Chapter 98 - 8-12
In the founding legends of Siddim, there appears a monster called a Kyurgoy. It is a demon that appears night after night to suck the living blood of humans. The first King of Siddim subdued the Kyurgoy, who then repented and became one of the King's vassals.
The Necrat family claims that Kyurgoy as their ancestor.
That is the reason why the design of a beast's fang is incorporated into the Necrat family crest.
Udoh Renne is walking through a provincial territory of deep forests that was once ruled by the descendants of monsters. It is a dark mountain country where ghosts seem likely to appear. Even the main roads used by the locals are within forests that cast a dense, gloomy shadow. The road is winding, with severe ascents and descents. No matter how much one turns, there is forest; no matter how much one climbs, there is forest. That monotony is like the rhythm of an eerie, ancient curse-song. However, Udoh found the difference in climate and landscape compared to his own territory to be interesting. Depending on how one looked at it, it was a beautiful land of forests and dappled sunlight.
When he grew hungry, he visited a farmhouse he spotted along the way and asked for a meal.
"I'm Udoh from the Renne family of Villen. Let me get some grub."
The people of Carossa are good-natured and kind to travelers. They will feed him.
"Are you from another territory?"
However, in every farmhouse, they were uniformly curt toward Udoh.
Udoh realized that they weren't avoiding him because he was an outsider. The people of Carossa had been intimidated by the matter of Urgil Necrat.
—All of Siddim looks down on us.
They likely felt that way. The locals still adored Count Urgil Necrat of Carossa, who had been brutally murdered, and they undoubtedly felt they didn't want people from other territories saying this or that about him.
In the East, Urgil Necrat was not hated.
They might criticize him openly. But behind the scenes, they sympathized with Carossa and the Necrat family. Udoh wanted to convey that.
"Whether it's Villen, Dint, or Ganlord, there ain't anyone who goes out of their way to badmouth the Count of Carossa. In their hearts, everyone thinks Urgil-sama was framed."
As expected, the people of Carossa beamed and opened their hearts to him.
One house owner was so moved that he even lent him a horse.
Udoh was not alone. He was walking along with a man named Ernes Aneal, whom he had tied up. Though treated like a prisoner, Ernes Aneal was the administrator of Carossa dispatched by the Thora family.
Udoh put Ernes on the horse and continued the journey while leading the animal by the reins.
"It will be alright, won't it?" Ernes asked Udoh time and again. "I trust you, Udoh."
—No need to worry.
Udoh answered leisurely and headed toward Samodiva, the central city of Carossa.
The young administrator Ernes, who was just over thirty, told Udoh that he had been a capable man.
He had said it with tears in his eyes at the peak of a ridge in the Dwarf Mountains.
"I am likely still capable, but governing Carossa is simply impossible."
Ernes said that he had exhausted all reason.
—Sedias Thora.
When he first arrived at his post, Ernes had spoken to the former knights of the Necrat family.
"I am waiting for your rebellion. I anticipate your rebellion. If you rebel against me, it will be the same as rebelling against him. Sedias will see it that way. He will advance his troops all at once and slaughter you all. My own house will not be safe. I will likely be killed along with you."
Because he was capable, Ernes seemed to have understood Sedias's scheme.
Sedias had intended to bring Carossa under the direct control of the Thora family. Carossa could be called a territory that looked down upon Kraff and Ganlord from behind.
If seized, one could constantly monitor and intimidate the center of the East.
"If you rebel," Ernes had explained persistently, "there will truly be no way back."
And yet, the knights of Carossa rebelled.
While the Kingdom of Siddim was facing an unprecedented crisis due to the invasion of the Kosa people, in Carossa, ignoring all that, a civil war was being fought between the local knights and the administrator from the West.
Ernes Aneal had lost almost all of his vassals and servants.
That was why he had despaired, feeling his life had no value, and had driven a blade into his throat.
"Who was the mastermind of the rebellion?" Udoh asked.
"Moloy of the Striga family. The Striga family is a lineage like national elders who have served the Necrat family for generations. That man Moloy is terrifying. He's the kind of man born when a black cat jumps over his mother's belly in her final month of pregnancy."
Udoh didn't understand what kind of metaphor that was, but in short, he wasn't a lucky man.
For now, Udoh thought he should meet the guy.
