第２１６掘：お転婆姫最前線へ (Part1)
**Dig 216: The Tomboy Princess to the Front Lines**
**Side: Zilba Empire, 5th Princess, Miffy Beiges Zilba (8th in line to the throne)**
"What did you say?!"
At the time, I was studying abroad in a friendly nation. Even in these days of constant warfare, it wasn't as if we lacked the resources to cultivate excellent soldiers. The Knight Academy is a place where those destined to command units in the future are gathered and trained. Of course, the Zilba Imperial Capital has its own prestigious Knight Academy, but it was my father’s policy that I learn and build my strength at an academy in a friendly nation. It was likely a gesture of goodwill, but since I was the one who insisted on becoming a knight, it also meant I had to endure such long-term expeditions.
However, that study abroad program was cut short, and I departed without waiting for the academy’s long break. The cause was a single letter that reached me. The sender was a spy I personally valued, stationed within the Zilba Royal Castle. One might wonder why I would have a spy in my own country, but in these times, being royalty means never knowing when an assassin’s hand might reach for you, or when a relative might be eliminated. Moreover, it is a troublesome situation where you cannot tell friend from foe. Thus, it is only natural for my siblings and me to each have one or two trusted spies.
The letter from the spy read:
*“Mercenaries have broken into the Zilba Royal Castle and run wild. I am currently investigating the details, but it seems they even stormed the audience chamber where the King was present. The King did not punish the mercenaries for their insolence, which suggests something has occurred. Please return, Princess Miffy, just in case. The other princes and princesses should have received word from their own spies, but given your position, you are likely the only one who can return immediately. I humbly beg for your assistance.”*
That my father, the King of the Zilba Empire, would allow someone to commit such an outrage and keep their head is, in itself, abnormal. Given his temperament, it should have been an immediate execution. Reading this, I judged without a doubt that my father had fallen into a situation he could not easily handle. However, leaving this be would affect the prestige of the Zilba Empire. If that were the case, I would simply have to judge them myself in his stead. That is the only use for someone like me, who has a low claim to the throne and only aspires to be a knight.
Naturally, I bolted from my room and left the friendly nation under the guise of urgent personal business, taking only the bare minimum of guards—those who could keep up with my horse. Thanks to that, I covered a journey that usually takes a month and a half in just two weeks.
"Listen, we’re going to approach the castle head-on. At worst, there’s a possibility that the people inside have turned against us, so stay alert."
"Yes, ma'am!"
"Normally, I should contact my spy, but I don't know what the situation is inside the castle right now, and the spy might not be safe. They could use that to lure us into a trap. That’s why we’ll go in openly and gauge the situation. If we do that, the citizens will gather, which will actually make it easier for us to escape if things go south."
I am reluctant to involve the citizens, but if we are ambushed in some narrow alleyway, we would have no path of escape in our small numbers. Therefore, I would intentionally bring a crowd of citizens with me to the castle gates. If I enter boldly, claiming I have returned, they will have to take some kind of action—whether they are cooperative or hostile. If they are cooperative, there is no problem. If they try to capture me, I can slip away into the crowd.
I may not be on the level of the Magic Sword users like Marly, Olive, Mist, or Air, but I have been praised by Jessica, who can cross blades with such warriors several times. I don't intend to be taken down easily, no matter what happens.
"Hey, isn't that Princess Miffy?"
"You're right! But wasn't she studying abroad?"
The citizens began to stir at the sight of me. Judging by their reaction, the disturbance at the castle—which my spy said was being investigated—must be under a gag order. On the surface, the capital remained peaceful.
"Citizens, I have returned for a brief matter. If you don't mind, would you accompany me to the castle entrance while we chat?"
As I declared this, a young girl finally recognized me and ran over.
"Yay! It's Princess Miffy!"
"Have you grown a bit?"
"Yeah! I'm going to grow even bigger and fight alongside you, Princess!"
"My, how reliable."
I lifted the girl I knew into my arms. There is a reason the citizens are so comfortable with me, a member of royalty. It is a form of interaction I cultivated, utilizing my low value as a royal. I am someone who wouldn't be missed if I were gone, so I actively interact with the citizens to strengthen their patriotism. Though, to be honest, I simply enjoy these interactions. My brothers and sisters with higher claims to the throne cannot afford such luxuries.
"Princess Miffy, I'm so sorry about my daughter..."
"It's quite alright, she's very adorable. By the way, I've returned for some business, but has there been any trouble in the capital?"
"No, nothing in particular. Thanks to you and the others, the capital is peaceful."
"I see, that's good to hear. But I must work even harder so that everyone can live in peace."
"I'll help too!"
"Thank you."
I arrived at the castle gates while exchanging such trivial pleasantries, then bid them farewell and entered. The soldiers who came to greet me saluted, and everything seemed normal. I had no choice but to ask my father directly. Fortunately, they weren't projecting any killing intent toward us, and the castle interior seemed normal, suggesting the gag order was being strictly enforced. Unable to suppress my impatience, I ran straight to my father’s office.
"Father!! I heard that some mercenaries ran wild in the castle, so I rushed back!"
I threw the door open with force and shouted at him, but the words that returned were...
"Head to General Marly, the Magic Sword user, immediately!!"
He tore up the parchment he had been writing on and issued that order to me.
"Huh? No, wait, Father, what about the mercenaries?"
"Hm? Ah, so your spy sent a report. I suppose I must explain that as well. For now, sit down. I will explain everything, including the order I just gave you. It is not unrelated."
"Princess Miffy, please take a seat. This will be a long story."
"...Understood."
As I sat down, Air brought me some tea. Since I had the chance, I drank the tea and took a breath.