第３３２堀：次なる地の前のお話 (Part1)
### Chapter 332: The Story Before the Next Land
**Side: Yuki**
"I am truly grateful for everything this time. Once things have settled down, I will certainly host a celebratory banquet or two."
With those words, Princess Inis of August and the Royal Guard, Vixen, saw us off as we prepared to depart.
"Indeed. Let us speak at length when that time comes. Including the matter regarding Labyris and the others..."
"I have already bowed my head repeatedly for that, and I even handed over a list of items for compensation, did I not!? Goodness, you are a terrifying person to deal with."
The criminal in question had already been sent back, and since Eris and Ratz had already prepared a compromise, I hadn't had the chance to interject. But to think he touched Labyris’s chest, and made Aslin cry only to touch hers as well... I would have been happy to execute him myself.
What was his name again? Hicky? If he had appeared before me, I would have planted a trauma so deep he’d never be able to step outside again, just as his name implies. It’s a shame I missed the chance.
"Well, jokes aside, this is an emergency. After I report this to the Principal, I must relay the information to Roday, Enaria, and Zilba. Please convey my apologies to His Majesty for the informal nature of my departure."
"Ah, my father understands the situation, so I don't think it is necessary for me to relay that personally, but since it is a request from you, Yuki-dono, I shall see that it is done."
"I appreciate it."
Conveniently for me, just as I was thinking about who to pin the war Hifie had instigated on, I found that there were actually others operating in the shadows just like her. So, I decided to dump the whole thing on them.
Thanks to Deryu’s efforts, an unexpected name had surfaced, and the King and his ministers were currently in an emergency meeting in the August capital. Was the letter truly from the King of Ex? Or was it a forgery? The meeting was in turmoil over the same questions we had. Since they were the ones actually suffering the damage, they couldn't just brush it off like we could.
Their borders are adjacent, so they seem to have ordered a strengthening of their defenses along the border with the Kingdom of Ex, and soldiers were moving busily toward that region. Originally, August and Ex were neighbors and had been embroiled in border disputes. Given that history, it wouldn't be strange for Ex to launch an attack.
On the other hand, the Kingdom of Zilba and the Kingdom of Ex were on friendly terms. While they had their own superficial border disputes, it was more of a pre-arranged performance. Because of that relationship, Zilba hadn't allocated much military power to the Ex border, focusing their main forces instead on the Enaria region, the small nations to the south, and the demi-humans lurking in the mountains different from those near the Lancer Magic Academy. Though, the Enaria front had already been settled.
So, if the Kingdom of Ex really was acting in the shadows, Zilba would be in danger, but as luck would have it, Steve and Zargis are in positions of power there. I’ll use this opportunity to have them climb even higher.
Zilba’s damages? No, no, let them protect their own country, right? We have nothing to do with this. We don't have a useless goddess or a predecessor to worry about. They should just be grateful we left Steve and Zargis there.
Because of all this, we weren't particularly panicked, but our current standing in August was that of escorts for the Dragon Knight, Amanda. The current situation was framed as the Academy dispatching a Dragon Knight at August's request. It was necessary due to the emergency, but now that we were in a state where we could catch our breath, keeping Amanda on hand any longer would cause various political headaches for August in the future.
The current situation wasn't exactly ideal, either. A guest who had come for a courtesy visit had been thrown straight into a war. Even though we had cleared it with Popuri, it was incredibly improper to deploy a guest from another country to the front lines. In other words, the Academy and the Dragon Knight were owed a massive debt. If we didn't show our gratitude for their cooperation in a grand way, the nation would lose face. Being a great power is such a hassle!
And so, since it would be bad to be seen detaining the Dragon Knight, Amanda, or treating her as a combat asset any longer, I had Popuri—or rather, I had relayed the message through her—to have us leave immediately. We had to investigate the mastermind ourselves, and it was hard to move in the chaotic atmosphere of August.
Thus, we decided to return to the Academy.
...Our honeymoon has been pushed back, but it would only be chaotic if we tried to have it here, so I’ll have to ask my wives to be patient. I feel like keeping the family happy is more work, but being busy on this front is fine. Dealing with cleaning up other people's messes like this is far more exhausting. Still, I did get to vent my frustrations quite a bit.
"Inis-senpai! I will definitely come back again!"
"Ah. Amanda-kouhai. I look forward to that day. Take care of yourself!"
"Yes!"
Before I knew it, the farewells between Amanda and the Princess were over, and it was finally time to take off from August.
"Dragon Knight Amanda, and the mercenary group, salute!"
*Thud!*
As Vixen gave the order, the soldiers in the barracks, who had been moving about frantically, turned toward us and saluted in unison.
...If they can do that much, they should be able to handle whatever comes their way. Well, I’ve secured a direct line to them, so if things look dire, I’ll help out. After all, Cleena’s relative, Feigel, is there too.
"Everyone, stay healthy!"
Amanda kept waving until the barracks were no longer visible. ...I don't want to say it, but doesn't her arm get tired?
Now, we were heading straight back. There was no reason to pretend to be slow just to return to our own country.
"Um, everyone. Thank you for putting up with my selfishness this time!"
Inside the carriage, Amanda bowed her head.
Well, if we hadn't been there, her reckless agreement really would have turned into a major problem. It would be terrifying if she didn't realize how bad it was, but since she seemed to grasp the gravity of it, I suppose it’s fine. We had, after all, pushed her toward it to achieve our own goals.
"It's fine. I already said that before. Let’s talk about what went wrong this time."
"Eh?"
"Listen, Amanda. You’re apologizing because you dragged us into danger. Right?"
"Ah, yes. That's right."
"Did you also understand the danger you were in, given your own position?"
"Yes. If it weren't for Eris-shishou and the others, I think it would have turned into something truly terrible."
"Good. As long as you understand that, it's fine. Never overestimate your own strength, okay? Before you are a legendary Dragon Knight, Amanda, you are a girl. You’re a newlywed, so cherish your time with Eoid."
"Yes!"
Good. Eris had hammered that home, so unless something truly unforeseen happened, she shouldn't be reckless.
"Come to think of it, Yuki-san. What will happen when we return?"
Eoid asked. As he said, that was the real problem.
"First, we have to talk to Principal Popuri. There’s a possibility that people wielding magic swords are lurking in the Academy as well."
Actually, Tori, Riel, and Kaya had already beaten them to a pulp shortly after I sent the message. It’s a relief that Popuri is on our side. I can do whatever I want.
"After that, the Academy will likely send out emergency notices to every country."
The annoying part is that we can't go straight to the White Forest. It would look suspicious if we didn't return to the Academy first, and if we tried to go through the immigration procedures from August—in its current state—to a demi-human nation, we would definitely be suspected.