Chapter 388 – Departure for Battle

When I informed the ladies-in-waiting that the spy had moved from his bed, it seemed word spread immediately.

The atmosphere around us grew hurried. The ladies-in-waiting appeared to be the ones bustling about, though the soldiers were likely preparing for deployment as well.

I contacted Elliot and the others via the Communication Device. Without delay, I received a reply that they were beginning preparations for departure.

“Good morning, Theodore.”

“Good morning, Theodore-sama.”

“Yes. Good morning.”

I exchanged morning greetings with everyone.

“Did you sleep well?”

“Yes. Because Theo was with me.”

I asked because Grace might end up fighting her fated rival, wondering if she was feeling tense, but she showed a carefree smile, placed a hand on her chest, and answered like that.

“Mhm. Let’s do our best today.”

“Yes. I’ll do my best.”

Being told this directly was somewhat embarrassing, but I nodded back at Grace and asked everyone else as well. We were traveling, and the environment was different after all.

“How about everyone? Are your physical condition and mood alright?”

“I am fine—”

At my words, Rosemary showed a somewhat cheerful smile—but then seemed to realize she didn’t have her feather fan at hand upon waking, covered her mouth with her hand, and walked toward her luggage. That was… well, apparently a moment of carelessness for Rosemary.

“Yes. With Circulating Ki, I’m as usual. I slept well.”

“That’s right. What about you, Marlene?”

Marlene looked somewhat sleepy, but as Claudia stroked her hair, she rubbed her eyelids, smiled, and nodded at my words.

I quickly changed clothes, tidied my appearance, and left the room. It would probably be easier for them to prepare with me out of the room anyway.

While gazing at the sky visible from the corridor in front of the guest rooms and controlling Caduceus, Princess Stephania and her group, Old Sigmund and Valentina’s group, and Auria also emerged from the adjacent rooms. We met face-to-face and exchanged morning greetings.

We had arranged for Sheila and Irmhild, Seraphina as guards, Lavigne, Ambrum, Eclair, and their Familiars to stay in their respective rooms, allowing us to monitor each room’s situation. I didn’t think there were any more of Kahar’s collaborators, but it was just a precaution. Apparently, there were no abnormalities until morning.

“As I heard… the morning is a bit chilly, isn’t it?”

Princess Stephania shivered slightly.

“The spy also changed out of his wet clothes after reaching his companions using the river. That looked cold.”

When I answered, Auria furrowed her brow. Actually, the spy had been trembling under a blanket on his camel.

“…I wouldn’t want to imitate that. Even if you change clothes, that kind of thing drains your Vitality more than you’d think. And if you have to move further after that, all the more so.”

“I suppose so.”

In Auria’s case, it was probably talk from her experience as an adventurer. Back when she was active, she likely had experiences like fulfilling Requests while being drenched in rain.

“It’ll probably warm up again during the day, so we must be careful with our clothing.”

“I’ve heard temperature differences are particularly harsh in the desert.”

“Having the Sirius helps, but normally it would seem difficult to adjust.”

Princess Stephania and Old Sigmund exchanged words like that. Just as Grace and the others emerged from their room, Princess Elham also arrived.

“Good morning.”

“Good morning, Your Highness Elham.”

“Yes. Breakfast is prepared. Please, this way.”

How efficient. King Farid had also predicted the spy would move at dawn when the water gate would open, and had proceeded with various preparations accordingly.

Guided by Princess Elham, we were shown to a dining hall filled with an aromatic scent. King Farid, clad in battle attire, seemed to have arrived earlier.

“Good morning, Your Majesty Farid.”

“Hmm. It’s a fine morning.”

Upon seeing us, King Farid smiled and urged us to eat. We all took our seats and had breakfast. Bread with cheese, kebab and scrambled eggs. Fruits with jam, tea with yogurt… a rather typical breakfast Menu.

But in terms of quantity, it was quite substantial. The idea was to eat heartily and prepare for the sortie.

“Now. Do we have some time to spare?”

As we ate breakfast, King Farid asked, as if gauging a slightly settled moment.

“Pursuit won’t be a problem. The spies’ movement speed isn’t that fast either.”

“Then there’s something I must do briefly after breakfast. Well, it’s about boosting the soldiers’ morale before deployment. Having you all accompany us would be helpful in some aspects.”

“Understood.”

“And one more thing. The Knight who was mentally controlled by the Vampire. I want to have him accompany us.”

