(195) Fierce attack
Isabelle stared at the hangnail on her fingernail and asked Averaster.
“Will the Western Lord attack the Eastern first, or the Northern first?”
“It must be the East. The North is not an easy place to deal with because the land is barren and magic still lingers there.”
“Is this a scheme to seize the Eastern Territory, bring down the Empire, and then isolate and devour the Northern Territory?”
"Maybe."
Isabelle swallowed a sigh.
When she left the East, she never dreamed that a problem like this would arise. It was only after hearing the full story from Ariana that she realized the situation was more serious than she had thought.
For a brief moment, she felt resentful toward Ariana for not telling her about this problem beforehand. However, she thought she probably had no choice.
Both Rachel and Victoria were more terrible people than Isabelle had imagined. While it was understandable for Victoria to have a different father, Rachel's attitude of being able to treat her own daughter, Ariana, so cruelly was beyond surprising and appalling.
Ariana had lived like that for over a decade, so it must have been difficult for her to easily trust them, no matter how much they were family. It was also hard to rely on them.
So, what happens from now on is not Ariana's fault.
"You know the Emperor. It would have been nice if he were just a little smarter."
Averaster chuckled at Isabelle's muttering.
"I know."
The sound of horses' hooves echoed. Isabelle and Averaster raised their heads and looked at Theodore, who was galloping along the road.
Theodore was exuding a fiercer aura than when he had left for the Imperial Palace. The suffocating atmosphere made it clear that the conversation with the Emperor had not been going well.
"Are you going?"
Theodore nodded at Averaster's question.
"Let's hurry."
Theodore said only that and strode into the building. When he opened the drawing room door, he saw his granddaughter standing face-to-face with Cyrus, engaged in a serious conversation.
Although the distance between the two was unsatisfactorily close, the reason he couldn't easily intervene was because of the atmosphere emanating from Ariana.
Ariana, who had never shown a weakness while at Chase Castle in the Eastern Capital, looked more at ease than ever in front of Cyrus.
"Grandfather."
Ariana looked back at Theodore.
His heart ached when he saw those blue eyes filled with worry.
How tragic his young granddaughter's life is.
Most young ladies lived their lives carefree and immature. Although Ariana was born to the monarch of the Eastern Territory and the Princess of the Western Territory, she had lived a life where she could not smile peacefully.
Theodore wanted to do anything for his granddaughter, who always managed to smile with difficulty.
"Baby."
"Are you okay?"
Ariana approached and asked, checking to see if Theodore was hurt.
"I'm always fine."
You're the one who's not okay, my baby.
How sorry you must be, thinking that things turned out this way because of you. How much you must be blaming yourself, even though it is not your fault.
Theodore gently stroked Ariana's head.
“Grandfather, the Western Lord is going to attack the East. There is likely a force behind him that enabled him to make such a decision.”
"Yes."
"The East is currently empty, so it is dangerous."
"It's empty? We have Caradine White."
"Yes?"
“Your grandmother is in the East, so there is nothing to worry about. Let’s go home now, my dear.”
The grandfather spoke to his granddaughter with a benevolent expression.
Let's go home.
Ariana opened her eyes wide and stared at Theodore's face, which looked completely carefree.
Let's go home.
Those words were so sweet and warm that she felt as if she were about to burst into tears. Ariana tightened her lips and swallowed her tears.
And like Theodore, like his grandfather, she said with a look that there was no problem.
"Yes, Grandpa. I want to go home."
Since they had to hurry on their way, Ariana also decided to travel on horseback.
The servants brought from the East had already departed in wagons. Only Ariana's family, Shini, Lanster, Cyrus, and Louis, and a few members of the White Knights brought by Theodore remained at the mansion rented from the White family.
“What if my little one falls off the horse?”
Theodore repeated the same words several times, as if he were very anxious about Ariana having to ride a horse. Even though Ariana sat dignified on the horse, Theodore's eyes were filled with anxiety.
To Ariana, who tried to reassure Theodore whenever he was worried, Geor said.
"As he gets older, he tends to worry more, so don't worry too much, Ariana."
“What an insolent fellow! Is that something you should say to an old man’s face?”
