Editing/Standardisation: Medicine Melancholy
Original Translation: Medicine Melancholy
Within the deepest reach of the capital city, stands Rolandia Castle.
Built utilizing the slopes of the towering mountain behind it, the castle overlooks a steep cliff, beyond which lies a sprawling, naturally abundant highland.
However… despite such a location, the city of Rolandia had scarcely faced the advance of monsters from the mountains in the past few centuries, as history would recount.
The reason being the Phantasmal Beast Sirius, who had claimed the mountains as her territory, had prevented any other predators from intruding.
So what would happen if Sirius… was no more?
The void she left behind had created a massive power vacuum… In this regard, the world of nature was no different from the world of humans.
What ensued was simply the expected outcome.
Iris
Just as I thought I had finally gotten some sleep, it was taken away from me without a moment’s notice.
Judging by the height of the sun, it might have been noon or thereabouts when the alarm bell on the rooftop of Rolandia Castle resounded, forcing me to wake up involuntarily.
Soon after, there was a faint, almost familiar knock on the door. However, this time, the door was opened with little delay.
“Pardon my intrusion, Iris-sama, but there’s an emergency… Ah, I see that you’re already awake.”
Said Lenny-san as she entered the room, immediately helping me change into battle clothes.
..It wasn’t the usual sky-blue robe, that one was currently under repairs due to the damage sustained in the last battle.
The one I was wearing now was a simple robe imbued with some defensive enchantments. While it paled in comparison to the Clarte Iris, which Milly-san had put her heart and soul into, it was undoubtedly suitable for combat.
As my outfit was being put on, my hair was combed, and something was applied under my eyes.
Once I was ready, I headed straight to Reiji-san and Saul-niisama’s sickroom, but there was no one inside. They must have been moved somewhere more secure.
A loud voice issuing instructions from the training ground below reached my ears. Determining that the person I was looking for was there, I swiftly made my way down with my companion.
Upon entering the training ground, soldiers were running and shouting left and right as they prepared for battle.
Leonhardt-sama, who seemed to have finished giving instructions, was surveying the surroundings. I tried to make my way towards him, avoiding the busy figures around me.
Then, someone next to him, a petite girl with long golden hair, Titilia-san, noticed me and hurriedly approached.
“Iris-chan? Aren’t you supposed to be resting?”
“I’m fine… I think.”
“…Yeah, you don’t look fine at all to me.”
Perhaps it’s because of the way I was walking, but my attempt at bravado was quickly seen through.
“Please don’t worry about me. More importantly, how’s Leonhardt-sama?”
“Ah, I should let him know you’re here… Leonhardt-sama!”
Titilia-san hurriedly went to fetch Leonhardt-sama.
In response to her voice, he promptly came over.
“Leonhardt-sama, what’s going on here…?”
“Her Highness Irisria… You look unwell.”
“Ahaha… I can’t hide anything from you, can I?”
My remaining magic power was one-third.
My physical and mental strength were likely far from ideal.
Not to mention my current equipment.
My beloved tin staff had completely lost its power when it was broken in half, and had to be discarded. What I had in hand now was no different from beginner gear.
Combined with my lack of defense due to the Clarte Iris being under repairs, standing on the battlefield in my current state… it just felt too precarious. That was an undeniable fact.
I often tried to put up a strong front to hide my issues, but if Titilia-san was able to expose it in an instant, there was no way I could get under Leonhardt-sama’s watchful eyes.
“Then you shouldn’t be here. Allow me to guide you to safety…”
“No, I want to help too. I promise I won’t overexert myself…!”
But even so, I couldn’t stand hiding behind everyone and receive their protection.
Leonhardt-sama sighed in resignation.
“…I figured as much. It’s no use talking you out of this, is it?”
“I’m sorry for imposing on you so much…”
“No, your desire to protect others is precious, therefore I want to respect it as much as possible… Just don’t push yourself too hard. Did I make myself clear?”
He looked at me with a frighteningly serious expression, and I nodded in agreement.
“…Good. I hope I can trust you on this matter.”
I breathed a sigh of relief as he relaxed his expression.
Honestly, when he stared at me so intensely with such a grim expression on his handsome face, it was genuinely intimidating.
“So, about our current situation… due to the territory disputes among the monsters in the northern mountains, a number of them had been pouring in this direction. We commonly refer to this as a ‘stampede’.”
“Is it because… Blanche-sama, who used to reside there, is no longer present?”
“Yes… Upon hearing about her lifespan, we immediately considered that possibility and took measures…”
Leonhardt-sama spoke vaguely.
Only three days had passed since Blanche-sama’s passing. I felt something unsettling about the unexpectedly short period, which should have had more time considering her natural lifespan.
Even if she had passed away naturally, there was no way such a big monster attack could happen so soon.
“Once a new ruler of those territories is found, the phenomenon will naturally settle. Those who live in nature generally don’t willingly pose a risk by attacking human settlements… Ideally, I would like this Sirius cub to become said ruler like her mother once did.”
As the topic of conversation suddenly shifted to her, the Sirius cub, who had been following behind me, tilted her head.
I picked her up and stroked her head gently…
“Hayato-kun, am I correct?”
“Y-Yes?!”
Responding to the call, Hayato-kun, still dressed in the pageboy costume with holders placed in various locations, stepped forward, his beloved short sword at the ready.