“To clear his tarnished name, I assume?”

Even though he was being manipulated, he did point his sword at Princess Elham. Wanting to have him accompany us was probably King Farid’s consideration for his subordinate. He likely couldn’t say it himself, so the king was giving him a chance for redemption as a royal command.

“He also said he wanted to apologize and express his gratitude later.”

Princess Elham, who had been listening, said with an apologetic expression. I nodded at both of them and replied.

“Understood. I have no objections to him accompanying us, nor am I in a position to interfere. Please allow me to speak with him leisurely aboard the Sirius. I also used offensive Magic, albeit non-lethal, and I’m worried he might be overburdening himself.”

“That… would be helpful.”

At my words, King Farid gently narrowed his eyes.

After finishing breakfast, we moved with King Farid and his group to the palace garden.

There, the officers and soldiers accompanying us this time were waiting, prepared. Upon recognizing King Farid’s presence, they all saluted in unison to welcome him.

King Farid looked around at them and raised his clear, resonant voice.

“Well gathered, my brave compatriots of Baharzard!” Some of you may have already heard. The treacherous vassal Kahar, who plunged our nation into Confusion, has resorted to a despicable scheme! He attempted to kidnap my daughter Elham and pin the crime, along with the Duoveris Cult’s infamy, upon our grassland allies!”

A pre-deployment morale boost—and with King Farid himself leading the deployment, they couldn’t possibly lack fighting spirit.

“Those scoundrels haven’t changed at all! Even now, defeated in war and driven into the wilds, they still watch for any opportunity to bring Confusion upon this nation! You all surely haven’t forgotten! The faces of those who wielded power arbitrarily! The deeds of those scoundrels who trampled fields, recklessly seized the people’s wealth, and grew fat! Remember! The humiliating days when we crawled on the ground, tasting the sand! And the day we rose up, swords in hand!”

King Farid raised his right hand and made a Fist as if crushing the void.

“And we rose up under unshakable bonds and firm belief!” We shed the blood of a thousand compatriots and made ten thousand scoundrels bleed their own! Overcoming sacrifices, in our hands now lie glory, honor, peace, and pride! But to protect parents, wives, children, and friends, that alone is not enough! We must once again grasp our Weapons in hand and shatter the kingdom’s enemies!”

“Shatter them! Shatter them! Shatter them!”

“We are not alone! The renowned powerful nations of the north, Verdgar and Silvatoria, are our allies! Now that we have the support of these stout-hearted friends, we have nothing to fear! Glory and victory into the hands of us and our friends!”

“Glory! Glory! Glory!”

“Victory! Victory! Victory!”

“And we shall bring despair upon those wretched scoundrels!”

“Despair! Despair! Despair!”

As if signaled by the sound of soldiers with Spears striking the cobblestones with their butt spikes, the waiting military band began beating drums and gongs, blowing trumpets.

The military band began marching in time with the music. The officers and soldiers followed behind. We too joined the marching column with King Farid and Princess Elham, heading directly for the docks.

“Is there any issue with the distance for communicating with your Familiar?”

“No. The Sirius can achieve higher speed, so catching up will be quick.”

“Hmm. Then let us proceed.”

We exited the palace accompanied by the military band’s heroic music. Due to the early morning deployment, the people in the streets were somewhat surprised, but they didn’t seem afraid of the officers and soldiers led by King Farid. Rather, they cheered, waved, and saw us off. King Farid raised his hand in response.

And as we advanced through the town—arriving at the docks, Elliot and the others, along with the main members of the Demon-Slaying Knight Order, were waiting in front of the Sirius.

“Good morning.”

“Good morning, Sir Elliot.”

After exchanging morning greetings, we boarded the Sirius.

“What a beautiful ship. An unusual shape and Material… So wings are necessary for flying after all.”

Standing on the deck, King Farid seemed to have noticed various differences between the Sirius and a regular ship, nodding appreciatively with his arms crossed. When his eyes met mine, his expression softened and he waved his hand sideways.

“Ah, no, no need to explain the details. There are likely things you cannot answer. This was merely a soliloquy.”

“Thank you for your consideration.”

He was probably curious, but since it was another country’s ship, he couldn’t—and wouldn’t—ask every little detail.

Well then—let’s begin the pursuit while maintaining a certain distance from Caduceus.

Once everyone had boarded and moved to safe positions, the Sirius slowly began to ascend, as if matching the music played by the military band.