Chapter 3. Were they such a high-ranking person? (5)
Chapter 3. Were they such a high-ranking person? (5)
I had set out with such high spirits, but naturally, there were a few problems.
First of all, I was a "Duke." Not a "Duke's daughter," but a "Duke." People even called me "Your Excellency" whenever they addressed me.
"No, Rosalyn-nim!"
The first person to freak out was Frida.
"You want to go to a forest that hasn't even been developed? And to the northern mountain range, at that!"
"Is it not allowed? I am also the Countess of Eisenforke, after all."
"You could run into a band of bandits on the way."
Frida said with an expression that screamed she was worried sick.
"Besides, the closer you get to the mountain range, the more monsters swarm. There will definitely be swarms of goblins who can't keep their hands off women!"
"Frida, it's not that bad, really."
I said firmly.
It wasn't as if there was no chance of running into a band of bandits... Even if the Principality was quite small compared to the entire Empire, it wasn't "small" in an objective sense. Unless you were near a manor with minimal security or a noble's stronghold, it was possible to encounter such groups.
However, that didn't mean the Duchy was just sitting on its hands regarding such matters.
The roads within the Principality were quite well-maintained. And there were guards and knight orders patrolling those roads. I had absolutely no intention of walking that path with only these knights composed of former noble ladies without any thought.
And as for the goblins in the forest.
"Goblins should be easy to catch, right?"
"Of course, Your Excellency."
Erna puffed out her chest as she answered my question.
It wasn't just 'confidence' that made her say that. Over the past six months, I had ordered Erna and Inge to hunt low-level monsters a few times to test the knight order's skills.
While there wasn't a guild where ranked adventurers gathered like in typical isekai fantasies, there was a bounty system. It was too inefficient to mobilize the regular army every time a monster appeared, so they paid professional hunters to do the hunting.
I had snatched a few of those jobs. I placated their dissatisfaction by adding a little extra money to other requests, though.
The noble-born knights didn't seem to be of much help, but at least the 'knights' here had reported to Erna that they had each cut down at least one goblin.
"Besides, I also intend to prepare in my own way."
"Prepare... you mean?"
I nodded.
Then, I untied the pouch hanging from my waist and showed it to Frida.
"This is..."
Frida was momentarily speechless when she saw what was inside.
Inside were fragments of magic stones. They were all properly processed by first-class mages so that 'magic' could be used.
High-quality magic stones that could be sent to the Imperial Capital immediately to be processed into Mahwa.
Rosalyn's 'swordsmanship' grade was below average, but her 'magic power' was extremely high. High enough to seize control of this entire Principality. Of course, that was the result of accepting the Demon King's magic power, but it was also a setting in the game that if you didn't have basic ability, you wouldn't be able to endure it after accepting it.
"......Rosalyn-nim, may I ask what your true purpose is?"
Naturally, I couldn't say, "Because your uncle is doing too well."
"It is to broaden my horizons."
So I gave the answer I had prepared in advance.
"I have never been outside the Countess's mansion in Eisenforke. Shouldn't I see for myself how and how much silver is being produced in the silver mines? Besides, if I don't show any interest in the other knight orders, how am I supposed to maintain their loyalty?"
"That is......."
It was a fair point.
Father was busy running around all year round. He visited baronies and counties, and if necessary, even the mansions of landed nobles. Conversely, he would gather those who lived far away and hold meetings.
Being well-regarded meant that they knew each other well personally.
"Besides, a knight order isn't just made up of 'knights'."
Although the noble-born knights didn't have squires yet, soldiers naturally followed knights anyway. The number of those troops was by no means small. It was just small-scale compared to other regular knight orders. Since I was going, the guards protecting me would follow too.
"......."
But Frida kept her mouth shut.
"Frida?"
"I will go with you."
When I called her, Frida said that with a determined expression.
"Will you be alright?"
"Of course I will. Besides, Rosalyn-nim, you can't do anything if I don't follow you."
"Anything......."
Can't I?
......I guess I really can't. At least Frida manages all the personal items I use.
In the end, I let out a deep sigh and nodded.
"Do as you wish."
"I will do my best to serve you, Rosalyn-nim."
Honestly, she worries too much.
What could possibly happen, anyway?
*
"......What did you say?"
"I apologize, Rosalyn-nim."
Erna said through the open carriage window with a very tense expression.
"It's goblins."
"Can't Erna handle goblins?"
"The number...... is large. Very."
"......."
I stared blankly at Erna for a moment.