It would be bad if he didn't at least save the life of Ernes Aneal. He was an administrator dispatched by the man who had been the commander-in-chief of the Royal Army. If he were disposed of casually, Carossa would be unable to complain no matter what sanctions they received.
The Necrat family castle is called Naimeny Castle.
It is a castle that doesn't pale in comparison to the "Bat Castle" alias of Saranti Castle, let alone Haibanes Castle of Dint. Its appearance is surprisingly not bad. Although it is blackened with mold, that actually increases its imposing presence. It is a typical mountain castle.
Samodiva is the castle town of that fortress. It is a large city nestled in the mountains.
Despite being a territory full of mountain forests, the population seems high. There are likely farmers bringing agricultural products from surrounding settlements. It was prospering to a surprising degree.
Udoh entered the city center and walked around searching for a cheap inn.
Showing the approaching prostitutes that his pockets were empty, he found an inn that seemed to be in the lowest stratum. It was interesting that even such an inn had stables. Since it was a territory with many slopes, it seemed farmers used horses as well.
"I wanna stay, but I ain't got a single cent."
"Hmph."
There was a young man at the inn's counter. He didn't even look up.
"But see, I've brought the lord of the Aneal family with me."
The young man laughed and looked up. His face gradually stiffened.
—Well, I'll just guide you to a room.
The young man spoke and guided him to a narrow private room on the second floor.
For some reason, a beautiful woman with revealing skin brought alcohol. Perhaps they wanted to keep him by providing good treatment.
Less than half an hour later, there was a violent knock on the door.
When the door opened, four armed men were in the hallway.
They were undoubtedly from the Striga family. Although the men didn't have their swords drawn, their eyes were bloodshot. One of them spoke.
"Who are you?"
"Udoh Renne. Son of the Count of Villen. Let me meet Guendolin Necrat-sama, the former Countess."
Udoh did not answer anything further, no matter what he was asked.
If it came to it, the sword at his waist would do the talking.
Udoh had not returned the sword he had taken to prevent Ernes Aneal from committing suicide.
Within the walls of Naimeny Castle, there is a mansion called the Roange Manor.
It is said to be the residence where the Necrat family lived. After the Aneal family arrived as the Thora family's deputies, they used it.
Udoh was brought to the Roange Manor, sandwiched between the four soldiers. He was pulling the rope tied to Ernes Aneal.
To his amazement, cavalry were lined up guarding the manor's gate. There were about thirty or forty riders. The one in the center was a woman. Her long black hair waved with a luster like scattered stars.
"I am Rusary Striga. Guest, we shall have you hand over that man."
She was a female knight. The cloth tucked under her helmet, which didn't cover her face, was undoubtedly a device to prevent the helmet from pinching her hair. The purple color of that cloth was somewhat stylish.
Udoh looked over the cavalry. Everyone was maintaining the same posture with straight backs. The fact that the soldiers weren't slacking off was proof that the female knight was trusted to some extent.
"I'm Udoh of Villen. This man is my prize. I ain't givin' him to you. You're just a substitute for Lord Moloy Striga, right?"
"Indeed," Rusary said.
—Be careful, Ernes whispered in a low voice.
—Despite how she looks, she's a considerable expert.
"Let me meet the Countess of Carossa," Udoh asserted in a carefree voice.
"Udoh of Villen. Where did you enter Carossa from? Where did you find that man?"
"I'll tell the Countess. Let me meet her."
"Do you have an acquaintance with the Madam?"
"Nope."
"I thought so." Rusary's lips twisted arrogantly. "Even if I believe you are the son of the Renne family, I cannot let in someone with whom there is no acquaintance."
"I'm Yugis's schoolmate."
Udoh said with a straight face.
As expected, a ripple of expression passed over the faces of the cavalry.
"Stop it." The female knight's black eyebrows shot up. "Stop it. The young master is likely already—"
"There's somethin' I gotta tell the Countess of Carossa." If he was to press the attack, it was here. "I'm the captain of the Renne squad under Ostra's cavalry of the Royal Army. After Sedias-sama passed—"
A shock ran through the cavalry in front of him.
"Belonging to the Eastern Cavalry under General Hilboro. I fell into a despicable enemy trap and became a prisoner, but I escaped and came to Carossa to seek help! There's somethin' I want to talk about regarding Yugis. I want to meet Yugis's mother!"
—Now, what'll you do?
