Chapter 159

✠

“What?”

“Wh-What?”

The people in the conference hall had blank faces.

[‘The World-building God’ scoffs, asking if they dare discuss status now.]

“Y-Your Eminence, w-what did you say?”

“Prince Hispenril’s……what?”

I don’t think I need to buy the trouble and explain things myself, so I winked at the paladin, with a brown-haired sports haircut, behind me.

Go, Sir Rex!

“Her Eminence’s words are true.”

A serious tone without the slightest hint of playfulness. Rex would make for a very good witness.

“Her Eminence is the granddaughter of Prince Hispenril. She’s the daughter of the missing Princess Elthea.”

“H-How can that be!”

“That’s not the only thing that’s surprising. Sir Thesilid is the Prince’s Granddaughter’s… … .”

“Stop, Sir Rex. That’s enough.”

“……I’ll report further details later.”

[‘The Scales that Judges the Soul’ looks forward to a report about the night out.]

I sighed and cleared my throat.

“As such, I am representing both the Church and the Principality. I hope you can understand the circumstances.”

If you don’t understand, I’m going only as a representative of the Principality of Hispenril.

Dekal and Bezalius, now familiar with my personality, nodded without a hint of annoying resistance.

The emergency meeting with the cardinals continued for about another hour before being called off. In fact, it seems like the negotiations on travel expenses were longer than the discussion about the subjugation.

Since tomorrow was an immediate start, it was now time to meet with my knights.

In the parlor of my quarters, not only Thesilid and Ash but also Ephael and Hestio, who had recently been assigned to my Order, were waiting.

Presumably, Thesilid had summoned them in advance.

Ash, a friendly assassin, had already finished his speech and was melting the hearts of his senior brothers.

Ephael seemed especially fond of him.

The four of them spotted and greeted me in their own way.

“Yo, Captain Ellet.”

“Is the meeting over now? Thank you for your hard work, Captain.”

“Sister, welcome.”

“Come here, Eli.”

I sat down on the chair pulled out by Thesilid. This resulted in five people, including me, sitting around the table in the parlor.

“Hmm.”

I clasped my hands together and scanned the four of them.

“It’s the first meeting of our Paladins. It’s a monumental date, but before we start the meeting, I have something to say to Hestio and Ephael.”

“What?”

“What?”

I was very considerate of the two people who probably hadn’t heard the news yet.

“I am actually the granddaughter of Prince Hispenril. Any questions?”

“……”

“……”

Ephael and Hestio conveyed their surprise with their faces instead of their voices.

Meanwhile, Thesilid sipped his tea and Ash clapped three times and gave a thumbs up.

“As expected, Sister. You are broad-minded in notifications.”

Hestio was the first of the two to come to his senses.

“Are you serious? You’re not making fun of me?”

“Am I the kind of person to joke about something like this?”

“Not really.”

“Of course not.”

“Ha, from a Saint to a Prince’s granddaughter……all kinds of things keep being revealed. You’re not even some kind of cabbage, but whenever something is peeled, new things pop out.”

“There’s no more. Rest assured.”

Ephael had a dumbfounded look on his face. The shock seemed so severe that I almost felt a little sorry.

“I’ve had a dream for a long time. A dream of marrying a wealthy noblewoman and returning to the secular world……”

“Terry, shut him up.”

“Hey, I’m kidding……! Eup!”

“Then let’s assume there are no questions and start the meeting.”

I explained the current situation, the church’s decision, and the departure schedule in detail.

“……Therefore, we will enter the SS-level dungeon tomorrow. We have to leave at the crack of dawn to keep up with the kingdom’s time zone, so everyone should rest early today.”

Ephael raised his hand.

“I have a question, Captain!”

“Yes, Sir Ephael. You have my permission to speak.”

“Is the Church sending only the five people from our Order?”

“Five is more than enough, any more and it will only be a hassle for me to lead them.”

Next was Ash.

“I have a question too, sister.”

“Sure.”

“What’s the name of our Order?”

“Oh, come to think of it, I haven’t decided yet.”

This was an important and enlightening point.

After thinking deeply for a while, I spoke to Ash.

“Ash.”

“Yes, sister.”

“I want you to think about it by tomorrow.”

“What? Me?”

“Yes, since you are the youngest, let’s leave it to you.”

“Wait……”

Ephael and Hestio also helped.

“Make a list of a hundred options, youngest.”

“I’m sure there will be at least one of them that the Captain will like. Good Luck, youngest.”