"Grandfather, you are worrying so much that Ariana is actually feeling anxious. Instead of worrying, why don't you pray to God?"
Cyrus called Ten to send a letter to his subordinates who were somewhere, and approached Ariana. Cyrus, mounted on a black horse, also spoke in a voice filled with just as much worry as Theodore's.
“If anything happens, run away without looking back, Rian.”
Theodore's eyes widened in surprise.
“Rian...?”
“Oh, didn’t you know? That’s Ariana’s nickname.”
Theodore's face turned red at Cyrus's loose answer.
“What a cheeky fellow! You’re using a nickname that even I can’t use?”
“Yes, that’s the nickname I gave it. Isn’t it cute?”
“Who do you think you are! Who do you think you are to dare give my baby a nickname and call her that?”
“As I have consistently told you, I am Ariana’s man. So I will protect Ariana, Grandfather. Please rest assured.”
Theodore frowned in displeasure, but a fleeting look of relief crossed his eyes.
Cyrus is strong, so he will protect Ariana well even if Theodore takes his eyes off her for a moment. Besides, since Ariana makes a face that even her family doesn't see, the old man couldn't interfere and cause trouble.
Louis, standing on horseback beside Cyrus and glaring at the front gate, said.
"Someone has arrived."
As Theodore nodded, Averaster opened the front door.
About thirty knights were blocking the front gate. They were all on horseback and heavily armed.
They were wearing uniforms embroidered with dragons in gold thread on red cloth, and the dragons were so large that they took up an entire side of their chests. Theodore, recognizing them as the Guardian Knights of the Imperial Palace, scowled intensely.
“The former Eastern Lord cannot leave the Empire until His Imperial Majesty gives the order!”
As the Commander of the Guardian Knights, who was standing at the very front, spoke with feigned solemnity, Theodore shouted angrily.
“You idiots!”
A cry like the roar of a wild beast echoed through the sky.
"To think a Guardian Knight would leave the Imperial Palace!"
The Guardian Knights were an order composed of the very elite of the elite. They were beings who were destined to remain at the Imperial Palace and protect the Emperor no matter what. They should not be running errands like this.
“Even if it is the Emperor’s command, the Guardian Knights are supposed to stay right by his side to protect him. What on earth are you all doing swarming here together? What will you do if something breaks out at the Imperial Palace?”
As if waiting for those words.
Gooooooong-!
The ground vibrated.
Even the knights, who had been listening to Theodore's reprimand with displeased expressions, were startled and turned their heads to find the source of the vibration.
Gooooooong-!
The vibrations were starting from the direction of the Imperial Palace.
At the sound of the earth crying, even people from other mansions came outside to see what was happening.
Dust was rising from the direction of the distant imperial palace.
Even in the midst of this, the Guardian Knights were running around in confusion instead of rushing to the Imperial Palace. They debated whether to keep Theodore tied down in accordance with the Emperor's command or to go to the Imperial Palace to find out what was going on.
Theodore was dumbfounded by the sight of the guardian knights.
He suspected that the Empire's knights, having grown complacent from the long peace, would be weak, but he didn't know there would be so many fools that they didn't even know the proper order.
“What are you all doing! Why aren’t you going to protect the Emperor right now!”
Theodore's voice struck the knights' backs like a whip. Only then did the Imperial Knights turn their horses' heads toward the palace.
Theodore, watching the Imperial Knights walk away, turned to look at his family and spoke.
"Let's go."
Ariana nervously looked toward the imperial palace.
'It didn't matter what happened to the Emperor, but the Empress and the Princess weighed on her mind.'
But it’s not something she can do anything about.
What happens from now on is out of Ariana's hands.
Ariana knew nothing of war or physical combat. She couldn't risk putting others in danger by needlessly trying to save the Empress and the Princess.
"Shouldn't you be going to the Imperial Palace?"
Theodore glanced back at Cyrus, who was running alongside Ariana, and spoke. Cyrus grinned.
"The person I need to protect is here."
Poooooh-!
A loud scream overlapped Cyrus's voice.
Running down the street of the mansion, they turned their heads toward the direction of a strange scream they had never heard before.