“It seems that you’ve also volunteered to help. Please, I’m entrusting Her Highness’ protection to you. She’ll probably feel more at ease with someone she knows well.”
“…I’ll do it.”
“Thank you. I’d like Miss Lenny to accompany Her Highness as well… but I’m going to need you somewhere else.”
“Me?”
“Indeed. We’ve confirmed the presence of flying monsters, so I’ve asked Miss Miriam, who’s one of your companions, to defend a different location… We can’t afford to let a valuable offensive magic user like her idle.”
Even in my immediate vicinity, organization was underway.
The most common offensive magic used in Nordglacier, by both soldiers and mercenaries alike, was a mid-tier fire spell called “Lava Bomb”.
It’s a very user-friendly magic with good range and high effectiveness against most targets. However, it was unsuitable for the anti-air role as its projectile was heavily affected by gravity, which was made even worse as we had to defend the city against flying enemies.
On the other hand, Milly-san exceled in magic that dealt damage in a straight line such as lightning and pure energy magic. She was well-suited for the current situation.
“Roger that. Until later then, Iris-sama… Please stay safe.”
“Yes… Please watch after yourself too, Lenny-san.”
Bowing, I watched Lenny-san leaving for her assigned location.
Waving my hand until her back disappeared, I was hailed by Leonhardt-sama. I quickly adjusted my posture and turned around.
“…The castle is, unfortunately, located in the frontlines. I’ve designated the east and west gates as fortified evacuation points for the citizens. Since a medical team has been dispatched to the west gate, could you travel to the other side and assist Aini-kun in treating the injured?”
“U-Understood.”
“Very well. As a matter of fact, the injured people who were being treated in the castle have also been moved to that location.”
As far as I knew, there were only two people who fit that description.
“Thank you, Leonhardt-sama. I’m really grateful.”
“I simply performed my duty. Now, if you excuse me.”
I bowed once again to Leonhardt-sama as he returned to giving orders to his subordinates and then left. As I did so, the knights who were present gave me a sharp salute.
An escort was already prepared, guiding me to the corner of the carriage for non-combatants and supplies. Feeling a tug at my heartstrings, I boarded the carriage, heading to my assigned post while sensing something being left behind.
Quietly, the carriage advanced through the city.
It felt like a distant memory already… When I came to the city for leisure before, it was lively with the hustle and bustle of people. Now, it was eerily quiet and still.
The majority of the residents had already evacuated. While I could sense sporadic human presence, those who remained seemed to have taken refuge inside their homes.
On the main street, besides the soldiers standing in their respective positions, only the stalls left out were lined up.
Defensive equipment of all kinds was installed throughout the city. This city, which had prepared in advance while I was holed up in my room for the past few days, had changed drastically in appearance.
“Leonhardt-sama, Tia-san, please stay safe…”
I was well aware of Leonhardt-sama’s strength, having witnessed it in our last battle. As the former Vice Captain of this kingdom’s knight order, he retired while still young and active, possessing strength equivalent to or perhaps even close to Captain Walter’s.
Moreover, the soldiers under him were also highly elite. Through some interactions in our daily lives here, I had come to understand them quite well.
The only concern might be Titilia-san, who, like me, lacked significant combat abilities. However, if she stays by Leonhardt-sama’s side, she should be fine.
Even the common soldiers underwent rigorous training daily and were the finest this border region had to offer. It’s just absurd for me, who was the far from my top form, to worry about them.
I understand all that, but…
Not being able to remain on the frontline alongside them just felt…
“…Frustrating.”
I felt an overwhelming sense of unease, as if my chest would burst if I didn’t do something. That helpless feeling was simply…
“Nee-chan?”
“…Eh? Ah, I didn’t mean to burden you with my troubles, I’m really sorry…”
“Huh? I wasn’t bothered by it or anything, it’s just…”
Hayato-kun, who had been wandering his gaze, suddenly grabbed my hand. Seeing this sudden action, my eyes widened.
“…Are you this nervous because those two big brothers aren’t here with you today?”
He spoke to me with concern. I finally realized that my hand, the one he was holding, was trembling.
At last, I understood the cause of my unease.
“…I think that might be the case.”
“Nee-chan?”
“You probably don’t know, Hayato-kun, but whenever I was alone without them, it never left me with any good memories… Somehow, it feels like I was always unlucky when that happened.”
Trying to mask my trembling by recalling the past, I smiled wryly.
Immediately after coming to this world, I was kidnapped by bandits until those two rescued me. After reuniting with them, I used to have a period of constant frustration as I was unable to go outside with them. It’s like bad things would inevitably happen whenever I was separated from them.
That’s why… I wanted to distract myself from the fear with something else.
“Is that so… Things must have been tough for you, Nee-chan.”
“If only I could be more composed, then those two wouldn’t have to worry about me all the time…”
I then took a deep breath.
During our conversation, I clearly understood the lump in my chest, and my mood improved considerably.
Now, I have things to do… I must rest my body a bit to prepare for the arrival of the injured.
“…Thank you, Hayato-kun, I’ve calmed down a bit now. I’m glad that you’re coming with me today.”
“Y-Yeah… I might not be as reliable as those guys, but you can leave it to me.”
“Hehe… Then I’m counting on you, okay?”
Unused to being thanked, Hayato-kun blushed and turned away.
I couldn’t help but let out a chuckle at that.
APM - Translation 