“Take care on your way, Your Highness.”
After greeting Cedella, Alben, and those who had come to see me off, I departed for the Gray Wall Outpost.
The start of a long-distance journey was, of course, through a warp portal installed in the main palace.
I crossed 1/3 of the Empire in one breath using the Imperial Warp Portal. The place I arrived at was the logistics center of the West.
The destination of the expedition, the Gray Wall Outpost, is located far to the west.
It was located at the head. There was still a long way to go, so the journey was just beginning in earnest.
The Imperial transport system, next only to the warp portal, was the Sky Ark. The expedition was divided into four ships, each representing a different royal family.
The Sky Ark took flight, its sails spread with the emblems of each Order on them.
“It looks like the altitude is stable. Tell everyone to come up to the deck.”
The view of the earth from the high sky is spectacular. What more so, when I first saw it in my life?
It will be a special feeling to step outside the palace and take in the vast new world at a glance.
As I had expected, the homunculus appeared in the visible scenery.
They seemed fascinated. Their face was expressionless, but their eyes were filled with childlike excitement.
I smiled at the sight of the Knights Templar and whispered to Michael.
“Do you remember when we first rode in a carriage together outside the palace? Did it feel like I was seeing Michael back then?”
“Was I really that out of it?”
“Yeah. It was cute.”
Michael's eyes narrowed at the strange words but soon softened.
“Well, it’s not a bad thing to be cute to you.”
If it hadn't had eyes to see, he would have rubbed his cheek against Eve's hand like a tame animal, but Michael held himself back.
Just then Peony was approaching. I pretended to be a solemn Princess and spoke as if to make the people around me hear.
“Tell the knights to get some rest, as we will be moving for half a day.”
“Understood, Your Highness.”
Of course, just because the order was given doesn't mean you can relax in front of the royal family. A wise boss knows when to step aside. I took Michael and Peony down to my cabin.
After greeting Cedella, Alben, and those who had come to see me off, I departed for the Gray Wall Outpost.
The start of a long-distance journey was, of course, through a warp portal installed in the main palace.
I crossed 1/3 of the Empire in one breath using the Imperial Warp Portal. The place I arrived at was the logistics center of the West.
The destination of the expedition, the Gray Wall Outpost, is located far to the west.
It was located at the head. There was still a long way to go, so the journey was just beginning in earnest.
The Imperial transport system, next only to the warp portal, was the Sky Ark. The expedition was divided into four ships, each representing a different royal family.
The Sky Ark took flight, its sails spread with the emblems of each Order on them.
“It looks like the altitude is stable. Tell everyone to come up to the deck.”
The view of the earth from the high sky is spectacular. What more so, when I first saw it in my life?
It will be a special feeling to step outside the palace and take in the vast new world at a glance.
As I had expected, the homunculus appeared in the visible scenery.
They seemed fascinated. Their face was expressionless, but their eyes were filled with childlike excitement.
I smiled at the sight of the Knights Templar and whispered to Michael.
“Do you remember when we first rode in a carriage together outside the palace? Did it feel like I was seeing Michael back then?”
“Was I really that out of it?”
“Yeah. It was cute.”
Michael's eyes narrowed at the strange words but soon softened.
“Well, it’s not a bad thing to be cute to you.”
If it hadn't had eyes to see, he would have rubbed his cheek against Eve's hand like a tame animal, but Michael held himself back.
Just then Peony was approaching. I pretended to be a solemn Princess and spoke as if to make the people around me hear.
“Tell the knights to get some rest, as we will be moving for half a day.”
“Understood, Your Highness.”
Of course, just because the order was given doesn't mean you can relax in front of the royal family. A wise boss knows when to step aside. I took Michael and Peony down to my cabin.
Peony asked me many questions about the upcoming journey.
“Are we going to the outpost like this?”
“No. The Sky Ark will only take us as far as the gray wall.”
“From there, we travel by land, is it?”
“Yeah. The gray wall is a huge fault cliff that juts out into the ground. Its height is so great that it is called the 'Wall of God'. It is impossible to fly into the sky because the sky ark cannot fly at an altitude that can be reached by magic technology.”
“Then what happens? Do I really have to climb over the cliff with my bare body?”
“Hey, I didn’t bring Peony here to make you suffer like this. Fortunately, there is a path through the barrier. It is a maze of caves and canyons, called the Labyrinth.”
The feeling of relief only lasted for a moment. Peony and Michael asked in surprise.
“Huh? The road is a maze? Why?”
“Could it be that you made it so that intermediate homunculus wouldn’t escape from the outpost?”
I explained with an embarrassed look on my face.
“It was originally created for tactical purposes. The demons beyond the barrier were trying to invade the continent. The intention was to prevent it from flowing in. But now I can’t deny that it is being used for the purpose Michael mentioned.”
As we discussed the wickedness of the imperial family, the atmosphere naturally became solemn.
Peony happened to ask another question, making sure not to cause any awkward silence.
“To get through the maze, you need someone who knows the way?”
“Yes. A guide will be waiting for us in a village near Labyrinth. The Count and the craftsmen will join us there.”
As if taking advantage of the Q&A atmosphere, Michael also asked something he was curious about.
“What should the Knights do when they arrive at the outpost?”
“Check the status of the outpost, explore the seal of Ambroxa, and eliminate the demons in the area to clear the way. It’s just wiping it off.”
