Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 97: Princess Liana and Archduke Kharon Encounter the Magical Beast
──Princess Liana’s point of view──
“Your Grace. There’s something I don’t understand.”
Inside the carriage heading toward the fortress, Princess Liana murmured quietly.
Seeing Archduke Kharon nod gently, she continued,
“You said you investigated the flow of funds from the Imperial Capital in connection with the new species of magical beast.”
“Yes.”
“Does that mean you were already convinced someone within the Empire was involved? That this wasn’t an attack by a foreign nation, but the work of someone inside the Empire?”
Archduke Kharon didn’t answer.
He simply looked out the window and let out a sigh.
It was the first time she had seen it.
Archduke Kharon was normally so lively and self-assured, a true master of the sword.
And yet now, he looked troubled.
“I had suspected as much. But I had hoped I was wrong.”
“Why would someone from the Empire do such a thing?”
“I believe the cause lies in the past. After the Heroes left, the Empire made several mistakes in governing the nation, and those errors still haunt us.”
After a while, Archduke Kharon spoke again.
“When I was a child, the Empire cast out innocent people and lost something irreplaceable. I believe that loss lies at the root of the Empire’s present condition. But I can’t say more while soldiers are nearby.”
“Something from the past is still affecting the country today…?”
“It was a mistake made long before you were born, Your Highness.”
“What happened…?”
“The imperial family lost someone they should never have lost. And so they’ve continued to seek a power to replace that loss. That… is all I can say here. I beg your forgiveness.”
So saying, Archduke Kharon turned his gaze to the window once more.
“I’ll tell you the rest after the investigation of the magical beast is complete.”
“You’ll tell me once it’s over?”
“I promise.”
“But I may not understand everything. May I tell my sister Sophia?”
“Of course. You’re quite honest, Your Highness.”
“I just recently met with Sister Sophia, and she scolded me.”
Liana instinctively touched her cheek.
She remembered being scolded by Sophia, bursting into tears, and having her tears wiped away.
“I’m still immature, always being reprimanded by Sister. Even my use of the holy sword still has room for improvement. That’s why I’ve decided to rely on those who understand what I don’t.”
“Acknowledging one’s own shortcomings is no small thing, Your Highness.”
Archduke Kharon looked at Princess Liana with admiration.
Then, as if speaking to himself,
“If only the Empire of that time had possessed such humility, we might not have lost them. Why did my grandfather…”
(—‘My grandfather.’ Archduke Kharon’s grandfather?)
That would be the current emperor’s grandfather, and thus the great-grandfather of Liana and Sophia.
Liana knew almost nothing of that generation.
(Could what happened in Great-Grandfather’s generation be connected to the new species of magical beast…?)
She couldn’t bring herself to voice the question.
Archduke Kharon, seated across from her, seemed deep in thought.
But then—
Clatter, clunk.
The horses let out uneasy sounds, and the carriage rocked.
“Stop the carriage!”
Suddenly, Archduke Kharon shouted.
He immediately took up his sword and leapt outside.
Liana hurriedly grabbed her holy sword and followed him.
“The horses are acting strange. They’re unusually frightened… on alert. A similar situation happened before when a magical beast approached. Let’s investigate.”
When Liana stepped outside, she saw Archduke Kharon stroking the horses tied to the carriage.
The horses were snorting and stamping the ground nervously.
If they weren’t hitched to the carriage, they looked ready to bolt at any moment.
“Animals may sense things humans can’t—a presence or killing intent. Nona, halt the formation and prepare for an attack.”
Archduke Kharon issued instructions to his adjutant, Nona.
Adjutant Nona bowed and said,
“Understood. I’ll immediately dispatch scouts.”
“Good. I’ll head to higher ground and get a view ahead.”
Saying this, Archduke Kharon dashed toward the rocky hill beside the road.
He was fast.
Despite having limited use of one arm, he climbed the steep rocks effortlessly.
Without thinking, Liana chased after him.
Her specialty was tree climbing.
When Sophia had still been at the palace, Liana had once climbed trees to collect nuts for her.
Compared to that, a small rocky hill was nothing.
And when she reached the top of the hill—
“Is that… a scorpion?”
She saw a black scorpion coming straight down the road toward them.
