#151
The Empire’s Riot (1)
“Well, I think we need to keep an eye on the situation for now, but I’m feeling optimistic! The chance to smash the Undead King’s skull myself, what could be more exhilarating than that? Hahaha!—”
Harley cheerfully answered Laforey’s question while leaving some room for maneuver.
‘For now, what’s important is the stage.’
A warrior setting out on an adventure to save a princess, gathering companions one by one to crush the Demon King’s schemes, and finally arriving at the Demon King’s castle to defeat him—like a fairytale story.
For that kind of development, a battlefield needed to be on a board that allowed the hero and the demon king to comfortably face off, while showcasing it all to everyone and keeping it entirely under his control.
‘There’s a reason classic tales consistently remain beloved. It would be more dramatic to weave the hero party into that scenario.’
However, for the development to be convincing, a sacrificial lamb in a kidnapped princess position was necessary—someone who could intrigue the ‘Undead King’ with a name hefty enough to prevent the Empire from acting recklessly…
Fortunately, one person perfectly suited for that role was already prepared.
Though consent hadn’t been obtained from her.
“…Is that so? Anyway, I’m glad to meet you like this. We’re planning to return to the Enamel Continent soon as our important discussions are wrapping up.”
Above all, since Harris had gained the qualification of a High Elf, a journey to the World Tree was essential for the Awakening Ceremony.
Of course, with the issues regarding the alliance forces and the Special Task Force, she would have to come back soon.
‘Other delegations are about due to return too… Of course, the Empire side is the same.’
*
In the capital Jeron of the Azerion Empire.
Clack clack—
Inside a carriage rushing down the wide-paved road towards the Imperial Palace, someone peered outside.
A small-framed woman with black hair wrapped in a blue robe.
It was Isea, who had just returned from visiting the Rosellia Temple.
‘So peaceful.’
She gazed vacantly at the usual streets, seemingly unconcerned with the current chaotic political situation.
Since this was the capital of the Empire, the repercussions of war had yet to reach here, but it probably wouldn’t last long.
Many sacrifices and efforts would be needed to maintain this peace…
Even though she had been asked to lend her strength to that cause, she was on her way back, having refused.
To where she belonged.
‘…I can’t deny that I’m being selfish.’
Yet, for Isea, who was not of this world, the small bonds she had formed here were far more precious than the safety of the entire continent.
Of course, she knew that if the Undead King wasn’t stopped, everyone—including what she wanted to protect—would be in danger, but didn’t others have the capability to handle that without her?
Unlike this ‘world’ where many would step up to protect, the 5th princess Riley truly needed her.
After all, in terms of the qualitative aspects and cohesion of the forces they had gathered, they were still considerably lagging behind the Crown Prince’s side.
‘Still, I thought I would be stuck in the Empire and then return to Earth, but thanks to Simon, I got to visit the sanctuary.’
Though that didn’t mean her evaluation of the Crown Prince had improved.
She had personally witnessed the behind-the-scenes manipulations he had engaged in since the 5th princess began to gain power.
With a blood-pumping effort, and actually vomiting blood in the process, she had somehow managed to fend it all off.
Finally arriving at the Imperial Palace, she headed straight to the 5th princess’s residence, where she could face the reason she was still in this world.
“Lady Duke Pristine? You’ve returned earlier than expected.”
With a glorious mane of hair and emerald eyes sparkling like jewels, in stark contrast to Isea, was the tall and mature figure of the 5th princess, ‘Riley Carte Azerion,’ seated at a tea table with a gentle smile to welcome her.
“Thank you all for your hard work. I’ll need some time to speak with Lady Duke Pristine, so you can leave now.”
Despite the soft tone, an intimidating aura emanated from her presence, that of one born to rule.
At the low command of the princess, the attending maidens around her bowed politely and exited.
Hoo—
Once they were alone, Isea casually waved her hand, casting a barrier for security within the room.
Magic couldn’t be recklessly used inside the palace, but she, as the princess’s personal guard, was an exception.
After finishing all her work,
As soon as their gazes met again…
“Isea~! How was your trip? What did the order say? They didn’t force you to join the Special Task Force because they realized your competence, did they?”
The 5th princess Riley dashed over, wrapping her arms around Isea.
“Haah, Riley. First, calm down… Umph!”
Letting out a sigh, Isea tried to restrain the princess, who was rubbing her cheek against her head, but ended up getting deeper into her embrace, flailing about.
“Hehe— This is way better than a doll. Ahh~ I feel healed.”
“…If that’s the case… Hmm…”
Isea’s words got mumbled as she was trapped in the princess’s grip, but she twisted her body to escape from it.
“Ah~ Why! I was so frustrated without you around! Terry doesn’t feel as good to hug as you do!”
Riley pouted, whimpering.
‘Terry’ was a teddy bear that Isea had gifted her for her birthday, which she hugged tightly every time she slept.
“Haah, just growing up in body but still a kid.”
“Hmph! Outside, I’m the dignified princess! You should feel honored to see me like this in front of you—”
With a haughty laugh, Riley flipped her hair, glancing down at Isea.
And Isea… looking up at the now-tall and beautiful girl, reflected on the world once more in blurry thoughts.
‘She was so small and cute when I first met her…!’
It was only natural.
When they first met, the princess was simply an 11-year-old who was unusually small compared to her peers.
Of course, now she had outgrown Isea in height, figure, and maturity.
After that, their roles had swapped, and this kind of treatment had continued since.
Surely, the beginning of their relationship hadn’t started like this.
—”Wow, what? Did you teleport just now? No one can just come in here because of this barrier. Are you a Great Wizard?”