“Pioneering and subjugation... So, mainly combat missions.”
“Yeah. It’s right after the summer rainy season, so the conditions at the base won’t be so good.”
“There is a large gap in fighting power between high-level homunculus and mid-level homunculus. The homunculus here will easily defeat the Knights Templar who are struggling.”
Even if it's a demon that can be defeated alone without the need for cooperation, that's it.
I didn't really know what to do, even though I knew there was a clue. Something else was more important.
“The four knights I mentioned earlier are the Punishment, the Blood Wall, the White Night, and the Flame. It’s a common mission. But we also have the mission of expanding the military supply warehouse and organizing supply routes.”
“I guess Knight of Punishment needs to move a bit more independently.”
Not only did Michael respond, but also Peony smiled brightly as if she understood the meaning. As expected from those who had been together at the Galamut Magic Light, they got along well.
The ark of the sky traveled across the western sky for a full half day, just as I had said.
When the once-blue skies were bathed in a warm orange glow, the Ark of the Sky descended to the ground and folded its gill-like sails.
The place we arrived at was so bad that we felt sorry for the four knights stationed there.
It was a small town.
The place where the Sky Ark landed was not a proper dock, but a vast plain. Rosenite even asked if it was an emergency landing.
The local lord, Baron Denver, sent Brigitte to the mission.
He responded as the head of the household. In the meantime, I met and greeted Count Luciard and Anais.
“You arrived safely, Your Highness.”
“I have been waiting for you, my lord.”
Anais took my left hand and kissed it gently.
Perhaps because she was away from the palace where there were many watching eyes and listening ears, Anais showed her attitude of serving me without any regrets.
I was active in my own way. Instead of letting Anais pull away from the kiss, I grabbed her hand and pulled her closer to me, whispering in her ear.
“Let’s do well like we did during the Magic Mountain Massacre.”
“Yes, just leave it to me.”
Baron Denver has provided the expedition with barracks outside the town for the night.
It was a wise move. It was not possible to accommodate a large number of people in a small town in the first place.
There was no way there could be an inn, and a shabby country home would not be of much interest to the royal family.
'If you go into the village for no reason, you'll just scare the commoners.'
The problem is not only the 80+ homunculus troops but also the supreme power of the royal family.
Those in power were also a problem. Their intrusion into everyday life was a threat to the common people.
I and Anais talked as we walked toward the temporary camp where barracks were set up.
“I’m so excited to go beyond the barrier. I feel like I want to leave right now.”
“Lord Redmon was struggling to not want to go, but Lady Luciard is completely different.”
“Of course. Beyond the barrier is a place that will become the new land of the Empire once the Demon Dragon is defeated.”
“Yes. I think it would be a good land to be awarded along with a title to someone who has made a great contribution in the punitive war.”
At this moment, I smiled strangely.
“This is a great opportunity to be the first to see the unique products and locations of such places. I can’t help but be excited.”
“You're a born entrepreneur, you ”
When they arrived at the temporary camp, Baron Denver's retainers were busy loading supplies onto the expedition's wagons and carts.
At that time, the maze guides recognized me and came to greet me.
There were four guides in total, and the representative among them was an old acquaintance of mine.
“Hello, 7th Princess.”
“It’s nice to see you here again, Sir Erka.”
He was Baron Pieterka, the general manager of the Homunculus Training Center.
'I was given guidance when I went to the floating prison to get Michael engraved.'
At the time, he was the one who tried to whip Michael for no reason just because he looked straight at me without any manners.
Michael's expression didn't change much, but the homunculus knights behind him were Baron Erka.
There was a look of caution.
“Hehehe, it’s been a while, everyone.”
Baron Erka glanced at the Knights of Punishment and let out a vulgar laugh.
The fear learned during their days of powerlessness still ruled the homunculus.
Every homunculus here flinched at the sight of him, even though Baron Erka had the strength to crush them to death with his hand like a bug.
On the other hand, Baron Erka was enjoying the reactions of those homunculus as if they were a form of entertainment.
I thought for a moment.
'After seeing Sir Belcram, seeing Sir Erka was really..."
There was no separate trash.
The gentleness drained from my face. She stepped closer to Baron Erka.
"Your Highness?"
With that, I completely blocked the Punishment Knights from his sight and opened my mouth.
“What are you doing, sir?”
"Yes?"
“Are you trying to test the authority of the director of the training center right now? In front of me, the Princess?”
"OMG!"
Baron Erka realized his mistake too late and became contemplative. But he made another mistake. I repented.
He has picked up a new excuse.
“Oh, no. I’m just happy...
“Shut up.”
I warned coldly.
“The Punishment is a knightly order belonging to Michaelis Agnito. Sir Agnito is a knight who belongs to me. How dare you speak in front of my knights? Demanding reverence? That is no different from trying to compete with me, a member of the royal family, for authority.”
“I, Your Highness! I was wrong! Please forgive me!”
Only then did Baron Erka fall to the floor and beg for forgiveness. I turned away without telling him to get up.
I spoke softly as I passed by the Knights of Punishment.
“If anyone tries to threaten you again, tell me immediately.”
The homunculus knights, who experienced someone's protection for the first time, had a hard time maintaining a blank expression.
Michael, who was watching this, felt happy but also a little depressed. As a knight, he had monopolized Eve. It seemed like that era was finally coming to an end.
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