“Shagya! Shagyaaaaaaa!!”
The magical beast screamed as it charged toward Liana and the others.
It was a kind of magical beast she had never seen before.
Its size was around five meters.
It had two massive pincers, and a large stinger on its tail.
Moreover, it was wounded. Part of its leg was burned, and it roared in fury.
Its eyes were red, fixed directly on where Liana and the others stood.
“Could that be… a new species of magical beast?”
Archduke Kharon narrowed his eyes, staring intently at the new magical beast—the giant scorpion.
“It looks like it’s already fought someone. That burned leg—perhaps from a spell. But its movements are smooth. Which means… it’s already healed? What terrifying vitality.”
“Your Grace. That thing!”
“Yes. It’s definitely heading this way. We must prepare to intercept it.”
“No—that’s not it! Behind that giant scorpion… something strange is coming!”
Rumble, rumble, rumble, rumble—!
“A ball! Your Grace, a cute ball is coming up behind the giant scorpion!”
“I see it. But… cute?”
“It looks cute to me. The way it moves quickly and then turns a little is somehow charming.”
Could that also be a new species of magical beast?
She didn’t know. Liana had never seen a cute magical beast before.
Perhaps it was a creature that used its adorable appearance to lower human defenses before attacking.
If that were the case, it had to be defeated.
“Shagyagyagya…”
Rumble, rumble, rumble, rumble—!
But it was fast. Too fast.
The ball running behind the giant scorpion suddenly accelerated.
In the blink of an eye, it overtook the giant scorpion and rushed toward Liana like a puppy that had found its owner.
Seeing that, Liana dashed down the rocky slope.
The ball had already come close enough for its shape to be clearly seen.
It was a white sphere.
No eyes, no nose, no mouth. Just a smooth, featureless sphere.
And yet, it rolled forward as if it had a will of its own.
“—Princess Liana!”
“Protect Her Highness!”
Archduke Kharon and the soldiers shouted.
But Liana didn’t move.
It was intuition.
As the ball spun with a whir, made a sharp turn, and closed the distance with a swift “shupaan,” the image of a certain person flashed through her mind.
“Magic soldiers! Attack that ball!!”
Archduke Kharon’s voice rang out.
The white ball kept coming closer.
When it was only seconds away, it stopped—and split open, top and bottom.
From the gap, a white cloth peeked out.
(That’s—!?)
Liana began to run toward the ball.
She recognized that handkerchief.
It was the one used to wipe away her tears just a few days ago, when she’d been scolded and started crying.
“Magic soldiers! Prepare to atta—”
“Please wait!”
Liana shouted.
“That isn’t an enemy! It’s a messenger from my sister, Sophia Dorgalia!”
Liana reached the ball.
Knowing it was an ally made it unbearably cute.
As she reached out, the ball split open widely at the center.
Inside was a compartment for carrying items.
As expected, it contained her sister Sophia’s handkerchief.
Next to it was a piece of parchment. Words were written on it—but not in her sister’s handwriting. This was—
“What do you mean, a messenger from Sophia-sama, Princess Liana?”
Archduke Kharon came over and peered into the ball over Liana’s shoulder.
“It’s not a magical beast… Is this a golem?”
“My sister Sophia’s handkerchief was inside. This must have been made by one of her friends.”
“Sophia-sama’s… friend?”
Archduke Kharon’s eyes widened.
“N-No… not to doubt Your Highness’s word, but… is there really someone who could create something like this?”
“There is.”
“…There is?”
“And besides, only that person would write something like this.”
Liana couldn’t help but smile.
The message on the parchment contained only the bare essentials.
The message contained only the essentials: “The giant scorpion magical beast was summoned at an Imperial fortress. Its summoner ordered it to delay Archduke Kharon and Princess Liana, but it went berserk and headed south. I’m pursuing it. If you can escape, do so.”
“So that’s what happened… It’s just as we suspected. But the latter part of the message… I don’t understand it.”
The Archduke scratched his head with a troubled look.
“It’s just filled with strange sound effects. Is this… a code?”
“Something like that. Only Sophia and I can understand it.”
But to Liana, the meaning of the words was perfectly clear.
They were just like the words she’d once heard from Sophia.
