Chapter 19

Welcomed by a thousand soldiers, Leidor Zain boarded the prepared carriage.

He had entrusted the management of the frontier city to the guild master, Zaphis. Before Leidor became the lord of the border, Zaphis and other veteran adventurers had governed the town in place of the lord. The town could certainly be managed without Leidor.

(Although I can't be sure that my brother or the chancellor won't have some ulterior motives... I want to believe they aren't that foolish...)

The frontier city serves to prevent monsters from the dense forest in the southern part of the Zain Kingdom from flowing into the kingdom. If the frontier city were to be tampered with, monsters would flow into the kingdom, and the kingdom would be caught between the empire and the monster horde.

King Grannard and the chancellor had exiled Leidor. While this might have been influenced by Grannard's personal grudge, it was also a consideration to prevent political strife due to the appearance of the Holy Sword wielder. From Leidor's perspective, it was unforgivable, but there was no doubt that they were genuinely trying to protect the kingdom. They wouldn't do anything to harm the frontier city and deliberately destroy the country.

(No matter what... from here on, it's enemy territory. I need to stay focused.)

Leidor, with a stern gaze out the carriage window, steeled himself once more. A concerned voice came from beside him, directed at the resolute young prince.

"Master, is something wrong?"

"No... it's nothing."

Leidor waved his hand lightly in response to the maid in the maid's uniform. Leidor, who was about to enter the heart of the kingdom that had exiled him, was accompanied only by Naimilia. The young Holy Sword wielder and the former witch known as 'Destruction' sat side by side in the carriage. Across from them sat a young man in his twenties, the commander of this unit, Captain Daren Gurst.

"If you're not feeling well, please let me know, Prince Leidor."

Leidor twisted his lips in a sarcastic smile at the young knight who was watching his face.

"Huh, so you do intend to show some respect to me as a royal."

"Of course. You are undoubtedly a legitimate member of the Zain royal family."

"Hmm... so, if I were to fight my brother, would you side with me?"

"...Your Highness, please don't say such things lightly. Even if it's a joke, not everyone can just brush it off."

Daren frowned and offered a stern rebuke. Leidor shrugged and sneered.

"Allow me a little grumbling. I was discarded as an unnecessary prince and now I'm being called back for your convenience. Of course, I have my thoughts."

"...Your Highness. I may be overstepping, but King Grannard truly wishes to reconcile with you and stand together against the empire. I hope you can understand his feelings."

"Feelings? I find that a rather convenient excuse."

He was exiled to the border because he became a Holy Sword wielder and was in the way. Now, because the power of the Holy Sword is needed, they are seeking reconciliation without even being asked. Both are for the kingdom's convenience, the whims of King Grannard.

(I just wanted to be left alone. If that had happened, there would have been no need for a conflict between brothers.)

"Naimilia."

"Yes, I understand."

When Leidor pointed to his throat and called his attendant's name, Naimilia nodded with a smile. She took a water bladder and a wooden cup from the bag she had brought from the frontier city and began to brew tea in the carriage.

"I'll warm it up, so please wait a moment."

"Ah."

When Naimilia gripped the cup of tea with both hands, the liquid inside began to bubble. Soon, steam and a rich aroma rose from the cup.

"Here, it's ready. Milk... is not available yet, so please forgive me."

"...Don't say unnecessary things. Thank you."

"Amazing! Is that lady a sorceress?"

Daren's eyes widened in surprise as Naimilia handed the tea to Leidor. In this world, those who can use magic are called sorcerers. It is said that only one in a thousand people can become a sorcerer, and they are often kept by the state or nobility as valuable resources.

(Magic... and even non-verbal magic! How could such a powerful sorceress be in the borderlands?)

Sorcerers' children are more likely to inherit magical aptitude, so even if they don't serve in the royal palace, they don't lack for marriage prospects. If they can use magic without incantations, the options are even more plentiful. It was incomprehensible why such a powerful sorceress would live in the dangerous frontier city. Daren, lost in shock, watched as Leidor took the tea from Naimilia with a mischievous smile.

"What's wrong? I didn't show you anything that surprising, did I?"

"I see... now I understand why Your Highness brought only her."

"Really?"

"A sorceress skilled enough to use non-verbal magic is rare even in the royal court. If you have such a valuable person as a bodyguard, there's no need for other guards."

Daren nodded, his honest face slightly tense. He understood that the maid named Naimilia was a top-tier sorceress. The question was why Leidor had revealed this to Daren.

(It's not because he wanted tea. This is a warning...!)

I have an excellent sorceress as a bodyguard. So, don't try anything foolish. Leidor was declaring this implicitly.

(And... this also means that His Highness doesn't trust us. He doesn't trust me or the king at all. The only reason he agreed to come to the capital must be to save the country. What is his true purpose...?)

Daren fell silent, lost in thought. The more he thought, the darker his thoughts became, and a heavy sense of despair welled up inside him. Unaware of the young captain's inner turmoil, Leidor sipped from the cup with a calm expression.

"Hmm, as always, Naimilia's tea is delicious."

"Thank you for the kind words. It was worth adding the special honey."

"...I take back what I said. What did you put in there!"

Leidor and Naimilia began to bicker in the carriage, like a married couple. Watching them, Daren pondered Leidor's intentions with a heavy heart.

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