As if digging his heels in, Udoh stared into Rusary's black eyes.
The female knight was not that shaken. "Sedias Thora... died?"
"That's the talk—that he took an arrow wound. The Skyner family of Belgau kicked Dico Thora out of Ganlord."
The black-haired female knight fell silent, looking displeased.
The soldiers behind her stirred. By striking down the Aneal family, Carossa had practically declared war on the Thora family. Recklessly, they had opposed the Thora family. Everyone must have been prepared for a fight to the death. And yet, the general of the opponent they had picked a fight with had died in battle.
The soldiers were at a loss for how to react. He could understand the feeling.
The knights of Carossa likely wanted to hide the act of rebellion—striking down the dispatched administrator. Therefore, they had cut off contact with other territories to prevent the leak of information. In exchange, it seemed that information from the outside had also stopped coming in.
They must know about the invasion of the Kosa army. Enemy cavalry were still loitering near the entrance of the Carossa highways.
And the blockade of the highways by the enemy likely served to aid Carossa's information blackout.
There might also be an aspect where the anxiety of being blocked led Carossa toward reckless acts.
"The young master—you have something to say about Yugis-sama, is that it?"
The black-haired female knight spoke in a heavy voice, low for a woman.
The soldiers behind her quieted down.
"First, I'm gonna talk to the mother."
"Unless I hear specifically what kind of talk it is, I cannot let you meet the Madam."
"I want Guendolin-sama to judge whether it's a talk that's okay to tell you lot."
"Leave that man behind."
"Ernes Aneal is the witness to my story."
And also a witness to Carossa's rebellion.
The female knight Rusary dismounted with a smirk. She was as tall as Udoh.
A boy ran from somewhere, took Rusary's horse's reins, and received the helmet she took off.
"Then, let us go together. If you speak nonsense about the young master, I will cut you both down on the spot."
Udoh drew his sword and slashed at Ernes.
The rope binding Ernes fell away with a flutter.
"I'm well aware."
Entering the Roange Manor from the bright sunlight, for a moment, his eyes couldn't adjust.
It was a dark interior. The wood of the pillars and walls seemed to have been fire-hardened. Black building materials suited the forest territory of Carossa well.
A man wearing a long robe guided Udoh to the back of the mansion. He thought his weapon would be taken, but that didn't happen. They likely recognized him as a knight.
Guendolin Necrat and her daughters were in a large room in the back.
As if displaying noblewomen, the women were sitting spread out. Although it was a room brighter than the hallway, they all had their backs to the windows, so shadows fell across every face. Everyone looked toward Udoh without moving.
"Valeria!" Ernes stepped forward, calling out. "Leti, Soana!"
"Father!"
Two young daughters jumped up and threw themselves at Ernes one after another.
A red-haired woman, likely Mrs. Aneal, also stood up, approached unsteadily, and embraced Ernes with the children between them.
"My Lord, thank goodness, you are safe."
Watching the tearful reunion from the corner of his eye, Udoh did not miss the moment the woman who seemed to be the Countess of Carossa relaxed her expression for just a second. Mrs. Aneal and the daughters had good complexions and wore clean clothes. They must have been treated with sympathy by the Countess.
Behind him, Rusary cleared her throat.
Udoh stepped before the woman in mourning clothes, knelt on one knee, and stated his territory and family name.
The Countess was a woman with a disciplined impression. Her back was straight, and her shoulders were delicate. Her hair was gathered in swirls on both sides of her head, and there was a sharpness to her chin. With her slender face, she could be called a beauty.
The ones attending her sides like ladies-in-waiting were undoubtedly her daughters. There were two. Likely Yugis's older and younger sisters. They were also beauties with refined features, but unfortunately, their gaze was too cold. They were women who brought to mind the fairy race said to dwell in the forests.
"My Lady. Was it your will to strike down the Aneal family?"
"Without a doubt. The Aneal family are henchmen of the hateful Sedias Thora!" Guendolin spoke resonantly. "This house was robbed of its Lord and heir son. I do not wish for the restoration of the house. In going to join the Lord in death, I would at least like to take the head of that Ernes Aneal as a souvenir."
"I can't believe that's your true intent."
Udoh saw that the Countess of Carossa intended to name herself the mastermind and take responsibility for the runaway actions of her vassals.
"Your name appeared in a letter from Yugis."
