Chapter 318
Chapter 318. Strange Connection
The sound of clattering wheels echoed.
—G-g-greetings! This is Hero Alexander on a b-b-bumpy wagon journey!
Why is it shaking—ugh!
My butt!! It hurts!!!
It’s been a while since I rode in a normal wagon, but the jolts are insane! Hey, did human wagons really shake this much? Seriously?
“I’ve completely gotten used to the skeleton wagon of the Demon Lord Kingdom…”
There’s no way I could play tabletop games in this wagon… Enma’s skeleton wagon was incredibly high-performance.
With undead fitting between the wheels and the body to absorb the bumps… yeah…
“On top of that, the road conditions were way better in the Demon Lord Kingdom. The Korvto Tribe’s magic created a seamless surface, with no bumps.”
The road was super smooth, too.
In any case, I had gotten completely accustomed to it, but that ride was one of pure indulgence…
“………”
Leila seems to be thinking the same thing with a subtle expression.
“No, that’s just her face saying ‘My ride is much better!’”
Misleading!! Well, Leila’s ride is indeed fantastic.
…But looking back now, right after I learned to fly, Leila’s shaking was pretty intense. I almost got thrown off a couple of times… Now, it’s incredibly smooth, gliding through the air.
If I could just ride Leila directly to the capital Todomarl, it would be over in a flash.
But Tritus Principality is just too small. Even when Leila just flies, it only takes about 30 minutes to cross!
It’s surrounded by mountains in a basin-like terrain, and everywhere in the domestic plains is populated, so even with concealment magic, there’s a risk of being spotted if I fly during the day.
To fly safely, I’d need to kill time outside the town until nightfall and only then set off, meaning I wouldn’t enter the capital until tomorrow morning.
At this rate, taking the wagon is faster. Yup, even this bumpy wagon gets us to the capital before sundown.
Yet, turning down Edgar’s invitation and walking there feels suspicious…
“Hahaha, you both don’t seem very accustomed to the wagon.”
Edgar, sitting across from us in the cargo area, chuckled. Besides us, there’s only the monk at the driver’s seat holding the reins.
“Yeah, well… I usually move around on my own two feet.”
I replied with a strained smile. My wings are like legs, so technically, I’m not lying.
“Edgar, what brings you to the capital?”
“Delivering a letter from the Bishop.”
Edgar patted the bag beside him.
“It’s quite an important mission.”
“I see, that’s a heavy responsibility.”
I nodded seriously. …No, I’m genuinely saying it. The Bishop is the head of the Holy Church in town, a rather notable figure.
Comparing the Pope of the Holy Church to the Demon Lord, cardinals are like dukes, archbishops are like princes, and bishops are like marquesses. Which means he’s at least a commanding officer level with a letter like that—it’s crucial—
……
“What’s wrong?”
…No, I’ve completely gotten used to the class systems of the Demon Lord Kingdom, that’s what I was thinking…
Clatter, clatter.
—By the way, what’s up with this wagon?
For something belonging to the Holy Church, it seems a bit flimsy, almost like a civilian item. There are no protective magical barriers or armor to deflect arrows, just a simple covered wagon. While it’s well-maintained, it looks pretty worn out…
“This wagon?”
Noticing my gaze, Edgar opened his mouth.
“It was donated by the Vidowa Trading Company.”
“‘Vidowa Trading Company’?”
I’ve never heard of them—ah, but…
Beside me, Leila flinched. What’s up with that?
“It’s no surprise you don’t know. It’s located deep in the eastern part of the continent, far away from here.”
Edgar nodded solemnly as he explained.
“Far away as in… which is farther, compared to the Holy Kingdom?”
“The Vidowa Trading Company’s headquarters is farther away.”
“That’s quite a distance.”
Walking there might take months. Why did a wagon come all the way from such a place? Sending financial aid would be faster…
“……… It’s my acquaintance’s priest’s family home. The Vidowa Trading Company.”
Ignoring the shaking, Edgar rested his chin on his hands.
“They provide not only donations but also various supplies and loans to support the Holy Church and Tritus Principality. This wagon is one of their donated vehicles… However, to be honest, it seems it was mainly meant to encourage their daughter to return.”
Edgar sighed.
“Despite repeated calls, she chose to stay in Evaroti and ultimately didn’t return.”
……
“She probably… died in battle. Her family seems to be seriously disappointed, and they are planning to cut off various forms of support soon. This letter is—”
He tapped the bag again and chuckled self-deprecatingly.