“…I understand. I understand your words, Alchemist.”
Liana hugged the parchment to her chest.
That person was incredible.
From the few words Liana had once told him, he had understood the proper use of the Holy Sword.
And now, he’d sent this message to help defeat the magical beast.
“Thank you, too, cute little ball.”
Goro goro, goro…
The ball, having returned to its spherical form, rubbed itself against Liana’s leg.
She decided to regard the little sphere as an extension of him.
She couldn’t afford to show a pathetic side. With that resolve, Liana picked up the mysterious ball.
“Nona, please take this cute little ball somewhere safe.”
Then, Liana handed the parchment to Archduke Kharon.
“This contains information on the magical beast’s abilities. Please read it and inform the soldiers as well.”
“Magic has little effect, its hide is tough, and it possesses regenerative abilities. What a troublesome beast.”
“What will you do, Archduke Kharon?”
“Of course. We’ll have no choice but to fight and defeat it.”
Archduke Kharon grinned fearlessly, his single-edged sword in hand.
“That creature… was likely summoned due to the distortions within our Empire. As one who bears the blood of the imperial family, I can’t turn a blind eye. If it harms the people… no amount of regret would suffice.”
“I, too, wish to fulfill my duty as bearer of the Holy Sword.”
Liana gripped her Holy Sword tightly.
This wasn’t like when she’d fought the magical beast Gargarossa. Now, she could clearly see the enemy.
By her side stood Archduke Kharon.
The person who had sent the message for her sake would soon arrive.
So she wasn’t afraid of some new kind of magical beast.
“Let us defeat it before my sister’s messenger arrives.”
“Indeed. Nona, lead the mages in the attack!”
Archduke Kharon issued orders to his adjutant, Nona.
“Magic may not inflict much damage, but it can still slow the beast. While it’s staggered, Princess Liana, the swordsmen, and I’ll charge and sever several of its legs.”
“I wouldn’t recommend close combat, but…”
“We won’t be reckless. Our goal is to damage the beast and stop it from moving.”
“…Understood.”
Adjutant Nona bowed and stepped back.
“Princess Liana.”
“Y-Yes, Nona-sama.”
“When this is over, I would like to escort you to Noza Town again. Imagine meeting your sister, and please don’t get hurt.”
“…I understand.”
Liana nodded.
“I want to see my sister again… there’s something I must promise her.”
After a short strategy meeting, the battle began.
“Show them the might of the Grand Duchy! Mage unit, fire together!”
“Icicle Lance!”
The Archduke’s mages unleashed water-element magic in unison.
Fire-type attacks weren’t very effective against the giant scorpion, the magical beast Nozerius. First, they needed to restrict its movement using ice magic.
That was what the parchment had said.
“…Just who could have written that?”
Adjutant Nona murmured.
Whoever wrote that must be very knowledgeable about the beast.
Could it be… they actually defeated it before?
“Second volley—fire!!”
“Oooooooooh!!”
Another barrage of “Icicle Lance” struck the magical beast Nozerius.
The aim was at its legs and joints. Even slightly hindering its movement would make it easier for the melee units to engage.
But—
“…It’s working, but… doesn’t seem to be causing real damage.”
“Pathetic… and they call us the elite of the Grand Duchy.”
“…Don’t give up! Even a little bit helps lessen the burden on the Archduke and Her Highness!!”
A third volley followed.
When the third volley struck, Adjutant Nona and the mages shouted:
“Now! Archduke Kharon! Your Highness!!”
“How about a wager, Princess Liana?”
Archduke Kharon said.
The words were unexpected, especially right before a battle, and Princess Liana tilted her head in confusion.
“A wager, Your Grace?”
“Indeed. A bet on which of us can deal a critical blow to the magical beast Nozerius.”
With swords in hand, Archduke Kharon and Princess Liana charged forward.
Ice magic clung to the beast’s legs and pincers.
Its movement had clearly slowed—this was their chance to strike.
Princess Liana gripped the Holy Sword tightly.
Even with the massive magical beast before her, she felt no fear.
Ever since she had seen Sophia’s handkerchief and that parchment—her fear had simply disappeared.
“What’s the reward for this wager?”
“A secret about the imperial family.”
