Chapter 30

I decided to go along with Knight Sanbrag’s plan.

Immediately, all the knights of the court were assembled, and the details of the counteroffensive operation were announced.

The sudden change in strategy left the knights visibly shocked and bewildered.

“Knight Sanbrag! Wasn’t it your role to dissuade Her Highness!?”

“What on earth did you tell her!?”

“This plan places far too heavy a burden on Her Highness—it’s too dangerous. Please, reconsider, Your Highness...”

The knights raised their voices, condemning Knight Sanbrag and the other senior figures, urging me to reconsider.

Before Sanbrag could offer a rebuttal, I stood up and spoke.

“This was entirely my decision. If there are any among you who cannot risk their lives for a mere young girl, you are permitted to leave now. I will not stop you, nor will I ever hold it against you.”

Once I made it clear that this was my own will, the knights fell silent.

And in the end, they all pledged to stand with me.

Telling them to leave if they wanted was, even by my standards, a cowardly way of putting it.

“I thought there would be more opposition... Did they really accept it?”

Are they just obeying under protest?

Will it affect morale?

Feeling a bit uncertain before our departure, I asked Knight Sanbrag in a quiet voice.

“Obeying our lord’s command is our duty.”

Does that mean it doesn’t matter whether they agree or not? Even so, surely everyone has things they want to do and things they don’t.

“If your decision had been reckless, we would’ve done everything in our power to stop you. It is also our role to correct our lord when she strays from the path. But if it’s merely dangerous, that alone is no reason to object.”

“...Some said it was dangerous, though?”

“Yes. Which is why what matters most is Your Highness’s resolve. If Your Highness understands the risks and still chooses this path with firm determination, then we will follow your orders without hesitation.”

Resolve and determination... It sounds like something out of a shounen manga.

I guess my face showed what I was thinking.

“...In short, they were concerned you might be nothing more than my puppet.”

He said it bluntly, in a hushed voice.

It must’ve been hard to say. I felt a little guilty for making him.

“And that concern has now been laid to rest?”

“Yes. If, at that moment, Your Highness had looked at me with uncertainty in your eyes, persuading them would have been difficult. But Your Highness conducted yourself with composure and dignity.”

You were magnificent. It brings me great joy to witness Your Highness’s growth.

Knight Sanbrag said it with a broad smile.

By that logic, I guess my attitude up until recently would make me a failure as a ruler...

Well, there’s no point dwelling on that now.

“By the way, Your Highness, it suits you very well.”

“I hope that’s true...”

I gave a wry smile at Sanbrag’s flattery.

Right now, I was clad in armor.

In this world, where magical attacks tend to be disproportionately powerful, armor is designed with mobility in mind rather than defense.

In that sense, it’s not uncomfortable to wear, but to be honest, it doesn’t suit me at all.

It feels like I’m cosplaying.

No, just to be clear—it's not like I'm baring my chest, or my legs, or my armpits or anything like that. It’s full-body armor, properly covering everything...

Maybe it’s the brand-new, shiny look that makes it feel off.

The term “princess knight” flashed through my mind.

It made me start to feel like I was destined for defeat and submission, so I stopped thinking about it.

While we were having that conversation, the time for the operation arrived.

“Knight Stiene. I leave things in your hands.”

“Understood. I will not let that little man set foot beyond the castle gate.”

Knight Stien would remain at Turonia Castle, tasked with drawing in Count Couranbel’s army.

He would be rallying nearby knights to strengthen the defenses, but how many soldiers would gather was anyone’s guess.

Considering the unpredictable movements of Count Couranbel, the Imperial family, and neighboring lords, this might well be the most dangerous assignment of all.

“May fortune favor you... Brother.”

When I said that quietly, Knight Stien’s eyes went wide.

Then he smiled softly.

“And may fortune favor you as well, Your Highness. But above all, please protect your life. As your vassal, and as your brother, I pray for your safety.”

