NOVEL NEXT Chapter 153.2
Chapter 153.2. A Move In The Adventure
Meanwhile, deep in a forest far from the capital. At a distance that lowers the risk of pursuit, six figures gather around a campfire.
Hermes, Katia, Sara, Jurgen, Albert, and Liliana. These six constitute the entirety of the Third Princess’s faction. Representing the group, Jurgen speaks up.
“……Now, let’s discuss our next course of action.”
Everyone naturally listens to the words of the sole adult present.
“The capital has been seized by the First Prince’s faction. To reclaim it, we must amass strength above all else. I believe we all agree on this point.”
After confirming their collective agreement, Jurgen continues.
“The question is where we should go to gather that strength. We have several options. First and foremost──‘relying on Rose’ comes to mind.”
The reactions are split. Rose, or Roselia Kirsch von Eustia. Jurgen’s old friend and Hermes’s mentor. Hermes and Katia, who knew of this connection, nod in agreement, while Sara, Albert, and Liliana, who had just learned of it, display shock on their faces.
Of them, Liliana seems particularly surprised──Hermes shifts his gaze to her. Noticing this, Liliana speaks up.
“……I am surprised, indeed. That the ‘Sky Witch’ is your teacher, master. But──it does make sense. I have many questions……for now, though, it’s undeniable that having her as an ally would be reassuring.”
Her words betray no lingering wariness toward Rose. Even though she’s faced insults due to her resemblance to the ‘Sky Witch,’ she doesn’t appear to be burdened by it.
Albert and Sara, too, show no signs of disdain despite their surprise. Thus──everyone turns their gaze to Jurgen. Acknowledging this, Jurgen speaks again.
“Relying on Rose──is not a path I recommend.”
This time, shock spread across everyone.
“May I ask why?”
“Of course.”
However, Hermes, who had a hunch, asked first, and Jurgen nodded and began to explain.
“The first and biggest reason is the difference in the quality of ‘military strength’ we need. Rose is strong. Incredibly strong. Within the bounds of humanity, she is undoubtedly the strongest in the kingdom.
But──even so. It is also true that she does not surpass the ‘just strong’ realm as Laplace-dono said.”
Yes.
What the Liliana faction overwhelmingly lacks at present is not individual strength but numbers.
There’s no doubt having her join would be reassuring. But──if asked whether simply adding her would enable the recapture of the royal capital, the answer is no.
If that were the case… Rose would not have been driven out of the capital in the first place.
“That’s how it is. Adding Rose is tempting but not decisive. On the contrary, having her as an ally could even become a liability when it comes to rallying a collective military force.”
“Ugh.”
Katia gritted her teeth. The rest showed a certain understanding as well.
Indeed, while those present were exceptions who harbored no animosity, most of the country was different.
Considering what she did in the capital, and the nation’s manipulated perception──the Sky Witch was an undeniable villain to many nobles and citizens.
Having her around could result in losing allies they would otherwise gain. Regrettably, this had to be acknowledged.
“Additionally, there’s her temperament. If we explain the situation, Rose would certainly shelter us. But… I can’t be certain she would be proactive about ‘taking back the capital.'”
“…Indeed. If it were Master, I wouldn’t be surprised if she said, ‘Let’s all flee the country together!’ ──No, she’d probably say that with high certainty.”
Even Hermes, familiar with Rose, acknowledged this.
She harbored a strong aversion to the capital. While it had softened somewhat due to Katia and others’ influence, whether she would actively aim to reclaim the capital after all that happened… there was little confidence.
“And finally… time. Hermes, let me ask you plainly. If you were to leave for Rose now──how long would it take you to reach her?”
Asked this, Hermes thought for a few seconds.
“…Three days. Master is in the furthest corner of the country, and even using [Hraesvelgr], I can’t fly nonstop for a full day.”
“I see. Three days, meaning six for a round trip. With explanations and preparations included, it would take a week.──For us, that kind of loss is critical. If the pursuers caught up during that time, it would be nearly fatal. Understand, we are in the most dangerous position right now.”
For these reasons, Jurgen stated that relying on Rose immediately was unwise.
