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Chapter 268

「Rei-dono, it’s been a while.」

The female knight climbing the hill called out to Rei, who was standing near a sprawled Set.

Rei had already guessed who was climbing the hill. After all, it was rare for a female knight to use a battle axe. In addition, the battle axe was one that used to be his, so there was no way Rei would mistake it.

What made it even more certain was the small Dragon on the shoulder of the female knight. Yellow. That was the name of the Dragon, a familiar created using Dragon Language magic. And standing before Rei was a knight who served the person who could use Dragon Language magic.

「Ahh, Ara, you seem to be doing well. Did you go down with Magic Fever at all after we split up at Baar?」

「I’ve been fine. Fortunately, I didn’t have any issues with Magic Fever. After you left, I was shortly able to return to Anessis.」

Rei and Ara exchanged greetings. Despite not having seen each other for while, they were able to converse quite easily.

「Guru~?」

「Kyu~!」

Set and Yellow exchanged cries with each other.

Could they actually understand each other, or were they able to just convey nuances? Rei had no idea which one it was. Regardless, Set and Yellow created a calming scene for viewers.

「……Haah~! No, that’s not the main point.」

Ara had a gentle smile on her lips as she looked at the two of them before shaking her head and collecting herself.

Turning to Rei, who also had a gentle smile on his face, she explained the reason she had come here.

「Rei-dono, Elena-sama would like to invite you to her camp.」

「Elena? Ah, but……is that fine?」

His current position was of great importance, as a mercenary hired by Daska to take care of the Rowlocks army’s supplies. Was he allowed to visit Elena for personal reasons? Rei asked in reply, thinking of that. However, Ara nodded with a smile and told him there were no issues.

「Daska-sama has already agreed. He said that it’s fine if you start the preparations for dinner in an hour or so.」

「……Are you sure?」

Rei asked again to confirm.

According to Rei’s thoughts, he would have to start preparing dinner in about 30 minutes.

That said, even though it was called preparing dinner, it was only taking out a large amount of bread, wine and other dishes from the Misty Ring. Distributing the food was left to professionals. Normally, he would also have to distribute tents for camping at night, but fortunately they had already arrived at the Mireana Kingdom’s camp and he no longer needed to do that.

「Yes. He said that there wouldn’t be a problem. Elena-sama also want to meet with Rei-dono.」

Ara had a somewhat teasing light in her eyes.

Rei had no issues meeting with Elena. No, rather, Rei wanted to meet with Elena again.

They had worked together in a dungeon previously and Rei had talked about what he really was with two other people。 Considering the other person was a Lich, Elena was the only person alive that knew. At the same time, it was true that he was attracted not only by her beauty but also her kindness and dignified nature.

Even Kenny, the guild receptionist, tried to make some moves on him, Rei didn’t show any response as he still had Elena on his mind.

「Kyu~!」

When Rei turned towards the cute voice from his side, he saw Yellow sitting on Set’s back, ready to leave.

「Guru~」

Set also gave a cry towards Rei.

Smiling at the two of them, Rei gave a small nod.

「Is that so. I also want to meet with Elena after such a long time. Should we get going?」

「This way then. I’ll guide you there.」

Rei called out unthinkingly to Ara, who was standing in front to guide him.

「If you tell me where she is, couldn’t I go by myself?」

「Um, Rei-dono. Do you understand Elena-sama’s position? Did you think that if you, an unknown adventurer, asked to meet with the Princess General, the symbol of the Nobles faction, that they would let you see her? In the worst case, you would be considered a spy from the Bestir Empire.」

「……I-Is that so.」

Of course, Rei knew that Elena was the General Princess and a symbol for the Nobles faction. However, he had only known about it and had never seen it himself. Even though there had been Kuust, Rei had just thought him to be a special case who had been blinded by his dedication. That was why Ara threw up a sigh at his obliviousness.

(Seriously, is Rei-dono aware at all that Elena-sama has feelings for him? ……No, I guess not. Or rather, maybe he feels something but hasn’t fully realised it yet. I hope no strange commotion comes up. ……That’s impossible, isn’t it?)

Although an optimistic thought popped into her mind for a moment, she immediately realised the reality of the situation and shook his head.

However, Ara judged that few people could really do any harm to Rei or Set. Some people might try to use their authority to do something, but even that would be difficult. After all, Rei was sided with Margrave Rowlocks, an important figure in the Neutral faction, and had been hired by Daska to fill and important role. If someone were to take unscrupulous actions against Rei, Daska would definitely strike back and make them pay.

That was what Ara thought. However, her thoughts were still too naive……no, rather, being dazzled by Elena’s beauty herself, she hadn’t noticed the delusions of others who wanted to make Elena their own.

Rei and Ara went down the hill along with Set and Yellow as the four of them made their way through the Mireana Kingdom’s camp.

「Heh, it’s almost like a different city here.」

Rei muttered to himself as walked along with Ara and took in his surroundings.

Looking around, many of them seemed to have come from nearby towns or villages. There were people selling food, weapons and armour at street stalls as well as prostitutes provoking men in sensual dresses.

(It’s fine to have prostitutes here……but where do they work? It can’t possibly be in a tent right?

Rei was thinking of that as he looked at a prostitute in a blue dress, her back and chest exposed, when he felt a cold stare……or rather, a frigid glare, from his side.

