The Master of the Brave - Chapter 131
Chapter 131. Peshlika
“The wind is coming wet.”
“Yeah. Let’s hope we get there before it starts raining…”
Wynn replied to Leticia, who was walking with her horse at his side, and looked up at the sky.
Gray clouds were billowing across the sky, blown by the wind.
In the distant hills that bordered the road, they could see shepherds herding grazing sheep. They assumed they wanted to get the sheep back to their huts before the rain began to fall. From time to time, the shepherds would pause in their pursuit of the sheep to watch them. It was natural for them to be worried. From the hill from which they had a good view, they should be able to see the army of more than ten thousand people marching down the road in a long band like a huge snake.
The flag waving in the increasingly agitated wind was that of the Royal Lyon Army. Wynn and the others were near the front of the army. Centered in the carriage ridden by Wynn’s mistress, Cornelia, the first princess of the Lemmrousell Empire, Wynn and Leticia were in front, with Locke, Wedge and Lino bringing up the rear as guards. In the carriage were princess Cornelia; Count Riselman, the Empire’s ambassador to Lyon; and two other maidens assigned by the Kingdom of Lyon as caretakers.
Initially, Leticia would have received the same treatment as Cornelia, but she wanted to accompany Wynn, so this arrangement was made. Of course, Raul Orto Lyon, the general of the Royal Army of Lyon, knew this, so the Royal Army’s plan of action had been planned like this from the beginning.
“Is that Peshlika?”
As they reached the top of the hill, they saw a wide river and a large bridge across it. And beyond, they spotted a city surrounded by gray walls, a landmark in the distance.
“Yes, yes. The river flowing ahead is the Murray River, isn’t it? That river is the borderline between the Empire and the Kingdom. If we cross that bridge, we’ll be in the Empire, Onii-chan.”
When she traveled as the Brave, Leticia had already passed this way. It was before she met Raul and Liara. When she was traveling alone with Tiara.
“I hope we can somehow get inside the city walls before it starts raining.”
However, there was little expectation that the Royal Lyon Army would reach Peshlika before the rains began.
One of the generals commanding the group at the head of the army sent a message to Cornelia. And from the mouth of the messenger came a surprising information.
“In addition to the lord’s army led by Count Schlihaden, Peshlika’s lord, the military banner of the Imperial Knights of the Western Front could also be confirmed.”
When Cornelia received the news, she could not help but exclaim.
Father issued a decree to subjugate my brother as if he were just a bandit? In Cornelia’s mind, the worst-case scenario emerged.
Neumann, who led everyone to believe that Alfred had been replaced by a double, was in possession of the imperial capital Simurgh and Emperor Alexei.
Alexei, who was said to have no interest in political affairs, had shown no reaction to the recent civil war, as his reputation suggested. However, if Alexei changed his mind and issued an imperial decree that Alfred be hunted down for being a double, the entire imperial army would become the enemy.
If Peshlika’s Lord’s Army and the Western Front Knights were to face Lyon’s reinforcements here, even if they won, they would be forced to stay behind for a long time.
Erz, who had a small army and was probably fighting a last defense, might fall. This would be the worst situation for Alfred and Cornelia.
Immediately, the Royal Army of Lyon issued the order to halt the march to see what would happen. Not long after, a messenger from Raul reached Cornelia.
“Greetings. A messenger has arrived from Peshlika. Count Schlihaden, the city’s lord, wishes to extend his greetings to Her Imperial Highness.”
Count Schlihaden, accompanied by two knights wearing the Colonel insignia, arrived led by a knight from Lyon.
Count Schlihaden was the noble who ruled the city of Peshlika and its suburbs, and as leader of the Western Front Knights, he was an officer with the rank of General.
They learned from a messenger from Lyon that Princess Cornelia was accompanying the royal army of Lyon that was coming as a reinforcement of Prince Alfred’s army, and that she had put the army on standby to see what would happen now.
