Novel All
Chapter 535
Chapter 535
Chapter 535: The Incident in Mizuho
While the Empire was preparing for war with the Kingdom in the central part of the continent, there were movements in a small country located at the eastern end of the continent.
"Celestial Princess, reinforcements from the Beast Warrior Corps have arrived at the border with the Imperial State."
"Good work. This should keep the Imperial State from focusing solely on the Empire."
"But is it really okay to provoke the Imperial State, even at the Emperor's request?"
"As long as that old king is alive, there's no chance he will attack Mizuho. He knows it doesn't benefit him. Well, if he does attack, we'll fight back."
After declaring this with full confidence, the hermit princess of Mizuho, Orihime, picks up her pet and friend Enta who was nearby.
"That could be fun. Right, Enta?"
"Chupee!"
"So you think so too, Enta? Good, good."
"Princess, please refrain from expressing a desire for war. If it comes to war, soldiers will shed blood."
"Is this another lecture from you old man..."
The one who entered the room was an elderly demi-human.
An elderly Tiger-man who bore the characteristics of a tiger.
His name was Kotetsu.
He was a minister of the Mizuho Hermit State.
"If you dislike lectures, then refrain from making careless remarks."
"What I say is my business, isn't it?"
"There is something called influence."
"Restrictive. I miss the Empire..."
"It seems you enjoyed yourself. Leaving all your attendants behind... Do you know how I felt when I heard the report back home?"
"You must have thought, 'typical of the Celestial Princess.' You don't have to hide it."
"If anything happened to you, everyone in a key position would have prepared for their heads to roll. Until you returned, I didn't feel alive. I'll tell you that much."
"You're being dramatic... for the record, powerful individuals like Elna and Silver were freely acting in the Empire. It's not fair that only I should feel restrained!"
"The House of Amsberg is a vassal of the Empire. You, Celestial Princess, are the guardian deity of Mizuho. Mizuho can't function without you, while the Empire can survive without the House of Amsberg. And Silver is an SS-class adventurer. He doesn't bear the weight of a country. Even if you have the same power, your positions are too different."
"Then I'll become an SS-class adventurer too!"
"Showing favor to Mizuho would be prohibited. If you're okay with that, do as you like. When the Dwarf nation was attacked by the Imperial State, even Egor did nothing. Are you prepared for that?"
"Silver is showing favor to the Empire..."
Orihime murmured with her lips pursed. To her, Kotetsu replied.
"Even Silver, who seems to do as he pleases, didn't appear in the rebellion in the imperial capital until the Holy Dragon showed up. Even that was considered a problem. They too are bound by many things."
"Hmph..."
"Good heavens... If you dislike your position as the Celestial Princess so much, give birth to a child and pass it on to the next generation."
"B-birth sounds difficult... And I'm not ready to take on a partner yet..."
Orihime cut off her words at that point.
And then
"Anyone would do?"
"Do you have anyone in mind?"
"Then, Arnold."
"No, he's out of the question."
Orihime's smile freezes. Kotetsu immediately responded and before Orihime could ask why, he started explaining the reasons.
"The struggle for the Imperial throne is reaching its climax. The candidates have been narrowed down to Prince Erik and Prince Leonard. If Prince Leonard wins, he, who trusts Prince Arnold and is expected to rely heavily on him, would be in a powerful position as an Imperial brother. He is still unmarried, so it would be beneficial for him to marry influential people throughout the Empire to increase his supporters. They won't let him go outside the Empire."
"Are you implying that I'm inferior to the influential people in the Empire? I'm quite popular, you know!"
"Mizuho is a small country after all, and it's far from the Empire. The Empire wouldn't consider it crucial enough to send a member of the royal family."
"What if Leonard loses? I could provide him shelter!"
"The Kingdom is supporting Prince Erik. To shelter his adversary would mean turning both the Kingdom and Empire into enemies at once. That's the least plausible."
"Grr... it's always 'if you say this, then that'..."
"The only plausible situation would be if you abdicate your position as the Celestial Princess and go to the Empire. But for that, another member of the Senko tribe would have to rise to prominence."
"Hmm, then let's abdicate immediately."
"It can't be just any member of the Senko tribe. The Celestial Princess's role can only be fulfilled by a powerful individual."
With that said, Kotetsu took a deep breath and pulled out a piece of parchment.
"Let's put the jests aside. There's a serious matter."
"What is it?"
"Five children have wandered into the 'Twilight Forest'. As you know, it's a forest from which no one can return once they enter. The villagers have submitted a plea for the Celestial Princess to rescue them."
"Five children... they must be saved."
"I understand your sentiment, but there's nothing we can do about the Twilight Forest. The previous Celestial Princess tried and failed. We can't interfere with that forest. We need to figure out how to calm the villagers or else the damage will spread."
"Just because the previous Celestial Princess couldn't do it doesn't mean I can't, right?"
"What do you intend to do if you fail after trying? In Mizuho, it's not good for there to be something even the Celestial Princess can't do."
"Hmm... then we should call someone who seems to be good at this sort of thing."
"Who do you have in mind?"
"Silver."
"You jest. Calling Silver requires Rainbow Coins. Unfortunately, we can't afford to pay them for the children."
"No need. He promised to take on any request for free just once. Let's have him keep that promise."
"Wait... that's a very valuable right, isn't it?"
"I created that debt. I'll use it when I want. Contact the Adventurer's Guild and summon Silver. If he knows the Celestial Princess is calling, he should keep his promise and come."
The right to summon Silver at any time. It's a right that could be worth more than three Rainbow Coins. Using it for the rescue of children was something Kotetsu , as a dignitary, struggled to accept. But knowing Orihime's character well, he quietly sighed and gave up. He left the room and immediately contacted the Adventurer's Guild.
TL's Notes:
Thanks for all the support fellow Patrons, this arc is quite short if you haven't checked the RAWS yet.
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