Archduke Kharon said offhandedly as he carried his one-handed sword.
“If you land the finishing blow, I’ll tell you everything I know. If I do, I’ll only share the basic facts. There are things I’d rather not speak of, after all.”
“I understand. But…”
“But?”
“May I share what you tell me with someone I trust?”
“Princess Sophia, perhaps? I don’t mind.”
“With my sister, and the person she and I both trust.”
“…I’d prefer not to share it with anyone from the Empire.”
“He’s a foreigner. Even if I don’t tell him, my sister will.”
“If it’s someone both Princess Liana and Princess Sophia trust, then very well. Let’s make that part of the wager too!”
Archduke Kharon picked up speed.
Liana understood why he had brought up a wager now.
He was likely trying to help her relax.
Liana had little actual combat experience.
In the previous battle, she had nearly been killed by the magical beast Gargarossa.
Archduke Kharon had probably feared that that trauma might slow her down.
So, he proposed a small wager—to distract her.
“Thank you, Your Grace.”
Liana found herself thinking:
Perhaps Archduke Kharon and that person would get along.
Swordsmanship and alchemy—different disciplines, but both pursued mastery in their fields.
And both were incredibly kind people.
(I’d like to introduce them to each other someday.)
But to do that, she had to defeat the magical beast Nozerius.
With that in mind, Liana charged straight at the beast.
SHUGOOOOOOOOAAAAAAHHHH!!
“O magical beast of an unknown species, I’ll dissect you and uncover your true nature!”
Archduke Kharon reached the beast’s feet first.
He drew his black single-edged sword as he ran.
Then—
“Let’s start by taking one of your legs, beast!”
Archduke Kharon slashed with his sword.
The moment it came down—a hard sound rang out—the blade sliced through the beast’s leg.
In the next instant—
GUAHHHHHHHH!!
One of the magical beast Nozerius’s legs was severed and dropped to the ground.
“…Incredible.”
Liana couldn’t even follow Kharon’s sword with her eyes.
All she knew was that the black blade had cut through the joint of Nozerius’s leg.
The beast’s body was covered in tough skin.
So Kharon had aimed at the movable joint—the gap in the skin—sliding his blade into it.
He even avoided the parts coated with ice magic.
SHAGYA! SHAGYAAAA!!
The Magical Beast Nozerius swung a pincer at Archduke Kharon.
“Precise counterattack. Remarkably clever for a magical beast.”
Before the massive pincer could strike, Archduke Kharon swung his single-edged sword.
CLANG!
The black blade sank into the base of the magical beast’s pincer.
He sliced through it.
The beast’s blood splattered.
But—
“…Didn’t sever it completely. You’re a tough one.”
His sword had only managed to cut halfway through the flesh at the base of the pincer.
Still, the beast’s movements were visibly slowed.
With a leg and pincer base damaged, it had lost its balance.
“This is… the swordsmanship of the former Sword Saint, Archduke Kharon…”
Liana muttered in awe.
Archduke Kharon had swung his sword with blinding speed, slipping the blade through the gaps in the beast’s tough skin.
And he had done it all with only his right arm.
That speed and precision—truly divine skill.
“Now! Aim for the beast’s belly!!”
“Follow the Archduke!”
The Grand Duchy’s swordsmen charged.
Its movements had completely halted.
“Now, Princess Liana! Use the Holy Sword!”
“Yes!!”
The plan was simple.
Archduke Kharon would slash the beast’s legs to rob it of mobility.
With its movements slowed, the soldiers would attack.
Once its movements were sealed, Liana would strike a massive blow with her holy sword.
From there, they would continue alternating between magical and close-combat attacks to drain its vitality.
The goal was to make the magical beast bleed and weaken it bit by bit.
Creating those wounds was the role of Archduke Kharon and Liana.
(…But I don’t have the sword skill His Grace does.)
Archduke Kharon skillfully evaded the Magical Beast Nozerius’s attacks and severed one of its legs.
That was something Liana couldn’t do.
Her role was to strike the magical beast with a powerful blow using the holy sword.
That was all she could do right now.
(Then I… will fulfill my role!)
Liana felt the weight of the Holy Sword in both hands.
