96 – 24. Now I know (3)
On the way back to Lichtenau, Adele became a legend once again.
The escort knights boasted about Adele to each other as if it were their job.
It’s not the first time I’ve seen it, I’ve seen it before.
He is said to be an attendant, but he is clearly a strong man with skills that are not an attendant at all.
The position of the strong in the world of knights is incomparable to anything else.
Even taking orders in the worst situation and going on to fight silently.
Didn’t he clearly show his loyalty as a virtue as a knight?
“The knights are busy talking about you.”
Shien had a happy face as if it was my job.
These days, the smile never leaves her face.
I am so happy that all of this is thanks to Adele.
Adele was sitting across from me and whimpering.
“Why is that, Adele? Where are you uncomfortable?”
“The body is okay, but the mind is a little bit so.”
“Your heart? why? What happened?”
“Not that… Every time the knights talk about me, something is a little strange.”
Shien, who was staring blankly at Adele, said “f*ck” and laughed.
So, after all, isn’t that man ashamed of my praise?
It was quite surprising that Adele knew how to feel shame.
“Why is my heart strange?”
“I just did what I used to do, and everyone said it was amazing.”
“Because that’s something no one else can do.”
I can understand why Lord Derry, a member of the Imperial Knights, said such a thing.
Awe in his eyes, and a slight fear.
Having seen Adele’s fighting style a few times, anyone who knew him would do it.
It was because all he could do was just stare at him with his saliva sticking out.
I want to fight alongside him, but it only gets in the way.
He is already in a place that no one in the world can reach.
Knowing that, he seemed to prefer fighting alone.
Because if there is someone by my side, I can’t go out with all my might.
“Rather than that, I have something to go to the imperial castle.”
“yes. I think I should show the captured witch beast to His Majesty the Emperor.”
Officially, let’s say Lichtenauer submits the Witchbeast.
At Adele’s words, Shien nodded and headed towards the imperial castle.
Anyway, on the way back to Lichtenau, I passed the vicinity of the imperial castle, so I didn’t even turn my head.
“But why are you trying to show His Majesty the Witchbeast?”
“There is a group within the imperial family that specializes in witch beasts. After confirming it there and making some predictions and coming to a conclusion, the emperor will make the next decision.”
“… What do you think is going on?”
At Adele’s words, Shien asked.
If you look at that man’s combat career, it’s probably more than most old knights.
In particular, the part about the beasts must have a very high level of expertise.
If he sensed something strange, so if he was going to the imperial castle to check it out.
It could have been a matter of great concern as the Empire was finally getting back to normal.
“Do you remember that last time? A second-class demon horse that appeared on the way back to Lichtenau from the Etenberg family.”
“I remember. Everything, even the way you looked at me with that terrifying look.”
“Hmmm. At that time, Commander Runnstadt said this. It seems that the magic beasts have changed recently. Some get stronger, some get bigger. Not all, but some do.”
“… do you remember At the time, the situation was so urgent that I passed it by, which is definitely not good news.”
In the period of over 20 years of great war, it was the empire that was forced to bleed enormously at first.
However, as time passed, he gradually got used to the demons’ fighting style.
Conversely, more and more cases of subduing them with the Empire’s unique combat method.
Time and experience are the best weapons.
So, if the current empire is well-prepared, it can fight against the beasts.
It would be an easier battle if there were knights, but it didn’t mean that they couldn’t fight because they didn’t have them.
However, according to Adele’s words, it means that monsters change like humans.
Slowly but surely, they are rising to match the level of humans.
“Additionally, from the previous and this battle, I felt a slight impatience from them. It’s never been like this before, and I can’t help but feel it’s strange.”
Adele’s eyes were deeply sunken as she said that.
Seeing him seriously contemplating something, Shien looked at it with concern.
This was the first time Adele had been seen like that.
Shien, who became impatient at the same time, opened the carriage door and asked to speed up a little more.
Thanks to this, Lichtenauer’s party was able to reach the imperial castle faster than expected.
