Chapter 137

Tyrrell, who planned to invade the Plank Kingdom after the civil war.

He smiled a quiet, yet clearly cunning and fearsome smile.

At her father's smile, his daughter—Loa—who was watching him from the side, spoke carefully.

“Uhm…… Father, I would appreciate it if you didn't make that face.”

At his daughter's words, Tyrrell looked at her with a slightly puzzled expression.

“That kind of face?”

“The face of someone looking at prey. That's the face you had when you said our family would participate in the civil war. I'm sorry to say this, but…… your expression just now was a smile possessed by a demon.”

“……”

“You said this war would end soon, but to make that face, aren't you thinking of another war?”

Her voice was full of concern. Pure and kind.

With that lovely voice, his daughter continued to speak.

“The ‘Era of the Broken Crown’. I hope there will be no more wars once this era of civil war ends. Too many people have died and been injured. Most of the guards who protected me since I was young have also died.”

“……”

“When you first participated in the civil war, you said it, Father. That when this war ends, you would quell the chaos of the kingdom and strive for peace and happiness. I hope you will do that. You are a person with that kind of ability.”

“……Don't worry. I keep my word. After this civil war, I will quell the chaos of our Jerpan Archipelago and strive for peace and happiness. Just as I promised my family, the knights and soldiers who follow me, and our allied lords.”

Tyrrell said this to his daughter with sincerity.

Because, in reality, invading the Plank Kingdom was the path to the ‘happiness of the Jerpan Archipelago’, and for himself and his family.

‘Sending the lords, knights, and soldiers to another country before they can raise a fuss with their complaints…… there’s no better way. For that, we must go to war.’

Looking at her father, Loa spoke carefully once more.

“Are you perhaps thinking of attacking another kingdom? The Plank Kingdom?”

“……What?”

“I asked if you were thinking of attacking another country, the Plank Kingdom.”

Tyrrell was flustered that his daughter had read his thoughts.

However, as befitting the leader of countless knights, soldiers, and factions, it didn't show much on his face.

“Why do you think I would attack another kingdom?”

“Because that's the kind of method you would think of, Father. A way to quell the chaos of this kingdom and bring peace and happiness.”

“……”

“When this chaotic era ends, the lords and knights from various regions will try to have their merits recognized. They will pressure you, Father, to give them fertile land and gold. However, after a long civil war, our Jerpan Archipelago is poor, so we cannot provide adequate compensation to the lords and knights. But we cannot ignore the demands of the lords and knights either……. I believe you, Father, will send them out of the kingdom by giving them the authority to invade another kingdom. In order to quell the kingdom's chaos.”

Not a single word was wrong.

His daughter was looking inside his head.

‘I knew she was a smart child…… but she has grown so much in the years I’ve been on the battlefield.’

If Loa had not been his only blood relative, if she had not been his so very lovely daughter.

Tyrrell would have killed Loa without hesitation. Tyrrell knew well how dangerous it was to let someone else who could perfectly read his thoughts live.

Tyrrell looked at his daughter for a moment, then shifted his gaze back to the map.

Then he spoke without looking at his daughter.

He couldn't bring himself to lie while looking at his daughter.

“……I won't be invading the Plank Kingdom or anything like that, so don't worry and you may leave.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, I am sure. I am not a warmonger. I am one who only wishes for the peace and happiness of this kingdom. I promised your mother that as well when she died.”

At her father's words, Loa smiled brightly. A truly dazzling smile, without a hint of impurity.

Loa bowed deeply to Tyrrell, then left one last remark as she closed the door and went out.

“I believe in you, Father. Because you are the hero of this kingdom.”

“……”

“Then I will take my leave.”

Click—.

As his daughter politely closed the door and left.

Tyrrell let out a deep sigh over the map and slowly closed his eyes.

“When Loa becomes the queen of this land after I die…… a reign of peace will come. An era where no one dies in vain.”

To leave such an era behind, there was one thing he had to do.

To send all the seeds of chaos abroad. Even if it meant breaking his promise to his daughter.

Whether his thoughts were right or wrong, only the future could judge.

***

Jereuth.

