Chapter 120: Fortress City of Dunburg
We made our way through the underground passage, escaping from the imperial capital of Northmark. Our destination was northwest, and soon enough, we were joined by Kaara, who had fled using flight magic after causing a commotion.
Kaara really did a great job this time, so I’ll have to reward her later, but that can wait.
After all, she’s an important piece for both the imperial family and for Fist Slave Emperor Dyson, especially after the spectacle we’ve caused.
While we’re sure to be pursued, reaching the fortress city of Dunburg in the northwest, where remnants of the imperial army still hold sway, should provide temporary safety.
But Dunburg is no ordinary fortress—it’s guarded by the formidable Mainz the badger. It won’t fall easily.
Now, as for our travel plans, the elderly emperor and his granddaughter will ride in a large basket with me, soaring through the skies.
「Oh, and Herman.」
「I can manage on my own. Please go ahead.」
Herman seemed adamant about not getting on board. Well, he’d likely tip the scales anyway. If Herman carried the emperor’s wheelchair and ran, he’d make a good decoy.
Going solo on foot through enemy lines would normally be reckless, but with Herman, it’s a piece of cake. The eight resistance soldiers who’ve accompanied us also trust Herman to get them to safety. 「Zither, come with us too.」
「Huh? Do I need to get on this too?」
「What’s wrong? Are you afraid of flying?」
「No, ano, it means I’ll be in the same basket as His Majesty and the princess.」
「Well, there’s no time for that. Just come already.」
「Kyaa!」
I scooped up Zither and tossed her into the basket.
With her honey-colored, lustrous hair, she looked more like a village maiden. But appearances can be deceiving in a place like this.
If Zither went with Herman, she’d slow down the soldiers.
She may appear petite and childlike, but she’s actually a twenty-four-year-old woman. I hope everyone realizes that.
Zither clung to her stringed instrument even in these perilous times. Why she followed us into this dangerous battlefield, I couldn’t fathom.
Well, perhaps her music could soothe even the royals during our journey.
Children, the elderly, a petite woman, and me—our combined weight was just around the weight limit.
「Oracle-chan, can you manage?」
「Yeah, I think I’ll be fine.」
Kaara had just finished a major magical battle, relying solely on her innate flight magic as a demon rather than human spell. Hopefully, she had enough magical essence to make it through without running out mid-flight or suffering a fall.
「Nation’s father, I believe I can manage as well.」
「No need to rush. Just fly safely.」
As the basket lifted off, Zither let out another scream. While I was accustomed to flying, it seemed that flight magic still unnerved the humans in this world.
Emperor Conrad sat in quiet contemplation, while Princess Elizabeth leaned against the basket’s edge, her heterochromatic eyes—gold and blue—sparkling with delight at the aerial view. She seemed more fascinated than frightened.
Perhaps the novelty of flying outweighed the fear. Despite her protests, Zither’s silence now made her seem more childlike.
As the long night gave way to dawn on the distant horizon, I knew that even Fist Slave Emperor Dyson, with his monstrous combat abilities, wouldn’t pursue us into the sky. There were certain rules when facing opponents like him—some battles were best fought on different battlegrounds.
※※※
Princess Elizabeth, who had been gazing at the drifting clouds with unbridled joy, suddenly turned to me. She brushed her white dress skirt aside and asked.
「Ehto, how should I address you?」
「Gunner-sama, Your Highness.」
Zither shot me a quick glance, her slender shoulders shrugging.
For someone who claimed to be in awe, she sure didn’t hesitate to interject into royal conversations. Although she had zero combat prowess beyond playing her instrument, her courage was commendable. Perhaps her pride as a court musician drove her to speak up.
「Well, you may call me the wandering black marksman, Drift Gunner.」
「An alias, isn’t it?」
Ah, this is the first time this girl has made such a sensible retort.
Considering how often I’ve been ignored after looking at her with pity, it’s a bit refreshing. Well, treating an eight-year-old as an equal is a stretch, but this girl is remarkably astute.
She must suspect that there’s some intention behind my suspicious pseudonym. Finally, an opponent who provides a challenge—I’m pleased.
Now, let’s respond without patronizing her and treat her as an equal.
「As for answering, I have no obligation.」
「Then allow me to change my question. Why did you, Gunner-sama, assist my grandfather and me?」
Clever. She likely suspects that there’s a political motive behind my aid, considering I’m not an official servant of the emperor. Perhaps she even wonders if I expect something in return for my help.
After all, she’s been used as a political pawn by Fist Slave Emperor Dyson, so her wariness is natural.
「I helped out of chivalry. I harbor no intentions of asking anything from His Majesty or Your Highness in return. Once we arrive in Dunburg, I’ll return you to your loyal retainer. After that, you’re free to do as you please.」
「Forgive me, but could you lift your hood and reveal your eyes?」
Ah, she wants to see the face of a covert operative.
Well, my face isn’t disfigured, so revealing it won’t give away my identity. Besides, our mission is accomplished, and the wandering black marksman, Drift Gunner, can finally retire.
I lifted my black hood, meeting the girl’s golden and azure eyes, which sparkled in the morning sunlight.
She probably assumes I’m a demon due to my use of Kaara and Oracle-chan. But now that she knows I’m just another human, perhaps I won’t be as intimidating.
「You have kind eyes. I trust you.」
「Thank for that.」
Indeed, it’s unusual for an eight-year-old child to use such phrases.
The words she spoke seemed rehearsed, perhaps picked up from somewhere. Maybe she was imitating the quiet slumber of the old man nearby, Emperor Conrad.
Emperor Conrad—the hero, the brave, and once the champion of the entire Eura continent—now sat in senility, occasionally groaning.
It’s precisely because of his past glory that the children and grandchildren around him feel the weight of their lineage and hurry through life.