“……”

“Good. This is the end of the meeting!”

The naughty brothers and sisters got up from their seats, but Thesilid was the only one who extended a helping hand to the devastated Ash.

“We’ll think about it together.”

“Brother Thesilid…..”

“Yes.”

“I’m so grateful, but do you mind if I call you bro instead of brother from now on?”

“No.”

I really like the friendly atmosphere of my Order.

✠

Day of the 2nd Subjugation expedition.

From early morning, the Kingdom of Vinchester was busy scraping together all useful troops.

Not only the royal knights residing in the palace, as well as the best and brightest from each family who volunteered to participate, and even graduates of the military academies that answered the call of the nation, untied for the subjugation.

And one of the last to arrive was Frintz Rodellaine.

Tap, tap, tap……

Frintz, a handsome young man with pink hair and sky-blue eyes, crossed the corridors of the royal palace.

He was a talented person who had never missed the top honors since his cadet days at the military academy and was recommended to join the Royal Knights upon graduation.

Top-grade skills, coupled with his handsome appearance, chivalrous manners, and gentle disposition, won him the favor of many.

Amazingly, he even captured the hearts of both Princes.

Currently, in the royal family, the 1st Prince Hardale and the 3rd Prince Ligares are both coveting Frintz as an escort knight.

So he deliberately extended his training trip and even delayed his knighthood ceremony.

But even then, he could not have been exempt from this summons order, he had just entered the palace after changing his uniform mid-trip.

It was already time for the other cadets to leave for the summer palace, the location of the dungeon.

He also had to move using a transition stone after receiving rations. However, even if he hurried, there was someone in the hallway who stopped his steps.

“Look who is this. Even the hard-to-meet Frintz Rodellaine comes out when an emergency breaks out.”

It was the 3rd Prince Ligares, a handsome boy with platinum-blonde hair close to silver and piercing bright blue eyes.

Ligares was a royal who luckily escaped disaster by missing the villa trip.

“Ah, Your Highness the Third Prince!”

Frintz greeted him with a gorgeous, unwrinkled smile, regardless of the fact that he was late.

“Long time no see. I’m so glad you’re safe, Your Highness.”

“Yes. I assume you were called up and came to fight like the rest of the cadets?”

“Yes.”n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

“It looks like you’re late for the convening time.”

“Yes……”

“Well, I was just about to go see how things are going with the subjugation, so I’ll take you there.”

“Are you sure? Thank you, Your Highness.”

Frintz was delighted with the unexpected luck.

“Let’s go right away.”

“Yes, Your Highness!”

Ligares broke the transition stone.

Then, the scenery surrounding the two changed from the palace hallway to a summer forest path filled with greenery.

“The gathering place is this way. Follow me.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

At this point, Frintz felt a pang of remorse.

The prince was directly giving directions to a commoner knight cadet without using other attendants.

Even more so because it was 3rd Prince Ligares, who was famous for being ruthless. But on the other hand, if you think about it, Ligares was always kind to Frintz Rodellaine.

For reasons unknown.

At that time, Ligares, who had been walking quietly, insinuatingly opened his mouth.

“Maybe it’s because it’s been a while since I last saw you, but I’m so happy to see your face. Of course, you must be embarrassed to avoid me.”

“Your Highness, that is an unwarranted comment.”

“You know people as stupid. You felt pressured to choose between me and Brother Hardale. Do you think I can’t understand why you’ve been playing wandering knight all the time?”

Frintz had nothing to say in response, so he just smiled awkwardly.

Even as he did, he couldn’t help it. To be asked to choose between two royalties in the midst of a succession battle was too much for a mere commoner.

The sound of laughter passed through Frintz’s ears.

“Never mind, it means I’m glad to see you.”

The mood relaxed at words that showed his consideration of Frintz’s predicament.

But that didn’t last long.

“Anyway, if it’s like this, I think it’s okay for family members and relatives to die about once a month.”

“……Your Highness?”

“I get to see your face every time, right?”

“……”

“I’m kidding. Smile. It’s a waste of your handsome face.”

Before they knew it, the two stood frozen in place.

Frintz could not bring himself to follow the prince’s orders, so he chose to change the subject.

“I believe that Your Highness the 3rd Prince also must be very concerned about the safety of your brother and sister.”

“Is that so?”

It was a poor choice of subject.

“Isn’t it great that when Brother Hardale dies, you will become my bodyguard?”

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