Genjitsushugi Yuusha no Oukoku Saikenki

Epilogue: The Friedonian Military, Eastward

To be honest, I wanted to send Tomoe back too, but depending on the situation in the Duchy of Chima, I might need her ability, so I decided to bring her and her bodyguard Inugami along with us.

When I was finished giving orders, Roroa and I stood in front of Julius and Princess Tia. Julius extended his hand, so I took it firmly.

Souma, he said. You really helped us this time. Im sorry that this country has nothing to give you as it is now, and we can only offer our words in thanks.

No need to worry about it, I said. This dispatch of reinforcements was requested by the Empire, anyway. Besides, I was able to forge relations with this country, which is inside the Union of Eastern Nations and has ties to the Nothung Dragon Knight Kingdom. Thats not nothing to show for my efforts.

Its the same for us. We were able to forge friendly relations with the Kingdom of Friedonia after all. Julius smiled a little. He had the expression of a man who had been set free from his demons.

In the expression of Julius who had broken the bonds of his past and was now looking to the future, I felt like I was seeing the proof that he had grown as a person.

I dont want to fight you as you are now, Julius, I said. Ill bet youd make a far more fearsome enemy than before.

I could say the same of you. If I tried to tussle with your country now, Id have to take on both you and Roroa. That could only be a hassle.

If we find ourselves at odds again, Id like to settle it peacefully next time. How about a drinking contest?

Im sick of alcohol. In a test of arms...there would be too much of a gap. How about a race?

Can I use Naden?

Thats not fair, and you know it.

While we were verbally sparing, I noticed Roroa, who was next to me, seemed a bit fidgety. It seemed like she had been able to fit in with Julius and Princess Tia during yesterdays banquet, but she was still a bit stiff around them when everyone was sober.

Taking her feelings into consideration, I put my hand on her lower back and pushed Roroa forward.

Eek?!

Go on, you say your goodbyes too, Roroa.

Y-Yeah...

Having stepped forward a little awkwardly, Roroa turned to Julius and Tia then saluted.

No, why did she salute there? Was she that tense?

Well, Ill be headin back now, Roroa said. You take care, Big Brother, Big Sis.

It was the same day, at the same time, in the central city of the Duchy of Chima, Wedan.

In this region with many small to medium-sized nations, this city was home to the castle that housed the Duke of Chima, a nation who had used diplomacy to join influential factions and protect their house. It was as solidly built as you would expect. It bordered on mountains to the south, and a river that was connected to the Dabicon to the north.

The historical dukes of Chima would dig in here when attacked by hostile forces, and while repelling enemies in a siege battle, they awaited allied support to overcome the difficult situation.

Because this city backed onto the mountains, the castle of Duke Chima, Wedan Castle, was halfway up a mountain, in a position where it could look down on the city and what lay outside the city walls.

In Friedonian terms, the castle of former General of the Army, Castor, Red Dragon Castle, was the closest comparison in terms of layout.

There was a single child up on the walls of Castle Wedan.

That child, who looked to be about ten years old, sat on the edge of the wall, a piece of charcoal racing across a piece paper on a wooden board. Where the kid was looking now, on the other side of the wall, the armies of the Union of Eastern Nations were fighting with the monsters.

There were so many monsters they seemed to blot out the earth. However, Duke Chimas unusual diplomacy had gathered many reinforcements, and they had somehow lasted through the enemys offensive.

There were many sounds coming from the battlefield. There was the sound of metal striking metal, the sound of magic exploding, the sound of monsters roaring, the soldiers battle cries. Those sounds were all reaching this castle.

In the middle of those sounds, the kid silently kept dragging charcoal across the paper.

Youre drawing again, Ichiha? Turning to the sudden voice, there was a beautiful girl of about twenty years of age with black hair going down to her waist standing there.

The woman wore an outfit that was like a hakama, and she gave off an impression like a traditional Japanese beauty, but she wore leather armor over that outfit and carried a longsword over her back.

When the kid saw her, he narrowed his eyes. Mutsumi?

The beautiful, strong woman was Mutsumi Chima, the eldest daughter of the current Duke of Chima, and the kid was the youngest of her five brothers, Ichiha Chima.

Ichiha cocked his head to the side. You didnt go to the battlefield today?

Yeah, she said. Father insisted I not let the lords see what a tomboy I am. Im staying home today, since I have no other choice.

Seeing how dissatisfied Mutsumi looked, Ichiha giggled. I cant blame him. The lords out there are fighting because they want you to come be their wife.

The Duke of Chima had sent a notice saying, For countries which send us reinforcements, in response to your performance, I will give each of you one of my six children, other than my eldest son, who is my heir, to serve as your retainer, to every country in the Union of Eastern Nations.

This was a strategy the old and wise Duke Chima was using to save his own country, also positioning his sons and daughters into powerful factions that could be effective on the battlefield.