“Seems like you’ve been tying your hair up a lot lately.”
“…Is that so?”
At Lothos’s question, Adele fiddled with her hair. She hadn’t really been paying attention to it, but maybe she had tied it up a little more often lately. It was just that the hair tie was visible, so she used it. Leaving the hair tie out where she could see it was something only she knew, so she shook her head nonchalantly and closed her mouth.
It wasn’t like she was trying to put on a show of looking good. Truly, she was just tying it up because it was out in the open. Adele blinked, thinking that. The person who actually said it looked good hadn’t said anything else since then.
She frowned lightly but quickly organized the thoughts that had risen in her mind and refocused on work.
It had been a week since the order for the subjugation was given, and as some progress had been made, it was about time to declare the departure.
How much time would be spent battling the Immigrant Tribe?
Tap, tap, Adele tapped her lips with a pen and began writing something on paper.
Even when calculating the time reasonably, the Northwest and Western regions they were to subdue weren’t that vast.
Considering the important stronghold, it was mainly the Teranite mines where the princess was staying.
It was better to organize everything beforehand, in case the Immigrant Tribe moved to strike there.
Also, the western immigrants were the most troublesome, and there was the lingering issue from last year that hadn’t been resolved. It was fair to say there were various reasons tied to going to the West.
One thing was clear, though: in a few hours, it would be time to depart.
Once the lieutenants gathered and led the army, that would signal the beginning of the subjugation.
As for the speech… well, Lothos would prepare that. There wasn’t much for Adele to prepare.
All she had to do was pack her sword and maybe grab a little meat to feed the wolf.
“It’s about time for you to head out.”
“Yeah, got it.”
Adele’s hand, gripping her sword, moved toward her hair. Part of her wondered if it was time to let it down, but she quickly smiled bitterly and withdrew her hand.
It would be better to just watch if he would say nothing again today. If he said nothing?
…Then it would mean nothing at all. What was the big deal?
She lightly tapped her waist to clear her mind and started heading toward where the soldiers were gathering.
#
This was the second time joining in the subjugation of the Immigrant Tribe.
The first time was when the subjugation was nearing its end, and the second time was when she joined Adele in the North early in her reincarnation.
Although it had been a while since she had become a lieutenant, she didn’t feel any awkwardness back then. How many people would act friendly to a lieutenant who joined just a week ago?
The only fortunate thing was that Bunta treated her quite well.
Lothos, on the other hand, was too transparent in his ulterior motives to be genuine.
Adele’s beloved. If one glanced at what the lieutenants were saying, it sounded like she was the one chasing after Adele.
“To be fair, it was Adele who asked for a dance partner for the full moon festival.”
Lothos wasn’t around back then, so he wouldn’t know.
There were a few things she wanted to correct, but she didn’t say anything. In due time, it would be revealed that they had nothing to do with each other anyway.
It didn’t seem like Adele was particularly worried about it either.
“Robert, don’t tremble so much. It’ll all be wrapped up in a week anyway.”
“I’m not nervous. I just didn’t expect we’d go to the West first.”
I thought we’d be organizing around the Northwest where the princess would be, but the West?
I know Adele’s personality is one to do what she wants, but she usually starts in the South and goes counterclockwise.
So I couldn’t figure out why we were going clockwise this time.
When I asked, Lothos shrugged and opened his mouth as if he understood.
“Normally, we’d start from the South and save the West for last. But because her Highness the Princess is coming… the plan got messed up.”
“I know we fought in the West last year. So I thought we’d go to the Northwest first instead.”
“Honestly, it’s caused a lot of irritation. The one who needs attention is you, but an unexpected person appeared, right?”
Attention? Before I could even comprehend what that meant, Adele’s voice came from behind.
“Is everyone here? You all gathered quickly, but we still have a little time before we depart.”
“You’ve arrived, Grand Duke.”
Her tied hair flew in the wind.
I quietly stared at her silver hair swaying like a flag.
I knew she had been tying her hair often lately, but I didn’t expect her to do it today too.
What could be the reason for her staring at me like that?
When I slightly turned away from her gaze, Adele frowned and stepped closer.
Swaying.
With each movement of her hair, a subtle rose fragrance filled the air.
The wolf beside her also had a notable presence, but honestly, I was more concerned about Adele’s gaze on me.
Unable to withstand the glaring stare, I forced a smile.
It seemed I had to find out what was going on.
“…Did I do something wrong?”
“No, did I say something to you?”
“You’ve been staring at me since just now. I was in my room all day yesterday.”
“Hmm, was I?”
Adele replied nonchalantly, but I realized she was harboring a slight complaint.
If there was something she wanted to say but couldn’t, then figuring out the reason was crucial.
So what was it that Adele wanted? For now, it seemed like continuing the conversation naturally was the priority.
“I find it surprising that we’re not going to the Northwest first. Is there a reason?”
“Her Highness the Princess has a military escort, so even if some immigrant tribe leaks out, it shouldn’t be a big problem. And the plan is to finish organizing the West as quickly as possible; it’s what couldn’t be finished last year.”
“…Well, if that’s the case, I have no objection.”
Adele’s particular concern for the West was because of the immigrant tribe there.
To be exact, it was about their chief, Temujin, who slipped away every time Adele tried to subdue him. This time, the goal was to deal with him decisively.
At least, the fortunate thing was that we could catch him this year.
And capturing that guy was only possible when I was there to help.
I barely managed to hold back my rising impatience. It would be a lie to say I wasn’t worried.
It was unavoidable that I was concerned about Miragen, who was in the Northwest.
