Chapter 502 – The Queen's March

“Everyone, are you injured?”

“I’m fine.”

“Yeah. I’m okay.”

Ashley, who had been checking on the rearguard, showed a bright smile, and Sheila answered while lightly rotating her shoulder.

“I’m fine too,” Grace said with a smile. Rosemary, who had been checking on Marlene, looked over and nodded. Irmhild, Seraphina, and Pietro were also fine. Hmm. So no one is injured.

Even with the remaining seawater, since the field and conditions were advantageous to us, it was essentially a complete shutout on land.

Immediately, Grace, Ignis, Dullahan, and Pietro’s clones began dividing the work of lining up the Sea King’s subordinates who were scattered around the dock.

Some seemed to be conscious, but they appeared to have lost their will to fight. Not that we’d be naive enough to leave them in a condition where they could fight anyway.

“Go.”

I launched Balor, charged with magical power, into the sky. After confirming no one was injured, the next step was to reassess the surrounding situation. We needed to thoroughly check whether there were any separate forces.

Since the sharkman scout hadn’t returned, the next group came. Using the time it would take for a reconnaissance team to detect the abnormality and come here from the City of the Sea as a guideline, we would also launch an attack on them. Meaning from here on out, it would become somewhat of a speed contest.

First, while contacting various locations via the communication device, we needed to package up Hybla and the others and regroup with everyone. Then we’d attack the City of the Sea without letting them take their next action.

Once we confirmed the surrounding area was safe, we’d need to unfreeze the water gate. Ah… Then there’s also repairing the dock floor and walls.

Anyway, being attacked from behind would defeat the whole purpose. We planned to have non-combatants evacuate to land—that is, to the duchy—and Aianos was making various preparations. Leaving water spirits to monitor the sea area where Rovisa was attacked, it was time to begin the operation.

“I heard you said everything is alright now,” the Duke said as he returned to the dock upon receiving our communication.

“Yes. We’ve packaged them up.”

Some were fairly seriously injured, but we used some recovery magic or provided minimal treatment to keep them from dying, then solidified them with earth magic as a substitute for casts while simultaneously sealing their abilities.

Since we’d received supplies from Termwills for the sealing technique, we could properly equip them with functioning cursed tools like bracelets.

“Well… let’s put them in prison. We’ll decide their treatment later,” the Duke informed the soldiers. Since they were packaged, they could be loaded onto carts and transported. The soldiers began removing the subordinates from the dock.

“That’s right. After the Sea King is defeated, depending on the circumstances, we might even consider releasing them,” I added.

That part would depend on them. Swearing allegiance to Queen Eldorene and obeying Grantios’s laws would likely be the minimum conditions. Since we can incorporate contract magic into the cursed tools, we can impose various conditions too.

And… when you listen carefully to the old tales passed down in Grantios, it seems there’s a part where the Sea King’s existence strengthens them, so if the Sea King is defeated, they likely won’t be able to demonstrate as much power as they do now.

“Theodore-sama, we’ve finished unfreezing the area around the water gate,” Ashley reported.

Since we can change the state from ice to water with water magic too. If we can focus on the task, it’s not that much trouble.

“Hmm. Then I’ll fix the broken parts.”

“Hmm. It feels somewhat wasteful,” the Duke remarked.

“Wasteful, you say?”

“No, I just thought having all traces of battle completely cleaned up would be… Well, it was just idle talk.”

Hmm… That sounds like the Duke. Well, when repairing, I’ll leave some slight seams then. The effort won’t change much, and it shouldn’t structurally weaken it.

When I repaired while leaving some battle traces on the dock floor and outer walls but ensuring structural strength, the Duke seemed unexpectedly pleased.

Well, if the Duke’s mood improves, there’s nothing particularly bad about that, so that’s fine… We proceeded with the other tasks.

Non-combatants and their protectors would evacuate to the Duke’s stronghold. A few round trips on the Sirius would complete the transport.

We’d prepared a roster in advance, and several fishfolk soldiers were accompanying them too.