* * *
“See you again. Come to Lichtenau.”
“Meet Her Highness, the Princess.”
From nob le mt l. co m
Maybe it’s because of Adele, but I think that recent visits to the imperial castle have become more frequent.
Thanks to that, he became quite close with Princess Ekaterina.
“I heard the news. Did something unpleasant happen in Fiore?”
Shien had a hunch that he already knew everything there.
The princess did not say that what had happened recently was Fiore’s victory.
Rather, they say it is disgraceful and express concern.
It was a victory in name only, but he knew that it was actually a defeat for a family.
“I had high hopes after hearing that I had successfully subdued ten 3rd-class demon spectacles. It seems that the 2nd grade was too much. That’s why I said you shouldn’t have high expectations.”
The voice and appearance he speaks are not what he expected.
Thanks to that, Shien was a bit nervous without even realizing it.
Although Fiore failed and Lichtenauer succeeded.
In the end, wasn’t there a decisive factor called Adele?
To be honest, Lichtenau would have been difficult to predict victory without Adele.
“I can see what you’re thinking.”
“yes?”
“Do not worry. Even if he wasn’t there, you would have made it.”
“I do not understand what you are saying. Her Highness the Princess.”
“That man helps anyone and never is that kind of person. Rather, he is more cold-hearted than anyone else, sharper, and, above all, has a knack for making people’s blood dry. If such a man is following the Lichtenau family, it means don’t worry, there’s a reason for that.”
Shien honestly didn’t know what the princess meant when she said that.
The only thing that can be known is that the trust in Adele is stronger than expected.
“With this, Lichtenau’s position will rise unrivaled. How is it, my lord?”
With sharp eyes, the princess asked a subtle question.
Seeing that he wanted to know what was inside, Shien thought for a moment before opening his mouth.
“I am afraid.”
“Are you afraid?”
“yes.”
“May I ask why? why are you afraid As a master of swordsmanship, he was able to stand in an unrivaled position, and he even acquired the most powerful teeth. Why do you say that?”
There was nothing wrong with the princess’ question.
Unlike Fiore, who was unable to subdue the 2nd-class Demon Lord on her own even after taking a lot of damage.
Lichtenauer succeeded in closing the demonic realm with not much damage.
With this, the weight in a similar state would have tipped to Lichtenauer.
In addition, there is an absolute existence called Adele in that Lichtenau.
Even the Imperial Knights have someone who is said to be giving them a hand.
Even so, it was natural to be curious when he said that he was afraid.
“… Everyone else’s eyes, the world’s attention, will be on me.”
“Because of the burden of that stare and attention, is that why you’re afraid?”
“no. Because of that stare and attention, my people will have to fight more. In the process, someone got hurt and lost someone else, and I thought that would be the case. That’s why I’m afraid.”
At Shien’s answer, Princess Ekaterina stared blankly at her.
Then, with a casual tone of voice, he slowly parted his lips.
“Emperor Peha said one day. Those who stand at the top should not be afraid of losing someone. Such a person will never be able to maintain that position.”
“Is that so? sorry. If you are offended by my shortcomings… .”
“By the way, he also said this. But don’t forget about losing someone. Look back every day. For you to go forward, to go up. Who stood behind and stayed behind. Never, never forget.”
Princess Ekaterina looked at Xien after saying that.
“I don’t want to show that fear outwardly, but I hope you carry it with you to the end. Lord Lichtenau. It will be your sharpest weapon, the light that sets you apart from others. You know that, right?”
“ah… Yes, Her Highness the Princess. I will definitely do that.”
The princess nodded in satisfaction at Shien’s answer.
Then, he came closer to Shien and smiled mischievously.
“Shall we listen to Adele? Just curious how he is these days.”
“Ah yes! I will answer you wholeheartedly, Her Highness the Princess.”
To be precise, I’m curious about the story of ‘Adele and Shien’.
Princess Ekaterina hid it and focused on Xien’s words.