“The commotion in the imperial capital was heard even here in Peshlika. I am glad to hear that you are safe, Your Highness. We, the Western Front Knights and the people of Peshlika, welcome you to our city with open arms.”
“Thank you, Count Schlihaden. My brother has told me about the Western Front Knights that you lead. As the guardian of the road that connects our empire to Lyon, it is a very powerful order.”
“Thank you for your kind words, my lady.” Count Schlihaden bowed his head to Cornelia.
Cornelia was relieved to know that there would be no conflict with Lyon’s army.
Count Schlihaden was a little over forty years old. He wore a dandy mustache, a loose dark green long tunic tied with a gaudy red and yellow sash, and his obi was decorated with gold and silver ornaments and jewels. The sword he wore at his waist was also slender, with scabbard and hilt decorated with gold and jewels. Clearly, it was not a sword for actual combat, but a ceremonial sword.
“This is… it’s as if he had wanted to look good and had made a huge mistake.” Locke, who was standing next to Cornelia, whispered to Wynn, who was waiting in line behind Cornelia receiving the salute.
“Maybe it’s a traditional folk costume from this area.”
“It’s not like we invited him to a ritual, you know? You don’t normally wear traditional costumes to an audience with the imperial family, do you? The normal thing is to wear ceremonial costumes of your rank in the nobility or chivalry. Besides, I’m sure we would have had a chance to see some traditional costumes on the way to Peshlika, but I didn’t see anyone wearing anything like that.”
“Now that I think about it…”
“Well, it would be because people from the West are always ridiculed as hicks by people from the East, so they tried to dress up as best they could, don’t they~?” Lino interrupted Wynn and Locke’s conversation.
The western and eastern parts of the country Lino was referring to were bordered by the great Loom River, which flowed from the Majil Mountains to the sea, dividing the empire into east and west. From the banks of the Loom River eastward, fertile plains and forests extended, with many cities boasting a population of more than ten thousand, such as the imperial city of Simurgh, the port city of Mer, the mining city of Erz, and the scholarly city of Rudolph. Some of these cities had flourished as national capitals until they were conquered by the Empire. As a result, the Empire’s population was concentrated east of the Loom River.
On the other hand, the western side had mountainous terrain, and had few cities with populations over 10,000. Until many of the western cities were conquered by the Empire, they were free cities that did not belong to any country, just like the predecessor city-states of the Kingdom of Lyon. Originally it was a land of few plains and unsuitable for agriculture, so it was more correct to say that it was a town where pioneers gathered, rather than a free city.
Many of the towns did not have enough space to build walls and were quickly engulfed by the overwhelming military might of the Lemmrousell Empire, which had begun to expand westward.
After that, only in the border town of Peshlika and the main towns along the road did the empire build and maintain walls, while the rest of the towns remained unwalled rural villages. This is the reason why the people of the eastern part of the empire despised the people of the western part as compatriots.
“The Western Front Knights is a cesspool where the nobles who could not get into the Royal Guard go. Look, Count Schlihaden is not the only one with that attitude, is he?”
As Cornelia left to work with the assembled Western Front Knights, Locke pointed to the knights lined up on the other side of the bridge.
The Eastern Knights guarded the eastern border of the Empire, where there was a country that was destroyed by the demons led by the Demon King and was still overrun by them. The Knights of the South were facing against the Kingdom of Petersia, which was in a state of tension. The Northern Knights were in charge of the largest naval force in the Empire because they were facing the sea.
Unlike these three orders, the Western Front Knights were considered the smallest and least skilled of the Imperial Knights. As a testament to their reputation, many of the Western Front Knights were young, the same age as Wynn and his friends or slightly older. The armor they wore was of polished iron, and the hilts and scabbards of their swords were as ornate as those of Count Schlihaden. Probably both the swords and armor were of fine iron, but the swords were thin and the armor were designed to be conspicuous. From their appearance, they did not look like they would be useful in a real battle.
