Kays Translations

Chapter 478: Preventing a Rift

Although they were considerably behind schedule, the Saint’s entourage was finally ready to leave the Barriera Duchy for its next destination.

At that point, the Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Sart, who commanded the kingdom’s side of the delegation, decided to remove Tauro and his companions from the group.

His stated reason was that they had stood at the center of a failed operation in the duchy that had caused heavy casualties.

Suguro, grandson of Marquis Halagoura and a prominent member of the kingdom’s largest noble faction, supported the decision. Naturally, everyone in his circle followed his lead.

“They were recommended by my younger brother, Fleue, so I’m reluctant to do this. However, I can’t overlook a blunder that caused so many deaths and injuries. I’m therefore removing them from the Saint’s escort.”

The Crown Prince made the declaration before the assembled entourage on the morning of their departure.

“I support His Highness’s decision. Allowing them to remain would bring shame upon both House Van Dyne and House Graunewald. Removing them is for the best.”

Suguro agreed with the Crown Prince.

Tauro, Aeris, and Zion—the people directly affected—were present as well. Rather than object, however, they were secretly grateful for the opportunity to part company with the delegation.

Marquis Donaissun, the representative of the Kingdom of Luwan, soon arrived.

“Did I just hear that you intend to remove Lord Tauro and his companions?”

“Ah, Marquis Donaissun. Yes. In light of their failure during the recent operation, I’ve decided that it’d be inappropriate for them to remain near the Saint. I sincerely apologize for the trouble they have caused your kingdom.”

The Crown Prince bowed deeply in apology.

　

“I don’t understand what you mean. We—and especially the Saint herself—hold Lady Aeris and Lord Tauro in very high regard. If the Kingdom of Sart no longer wishes them to accompany its delegation, then we shall welcome them as guests of the Kingdom of Luwan and invite them to continue the journey with us.”

“Wha—Marquis Donaissun!? They claimed to be acting as decoys for the Saint, yet their operation caused heavy casualties here in the Barriera Duchy! Why would you defend them?” the Crown Prince protested, looking to Suguro and his followers for support.

Suguro and the other sons of high-ranking nobles naturally agreed with him, while the common-born members of the entourage remained silent.

“There appears to be a profound difference between His Highness’s understanding and ours. My subordinates who participated in the operation reported that Lady Aeris and Lord Tauro risked their lives to eliminate the enemies targeting the Saint.”

“No, but—!” the Crown Prince began, but Marquis Donaissun ignored the interruption and continued.

“The enemy was so powerful that, had they not volunteered to serve as decoys, the Saint would’ve been attacked directly and the losses might have been even greater. We therefore feel gratitude, not blame, toward them. We aren’t so ungrateful that we’d punish courage shown on the Saint’s behalf.”

Until now, Marquis Donaissun had carefully avoided open conflict with the Crown Prince’s faction. Once the dispute threatened to stain the Saint’s reputation, however, he no longer saw any reason to remain circumspect and stated Luwan’s position plainly.

“A-Are you calling me ungrateful!?”

“Not at all. I was merely explaining the Kingdom of Luwan’s position. In fact, this incident has also changed the Saint’s opinion of Lady Aeris and her companions.”

Marquis Donaissun replied, then turned around.

Saint Matilda was standing behind him.

“I hoped Lady Aeris, Lord Tauro, and Lady Zion would continue accompanying me. Your decision is… truly disappointing, Your Highness,” she said with a theatrical sigh.

“Th-That…” The Crown Prince faltered, completely unprepared for the Saint’s sudden change of heart. Until recently, he had believed she was on his side.

He had even entertained the idea of taking her as a concubine after becoming king, yet now he could find no answer.

“Since your delegation is dismissing Lady Aeris, Lord Tauro, and Lady Zion, we shall invite them to join ours instead. Do you object?”

“…Do as you wish.”

That was all the Crown Prince could manage.

Suguro and the other nobles hadn’t expected matters to develop this way either and were too stunned to respond.

“(…So we still have to travel with the Saint after all…)”

Tauro whispered to Aeris with a deep sigh.

“(It can’t be helped. After that exchange, we can hardly say, ‘Actually, we’d rather not accompany you, so we’ll leave now,’ can we?)”

Aeris whispered back with a sigh of her own.

“Please wait. If this continues, it may create a rift between the Kingdom of Sart and the Kingdom of Luwan, which would trouble us as well. I’d like to propose a compromise. Rather than joining either nation’s official escort, we’ll travel as independent adventurers and help guard the procession only until the next destination. We’ll then leave of our own accord. That will preserve the Kingdom of Sart’s position, while our voluntary assistance also respects the Kingdom of Luwan’s wishes. Our honor will remain intact, and both sides will save face. Would that not be best for everyone?”

Tauro’s proposal quickly eased the hostile atmosphere.

He had realized that allowing relations between the two kingdoms to deteriorate because of them would be the worst possible outcome, particularly given his and Aeris’s noble status.

“But… you don’t have to leave after the next destination!”

Saint Matilda protested. She had only just begun getting along with Aeris and didn’t want to part so soon.

“Your Holiness, their proposal resolves the dispute between our kingdoms peacefully. Moreover, they’re nobles of the Kingdom of Sart and can’t remain caught between the two delegations.”

Marquis Donaissun understood Tauro and his companions’ position and gently advised Matilda to accept.

“…I understand. I was being selfish,” the Saint replied, sighing regretfully.

“…Very well. I accept the arrangement,” said the Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince disliked the compromise because he had intended to damage the standing of Duke Barriera and Prince Fleue. Even so, provoking a diplomatic rift with the Kingdom of Luwan was too great a risk, so he agreed reluctantly.

Yes! Once we reach the next destination, we can finally relax and return to our own adventures!

Tauro thought to himself.

He exchanged glances with Aeris and Zion, then made a small, victorious fist pump.

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