For me, who inadvertently established a new royal family in the Kingdom of Silesie, this situation hits close to home. Observing the elderly hero and the sole surviving granddaughter discreetly, monitoring their future, feels meaningful.
At the very least, they serve as a lesson for others.
I won’t become like Emperor Conrad.
Of course, the young princess doesn’t know that I harbor such thoughts. She began discussing how I would like her to thank me.
While it’s a common sentiment for a rescued princess, hearing it from her—much younger than our lowest-ranking slave girl—makes it sound like a child’s imitation.
Still, she understands her position well enough to express herself appropriately. Quite an intelligent child.
「No need to thank me or anything.」
「As someone imprisoned with nothing but my own body, I have nothing to offer in return. However, when the empire regains its strength someday…」
「Enough, Your Highness. This is not something a child should talk about.」
「Are you really going to call me a child? The sole heir of the empire?」
The princess seemed a little upset. It’s natural for a child to react that way when called a child.
I’d rather not discuss the empire’s affairs with a young girl. If she started talking about appointing me as a knight of Germania, I’d be in a bind. After all, I’ve already had my share of titles.
「If you want to express gratitude, just say it like a child would. I helped out of chivalry, not because you’re the emperor and the princess. I saw two unfortunate souls—a decrepit old man and a child—suffering at the hands of rogues, so I stepped in.」
「I see. So that’s how it is.」
What she heard from me must have been quite unconventional. The imperial granddaughter seems perplexed. After all, her manual as an imperial granddaughter only covers interactions with retainers and enemies. She fidgets, adjusting her long hair with a comb, unable to settle on an appropriate demeanor.
Is this what it’s like for a child who was only taught to behave as royalty? She’s inherently intelligent, but if she continues like this, it might be unfortunate. Though it’s not my concern, her constraint feels somewhat pitiable.
「If it’s gratitude, I haven’t heard the words you should say yet.」
「Thank you… very much.」
The imperial granddaughter expresses her gratitude as if probing.
It’s fine if a child struggles to say thank you, but it’s difficult for her due to her position. I can’t imagine our household adhering to such formalities.
「A child doesn’t need to worry about gratitude or expecting something in return.」
「Is that so? Thank you is enough?」
The imperial granddaughter’s face relaxes as she sits in the flying basket.
Glancing at her still-sleeping grandfather beside her, she speaks resolutely.
「Gunner-sama, please call me Eliza.」
「Ehto, alright. Eliza it is.」
Did I inadvertently teach Eliza to act more like a child?
As she suddenly closes the distance, I find myself bewildered. Considering my own circumstances—possibly becoming a father someday—I need to be confident.
Even if she’s an imperial granddaughter, in private, she’s just a child, and despite being the emperor, he’s just an old man. Perhaps this approach will ease the pressure for Eliza and the others. That’s how I’ve handled things, and I’ll continue to do so.
If only my own family could follow a similar path. As we chat about the capital and other matters, I catch glimpses of the sturdy stone fortress city of Dunburg. It’s angular and imposing, visible through the flying basket where Eliza sits.
Zither said, ‘Shall I play a song?’ but we’re already there.
※※※
As we descended from the sky, the fortress city of Danburg was in a frenzy.
Archers lined the thick outer walls of the fortress, and knights and heavily armored infantry poured out from the distant gates.
Well, it’s blatantly suspicious, so it can’t be helped. Perhaps they hadn’t received any reports of our arrival yet.
「Hmm, looks like we’re surrounded.」
I expected Eliza to exclaim, ‘You insolent fools!’ or something, but she’s still a child.
Being surrounded by over a thousand fully armed adults seems to have left her speechless. The fact that she’s biting her lower lip and managing not to cry is commendable.
「Ah, what do you think you’re doing? With great respect, we have Emperor Conrad and Imperial Granddaughter Elizabeth present. Everyone, kneel!」
As I raised my voice, the soldiers surrounding us buzzed with activity, taking a few steps back and bowing.
It’s almost like a scene from a historical drama, but I know that this kind of formal address is effective in this world.
Breaking through the soldiers’ encirclement, an elderly man with familiar short white hair and a dignified white beard approached, leaning on a staff.
He’s General Mainz, who governs the fortress city of Dunburg. Well, technically, he was demoted from his position as former general, but either way, he’s managed to survive.
「Oh, truly, Your Majesty. It’s a relief to see you safe…」
Despite being over sixty, General Mainz wears a dull gleaming suit of full plate armor. He kneels on the spot, his wrinkled face crumpling even further, tears welling up in his small eyes.
Seeing this venerable old man suppress his groans, clutching the earth as he kneels and weeping, even I’m moved. Mainz was a loyal retainer willing to die on the battlefield when Conrad’s era came to an end. He probably would have joined the rescue force if given the chance.
Suppressing his strong emotions, the seasoned general calmly considers the best course of action to safeguard the rear and hold the fort. That’s the way of General Mainz Fürsten. Among the ragtag Germania army that Lyle-sensei disparaged as a bunch of fools, he stands as the sole esteemed commander.
In an instant, Mainz rises from his kneeling position, turning toward me.
「And who might this be?」
「It’s been a while, General Mainz.」
I show my face to General Mainz without any need for secrecy.
He’ll keep quiet about it, there’s no reason for him to share this with others.
「Hohoho, well, well… What a twist of fate. To think this dying old man will owe an immeasurable debt to once again.」
The white-haired veteran wipes away tears, laughing heartily as if amused. He signals for me to lower my hood.
Mainz must understand why I’ve appeared like this. There’s no need for any secrecy.
「Now, soldiers. Escort His Majesty and the brave who rescued him into the castle.」
Guided by General Mainz, we entered the sturdy fortress of Dunburg.