To the west of the Lemmrousell Empire was the Kingdom of Lyon, a friendly country. There was no way a full-scale war would break out, and the main task of the knights was to defeat the bandits that appeared on the roads. There were probably some older knights among them who undertook such missions to eliminate bandits.
Wynn, Princess Cornelia’s group and the leaders of the Lyon Royal Army entered Peshlika, while the rest camped outside the city in tents.
A distant thunder was beginning to rumble, and they would probably have to weather the storm in this city.
“It’s an advantage to be able to sleep under a roof, isn’t it?”
“An advantage? We’re going to be invited to the Count’s banquet with Her Highness anyway, aren’t we? Maybe it’s better to pitch a tent outside and eat anywhere~?”
“Lino, didn’t you once say that you envied Wynn for being able to attend the banquets?”
“I know I did, but… That’s not exactly what I had in mind. I was rather hoping for free chatting, delicious food and dancing in beautiful dresses…”
Locke and Lino were having that conversation.
Since the squires were basically staying by Cornelia’s side, they were too busy attending to the people who came to greet the princess one after another to enjoy the banquet. Besides, most of the chatter they heard was all about obeying the princess. It was sure that Lino would be tired of it too.
“How can Cornelia-sama always be so smiling~?” Lino sighed as she looked at the carriage Cornelia was riding in.
“I guess she’s used to this kind of thing, isn’t she?”
Hearing Locke and Lino, Wynn asked Leticia, who was walking beside him.
If Leticia was invited to the banquet, she would be in the position of being greeted rather than going to greet people.
“Umm… Actually, I don’t go to banquets in the first place…”
“But there are some banquets that are hard to turn down, like an invitation from His Majesty, right?”
“Yes. In those cases, Tiara would talk instead of me. Of course, there were people who would greet me, but I think I was usually left alone after the more important people finished their greetings.”
“Heh, I didn’t know that.”
“But lately, unlike those days, even after the formal greetings were over, I was persistently being asked to dance or to give gifts…”
Wynn looked at Leticia’s face beside him as she tilted her head, wondering why.
When she traveled as the Brave, Leticia was still a child of about ten years old. But, unlike how she used to be, the Brave Leticia had a certain inviolable nobility. This was probably the factor that kept the people around her at bay. Several years had passed since then, and Leticia had become an attractive woman. Her extraordinary beauty had become even more extraordinary, and the people around her found themselves unable to leave her alone. Even now, the young knights leading Wynn and his group could be seen looking at Leticia.
Wynn let out a small chuckle at Leticia’s tendency to be sensitive to lethal force and a swashbuckling environment, but indifferent to her own good looks and the stares of the men around her.
?????
That evening, At Count Schlihaden’s mansion in Peshlika, Raul and the high-ranking officers of Lyon’s army were being entertained.
“We have prepared a small amount of wine and food, although it is not enough to give you a satisfactory reception at this time. I hope that His Highness Prince Raul, who hastened to rescue our empire, and all the people of the Kingdom of Lyon will enjoy our family’s hospitality and regain their strength.”
“We could not afford to lose the favor of Count Schlihaden. We will accept your offer without reservation.”
To tell the truth, he would have preferred to pass through the city of Peshlika and head for Erz as soon as possible, but Raul accepted the offer. The road from Peshlika to Erz was still long. It wouldn’t be a bad idea for the soldiers to regain energy here.
Although it was only a small banquet, the meal prepared by Count Schlihaden was quite an event. The table was laden with a variety of dishes made from ingredients that were commonly eaten in the area, such as grilled river fish and meat dishes made from sheep pounded meat, which were actively reared in the vicinity of Peshlika.
The attendees from the imperial side were the nobles who ruled the lands around Peshlika, high-ranking officials belonging to the West Imperial Knights, and apparently young men of noble birth. They were all attired in extravagant clothes and dress, and appeared to be attending an evening party.
