IDMH - Chapter 10
I Decided My Husband
I never thought the Emperor would call me already.
It was my fault for being careless because Chernosor was staying at the Duke's residence. It was a little embarrassing, but it didn't really change anything. Because it was something I had to face anyway. The timing was just pushed back a little.
And since there was nothing I could do here, it was right for me to go to the capital. I had to go to the capital, meet high-ranking nobles belonging to the aristocratic society, build relationships with them, and win their favor.
Even though I don't have a knighthood, I have to prove that I'm qualified to inherit the Duke's title. While proving it, I had to divert the Emperor's attention and buy time.
There was a lot of work to be done, such as taking care of Leopold's territory and taking care of the merchants and mines invested by Duke Leopold's family. Of course, there were vassals and officials who took charge of the affairs of Duke Leopold's family and the estate, but the final decision had to be made by me, the bloodline of the dukedom.
"There's a lot to do."
Let's start with the things that can be sorted out right away.
"Miss."
While I was taking care of the estate and the duchy's affairs, Sir Aldor came to see me.
"I heard you are leaving for the capital tomorrow, is that correct?"
I nodded with my eyes fixed on the documents.
"I will go with you too.
However, I couldn't help but look at Sir Aldor in the words that followed.
"Does that mean Sir Aldor will escort me?"
"Yes."
Sir Aldor braced his chin and spoke firmly. It was a trustworthy face, and I knew that Sir Aldor would actually do well. If Sir Aldor escorted me, I could trust him and have his back. But,
"Even if you say that, I have no intention of accepting the knight's oath."
I couldn't readily accept Sir Aldor's decision to act as my bodyguard because it seemed like he was protesting to take the knight's oath.
"I didn't mean it that way, and I'm sorry if it came across that way."
Hmm, maybe I was wrong.
"But I hope you will seriously con sider it."
As expected, it wasn't a blessing in disguise.
"I am always open, so please accept me when you are ready, Loung Lady."
"Sir Aldor, Apart from that, please let me escort you for this itinerary."
If he had a black heart inside like Ghellan or Chernoseor and only pretended to be kind and gentle on the outside, I could cut it with a single knife like slicing a radish. However, it was difficult to do so for someone like Sir Aldor who was sincere.
In particular, I had a huge debt to my gratitude to Sir Aldor, so I couldn't cut him off even more decisively. I eventually sighed and nodded.
"All right. I will leave this escort to Lord Aldor."
***
Even though Leopold's estate was a large city, there was no train station. A long time ago, the red dragon protecting Leopold's territory installed a mana control shield throughout the territory to prevent evil warlocks from polluting the territory. Because of this, magic or magic tools that consume large amounts of mana, such as the magic amplification train, could not be used within Leopold's territory. Therefore, the first Duke Leopold built a train station in 'Matina", a little away from Leopold's estate.
It took about two days by carriage to get from Duke Leopold's house to Martina.
"We will stay overnight in Matina and then take the train to the capital."
Chernosor, who was sitting across from me, explained with a hateful smile.
"Travel by carriage will be somewhat inconvenient, but travel by train will be comfortable. Because it's first class, it's a bed seat. And there is also a dedicated servant attached. If you need anything, ask the servant...
"His Royal Highness."
When I interrupted, Chernosor's eyebrows rose. It was a dissatisfied expression, but I ignored it and pretended not to see it.
"You can stop explaining."
"Did you not want to hear my explanation?"
"I can't say no. Because I already know everything."
I added with a grin.
"You can't forget which family I am."
I swear I've been on the magic amplification train more times than Chernosor.
Of course, I used first class every time I flew.
However, I found it funny that he was giving long-winded explanations in front of the chrysalis as if he was trying to make a fuss, so I couldn't stand it and said something. Then Chernosor's face turned slightly red. He must have felt ashamed.
"I made a mistake. I will be careful in the future."
However, the reason he couldn't get angry at me and instead apologized and backed off was because his goal was to win my favor and marry me. There's an old saying that people don't even think about giving snacks, but they drink tea first, and that was exactly right.
"The Duchy of Leopold is truly a rich land."
If he had been scolded like that, he would have kept his mouth shut, but Chernosor kept talking. He constantly tried to win my favor by praising Duke Leopold and the duchy, complimenting me, and explaining what kind of person he was.
It was a useless thing to listen to with one ear, so I covered my ears and was watching the scenery when the carriage suddenly came to a sudden stop.
"Ugh."
Chernosor, who had hit his head on the wall of the carriage, frowned and roughly opened the window connected to the coach seat.
"I can't believe you drive a carriage like that. Do you want to die?"
