Black Haired King Chapter 17

Chapter 17 - Acquaintance

「So then, Raven, what request did you come for?」

With Mistrea-san showing up, the critical mass-like atmosphere was dissolved, and we were able to show him into the house. Even then, the atmosphere between Helen-san and the Knights is still bad, on top of that, a black haired person such as myself showed up, which made it even worse.

The Knights -

「A black haired?! Don't get anywhere near Raven-sama!」

The moment they said that, Helen-san's sword appeared before their throats with a flash. I'm really happy that she got mad in my place, but that's still kind of scary.

If not for MIstrea-san and the so-called Raven guy, the knights head probably would have flown right then. That's just how much killing intent Helen-san was releasing at this time.

Despite that going on, we showed them into the house, and we can finally start from the beginning. Raven-san sits in front of MIstrea-san, and his 2 knights stand behind him.

Raven-san is technically a guest, so even though she did it unwillingly, Helen-san served him some tea. Meanwhile, I'm standing behind Mistrea-san, somehow, the atmosphere was telling me that I shouldn't sit.

「……Before we start, can those 2…」

Is what Raven-san said to Mistrea-san, I wonder if it's something he doesn't want us to hear? In that case, I wouldn't mind leaving the area, when I tried to do so.

「It isn't a problem. Helen is my granddaughter, and Redius is my disciple, so it shouldn't really matter if they hear.」

So Mistrea-san urges Raven-san to continue his story. Is it really ok? Raven-san's 2 knights seem to be glaring at me…… I want to move…

「Speaking of Mistrea-san's granddaughter, she's their daughter, correct? It's nice to meet you, daughter of Yurian-dono and Erea-dono. My name is Raven Cliffhill. Yurian-dono and Erea-dono have taken great care of me. 」

「……….Nice to meet you. My name is Helen Ragres. It seems you know my mother and father.」 Edit last name if needed, not net

Eeeh~ He's an acquaintance of Helen-san's parents? Well, he IS an acquaintance of Mistrea-san, so I guess it isn't odd for him to know Helen-san's parents.

If I remember correctly, Helen-san's mother, Erea-san is Mistrea-san's daughter? From the story I heard, they left to subjugate a red dragon that appeared and passed away.

I believe the subjugation was a success, and the surviving adventurers brought back her parents' belongings. The sword Helen-san is using is one of them.

That's why she listened to me warmly when I told her about the memento my mother gave me being stolen. I can't thank Helen-san enough huh.

「Yes, Mistrea-san took care of me for a period of time, that's when I became acquainted with them, looking back, it's already been 20 years or so huh?」

「That's about right, back then, you were only 10 years old. Back then, your father brought a crybaby Raven here to temper himself, if I recall correctly?」

「Hahaha, I'm truly embarrassed. Despite that, I'm still a superior officer that leads troops now, so if possible, I would like it if we could not talk about that in front of my subordinates.」

Eeeh~ In that case, wouldn't that make him my older brother disciple? Still, Mistrea-san is amazing, huh, to think one of her disciples is one of the countries leaders.

「Alright, so then, what's the reason for coming? I doubt you came here just to chat, right?

And so, Mistrea-san asks for a second time. Instead of his previous smile, Raven-san starts releasing the pressure worthy of being the commander in chief.

「Of course, this time, I've come to speak about something that I'm sure you are already aware of, it's about the war.」

「The war huh.」

Speaking of wars, he's most likely talking about the war between the Albast Kingdom and the Britaris Kingdom, right? Until now, I've only heard Mistrea-san talk about it, but hearing it from the kingdom's chief in command brings greater credibility to it. If we're talking about leading troops, they'll all be the subordinates of this person.

