Volume 5: The City

Chapter 62: The Maid

The royal capital of the Kingdom of Lunoa.

When I had first come here, there had been no trace—no tangible hint—of the war’s aftereffects.

But now, as I took in the city once more, I could see them clearly.

Since the war had begun, the food supplies that had once flowed into Lunoa from the Kingdom of Friez and its colonies had completely ceased. On top of that, imports from other nations—such as the North Sea Empire—were being sold to us at inflated prices, as they took full advantage of our weakened position.

Perhaps because of that, even the assortment of food lining the markets of the capital seemed… subtly changed.

“Who would’ve thought I’d come back here…”

The last time I had set foot in the capital was before heading to the eastern front.

And now, after some time had passed, I found myself returning—at a moment I had never anticipated.

“And this time… I’m alone.”

The reason for my visit was the same as before—I had been summoned by General Newsbeck.

But the purpose was the complete opposite.

Back then, I had passed through the capital as a stopover on my way from the western front to the eastern front.

Now, I had come from the east, heading toward the west—where the front had collapsed—and the capital was once again my first destination.

“…Haa…”

Both General Newsbeck and I were leaving the eastern front.

Under such circumstances, there was no way Her Highness Princess Emma—who had been acting as supreme commander in Newsbeck’s absence—could abandon her post there as well.

And yet, I couldn’t help but recall how she had stubbornly insisted, like a child throwing a tantrum, that she would come with me.

Letting out a quiet sigh, I shook the memory from my mind.

“…You are Brigadier General Willard, correct?”

A voice called out from behind me.

“…A maid?”

Turning around, I found myself facing a woman dressed in a maid’s uniform.

“Yes. I serve my lady… General Newsbeck, as her personal maid. My name is Illyana. I am twenty-eight years old and single. A pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

“…Right.”

Was the part about being single really necessary just now?

“I had heard about you from General Newsbeck. You are exactly as described. Is your left eye alright?”

“Ah, yes. My field of vision has narrowed a bit, but I can still move without any issues.”

After all, it was only my left eye that had been injured.

Considering I had just come back from the battlefield—and given the kind of reckless things I tended to do—it was still on the lighter side of injuries.

“Since you were not wearing your uniform, I was worried I might not recognize you. I’m relieved I was able to find you.”

“Ah, thank you for coming all this way. I figured wearing my uniform would make me stand out too much.”

Noah Willard.

Thanks to my own behind-the-scenes maneuvering, that name had spread far and wide as that of a “hero.” But very few people actually knew what I looked like—unless they were on the front lines.

I had never really stepped into the spotlight, after all.

Even without a disguise, simply being in plain clothes was enough to keep my identity concealed.

“And, Brigadier General Willard… I am but a maid. There is no need for such formal speech. You may speak more casually with me.”

“…Is that so? Lately I’ve been using polite speech so often that I’m starting to feel less used to anything else.”

“Even so, I must insist. It would be improper for a mere maid to be addressed so formally.”

“In that case, I suppose I’ll comply.”

“Besides, if you were to speak casually to me, I might get to see a rather amusing reaction from my lady.”

“…Hm?”

“No, it’s nothing at all. Now then, shall we be on our way?”

“R-right…”

What was that just now?

Tilting my head slightly, faintly unsettled by the hint of mischief—no, something almost indulgent—in a maid’s demeanor, I followed after her.