「Hmm? Does Rei-dono like that kind of woman?」

「……Wait. Don’t make any strange assumptions. I didn’t mean to have that kind of intention.」

「Are you sure? When you saw those sexy women, didn’t your face go loose? Ah, it’s fine. I’ll properly report this to Elena-sama.」

「I said wait a moment. I didn’t mean anything like that at all……I can’t say that. That is. I was just wondering where those prostitutes would work.」

「You can’t say that, you say.」

Catching Rei’s words, Ara’s gaze only became colder.

Bearing the glare that could freeze a Goblin in a matter of seconds, he decided that saying anything more would only make the situation worse and shut up.

「Gururu~?」

「Kyu~!」

Set and Yellow followed after the two silent people as they kept up short conversations with each other.

On that note, Elena had the ability to let Yellow share things he had seen with her……but fortunately or unfortunately, Rei did not know.

Like that, the two people and two animals proceeded towards the part of the camp where the nobles gathered. Any soldiers, knights or nobles who saw Set either retreated on reflex or looked on in interest with their greedy eyes……but after seeing Ara leading Rei and Set, they knew it would be suicide to try anything and simply frowned lightly.

Ara was well known as a Knight Guard of the General Princess. Especially in recent times, Ara had become well known due to her peculiarity as a female knight wielding a battle axe. At the same time, Ara was well known to be a close and trusted friend of the General Princess Elena since they were children. Because of that, most people judged that messing with Ara to mean being hostile with Elena.

……Yes. Most of them. In other words, not all of them.

「Hey, you there. You with the rare monster. You look like an adventurer.」

As they were heading to Elena’s tent, a voice abruptly shouted at them.

When Ara heard that voice, she turned around with a slight frown. Rei followed Ara and also turned to face the man who had called out to them.

The person who shouted at them was a man in his mid twenties. His face was well proportioned, but Rei could clearly tell that his eyes were clouded with greed as he looked at Set. It was natural for others to follow his orders and no one was of importance aside from himself. His eyes clearly showed his nature.

「What do you want, Renodis-sama?」

「Shut up, you’re just from a Count house……in fact, as a third daughter, you have no right to speak to me like that. I’m the next Marquis of Imarhen house. Even if you are a member of Elena-sama’s Knight Guard, you have to know your place.」

「……I’m sorry. But, it is wartime right now and I have understood that regarding status, your position in the military is prioritised. I am Elena-sama’s Knight Guard Commander. Renodis-sama is the commander of the Imerhen Knights. In that sense, our positions are equal.」

Rei, who was silently watching on, was surprised when Ara mentioned the words ‘Knight Guard Commander’.

Since they had gone to the dungeon, Ara, who had only been a member of the Knight Guard, seemed to have been promoted.

(No. Kuust died and Vel betrayed them. Even if there were other members of the Knight Guard, I think Ara would naturally become their commander. In the first place, she is trusted by Elena.)

Although that was what Rei thought in his mind, the fact that Ara become the Knight Guard Commander was largely due to the Power Axe that Elena had given her after getting it from Rei. Originally, although Ara had been proud of her strength, as a woman, she was still physically inferior to the male knights. But, with the Power Axe and its effect of constant stamina recovery, she was able to overcome that gap. As a result, being the strongest knight among the Knight Guards, she was promoted to commander.

There were some voice of concern about making Ara a commander, who was more prone to actions than thought. But with the assistance of a deputy commander and having Elena’s great trust, Ara was able to safely assume the position of Knight Guard Commander.

「……You. Just because you’re under Elena-sama’s patronage, you think you can stand up to me?」

His face distorting unpleasantly, his hand moved towards the sword sheathed at his waist. Seeing that, Rei reached within his robes for a dagger at his own waist, ready to throw immediately. Ara had a serious expression as she shook her head towards Renodis.

「I’m not getting carried away. I am only exercising my rights. Renodis-sama, this is a battlefield, so I don’t think it is a good idea for you get carried away with your own status, don’t you think?」

Listening to Ara……Rei felt her words seemed to make sense. However, when it came to Renodis, who felt it was natural for others to obey his orders, it was an absolutely unforgivable act for them to defy him……and by extension, a high ranking Marquis house.

「If you say that, then you must be prepared for the consequences. Pay for your disrespect with your life!」

At the same time he said those words, he pulled out the sword at his waist and moved towards Ara.

His speed was significantly faster than other adventurers around here. It was proof that Renodis was not just someone who ran his mouth, but had the ability to back it up.

No, perhaps it was Renodis’s misfortunes to have such skills. Because of that, he had always been able to force his way through with his attitude. But, that wasn’t possible here. The moment Ara was about to step back and avoid the strike and Rei tried to throw his dagger……

Kin-!

A high pitched sound of metal colliding with each other echoed around. And, the next moment, the blade of the sword Renodis was holding was cut in half.

Those in the surroundings who had been watching Renodis’s actions had no idea what had happened. Only two people and two animals knew. That is to say, Rei, Ara, Set and Yellow.

「Seriously, causing trouble as soon as you arrive.」

The moment that beautiful, bell like voice was heard, the attentions of people in the surroundings were drawn to that voice.

Illuminated by the sun, her gorgeous hair glittered like real gold as it swayed in the wind, revealing its sharp beauty.

Those who saw her face understood. Why was she called the General Princess? It was because she had an aura of ambition and beauty that one would never forget. She wasn’t a weak woman but held the overwhelming aura of a knight instead.

In her hands was a magic item known as a sword whip. It was clear from the extended blade whip that it was what had cut Renodis’s sword in two.

「Elena-sama……」

Beside Rei, Ara said the name of her adored superior.

Elena Kerebel. The General Princess praised for her skills and beauty.