"Since I'm comrades with Yugis, such things happen. I have news regarding Yugis."
Udoh felt Rusary stand behind him.
"I said that, but it's just a convenience. All I know is that there's information that Yugis died. Though I reckon he's alive."
"You—!"
Udoh ignored the voice of the female knight behind him. "I didn't come here to say that! What are the knights of Carossa so scared of! At a time when His Majesty is in danger, when Siddim is in danger, what is Carossa doin'!"
Udoh shouted toward the floor of the large room.
One of Ernes's young daughters, who had been about to stop crying, began to cry even louder.
"I got a connection to Carossa. It's Yugis's hometown, so I got a connection. I wanna save Carossa. Not just me, the whole East wants to save Carossa. So how can I protect a territory that ain't fulfillin' its duty!"
"Shut up." Rusary's fingers gripped Udoh's hair with violent force.
Udoh did not flinch.
"What happened to Moloy Striga? Why are you the one here!"
"Grandfather is—"
"I'm tellin' ya! Yugis is alive! I'm certain of it! Speak as if you're gonna explain it to Yugis!"
"Lord Striga," the Countess spoke quietly, "committed suicide. He attempted to settle the sin of the rebellion with his own life. You are quite perceptive."
"My Lady!"
The Countess spoke to Rusary. "This young man feels friendship toward that Yugis. Such people are not easily found, are they?"
For a biological mother, her evaluation of her son was terrible. However, this was undoubtedly a test of Udoh, pretending to be twistedly humble.
"It's precisely because it's that Yugis that we find him interestin'."
With his hair being pulled and his throat exposed, Udoh spoke.
"Ernes."
Ernes Aneal was still embracing his wife and daughters.
"What is it?"
"Seems Moloy Striga is dead. Settle the score."
It wasn't a problem that could be solved just by being told to "settle the score."
However, Ernes Aneal nodded.
"I understand. I will try to settle the situation along those lines. I ask for the cooperation of the Necrat family, the Striga family, and everyone. We shall withdraw from this land. I promise. However, for that, a reason sufficient to satisfy the West and the Royal Family is necessary. We must also consider who will govern this land next."
Under half-closed eyelashes, Countess Guendolin's eyes turned toward Udoh.
"Ugh!"
Rusary pushed Udoh's head away as if frustrated.
Udoh thought he had crossed the first mountain. This was fine. However, the next mountain would likely be far higher. Udoh had a purpose.
Udoh was treated to a meal and spent the night in a room lent to him in the Roange Manor.
The next morning, he was gifted clothes and a cloak from the Necrat family.
Furthermore, he was told he could borrow a sword.
"There is a better sword. If you would accept it, I would like to give it to you."
Countess Guendolin likely meant it as a joke, but Udoh had to refuse while breaking into a cold sweat. Receiving a sword meant taking the etiquette of a vassal.
Yugis's younger sister, Faura Necrat, came to Udoh's room with a cold light floating in her eyes.
"I made those clothes last night."
"I gotta thank ya for that. You made 'em real well. They feel great to wear."
"They suit you quite well." Faura said without showing even a hint of a smile. "I will make another set within today."
"I'm gettin' way too much help. If there's anythin' I can do, just say the word."
"Clothes like these are nothing."
Faura entered deep into the room and sat down in a chair by the window.
"Wanna go to the great hall, Faura-san?"
"I don't mind staying here."
She didn't seem to have anything to talk about. She remained silent.
In short, she was likely lonely.
Udoh left the door of the private room open and talked about Yugis in the royal capital. Faura did smile, but a shadow of sorrow drifted in her eyes. Thinking that talking about her missing brother might actually make her lonelier, he changed the subject to the war. He told her stories that any Siddim person would want to know, such as what kind of man the enemy general Geraha Wolf was.
The chilled light did not vanish from Faura's eyes.
Udoh was made to break into a cold sweat again.
"Is everyone like that in Villen?" Faura suddenly spoke.
"Like what?"
"The 'desudaa, desudaa' part."
The princess of Necrat spoke and then began to giggle to herself.
"'Desudaa, desudaa.' How funny."
"Hehe, it ain't like that desudaa."
He seemed to be getting made fun of, but Udoh laughed along with her.
He was happy to see the girl's smile. Above all, he thought that this girl was still just a child who had lost her father and brother in an instant.