You could see them even from a distance.
"Ha!"
Averaster let out a hollow laugh in disbelief.
"Elephant..."
Wiona's eyes widened.
Gigantic creatures, resembling several buildings combined, surrounded the imperial palace. Whenever an elephant moved, the ground vibrated with a thud.
Kuhhhh-!
The sounds of beasts other than elephants were also occasionally mixed in.
Geor's gaze sharpened.
"The Kingdom of Karuto has joined forces with Paganus. Since Karuto can communicate with beasts, things are going to get dangerous."
If the Karuto Kingdom, capable of communicating with beasts, and Paganus, who devours beast hearts to claim their power as his own, were to join hands, the synergy would be tremendous.
Ariana's heart sank.
In Ariana's timeline, the Kingdom of Karuto had never joined hands with Paganus. As expected, the future had changed, and from now on, there was nothing Ariana could do.
"Let's hurry and get out of here."
Theodore said firmly.
In the past, Theodore would have been at the forefront of the fight to protect the Emperor more than anyone else. However, now there was no one in the Imperial Palace for Theodore to protect.
The rest of the party followed Theodore, riding their horses without hesitation. They had to hurry out of the capital to avoid sparks flying.
Averaster, running behind Theodore, said.
"If Paganus is attacking the imperial palace, the city gates must be blocked as well."
“You have to strike back then. Don’t hold back. Make protecting Ariana—no, you, Wiona—your top priority.”
“I can protect myself, Grandfather.”
Wiona smiled sweetly and glanced back at Ariana.
There were times when Wiona hated Ariana so much she couldn't bear it.
It was only after marrying Averaster that she heard the truth from Geor. She heard that her father, Duke Obelius, had tried to kill Ariana several times but failed, and that she had kept quiet about it even though she possessed the evidence.
So, Ariana was a lifesaver and a benefactor to the family for Wiona.
Wiona now sincerely wished for Ariana's happiness. She wanted Ariana's life to be better than before, after enduring such pitiful and arduous times.
"Let's focus on safely escorting the Princess to the East."
Isabelle stared at the hangnail on her fingernail and asked Averaster.
“Will the Western Lord attack the Eastern first, or the Northern first?”
“It must be the East. The North is not an easy place to deal with because the land is barren and magic still lingers there.”
“Is this a scheme to seize the Eastern Territory, bring down the Empire, and then isolate and devour the Northern Territory?”
"Maybe."
Isabelle swallowed a sigh.
When she left the East, she never dreamed that a problem like this would arise. It was only after hearing the full story from Ariana that she realized the situation was more serious than she had thought.
For a brief moment, she felt resentful toward Ariana for not telling her about this problem beforehand. However, she thought she probably had no choice.
Both Rachel and Victoria were more terrible people than Isabelle had imagined. While it was understandable for Victoria to have a different father, Rachel's attitude of being able to treat her own daughter, Ariana, so cruelly was beyond surprising and appalling.
Ariana had lived like that for over a decade, so it must have been difficult for her to easily trust them, no matter how much they were family. It was also hard to rely on them.
So, what happens from now on is not Ariana's fault.
"You know the Emperor. It would have been nice if he were just a little smarter."
Averaster chuckled at Isabelle's muttering.
"I know."
The sound of horses' hooves echoed. Isabelle and Averaster raised their heads and looked at Theodore, who was galloping along the road.
Theodore was exuding a fiercer aura than when he had left for the Imperial Palace. The suffocating atmosphere made it clear that the conversation with the Emperor had not been going well.
"Are you going?"
Theodore nodded at Averaster's question.
"Let's hurry."
Theodore said only that and strode into the building. When he opened the drawing room door, he saw his granddaughter standing face-to-face with Cyrus, engaged in a serious conversation.
Although the distance between the two was unsatisfactorily close, the reason he couldn't easily intervene was because of the atmosphere emanating from Ariana.
Ariana, who had never shown a weakness while at Chase Castle in the Eastern Capital, looked more at ease than ever in front of Cyrus.
"Grandfather."
Ariana looked back at Theodore.
His heart ached when he saw those blue eyes filled with worry.
