SWNOVELXO Chapter 160 - Divine Cat Mii-chan is on standby at the guild. In her place, Lea is seeking attention from Nero.
160 Divine Cat Mii-chan is on standby at the guild. In her place, Lea is seeking attention from Nero.
Yep, I’m doing well. The horse is obedient. I thought I might have learned a horseback riding skill, but when I checked myself, it wasn’t there… It seems the guild’s horses are just that good.
At the gate, Jin-san shows his identification stamp. Since I came along with Jin-san today, I don’t show mine. If I did, Nia-san would show up.
Escorted by a soldier, Jin-san and I were taken to the Chancellor’s office.
“Sigmund, huh? Oh, you’re here too. That’s rare.”
“Jin-chan, long time no see!”
“Why the hell are you here?!”
“It’s been a while, Sigmund.”
“Even the Blade Master… You too?”
There were already guests in the Chancellor’s office. It seems Jin-san knows them. One of them, an elf woman, looked both youthful and seasoned. The one called the Blade Master was a dignified man with a touch of gray. Their aura made it clear they were no ordinary people. I wanted to appraise them, but I stopped, fearing I’d be cut down the moment I did. Finally, a young blonde man spoke to Jin-san.
“You must be Sigmund. It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Siegfried, the disciple of Glenhardt. Please remember me.”
“You took on a disciple, Blade Master?”
“Indeed. My skills are at their peak now. Soon, old age will catch up to me. Before that happens, I want to pass on my swordsmanship. Has Jin also taken on a disciple?”
“Him? Nah, this guy’s not my disciple. If I had to say, he’s more like a friend.”
“Oh? To make Jin-chan say that much… I’m intrigued.”
“My name is Nero. Jin-san has spoken too kindly of me, but I am just a novice. I am not worthy to stand alongside all of you.”
“Hmm, you’re more of a thinker than a fighter. Well, then, why don’t you help me with my work?”
“I respectfully decline. Instead, I offer you that.”
“That?”
“Yes, that.”
“Very well. I’ll settle for that this time.”
“That” refers to mineral water. When I gave some to him before, he kept asking for more and for the source. To avoid the hassle, I said it was a secret fairy remedy, and he finally gave up. However, he later asked me to get more if possible. I just remembered, so I used it as an excuse. If I helped him with his work, I’d never get any sleep.
When I looked around, everyone except Jin-san and the Chancellor was staring at me in shock. Why?
“He’s like that, so if you get surprised every time, you’ll wear yourself out.”
For some reason, those three continued to stare at me…
“So, Sigmund, I assume you’re not here just to visit old friends.”
“Y-Yes. Actually… Uh… Nero, can you explain?”
“Very well. It seems the Marquis of Vittelbach in the eastern frontier is being backed by Lotharingia.”
“Is that true? What’s their next move?”
I don’t know that much, so I look to Jin-san.
“It seems they disguised regular soldiers as mercenaries and joined the rebel army.”
“How many?”
“Three thousand. There are rumors that heroes and warriors are among them.”
The Chancellor adjusted his glasses and glared at me. It’s terrifying.
“It seems your time has come. Go deal with it.”
“I’ll be off then…”
The Chancellor rang a bell to call someone and gave some instructions. He then looked at me, signaling with his eyes to follow. Being led out of the office by the Chancellor’s steward, I felt like a calf being led to the market… as I heard from Jin-san and the others later. Even I could hear the sad melody…
“Oh, Nero-kun. Where’s Mii-chan and the others?”
“I didn’t bring them. I didn’t plan on coming here today.”
“Perro-chan…”
Lady Lene looked disappointed. Luca licked her face as if to comfort her. Lea, lying on the Queen’s lap, let out a cute yawn. I didn’t see Noah, so maybe he’s with the King?
“And where were you, instead of here?”
The Queen’s beautiful smile doesn’t reach her eyes… It’s scary.
“I was with Jin-san at the Chancellor’s office.”
“Did something happen?”
“It seems Lotharingia is backing the Marquis of the eastern frontier and sent three thousand soldiers disguised as mercenaries to join the rebel army.”
“That… that’s the scenario I least wanted to come true.”
“And I have worse news…”
“Is there worse news?”
“It seems the summoned hero is among those three thousand soldiers.”
“…”
The Queen probably predicted several possibilities, but it seems she hadn’t foreseen this. For a moment, she was at a loss for words.
After a while, she finally spoke, in a strained voice.
“This is the worst… Honestly, this is bad.”
I also thought the summoned heroes were meant as a trump card against the Orc King. But I guess they were really Lotharingia’s trump card for conquest. The King of Lotharingia must be out of his mind.
“But on the bright side, we won’t need to travel to their country.”
“Are you planning to meet them?”
“No, I’ll wait for them to come closer.”
“So the decisive battle will be in the royal capital…”
“That was the original plan, wasn’t it?”
“Except for the heroes, yes.”
Lea hopped off the Queen’s lap, jumped onto the table, and then into my arms, rubbing her face against me. Lea, you’re so sweet. I’ll give you plenty of affection.
“I’ll meet with them before the battle and try to persuade them. But I can’t guarantee success.”
“I understand…”
“According to Gaou-san, the current strength of the five summoned heroes is nowhere near that of the Orc King. Perhaps they’ve been included in this battle to gain experience. As they say, practice is the best teacher.”
“A wise saying.”
“Lotharingia’s plan is likely to awaken the heroes during this battle, conquer this country, and have the heroes defeat the Goblin King and the Orc King.”
“That’s not entirely wrong, but there are too many uncertainties.”
“Do you think there’s more to it?”
“I can only hope there isn’t…”
I feel the same way…