Today, too, he was holed up in his office, checking and re-checking documents with a heavy expression.

Those documents were about the war preparations against the monster army, which were being prepared in secret.

‘It was difficult to prepare since I haven't even informed the high-ranking knights yet…… but still, the preparations are going much better than I expected. It must be thanks to His Highness's benevolent rule.’

For the past three years, there had been no problems in the kingdom. With the kingdom's foundation, agriculture, being solid, everything went smoothly.

Naturally, commerce also became stable. On top of that, the bandits who had threatened the merchants were wiped out, so there was nothing more to say.

Swish—.

Jereuth continued his thoughts while looking at another document.

‘With the military provisions and supplies stockpiled so far…… the entire kingdom's army can fight an all-out war for four months.’

To have the entire kingdom's army fight an all-out war for four months required enormous preparation.

And Jereuth had achieved that preparation.

‘His Highness’s contribution was great. Thanks to him, who does not permit even the slightest waste, the entire kingdom has continued a frugal lifestyle.’

Because the absolute ruler, the King, lived a frugal life, the officials and knights under him became frugal.

When the officials and knights became frugal, the soldiers naturally became frugal too, and the merchants, although they earned money diligently, also became frugal. They were being mindful because the king who wielded absolute power was frugal.

With such a virtuous cycle, it was natural for wealth to remain in the kingdom.

‘That's that. His Highness said he is going to the Foothill's Rest with Yoanna alone tomorrow. I'm sure His Highness has his reasons for taking only Yoanna, but shouldn't we add more escorts—.’

As Jereuth was thinking.

—Knock, knock.

—Commander! It's the low-ranking knight, Yoanna! May I come in!

The bold voice of Yoanna, who had just shed her girlishness.

At that voice, Jereuth smiled slightly and answered.

“Come in.”

The door opened with his permission.

Yoanna entered the room. The armor she wore was excessively well-maintained.

It was natural for a low-ranking knight to prepare like that when meeting a big shot like Jereuth, but Yoanna was always like that.

She even maintained her armor before resting after a three-day-long all-night training session.

‘She’s an amazing kid in many ways. As expected, there was a reason His Highness brought her to the royal castle.’

“What is it?”

“Yes! The order I received from His Highness a short while ago—!”

“You’re going to the Foothill's Rest with him tomorrow?”

“That is correct! I came to report on that!”

At Yoanna's words that she was reporting to him about an order from the King, Jereuth frowned slightly.

“There is no need to report the King's orders to me.”

“Ah…… I'm sorry! It's not a report, I'm informing you! His Highness told me to inform you!”

“I see.”

‘His Highness was considerate of my dignity.’

Jereuth spoke calmly, but couldn't hide his smile. He felt good that his respected lord was even considerate of his dignity.

“Do you have any concerns? Going that far while attending to His Highness by yourself.”

“None! Since His Highness commanded it, I simply trust and follow!”

“Hmm…… that may be so, but don't you think the escort is insufficient?”

“I do not! I believe His Highness ordered me to accompany him alone because he judged it was alright!”

An excellent answer.

Yoanna trusted Leonardo even more absolutely than he did.

‘……I was thinking of going along by subtly raising the issue of His Highness's escort, but after she said that, I have nothing to say. She says she trusts him because His Highness said it was alright, what can I say.’

“Yes, a good mindset. Did His Highness happen to tell you the reason why he specifically named you?”

“He did not!”

“I see. Hmm…… yes, if you have nothing more to say, you may leave. Prepare thoroughly.”

“Yes, I understand!”

Yoanna answered energetically and left the room.

Jereuth’s gaze blurred slightly as he thought.

‘Yoanna is still a woman, even if she is a knight, and they are traveling alone……. Is His Highness finally thinking of strengthening the foundation of the kingdom? Or is he trying to observe her directly by his side since she is a candidate for a future commander?’

Various thoughts went through Jereuth's mind, but he couldn't reach a definite conclusion.

‘Whatever it is, it's good. It's much more welcome for me if Yoanna receives His Highness's affection than Olivia or Elly.’

Blood is thicker than water, and charity begins at home.