“Of course, we’ll eventually need to inform her of our situation. But… placing all hope solely on Rose for our next moves would be perilous.”
“…”
It made sense. Hermes also had no objections.
The others seemed to agree. And with that, Liliana asked:
“…Then, what do we do?”
A voice filled with doubt and trust.
Hermes felt the same… If Jurgen was saying this much, he must have a backup plan.
As expected, Jurgen nodded and continued.
“As I mentioned earlier, what we need now is military strength… Unfortunately, as a member of the civil faction in Trakia, I have no military forces to call upon. Nor can I think of any family readily available for support. ──However, there is one. It’s a gamble, but I have a promising lead.”
“!”
Everyone refocused their attention. Jurgen began to speak as if recalling something.
“Do you remember, Your Highness? What was said today, during the audience.”
“…Oh.”
“There was so much happening that it slipped by… But it was said, was it not? That Your Highness yourself should ‘quell the northern regional rebellion.'”
Bringing up that topic now…
Accurately grasping its meaning, Katia sought confirmation.
“…Father. You can’t mean…”
“Indeed.──I propose we head there.”
A stir ran through the group.
“There are two reasons. The first is strategic: if we can quell it, we may ally ourselves with families affected by the rebellion. The extent of the rebellion after the recent capital events is unknown… But it surely has not fully stabilized.”
“…That’s true.”
“And second… as discussed with Hermes, the ‘church’ may be involved in this rebellion.”
After speaking with Jurgen, the suspicion was confirmed.
“To what extent the church was involved in the coup is unclear… but it’s hard to believe a large organization like the church is uninvolved. This rebellion might be the key to understanding why this incident occurred.”
That would indeed be critical.
The capital incident had been abrupt and mysterious. Without understanding its background, true reclamation seemed impossible.
Thus, this bold proposal.
It went without saying, however, that the risks were immense. The scale, details, and opposing forces of the rebellion were unknown. Failure would mean complete loss.
But success would bring military strength and intelligence about the coup──two invaluable assets.
It was a high-risk, high-reward proposal.
There might be safer methods, but… to move forward most swiftly, this was likely best.
And time was of the essence. Given what they knew of the first prince’s advisor, Laplace’s plans, urgency was paramount.
The group pondered, then turned to Liliana, the final decision-maker.
Liliana absorbed their gazes… and then turned to Hermes.
Hermes understood and calmly spoke.
“Accepting the duke’s proposal is the wisest course.”
“…Master.”
“Indeed, it’s extremely risky. But──our situation is already desperate, and conservative measures won’t turn the tide. Now is the time to venture boldly.”
Katia, Sara, and Albert nodded in agreement.
Liliana bowed her head once before lifting it with determination.
“…Understood. Jurgen, we will follow your proposal. We shall intervene in the northern rebellion to gather allied forces and information.”
“──”
“As Master said, now is the time to advance, even through peril. And above all… it is where the people are in danger. As royalty, I cannot abandon them.”
“…Understood, Your Highness.”
With a smile, Jurgen nodded.
The immediate direction for Liliana’s faction was settled.
With the main issue resolved, the group took a breath. Then, Jurgen spoke.
“Thank you, Your Highness. I also have personal interests in this northern rebellion.”
“…Personal interests?”
“Yes. There’s the matter of the church… And, Hermes, this might involve you more closely.”
Hearing this, Liliana and the four others turned to him.
“After the audience, I researched the northern rebellion. During this, I came across a familiar name.”
“A name…?”
Jurgen’s gaze sharpened as he spoke to Hermes.
“A noble’s name, someone involved in the rebellion──a likely enemy. According to records, the northern six houses include Baron Antila, Baron Swent, Viscount Markov, Viscount Melam, and Count Valentin. And lastly──Viscount Frodite.”
“!”
At the familiar name.
Hermes, Katia, Sara, and Albert, who shared a connection, widened their eyes in shock.
◆
On a certain day, in a certain place.
Under the moonlight in a small room, a beautiful silver-haired girl stood.
With eyes reflecting countless emotions and a confidence only she understood…
Nina von Frodite declared.
“Well.──You’re coming, aren’t you, Herm?”