Volume 2 - CH 3

A staring match between Ashbaton’s frontier army and Remrest Kingdom’s army is taking place within the border. I landed in the middle of it, perplexed on Ryuu’s back.

We came all the way here, but I think this is a bad situation. What could have been a standoff, because of me could have turned into an all-out war.

If things worked, I’d manage on the spot, but both troops didn’t move an inch and has their attention on me. Due to my sudden arrival, no one uttered even the smallest noise.

For starters, I thought I should announce which army I had come to back up when Ryuu suddenly sneezed a little. It made a weird noise and is very cute.

Hopefully this will make everyone more at ease and lead to an immediate ceasefire or something.

「The Demon King from Balshine Kingdom is here! 」

「Run! She’s going to drag us into the darkness! She’s going to kill us! 」

「It’s over… Oh my God, I’m going to die! 」

Following Ryuu’s sneeze, Remrest’s army formation quickly collapses. Some flee in a flash, some cowered in place with their heads in their hands, and some just stood still.

Before I know any better, it looked like we were going to win. I’m very happy that I don’t have to kill people.

I also aspire for a peaceful image to eliminate the discrimination against black hair.

That’s right, an angel who descended on the battlefield to end the war without any bloodshed… Yeah right, as if. Forget about an angel, they’ll probably call me a Demon King.

I turned my attention away from the front, which was an aching hellscape, and looked back to the Ashbaton’s army.

As I turned around, there was a loud clang from the previously almost silent friendly army. It was the sound of metal armor that was caused by everyone shaking their bodies in unison.

I sigh and turn forward. How did this happen? I just came to visit his parents’ house to say hello. It seemed to be an emergency so I just rushed over just a bit.

I might as well get the general of the enemy’s army, in case they want to catch him. With the enemy troops retreating at full speed, I watch them, but I don’t know where the general is.

Their formation is so messed up that I can’t seem to get a rough idea.

Patrick would know the details, but he’s dreaming now. I shake his shoulders as hard as I can, but he only groans and doesn’t seem to wake up.

「Ah—sorry, is my son dying? 」

Someone called out to me from close by and I looked over and saw one of the horses lined up beside Ryuu.

Riding on its back is a mature man with gray hair. His gray hair was whiter and his face was somewhat similar to Patrick’s.

He is definitely Patrick’s father, as indicated by the armor with the Ashbaton’s family crest in large size.

As he comes forward alone, the guards in the rear look at him with concern. Their horses don’t seem to listen to them, and they can’t seem to get ahead of themselves.

Relax, dear. I didn’t think I’d ever get to say hello here.

In a relationship, first impressions matter. What I say and do from now on will determine whether or not our marriage will be approved.

I jump off of Ryuu’s back and get down on one knee and say.

「Nice to meet you, Count Ashbaton, my name is Yumiela Dolknes. I’ve come to your aid. 」

「Err… do you mean to destroy Remrest? 」

「Eh? …if that’s what Father-in-law wishes. 」

「No, I have no intention of doing that, but…? 」

Then, why did such an alarming phrase as “destroying the neighboring country” come out of his mouth? When I give him a strange look, so does the Count.

Maybe we were on the same page then.

Patrick, please wake up soon.

◆

「Oh, right! You’re here for a visit. 」

「No, no! I’m also late to say hello. 」

When Patrick woke up, the silent staring contest between me and Count ended. I’m relieved to see that the Count didn’t seem to have any intention of fighting.

「And then, they suddenly declared war on us. There was no damage on our side, and I’m glad Countess Dolknes is here. 」

「It must have been stressful. 」

「It is good enough for us, as long as we can protect our borders. I wish I could ask the enemy general what’s going on over there. 」

「I’ll go get him! 」

We called each other by our family names plus our title. This may be correct since we are the heads of the aristocratic families, but I feel some distance between us.

In order to get along, I’m going to have to get rid of the nasty stuff quickly. Patrick grabbed me by the collar as hard as he could as I was about to run towards Remrest’s army.

Not surprisingly, Patrick dragged me along with him.

「Wait! Yumiela, wait! Don’t you move any further! 」

「Does Patrick want to come with me? I need to show your father my good side. 」

「No. If Yumiela makes any more moves, you’re going to send them into shock. 」

「Eh? No, it can’t be, can it? 」

Regardless, I walk towards Remrest’s army. Then the soldier who made eye contact with me fell backwards with eyes wide open.

The neighbouring country’s soldiers are too weak in their mentality. I’ve come to believe that.

「Ah, so that’s the kind of girl she is. Just as Patrick told me.」

I was feeling a little dejected when my father-in-law blurted out. What did Patrick say about me?

◆

Withdrawal notice… Instead, I was given a notice that I was too much of a force to be reckoned with. Together with Ryuu, I was standing near the frontier army’s main camp.

After a while, Patrick and his family returned to the main camp. They have one man with them, dressed in Remrest’s military uniform.

Doesn’t that person look familiar to me?

「Oh, you’re that secret agent? 」

「Yes, thank you for your help in that regard. I am Linus, now the Assistant Deputy Commander of the Remrest Kingdom’s Central Military. 」

Linus is a secret agent from the neighboring country who has approached me once before. I’m surprised he was a member of the military, but an assistant deputy? Why did he become someone with a delicate position?

He seemed to catch on to my doubts.

「Both the Commander and the Vice Commander fled in a hurry. 」

「Oh, um, I’m sorry to hear that. 」

What a terrible boss to have. His boss must have been the reason he made a move to take me.

Who knows, maybe being transferred out from the intelligence field is some sort of punishment.

However, at present, Linus is the chief executive, so it is his role to negotiate a ceasefire. As for the Balshine Kingdom’s side, it was represented by the Count.

And I watched it in silence. There is no need for an outsider to interfere in matters that are outside of my expertise, so don’t look at me like that, Patrick.

We walked into the tent set up in the main camp and heard Linus speak.

「Well, where should I start? My country is currently divided in two… 」

I know that. Apparently, about a year ago, the King in the neighboring country fell ill. Although the first prince has been appointed as the next king, he cannot officially take over the throne until the king dies.

The second prince and his faction, who saw it as an opportunity, have risen to power and the country is divided into two sides.

Which of course, the Count would be well aware of. He urges him to continue.

「We know that. And then what? Who led all of this? 」

「His Highness the Second Prince. From the beginning, his position was inferior to his elder brother’s, so he thought he had no choice but to accumulate military exploits.」

「Then, your boss is… 」

「Yes, it’s His Highness.」

Linus’ words are getting quieter. The Count sighed heavily.

「Huh… that’s a lot of running away, I don’t think they’re going to start causing anymore trouble. Since there’s no damage sustained, it looks like we can avoid a war. 」

It seems that the Count doesn’t want to go to war. If a war were to break out, the battlefield would be in his territory, no wonder.

I will also help you to avoid war.

「Mr. Linus, would you please pass this message on to the Second Prince? Next time, no matter how much you run, I’ll do my best to chase you down. 」

「 Duly noted, I’ll be sure to let him know. 」

His exhausted face brightened slightly. This guy is quite the hustler too. After exchanging some words with the Count of the Frontier, he returned to his own troops to lead the retreat.

As he left, Linus said a few words.

「I suppose we both have our worries. Isn’t the Second Prince’s faction making a move in the Balshine Kingdom as well? 」

Hold on, it’s my country and I didn’t know about that. What is that foolish prince doing?