Jereuth hoped that Yoanna, who belonged to the military, would be chosen by Leonardo.

Of course, for an excellent knight like Yoanna to have a child should be a matter for after the war with the monster army.

***

Three in the morning the next day.

Neigh—!

Neigh…….

As Kartum, which I was riding, snorted roughly, the horse Yoanna was riding next to it turned its head and snorted quietly.

It seemed the hierarchy between the two horses had already been established before we even departed.

“Then, Commander, I will be going. I ask for your assistance in various matters while I am away.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

I nodded back to the firmly bowing Jereuth, and spoke to Olivia and Elly who were next to him.

“Olivia and Elly, I ask for your help as well. If the Commander requests anything, please cooperate immediately.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“……Yes.”

Olivia answered calmly and coldly as usual. But Elly next to her trailed off her voice and couldn't look at me straight.

‘Did she want to go on the trip that much?’

I didn't know she would be so dejected.

After the war with the monster army is over…… no, if my ending is decided to be peaceful even after that, I should go on a trip somewhere with her. Even to the mountains north of the royal capital.

I made sure as few people as possible knew that I was leaving the royal capital today. There was no particular reason to hide that I was leaving the capital, but I felt that if I announced my departure, everyone from the officials to the knights would gather.

‘Everyone is working so hard, they should be allowed to rest when they can.’

Thinking that, I pulled Kartum's reins and headed towards the gate. Yoanna followed behind me.

Creeak—.

The royal capital gate opened slightly.

As soon as the gate opened, I spoke to Yoanna.

“Yoanna. I told you yesterday, but we're going to the Foothill's Rest as fast as possible. Still, if you're tired or if the horse's condition is strange, tell me immediately.”

“Yes, I understand!”

Her voice was booming. I wondered where such a voice came from in that small body.

Crack—!

As I strongly whipped the reins, Kartum immediately started running.

The power with which it kicked off the ground was on a different level from other horses.

Kartum, which I hadn't ridden in a long time, was indeed a fine horse.

***

Two weeks had already passed since we left the royal capital and headed for the Foothill's Rest.

During that time, nothing particularly special happened. It was a schedule of moving, resting, eating, and sleeping, just like when we went to the Wasteland of Ruin before.

Although it was an ordinary journey, there was something that kept bothering me.

It was the Future Diary, on which no new content was being written.

Even as we left the royal capital and headed for the Foothill's Rest, the diary showed no changes.

Thump, thump, thump, thump—!

On top of Kartum, which ran as if to break the earth, I rode with the sun at my back and thought.

‘Why isn't any new content being written in the Future Diary?’

I had been looking at the Future Diary for quite a long time, but this was the first time the diary had been so silent.

‘Something should be coming out by now.’

We would reach the Foothill's Rest in about two weeks. But I hadn't obtained any new information since the content that said, 'Paras will take me to the cliffs of the Gryphons'.

‘The fact that no new content has been written since then…… does that mean I have to say something different in my conversation with Paras? Different from the future me?’

That seemed to be the key.

‘But there’s a problem. If I needlessly bring up something else and Paras doesn't guide me to the Gryphons…… then it’s really over.’

I had always strived to create a better future than the future me.

However, if the future becomes worse because I made a different choice from the future me, that would be truly the worst.

‘It’s safer to just say what the future me said, without changing a single word. Then at least I can be guided to the cliffs of the Gryphons. But with that development, my ending was blank. In other words, I need to make some other change—.’

As I was thinking.

“……Your Highness!”

I heard Yoanna's voice from behind.

I gradually slowed down Kartum's speed and came to a stop.

“What is it?”

“Gasp…… pant……. L-let’s camp here—.”

“Catch your breath and then speak. Slowly.”

I have the ‘Health Necklace’ that the King gave me, so no matter how much I ride a horse, I don't get tired or out of breath.

But it seemed that Yoanna had a hard time keeping up with me.

From the looks of it, the horse Yoanna was riding also looked like it was about to die.

Kartum, which I was riding, seemed to be trying hard to look like it wasn't tired.

“You want to camp here?”

“Y-yes!”