"Large? How many?"
"I cannot grasp the exact number, but it is enough to be called an 'army'."
"......."
I stared up at the ceiling of the carriage with a dazed expression for a moment.
Right, that's right.
Five years.
In just five years, the Empire falls into the clutches of the Demon. I had passed the half-year mark since I recalled my past life, so that meant there was effectively a little over four years left.
Even if it looked peaceful before then, the entire Empire was actually being eroded by the Demon, so it was possible.
There was no way that influence wouldn't reach the Principality.
......When did Rosalyn start to 'corrupt' in earnest in the game? Assuming it was right after her father, the Duke, died.
The events that happened in between weren't explained much in the game.
But that didn't mean it wasn't explained at all.
[Rosalyn von Artena corrupted the glory that had been brilliantly established by her predecessor in an instant.]
I read exactly that much flavor text.
The Principality must have declined as well. At first, monster swarms that could be stopped by the knight order appeared, and then they must have slowly swallowed the entire Principality.
It might have happened starting from the Principality, not another empire.
The Principality is also a gateway for the Kingdom to enter the Empire. If a hero were to advance to the Empire, they would have to go through the Principality or cross the mountain range directly. For a hero to fight the Empire, it wouldn't do for just one hero to move. Since they would need a large army following them to surely conquer the Empire, the region called Artena was a place that both the Empire and the Kingdom had to have.
It was my mistake.
I was mistaken by the peaceful scenery I saw from the safest place. In just five years, this world will be plunged into war.
I was in a rush and moved without properly investigating. Even if today happened to be an unlucky day that overlapped with 'such an event,' I should have investigated more before moving.
If not—
Was the opponent aiming for this?
Was this the very thing that triggered the 'corruption' of Rosalyn von Artena?
"Your Excellency."
As I was lost in thought without a word, Erna spoke.
"We will handle this place. You, Your Excellency——"
"If I turn back,"
I said, feeling displeased.
"Can you stop them?"
"......."
Erna shut her mouth.
Our numbers weren't small. We could probably fight off a small band of bandits. Those protecting me were, of course, only the elite.
"Frida, I am sorry."
Strangely, my heart is calm. Unlike when I met Frida or when I thought about what I said to Arno. It was also different from when I heard that Arno had become a parish deputy.
Why is that?
"It's okay, Rosalyn-nim."
The voice of Frida, who said that, was trembling a little.
"Because I was the one who said I would follow......."
She is afraid.
Only after confirming that could I be sure that all the thoughts I had about Frida until now were completely wrong.
Frida is just a girl.
She wasn't someone who was planning to cut my throat while acting and holding her position by my side. She was just a human who followed her own loyalty while staying by the side of Rosalyn, whose personality was slowly breaking down for some reason.
She is a type of person I dislike. Because it's hard to understand. If she were a more logical person, for example, someone who succumbed to money or power, I could have gotten along with her much better.
"Even if we run away, we will be caught by the opponent's 'army'."
Since the game my friend made was aimed at being an 'eroge,' the goblins in this world are literally 'that kind of' goblin. If caught, we would suffer a terrible fate.
"I am sorry."
"Yes, of course you should be sorry."
I replied.
"If your strength were stronger, I wouldn't be in danger in this place."
I stood up from my seat.
"Rosalyn-nim!?"
Frida shouted, watching me try to open the carriage door while slightly bending my waist.
"If I'm going to suffer a terrible fate anyway, I should choose the option with a higher chance of survival."
"......Rosalyn-nim?"
"Erna, you have the sword I gave you, right?"
"That is correct. It is here......."
"There is a part about that sword I haven't told you yet."
The carriage door opened. Erna, who was staying right by my side on horseback, stepped back, flustered.
"Would it be alright if I rode behind you on the horse?"
"Your Excellency?"
"Because in this place, I am the only one who can properly utilize 'magic'."
I said, looking up at Erna.
"......So, you mean you will come out to the battlefield......?"
"In my opinion, that is the way to 'survive' the most."
Still, it was a good thing I took out insurance.
The heavy pouch hanging from my waist.
If I have the magic stones filled inside this, it might somehow work out.
I might have to risk my life a little, but it would also be a way to properly test my skills.
My heart was pounding.
That wasn't just because of fear.
Rather,
Very much like Rosalyn,
I was finding this situation 'unpleasant.'
Good grief, and yet I was trembling so much in front of just a person.
Well, I did think it was unpleasant back then, too.
But it wasn't like I could just blow the opponent away with magic.