Chapter 3

Yelker and his two companions, who had raided the stable and stolen the horses, were now galloping down the road.

Yelker still wore a troubled expression.

"...After a burglary, now horse thieves..."

Stina, who had grown tired of dealing with him, left him alone, but Airi continued to engage him earnestly.

"Your Highness, this is an emergency. Besides, thieves are supposed to steal quietly, not boldly take things like we did."

"Is that so?"

The soldiers, who had been on guard against their escape, had posted ten men at the stable, but they were quickly cut down by the three of them.

Stina said with a good mood,

"Your Highness's swordsmanship was impressive. To be honest, I had underestimated you, thinking that no matter how excellent you were at the knight school, it wouldn't amount to much, but you proved me wrong."

Yelker made a face as if he had bitten a bitter bug.

"Even after seeing the two of you wield your swords, you still say that. I've never seen anyone as strong as you two."

Airi's face lit up in a way that was unmistakably clear.

"Really! That can't be! After all, there's Lord Daren, who is rumored to be the best in the country at the knight school!"

Yelker, who looked a bit complicated, said,

"...I'd rather you didn't spread this around, but I think you two are probably stronger."

Perhaps sensing something, Stina mercilessly pressed on.

"Did you perhaps spar with us?"

"I did. I lost. Next time, I won't."

At that moment, Yelker's expression didn't seem to be putting on a front or regretting the loss, but rather seemed disappointed that he might win next time.

Stina found this attitude favorable.

"If you wish to spar with a strong opponent, just let me know. I'll stand in your way as an insurmountable wall."

Though her words were extremely arrogant, Yelker also found her consideration favorable.

"Alright, if we manage to escape successfully, I'll definitely take you up on that. I want to see that sword you used to cut down the soldier again."

Airi, who wanted to hear more about Daren, fidgeted, thinking it would be strange to repeatedly ask if she was stronger.

Stina, finding it troublesome, ignored her, and Yelker smoothly moved on to the next topic.

"About the escape route we discussed at the house, what did you mean by that?"

Though his words were vague, Stina immediately understood.

"That was just a diversion. We have no intention of crossing the Rudiet Mountains as we said."

No matter how frightened his family might be, they wouldn't keep the story from the soldiers after the three of them left.

Airi, realizing the conversation had turned serious, stopped fidgeting and returned to a serious face.

"There is a route that they absolutely cannot follow, Your Highness. However, it would be troublesome if they posted people along the way."

Yelker had also thought of several escape routes, but all of them required several forceful breakthroughs.

"Don't be so mysterious. I couldn't think of anything, so what route is it?"

Stina showed a grin that suited her perfectly, a wicked and mischievous smile.

"We'll cross the Lanome Mountains."

The Lanome Mountains, which separated the border region from the main territory, were the most treacherous in the entire country. While many ventured into them due to their abundant nature, very few returned alive. The more experienced one was with mountains, the more they realized the dangers and turned back.

The steep slopes, the vast forests blocking the way, the fabled demonic springs deep within, and the numerous large and ferocious bears said to inhabit the area made it a place no one, no matter how experienced, dared to enter. It was the only place in the Kingdom of Carelia that remained untouched by human hands, a land where no map could be drawn.

Yelker, momentarily confused, was about to ask for clarification but decided to wait, thinking there might be a plan.

After a moment of silence, there was no continuation.

"Wait, you're saying you'll cross the Lanome Mountains? There's no path there, right?"

Airi quickly explained.

"Yes, but Stina and I know those mountains well. While there's no proper path, we won't get lost."

Yelker still couldn't believe it.

"Those mountains claim several lives and dozens of missing people each year in the surrounding areas alone. It's madness to even think of crossing them."

Airi said nonchalantly.

"You needn't worry, Your Highness. We'll carry you. With two of us, it's so easy we might even yawn."

Yelker, about to argue, stopped and glanced at Stina.

Stina, suppressing a laugh, added support.

"Airi is serious. We really can do it. We trained in those mountains."

Yelker, unsure how to react, tried to make sense of their statements.

"...Is it not as dangerous as it seems?"

Airi and Stina, with serious faces, replied.

"Not really."

"You shouldn't get close if you can't defeat the bears. There are also mountain paths and cliffs... No, it's impossible. Without us, it's absolutely out of the question. There are poisonous springs that kill you if you drink from them and toxic fumes that kill you if you get too close. Even on the easiest route, you have to climb a cliff at least once. It's impossible."

Airi, looking puzzled, said,

"Is it? We got used to it in about three months."

"How many times did you almost die in those three months? You almost starved to death after falling off a cliff, didn't you?"

"Haha, that's true. I'm really glad Stina was there in the mountains."

"It's not a laughing matter... I fell off that cliff too, and it took me over a year to climb it properly."

Yelker asked a very reasonable question.

"Don't you usually die when you fall off a cliff?"

Airi and Stina answered simultaneously.

"We train."

---

The office of Prince Ansulmi, the prime minister, was the place where the most important decisions for the Kingdom of Carelia were made, yet it was surprisingly simple and modest.

He also preferred plain clothing, avoiding any unnecessary decorations.

Despite this, his inherited handsome features remained prominent, and recently, his position had given him an air of authority that belied his young age.

"Hmm, so this is the full plan, is it?"

Three aides stood before the prince, assisting him with his work.

Vario, a slender young man who was the prince's most trusted aide, summarized the key points verbally while Ansulmi skimmed through the documents.

Ansulmi stopped flipping through the papers.

"Hmm? Hey, Vario. Didn't I have a younger brother who graduated top of his class from the knight school? What was his name again?"

"Prince Yelker."

"...Wait a moment. Why are you sending Yelker to Sarnare for inspection? There are plenty of others who could do it."

"Well, I can't say for sure, but didn't you leave this matter entirely to the marshal?"

"True, but if you could, I'd rather have someone less important do it... Hey, did Yelker do something to offend the marshal?"

Unusual decisions often involved the influence of someone in a powerful position.

"Don't say such things lightly. But, I believe the marshal's favorite grandson was in the same class as Prince Yelker at the knight school. If the prince was top of the class, the grandson must have been below him."

Ansulmi, pressing his temples, said,

"The marshal has been declining since the civil war. Can we reduce the work we send to him?"

"That would be difficult. Even if he has declined, the marshal's power remains unshaken."

"Is there anyone who can reason with the marshal...? Of course not."

"Only the prime minister can do that. As a result, various military matters are starting to stagnate."

Ansulmi, dejected, lowered his head.

"...Hey, Vario. Didn't my brother say that if I took the reins of government from him and became prime minister, the work would be easier?"

"That's true. Compared to Prince Ulmas, the marshal is much better."

"You, I'll fire you eventually, so when that happens, start a fraud scheme somewhere. You'd be much better suited to that than being a clerk."

Vario ignored Ansulmi's sarcasm.

"So, what will you do? Protest to the marshal and send people for a rescue now?"

"That's impossible. I can't afford to have a conflict with him when I'm trying to clean up the country. Besides, it's too late now."

"Then, let's subtly let him know that we're aware of his personal grudge and warn him."

"I hope that will make him behave... "