Chapter 140
“…How is that an advantage?”
“In winter, it’s more than enough of an advantage.”
“Aren’t there cold-weather supplies?”
“But you can’t provide expensive cold-weather supplies to every single soldier.”
“…That’s true, isn’t it?”
The Emperor, having received several unexpected answers in a row, was becoming more and more focused.
“At least for low-grade mana stones, the palace budget will be enough, so please prepare as much as possible.”
“Hmm, then what’s the second thing you need?”
“…Pardon?”
This time, Lea was taken aback. She’d only mentioned the most useful item, thinking he would grant just one request.
Instead, Calix answered on her behalf.
“Please prepare a tent made from magic tools, Your Majesty.”
“Just one?”
“Yes. The Guide is the most important, so her shelter must come first. As for the Espers, would we really die from the cold?”
His confident answer struck the Emperor’s fancy for the first time in a while. He laughed heartily, got up from his seat, and came down to stand in front of the two of them.
“Calix. I’d like it if, in our generation, we could put an end to this drawn-out war.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. I will surely return victorious.”
“Good.”
For the first time, Lea saw a truly parental expression on the Emperor’s face. It was a strange feeling. She wondered if, in his own way, he hadn’t always cared for Calix after all.
* * *
The order to deploy quickly became the talk of the palace, and the soldiers began to gather. Even in the remaining time, Lea diligently continued preparing for winter.
The preparations she made for winter had, from the start, been in anticipation of war. So nothing was lacking.
Meanwhile, Calix watched with some amusement as Lea now sought him out in his palace without being summoned. The way she stuck to him, whatever he was doing, reminded him so much of her days as Luna. It was impossibly endearing. Whenever she gazed up at him with narrowed eyes and bit her tiny lips, he wanted to scoop her up and suck her in all at once.
Whenever he did, Lea would flush and get angry, but Calix found even that adorable and smiled contentedly.
As he prepared for deployment, it seemed like her intense focus would make things more difficult, but in fact, the preparations went smoothly and swiftly. The day of departure finally arrived.
“Milady, how about I go with you?”
Lea, dressed not in a gown but in riding clothes with a thick cloak, turned to Rose at her words.
“I’m just so worried.”
“No.”
“But…”
“Stay with your sister for now. I already told Derek, so even if he’s not home, you’ll be able to get into the house.”
“But will you be able to manage bathing and dressing yourself alone? Isn’t it better if I go with you?”
Lea gave a gentle smile to the persistent Rose.
“There’s nothing to worry about. I’ll be wearing simple clothes, and I can at least wash up by myself.”
“…I’m still not convinced.”
“Still, you can’t come.”
With all of Rose’s worries resting on her shoulders, Lea left the palace. Calix, who happened to be heading to her palace, strode over and easily swept Lea up into his arms.
She instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck as they moved. Arriving at the place where the soldiers had gathered, Calix set her down at his side.
He addressed the soldiers.
“This war with Leonis—we will end it here and now. We have a dependable Guide and the knowledge passed down from our ancestors. So let’s make sure this is the last one!”
“Yes, sir!”
A powerful shout rang out as one voice. Lea looked on with a calm expression, even as war loomed ahead.
Her unshaken composure helped calm the Espers’ hearts.
Before Calix mounted his horse, he glanced at the one Lea was to ride and asked in a low voice,
“Come here. My steed can easily carry two people.”
“I’m sorry, but I’m quite skilled at riding. There’s no need to worry.”
Lea lightly refused his offer and mounted the horse in one swift, practiced motion. The Espers around them watched her with quiet admiration.
“Really, you’re never obedient, are you. Let’s move out.”
At Calix’s low command, the sound of hooves began to echo over the ground. Riding beside Calix, Lea looked straight ahead.
She resolved not to let a single Esper die in this war.
Hoping that her goal would be fulfilled, she pressed her heels into the horse’s flanks. The horse neighed and leapt forward.
Thus began the tenth war with the Empire of Leonis.
Discussion
0 CommentsReactions
No comments yet.