After being treated to lunch, Faura continued to follow Udoh even into the afternoon. She followed with a curt face. She seemed to want to stave off boredom using Udoh.
"I'm gonna try goin' to the Striga family mansion."
"—Rusary is there, you know?"
"That lady is scary, ain't she."
"Yes. Rusary is strong." Faura laughed again. "Everyone says she's more valiant than a man."
"I'm gonna go apologize for shoutin' yesterday and make up."
"Then, I shall guide you."
"Nah, I'll just grab someone around there and ask."
Faura's eyes froze cold again.
Udoh watched that change with wide eyes. He thought that something dramatic had occurred within this girl.
Udoh might have worn the same face as the father and brothers who had left this affectionate girl behind.
She must have seen off family members who departed with smiles and never returned.
"Princess, I'll be right back. I'd like you to guide me through the mansion later."
To his surprise, Faura embraced Udoh. It was a strong embrace. "Of course, I understand. The Striga house is nearby."
"Yeah."
"I'm making clothes as a gift for you, you know?"
"Yeah. Actually, I'm lookin' forward to that desudaa."
The girl smiled and pulled away from Udoh. "Desudaa, ufufu," she said, skipping lightly down the hallway.
—Yesterday.
Yesterday, he had condemned Carossa and spoken in a haughty, preachy manner.
Carossa was also wounded. Udoh felt as if he had seen those scars within Princess Faura.
At the stables of the Roange Manor, Udoh borrowed a horse from the stableman.
There was no need to visit the Striga house.
On the slope right next to the Roange Manor, Udoh happened upon Rusary on horseback.
She had a servant boy leading her horse.
"What, you've changed into your best clothes?"
Rusary Striga had her long black hair tied up today.
"Princess Faura made 'em for me. Sorry for bein' rude yesterday. Actually—you're in a place where you shouldn't be."
The Striga family should be gathering the knights of Carossa to discuss future plans.
"No need to worry. The discussion is moving toward a settlement."
"But shouldn't you be there?"
"It's better if I'm not. Because I'm a woman."
For a moment, Udoh didn't grasp the meaning.
Udoh hadn't thought of Rusary as a woman. He had thought of her as a boar-warrior.
—A woman's opinion is disregarded.
Was that it? It didn't stop at being disregarded or ignored. If a woman gave an opinion, it could provoke backlash and distort the direction of the discussion. The atmosphere of "what does a woman's opinion matter" was likely stronger in Villen. Just by the existence of a female knight, Carossa was more enlightened.
"Isn't this just right then? Give me a hand."
"Who knows."
This woman's gaze was arrogant and she lacked cuteness, but her features weren't bad.
"I am a busy person. I cannot deal with outsiders."
"I got a good idea for how Carossa can clear its name."
"Hmph. I might listen. Speak."
"In the end, I reckon you need military achievements. Wouldn't it be great if Carossa took the lead and took back the Twin Forts?"
"The Twin Forts are the castle the Lord built."
"Yep. Servant-san, you got somethin' to write with?"
Udoh asked Rusary's servant boy. "I do," the boy answered politely, handing over paper and an inkstand. Udoh wrote a letter in clumsy handwriting.
'Guendolin-sama.
Unskilled Udoh will be away for a while under the guidance of Rusary-dono. For reconnaissance of the territory. Please be at ease. I will bring a souvenir for Princess Faura. Definitely, without fail. Forgive me.
Udoh'
When he tried to hand the letter to the servant boy to be delivered to the Countess, Rusary snatched it away. The female knight opened the paper nonchalantly.
"Quite a masterpiece of literature."
Udoh's face turned red with humiliation.
"What are you? You aren't harboring some wicked lust for Princess Faura, are you?"
"I got a fiancée waitin' for me back home."
Thinking he couldn't endure any more insults, Udoh lied.
"My, what a pitiful girl."
Udoh snapped his long arm like a whip and snatched the letter back. "Cut it out already."
"What, are you angry?"
"I'm tellin' ya to tighten up. Ain't no time for playin'. Even if you make fun of me, it's just a waste of time."
"I doubt there's anything to hurry for."
—Deliver this for me.
With that, Udoh handed the letter to the servant boy.
"I reckon there's a mountain path in Carossa that crosses the Dwarf Mountains and leads to the Plains Nations."
"That's not impossible. —What are you thinking?"
"Guide me."