Wynn and the others looked at them with a cold stare. In Erz, there were still many soldiers fighting. Alfred, Royce, Kelvin and the rest of Simurgh’s adventurers friends who had come to Erz at Wynn’s request were fighting for their lives. In the first place, calling for reinforcements from the armies of other countries in the face of an uprising within the empire was already something to be ashamed of, but the western nobles did not seem to feel any sense of crisis.
“I can see why people in the West are called country aristocrats. They have no political sense at all… Even their Chivalry Order is famous for being a place where they exiled a bunch of hard-to-deal idiots.” Locke said as he placed food on a plate.
“We were grateful to have a good meal during the march, but Cornelia-sama seems to be in trouble.”
The Royal Army of Lyon and Wynn’s group, who were on a mission, were dressed in military garb, but Cornelia, the princess, and Count Riselman, the Empire’s ambassador to Lyon, who was accompanying her as a representative of the civil service, were dressed in formal attire.
The young princess was also surrounded by young nobles. It was customary for Cornelia to be surrounded by young nobles in this manner at banquets, and she was already accustomed to such treatment. However, with the situation of Erz surrounded by enemy troops on her mind, the smile she dedicated to the young nobles had a tinge of melancholy.
“Why don’t they read the atmosphere~?”
“If they could be so skilled, those guys wouldn’t have been sent to a place like this.”
“I see. Then I guess my brother isn’t held in high esteem either.” murmured Leticia, who overheard Locke and Lino’s whispered conversation.
“Letty, does your brother belong to the West Knights?”
“Yes. Look.” Leticia nodded in response to Wynn’s question, and when she caught his eye with a glance alone….
“It is you, Leticia!”
Leticia smiled and bowed politely to the person who had called her name.
“It’s been a long time, big brother.”
“Oh yes, it’s been a while. The last time I saw you was the day you left Simurgh, wasn’t it? You were just a child then, but you’re a lady now.”
“Glad to see you’re doing well, big brother.”
Golden hair, green eyes. And a well-shaped face. He was a young man with an appearance somewhat similar to Leticia’s. Rails von Mavis had the looks to be called a noble.
“I didn’t know you were accompanying Her Highness Cornelia. I had not been informed of anything, so I was surprised to see you here.”
“Thank you, big brother. But it is not common knowledge that I am working with Lyon’s army. That’s why I’ve been slow to inform you. I apologize.”
“It’s all right, it’s all right. I heard that even Father is currently under house arrest in Simurgh, so it’s no wonder you couldn’t report it. If you had sent me the news in advance, I would have prepared a dress and jewelry suitable for this occasion for my lovely little sister. But you are beautiful enough without them. I wonder if it would be too much to ask that Peshlika provide you with adornments that would further enhance your charm.”
“Thank you, big brother. I see, our father…” Leticia bowed her head slightly as she said this, and a grim expression appeared on her face.
“Is that person Leticia-sama’s older brother? It doesn’t feel like it, if that’s the case. Leticia-sama’s attitude is also somewhat distant?”
“I never knew Letty’s family. When we were children, she never talked about her family. I only found out that she was the daughter of a duke when we met again at the knight school. You were there, weren’t you? That’s when I found out that Letty was actually the Brave who saved the world.”
“Now that you mention it…”
“I had long known that Letty must be the daughter of some important house, but she always came to the Wandering Bird’s Nest inn as if she were on the run. Nor did I ever ask her about her home.”
Wynn was glad now that he had not asked. If he had found out that Leticia was really Duke Mavis’ daughter, even if they were only children, he would have been somewhat uncomfortable and would not have gotten along with her. The fact that he didn’t know Leticia’s origin was the reason they were able to form a deep bond as childhood friends.
“Rails-dono. That beautiful lady over there is the one rumored to be the famous Brave?”