“Alright, let's do that. We've come further than planned anyway.”

I got off my horse, took out firewood from my backpack, and started a fire. The firewood was from the mountains yesterday, and it was originally in Yoanna's backpack, but I put it in mine because she looked too tired.

“I-I'll do it!”

“It’s fine, I’ll do it, so you get some rest. You look too tired.”

“Ah…… but still—!”

“It’s an order. Rest.”

“……Yes.”

As soon as I said it was an order, Yoanna sat down on the ground. She should have said something earlier if she was that tired.

‘We did push a bit harder than usual today.’

Preparing the camp.

After being in the army for the past three years, it was now a familiar task for me.

***

Yoanna.

She was silently watching Leonardo, who was reading a book by the light of the high moon and the campfire.

‘His Highness…… reads a book every day.’

She had heard the rumors well. The rumor that ‘King Leonardo is a great avid reader, and he always reads except during work and training hours’.

That was why there was even a 'book club' among the officials who wanted to get close to the King.

‘The maids also said that the library cleaning duty is very popular. Because it’s the place where the probability of seeing His Highness is the highest.’

When she first heard such a rumor, Yoanna had thought, 「“So His Highness reads a lot of books.”」

She thought it was natural for Leonardo, a smart, wise, excellent, cool, and brave king, to read a lot of books.

But to read a book right before bed even after such a forced march.

She didn't know it was to that extent.

‘More than that…… he really is handsome. The thought itself is disrespectful…… but I really can’t help it.’

Just then, Leonardo, who had felt Yoanna's gaze, slightly raised his eyes and looked at her.

When their eyes met, Yoanna acted as if she had been caught stealing something she shouldn't have, and raised her head abruptly, saying.

“I-I'm sorry!”

“Haha, what are you sorry for? Weren't you looking at me because you had something to say?”

“No!”

Perhaps because of the campfire, Yoanna's cheeks and neck were reddish. She squeezed her eyes shut and, for some reason, even covered her ears with both hands.

It seemed she was extremely embarrassed that her eyes had met Leonardo's.

Without paying it much mind, Leonardo continued to read the Future Diary.

The content that he had read so many times that he had almost memorized it.

…….

“I believe everyone in my kingdom is my family. Not simply because I have to take responsibility as their King, but because I sincerely wish for their happiness.”

“……”

“So, uncle. I have a favor to ask.”

Paras's expression became a little serious before he smiled as if proud and nodded his head.

“A favor, you say. It must be related to what you mentioned in the Monster Mountains three years ago, right? That the monster army seems likely to attack your kingdom, so you're asking for help.”

“That is correct. So…… I would like you to help me obtain the Gryphons. The Gryphons are essential for the war against the monster army.”

“Gryphons. Is that what you wish for? What you would ask of your uncle?”

“Yes. As I said before, the power of the Gryphons is essential in the war against the monster army.”

I could feel a sense of surprise from Yoanna, who was listening quietly from behind.

It was probably because she was hearing about the ‘war with the monster army’ for the first time.

But, as befitting the most prominent knight among the current low-ranking knights of the kingdom, Yoanna quickly erased her surprised expression.

“Gryphons.”

Paras spoke, then finished his words while gazing at a certain place in the Foothill's Rest.

“If what you wish for is Gryphons, I will take you to the cliffs of the Gryphons. I want to do my best for you, who has realized the true meaning of family. However, I do not know if you will be able to gain the acknowledgment of the Gryphons. That is as far as I can help you.”

‘No matter how many times I read it, this part seems to be the turning point of my future. But what should I change, and how? How can I change it so that my ending is not 'blank' but has clear content written…… wait.’

As I was reading and pondering.

I realized that I was missing a very obvious and easy hint.

‘Paras said it. 「“If what you wish for is Gryphons, I will take you to the cliffs of the Gryphons. I want to do my best for you, who has realized the true meaning of family.”」 —he said. That means…….’

If I don't wish for Gryphons.

If I ask the Elves to fight for the kingdom directly.

Then?—

As I was thinking.

Scribble, scribble, scribble—!

The content I was just reading was erased.

And new content began to be written.