Once our farewells were exchanged, we made our way through an underground passage and escaped the castle.

Escape tunnels of this sort could be found in any decently sized fortress.

...We should’ve moved without being noticed by any spies still lurking in the city.

I turned to the head maid and to Rouge, who had escaped the castle with me.

“Well then, Head Maid. I’m entrusting Rouge to you.”

“Yes. ...And may fortune favor you, Your Highness.”

As originally planned, Rouge was to evacuate to the territory of Count Lazabel.

It served both as insurance, and as a decoy.

“Rouge—make sure you listen to what the Head Maid tells you, alright?”

“Yes. ...May fortune favor you too, Sister.”

We said our farewells.

They would move just noticeably enough to avoid suspicion, drawing the attention of any spies.

With that, any enemy agents would believe Rouge and I had fled north—to Count Lazabel’s lands.

“First, we’ll use the cover of darkness to head into Count Couranbel’s territory. Our goal is to reach the border before sunrise.”

“Yes, I understand. ...Now, I’ll begin mana transmission.”

Through the pre-prepared paths I had laid out, I channeled mana into the knights.

With this, the entire unit’s marching speed would increase dramatically.

“Let’s go.”

The knights form a hexagonal formation around me and start heading south along the main road.

In just a few hours, we reach the border between the Turonia and Couranbel Count’s territories.

“Please wait here until the advance scout returns.”

As instructed, we wait, and soon, a knight comes back to us.

It seems negotiations with the guards at the checkpoint have been successful.

“For safety’s sake, please remain cautious until we pass the checkpoint.”

“Understood.”

Following the lead of the advance scout, we approach the checkpoint.

The checkpoint seems quite abandoned, likely because it’s off the main road.

There are two knights standing by the gate.

I dismount from my horse and approach them.

“I appreciate your kindness. After the war, I will certainly reward you accordingly. ...Please accept this as a token of my gratitude.”

I remove a ring from my finger and hand it to Delawear, who is standing by my side.

Through Delawear, the ring is passed into the knights’ hands.

“Such great happiness…”

“Then, we must hurry on our way.”

“Ha ha, may you also have good fortune, Princess.”

“We pray for your victory, Princess.”

The knights answer as they continue to stand by us.

We quickly pass through the checkpoint and begin ascending the mountain path.

“Now, we can consider the first checkpoint passed,” Sir Sanbrag says.

I release the tension in my shoulders at his words.

This operation is a daring one. We are crossing through enemy territory—the Couranbel Count’s lands—before climbing over the mountains to retreat to the Budoudarl Duchy and enter Schimission Castle.

With this, we can summon a large army in the Budoudarl Duchy.

Staying within the duchy gives a better impression than fleeing beyond its borders.

The Couranbel Count’s territory, aside from the central Couranbel city, is mostly mountains and forests. If we keep a low profile, we should be able to pass through with a small number of people.

There’s also the example of the Kartema Empire’s “mountain crossing.”

Naturally, the Couranbel Count is blocking the flow of information and issuing orders to prevent any travelers within his territory. The defenses along the main roads are likely fortified.

Thus, I have chosen to pass through the territory of knights who are likely harboring dissatisfaction with the Couranbel Count.

Of course, no prior negotiations have been made, so we’re doing this on the fly.

There’s a risk of betrayal later on.

If that happens, we may end up isolated in enemy territory and taken captive.

However, I feel I have a certain level of confidence—though not enough to call it certain victory—because I have made several visits to the Couranbel Count’s territory in the past. Some of the knights know my face and voice.

The knights guarding the checkpoint earlier were among them.

I can tell by instinct which knights are likely to be swayed and which ones are not.

Also, typically, a knightly house has no more than five knights under its command. Since I have thirty knights with me, in the worst case, we could force our way through.

Of course, I don’t want to do this, especially with reinforcements expected to arrive later.

“Then, Princess. Please suppress your magical power from here on.”

“Yes.”

Following Sir Sanbrag’s instructions, I suppress the magic that had filled my body.

