Side Story - Side Princess Iv, Part Two
The king looked at me, the one who had given the order, and said with admiration,
"Truly, you are my daughter. There is no need for me to intervene...or rather, is there any meaning for me to be here?"
"I appreciate the flattery, but please behave more like a king."
"You are as rigid as ever. Relax your shoulders a bit. The situation may not last long. If you keep straining yourself from now on, your stamina won't hold."
"...Sigh."
Knowing that it was disrespectful of me, I let out a sigh at my father's wry smile.
Most of the people in the country have a strict image of my father, the king, but in reality, he has a certain 'carefree' side to him.
Of course, it's not about the job itself. The image of being 'strict' is deeply ingrained because my father is always a fair and righteous king, renowned even among other countries as a great ruler. He has been quick to respond to the current situation and always makes accurate judgments.
However, outside of his duties, it's different. He makes comments that don't seem appropriate for a public setting like this.
"If you're too uptight, Brave will get tired of you."
"It's fine even if I don't care about it."
I replied with a sigh.
──I realized my mistake a little too late.
"It seems like you're not enthusiastic about being engaged to Brave."
It was a moment where I was reminded that no matter what his actions may be, this person is still a 'king.'
"...That is not the case."
I managed to suppress the trembling of my shoulders. If my agitation showed now, it would be as good as admitting to my father's words.
My father looked at me suspiciously, but eventually closed his eyes and settled deep into the throne.
"You may be getting ahead of yourself, but after we overcome this situation, I'm going to ask Brave to engage you. Do you have any objections?"
"...No. If I can form a bond with Brave-sama, who is the hope of the world, there is no greater honor."
I murmured things that I didn't truly believe, mocking myself internally.
No, there is no longer my 'heart' here.
I left behind my 'heart' at that person's place.
The 'sword' that I entrusted to the craftsman should have been completed by now. I wonder if it has safely reached that person.
"Excuse me."
As a new messenger arrived, I closed off the faint feeling of pain in my chest. I must focus on what is in front of me right now.
"I would like to report. Brave-sama has joined forces with the troops who are intercepting outside the royal capital."
Finally, Brave has arrived.
The cause of the massive monster outbreak has already been discovered—it's a large-scale summoning magic circle. The area surrounding it is where the most monsters are appearing and infiltrating.
In terms of overall strength, Brave and their companions are the best in the country. With their decisiveness, they can break through the thick layer of monsters and destroy the summoning magic circle, bringing an end to this chaos.
They are already in the process of reorganizing a task force for this purpose.
"Also, it has been reported that shortly after Brave-sama joined, one of the second-ranked mercenaries and around ten others mercenaries have abandoned the front line."
2nd-ranked mercenaries should have had an obligation to participate in the counteroffensive. If they go against that, they should face consequences later. It's unnatural for them to knowingly abandon the front line. At the very least, the situation shouldn't have deteriorated enough for 2nd-ranked mercenaries to flee.
"What is the name of that 2nd rank mercenary?"
"The 2nd ranked mercenary is known as 'Silver Flash.'"
I was a little surprised to hear a familiar nickname. Initially, I thought of approaching Brave's comrade, a female swordsman known as a "martial artist" in a foreign land.
Before I approached her, I researched and found that she isn't the type to socialize with others, but she takes her responsibilities seriously. Additionally, those called "martial artists" are known to be so loyal that they would even sacrifice their own lives for those they are loyal to.
For her to abandon her mercenary work and move away from the battlefield, it must be for someone significant.
Someone named Yukina.
Yukina is the person Silver Flash calls her lord. It was hard to imagine anyone else being a higher priority for her, given her strong sense of duty.
So I just remembered the recent report.
There's a magic circle set up inside the royal capital. And what led to its early discovery was a mysterious signal flare.
"I have a question. Did you see the light of the signal flare that was launched just now from outside the royal capital?"
"A signal flare...? Ah, yes, I could confirm that a ball of light was rising towards the royal capital as well..."
So, there's a high possibility that Silver Flash also noticed the signal flare. Silver Flash might have an idea about the meaning of that signal flare── about the person who launched it.
That signal flare is to notify that something strange is happening inside the royal capital. This possibility was considered from the beginning.
And the person who first sensed this strangeness is none other than Yukina.
I don't have any proof, but it makes sense if I think about it.
After the messenger left, I pondered.
This commotion is definitely the work of someone. I understood that from the moment the summoning magic circle was used.
But, I wonder, how much of it was within the expected range of the mastermind?
"If I think logically, it would be unexpected for the summoning magic circle inside the royal capital to be destroyed early on."
My question was answered by my father.
"They use a monster of a scale that forces us to respond and pushes the majority of the royal capital's forces outside. In that opening, they release monsters inside the royal capital to cause chaos. It's simple but an effective move."
My father said, though his face became the most serious expression since the monster attack began, despite his words of praise.
"...But who could be doing such a thing?"
"You're wrong, Aina. We shouldn't focus on identifying the mastermind. It's the 'plan' that the mastermind has devised."
Saying that, my father stands up from his throne and surveys the hall. He has sharp eyes, like a predator targeting its prey.
"It may be simple, but both the external and internal magic circles cannot be prepared overnight. The person who would go through such trouble wouldn't have just manipulated this plan to cause chaos. There must be another move."
With my father's stern expression and his words, I finally understand.
The true aim of the mastermind is... this royal castle!
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