How tragic his young granddaughter's life is.
Most young ladies lived their lives carefree and immature. Although Ariana was born to the monarch of the Eastern Territory and the Princess of the Western Territory, she had lived a life where she could not smile peacefully.
Theodore wanted to do anything for his granddaughter, who always managed to smile with difficulty.
"Baby."
"Are you okay?"
Ariana approached and asked, checking to see if Theodore was hurt.
"I'm always fine."
You're the one who's not okay, my baby.
How sorry you must be, thinking that things turned out this way because of you. How much you must be blaming yourself, even though it is not your fault.
Theodore gently stroked Ariana's head.
“Grandfather, the Western Lord is going to attack the East. There is likely a force behind him that enabled him to make such a decision.”
"Yes."
"The East is currently empty, so it is dangerous."
"It's empty? We have Caradine White."
"Yes?"
“Your grandmother is in the East, so there is nothing to worry about. Let’s go home now, my dear.”
The grandfather spoke to his granddaughter with a benevolent expression.
Let's go home.
Ariana opened her eyes wide and stared at Theodore's face, which looked completely carefree.
Let's go home.
Those words were so sweet and warm that she felt as if she were about to burst into tears. Ariana tightened her lips and swallowed her tears.
And like Theodore, like his grandfather, she said with a look that there was no problem.
"Yes, Grandpa. I want to go home."
***
Since they had to hurry on their way, Ariana also decided to travel on horseback.
The servants brought from the East had already departed in wagons. Only Ariana's family, Shini, Lanster, Cyrus, and Louis, and a few members of the White Knights brought by Theodore remained at the mansion rented from the White family.
“What if my little one falls off the horse?”
Theodore repeated the same words several times, as if he were very anxious about Ariana having to ride a horse. Even though Ariana sat dignified on the horse, Theodore's eyes were filled with anxiety.
To Ariana, who tried to reassure Theodore whenever he was worried, Geor said.
"As he gets older, he tends to worry more, so don't worry too much, Ariana."
“What an insolent fellow! Is that something you should say to an old man’s face?”
"Grandfather, you are worrying so much that Ariana is actually feeling anxious. Instead of worrying, why don't you pray to God?"
Cyrus called Ten to send a letter to his subordinates who were somewhere, and approached Ariana. Cyrus, mounted on a black horse, also spoke in a voice filled with just as much worry as Theodore's.
“If anything happens, run away without looking back, Rian.”
Theodore's eyes widened in surprise.
“Rian...?”
“Oh, didn’t you know? That’s Ariana’s nickname.”
Theodore's face turned red at Cyrus's loose answer.
“What a cheeky fellow! You’re using a nickname that even I can’t use?”
“Yes, that’s the nickname I gave it. Isn’t it cute?”
“Who do you think you are! Who do you think you are to dare give my baby a nickname and call her that?”
“As I have consistently told you, I am Ariana’s man. So I will protect Ariana, Grandfather. Please rest assured.”
Theodore frowned in displeasure, but a fleeting look of relief crossed his eyes.
Cyrus is strong, so he will protect Ariana well even if Theodore takes his eyes off her for a moment. Besides, since Ariana makes a face that even her family doesn't see, the old man couldn't interfere and cause trouble.
Louis, standing on horseback beside Cyrus and glaring at the front gate, said.
"Someone has arrived."
As Theodore nodded, Averaster opened the front door.
About thirty knights were blocking the front gate. They were all on horseback and heavily armed.
They were wearing uniforms embroidered with dragons in gold thread on red cloth, and the dragons were so large that they took up an entire side of their chests. Theodore, recognizing them as the Guardian Knights of the Imperial Palace, scowled intensely.
“The former Eastern Lord cannot leave the Empire until His Imperial Majesty gives the order!”
As the Commander of the Guardian Knights, who was standing at the very front, spoke with feigned solemnity, Theodore shouted angrily.
“You idiots!”
A cry like the roar of a wild beast echoed through the sky.
"To think a Guardian Knight would leave the Imperial Palace!"
The Guardian Knights were an order composed of the very elite of the elite. They were beings who were destined to remain at the Imperial Palace and protect the Emperor no matter what. They should not be running errands like this.
