Don't judge everything by the standards of a weakling like you. I can manage it."
No one was raising their voice or clashing directly.
Yet the air inside the carriage was scorching hot.
"I'm not weak. The imperial secretary position requires the combat prowess of an elite knight just to qualify."
"But you've been slacking off lately, haven't you? Lost a lot of strength. Think you can protect your superior with those pudgy legs?"
The princess pointed at her legs, softened by all the sweet pastries and coffee lately.
Clea flinched for a moment, then immediately countered by referencing the all-day simulation she'd run of my duel with the Tutton Archduchess.
"Strength isn't everything. If you'd like, I can show you the strategy plan I've prepared."
"You dare discuss strategy in front of me?"
The Northern Commander snorted and crossed her arms again.
I shot Clea a worried glance too.
The princess's stats in the game were so brokenly balanced, it was ridiculous.
She hadn't been assassinated for nothing—her combat prowess was top-tier, but her intelligence was no slouch either.
But this time, even she hesitated.
Clea's intelligence and charm stats were nothing to sneeze at either.
"Yes, I believe I have more than enough qualifications to do so."
The blue-haired mountain fox had already secretly dug up dirt on the princess too.
"Your Highness topped the Imperial Academy in combat, but came second in command."
Clea placed the monocle she'd taken from me over her eye.
Her sharp, clear gaze sparkled as she declared it confidently.
"Whereas I took first in command. Two more correct answers than you."
How the hell do you even find out a royal's test scores?
Down to the exact number of questions?
I found out later that after pledging loyalty to me, Clea had gone after some bullying nobles who were playing dumb. In the process, she'd cornered the academy dean with her signature icy glare and pried the royals' scores out of him.
"You're cuter than I thought. The exam I took was notoriously brutal—so tough they called it the 'Trial by Fire' of its era."
"That's the number one excuse from people who didn't take first place."
"And that killer question on the final problem—even the professors got it wrong..."
"That's excuse number two from people who failed to take first."
The lofty princess finally reverted to a chilling blank expression.
Clea, plastered snugly against my shoulder, put on a sullen face in response.
"Warden, protect your vice warden. It's your duty as superior."
'Ugh.'
She sure didn't look like someone asking for protection.
Thankfully, the princess wasn't the type of tyrant to punish her subordinates over something like this.
Her stern face didn't last, and she soon broke into a mature smile to ease the tension.
"Warden, now I see why you're so sly."
"Still, she's got a good heart. She's raising her little siblings all by herself, and even if her words are cold, it's all for my sake."
Clea half-hid her face in my shoulder and nodded vigorously.
"Hmm... Is that so?"
The princess crossed her arms again.
I thought her smile meant things were okay now, but she tacked on a loaded question.
"But how do you know she raises her siblings alone? Been to her house or something?"
"Uh...?"
As I faltered, Clea narrowed her eyes and poured fuel on the fire.
"Yes, she's already met my siblings."
"I see. So the boss has visited his subordinate's home."
Camillia tilted her head side to side.
A distinctive cracking sound followed, like a predator loosening up.
"Got it. Come visit my villa sometime too."
"Why would I go to your villa...?"
"I've got a cute little golden kitten there."
"A cat? Sure, I love pets."
But I didn't recall seeing a cat in her chambers.
Maybe she kept it in the garden or something.
Come to think of it, she did show interest in that stray cat on the stairs earlier, so she probably does have one.
"Ahem... Thank you. Shall we wrap up the strategy discussion here?"
I seized the momentary lull to steer things to a close.
"Truth is, I've already figured out how to handle the Tutton Archduchess."
The strategy was set.
I wanted to cool this overheated situation in one shot for my sake.
"I'll take care of everything myself."
My firm declaration made both women's lips droop at once.
"The Tutton Archduchess's axe isn't something to take lightly, Derek."
"Statistically speaking, it'll be stronger than even Steelman's Hysteria, Warden."
"I know. But I can't keep troubling you two anymore. Honestly, I don't need the help."
That one word—"don't need."