If Alchemist Thor Canaan’s prediction was correct, its core was made of mithril—magical silver.
Now that she thought about it, she could feel it.
She could feel magical power seeping through the blade with a “juwaa.”
It was as if she and the sword had become one through the flow of magic.
The parchment delivered by the cute ball bore a message that only Liana could understand.
That’s why she was sure it was a letter from Thor Canaan.
All that remained was to follow his advice.
(“Shuba,” “shuru,” “zuzun,” “zuban”—that’s not the right way, is it?)
Thor Canaan had taught her a better method.
She would believe in it.
And—when she saw her sister, she would promise to become that person’s unwavering ally.
Because that person was an alchemist, and to her sister Sophia—he was someone important—
“Princess Liana!? The Blade of Light is…!?”
“The blade of the holy sword… is swelling up!?”
“This is nothing like the stories! What’s that massive blade!!”
“Has Princess Liana awakened as a Hero!?”
The voices of Archduke Kharon and the soldiers were beyond Liana’s awareness.
She focused only on the holy sword.
She felt the magic she poured in filling the blade with a “juwaa.”
She let the magic seep in with a “shuuu”, calming it, controlling it.
With a “zukyuuun,” the Blade of Light appeared. Its length was unchanged,
But its thickness and width were completely different. Where the previous Blade of Light had resembled a slender sword, this one looked like a hatchet or axe.
As she kneaded the magic with a “gyurun,” Liana shouted, “This is dangerous, so please stand back!”
(This is the right way, isn’t it, Alchemist Thor Canaan.)
At the end of the parchment the ball had delivered, the following was written:
“Juwaa. Shuuu. Zukyuuun. Gyurun. Zubababaaaan.”
That was a secret message only Liana and Sophia could understand.
When they visited Noza Town, he had given her similar advice.
That was the first time Liana had such an experience.
It felt like his words seeped deeply into her.
And even now, his words still soaked deeply within her.
“Shu, shugyagyagyagyaaaa—!”
Perhaps frightened by the light of the holy sword, the “Magical Beast Nozerius” let out a shriek.
But she wouldn’t let it escape.
Liana’s role was to deal a great wound to “Magical Beast Nozerius” and force it to bleed.
She already knew how to do it.
So Liana raised her holy sword and shouted:
“Magical beast! Taste this! Holy Sword Light Blade, Photon Blade—Zubababaaaaaaan!!”
The ‘Blade of Light’—over ten meters long—dug into the head of “Magical Beast Nozerius.” It tore through it!
Its skin, which repelled swords and magic alike, resisted—only for less than a second before giving in.
The blade of light pierced the creature’s tough hide and cleaved its head in two.
Then the body. The shockwave of light struck the legs.
“—Sha—gya…aaah.”
The magical beast, scorched by immense light magic, let out a final scream.
The blade of light pierced through the beast and began scorching the ground.
The magical beast, over five meters long, was cleaved completely in two.
Had Liana been closer, the holy blade might have cut all the way through its tail as well.
Feeling the impact in her hands, Liana shouted:
“I’ve dealt a wound to the magical beast to the best of my ability! Everyone, finish it off!!”
“No, Your Highness. The beast is already dead.”
“Huh?”
After dispelling the blade of light, Liana looked at the beast.
The gigantic scorpion “Magical Beast Nozerius” lay collapsed on the ground, spewing poisonous blood.
It didn’t move a single twitch.
“…D-Did I… really do this?”
“This is far beyond a mere wound. That was a fatal blow. Remarkable, Princess Liana—”
“N-No, um—”
“This will go down in the Empire’s history as a legendary feat. Truly splendid, Your Highness.”
“It—It wasn’t my power. This was… um…”
“Does it have something to do with that parchment from earlier?”
As expected of Archduke Kharon—sharp as ever.
But she couldn’t speak of Thor Canaan.
(I had made up my mind. I would be his unwavering ally. I would never turn the Holy Sword against him or anyone dear to him.)
She couldn’t risk causing trouble for him.
“That was… written by someone important to me to encourage me.”
“‘Juwaa,’ ‘Shuuu,’ ‘Zukyuuun,’ ‘Gyurun,’ ‘Zubababaaaan,’ huh. So that was like a magical charm to uplift Your Highness.”