Whether luck would be termed good or bad,
Isea had fallen into an aristocrat’s private property as soon as she was transported to this world, and happened to meet a child playing alone in the garden.
—”You came from another world? …You’re not from this world?”
Upon hearing that no one could enter here, she immediately assessed the situation and decided to lay everything out honestly.
For survival, her only option was to gain the favor of the girl before her.
And thus began her official journey in this unfamiliar world, exchanging words with the curious girl.
—”Fun! So you don’t know anything about this place? Then I’ll help you! …But there’s one condition.”
Had it been a typical case, she might have faced execution immediately upon her arrival, but instead, she was clearly fortunate.
—”Will you be my friend?”
—”Friend? What a little thing. Call me sister instead.”
—”Sister? But you’re… scary.”
The once vibrant child timidly made the proposal.
At that time, Isea didn’t know the girl’s situation or identity, but she couldn’t ignore the loneliness reflected in that delicate expression.
—”…Sigh, okay. Then just call me Isea.”
—”Isea? Is that a pretty name? I like it!”
—”Thanks! What’s your name?”
—”Riley! My name is Riley!”
This was the moment when the 5th princess of the Azerion Empire, Riley Carte Azerion (11 years old), who had briefly come down to avoid the scrutiny of her siblings in the fierce palace, first crossed paths with Isea (18 years old), a high school student from Earth who was just worrying about her future.
Eight years later, sometimes as friends and sometimes as sisters,
Though Riley had now surpassed her in various aspects, Isea still cherished her like a real sister.
Just as Riley had leaned on her because she had no one to confide in, Isea found herself significantly relying on that little girl who had first extended her hand to her in this strange world.
“…So, the Marquis Walter tried to make trouble, and I caught him just in time. Seems like he was trying to set up the ball while his big brother was away, huh? Hehe!”
Isea watched Riley chatter on about the time she had taken a break and felt slightly uneasy.
As much as she adored Riley like her own sister, she was still not someone of this world and could not remain here indefinitely.
‘Still, since there’s a time difference, it should be okay to stay a bit longer.’
The firm limit she set in her mind was exactly ten years, or one year in Earth time.
At this point, she had roughly two years left in this world.
Within that time, she had to ensure that this girl could live in an environment where she would be safe.
‘If I leave, will Riley, who has no friends, still be able to smile like she does now? She doesn’t even show her real self to anyone else…’
Of course, while she had the assistance of a Great Wizard, the expertise of a 19-year-old girl who could rival the Crown Prince in building her own power was no trivial matter at all.
Her genius was widely known within the Empire, and outside, she was nicknamed the ‘Iron-Blooded Princess’.
Though she appeared as clumsy as now, in front of her.
Nevertheless, the fact that she had nobody she could open up to remained a major concern.
Isea had tried several times to create individuals who could be friendly with the princess, but perhaps due to her childhood memories, the aversion to the ‘people of this world’ was too great.
‘There’s still plenty of time, so I should think it over slowly. Speaking of which, I came here in my 2nd year of high school, so I’ll be in my 3rd year when I return. Wait, does that mean I have to take the college entrance exam? How many months do I have left until then?’
In comparison to the serious worries she had before, this felt trivial…
As a great archmage of the Auterica dimension as well as a 9-year high school student from Earth, it was indeed a significant problem for her.
*
“Here, Olivia. This is the latest information supplementing what you’ve been investigating. It includes security details around the palace and the responsibilities of nearby officials, as well as the information on the nobles staying in the capital. I went through some trouble to organize this.”
[Is this… the information gathered by that Andrew fellow…? Quite useful… He seems like a good talent… ]
“Tch.”
Olivia dismissed Siana’s attempt to seek credit and quickly scanned over the densely packed documents.
Though there was a painstaking effort put in by Andrew Weaver over several days and nights for that information, the sinister and ruthless upper echelons of the Undead Army paid it no mind.
“Oh, by the way! I think the king will be sending Andrew under you later on. Just so you know to be careful when dealing with him since he’s a human.”
[Don’t worry… If he seems to rebel, I could make sure he experiences a fear worse than death… ]
“No, no, just don’t break him too much while treating him harshly! Humans die quickly if you don’t guarantee food and sleep!”
[Ah… That goes without saying… I’m not planning to treat him that roughly… Nourishing him means three meals a day and three hours of sleep… ]
“Whoa— three hours?”
Siana, who was chatting with Olivia, hesitated momentarily.
Still, given their history with Andrew, she thought it was worth saying something.
[Ah… I forgot about his bathroom and washing times… Hmm… Still, humans would need a bit of leisure time, so if he works 18 hours a day, it should be sufficient… ]
“Um, I feel like working him like that might reduce his efficiency over time. Can’t we ease up a bit?”
[It’s alright… Normally, endurance increases when you’re pushed… ]
At this point, Siana was convinced.
There was surely some misconception about the limits of humans in Olivia’s mind.
Of course, if she wanted to, she could enforce it, but in the long term, that would not be a good situation at all.
Just as she was about to speak up about that…
[Having a body, and only resting six hours… How enviable… ]
‘Let’s just drop it. Sorry, Andrew.’
With Olivia’s softly spoken words, Siana neatly folded her problematic stance.
Thinking about it, it wasn’t exactly harsh conditions since it wasn’t physical labor.
As long as he could comfortably sit and use his abilities, six hours of rest might be sufficient.
Setting aside the cloud that had unknowingly gathered over a human’s future, the two administrators returned to discussing their original topic.
To fulfill the orders given by the Undead King.
Thus, as Heinrich Saint Landgard had ‘foreseen’…
The Undead King Hannibal Strauss began to move to invade the Empire.
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