“Yes. This is my sister, Leticia. Ladies and gentlemen, please allow me to introduce her to you.”
“I knew it was her! I hear the Brave Mavis-sama hates parties and the like. I am fortunate to be here on this day when you are present. My heart is filled with unexpected joy.”
“You are as beautiful as the rumors say… I thank the Goddess for the joy of being able to see you with my own eyes.”
In a short time, Leticia was surrounded by young nobles.
“As expected, or rather, as always…”
“Leticia is really popular, isn’t she?”
Wynn and Locke, who were nudged by Rails’ acquaintances, smiled.
“Well, she’s that pretty, and on top of that she’s a duke’s third daughter with the right to inherit the throne. If they were sent to this place, with a few exceptions, they wouldn’t be able to get a good match or meet anyone. They will be desperate.”
“Desperate?”
“Yes. The noble knights who are assigned to the Western Front Knights are all idiots who couldn’t be assigned to the Royal Guard, the Royal Court Knights or the Central Knights. Still, if you’re the eldest son of a family with a good family background, like Leticia-sama’s brother, you’re likely to get a good match, but for second and third sons of nobles who have no chance of inheriting the family, there aren’t very good options. But if you work in the capital, you can expect to meet young people from good families, but you can’t expect that in a remote area like this, can you?”
“Is that why they’re appealing to Letty?”
“Yes, yes. That said, from what I can see, all the people gathered here lack family status.”
“That’s impressive. Do you know all these people?”
“Of course not. It’s just that nobles always carry their family crest somewhere on the clothes they wear. On gloves, cuffs, chest, etc. Seeing that, I find out what family they come from.” Locke said, indicating to Wynn who belonged to which house. “That one is from Baron Rijal’s family, that one from Viscount Saihaan’s, and that guy in front of you belongs to a family of renown: he is the brother of Count Milbaria.
“Even the brother of a Count wouldn’t be enough for Letty?”
“I think a Count is hardly enough. The ducal house Mavis is next in line in the royal family. These people won’t be enough unless they’re a very good match.” As he said this, Locke looked at Wynn, who was nodding repeatedly as if in admiration. However, he also saw a hidden emotion in the expression on his face, and opened his mouth. “…So, Wynn?”
“What?”
“What do you think of that?”
“What do you mean…?”
Wynn looked at Leticia, who was still surrounded by people, when Locke pointed.
“No matter where she goes, Letty will always be popular, that’s for sure…”
“Not that. I’m asking you what you think when you see Leticia-sama being courted by another young man.”
Wynn was about to open his mouth, but closed it when he saw Locke’s face. His friend, who had just commented amusedly by the nobles gathered around Leticia, had an overly serious expression on his face. It was rare to see that expression on the face of his best friend, who normally spoke lightly. When Wynn fell silent, Locke said, still questioning him.
“So, what do you think? Doesn’t it make you angry to see that scene?”
“To be honest, I don’t feel good about it.”
Hearing Wynn’s words, Locke let out a big sigh.
“Right? Then why do you allow it?”
Hearing these words, Wynn’s eyes widened.
“You really don’t get it, do you?” Locke whispered irritably, but forcefully to Wynn. “They’re trying to woo Leticia-sama to be his wife. Is it okay for you to just let it go?”
Wynn looked at Leticia, who was once again surrounded by young nobles. After being introduced so many times by her brother Rails, she was clearly showing signs of fatigue. From time to time, she glanced over to where Wynn and the others were standing. She asked for Wynn’s help. Leticia normally would have disposed of the men with a curt attitude. She was in a position where her titles as the daughter of a duke and the Brave allowed her to be that rude. But now, her brother Rails was introducing her to his acquaintances. As for Leticia, she couldn’t move from there because she couldn’t afford to sully her brother’s name.
That’s just like Letty, isn’t it?
Although seen from the outside she never seemed to be on good terms with her family, Leticia couldn’t cut it with Mavis family members and acquaintances.