I had tried to contact her earlier, but she didn’t answer, perhaps too busy.
For now, I thought that quickly organizing the West was all that mattered.
“You should ride the wolf this time too. Did you receive the reins?”
“Are you ready? Did you get the reins?”
“I did. They might be a little reluctant, but they listen to me well.”
“I see… That’s good.”
Seeing the hesitation in the lengthy words, I suddenly twitched my lips, struck by a thought.
“I doubt it’s about this part, but just in case…”
“It seems you’ve been tying your hair up a lot lately. Is it because of what I said?”
“Ha, very funny.”
At that, Adele sharply turned her head, narrowing her eyes and sneering, as if to say, “Do you really think that?”
With the doubt lifted, I continued talking.
“Well, I think letting your hair down suits you too. It’s better to tie it when you’re moving, but you look comfortable with it down most of the time.”
“…Just stick to one. Don’t confuse people.”
“Excuse me?”
“Forget it. I’ll handle it myself.”
Muttering in a barely audible voice, when I asked again, Adele shook her head and untied her hair.
Her unique silver hair danced in the wind, and at the same time, the scent of roses wafted around us.
After brushing her hair a few times with her hand, Adele took hold of the reins and began walking forward.
“Follow me; we need to set out now.”
With a soft smile, Adele rode her wolf, emitting a low growl.
Her lips sparkled in the fading sunset.
Her ever-bright eyes shone like amethyst, and I found myself nodding slowly as I stared at her.
It was true that her outfit was far from that of a typical noblewoman.
She was dressed as a ruler, armed with a sword and wearing armor while riding a wolf.
But who else could wear it as well as she did?
Walking while admiring the silver hair fluttering in the wind, I realized our distance had closed considerably.
After walking for a while towards where the soldiers were, Adele broke the soft, flowing silence first.
“Are you worried about the princess? You’ve been checking the artifact since earlier.”
“…It does get used a bit. I don’t think there’ll be any problems, but it is a dangerous area, right?”
As I answered, Adele gazed at me for a moment with a strange expression.
Her eyes met mine, slightly dissatisfied, as she chewed her lips quietly.
A faint sigh escaped her, mingling with a cloud of white.
Adele, staring up at the mist rising to the sky, murmured softly, in a voice that only I could hear.
“I shouldn’t be so affected…”
For a moment, Adele chuckled self-deprecatingly, then shifted her focus back to me.
“I don’t know why your words are bothering me so much.”
“I’m not quite sure what you mean.”
“I mean, don’t show that you’re worried about the princess in front of me. It’s a bit annoying. I’m right here, yet you keep worrying about others.”
As I tilted my head at her incomprehensible words, Adele chuckled softly and pulled the reins first.
Just as the startled wolf suddenly jumped forward, the distance between us began to widen noticeably.
Thinking about how it might be annoying, I couldn’t help but break out in a bitter smile.
…Not again in this episode, I can’t believe it.
Well, isn’t it unnecessary to worry too much right now?
Just looking towards the end felt like there wasn’t enough time.
Isn’t the wish of this life eternal death?
I thought there was no need to linger on unnecessary thoughts.
Shaking my head vigorously a few times, I pull the reins and move forward.
The wind brushes against my cheek.
As the sunset splatters colors across the world, closing my eyes feels like embracing the wind of this plain.
I thought my blocked chest would burst open, but it didn’t, causing me to close my eyes for no reason.
In many ways, my mind was getting complicated.
#
“How’s the Teranite ore going? I hope for some results.”
“Well, there hasn’t been any significant outcome yet.”
At the magician’s words, Miragen frowned.
Having rushed straight here at the instruction to focus on the northwest, the results were still nowhere to be seen even after quite some time.
Was it a mistake to start the research first?
Even though I managed to get permission to rush into a danger zone,
Days were passing without seeing Teranite, and I was becoming more mentally and physically worn out.
Did Robert Taylor lie to me?
I couldn’t think he would do that.
He even went out of his way to help me when I was with that Lady of the House; would he really lie like that?
As Miragen thought of Robert Taylor, her mind quickly connected to him being in the North.
I heard recently that he had become Adele’s lieutenant, right?
To my understanding, he wasn’t particularly outstanding in physical strength, so I figured he would probably handle administration like that Lothos fellow.
Isn’t it possible that I could see him if I’ve come this far?
It honestly left me with a slightly regretful feeling.
Contacting the Artifact was impossible since I was busy, and these days my schedule was all twisted, so I couldn’t even get in touch with Robert.
-It’s better to be cautious. In any situation, prioritize your own safety above all. Even if it means abandoning others.
The voice recorded on the Artifact was quite strange.
It felt as if it was worrying about me as if I had gotten hurt before.
Was it because I’m a princess that they said that, or were they truly worried about me?
While pondering that, Miragen stretched her arms wide.
Does it really matter right now since the Teranite isn’t coming out?
So, I sat there absentmindedly fiddling with the Artifact.
Hoping Robert would answer, or at least get in touch.
Beep—
The dial tone continued for a while, but after a moment, it blankly cut off without any sound.
Letting out a small sigh, it didn’t connect again.
While I hadn’t received any calls before, it seemed like Robert was busy now.
“Is it the other side that isn’t answering this time?”
Things are getting tangled—thinking that, Miragen lay down on the bed and tried to sleep.
I planned to stay here for just a few more days.
If there were no results by then, I would probably have to return to the Center.
Still feeling a little regretful, Miragen fiddled with the Artifact again.
After several unsuccessful attempts, she got irritated enough to throw it before she knew it.
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