「Yes. If it all starts as planned, the war should begin around June of next year. It should be right when Prince William graduates from school. He'll be commanding my subordinates, it should be a 30,000 strong army.」

「Eh~, The Albast Kingdom is willing to spare half of its available troops? I can see how much effort they're putting into this next war.」

The Albast Kingdom is only about 50,000 strong after all, I've heard from Mistrea-san but, the standing army is only about 10,000 strong. The limit they can draft is only around 50,000, to think they'd mobilize more than half of that…

「Yes, It's so that the crown prince, William, will be able to achieve his first victory. Also, it's to shut up the Britaris Kingdom that's been pretty noisy lately, if it goes well, we might even grab some territory.」

「Hmm, I see~ So, the reason why you've told me so much is because」

「Yes, I would like to request Mistrea-sama to join in on the campaign. As for what specifically, I'd like you to train the soldiers, as well as act as a guard for Prince William.」

I see, it's true that Mistrea-san is really intense, but if you can endure it, she's a really good teacher.

Also, if Prince William is near her, he'll probably be safe. Still, there are no certainties in war, so you never know what could happen. I don't know anything about war though.

「I understand the matter, my response is, I refuse.」

While I was still thinking, she already refused. It looks like Raven-san already saw this coming, so his facial expressions are the same, but the knights behind him seem surprised. They probably never expected someone to refuse the request of the commander in chief.

「….May I ask the reason?」

「The reason should be obvious. Our era is over, that's all. Didn't you all start this war so that you can pass the torch onto Prince Williams generation? Bringing an old lady like me will just bring in old fashion thinking.」

……….What's someone who barely looks 30 saying, It seems Raven-san understood what Mistrea-san was saying since he didn't say anything.

「…..But, isn't now a time where old fashion thinking is needed?」

…He continues to push, but.

「In that case, Raven, why don't you teach them yourself? I'll pass.」

Mistrea-san isn't conceding, it doesn't seem like she'll change her opinion

「…..I understand. I guess it can't be helped, in that case, Helen-san, would you like to participate? I'm sure a 4 element holder like you will have great achievements」

When he saw it was impossible to get Mistrea-san, he instantly invites Helen-san. True, Helen-sans hair is an almost transparent, beautiful light blue color. (author wrote Mistrea-san, but this should be Helen)

Since she's a 4 element holder, she should bring great achievements, on top of mastering Fierce Flame Style.

「I will not participate.」

Still, Helen-san turned the offer down too.

「I see, that's a shame. ……I guess it really can't be helped, I still have work to do, so I can't stay any longer. I've done what I came here for, so I'll take my leave, Helen-san, if you feel like participating later, just head to the Albast Kingdoms parade ground. that's where conscription is being done.」

「Like I said….!」

When Helen-san was going to turn him down again, Raven-san looked over at me. Helen-san noticed it too, so she stopped talking.

Is this an indirect way of asking me? Mistrea-san is giggling too… The knights behind him don't seem to realize it yet though.

Well, from the perspective of the knights, they don't even want to talk to a black haired like me, still, I heard some good information.

「Well then, Please excuse me.」

「Aah」

Mistrea-san lightly responds, then Raven-san activates 'gate'. I guess he came all the way here through 'gate', and he's going to return through it at his own discretion too.

「Alright, let's prepare dinner, shall we? I'm already starving.」

Says Mistrea-san while stretching, just a second ago she was filled with majesty, but now she's just a normal grandma… Even though she looks like an older sister, I guess I'll help out Helen-san.

「Ahh, Redius, tomorrow we'll begin wrapping up training, so prepare yourself.」

….This lady, casually saying such important things like that…

「Raven-sama is it really ok that we didn't bring her back?!」

「What, no matter what I said there, Mistrea-sama wouldn't have come anyways.」

「Not her, I mean her granddaughter! We should have at least brought her back !」

「If we did that, we would have all gotten killed by Mistrea-sama.」

Also, that black haired kid. Mistrea-sama did say he was her disciple, but he has quite the body. At first, I was still avoiding him because he was a black haired, but, he had such a self-confidence aura that you wouldn't believe he was a black haired, so I got interested.

For the time being, I did convey that I wanted to enlist him, but I wonder if he caught it. I couldn't talk since my subordinates were next to me, but the next time I see him, I'll talk to him.