"Woe, Your Highness the Prince. Mo, the monster, and Pushik have appeared."
Thud-!
As soon as he finished speaking, the ground shook violently as if there had been an earthquake. It wasn't a real earthquake, it was just a vibration caused by the Pushiks pounding the ground with their feet.
The fact that such a large tremor occurred means that there were a lot of Pushiks. How many are there? As I was opening the carriage door to check, Chernosor hurriedly grabbed my hand.
"A monster attacked and you tried to open the carriage door. Are you crazy?"
I'm not crazy, I'm just trying to check the number of monsters.
"We have to check how many there are so we can take action."
"That's what the knights outside should do, not the Lady!"
"Then what about His Highness the Prince? What are you going to do in the meantime, Your Highness?"
"That..."
Chernoser kept his mouth shut as if he couldn't bear to say that he would hide in the carriage with men out of pride.
"Please get out of the way."
I pushed Chernosor away and opened the carriage door. As soon as I got off the carriage and turned around. I saw the Pushiks confronting the escort knights.
One, two, there, Five?
Although there were not as many as feared, Pushik was still a difficult monster to deal with. Pushik looked like a wild boar, was as big as a hut, and had skin so hard that it was difficult to pierce. In addition. it is said that its bite force is so strong that it can chew through large rocks.
However, he had poor eyesight and could not see well, but his hearing and sense of smell were very developed.
"Miss, you must not come out."
The view was blocked by a large figure that suddenly appeared. It was Sir Aldor. Sir Aldor took off the fur cloak he was wearing and adjusted his sword. Unlike his large size, he is trying to lighten his body in order to deal with the quick Pushik.
"Please get inside the carriage."
"I refuse. If you're in the carriage and Pushik slams the carriage down with that foot, I'll be crushed to death."
"Hiiii."
Chernosor, who was hiding in the carriage and watching the situation, heard me and hurriedly got out of the carriage.
Tsk tsk. this guy called the Prince of the Empire is pathetic. I glanced pitifully at Chernossor, who was as far away from Pushik as possible, and then looked back at Sir Aldor.
"Sir Aldor, Have you ever dealt with Pushik?"
"I've only done it once. It was just one."
"I guess so."
That's how Pushik was a monster that was hard to see. It was definitely not a monster that would appear on a road like this where carriages frequently pass by. But not one, but five Pushiks appeared. It was no ordinary thing.
"Then......."
"It's coming!"
Pushik stamped his feet a few times and came running towards us like a bull. Because of this, I had no choice but to swallow what I was trying to say and step back.
Sir Aldor blocked Pushik from running toward me. The other guard knights were also busy dealing with Pushik.
"Ugh! I mean, protect me quickly!"
Although Chernosor could not help the escort knights, he shouted loudly and distracted the surroundings. Then, to make matters worse, the Pushiks heard Chernosr's cries and targeted him.
"Your Highness the Prince!"
Because of this, the knights hadnno choice but to change from fighting tactics to protecting tactics. After all, protecting someone is more difficult than just cutting and fighting.
An already difficult battle has become even more difficult. Knights who were injured and unable to fight appeared one after another. What was even more shocking was that Chernosor was swinging his sword wildly, tripping over his own feet and fainting.
Normally, people would be worried when the Prince faints, but the guard knights were relieved. This is because Pushik's target has changed thanks to Chernosor becoming quiet.
"Miss!"
And that changed target included me. Sir Aldor, who noticed this, hurriedly rushed over and stopped Pushik. The sound of the sword colliding with the hard body was loud.
"Are you okay, Lady?"
Instead of answering, I ripped my loose skirt all the way to my knees. At this, several knights gasped and turned their heads. Sir Aldor, who was dealing with Pushik, also opened his eyes wide in surprise.
"Miss, what are you doing!"
Instead of answering, I picked up the sword that had fallen on the floor.
"Hold it well, Sir Aldor."
Sir Aldor obediently followed my orders, even though he had a puzzled expression on his face. Using the fallen carriage as a platform, I leaped onto the head of Pushik, who was being held by Sir Aldor.
He then adjusted the sword's blade so that it was pointing downwards and stabbed it between Pushik's eyes. The skin, known for its hardness, was pierced with ridiculous ease, and blood gushed out like a fountain. My face and dress were instantly stained with blood.
Kueeeeek-!
Pushik let out a loud scream and fell down. Boom, another huge earthquake occurred. I wiped the blood from my face and shouted at the knights who were looking at me in half-fascination.
"I can't believe you're mesmerized by the monster in front of you. Are you sane? Come to your senses and deal with Pushik quickly!"
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