“Even if it is the Emperor’s command, the Guardian Knights are supposed to stay right by his side to protect him. What on earth are you all doing swarming here together? What will you do if something breaks out at the Imperial Palace?”
As if waiting for those words.
Gooooooong-!
The ground vibrated.
Even the knights, who had been listening to Theodore's reprimand with displeased expressions, were startled and turned their heads to find the source of the vibration.
Gooooooong-!
The vibrations were starting from the direction of the Imperial Palace.
At the sound of the earth crying, even people from other mansions came outside to see what was happening.
Dust was rising from the direction of the distant imperial palace.
Even in the midst of this, the Guardian Knights were running around in confusion instead of rushing to the Imperial Palace. They debated whether to keep Theodore tied down in accordance with the Emperor's command or to go to the Imperial Palace to find out what was going on.
Theodore was dumbfounded by the sight of the guardian knights.
He suspected that the Empire's knights, having grown complacent from the long peace, would be weak, but he didn't know there would be so many fools that they didn't even know the proper order.
“What are you all doing! Why aren’t you going to protect the Emperor right now!”
Theodore's voice struck the knights' backs like a whip. Only then did the Imperial Knights turn their horses' heads toward the palace.
Theodore, watching the Imperial Knights walk away, turned to look at his family and spoke.
"Let's go."
Ariana nervously looked toward the imperial palace.
'It didn't matter what happened to the Emperor, but the Empress and the Princess weighed on her mind.'
But it’s not something she can do anything about.
What happens from now on is out of Ariana's hands.
Ariana knew nothing of war or physical combat. She couldn't risk putting others in danger by needlessly trying to save the Empress and the Princess.
"Shouldn't you be going to the Imperial Palace?"
Theodore glanced back at Cyrus, who was running alongside Ariana, and spoke. Cyrus grinned.
"The person I need to protect is here."
Poooooh-!
A loud scream overlapped Cyrus's voice.
Running down the street of the mansion, they turned their heads toward the direction of a strange scream they had never heard before.
You could see them even from a distance.
"Ha!"
Averaster let out a hollow laugh in disbelief.
"Elephant..."
Wiona's eyes widened.
Gigantic creatures, resembling several buildings combined, surrounded the imperial palace. Whenever an elephant moved, the ground vibrated with a thud.
Kuhhhh-!
The sounds of beasts other than elephants were also occasionally mixed in.
Geor's gaze sharpened.
"The Kingdom of Karuto has joined forces with Paganus. Since Karuto can communicate with beasts, things are going to get dangerous."
If the Karuto Kingdom, capable of communicating with beasts, and Paganus, who devours beast hearts to claim their power as his own, were to join hands, the synergy would be tremendous.
Ariana's heart sank.
In Ariana's timeline, the Kingdom of Karuto had never joined hands with Paganus. As expected, the future had changed, and from now on, there was nothing Ariana could do.
"Let's hurry and get out of here."
Theodore said firmly.
In the past, Theodore would have been at the forefront of the fight to protect the Emperor more than anyone else. However, now there was no one in the Imperial Palace for Theodore to protect.
The rest of the party followed Theodore, riding their horses without hesitation. They had to hurry out of the capital to avoid sparks flying.
Averaster, running behind Theodore, said.
"If Paganus is attacking the imperial palace, the city gates must be blocked as well."
“You have to strike back then. Don’t hold back. Make protecting Ariana—no, you, Wiona—your top priority.”
“I can protect myself, Grandfather.”
Wiona smiled sweetly and glanced back at Ariana.
There were times when Wiona hated Ariana so much she couldn't bear it.
It was only after marrying Averaster that she heard the truth from Geor. She heard that her father, Duke Obelius, had tried to kill Ariana several times but failed, and that she had kept quiet about it even though she possessed the evidence.
So, Ariana was a lifesaver and a benefactor to the family for Wiona.
Wiona now sincerely wished for Ariana's happiness. She wanted Ariana's life to be better than before, after enduring such pitiful and arduous times.
"Let's focus on safely escorting the Princess to the East."
Previous Next
Comments
Post a Comment