At Liana’s words, Archduke Kharon nodded in understanding.
“That such a charm could activate Your Highness’s magic… I see now. You must truly care deeply for that person.”
“…Eh?”
“Don’t worry. If the writer is the person you love, then I, Archduke Kharon, will support you. I shall do everything in my power to bring the two of you together.”
“A-Archduke Kharon!? T-That’s not what this is!”
“Hmm. You’re of age, after all. There are things a young lady can’t easily say to an old man like me.”
“T-That’s not it! That’s not… it—probably…”
Liana shook her head vigorously, her face bright red.
Archduke Kharon’s words were far too unexpected.
She had wielded a sword since she was little, known as the “Princess of the Holy Sword.”
The only things she ever thought about were swords, her older sister, and her country.
Since she was the “Princess of the Holy Sword,” she was never meant to leave the country. So, she had vaguely assumed she would enter into a political marriage with someone among the domestic nobility, though she had never fallen in love with anyone.
And yet—
(Could it be… that I…? That’s impossible. Because…)
Her sister Sophia liked him.
Now she understood. Why her sister had been so angry when she mentioned the “Wandering Alchemist.”
Why, while scolding Liana, she had such a sorrowful expression on her face.
Now, somehow, Liana clearly understood that it was because of her feelings for the alchemist, Thor Canaan.
She didn’t know how she understood—it was just something she couldn’t explain.
(…I-I’m getting confused. What should I even… do?)
Anyway, she had to thank Thor Canaan.
It was thanks to him that they had defeated the Magical Beast Nozerius without a single casualty.
But… she wanted a little time first.
Holding her thumping chest, Liana thought to herself.
Archduke Kharon was the one who had said something strange. If she saw Thor now, she would undoubtedly become self-conscious.
“Oh, I see the banner of Noza Town. It appears your sister’s unit has arrived, Your Highness.”
“—Feh!?”
She made a strange noise.
Looking to the north of the highway, she could see, far off, the banner of “Noza Town.”
(…Oh no.)
Before she could prepare herself mentally, Sophia’s unit had arrived.
Thor Canaan was probably among them.
What should she do?
Should she launch a spectacular Holy Sword Photon Blade into the sky as a greeting?
If she did, she would exhaust her magic and perhaps avoid facing him. But that was reckless. Archduke Kharon would be angry, and Sophia’s unit would be alarmed. What was she supposed to do…?
While she hesitated, Sophia’s unit continued to draw closer.
Liana’s heart pounded intensely in her chest.
She wanted to make an excuse, say it was post-battle fatigue, and just sit down right there.
(N-Now’s not the time. Really… it’s not.)
Liana instinctively covered her face with both hands.
These unexpected emotions had welled up inside her, and she didn’t know what to do with them.
She was still so immature—thinking that, Liana couldn’t take her eyes off the approaching banner. She realized she was searching for Thor Canaan’s figure among the unit. She couldn’t look away.
“Your Highness. Perhaps you should put away your Holy Sword?”
Suddenly, Archduke Kharon spoke.
“There are Minotaurs from the Demon Lord’s Domain among Noza Town’s troops, but they’re allies who came to warn us. Would it not be discourteous to keep the Holy Sword drawn—or grip it so tightly?”
“N-No, this is just… for emotional support…”
“I don’t really get it, but… there’s no need to worry. Nona, take the Holy Sword for safekeeping.”
“Yes. Your Highness, if you’ll hand it over.”
Liana found herself handing over the Holy Sword to the adjutant, Nona, who had reached out her hand.
She had always done that after battles. It was reflexive, a habit.
Once the Holy Sword was gone—Liana once again felt anxious.
It was just like when she had headed to Noza Town to see her sister.
She felt as if she were standing there naked.
Defeating the magical beast had given her confidence as the Princess of the Holy Sword, but a different challenge now stood before her, and she had no idea how to overcome it.
Because this was something she absolutely couldn’t discuss with her sister Sophia.
“Then, shall we go greet your sister’s unit, Your Highness?”
“…Y-Yes.”
Urged onward by Archduke Kharon, who couldn’t understand a maiden’s heart, Liana began to walk.
And so, she found herself face-to-face with the unit from Noza Town.