The enhancement magic that normally operates subconsciously to boost my physical abilities is now deactivated.

My body feels heavier, and an uneasy feeling settles in my chest.

“Your life, Princess, we will protect it with our own lives. Please, until we give the signal, do not let any magic leak out.”

“Understood.”

Of course, not all of the knights are friendly toward me.

After all, they are direct subordinates of the Couranbel Count and not my vassals.

So, when traveling through lands of knights from families where negotiations are difficult, I must move carefully to avoid detection by magic-sensing devices.

This means that the magical armor that normally protects my body will disappear.

When I restrict my magic, my defense and physical abilities are the same as those of an ordinary thirteen-year-old girl.

If a single stone hits my head, I will die.

This was the reason the knights strongly opposed this plan.

“…From here on, it may be very difficult for you. However, there is no turning back. Please, brace yourself.”

If I were to break down, cry, or scream along the way, there would be no way to recover.

While I understand the knights’ position and feelings, being asked repeatedly doesn’t leave me in the best mood.

“I had already made up my mind when I left the castle. There’s no need to ask me over and over.”

“…My apologies.”

Sir Sanbrag seemed to sense my growing irritation and bowed his head.

We continued on, following the lead of a knight familiar with the area, repeatedly climbing and descending the mountain path.

Gradually, the road became more treacherous, turning into something resembling a wild animal trail.

…I began to wonder if this was truly the right path.

A bit concerned, but as someone who had boasted earlier, I couldn’t afford to show weakness.

We continued without complaint until we reached a dead end.

“…The road has ended.”

Before us was a cliff.

Well, it could be considered a steep slope. It might be possible to climb if one tried hard enough, but…

“For safety’s sake, please dismount and proceed on foot. If possible, please step exactly where I’ve stepped.”

“…Understood.”

“Princess, if you’re feeling uneasy, it might be a bit of a detour, but…”

“I am the daughter of a mountain goat! This is nothing!!!”

I declared, shouting the words as loudly as I could.

---

“Hah, huff… huff…”

Somehow, I managed to reach the top.

My armor is covered in sweat and mud, and every muscle in my body is cramping.

“Good work, Princess. Here’s some water. Please, drink it at your leisure.”

Delawear, who says this, looks tired, but she still seems to have plenty of energy left.

Of course, the other knights, though somewhat fatigued, are standing firm on their feet.

What’s subtly shocking, however, is that Sheik has a completely relaxed expression on his face.

I had thought of him as weak, being a bureaucrat, but it turns out he’s quite sturdy.

The only one thoroughly exhausted to the point of nearly collapsing is me.

We should all be under the same conditions, suppressing our magical powers, yet…

“By the way, what about the horses?”

“We’re currently bringing them up.”

It seems they won’t be left behind, which brings me a little comfort.

If they had told me we’d have to walk the rest of the way on foot, I’d have completely broken down.

“Sir Sanbrag, regarding the next part of the journey—perhaps it would be better to…”

“Considering the Princess's—, we should—”

“We can use a palanquin…”

As I take a break, drinking water, I overhear the knights discussing something among themselves.

I feel a twinge of muscle pain in my abs and gather strength to speak up.

“I will not allow any changes to the course without consulting me first.”

It’s my fault that the pace is slow, and I understand they are being considerate.

I’m also aware of how I must look—exhausted and vulnerable, causing the knights to worry.

If I were to fall ill or lose strength, everything would fall apart, so I understand I mustn’t push myself too far.

But it’s extremely frustrating to have my physical and mental limits assessed and decided without even a word from me.

“My apologies… May I take a moment?”

“Of course. Even during a break, my eyes, ears, and mind are still working.”

At my words, Sir Sanbrag and the others spread a map in front of me, their expressions a mixture of concern and what seemed like relief, as though they were happy to see I was still alert.

They began pointing to different areas on the map, explaining their plan.