And—we also boarded the Sirius and returned to Aianos. Then we were busy with loading and confirming supplies and various other minor tasks until now.

“The loading and inspection of supplies are complete.”

“On our side, the boarding and roll call of personnel are finished too.”

Old Siegmund and Elliot came to the bridge to report. We’d be transporting the Water Guardians and Sirens, advancing toward the City of the Sea together with Aianos’s knights and soldiers.

“Thank you,” I said to both of them.

Just as our work reached a temporary pause, Grand Duke Debonnis approached.

“Theodore-dono, my apologies. I’m counting on you.”

Since the duchy was relatively chaotic, it was decided that Grand Duke Debonnis would ultimately board the Sirius.

Having both the Grand Duke and the Duke cooperating with the Queen would contribute to stabilizing the sea routes near the duchy, which would also create a good impression.

“Not at all. If you notice anything, I’d be happy if you could point it out.”

“Understood. I’ll strive to be of assistance.”

Grand Duke Debonnis nodded quietly.

“I will guard Grand Duke Debonnis and Duke Driscoll,” Prince Helfried said, placing a hand on his chest and bowing.

“Please do. We also don’t intend to let any enemies reach the bridge.”

“Hmm. That’s quite reassuring,” the Grand Duke said, breaking into a smile.

Well, we must respond to that trust.

“Theodore-dono. Our preparations are complete as well. If possible, I’d like you to show yourself on the deck too. What do you think?”

Queen Eldorene came to the bridge.

“Understood.”

I nodded and accompanied Queen Eldorene.

When we emerged onto the deck… there stood the officers and soldiers of Grantios, lined up in formation.

They were arranged in orderly rows by unit above Aianos’s cityscape, looking up at Queen Eldorene.

When Queen Eldorene appeared, cheers rose from the officers and soldiers. As the Queen spread her arms wide in response, the voices grew even louder.

To calm the voices, Queen Eldorene lowered her hands. In response to that movement, the officers and soldiers quieted down. Seizing the right moment, Queen Eldorene spoke with a dignified, resonant voice.

My compatriots! Brave warriors! Proud spears of the sea! You have endured well until today!”

“Ooooh!”

The officers and soldiers raised their spears high and shouted.

“The enemy is Waldom and his subordinates! The insolent ruffians who dare to falsely claim the title of Sea King! Though they are ghosts of the past, if the legends are true, their power should never be underestimated! However, we cannot submit to them! For the debt we owe to the compassionate mother who left us this abundant sea and to our ancestors who cherished and raised us, and for the pride of the sea people, we must face this national crisis! For the peaceful smiles of our children and grandchildren tomorrow, we must reclaim tranquility with our own hands!”

Raising the golden khakkhara, Queen Eldorene pointed toward Grantios.

“We were driven from the capital and have bided our time in Aianos for this very day! We now advance upon Grantios to reclaim both the capital and the peace of the seas! Fear not! We are not alone! Noble-hearted warriors from the land stand with us! We must respond to this warm friendship! Our proud determination will become spears that pierce the enemy’s scales and will surely bring victory to our hands!”

“Oooooooh!”

A roaring voice echoed throughout Aianos. The officers and soldiers raised their spears overhead repeatedly while shouting at the top of their lungs.

“Victory to Her Majesty Queen Eldorene!”

“Victory!”

“Glory to Grantios!”

“Glory!”

Queen Eldorene received the cheers with magnanimity, nodding gracefully. Then, judging the right moment, she returned to the ship. I followed her, leaving the deck behind.

“My apologies. Having you, a magician, with us will boost the officers and soldiers’ morale,” Queen Eldorene said once we were back inside the ship.

“Not at all. I’m glad if I could be of service.”

When I answered, Queen Eldorene narrowed her eyes and nodded.

Anyway… the advance on Grantios is finally beginning. We’ll head north, matching the pace of the officers and soldiers accompanying the Sirius. Although we’ll camp along the way, we should be able to advance close to Grantios before Waldom and the others make their next move.