Chapter 237: The Princess Guard

“Princess Guard?”

When Claudia asked, Marquis Beowulf Eldenburger nodded deeply.

The Eldenburger domain was on the way to the village near the border, so they stopped by to report the outcome of the meeting. He thought it might be rude to frequently visit important people, but since the bulk orders for swords started with a letter from the marquis, they decided to stop by.

It wouldn’t hurt to leave a word saying that the sword production was on track. Even if they didn’t meet in person, it was fine to just leave a message with the retainers.

Reporting, communicating, and consulting were important. Especially in an era without phones or TVs, neglecting communication for even a short while could lead to months of silence, and one would be considered incompetent.

Being considered incompetent would be better than being branded a rebel by unknown parties. Although Lutz and the others were not nobles and didn’t have territories, communication was still crucial. It would be troublesome if they were later asked why they didn’t stop by when they were nearby. Dealing with nobles was always troublesome.

Once they visited, it wasn’t just a simple greeting. Beowulf invited them to share a meal.

Initially, Lutz felt it was too much trouble, but Claudia advised that he should accept it. Beowulf wanted to know how the meetings with each knight order went, not just to treat them to a meal. In these situations, refusing would actually be more disrespectful, as Claudia explained, and Lutz agreed.

Thus, Lutz and the others were treated to a sumptuous feast while receiving skeptical looks from the servants serving the Eldenburger family.

As they chatted amusingly about the meeting, when they mentioned they were heading to the village near the border, Beowulf said with a grim expression, “They’ve recently started calling themselves the Princess Guard…”

Of course, it was a self-proclaimed title. The returning soldiers were not officially appointed by the king. Perhaps even the Third Princess Listille herself had nothing to do with that title.

“Why would they do that?”

When Lutz asked, Claudia pondered for a moment before answering.

“It’s probably a matter of honor.”

Seeing Lutz’s gaze directed at Beowulf, he nodded, indicating that he also wanted to hear Claudia’s thoughts.

“In short, they probably want to say that they didn’t rely on the princess to pick them up when they were abandoned by the country, but gathered as loyalists to support the princess of their own free will.”

Even though they were welcomed into the pioneer village and had no trouble with food and shelter, their lives were by no means easy.

They couldn’t complain to the princess, knowing the hardships she had endured to create a refuge for them. They hold a grudge against the aristocrats and royalty who have dismissed the people who fought so hard to protect their country as useless, but the princess was different. They had to endure no matter how difficult it was. What they needed to live was pride.

Claudia couldn’t dismiss their actions as “boring role-playing.” They had the right to seek honor too. Even if it was self-proclaimed, who could blame them?

After hearing the explanation, Beowulf moistened his throat with wine before speaking.

“I can understand their point, but the problem is that they’re calling themselves the Princess Guard. It’s like saying they’re the private soldiers of the Third Princess.”

Experienced soldiers who pledged loyalty to individuals rather than the state. It was unsettling to have such people roaming freely near the border, although they couldn’t be called enemies.

Preaching that their loyalty should be to the country and the royal family wouldn’t be well-received. They had been betrayed once. At least, that’s what they would claim.

Nobles like Beowulf also had their concerns; there was a limited budget. Armies cost money just by existing. During peacetime, they only needed a minimum number of knights, and only gathered soldiers when there was a war. It was just a matter of dismissing the soldiers once they were no longer needed. They didn’t care about complaints of not having a place to go back to or not fitting into normal life.

The returning soldiers, or the Princess Guard, were indeed brave and proud but also troublesome bastards.

“It seems you’re troubled.” 

Claudia spoke gently to Beowulf, furrowing her brow.

“…I understand that it’s wrong to blame the princess. But I wish they wouldn’t gather in one place.”

If Listille were to decide to rebel, she could plunge the country into chaos on the same day. It was unthinkable. Could it be said that there were no such people? At least, there were many who resented the country and those who tried to convince the young princess.

“Why not get along with the princess?”

“…What, are you suggesting we hold hands and take a walk?”

“That would be fine too, but…”

Just as he was about to speak, one of the retainers interjected. He said that it was unnecessary to listen to the frivolous remarks of commoners who were taking advantage of His Excellency’s generosity and getting carried away.

Beowulf furrowed his brow even more uncomfortably.

…I’m listening to this guy’s opinion because you guys are useless.

His gaze flicked to the man who was his most trusted butler and childhood friend. He noticed Beowulf’s gaze and nodded slightly with his white-haired head.

It meant to listen.

“Please continue.” 

Beowulf urged Claudia, who had been silent, waiting for the retainers to finish.

“It would be best to prioritize trade-related tasks, pay rewards, and offer various consultations to the princess regarding money and food. If you do that, the princess and her guard will trust His Excellency…”

After a dramatic pause, he looked around the room and then said. 

“At any time, I’ll have several hundred strong soldiers at my disposal.”

To significantly increase military strength with such a simple matter. However, it was just a hypothetical situation on the chessboard. Beowulf still couldn’t bring himself to wholeheartedly agree.

“Do you think it will go so smoothly? I think there’s a higher chance that they’ll just take the money and be useless when it matters.”

“Regrettably, allow me to mediate between you two.”

Boasting so blatantly was excessive. It was a mere commoner, a merchant, a blacksmith’s wife, trying to mediate between a princess and a marquis. Anyone who heard would think they had lost their mind.

But she could do it, she could. She had gained acquaintances in the allied nations, publicly revealed the techniques that should have been kept secret, and lent a thousand gold coins to the princess who had been pushed to the border. All of these were abnormal actions, but they had also expanded her scope of action.

Beowulf stared intently at Claudia. It wasn’t about whether the princess could be trusted; it wasn’t wise to antagonize her.

“I appreciate it. Please convey my regards to the princess.”

He didn’t expect hundreds of soldiers to become allies, but it wouldn’t hurt to build a relationship to the extent that they wouldn’t suddenly attack.

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