The carriage fell deathly silent.
All four blue eyes went wide.
"......"
They seemed satisfied with my preparations to handle it solo.
I savored the brief silence, closing my eyes gently.
But while my eyes were shut, my vice warden and the princess exchanged murderous glares.
As if wondering if I didn't even care about them.
Screech―――.
Right on cue, the carriage came to a halt.
The coachman dismounted and knocked on the door.
I squeezed between the two deep-in-thought women and stood.
Opening the door revealed the coachman looking anxious.
"What's wrong? We haven't passed the city milestone yet."
"Sorry, Warden..."
Outside wasn't the city—it was an empty plain.
"How did we end up stopping here?"
"The horses sensed something strange and panicked. They won't move properly."
"Monsters nearby?"
"No. I've run this road for decades, and monsters have never appeared here. Not once."
I stepped out to check myself.
I stroked the horses' backs and gauged their reactions.
Soon enough, I realized why they were flinching.
"Ah..."
The horses weren't scared of some invisible monster...
It was the two women in the carriage.
"Derek, what's going on?"
"Nothing, Your Highness. The horses just look tired."
The princess descended slowly.
She gazed indifferently at the darkening plains.
"Looks like we'll have to camp here. The horses won't make it to the nearest city."
"Agreed. We need to let them rest and unwind."
Dinner time, conveniently.
I signaled the coachman with a spoon gesture to prepare food.
"Got it. Time for some outdoor cooking."
"I'll handle the cooking, so you rest. You've been driving all day."
I checked the provisions we'd brought.
Not much for a meal, but a stew could work if simmered right.
"Clea, wanna cook together? It's been a while."
Her sullen face lifted.
She liked hearing she was needed—a victor's smile tugged at her lips.
"Rest up, Your Highness. I'll help."
The vice warden brushed past the princess leisurely.
With a sly, fox-like eye smile.
"......"
Her lofty royal title was working against her now.
Soon, she watched the man and woman cozy up for dinner prep from behind.
"Fine. 'As usual,' slice the ingredients, and 'as usual,' I'll cook."
The hands of the power broker, clasped behind her back, slowly unclasped.
Camillia, who never set foot in a kitchen, strode toward us purposefully.
"Stew, right? Your stew's always so hearty and delicious."
"Of course. My recipe's perfect."
"You could stand to be a bit more humble sometimes."
"Then teach me yourself. In the same space."
The empire's top lancer stood timidly on tiptoe behind me.
Peering over my shoulder at my knife work and Clea's graceful hands.
"Your Highness, please sit and relax. We'll bring dinner."
Clea noticed and calmly dissuaded her.
I chimed in too.
"Yeah. This isn't work for you."
"......"
As she stood speechless.
The blue-haired woman held out a spoon to me.
"Warden, taste this? Not sure if the seasoning's right."
"Sure thing."
I naturally took the spoon she offered and sipped.
For the first time, Clea whispered in a gentle, motherly tone.
"There you go, good boy. Tastes just right for you, doesn't it?"
"Your stew's always the best. I'd eat it every day."
"Right? You can't help but want it every day."
The darkening, secluded plains.
The princess's face darkened ominously.
"Insolent."
Her blue eyes turned abyssal, ready to swallow everything.
She pressed a finger to her ear.
And murmured something softly.
――――――.
Suddenly, bright lights appeared in the distance across the empty plains.
As if they'd been waiting and were hastily summoned.
"What the...?"
Clea and I exchanged puzzled looks.
The coachman, fiddling with onions, jumped in surprise.
Heading straight for us were...
Cavalrymen in green uniforms and camouflage cream.
"You called for us, Your Highness?"
The empire's elite tough guys knelt before her.
Hands full of rare ingredients you'd never see in a lifetime.
"Set up. I'm cooking dinner tonight."
Camillia Andalusia, the empire's foremost princess.
She smirked like the wielder of absolute power she was.
Aimed at the fox-like vice warden, barely twenty.
"Want to make it together? See whose food comes out better."