第５１８堀：バイデのおるすばんできるかなー？ (Part1)
**Chapter 518: Can Baide Be Left Alone?**
**Side: Georgin, Findar Empire, General of the Imperial Great Eagles**
At long last, the Princess and her entourage have departed through the gate.
No, I suppose it would be more accurate to call them Yuki-sama’s entourage.
That princess is nothing more than a spectacle, a mere ornament; she is of no use beyond that.
It is not necessarily her fault, but given the circumstances, it is what it is.
...In that sense, perhaps one could say Haiden had been maneuvering quite skillfully until now.
However, it was that very maneuvering that led Yuki-sama and his group to this land.
"In a way, this turn of events might have been inevitable."
As for Haiden, their path is effectively set in stone.
It will be interesting to see if they can manage a proper negotiation with Yuki-sama.
Most likely, they will simply be intoxicated by their own power and crushed in the process.
Or perhaps, is it a shame that I won't be able to witness that scene?
It might have been a chance to glimpse a fraction of Yuki-sama’s true strength.
While I was lost in such thoughts, a member of the Imperial Guard called out to me.
"General Georgin. What shall we do from here on?"
"What do you mean, 'what'? We are to support Shera-sama, who is working hard in place of Catherine-dono, and govern this Baide."
"Does that mean we are to seize control?"
The guard who asked such a foolish question had eyes sparkling with anticipation, saying, "We can do it at any time."
*Sigh.* I delivered a sharp knuckle-sandwich to his head to wake him up.
"Wh-what was that for!?"
"Don't ask 'what.' Do you intend to start a war with Weed?"
"B-but, all that remains are women and children..."
"Even those women and children are far beyond our reach. Look at reality! And you call yourself a member of the Imperial Guard!?"
"The ones who lost were the disgraces of the Guard; we are different. Even if we cannot match them in raw power, we have strategies..."
"...It was precisely because of those 'strategies' that our entire army was neutralized."
"..."
"I understand you have the pride and stubbornness of the Imperial Guard. But this is an order, and a vital mission for the sake of our alliance. I will overlook this once, but do not expect a second time."
"Y-yes, sir!!"
He clearly looked dissatisfied.
However, I can understand why they would want to claim that the guards who lost were simply weak.
"Wait, most of you in the Guard only saw their demonstrations, didn't you?"
"Yes, sir. That is correct."
The guards who had sparred with them weren't even serious; it was just a light training session under orders.
Under those circumstances, it is understandable that frustration would build up.
After all, they were defeated by Yuki-sama before any full-scale combat could even begin.
Perhaps I should use this opportunity to let them properly recognize the standing of the people from Weed, while also letting them blow off some steam.
"Very well. I will speak with the people of Weed. Gather those who think they are worthy. Depending on the results, I will consider various things."
"Yes!! Thank you very much!!"
With that, one of the guards ran off.
"What about you lot?" I asked the others.
"We already know the strength of Weed."
"Hmm. That is wise. Regardless, make the announcement: it will be held at the central plaza of Baide at noon today. It is open to all soldiers, regardless of rank."
"Yes, sir."
"Oh, and notify those noisy students as well. The Princess and Kamishiro-dono were desperately trying to keep them in check, but this should be easier for them to understand."
"Understood."
If I frame it as entertainment, it should be easy to gain the support of the people of Baide.
Now then, I should go speak with my master.
I have a particularly good relationship with her, so if I speak to her directly, this matter should go through without issue.
Thinking this, I returned to the lord’s mansion and walked toward the garden.
There stood a house, far too grand to be called a mere annex, and smoke was rising from a shed next to it.
"Even today, as expected of a master craftswoman."
Without bothering to knock, I opened the door to the shed and stepped inside, the sound of iron being forged greeting my ears.
It was a familiar sight for a blacksmith's workshop.
Though, the owner was not an elderly artisan, but a young girl.
"It’s Old Man Georgin. Does that mean the older brothers have left?"
Firia-dono said this without looking back, continuing to swing her hammer.
"Yes. They have finally departed."
"Honestly, that princess was a surprise. She ruined the send-off."
"Haha, indeed she did."
Firia-dono and the other people from Weed who had come to see them off were forced to return to their respective tasks because the Princess was so inept that a proper send-off became impossible.
"So, is that what you wanted to talk about?"
"Ah, no, actually, there is something I would like your help with."
"Help? What kind of help?"
"It is a pathetic story, but some of my soldiers have too much free time on their hands..."
Wait, now that I’ve said it, I wonder how easy it will be for Firia-dono to understand.
"Are they looking to test their skills against Firia and the others?"
"...Yes. You understand?"
"Firia and the others are also adventurers in Weed. We often get picked fights there. Since we look like children, well, that hasn't happened much lately."
"Haha, is that so..."
I could only respond with a dry voice.
*Hasn't happened much lately... does that mean you turned all your opponents into mincemeat?* I didn't have the courage to ask the truth.
As we spoke, Firia-dono’s hands never stopped, and before I knew it, a sword with a solid finish had taken shape.
I don't know when she did it; it was far too fast.
"You seemed to be striking the iron with a hammer just a moment ago..."
"Nyu? Ah, I use magic along with the hammer. If I only used the hammer, it would take three or four hours to finish one. That’s a hassle. Narjia-neesama says that has its own charm, but I don't really get it."
"Haha, every artisan has their own personal taste, I suppose."
Though, I highly doubt whether one should compare a spirit like Narjia to a commoner.
"The most important thing for Firia is to make weapons that help the older brothers."
*Pyun, pyun.* With a pleasant sound, Firia-dono checked the quality of the sword.
Her movements were practiced.
In fact, it was a level of movement that an average knight could never hope to match.
"...Does Firia-dono use swords as well?"
"I don't use them as my main weapon. War hammers suit Firia better. Swords are just a sub-weapon."
"And yet, even to my eyes, your skill was truly magnificent."
"Thank you. But the older sisters are even better. They taught me how to use a sword."
"I see."
That, I could accept, coming from the people of Weed.
"There, no problems with the appearance. Here, you can have it."
With that, Firia-dono sheathed the longsword she had just finished and handed it to me.
"Are you sure?"
"A longsword is hard to handle with Firia's height. It usually just ends up in storage, so I'd be grateful if you took it and used it."
"If you insist, then I shall gratefully... May I draw it?"
"Go ahead. I need to adjust the balance to match Old Man Georgin, anyway."
"Then..."
The longsword I drew was perhaps the most magnificent piece of work I had ever seen.
There were no unnecessary decorations; it was a rugged, practical weapon, literally made for the battlefield.
Yet, regardless of the lack of ornamentation, the blade was beautiful, drawing the eye.
I thought it was steel-colored, but looking closely, the blade had a faint green hue.
It was like a gemstone.
"What is this blade made of?"
"I'm glad you asked. It’s the 'Magic Accumulation Alloy Type 32' I just thought of."
"Magic... accumulation? Alloy? My apologies, Firia-dono, I don't quite understand."
"Umm, umm, it’s an amazing metal that can store magic and use it. Since you don't need to insert a core or a magic stone like with magic swords or holy swords, the strength of the sword itself increases, and it’s possible to fire magic directly from it."
"...In other words, if I hold this sword, can even I use magic, like the staff I received before?"
"That's right. It’s not a support magic like the war hammer I gave you yesterday; if you say a certain keyword, anyone can fire an attack spell."