The Renne family possessed cavalry, and since Udoh had led them, he understood a bit about cavalry. Cavalry are assassins who ambush the backs of infantry. In Siddim, cavalry even armor their horses and charge into enemy infantry. They are often used from the front like battering rams. It's almost no different from a melee brawl. But the Kosa people are different.
They circle the enemy freely and fire arrows at the weakest part.
There is wisdom in that. The creativity to scatter the enemy and the ingenuity to avoid death mesh together. Added to this is the skill in spotting weaknesses, likely honed by warring with kinsmen who possessed equal speed. The Kosa people devised a tactic of quickly bypassing the enemy over vast distances on horseback to strike weaknesses the enemy didn't even know they had.
—Can't we do the same thing?
That is, in short, what Udoh thought.
Udoh galloped alongside Rusary.
"I don't understand. You said we'd take back the Twin Forts. Why scout the path to the Plains Nations?"
"I explained it. We strike the enemy's rear. A forest path is open from the Plains Nations. It's a road heading toward Siddim. I reckon the enemy is gathered near the entrance of that road."
Launch a night attack there. Fire fire-arrows into the enemy tents.
Induce panic in the enemy. If, by chance, the enemy pursued them all the way to the Dwarf Mountains, they would fight using the mountains as a base. They were stronger in the mountains.
"Once the panic spreads and the enemy's gaze turns to their rear, we'll suddenly launch a surprise attack on the Twin Forts."
And they wouldn't head there from the front. They would cross the ridge of the Dwarf Mountains connecting Villen and Carossa, the same route Udoh had used as an escape path.
"We'll move the main force into the mountains. We'll become mountain bandits. We'll hole up in the mountains and move freely between the Plains Nations side and the Twin Forts side. That's what you call mobility."
"It's reckless."
"Only if it's just Carossa. We need Dint's strength too."
The road became a steep climb. "You," Rusary said during a break.
"You intend to use Carossa to take back Villen, don't you? Was that your intention from the start? Is that why you saved Ernes Aneal?"
"Yep."
Udoh nodded without guilt. Rusary, being a knight, surely understood the subtleties of this.
"I see. Very well. With that, Carossa can show its presence to Siddim. It might clear the stain it was forced to wear. What's the benefit for Dint?"
"Dint's highways are paralyzed too. They'll cooperate, I reckon."
"Even if cooperation is obtained, it's impossible. It will just become a small-scale skirmish."
"No, in my thinkin'—"
"Listen. Your plan is missing a vital part."
—First, an army to attack the enemy's front.
Without that, it will be nothing more than a cowardly operation, Rusary said. At best, it would be a small brawl or a minor clash.
"Your plan is something that should originally be executed behind the scenes of a grand operation by the main force. Isn't it only when there is pressure from the front that gaps are created in the rear? Besides, I'd appreciate it if you didn't forget about the enemy soldiers blocking the highways. Right now, both Carossa and Dint are like turtles with their heads tucked into their shells. But if they know we've bitten, the enemy will come from the highway direction."
"Don't say that!" Udoh slapped his knee.
Apparently, she wasn't just a boar-warrior.
In short, Rusary was saying they should coordinate with the Royal Army.
"I reckon I need to get in touch with Haider and Cloden."
"Who?"
"Yugis's comrades. They're in the Royal Army."
"The young master's?" A light appeared in Rusary's eyes. "Will they move? For Carossa?"
"Dunno, but well, look forward to it."
"Comrades, of that young master—"
They arrived at a village at the foot of the Dwarf Mountains just around sunset. There was no inn, but there was a local knight's mansion. Udoh and Rusary were taken care of for one night.
The next day was the climb. They ascended the Dwarf Mountains.
Along the way, there was a deep valley. Rusary said there used to be a bridge here.
"Did they drop it?"
"Ernes Aneal did."
It was apparently an order from Sedias Thora.
The width of the valley was such that arrows could sufficiently reach. Udoh thought that if it were a suspension bridge, it could be put up in three or four days.
"Well, something like that," Rusary agreed. "It'll be a pain, but let's have them do it immediately."
"In the meantime, I'll head to Dint. There's a road, right?"
"There is, but you'll be camping outdoors."
"I don't mind—ah." Udoh finally remembered that Rusary was a woman. "It'll be fine if you just guide me to the entrance."
"Idiot. I don't think of you as a man."
