The Little Duchess' Home Tutor (Novel) - V2 C16

Volume 2 Segment 5 

Chapter 16 – Riot in the Capital Part 7

Translator: Mab

Editor: Kiriyume

 

Swords and spears of the rebel army were thrusted out towards me from the gaps between the countless stone walls and large shields. Their blades, of course, were reinforced with magic.

That’s quite overkill against a mere home tutor.

When I lowered myself a little and pointed my staff at them with a smile on my face, the dry sound of metal banging against metal as they brandished their shields and armor was heard. It seems like they’re being wary. Well, it’s good to have them hesitate, even for a little. Time is on our side, after all.

For some reason, that little gesture also invited some fright from the Kingsguard knights around me. Just a bluff, okay?

—As I was reviewing the information I got from the little birds, Richard came to me with a worn out expression on his face. Behind him was a young Kingsguard knight, his mouth shut tight. The young knight was a little older than me, perhaps around twenty years old or so.

Hmm, isn’t he?

 

“Allen, the way you just threaten them out of the blue, are you taking after my little sister? You don’t need to be so similar to her, you know?”

“As if. If it’s her, she would’ve already burned all of them and demanded that I bring her some tea by now.”

“Ku ku ku, bet she would… Sorry, but one of our young members wants to speak with you. Ah, this one here.”

“Ryan-sama, is it? The son of Baron Bhor, a branch family of the Leinster Household.”

“! How did you know…”

“You were our messenger during our last mission, weren’t you?”

“…”

“So, what did you want to talk to me about?”

“S-, sir! I have a request to make, Allen-sama! Please add me to your ranks!!”

“Richard?”

“He won’t listen to me, so I told him I’ll let him be if he can convince you. Where’s Bertrand?”

“Prepping a second encampment.”

“Gotcha. Well, he’s yours.”

 

Having said that, Richard came to the knights nearby and said. “Don’t stop working just because my little sister’s man is catching your eye, you lots. Our fun party is just about to start. Go and make my job easier, just like Allen did!” Instantly, a burst of laughter erupted. Good grief.

I asked the young knight who was watching the scene with a look of disbelief.

 

“Ryan-sama.”

“Just Ryan.”

“I’ll take you up on it then—Ryan. Are you afraid?”

“! I-, I am not! I have made my resolve the very moment I put on the glorious white armor of the Kingsguard Order! As a knight, it is my greatest honor to devote myself to the Kingdom and the Royal Family!”

“Okay, you’re out.”

“!? Wh-, what do you mean?”

“Look at me.”

 

I promptly showed him my left hand.

—It was trembling minutely.

 

“Allen… sama?”

“Everyone here is afraid. Richard, Bertrand-sama, even I. A battlefield is a place of death. Especially if you’re here to hold a defensive line— …Your death is guaranteed. The ‘Sword Princess’ is not here, after all. A miracle won’t occur to us that easily.”

“! Th-, then.”

“Unfortunately, the decision for us to hold this siege has been set in stone. Not to mention, the slots for the evacuees are already full. —Become a knight who knows the fear of death but laughs it off in its face and bears the will to survive.”

“Kgh!”

“It’s alright. You may not be holding this defense line, but your duty is no less difficult. …Keep this a secret, but Her Excellency the Princess Sheryl Wainwright-dono is one of my few close friends. Despite how she carries herself, she’s actually quite a scaredy cat. Protect her on my behalf.”

“…Sir, yes sir. I, Ryan Bohr, will put my life on the line.”

“No putting lives on the line. Live, survive, and see through it all—And one day…”

 

An increase of magical response from beyond the walls occured. Thing’s about to start, huh.

All the other Kingsguard knights rushed out and filled in their positions one after another.

I urged the young knight who grit his teeth in fury.

 

“Come on, go already. Ah, that’s right. If… if you ever have the chance to meet the Sword Princess, Lidya Leinster, can you please tell her my message?”　

“Sir!”　

 

I told him my message.

His eyes widened, letting out a single tear fall, which he promptly wiped before he ran off. As he did, the other young knights followed after him.

Richard came up to me.

 

“Now that’s Allen. What do you think? Once this battle is over, want to replace me as the Vice Commander?”

“You must be joking. Owen is your responsibility. I’ve got my hands full with Lidya, Tina, and the others.”

“Really? I think you’d be able to do it smoothly… Allen, you don’t need to stick with us until the end. Just get out of here when it feels right. I know you can do that.”

“I respectfully decline.”

“Allen.”

“Richard.”

 

I gave my troubled friend a smile.

The rebel army lined up and began their advance.

 

“I am not the Hero of the Wolfkins who bore the name ‘Allen’ who saved the front line of war at the cost of his own life in the former Demon Lord War. However—My father, Nathan, and my mother, Erin, both of whom weren’t related to me by blood, gave me this name and cherished me dearly till this day. And for that—”

 

I poked the ground with the end of my staff.

The ground under the heavy-armored knight who stood at the forefront of the army turned to mud. At the same time, I froze his footings as well. I launched the invisible ‘Wind God’s Arrow’ from the sky. The spell aimed and shot through the gaps of the armor.

A shriek, and an angry roar. Nevertheless—the army advances.

　

“I cannot let myself forsake my own friend just to save myself and drag this name through mud—My name is Allen, son of Nathan and Erin, two of the most compassionate wolfkins. May I make myself known to you, Future Duke of Leinster, Your Highness Richard Leinster-dono?”

 

I winked and bowed slightly to express to him what I meant.

The red-haired vice commander of the Kingsguard Order snapped out of his flabbergast with a chuckle and squeezed out some words.

 

“…You’re one enormous fool, Allen. Fufu, fufufu… No wonder Lidya is so glued to you. Welp, guess I’ll have to ask you to follow me to the purgatory for a bit.”

“Hm~ I feel like Lidya’s going to chase after me there.”

“Haha, bet she would—KINGSGUARDS!!!!!”

 

“Our swords to protect the Kingdom! Our shields to guard the Kingdom!! Our Knighthood to save the powerless!!!”

 

The knights of the Kingsguard Order striked their breastplates in unison, drew their swords, brandished their spears, and strung their weapons.

—Yeah, not bad at all. This sight invites a smile.

 

“Then—let’s go. Let them know what the eldest son of the Duke of Leinster is capable of.”

“Flaming Bird out of the blue, huh. Please do so.”

“Aren’t you a tease, Allen! Yeah, as if I can do that spell!”

 

Richard drew his knight sword and broke into a run, laughing all the while.

I followed him—and dived into the ranks of the rebel army.