第５１２堀：夢から覚めて現実へ (Part1)
**Chapter 512: Waking from a Dream to Reality**
**Side: Kagura Kamishiro**
……Was I just having a dream?
That is the thought that crosses my mind.
"Kagura. What do you think of this letter?"
"Ah, yes. I shall take a look."
Because I am back to dealing with this Princess.
It is the same meaningless exchange as before; no matter how many times I say it is fine, the Princess does not listen, and we simply repeat the cycle of her rewriting the letter.
It is such a tedious daily routine that it makes me want to believe that my time in Weed, where I was just a moment ago, was all a dream.
Or rather, I think there is a part of me that *wants* to believe Weed was a dream.
If someone told me it was all a bad joke, I might have been able to accept it more easily.
But the events in Weed were the truth...
"Oh? What happened to that ring?"
"Ah, um……"
At the end of the Princess’s gaze lies the ring on my finger, a piece of jewelry that hides an incredible power.
This is the very proof that I went to Weed.
After the weapon selection and a brief explanation on how to use it, I returned to Baide, but the stark contrast between the two places left me feeling as though I were still in a daze.
By the way, the weapon I chose was a staff.
I can use a sword to some extent, but not like a knight, so I chose one that fires magic directly from the staff itself.
Well, that is beside the point, but how should I explain this ring?
If I just say I received it from Yuki, she might start complaining, or if she draws some strange misunderstanding, it will be a hassle.
"It is not a very good-looking piece, is it?"
"Pardon?"
"Look, right there, it has a scratch. It has no design, just a simple ring."
"Ah, ah, yes, I suppose so."
Apparently, Narjia-san made it look that way for the sake of disguise.
As for me, the performance of the ring is so off-the-charts that I didn't care at all, but to the Princess, it seems that is all she sees.
"When one reaches a status like yours, Kagura, a certain level of appearance is required. I do not wish to say this, but if you have no sentimental attachment to it, you should take it off. You will be looked down upon."
As the Princess says, wearing something worthless or shabby leads others to suspect the poverty of one’s house.
That is one of the factors that causes others to underestimate you.
If this were just an ordinary, scratched ring, I should do as the Princess says, but this ring is not ordinary.
It possesses such amazing power that it wouldn't be out of place in some legend or fairy tale.
It is something absolutely necessary for my future.
How should I explain it so she will be convinced……?
Ah, I’ll go with that approach.
"No, Princess. I cannot take this off. It is a reminder to myself. It is a keepsake of a knight who fought and fell for the sake of Baide."
"……Is that so? So that ring is a testament to those who fought for Baide—no, for Haiden."
"Yes."
"I understand. I have said something rude. You should certainly keep it on."
This is the part where the Princess’s kind heart makes her tolerable, but the rest of her is just… empty.
Actually, I could say that I am the one who is confused.
The idea that the continent where Yuki and the others’ home, Weed, exists in the same world as this one is something I am still half-doubting.
Well, what I need to do now is deal with the internal affairs of Haiden, so those difficult questions can wait for later.
"However, Kagura."
"Yes. What is it?"
"The reinforcements from the Royal Capital are late, aren't they? Is it not negligence? It has already been seven days since the battle ended, the engagement period was five days, and we requested reinforcements two days before the war started, correct?"
"Yes."
"Fourteen days have already passed. Do they not understand that Haiden is in crisis? I must have my uncle, His Majesty, reprimand them."
She doesn't even have the common sense to understand this.
"No, Princess. Looking at the scale of the enemy, simply sending the Royal Capital’s defense force to Baide would leave them outnumbered, and they would be wiped out in an instant. Therefore, they must gather troops from the surrounding areas and prepare supplies before departing, so even if they arrived now, it would be considered fast. The more people you gather, the slower they move."
"Is that so?"
She has such a puzzled look on her face.
I wish she would realize the gravity of the situation a little more.
I want her to reflect on that reckless siege.
If Yuki and the others hadn't come, the Baide troops would have been annihilated, and we would be prisoners—prisoners!!
As I was complaining in my heart, Catherine-den entered through the door.
"Catherine-den? Did something happen?"
"Is something the matter?"
"Princess. Kamishiro-den. The vanguard for the reinforcements from the Royal Capital has arrived."
"My, judging by what Kagura said earlier, they must be very capable. To arrive so quickly."
"Hah? H-hah, well, indeed, I suppose so."
"A-anyway. What is the situation with the reinforcements?"
The Princess’s off-base impressions are irrelevant right now.
The fact that they are faster than expected means there was likely some maneuvering and preparation involved.
If we handle this poorly, Baide could be taken over just like that.
If that happens, the existence of Weed might be exposed, which could lead directly to war.
I have to find a way to turn the reinforcements away before they reach Baide……
"The main force of the reinforcements is said to arrive in about three days, but the soldiers of the vanguard are confused because there is no ongoing battle."
"Yuki-sama defeated the enemy for us, after all."
"Yes, that is correct, but as you know, Princess, Yuki-sama does not think highly of Haiden. If the reinforcements arrive as they are, they will end up hostile toward Yuki-sama."
"My, we must not let that happen. After all, he saved Baide—no, he saved Haiden from crisis."
Why does she say that as if she just learned it for the first time?
I’ve been telling her that all along.
"That is correct. Therefore, we must have the reinforcements turn back for the time being to buy time to persuade Yuki-sama. To that end, we need the Princess to keep Yuki-sama’s involvement hidden and tell them that we repelled the enemy with our own strength……"
"……I see. It is not my intention to put Yuki-sama in a precarious position now. I understand. Though, what exactly should I explain to them?"
"……Catherine-den and I will assist you with that."
I suppose there is no way this Princess could explain such a thing on her own……
"Since the sun has already set, we have had the vanguard return to explain the situation briefly to the main force. We will ride out early tomorrow morning to the main force to provide a full explanation. Tomorrow will be an early day, so please get some rest."
"I understand. *Sigh*. Unfortunately, the letter will have to wait for another time. For now, I must buy time to speak with Yuki-sama. We must not let an hero be defeated by our own hands."
"……"
Catherine-den and I feel a bit conflicted at those words.
Defeating him is impossible, though.
If anything, it is Haiden that is buying time for its own survival.
Actually, if they remain hostile, Haiden will likely meet an immediate end.
"Now, tomorrow is an early day, so let us rest. Kagura, you should rest early as well."
"Y-yes. Then, if you will excuse me."
"Princess. I shall have your meal brought in now."
"My, I wonder if Yuki-sama’s sweets are included today as well?"