Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 36: Strategy Meeting (1)
Gilbert sat hunched in a corner, back against the wall and head in his hands.
He had finally reunited with the brother he had pursued all this way in hopes of helping, yet now he felt utterly lost.
—Strange. I expected a scolding, but this…
He looked up timidly. His brother wore a gentler smile than Gilbert had ever seen. Beside him, Dolph appeared stern but exasperated.
—That smile is frightening. And he’s much too close.
Gilbert shuddered, certain the smile concealed anger. He felt like a mouse cornered by a tiger. Unable to wield a sword, he had drawn everyone into his pursuit and nearly died before reuniting with Lionel.
He fully understood that he had almost died.
Looking back, his final judgment in the village had hardly been praiseworthy, exhausted and poisoned though he was. Calm consideration made it obvious that one blow of the battle-axe couldn’t have bought enough time to escape. His act had been suicidal.
The only sensible choice, however pathetic, would have been to order everyone into the wagon and climb aboard himself. But that would have endangered his companions and the people he cared for.
That was why his body had moved.
—For some reason, I was certain then. I would defeat the undead beasts and eat a great bowl of Flora’s dinner. I could even picture her joyful face as she brought out the enormous meal.
That excuse wouldn’t satisfy Lionel. Gilbert glanced at him. He still didn’t understand what had happened afterward or why he remained alive.
A large hand settled firmly on Gilbert’s head, then ruffled his hair into complete disorder.
“Gilbert, you came back alive.”
Lionel laughed with such happiness that Gilbert became extremely uneasy.
After a while, the lord’s steward came and moved everyone to a large chamber.
The territorial lord, town officials, private soldiers, clergy, mercenaries, Gilbert, Dolph, and the others gathered there.
Seated at the center of the large table, Lionel breathed out and raised his head.
“Then let us review the situation and decide how to proceed tomorrow.”
With those words, Lionel changed completely.
His charming smile vanished. His expression became grave and commanding, a sharp light in his eyes, and the room’s atmosphere shifted with him.
Yet his presence encouraged rather than intimidated.
In their increasingly anxious circumstances, he resembled a powerful ray of light.
A faint smile touched Gilbert’s lips as he watched the man he admired above all others—his half brother.
Knights now took many forms. Some pledged absolute loyalty to a lord; others devoted themselves to their country and its people. Lionel belonged to the latter kind.
Though he had separated from the king and painted his shield black, the core of his loyalty could never disappear.
The lord stood.
“I had no opportunity to greet you properly earlier. I’m Ewan Kelvim. I govern this territory and hold the title of count, but in truth I’m little more than a farmer. Dispense with ceremony.”
Count Kelvim unrolled a leather map roughly depicting his lands and their surroundings.
“Until the Kingdom of Ziemeld was annexed a century ago, this territory formed our country’s northernmost border.”
Gilbert nodded in understanding. The private soldiers and mercenaries recognized the native beasts and were accustomed to fighting them. Beasts appeared more frequently in the north than elsewhere, and generations of knowledge from the territory’s days as the frontier remained invaluable.
A deep forest spread across northern Kelvim and continued to the northern mountain range. Unexplored and claimed by no country, it was a wilderness untouched by humanity and home to beasts.
Northeast of Kelvim lay the Duchy of Ziemeld, once an independent kingdom.
“Have you received any news from Ziemeld?”
“No. I heard only rumors that the Knights of Ziemeld completed the cleanup immediately after the Royal Order withdrew.”
Count Kelvim sighed bitterly in response to Lionel’s question.
“We destroyed the large and medium creatures. But because of the nature of undead beasts, searching for any survivors was essential. Before we could do so, His Majesty ordered our return…”
Lionel frowned with regret.
“The Knights of Ziemeld were supposed to take over the search after our withdrawal. But when we returned, His Majesty said something very strange.”
“That is ……?”
“He said that completely eradicating the undead beasts would diminish the holy sword’s value. When I asked what he meant, he gave no answer.”
Silence filled the room.
“…Are you suggesting that His Majesty and Duke Ziemeld conspired to leave the extermination deliberately incomplete?”
“I don’t yet know. But…”
Lionel pointed to the map’s eastern edge.
“The ancient forest borders the neighboring country to the east. Left unchecked, the undead beasts will eventually spread through it and inflict similar damage there.”
“Surely they don’t intend to exploit the holy sword as a political instrument?”
Lionel shook his head, signaling that he still didn’t know.
“The chancellor made some absurd remark about lending our Holy Knight to neighboring countries in the future. I hope it was merely thoughtless talk. Otherwise, it was monstrous folly.”
Listening in silence, Gilbert clenched his hands in anger. Images of that day returned. He could scarcely believe anyone might use such attacks in a human scheme.