The Gloomy and Timid Princess Heads to the Academy

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The month since the campaign to the west began has passed in the blink of an eye. I suggested to Mother that we might seek the aid of the Gods, but she replied that this was a human conflict and that one should not interfere without a cost.

Even if we wanted to intervene, there was no way to affect the depths of that continent.

…I don’t think we’re going to lose. The coastal areas have all been occupied, and more importantly, I can see the cracks forming in their alliance, albeit slowly.

Some have surrendered just to save themselves. There are generals who have disregarded orders from above and ultimately surrendered key strongholds.

In terms of troop numbers, tactics, and morale, we are superior. Right now, they are desperately trying to hold on with every trick in the book, but even that won’t last long.

“…Princess. Princess?”

“Oh, sorry. I was lost in thought for a moment. So, what does this device do?”

“…You were not listening at all, were you? Let me explain again. This time, please focus and listen.”

As he said this, the scholar from Cheoncheogwon began explaining the object in front of me. I thought I had matured enough to submit designs to the Academy, but whenever I come here, I feel like a fool again. I don’t understand any of it.

What is it… a lighthouse to be used in space? Apparently, it helps flying objects calculate their positions by launching several into the orbits of other planets.

Sure, if it’s something fine and delicate, but dealing with units that go beyond kilometers is not my field. It’s interesting with so many marvelous things, but I don’t want to understand the principles behind them.

“…Yeah, yeah. If such a thing exists, it would indeed be helpful.”

“Right? Space is vast and expansive. Just looking at the stars shining in the night sky, even if they travel at the speed of light, it takes hundreds or even thousands of years to reach them. Even the Gods wouldn’t easily get there.”

Well. I’ll have to think about that one a bit, but it certainly wouldn’t be a journey to be taken lightly, like a stroll around the neighborhood. I nodded vaguely as I finished my exploration of Cheoncheogwon.

As soon as I stepped out of the building, I felt the cold air, reminiscent of a joke, and instinctively tightened my coat.

I wasn’t out of breath or anything. This floating land had a similar atmospheric environment to the ground. Still, there was a strange feeling of alienness.

It must be because of the lack of magical energy. This disconnect from the ground must be due to this. Even now, I felt awkward, so what would it be like if I went to the west?

There, they say it’s filled with twisted and polluted magical energy. I tried imagining it for a moment, but I couldn’t visualize anything in my head, so I stopped.

Maybe it would feel similar to when I made coffee as a child.

Checking the time, it was almost time to head home. However, the thought of facing Father again made me feel a bit down.

He’s been insisting on teaching me various things lately, and it’s been quite bothersome. I love and respect him, but… I just wish he would stop all the teaching.

However, it felt wrong to douse his enthusiasm for my sake. It was a bit awkward in that regard. It would be great if he could pick up on things moderately.

My oblivious father wouldn’t notice such hints. With a sigh, I opened a crack and headed for the palace. I was going to go to where Father usually would be and say I came back, but for some reason, I couldn’t find him.

“…Where did he go?”

I thought maybe he was taking a walk with Mother, so I checked the promenade, but he wasn’t there. I wondered if he was strategizing and knocked on the door, but there was no response.

Where could he possibly be? Usually, he would leave at least a note during times like this.

Thinking maybe he just didn’t see something he left in his room, I went back to check, and I heard a loud commotion coming from the desk.

“…Multiple unregistered entities breaching barrier 12…? Moreover, it seems they’re breaking through the defenses as well?”

Oh dear. What to do? Why does it have to be this time for Father to be gone?

Isn’t this a critical situation? They’re navigating a maze where you’ll be lost forever from the moment you’re trapped.

…No, wait. This might actually be an opportunity.

If I solve this on my own, perhaps Father will recognize me and stop that tedious training. I just learned how to handle my abilities from Mother.

If all else fails, I could always call on the Gods or Mother.

Looking at the map, I opened a crack where they might fall when they forced their way through the barrier. The emergency crack generator exists for moments like this.

