Chapter 42

The next morning, in the town of the Kelvim territory, preparations for battle were underway once again. Given that the northern part of the town bordered an unexplored forest, it was only natural to remain vigilant. The situation in the neighboring Jemerald territory to the northeast was also unknown. The residents of the north, with a long history of battling monsters, were beginning to prepare.

Meanwhile, Gilbert was having some leather armor made by Flora and the others.

"Mr. Gilbert, please raise your arms and stay still," Flora said.

"Huh! Please, I'll do my best...!"

As he raised both arms, Flora, holding leather straps, approached him at close range and wrapped them around his back. Although she was only taking measurements around his chest, the closeness made him feel as if she were hugging him, causing him to tense up.

──C-Come on, Flora! You smell so good...!?

Flora's expression was serious, so Gilbert only shouted this in his mind.

"Next, please raise your arms to the side, up to shoulder height, take a deep breath, and hold it."

He nodded and did as he was told, feeling his body temperature rise and becoming slightly sweaty, which made him uneasy.

Dorf was smiling warmly as he worked on processing a thin sheet of iron. Barbara, cutting the measured leather with scissors, muttered, "It's spring, isn't it?" Despite the cheerful atmosphere inside the carriage, it had been raining since morning outside.

They were making new armor to protect against the cold during the rainy season. They were making chest plates, shoulder guards, gauntlets, and cloaks. Dorf, Barbara, and Flora were using their free time to make these items.

Gilbert had also received new bindings for his battle axe. He realized that even his clothes were being sewn by Flora, so everything he wore was handmade by her.

──Just thanking her isn't enough...

At the end of Gilbert's gaze, a wooden flower hairpin was attached to Flora's hair. He had made it early this morning and given it to her. A brooch he had given her earlier was also pinned to her chest. The fact that Flora was wearing items he had made gave him a ticklish, happy feeling. He was fidgeting, thinking about what to give her next. He fantasized about learning glassmaking from a glass craftsman and making something for her.

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While he was doing this, Lionel came to call Gilbert and Dorf. It seemed that the Jemerald knight had woken up. In the church, the lord of Kelvim and those involved in the battle in the town had gathered.

"Thank you for your help. I know it's selfish to ask, but please... save Jemerald."

The young man, who was still not fully recovered, raised his upper body from the bed with a pained expression and spoke in a hoarse voice, bowing his head.

"First, could you tell us what has happened, one step at a time? I've heard that Jemerald knights swear absolute loyalty to their lord. However, from your appearance, it seems you have fled from there?"

When the lord of Kelvim spoke, the young man nodded with a bitter expression.

"Yes... Due to the pride of having long protected the harsh northern region, there are not many who defy the orders of Lord Jemerald. However, there are not a few who have spoken out to protect their families or out of fear. ...All those who have objected to the lord's policies have been restrained..."

"Policies...? Does Lord Jemerald have some plan?"

The young knight began to speak with a frightened look.

"...They are capturing undead monsters alive and increasing their numbers within a barrier..."

"Are you mad!? Why would you do such a thing!? You know the terror of undead monsters, don't you!?"

The lord of Kelvim exclaimed in shock, and the young man weakly shook his head.

"I am at the bottom, so I do not know the purpose. However, it seems impossible to control them. ...Moreover, something seems to be wrong."

Lionel and Gilbert listened with serious expressions.

"Lord Agreus, the heir and son of the Jemerald family, is currently in the capital, but Lord Jemerald has been bedridden for a long time. Although orders are given through his close aides, I have not seen him in person for about half a year. However, at night, sometimes his voice can be heard from the ground."

"From the ground...?"

"Yes. I don't know the reason, but it seems some kind of magic is being used. I can't understand exactly what he is saying, but it is clear that he is in pain. Many people have heard this voice."

Gilbert frowned in confusion.

"Um... Are you saying that Lord Jemerald is already dead and has become a ghost or something...?"

"At first, such rumors circulated. However, there is no reason to keep it a secret. Lord Agreus, the legitimate son, is alive and well, and there is no one in the territory who does not support him as the successor."

The confusion of everyone present deepened.

"I cannot grasp the situation at all, but if we were to intervene, and if we were to face the Jemerald knights...?"

The lord of Kelvim furrowed his brow. The difference in scale and training was obvious, and the northern region had long been plagued by battles with monsters. As a result, they were less accustomed to human warfare.

"As I mentioned earlier, the control of the undead monsters is not going well. They are barely being contained, and the command structure is beginning to break down. I escaped to inform the outside world of this situation."

Lionel's expression became even more serious.

"Has the capital been informed...?"

"That... I am sorry, but I was restrained and could not confirm that."

The lord of Kelvim took a deep breath.

"This morning, I sent a messenger to the southern checkpoint of Jemerald. However, we cannot afford to just confirm the situation. We should prepare to march out. From what I have heard, we cannot wait for a response from the capital. If the situation in Jemerald collapses, we will be the first to suffer."

Everyone nodded. While there was a risk in acting without verification based on the testimony of a single knight, the possibility of it being too late if everything turned out to be true was a concern.

"Fortunately, we have some leeway thanks to the successful operation yesterday. Once the additional preparations are in place, we will head for Jemerald."

At Lionel's words, everyone immediately began to take action.