092. The Rain Started to Fall
After administering first aid, we were about to return to Aegir to give medical treatment to the still unconscious Luia, but.......
「I'm sorry, Yuuto. I'm worried about Luia, but――could we please stop going back to the base?」
Jean, wearing a change of clothes that Osada-kun had apparently prepared in advance and leaving her hair down, which was usually tied with a ribbon, made this suggestion.
「The reason?」
「There are several reasons―the biggest concern is that Aegir is currently home to His Majesty the King's brother and the first general, "Lord Barbadros".」
When I was told this, a question came to my mind, "?" in my head.
「Ahhhhh. You mean the brother of a king whose existence is almost unknown among the inhabitants of Hanaria and the de facto supreme military authority who rarely stays in Hanaria?」
Osada-kun explained.
「That's right. In addition, Hanaria basically adopts a "three-army system," and the third army and its general, "Arp," are more easily understood as a "navy" by their very nature.」
「Hmmm.」
「"Barbadros" mainly oversees the defense and military affairs of the entire continent. Jean" is in charge of the defense of the royal city of Hanaria, as well as the protection of various important persons, and also in charge of solving crimes. "Arp" in charge of the marine area――It has been three years since this system was established, but she is not interested in power struggles and has declared her "neutrality". Besides, she is supposed to be out in the open sea because of the recent reports of a "Sea Dragon" appearing offshore.」
「So that means that the current internal relations to watch out for are the first army and its head. But why?」
「――It is difficult to explain because the situation is complicated, but in contrast to His Majesty the King's brother, who is a moderate man, Barbadros is an ambitious man. Moreover, he was also the one who invited "Valles the Astrologer" into the court.
「Valles?」
「――The person who seduced His Majesty the King and instigated the "Different World Summoning," which is strictly restricted by international law.」
When I was told this, I could hardly hide my surprise.
「Huh? But isn't Hanaria currently governed by a guy called "Duke of Mordom" as the acting king?」
said Osada-kun.
「Hmm? What does that mean?」
Jean tilted her head.
「I see. Jean doesn't know about the commotion that took place in Hanaria」
「Ah, yeah? After the battle with Leige, I was in the woods all the time until I was captured after all」
I was told, and after a little bit of hesitation, that the Hanaria Castle had collapsed due to a mysterious explosion. I told her that Hanaria had been devastated by the ashes that petrified people immediately after the explosion.
「Wha! Wha-wha, whawhawhawha.......What did you saaaaaaaaaaayy!!!」
Jean exclaimed, her expression changing amusingly.
――which caused her to take more than five minutes to calm down.
「I-I had no idea that such a thing would happen―and what's more to think that the Duke of Mordom would act in such a way.」
Jean muttered, holding her finger between her eyebrows.
I stared at her for a while, but...
「...... Oh, I see. In the end, Jean thinks that "the conflict between royalty and nobility has come to the surface"」
It seems like a "common composition" when you say it.
Hanaria is a growing country that is experiencing steady growth.
「The current king's "policy of expansion" has its merits and demerits, and to add insult to injury, Hanaria is also a "multi-race nation," and there is also the matter of the "Evil Group" that probably captured me this time.」
I have seen firsthand that the "spark" is spread all over the place and is built on a very dangerous situation―but as expected, the roots are too deep.
「That makes me wonder more and more, "Who are the enemies, and who are the allies?" I don't know――it's dangerous to make easy contact, and if that's the case, I think I'll take advantage of this case and hide myself for a while.」
「I think that's a good idea, but――can I ask you one question? Who is 'Leige'?」
I didn't miss the twitch in Jean's cheek as I said it.
「She is ...... my apprentice sister. We parted ways a few years ago due to differences of opinion, but recently. Suddenly, she appeared in front of us and started to interfere with various things.」
「Do you have any idea why she is called a "traitor" by the elves?」
「I have. She――The day before she disappeared. It seems that she has stolen the treasure of the elves, "Sage's Jewel". Philly and the others did a concerted search, but ...... they were unable to find her」
「Hmm? Does that mean you know Philly?」
「Yes. She took care of me when I was in training. I haven't seen her recently, though, but from the looks of it, I'd say you know her.」
「Well, yeah.」
Strange connections in strange places. I'm impressed, but...
(Hold on? From the looks of it, ......)
I suddenly curious asked Jean, "By the way, what kind of person is your master?".
「Yuuto, have you ever heard of a "Grimoire"? You can learn folia and skills just by reading it――」
「Are you talking about Gorigori......!!!!」
I exclaimed unintentionally while holding my head with both hands.
