Chapter 31

It has been a while, so here's a summary of the previous events:

Yumiera heads to Patrick's hometown, only to find the border lord and the neighboring country's army facing off. Yumiera, without hesitation, plunges right into the middle of it.

The Ashbaton border lord's army and the Remrest Kingdom's army were staring each other down along the border. I landed right in the middle of it, holding my head on Ryu's back. I had come here in a rush, but this seemed to be a bad situation. If a full-scale war broke out because of me, it would be a disaster.

If the situation changed, I could deal with it on the spot, but both armies remained completely still, focused on me. Not only that, no one even spoke a word. I was considering whether I should announce which side's reinforcements I was, when Ryu sneezed. It was a funny sound, "Gafu," and very cute. I wondered if this might lead to an immediate ceasefire and everyone calming down.

"The Balshain Kingdom's devil has appeared!"

"Run! You'll be swallowed by darkness! You'll be killed!"

"It's over, I'm going to die!"

With Ryu's sneeze as the trigger, the Remrest army's formation quickly collapsed. Some fled, some crouched on the ground holding their heads, and some just stood there. Before I knew it, the atmosphere had shifted to one where we might win without a fight. I was very glad that no one would have to die. I aim for a peaceful image to abolish black hair discrimination. Of course, I won't be an angel descending on the battlefield to end the war without spilling blood. I'm the devil, after all.

Trying to avoid the chaotic scene in front of me, I turned to the Ashbaton army. The moment I turned, a loud clanging sound came from my own side, which had been almost silent until then. It was the sound of metal armor as everyone shuddered in unison.

I sighed and turned back to the front. How did it come to this? I just came to greet his family. It seemed like an emergency, so I rushed over.

Perhaps I should try to capture the enemy general. I looked at the retreating enemy army at full speed, but I couldn't tell where the general was. The formation was in such disarray that I couldn't even guess. Patrick would know, but he was still in a dream. I shook his shoulder hard, but he only groaned and showed no signs of waking up.

"Ah, sorry, but my son is about to die."

A voice came from nearby, and I turned to see a horse standing next to Ryu. On its back was a middle-aged man with gray hair. His hair was whiter than Patrick's, and his face had a resemblance to Patrick's.

From the large Ashbaton border lord's family crest on his armor, it was clear that he was Patrick's father. His guards were watching him with concern from the rear, but their horses seemed to be uncooperative, and they couldn't move forward.

Calm down, me. I didn't expect to greet him here. First impressions are important in human relationships. My actions from now on would determine whether our marriage would be recognized.

I jumped off Ryu's back and knelt on one knee.

"Nice to meet you, Ashbaton border lord. I am Yumiera Dorkness. I have come as reinforcements."

"Um... to destroy Remrest, right?"

"Huh? ...If that's what you wish, father-in-law."

"No, I have no such intention...?"

Why did such a dangerous word come out of the border lord's mouth? I looked puzzled, and he made a similar face.

Probably, our thoughts were the same at that moment.

Patrick, wake up quickly.

◆

"Ah, so you just came to visit!"

"No, no! I'm also here to greet you."

With Patrick awake, the silent staring contest between me and the border lord ended. It seemed he had no intention of fighting, which was a relief.

"So, they suddenly declared war. There was no damage on our side, and it's a good thing the Dorkness baron came to help."

"That must have been difficult."

"We just need to secure the border. It would be good to hear the enemy general's side of the story."

"I'll capture him!"

The border lord and I were addressing each other by our family names and titles. This was probably correct for the heads of noble families, but it felt distant. To get closer, it was best to quickly resolve the problem. As I started to run towards the Remrest army, Patrick grabbed me by the collar, dragging me along.

"Wait! Yumiera, wait! Don't move any further!"

"Are you coming with me, Patrick? You need to show your father-in-law your best side."

"No, if Yumiera moves any further, the Remrest army will die of shock."

"What? That's ridiculous."

I ignored him and walked towards the Remrest army. A soldier who made eye contact with me immediately fainted. The mental fortitude of the neighboring country's soldiers was too weak. I decided to think that.

"Ah, you're that kind of person. Just as Patrick said."

As I was a bit disappointed, my father-in-law muttered this. What did Patrick say about me?

◆

Not receiving a notice of being surplus to requirements, but rather a notice of being too powerful, I stayed with Ryu near the border lord's main camp. After a while, Patrick and his father returned to the main camp, bringing one man in Remrest's uniform with them. I thought I had seen him somewhere before.

"Ah, the intelligence officer?"

"Yes, I was in your debt at the time. I am currently the deputy chief of staff of the Remrest Kingdom's central army, Linus."

Linus was the intelligence officer from the neighboring country who had once contacted me. I was surprised to learn he was in the military, and even more surprised by his position as deputy chief of staff. Why did only he come?

"Both the commander and the chief of staff fled first."

"Ah, well, I see."

He must have had some bad luck with his superiors. Last time, it was his superior who tried to recruit me. Perhaps his transfer from intelligence to the military was a demotion.

However, Linus was now the highest-ranking officer, so he was responsible for the ceasefire negotiations. The representative from the Balshain Kingdom side was, of course, the border lord. I silently watched, not wanting to interfere in matters outside my expertise. Patrick, don't look at me like that.

We entered the tent set up at the main camp and listened to Linus.

"Um, where should I start... Our country is currently divided into two factions..."

I knew this. About a year ago, the neighboring country's king fell ill. The first prince is designated as the next king, but he cannot officially ascend the throne until the king dies. Seeing this as an opportunity, the second prince and his faction have risen, dividing the country.

The border lord, who was well aware of this, prompted him to continue.

"I know that. So, who led this movement?"

"The second prince. He thought he needed to achieve military success since he was at a disadvantage."

"So, your general is...?"

"Yes, the second prince."

Linus's voice grew smaller and smaller. The border lord sighed deeply.

"Ah... With such a cowardly retreat, he won't try anything again. There was no damage on our side, so it seems we can avoid a war."

The border lord didn't want a war. If it came to that, his territory would be the battlefield. I added my support to avoid the war.

"Linus, please tell the second prince that next time, no matter how much he runs, I will chase him with all my might."

"Understood, I will definitely convey that."

Linus's exhausted face brightened slightly. I thought he must have had a tough time. He had a brief exchange with the border lord and then returned to his own army to command the retreat. Before leaving, he said one more thing.

"It's tough for both sides, isn't it? The second prince's faction is also active in the Balshain Kingdom, right?"

Wait, I didn't know that about my own country. What is that stupid prince up to?