Another World Story

Day Seventy-One:

Crumble...

"Help! Somebody is stuck here!"

"Coming!"

The conflict between the Arrays' second seat and the possessed Greg Urman was finally over. There were no losses among the civilians and aristocrats dwelling in the 'Noble District,' but troops and knights caught up in the fighting were unlucky. Some killed, some were severely hurt, and a few were fortunate enough to escape with only a few broken bones.

"How many casualties does this result in?"

"29, sir, and I believe there are more beneath those rubbles."

A General with his aide. They were in charge of the search and rescue mission for the troops and knights who had become engulfed in the fighting. The adjutant, who is holding a little notepad, is jotting down the status of their current mission. Hearing a soldier's yell, the Adjutant added another line to the count of the deceased.

"....Damn it! In the end, there was nothing we could do but let those two monsters rampage!"

"I believe if we did anything, sir, we would have more casualties."

"I know.... I'm simply frustrated that anything like this could happen so easily within the capital..."

"I'm glad this is the only thing that happened, sir; if those two were to turn and look at us instead....*Shiver*"

"...."

It was understandable that the General was frustrated; as part of the Kingdom of Memphis' defense, he couldn't even do anything; all he could do was watch while part of his beloved Kingdom was destroyed.

If only I had fought back then...

If only we could have stopped them...

These thoughts raced through the General's mind as he gazed at the spectacle in front of him. The enormous buildings that were a symbol of riches, the lovely bricked streets, the walls that surrounded the district... were now only a memory for him, all the houses had been destroyed and turned to dust, the roads had been flipped upside down, and the walls had cracked and a portion of it had a hole in it. The 'Noble District,' formerly a haven for the capital's nobility, had vanished in the course of a single night.

His Adjutant, on the other hand, believes otherwise. He was relieved that it was the only damage done to them.

If they were houses, we could just rebuild them.

What about the roads? In any case, they weren't badly harmed.

What about the walls? We could simply repair them.

That was the thought that caused his Adjutant to go forward. But what if the injured were not things, but people? The Kingdom may be ruined. The Kingdom, as they say, is not where the people reside; rather, the Kingdom is the people themselves.

The General was taken aback by his Adjutant's statements and became silent. He knew that no matter how much he bemoaned it, he wouldn't be able to go back in time and mend things, and even if he did, he wouldn't be able to overcome those monsters.

The General blinked before speaking.

"....Is there any information on the whereabouts of those two monsters?"

"None, sir. We've investigated virtually the entire 'Noble District,' but we've discovered no trace of them; it's as if they vanished into thin air."

".... I'm not sure if I should be pleased about it or not."

"I believe we should be pleased, sir; even if we locate them, what can we do?"

"You're not wrong; in any case, keep up the good work; if somebody were to look for me-"

"'He's in the ward,' is what you want me to say to them?"

"Haha, then I'll be leaving."

"HA!"

The fight between the woman and the robed guy came to an end just as Eleonora was being rescued and transported to the ward. It may have appeared to be a coincidence, but those who knew the conversation between Luke, Minerva, and the mask man understood it was not. They assumed that the mask pair, a guy and a woman, had appeared just to assist Eleonora. However, a question would arise as a result of this thought.

"....How come they didn't just save her?"

"I was thinking the same thing: if they're that powerful, why didn't the mask man who appeared in front of us just save Eleonora? The damage to the 'Noble District' wouldn't have to happen if they did it from the start."

"What are your thoughts, Sir Rudolf?"

".....I couldn't see them throughout the rescue, but what if they couldn't?"

"Couldn't?"

"It's just a hunch, but what if Her Highness, Princess Eleonora's condition played a role?"

"""....."""

When those words were spoken, the entire room fell silent. Luke, Minerva, and Albert, who were listening to Rudolf's comments, became quiet as they considered their significance.

"It's just a hunch; I'm not sure if it's truly related."

"No, that's an excellent point. If Eleonora's condition was indeed a factor in why they didn't rescue her, we could consider them a party, which is neither a friend nor an adversary. They must've had no intention of saving her from the start."

"Hmmm... I see. Just like the mask man said, they were there to help, but he didn't say how."

"He also declared that he had no intention of fighting... and he did exactly that, simply watching that mask woman fight that robed man."

"Have you heard anything about that robed man?"

"No, and I don't think we'll be able to find him again; the shadows lost sight of him during the rescue effort, and it was as if he just vanished into thin air."

"By the way, why are we even talking about this? I thought we were summoned for another reason?"

""....""

As the four discussed the reasons Eleonora was not rescued, as well as the mask man's statements to the two siblings. Vanessa, who was quietly sitting to the side, spoke out as she sipped her green tea. A whole day has not passed since Eleonora was abducted. And although Vanessa's appearance was still that of a well-mannered young lady, the other four couldn't help but smile bitterly when they saw the black circles under her eyes and her ashen pale skin as a result of her lack of sleep and excessive usage of her Divine Energy.

"Ah-, you haven't slept yet, right? My apologies; I'll get this done quickly."

"Please do so, Father; I need to rest so that I can properly tend to Elder Sister Eleonora when she wakes, and check on his condition."

"....I'm grateful you've also taken care of him."

"It's the least I could do, Uncle, to save Elder Sister."

