Merchant Noble is out (4/4 chapters for today)

 

 

Journey of Running Away

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“Fran, why are we leaving the capital so hastily?” (Lily)

Lily, the 3rd unit soldier, hurriedly packed her belongings, having fallen behind the other soldiers, and at the same time questioned Fran, the 1st unit soldier.

The “Casablanca Seven,” as they were called by the public, consisted of seven members of Casablanca’s personal guard. Among them, Fran, the 1st unit soldier, was in a class of her own. She was Casablanca’s closest confidant. She was sent from a provincial baron’s family at the age of five as a servant and friend of the same age, she had spent most of her life with Casablanca. Being assigned to the royal family, Fran was extremely intelligent and broad-minded. As such, she acted as Casablanca’s advisor, and behind every sudden or significant decision, like this one, there was always Fran.

“Sorry that Her Highness  and I decided this on our own. But it’s simply too dangerous to stay in the capital any longer.” (Fran)

Fran stopped what she was doing and explained.

“If the capital is attacked by the rebel forces while Leo-sama is away, it won’t hold. We might not even be able to suppress a civilian riot. From today onward, we can’t guarantee Her Highness’ safety in the capital.” (Fran)

Indeed, the capital had previously been guarded by the king’s royal guards. However, the royal guard had been wiped out during the great defeat of the former king, Zerold. Whether they had perished alongside Zerold or feared Leo and never returned to the capital was unknown. In any case, they were now scattered.

Since then, Leo’s soldiers had maintained the security of the capital, but they had left the capital today. In short, the capital now had no police force.

“Also, the fact that Her Highness Marie escaped from the capital is significant. Until now, it was believed that Leo-sama had confined both Her Highness Casablanca and Her Highness Marie. If Her Highness Marie escapes while Her Highness Casablanca remains in the capital…” (Fran)
“It could be seen as Louis-sama and Her Highness Marie versus Leo and Her Highness Casablanca.” (Lily)

Lily understood.

Indeed, if Marie and Louis rebelled against Leo while Casablanca remained in the royal palace, it would be disastrous. It would be impossible to explain away the assumption that Casablanca was on Leo’s side.

“Exactly. Casablanca-sama can’t afford to be seen as allied with Leo-sama. Leo-sama’s brutal nature will reach its limit soon. We must distance ourselves from him, as much as possible, to avoid attracting his attention.” (Fran)

“It’s like Leo-sama is a plague god.” (Lily)

“Calling him a plague god is too mild. That man is a ticking time bomb.” (Fran)

Fran said with a bitter smile.

Casablanca and her royal guards passed through the now-busy castle gates shortly after Leo’s troops had departed, acting as if nothing was amiss. Even Casablanca was nervous as they passed through the gates. Most likely, Leo wouldn’t allow Casablanca to leave the capital. After all, she had been living under what was essentially house arrest. The soldiers at the gates had surely been ordered to prevent her from leaving.

However, their worries proved unfounded. A soldier in uniform rushed past them, seemingly late to join Leo’s troops, and the gates were opened without any difficulty.

Thus, Casablanca’s group successfully escaped the capital. They hid in a nearby forest, trying to figure out where to go next. Since Leo’s deployment had been decided so abruptly, Casablanca’s escape had naturally also been sudden. They hadn’t planned where to go after escaping.

Fran and Casablanca sat down on a tree stump to discuss.

“Your Highness, we’ve successfully escaped the capital, but where should we go now?” (Fran)

“If I had a destination, I would’ve fled before my brother arrived in the capital, like my younger brother Louis.” (Casablanca)

“Is there any noble you’re close to or have a connection with?” (Fran)

“Hmm…” (Casablanca)

“How about that count household? Oh no, I broke off the engagement. That viscount household? No, I kicked his foolish son. That baron household? No, I shaved the messenger’s head and sent him back.” (Casablanca)

“There don’t seem to be many nobles who are on good terms with you, Your Highness.” (Fran)

Fran gave a wry smile as more and more stories of Casablanca’s bad relations with nobles surfaced.

The news of Louis and Marie’s rebellion had reached Leo during Casablanca’s lunch. Leo had gathered troops and departed, and Casablanca had used the opportunity to escape. All of this had happened in less than a day. By now, it was evening, and the sun was setting. Though they were a personal guard, it was a bit unsettling for a group of women to face the night like this.

Just then, the soldiers who had been scouting the area around the capital returned. They shook their heads, having found no useful clues, but the 7th unit soldier, Hanna, had found what seemed to be a group of retainers from a noble household.

“Your Highness. I saw a carriage displaying a crest along the road to the northwest.” (Hanna)

“Do you know which noble it belongs to?” (Casablanca)

“Um, Fran-san. The crest looked like this.” (Hanna)

Hanna drew a pattern on the ground with a stick. As the sun was setting and it was getting dark, Fran had to lean closer to the ground. As soon as the drawing was complete, Fran answered immediately.

“That’s the Warden Household’s crest. Your Highness has met them before, at the banquet hosted by Habarov. They’re probably on their way back to their hometown from the capital. Unlike other nobles, the Warden Household kept people stationed at their mansion, but their mansion was likely burned down in the recent fire.” (Fran)

“You know everything, as usual, Fran.” (Jeanne)

Jeanne, the 2nd unit soldier, muttered in awe and slight exasperation.

Fran had been trained in all the skills necessary for a close aide to Casablanca. She had even acted as an interpreter during meetings with foreign envoys. Remembering the crests and activities of nobles was a piece of cake for her.

“Arc Warden, wasn’t it?” (Casablanca)

Fran’s words reminded Casablanca. Arc Warden, the young man she had met at the Habarov banquet. He had won her younger sister Marie’s affections and quickly returned to his hometown. As her older sister, she had some thoughts about that, but since the Warden Household had shallow roots in nobility and came from a merchant background, they had gotten along better than with other nobles.

It was the best among the worst options. She had no choice but to rely on a noble she disliked, but among them, the Baron Warden was the most tolerable and just happened to be nearby. Casablanca made her decision swiftly.

“Hanna! Lead me to that carriage! Everyone, hurry. We can’t let them escape.” (Casablanca)

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