V1C1 Part2

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Request of escort

[Please note that this is an unedited translation]

“I wonder why I’ve been summoned this early in the morning…The world is just full of unpleasant things, really.”

It was the early morning of spring; the life in demotion in Karin was approaching its 4th year.

Yui was called to the worn out city hall, which was also used as the army’s facility during urgent tasks, by the only superior authority appointed to Karin’s local army, Ernst.

The ranking in Claris’ army is divided into 10 levels: from the 1st place obtained by the top military authorities to the 10th place given to newly recruited soldiers and soldiers called up at wartime.

There was a situation called ‘deployment from center’[i], so Yui was given the 6th rank, but when he came to Karin he was the strategy officer of the highest rank. And Ernst, the chief that had summoned him now, had 5th rank, and worked as the military chief, which is the highest rank in Karin’s army.

“However, to have business with me at such an hour, it must be something out of ordinary. I hope it’s not something worthless, though…”

As for the formation of the local army in the kingdom of Claris, it was the usual practice to attach local soldiers to the officers that were deployed to the countryside from the three departments that constitute central military authorities, that is, from Department of Army, Department of Magic[ii], and Department of Strategy, respectively.

However, because it was backing a mountain range and was continent’s westernmost rural city that had no borders with other countries, Karin’s strategic value was equal to zero. Hence, the necessity for the military force in Karin was considerably low, and till now, according to all locally hired soldiers of the Department of Army, the defense of the town was not financed.

In all that, there was a possibility of incurring the tyranny of local army without the scrupulous control from the center, and only three years ago, for the first time after the founding of the nation, the organization of Karin’s army was viewed as a problem. And that was because of the information heard that nobles from there used the part of local soldiers as their private army thus making Karin the hotbed of the depravity.

Therefore, it was decided in the military center to deploy there capable persons as auditors with the exception of people from Department of Army. Then, at the end of DoM and DoS’s mutual imposition, the person who was chosen from DoS to become the first resident officer and was sent in Karin as a demoted human resource was the so-called “royal capital’s good-for-nothing” Yui Istats.

“Well, what’s done is done. But if it’s about the job transfer, I wonder if I can somehow decline it…”

Ernst, who had summoned him, knew very well that Yui is extremely weak in the mornings and usually, if there was a council or meeting, always considered to hold it in the afternoon. If that Ernst happened to summon him this early in the morning, Yui couldn’t help but feel an ominous presentiment.

That’s why assuming the worst case scenario of him being transferred to the royal capital and simulating the ways to refuse it inside of his brain, he kept walking inside the city hall. And like that, when he finished verifying about five patterns of refusing, he finally arrived at Ernst’s office.

When he was in front of the room, Yui made arrangements in his head one more time, prepared himself for the worst, and humbly knocked on the door.

“Is that you, Istats-kun? Please, come in.”

Reacting to the knocking sound, Ernst’s calm voice resounded from inside the door.

Hearing that voice Yui let out a big sigh, and slowly opened the door, letting the tension out of his shoulders.

When Yui walked into the office, the sight of a blond haired good looking man in his midthirties, who was sitting on a sofa, reflected in his eyes. And at the same time, the figure of Ernst, who had hair streaked with grey, making an unusually strict expression on the other side of the sofa captured his eyes.

“It’s been a while, Istats-kun. Seems like you are getting used to Karin since the time we met when you had just been appointed here long time ago.”

That blond middle-aged man stood up from the sofa he was sitting on and smiled spreading his arms to Yui.

Yui couldn’t remember that man’s name instantly, so he bowed his head on the spur of the moment, and then moved his gaze in Ernst’s direction.

“Istats-kun, come sit here.”

Receiving Yui’s gaze, Ernst called him to his side.

When Yui, who was called out, slowly sank into the sofa, he finally found out the name of the good looking man who sat facing him from his mental list of people’s names.

Count[iii] Samuel.

That was the name of the man sitting in front of him. Moreover, when it comes to calling him, it’s not count but the title of mayor that is often used before[iv] his name.

“Sorry for summoning you early in the morning. To be honest, a little while ago I intended to ask you after doing some preparations…”[v]

Yui felt this conversation’s tinge of anxiety like a pointed knife, but based on the presence of mayor, he immediately estimated that the possibility of having a conversation about the transfer was low and he regained composure.

However, it was the first time since he had moved here to start a new job that he was sitting with the mayor. And also the expression of usually gentle Ernst was stiff, and that’s why he had the feeling that something troubling must’ve happened.

“The truth is I want to ask you to work as an escort. But that’s only for about a week.”

“An escort…you say?”

Yui asked back unintentionally to Ernst’s unexpected request.

In Karin the duty of escort was under the jurisdiction of DoA, so normally it is hard to think of the conversation where Yui, who belonged to DoS, will be requested to do the escort’s job.

“Yes, the duty of escort. Originally, to ask you who was deployed from DoS to do this work would’ve been inexcusable…But this time is a special case…”

Said Ernst hesitatingly, and Samuel, who sat facing him, continued the conversation with the smile.

“Well, the request to you and military chief Ernst comes from me. The truth is, there is one tourist from the royal capital that wants to visit their own territory, and the problem is that this guest is the unusual one. The guest called Elise von Ertobut[vi], do you know her?”

Yui thought of the name Elise, but digging in his memory, there was no such person that fell under his acquaintance. But the moment he calmly recognized the surname Ertobut, Yui felt the shock like the back of his head was hit hard.

“Ertobut you say… it can’t be the first princess Elise, can it?!”