「Huh? Eh? Does that mean that Yuuto knows about my master?」
「Yeah. A lot of things......you know」
After briefly explaining the circumstances, I also told her that "currently the store has been vacated and has disappeared".
「Master did that――」
Jean looked surprised.
「She's always been a free-spirited person, but I wonder what on earth she's thinking.」
With a sigh, Jean muttered, and I couldn't agree more with her. Still...
「I wonder what her "purpose" is.」
Said Osada-kun, but I couldn't make a decision because I didn't know exactly what it was.
(More than anything else, I myself―no. How do "we ourselves" move forward?)
Perhaps it will change the situation surrounding Hanaria in any number of ways.
As for me, it's preferable to say "because it doesn't matter" and ignore it.)
It would be a bad move to go this far, and if I didn't take countermeasures, I might lose "everything".
I pondered for a while, and then...
(Nemu. Use "Split Bodies" to contact Ranier and the others. Tell them to stay in Aegis for a while and report back to me regularly.)
I commanded her in my brain, and Nemu immediately understood. And then.
「......I don't know how long you're going to keep 'pretending to be asleep,' but if you've been listening to the story, could you gather your trusted subordinates and head for the "Agricultural City of Bele"?」
When I said this, Luia, who had not moved a muscle until then, slowly raised his upper body and...
「The heck. As expected, I was found out, huh♪」
He says this like a child whose prank was discovered.
「Luia!」
「Whoa there!」
Jean jumped in and hugged Luia. And.
「I'm glad ...... I'm really glad. And I'm sorry――I always get you into trouble.」
When she released his body, Luia joked, "Not that it's the first time, is it? General"
「Still, I'm sorry about this time. I didn't think an Evil Group would make things happen now.」
「Seriously. You're just so easily possessed ......The name of the deputy cries you know?」
「That being said, it's hard for me to say, but――」
「Originally, we, the second Army, were to act as the "Shield of Hanaria" and protect the royal capital and important people. However, it is difficult to reach the smallest details by ourselves. So I used my personal funds to gather together a small group of "truly trustworthy people" to form Luia and the others.」
「Is that why you were able to rush to the scene of the Karguri disaster-!?」
「Yes. Normally, the military cannot be mobilized unless it is an emergency, but the "private army" is different. Of course, it wasn't without any restrictions, but Hanaria has adopted a "meritocracy". As long as you produce results, even His Majesty has no complaints.」
「What about this time, though? You originally came here on the king's order, didn't you?」
「Indeed. I myself have been to the front many times, and I was also requested by General Barbadros.」
「That's――that's the thing, isn't it?」
Why did the general of the First Army call up Jean when he should have had enough?
(Well, I'll let Ranier and the others continue to look into this matter.)
「More importantly, I'd like to know if you have any idea about the "Tragedy of Hanaria", as it's called, the explosion at the Royal Castle.」
「Even if you ask me that, I have no idea. I just found out about it a few minutes ago, after all.」
「I also noticed it when I heard Jean's voice. I just don't know if it has anything to do with this case, but I have an idea.」
When I said this, Jean's eyes widened and she said, "Really!?".
「Jean and some of the other people involved know that, but―apparently, there are rumors that astrologer Valles has been secretly inviting outsiders in and building a "laboratory" somewhere in the castle.」
「However, its location is unknown. Not only is he not talking about it, but His Majesty himself approves of it.」
「Moreover, he is a person who does things that one would never expect from a title such as "astrologer". He was deeply involved in your summoning, and the person ordered to be in charge of the ceremony was...」
「Who else? That "Valles" guy, huh?」
「Yeah. But just so there is no misunderstanding, Valles is not the only astrologer. There are about 13 people, including those who originally worked for him.」
「So to speak, Valles is a "newcomer"-?」
「What is the reason why such a man has gained the king's trust, even overcoming the old-timers?」
「I don't know. But rumor has it that it has something to do with the Queen who died a few years ago, but―it's unclear.」
「I see.」
It's really complicated and messy.
After I let out a big sigh.
「For now, we're going back to the "hideout", but Luia, I need you to take care of the matter just now」
「I don't mind that, but what exactly do you want me to do?」
「Gather information and buy as much food as you can. Osada-kun, I would like you to stay with Luia for the time being.」
Since I had already explained Osada-kun's [S-Dimensional Stomach] to the two of them, they had no particular objections, and Luia even started to solicit Osada-kun by saying, "When the situation settles down, why don't you come with us? Mister." and so on.
「In any case, the "storm" is already approaching. Or, rather, "It's already raining,"――or something like that, I guess.」
「How prepared will we be for it in the future? I guess it depends on this」
After agreeing with Jean's words, we disbanded on the spot to take on our respective roles for the time being.
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