Chapter 584 – Reunion at the Port

And so, one day passed, then two.

While we were at the shipyard checking on the scout golems and conducting training, a fleet of ships entered the harbor.

They were military vessels from Silvatria. As the first ship arrived at the port, knights wearing surcoats appeared on the deck alongside phantom beasts with flight capabilities like Griffins, Hippogriffs, and Pegasuses, peering out.

Some of them… seemed to be casting glances at Saphir, whom Elliot was riding.

“My apologies. They are the Magic Knight Order of Silvatria. They’re acquainted with Saphir as well.”

When I halted Lindwurm’s movement, Elliot also stopped Saphir and gave a wry smile.

“So this is a reunion with friends for Sir Elliot and Saphir, then. Shall we suspend the aerial mobility training for now?”

“Much obliged. Then I shall go for a bit.”

Saying this, Elliot gave instructions to the Demon-Slaying Knight Order before slowly departing toward the ship with Saphir. Immediately, phantom beasts flew out from the military ship’s deck, responding to Saphir.

The magic knights and magicians of Silvatria lined up on the deck also smiled, watching the phantom beasts with fond expressions.

When the phantom beasts drew near, Elliot dismounted from Saphir and allowed her to move freely.

“Play nicely.”

When Elliot spoke, Saphir let out a happy cry and began flying around, intertwining with her familiar phantom beasts in the sky. She was quite excited.

“Long time no see. Ah, right—you’re Elliot now.”

“Yes, it’s been a while, Egil.”

It seemed Elliot himself went to greet the knights on the deck. They must have known him from when he went by Benedict.

Hmm… I should probably go greet them too.

“I’ll go say hello as well. Actually, this might turn into a round of greetings, so let’s pause training for now.”

“Mm. Understood.”

Sheila nodded, and Grace smiled at me.

“In that case, after tidying up, we should also go greet them.”

“Right. That might be best. Her Highness Stephania is inside the Sirius too.”

“Yes. I’ll let her know.”

Rosemary nodded.

After nodding to everyone, I spoke to Lindwurm, and it slowly approached the military ship at a gentle pace.

Since eyes were on me, I dismounted from Lindwurm and bowed.

“Pleased to meet you. I am Theodore Gartner.”

“Could it be—the Otherworld Ambassador!”

Egil and the other magic knights of Silvatria straightened their postures.

“Ah, no, please, at ease. I don’t wish to interrupt your reunion.”

“No. It’s an honor to meet you, Sir Theodore.”

The magic knights returned a salute. Not just the magic knights—the magicians saluted as well. They seemed oddly unified and moved.

“Well, you are the hero who healed His Majesty Eberhart’s body and saved the royal family and the academic alliance. Moreover… you are also a blood relative of Lord Siegmund, so it’s only natural.”

Elliot said with a smile.

Ah—so that’s how I’m regarded in Silvatria. The trust placed in King Eberhart and Old Siegmund seems to be adding to it.

“But if it’s Sir Theodore, then the aerial movements from earlier make sense.”

“Not at all.”

The magic knights nodded while saying such things.

They seemed to be knights with quite cheerful personalities. Since they’re being dispatched here, they’re undoubtedly elites, but their character must have been considered as well.

“Oh, if it isn’t Theodore and Elliot!”

Next, showing himself from a ship that had entered the harbor was King Eberhart of Silvatria. The magic knights and magicians lined up on the deck welcomed him with salutes.

“Your Majesty.”

“It’s been a while.”

When Elliot and I greeted him, King Eberhart’s face broke into a broad smile.

“Indeed. I am delighted to see you both in good health.”

“How has your health been since then?”

“Since the Erosion was Purified, I’ve been in excellent condition.”

King Eberhart said in high spirits.

“Her Highness Adriana is at the shipyard nearby. I’ll go inform her now.”

“Oh. Is that so?”

While having such conversation with King Eberhart, another new fleet could be seen approaching from the sea—from the southern direction. They weren’t military ships, but each was a large vessel.

“Excuse me for a moment.”

I used Light Magic to magnify the view and observed. The figure standing on the deck was familiar. That was—.

“Oh, if it isn’t Theodore and Elliot! Long time no see!”

The familiar figure was none other than King Farid of Baharzad himself.

Many of those who showed their faces on the deck were also participants in the subjugation of Kahar. They welcomed us with cheers.

“Your Majesty Farid. It’s been too long.”

“Yes. I’m glad to see you well.”

With King Farid’s arrival, Elliot and I went to greet King Farid after King Eberhart.

Since the welcoming party from the royal castle had also arrived and was greeting King Eberhart, it should be fine to leave that to them.

“Could it be… that the reinforcements from the Kingdom of Baharzad are led by Your Majesty yourself?”

Regarding King Eberhart, it’s arranged that he’ll return to Silvatria with us aboard the Sirius, but in King Farid’s case… He’s the type who might insist on fighting on the front lines himself.

“I would very much like to, but my aides have repeatedly warned me to make sure I return. Well, I can’t say their reasoning is wrong—with Baharzad’s current situation, I can’t leave the country unattended for long.”

At my words, King Farid shook his head regretfully.

“I came to the Kingdom of Verdugal to thank King Melvin for his assistance as well. And I must see with my own eyes what the warriors fighting under my command are protecting.”

“I see… That makes sense.”

“Truthfully, if Termwills were to fall, the repercussions would spread to the south as well, so we should confront the demons with all our might, but…”

Well… There are various factors like maintaining public order in Baharzad and the food supply issues on Verdugal’s side. Realistically, it’s not feasible.

King Farid personally seemed to genuinely regret not being able to fight alongside us.

Friendship with Verdugal, boosting the morale of the dispatched troops, a king’s pride—there are likely various reasons, but all seem like typical of King Farid’s way of thinking.

“Well, having Your Majesty Farid holding the south is reassuring. We don’t intend to lose, though.”

When I said this, King Farid grinned in response.

“I see. So I’m the rear guard, then. The Anti-Demon Coalition’s forces span from the northern Kingdom of Silvatria to the southern Baharzad—quite vast.”

“Father.”

While talking with King Farid like this, everyone came flying toward us. Princess Stephania and the others were with them.

“Ah. Elharm. I’m glad to see the princess and Theodore’s fiancées are well.”

“Yes. It’s been too long.”

“Long time no see, Your Majesty Farid.”

Saying this, everyone exchanged reunion greetings with King Farid. Marlene picked up the hem of her skirt and bowed politely, and King Farid nodded quietly.

Hmm. But with the arrival times overlapping like this… The harbor is going to get quite busy with unloading cargo and such. With people coming and going, things won’t progress smoothly.

In that case… The shipyard has space available, so if part of the fleet moves there and unloads cargo and personnel from the shipyard, it might be more efficient.

Since it’s treated as a military port for the Sirius and special forces by Verdugal, I’ll need to consult King Melvin about using it.

Once I contact him via the communication device and get permission… we’ll all guide the fleet.