I created a few small droplets on my palm, getting a feel for it in advance. Just in case they attacked as soon as they arrived, I could retaliate immediately.

But perhaps I had arrived too early. No matter how long I waited, they didn’t appear.

I thought maybe I could just ask the Gods for help and go home, but I waited a bit too long, and handling it that way wouldn’t earn me Father’s recognition, so I decided to take care of it myself.

After waiting a bit longer, the air began to crack in a way I hadn’t seen before, and the space started to distort.

Then through that unnatural sight, a group of humans fell through.

“Finally… We broke through! Anya! Iris! Is everyone okay?!”

“…Yes, Dokan. I’m fine, but Gloria is hurt…!”

“This isn’t even a real injury. Ugh… More importantly, look over there.”

…So, these are the intruders? I was expecting some brutish, authoritative figures, the kind that would make you bow your head upon sight.

Even if they really did come, it wouldn’t be like I’d have to endure it for the sake of the princess.

The intruders seemed too absorbed in their own conversation to notice me, which annoyed me enough that I conjured a sword in the air and lightly tossed it their way.

The sword, which was about to hit the head honcho, was blocked by a sword swung by a woman with white hair.

How fascinating, a sword that scatters frost.

“…I don’t know what kind of arduous journey you went through or what resolute will you formed to arrive here, but sadly for you, your journey ends here.”

I thought about sparing them, but that seemed like a foolish idea. Of course, capturing them would be nice.

But they were strong enough to break through the barrier. No matter how strong my abilities are, I couldn’t afford to be slack. My reaction speed isn’t that great.

“…Dokan, it seems like things won’t go according to your plans. We can’t expect help from the locals.”

“…Yeah. Things never go as planned. I apologize for having you come all this way through hardship, but prepare for battle. It looks like we’re in for a series of confrontations.”

“Wait a moment… something is coming!”

As they readied themselves for battle, blades suddenly sprouted densely from beneath them. I thought it was a surprise attack, but perhaps they had anticipated it, as they all dodged.

Hmm. I was hoping to take at least one of them down with that. Did I not cover enough area?

It seems the timid-looking girl might have been reading the future or something. I didn’t want things to get complicated, so I caused blades to shoot up from within.

Perhaps she anticipated that too, as she turned pale the moment I aimed, but it seems she didn’t have the ability to evade it.

Blades erupted from her body, and the girl convulsed several times before slumping down.

“No! Iris!!!”

“Dokan… it’s dangerous!”

I suppose their camaraderie was strong. Once one was incapacitated, I could feel the rest wavering.

They’re weaker than I thought. How on earth did they break through the barrier?

…More importantly, I couldn’t see one of them.

Just as I was thinking about it, I felt something cutting through the air from behind.

I quickly conjured a thick wall of vines. At the same moment, a chillingly loud noise erupted from behind me.

That girl named Gloria didn’t panic at all, even after a comrade fell. She was just waiting for her chance.

I had let my guard down thinking she was injured. Who would have thought she could muster such strength even in that state? If I had been even a little late, my head would have been gone.

Twisting the structure of the vines, I unleashed shrapnel from within. A claymore? I hadn’t expected that. Ultimately, she too went the same way as her comrade.

…Perhaps. Since they were in a state of deep resolve. She didn’t look alive.

“Gloria too…! Run, everyone! This is beyond what we can handle…!”

No, wait. I think that was what she wanted to say. But what can I say? Massive walls were rising around us, blocking our escape.

The leader’s expression was quite something to behold. The woman next to him seemed resolute, as if she was bracing for something.

Good attitude. If she hadn’t been born in the west, she might have been picked as a squire from a young age in my hometown.

As for the rest… I don’t know. This battle was turning out to be lamer than expected, and I felt deflated.

Raising one hand above my head, I conjured countless blades that blocked out the sun above their heads.

“Lies… here… it ends… like this…?”

“Dokan, focus! Dokan!”

Those two must be lovers. The male side didn’t seem to have great mental fortitude.

What a waste for the girl. I lowered the hand I had raised.