In summary, there are two paths: one continues along the rough terrain we just traversed, and while it’s more dangerous and extends the distance, the other path would be much easier to walk.

If we take the easier path, it seems I could use a palanquin and be carried.

…Honestly, my heart wavers.

I really don’t want to go through that treacherous path again.

I would rather ride in a palanquin and let the knights carry me while I travel in comfort.

But, unfortunately, while I rested, my stamina started to recover.

If I push myself, I feel I could manage.

I almost resent my own robust health.

“We’ll continue on the original path as planned.”

“As you wish, Princess.”

Though Sir Sanbrag and the others seemed like they wanted to say something, they silently nodded, perhaps understanding my decision.

I feel a bit guilty about it.

---

That night, we camped out, as expected.

Perhaps due to exhaustion, I fell asleep quickly, but in the middle of the night, I was attacked by intense muscle pain, and as a result, I didn’t sleep much.

Suffering from accumulated fatigue and aching muscles all over my body, I had no choice but to continue through the rough path the next day.

I trudged through terrible animal trails, waded through swampy areas, had my waist submerged in a river, and got bitten by insects—it was a miserable day.

Moreover, the altitude seemed to make the air thinner, and I quickly became winded, struggling to catch my breath. I had to stop several times to regain control of my breathing.

Then, to top it off, we encountered bandits and ended up in a fight.

The bandits were quickly taken down by the knights who had released their magical power, sliced apart in an instant. The sight was gruesome enough to almost make me vomit.

After suffering even worse than the first day, we finally finished the second day.

That night, fatigue reached its peak, and I collapsed into a deep sleep, as though I were made of mud.

And then came the third day.

“More bandits? There are quite a lot of them, aren’t there?”

I muttered with a sigh as I looked down at the bandits, all of them slain by the knights.

Bandits who lack magical power and are just common peasants can be easily dealt with by a few knights who’ve released their magic.

They’re no real threat, but they do manage to surprise you when they attack.

“This area is a well-known bypass for some merchants to avoid customs duties.”

The Couranbel Count, likely due to financial troubles, has raised the tolls to their maximum.

As a result, the Couranbel Count’s territory has developed “bypass routes” for those avoiding the customs duties.

Because of this, itinerant merchants often travel these mountain paths, and the bandits are thriving as a result.

“Merchants really have it tough, don’t they?”

Who would travel such a harsh road...?

Well, it’s only natural that people use the routes if they know they’re passable.

“I’ve temporarily used my magic. I’ll move the group to another location… is that alright?”

“Feel free. I’ve grown accustomed to both the mountain roads and the thin air.”

“Then we’ll pick up the pace.”

At Sir Sanbrag’s command, the unit’s speed increased.

It’s true that I’ve gotten used to it, but the exhaustion still hasn’t worn off, and it remains difficult.

“Once we descend this mountain, we’ll be in the territory of Sir Cyclmira. He is favorable toward the Princess. We should be able to stay for a night.”

“Is that so…? Haah, it’s fine, but… haah, haah…”

The knights’ encouraging voices pierced my chest.

It’s understandable given my age, but I’m clearly dragging down the whole group.

It’s frustrating.

This is all due to my laziness in not training my physical strength and relying too much on my magic.

I’m a noble. A princess.

I don’t go to the battlefield, so it’s not like I need to prepare for things like stealthy operations where I limit my magic, right?

I hate the past version of myself for thinking so naively.

Once this war is over, I think I’ll ask for a more intense training regimen, one that doesn’t rely on magic.

Maybe setting up that little flag was a mistake.

"Excuse me, Princess!"

"Ugh…!"

Without warning, Delawear, who had been walking beside me, suddenly pushed my head down. My face was forced into the ground in a very undignified kiss with the earth, and I let out an involuntary groan.

All the other knights around me had also dropped to the ground. For a moment, I thought it might be bandits again—but I quickly realized that wasn’t it. The tension in the air was completely different. And more than anything, there was no need to be this cautious against mere peasant bandits.