"Spare me the sharing of a bed."
"Say those lines after looking in a mirror."
Krisina Danforth was called by the eldest son of the Danforth family, Dicrit Danforth, and appeared in the drawing room of the Haimeiz Manor.
"Krisina. Sorry about this."
In the drawing room, besides Dicrit, there were the fourth son Ricarden and the fifth son Fonte.
Cloden had six older brothers. The second son Heibel and the sixth son Macoden had gone to the battlefield with Rustov Ramirez of the Ramirez family. The third son Meinrat had returned to a salaried job as a bureaucrat in the royal capital.
When Krisina greeted them, Ricarden spoke.
"Let me introduce him, Krisina. He is a subordinate of Cloden, a mountain soldier... uh..."
"Fuhehe, I'm Hemrik."
There was one more man in the drawing room. A short man with plump red cheeks.
Hemrik came before Krisina and knelt on one knee.
"A letter from Young Master Cloden."
"Your name is Hemrik, then. Thank you." Krisina felt her heart thumping as she received the letter. "Do you have time? If we could talk while eating—"
"More importantly, Krisina, try reading it."
Dicrit spoke and offered a chair. Krisina did not hesitate.
"It's good news. Cloden, Heibel-sama, and Macoden-sama are all well. The people of the Ramirez family as well. They say they miss everyone. Especially, Mother-in-law's stew and my sweets—oh, goodness."
As she blushed at the letter from her husband, Dicrit spoke.
"Anything else?"
"He says white flowers whose names he doesn't know catch his eye in the fields of Brazm. When he sees them—oh, really. I can't stand that man."
When she suddenly looked up, Dicrit, Ricarden, and Fonte had stood up and surrounded Krisina.
"Krisina, we're already family, right?" Ricarden said.
"Yes?"
"If we're family, I think we should help and forgive each other," Fonte said.
"Yes."
"Please forgive our rudeness."
As Dicrit said this, he plucked the letter from Krisina's hand.
"Wait!"
Krisina raised a voice of protest and stood up. However, the next words did not come. The Danforth brothers were looking down at the letter with a gaze so serious it left her speechless.
"That was close!" Dicrit eventually spoke. "Listen, I'll read it aloud. 'Krisina, I'm telling you alone. Yugis is alive. I intend to write the next letter as soon as I know the details. Until then, I want you to keep this quiet. Especially since my brothers will likely overreact.' What a guy."
"What on earth is this?"
"Sorry, Krisina. Actually..."
According to Dicrit Danforth.
They had protected Udoh Renne, who had brought refugees from Villen and had been staying in Dint until recently, at the border of Dint. Now, he was apparently placed in a room in Haibanes Castle and kept under house arrest with guards.
"House arrest? Really?"
"He has a companion. A female knight serving the Necrat family," Dicrit said. "It seems she has some business in Dint. Likely, she found out about Yugis Necrat's survival and had a clash with the Aneal family, the deputies of Carossa."
"Regardless of Udoh, let's send Rusary back," Ricarden said. "We mustn't get involved in Carossa's squabbles at a time like this."
"I agree. That was close. Let's report to the Great Lord."
"Brothers," Fonte said as if whispering. "I still think we should at least hear them out."
Fonte was still reading Cloden's letter.
Fonte read a passage from the letter. 'If information about Yugis reaches Carossa, Carossa might seek help from Dint. Krisina, I've always thought this. We must not leave Carossa as sinners. If Carossa's guilt is recognized, the people of the West and the Center will think the entire East is guilty. I think the East should have a certain amount of sympathy for the East. Even if the Count of Carossa was guilty, I think Carossa is still pitiful.'
Dicrit and Ricarden looked down despondently.
The mountain soldier Hemrik widened his eyes, but Krisina had an idea of why they reacted this way.
Fonte continued.
'As you know, my brothers are soft on me. I feel truly pained that I've done nothing but take advantage of that, but please, Krisina, if Carossa seeks help, I want you to tell my brothers my feelings.'
In the end, even Fonte, who was reading, looked down.
It was just as the letter said. The Danforth brothers were excessively soft on their younger brother. That seemed to be the family way. Cloden, in particular, could be said to receive special treatment.
—I wonder if it'll be alright.
Rather, Krisina was the one who worried.
This undoubtedly meant that war clouds had finally appeared even in Dint, which had been peaceful due to its remoteness.