“He… Hehehe.” When he looked down, Wynn laughed.
“Eh… Wynn?” Locke had been trying to reprimand Wynn when he suddenly started laughing, called out to him a little dubious.
Wynn passed him the glass of wine he had been holding in his hand. Then, with a firm step, he walked over to the mob of nobles surrounding Leticia.
That’s right… why would I shy away from watching Letty being courted?
He knew exactly what Locke was referring to. He had always been angry with himself when he saw Leticia being courted. That’s why he couldn’t help but notice the subtle changes in Leticia’s expression. He was relieved when he saw her with an expression of disgust, making his feelings clear. However, when it was clearly pointed out to him that she was not angry now, he could no longer lie to himself.
“What? What’s wrong with you?”
“How rude! What family do you belong to!”
Oblivious to the shouts of the nobles being pushed, Wynn walked up to Leticia and grabbed her right arm.
“Huh, oh, Onii-chan…?” Leticia looked at Wynn’s face with a puzzled expression as he grabbed her arm with unusual strength.
“Who are you? Leticia belongs to the Mavis family. What you’re doing is rude.” Seeing Wynn’s sudden intrusion, Rails put on a sullen expression.
“Excuse me. I’m sure you’re having a good time, but I have some urgent business with Letty… Leticia. Letty, come here a moment. We have to go out.”
“How rude! You dare to call my sister “Letty” and treat her so casually? You imbecile… do you even realize how rude you are?”
Rails’ angry voice rang out, and the room fell silent at his angry expression.
“There’s nothing strange about a master calling his disciple, is there?”
“Master? Disciple?”
Apparently, Rails couldn’t quite understand the words “master” and “disciple” that Wynn said.
“What on the world are you talking about! Leticia is the Brave, whose level is on the same level as the Emperor and the High Priest. And as I said before, she is also my sister, the third daughter of Duke Mavis. And I am a knight, so don’t think a commoner like you can speak to me lightly!”
“And I have been recognized by His Majesty the Emperor as the Master of the Brave.”
“What… by His Majesty?”
“Yes, and if you still don’t believe me, I also have this.” Wynn showed Rails and the surrounding nobles the gold seal tied to the hilt of his sword at his waist.
“Hm-Hmph… it looks like it’s made of gold, but it’s nothing more than a trinket.”
“A trinket, huh? If that’s the case, then the gold seal I have is nothing but a trinket either.”
“Hi-His Highness Raul.”
Raul, who had noticed the commotion, came to put an end to it.
“We can compare the gold seal I have as proof that I am the Sword Saint. This here is the golden seal of the Sword Crafter.”
“Ge-Gee… no way… that’s it…”
Rails turned pale as he compared the gold seal Raul had with the one Wynn had. Raul looked at Wynn, who grabbed Leticia’s arm and pulled her to him, and put on an amused expression as he played with the golden seal of the Sword Saint in his hand.
“He is indeed the Master of the Brave Leticia. I have traveled with Leticia and can attest to that. I think it is natural that, if the master calls his disciple, the disciple hastens to come to him no matter what, don’t you think so too, Rails-dono?”
“Yes, indeed. If that’s the case, there’s no problem…”
“I see. So, Leticia-kun. Your master wants to see you. You’d better hurry.”
“…I feel uncomfortable that Raul is the one to tell me, but that’s what I’ll do. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have an urgent matter to attend to with my master.” Leticia bowed politely as she said this. Then she looked back at Wynn.
“I’ll take care of the rest.” Raul whispered to Wynn.
“Thank you. “
Wynn thanked Raul in a whisper, then proceeded with Leticia through the foyer, zigzagging between the stunned nobles watching them. On the way, Locke could be seen giving a thumbs-up with his right hand, and Lino clapping her hands behind him celebrating and then celebrating with her fist.
Cornelia’s expression looked somewhat sad when she saw the two leave the hall.
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