“It’s a pleading letter from the Bishop of our district to a representative of the Vidowa Trading Company in the capital, urging, ‘For the alliance, and for the future of humanity, please lend your support…’ and so forth.”
Mimicking the elderly Bishop’s hoarse voice, Edgar.
…The Holy Church, to put it plainly, is a group that does anything for humanity. To not let that ideal become mere rhetoric, they sometimes invite those born near the front lines to train in the Holy Kingdom’s training institute, and conversely, those born at the eastern edge of the continent may be dispatched to the front lines if they demonstrate skill.
If it’s the same as when I was active, no competent priest will be “unfamiliar with the front lines.” Everyone must be sent at least once… Probably, given that there’s a manpower shortage now, that tendency is even stronger.
I remember having a comrade from a pretty influential noble family—a second or third son—at least, I think so. I don’t remember clearly now.
And the one thing I do remember is that he died on the front lines.
“…Were you close?”
Unknowingly, I asked the question. I didn’t want to dive too deep into it.
Edgar’s tone was nostalgic yet regretful. For it to just be “an acquaintance” felt… too superficial.
“…No.”
Edgar quickly averted his gaze.
“Not that close. Just a junior, she stayed in our town for a while. She seemed like a rather timid girl, rare for the church.”
Sure enough, there aren’t many timid types among priests or heroes.
“She was dispatched to the Defteros front lines almost around the same time I was… I made sure she would wait at the rear fort to keep her safe, but… the Demon Lord’s army attacked with unexpected force, and that fort became the front line in no time.”
A face like he just bit into a sour grape.
“…I was soon heavily injured and pulled back, but unlike my incompetence, she fought through. Even so, before Evaroti was surrounded, she was supposed to return to Tritus Principality, just like me.”
And nothing else after that, Edgar muttered.
“I sent letters countless times, but she was adamant about fighting on and taking revenge… She seemed like such a timid girl…”
So she must have understood the reality and couldn’t pull away.
“…I see.”
Not like I had nothing left but fighting like me.
She must have found a reason to continue fighting—
“………”
Hmm, something seems off with Leila. She doesn’t look too well. It’s definitely not a cheerful topic…
“Did she get car sick from all this shaking?”
That wouldn’t be good.
“Are you okay, Leila?”
I gently reached for Leila’s neck and touched the leather cord.
Is something wrong?
—Suddenly, emotions flooded in.
A painful, heart-wrenching, helpless feeling—what’s with this? From her and from me? Why?
“—…………—”
………..Huh.
“Charlotte Vidowa.”
Barbara’s voice.
I could almost see the figure of a sad-looking sword saint shaking her head.
“In the Evaroti defense battle, she charged at you, adorned with the holy light… It was she who held back Zilbagias. Her full name was Charlotte Vidowa.”
I—
Had killed her, hadn’t I?
“………What’s wrong? You too look pale as a sheet.”
Worried, Edgar leaned forward.
“…No.”
I quickly looked down. I couldn’t face him. Evaroti… right, that’s right. I was the one who laid waste to that town. That kind of thing is, naturally, bound to happen…
“……I’m sorry that this conversation turned so grim.”
Edgar shrugged apologetically in response to my speechlessness.
“There’s no need… to apologize.”
I forced the words out.
There’s no need at all. That “acquaintance” was—remarkable. It was her fierce battle that created the chance to deal a fatal blow to the Demon Lord’s prince. Her end was noble. I desperately wanted to convey that.
But… what good would it do to say such a thing…?
“Well, you see. Actually, for both Tritus Principality and the Holy Church, the financial aid is a godsend… While donations can’t be helped, I hope they continue lending to the Vidowa Trading Company. Though when I say ‘lending,’ it’s tough when I can’t guarantee repayment. Rumor has it that His Majesty Tsugiwaiya IV even mortgaged the palace…”
Edgar lowered his voice as he spoke about how much the king had sacrificed.
“…That’s the rumor. I’m not originally from this country, but I think he’s a really good king.”
Clatter, clatter.
The wagon advances; even for a small nation—there’s still some distance to the capital.
“…By the way…”
As the conversation shifted, it seems Edgar completely switched gears, cheerfully asking.
“—What’s your relationship like? Ah, of course, just to the extent you can answer. Alexandra is a hero, but I can feel magic from Leila that isn’t weak either.”
His eyes were full of concern to change the atmosphere.
At the same time, there was a light of pure curiosity directed at us.
