Merchant Noble is out (2/3 chapters for today)
Retreat
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– First City of the Mikanda Region –
When Minerva returned home after finishing her work at the university, she found that Randal and Laika, who had taken refuge in the Fourth City, had returned.
“Oh, Minerva-sama! Minerva-sama!” (Laika)
“It’s been a while, Minerva-sama.” (Randal)
Laika spotted Minerva and jumped at her like a child. Randal, who watched his sister with a smile, approached as well.
Since Leo began to rule the kingdom, 999 out of 1,000 people became unhappy. Citizens were plundered, the masses were caught in battles, farmers were conscripted as soldiers, and nobles were defeated in war. Regardless of social status, the people of the kingdom became miserable. However, Randall and Laika were among the very few, the really few, who became happy thanks to Leo.
Originally, as the ringleader of a peasant rebellion, Randall would have inevitably been executed, but Tyr, enamored by his talent, secretly brought him to Mikanda. If this fact were to become public, not only would the two of them be in danger, but the entire Warden Household as well. For that reason, they had to remain hidden and live quietly for a while.
However, due to Leo’s internal conflict and the great aristocratic rebellion that followed, no one remembered the existence of the peasant rebellion, which had been suppressed a year earlier. Thanks to the chaos caused by Leo, the two could walk freely again.
“Laika’s complexion has improved a lot.” (Minerva)
Minerva said as she gently stroked Laika’s beautiful blonde hair.
“It’s all thanks to Minerva-sama. How could I ever repay Minerva-sama, who saved my sister?” (Randal)
Randal bowed his head in gratitude, almost parallel to the ground.
Since their father was killed by the lord, Laika had been plagued by nightmares every night. During the rebellion, it was particularly severe, and she couldn’t sleep without drinking strong alcohol every night.
But since coming to Mikanda, Minerva had been holding Laika every night, sleeping together, and staying by her side without complaint, even when Laika screamed from nightmares. Moreover, she made it a point to be with Laika as much as possible, from meals to baths. As a result, Laika, wrapped in a sense of security, gradually stopped having nightmares and began to smile more in her daily life.
To Laika, Minerva was a friend, a sister, a mother, and a benefactor. For someone who had only ever had her brother, Minerva taught her many first experiences and emotions. Because of this history, Laika had become very attached to Minerva and was always clinging to her.
“Oh no, don’t worry about it. I only did what I could. So, how was the Fourth Town?” (Minerva)
“Hehe. Minerva-sama~. Rishu-san, the mayor, praised me a lot. He said, ‘Laika-kun, the trajectory of your throwing sword is beautiful.’” (Laika)
“That’s wonderful. Good girl, Laika, you’re really strong.” (Minerva)
Laika spoke to Minerva like a child reporting their achievements to their mother. During the rebellion, she had left a very mature impression, but she had likely always been tense, trying not to be a burden to her brother. Watching his sister rely on Minerva, Randal felt both relief and guilt toward her.
“Ah, Randal, Laika. So, you’re here.” (Tyr)
Tyr arrived at that moment.
It was Tyr who had summoned the two of them back to the First Town.
“A letter has arrived from Arc. We depart immediately. Get ready.” (Tyr)
“Huh? A letter from Arc-oniisama!? Let me see the letter!” (Laika)
“Yanna-neesan has it, so ask her to show it to you. Sorry, but I don’t have time to entertain Minerva. Time is of the essence.” (Tyr)
Hearing it was from Arc, Minerva, her face pale, approached Tyr, but he was in such a hurry that he spoke without even looking her way.
—
Meanwhile, after nearly two months in the eastern frontier territories, Leo’s army finally began to retreat.
Amid heavy rain, heavier than usual, they left the campsite as it was and moved with only the bare minimum of supplies. The plains, which had been grassy when they arrived, had now turned into a vast wetland. Large puddles had formed on the ground, and months of rain had made the mud so thick that it became treacherous. When horses slipped, both the animals and humans suffered serious injuries, so Arc and his men had no choice but to retreat on foot.
After about half a day, he suddenly heard something.
“Yulia. Did you say something?” (Arc)
“No, I didn’t say anything.” (Yulia)
The sound, faintly mixed with the rain, gradually grew louder. Straining their ears, they realized it was the sound of people shouting.
When Arc nervously looked back, even in the poor visibility, he could tell. Thousands of soldiers were rushing toward Leo’s army.
“What’s wrong, Leo? Running away before even fighting—doesn’t seem like you.” (Marquis)
The Eastern Frontier Marquis, who had been skillfully riding his horse through the swamp, pursued them, taunting Leo with plenty of sarcasm.
“Hah! I’ve been waiting forever. Finally decided to leave your castle, huh? I was so bored I was about to head home. Now give me a little fun!” (Leo)
Leo’s soldiers readied their bows, and Arc hastily grabbed his own bow to prepare, but—
Creak, creak, creak.
A cracking sound echoed as the bow broke. The wooden bow had rotted from the long rain and humidity. Arc quickly readied his spare bow, but—
*Snap*
This time, the bowstring snapped. The moisture had also rotted the string.
“Hah! So, the time has come, eh?” (Leo)
Leo, realizing that his own bow had also broken, laughed heartily as he understood why the Eastern Frontier Marquis had chosen this moment to attack. With a wide grin, he drew his sword.
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