"Thanks"

"All right, then, the three of you."

Albert, the King, stared at his children. The First Born, First Princess Minerva Van Killon Memphis, the Queen's first child, was already a commander, commanding a complete legion at the age of 24. She was well-liked by both aristocrats and commoners, and she was dubbed the Kingdom's "Knight Princess." Despite the fact that she has yet to find a suitable fiancée.

The third child. Memphis's first prince, Luke Van Killon. The Queen's second child. He was already a Vice-Commander of the same legion as his older sister, although being just 17 years old. Many regard him as a genius when he was younger; even now, he has demonstrated exceptional performance in both the sword and magic, and he has a background in government management.

And the Fourth Born, Third Princess Vanessa Welpir Lougue Memphis, the Second Consort's first child. She was the same age as Luke, 17, but she was born in a different month. She, like her Mother the Second Consort, was a devoted follower of the Great Gods. Her devotion to them culminated in her selection as a Saint Candidate, and when her already massive reservoir of Divine Energy was enhanced by her title as a Saint Candidate, her healing abilities far beyond those of the other candidates.

There were two more of his children who were not in the room.

Eleonora Shuvan Ascorte Memphis, the Third Consort's first and only child, is the Second Born. A young lady of marriageable age (18). She was enrolled in the Magic Academy due to her enormous mana pool, but due to her personality changing, the people around her treated her like an infection, she was shunned, and many other students, nobles, servants, and knights despised her. She excelled with Ice-attributed magic, which she inherited from her Mother.

The Fifth Born, Zikr Welpir Lougue Memphis, the Second Consort's second child. Although he was still a child at the time, many people anticipated him to be as outstanding as his elder sisters and brother.

Two of them included the blood of two Royals, while the other three contained the blood of a Royal and a noble of the Kingdom. They may not have shared the same parents, but they treat each other as if they were born from the same womb. Eleonora, on the other hand, is a different story.

"Starting today, you three will have Knights assigned to you, as will Eleonora and Zikr."

"....Knights? Father, you know we aren't that frail, don't you?"

"...."

Minerva tilted her head and inquired, as though a question mark appeared on top of her head. She couldn't see why she, as a Commander, would be assigned a knight. Luke spoke up after realizing the cause behind his Father's decision.

"Does it have anything to do with what happened yesterday?"

"Hm. It is. You all know Eleonora excelled in magic, and Dawn, her personal maid, is also a great martial artist, but they were nothing compared to a single opponent. I am concerned that the same event will occur again, so I will assign knights from the top of each Legion, choose who you want to serve you."

"""...."""

The three became silent; they knew how formidable the opponent who kidn*pped Eleonora was, and if another one appeared and snatched one of them.... Another occurrence similar to or even worse than what occurred is possible. But, would such powerful people show up merely to capture them? Is the thought that clouded their judgment. Rudolf, who had been passively listening to the Memphis Royalty's family discourse, eventually spoke.

Rudolf, who had been passively listening to the Memphis Royalty's family discourse, eventually spoke.

"Your Highnesses, why don't you just try and do as His Majesty said? It wouldn't harm to be careful, right? Your Highnesses, knowing well well that foes of that caliber or greater are lurking around our Kingdom, it wouldn't be a detriment to have additional helping hand right?"

"Hmmm. Hmm."

Rudolf's advice was sound. If another event like yesterday occurs, and one of the King's children is present together with their designated knight, they may be able to prevent it.

"But..."

I'd appear weak...

Minerva tried to say something, but she swallowed her words. She can't afford to be prideful when it comes to people's lives.

"...I'll accept, but only if they can beat me in a fight."

"All right, do the two of you want the same thing?"

"No. I'll accept it."

"It's the same here, Father."

Minerva agreed, but only on certain terms.

Luke agreed, despite the fact that he does not necessary require someone stronger than himself. It's great as long as they can stay with me, he reasoned.

Vanessa agreed as well. She's already got someone in mind.

"Hm, so this closes the meeting, and you can-"

"How about Eleonora and Zikr?"

Minerva, who was sitting on the opposite couch as Albert, questioned as he was about to let his children depart.

"I'll have the Vice-Commander of the 6th Legion be Zikr's Knight, and Eleonora..."

Albert cast a glance at Rudolf.

"How can that be?"

"I assumed we couldn't employ Sir Rudolf?"

"....it's not fair."

The three people who interpreted Albert's stare were taken aback.

Minerva yelled, unbecoming of a Young Lady and a Royalty like herself.

Luke asked with a cramped face.

And Vanessa pouted.

Each of their reactions warmed Albert's heart, so he decided to let Rudolf finish his sentence.

"I can't leave His Majesty's side because I am His Majesty's Sword and Shield."

"Then?"

"I already have someone in mind to be Her Highness' sword and shield."

"Do we know who he is?"

"You have met him."

"Is it Sir Amon of the Freagul County? or Sir Greg of the Urman Marquisate?"

"No."

"N-no? Who then?"

The three Royal children looked at him, their eyes wide with wonder. Who could they be if they are not one of the capital's two notable Knights? The three knew how high Rudolf's standards were when it came to selecting knights; they knew he wouldn't pick someone who was half-baked or ill-mannered. Rudolf spoke with a slight smile on his face.

"His name is...…."