As if looking for confirmation, Yui alternately looked back at their faces.

Thereupon, before his gaze Ernst heavily nodded once, and Samuel, with an expression like he was estimating Yui, opened his mouth to affirm Yui’s opinion.

“Yes, that’s exactly the case. In outline, it’s a sightseeing combined with the territory inspection, and there are no capable persons suitable to be princess’ escort among my private army. That’s why I chose the you who came from the royal capital.”

“Sorry, but that’s the way it is, Istats-kun. I think you know, but as unfortunate as it is, there are no people among my subordinates who were educated in royal capital, too. To be honest, I can’t rely on anyone except from you who came from the royal capital. I am sorry, but can’t you accept the request?”

When Ernst, who is considerably older that him, said that and then bowed his head, Yui reluctantly gave a positive answer in a hurry.

“I see, so that’s how it is. Even if I could refuse it, and I want to do so, still I’m not going to do that. I understood, I will accept your request. It’s just that if I will become princess Elise’s escort, with just my unit, I think there will be too few people… What should I do with that?”

Answered Yui facing Ernst while the faces of every one of just six people in Strategy Section floated in his mind.

Thereupon, Ernst shook his head saying there’s no need to worry.

“Regarding that, she’ll be bringing with her the Imperial Guards from the royal capital as an escort. That’s why you, guys, are asked to be mainly the guides instead of escort.”

Listening to Ernst’s words, Yui was relieved that there was no need to excessively worry about escort’s aspect.

Of course, there is a possibility that if Imperial Guards’ escort were to look at local soldiers with prejudice, this will cause trouble. That is why, actually, slight uneasiness was left, but thinking that making a businesslike confirmation was more urgent now, he changed his thought.

“…Understood. Then, about when the princess Elise’s arrival is planned?”

“That will be today.”

So announced Ernst to Yui making a sour face as if he chewed up a bitter bug.

“Today…is that true?”

Receiving Ernst’s unexpected answer, Yui unintentionally gazed out at the ceiling and said just that as if he squeezed out his reply.

“Yes. The inspection said that they want to see everything the way it is. Seems like inspections to other territories were the same; they suddenly came with an inspection to the territory without any prior contact. They contacted me only last night, too, seems like they’ve departed from the capital long ago and will arrive today at noon.”

“That again… What an unthinkable tomboy her highness first princess is, isn’t she?”

Seeing troubled figures of those two, Samuel brought up a subject to Yui with somewhat strange faint smile.

“Even though, Istats-kun. You should’ve heard rumors like that, too, since you’ve been to the royal capital. The first princess’ recklessness must’ve been the topic of conversation among nobles for the first time.”

“Sorry, but I don’t remember hearing something like that from the nobles of the royal capital…But even if you say inspection, where is it okay to show them around?”

“Oh yeah. For example, today we’ll have a warm welcome for them at my residence in Karin. So we’ve decided on the place for now, tomorrow’s within a city, the day after tomorrow will be suburbs, and then two days after tomorrow will be a field trip to the Kroseon mountain range.”

When Samuel pronounced the name of the mountain range that was the very model of Karin’s picturesque nature, Yui finally understood the main purpose of this princess’ party.

“I see. I understand that she really is going to be a tourist. In that case, I’ll start preparations with that intention. I will rush the preparations, so I must leave here.”

Saying that, Yui stood up from the sofa, bowed to both of them and left the office.

“However, is it really going to be okay with him? Surely, his results from the time when he was in military academy speaks for themselves but[vii]…”

Samuel transferred his gaze from the door Yui left from to the direction of Ernst, asking the question he was harboring.

“Yes, he really is an outstanding person. Even if there are rumors that he’s been constantly skipping all his duties in the royal capital, currently if you were to examine his work, you’ll barely find any mistakes. In other words, it is the truth that being exceedingly good at dealing with things, he just didn’t do it. But then, I say it since there is time left, seems like there was no assisting with work for the sake of other people than himself, or making a new plan on his own initiative.[viii]”

“I see… As expected from the boss. I understood.”

Samuel said so and nodded in satisfaction.

Samuel placed his utmost trust into this veteran army general who managed to avoid bankruptcy and continued to protect the town even if there were various troubles ever since he became a military chief.

“No-no, I’ll be his boss only while he’s here. I’m sure he is the man who’ll immediately stand on top of me if he returns to the royal capital. In fact, I might retire before that.”

While he was talking about the young man he put his expectations into, Ernst wore a smile of joy like his gloomy expression from before was just a lie.

Story 1 – Top – Story 3

[i] 中央からの派遣 – ‘dispatch from center’ or whatever. I don’t know much about military terms..

[ii] I wanted to use Department of Sorcery instead of Magic, but then I thought it will be more convenient to leave magic to avoid confusion w/ Department of Strategy when using their acronyms. And yes, since I’m lazy, I’ll use DoM, DoS, DoA sometimes.

[iii] サムエル伯爵

[iv] In Japanese the title is used after the name, e.g. Samuel hakushaku – Count Samuel.

[v]本当はもう少し前もって準備してから、君にお願いしようと思っていたんだが…

[vi] エリーゼ・フォン・エルトブート

[vii] 確かに士官学校時代の彼の成績は、見せてもらったが…

[viii] つまり、非常に要領が良いあまりに、することがなかったというのが真相です。もっとも時間が余ったからといって、自分から他人のために仕事を手伝ったり、自ら率先して新たな計画を立てたりすることはなかったようですがね

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