"They’re knights, Princess."

Delawear whispered softly in my ear. And with those words, I finally noticed the group of people approaching us slowly—each of them radiating magical power. There were ten… no, perhaps twenty of them.

No way that many people would just happen to gather in one place. Had information leaked from somewhere?

As I sat there, overwhelmed by confusion, Delawear whispered again at my ear.

"If we judge that we cannot avoid a confrontation, we will release our magical power. …Please follow the instructions of Knight Sunbrag."

"...Understood."

Now wasn’t the time to be thinking about reasons. I held my breath and waited…

"Draw swords—release magic!"

The moment Knight Sunbrag shouted, the knights leapt to their feet in unison and formed a protective formation around me. Then, they released their magical power.

I, too, released the power I had been holding back.

Almost at the same moment, magical energy surged from the group that seemed to be our enemies.

…They’re all knight-class.

That alone gave me some comfort.

"Identify yourselves!"

"Who goes there!"

Shouts erupted from both sides.

After a brief silence, a voice called out from beyond the trees.

"I am Sir Cyclmira, guardian knight of this land. I would ask who you are. If you refuse to name yourselves, we too will be forced to draw our blades."

Knight Cyclmira.

He was the notorious “tardy knight” who had once shown up outrageously late to a wedding. Also the “informant knight” who tattled to me about the Count of Couranbell’s tax dealings.

He was also the man who once kissed my foot in a fit of awe.

I thought he was an ally…

This was quite a shock.

Then again, he is a direct vassal of the Count of Couranbell. Given the current situation, it’s only natural that he wouldn’t side with me…

"May I respond?"

"Yes. …Please, try not to provoke them."

With Knight Sunbrag’s permission, I raised my voice to answer.

"I am Roselia El Budoudarl, guardian of the lands of Budoudarl. I apologize for entering your territory uninvited. I do not wish to cross blades with you. I only seek passage through this land. …If you could look the other way, I would be most grateful."

We’re clearly in the wrong for trespassing on someone else’s land. But in terms of military strength, we have the upper hand. They might have the terrain advantage, but we can force our way through if necessary.

Still, I hope this can be resolved peacefully…

"Ooh!! That magical presence… that voice…! It is Princess Roselia!! Ahh, what a blessing…!!"

The man who appeared to be Knight Cyclmira cried out in joy and began approaching us.

A blessing, huh…? So it was an ambush?

As the thought passed through my mind, his face came into view from between the trees.

It was indeed the same informant knight from before.

"Stop! You may not come any closer!"

"Oh—ah, Princess Roselia! It is I! Sir Cyclmira! The one who had the honor of kissing your noble foot!"

"…Yes. I remember you, Sir Cyclmira."

Huh? …Is it just me, or is the mood kind of weird?

Even as the thought crossed my mind, Knight Cyclmira kept talking enthusiastically, his words flowing without pause.

"Princess, why are you in a place like this…? Don’t tell me—you crossed the mountain range!? How gallant!! That fool Knight Niahel dared to claim that Her Highness had fled… What nonsense! Completely wrong!"

Knight Cyclmira grew increasingly agitated, getting worked up all on his own.

And perhaps hearing his outburst, voices began calling out from beyond the trees as well.

"Princess Roselia!? No way…"

"As expected of Princess Roselia! Child of Emperor Kartema!!"

"She’s the second coming of Emperor Kartema, isn’t she!? Truly magnificent!!"

"Uwoooohhh!!"

I don’t really get what’s going on, but… things seem to be getting really fired up.

I have no idea what the situation is, but… could it be that they’re not enemies after all?

"Knight Cyclmira. Why are you even here?"

I asked him directly, and he answered with a look that practically screamed, I’m glad you asked!

"We were secretly moving, intent on reaching Your Highness's side. However… it seems that’s no longer necessary."

In that moment, the informant knight had completed his job change into the loyalist knight.

Wait a second…

Could it be…

This war… we might’ve already won?