3 bar menu

Chapter 275 part 2

The words I was about to blurt out unconsciously were halted midway when Lynette groaned and clutched her chest. Ah, was it too late?

Lynette, who had been entrusted with the task of educating Gundeus and Kyrlinne, was very concerned about the way they had turned out. The words that I had accidentally let slip must have pierced her heart like an invisible arrow.

「I am sorry, Lynette. I didn’t mean to blame you, and I never will. So, I know it’s difficult, but try not to worry too much…」

As soon as I quickly offered words of comfort to Lynette, Gundeus and Kyrlinne stopped grooming me and revealed their upset at the sight of Lynette, their older sister and educator, looking so downcast.

「Oh, um, Lynette, I’m, um, I’m sorry for my, um, my fault …….」

「N-no, no, Gundeus, you don’t have to apologize. No matter how it happened, there’s nothing sadder than hearing yourself say words that deny who you are now. I’m just being silly.」

Even at a time like this, Lynette’s words, which were full of concern for Gundeus, caused my eyes to well up involuntarily. However, I couldn’t help but find her response to Kyrlinne truly candid. A mentor with her pupil indeed.

「So, Lynette, do you want to switch places with me? I don’t have breasts like you, but…」

「I’d love to. And Kyrlinne, I’m going to punch you later.」

「Whyyyy?」

「There are things that you should and shouldn’t say, even if they’re true. You said something that you shouldn’t have. Being too talkative is your biggest flaw.」

“Auuuu”

I wonder if this was also a form of sisterhood. Hmm.

*

The morning after Gwandan’s group arrived in the port city of Uminal, Gudo, the representative of Aldam’s merchant association, was staring at a sea chart spread out on the desk in his office.

The Arkrest Kingdom’s trade agreement with Ryuuguu Kingdom had made it possible to cross the ocean at once by using the stopover points provided by Ryuuguu Kingdom, instead of having to set up a route via land ports.
At first, only merchants and shipowners who had been carefully selected by Arkrest Kingdom would be allowed to use the stopover point, but the benefits of the time saved and the increased safety of this sea route were immeasurable.

It was not realistic to expect that the Aldam merchant’s association, which operated in the shadows of the Arkrest Kingdom, would benefit from this, but Gudo could sense the kingdom’s unprecedented caution and seriousness in supporting Ana and Gwandan’s activities this time.

Since he had been entrusted with such an important task, it was safe to assume that he had gained a certain level of trust from the kingdom. He hoped that this would allow him to step out of the shadows and operate officially as a merchant’s association under the kingdom’s umbrella so that his subordinates will be able to live a life without fear of death.

「It is a naive hope, but I want to make it happen someday.」

In order to bring this dream closer to reality, for now, he needed to fulfill the wishes of Ana, who seemed like a naive young lady but had something unfathomable hidden within her, and Gwandan, the Dragonian who couldn’t help but be conscious of his connection to the Ryuuguu Kingdom.

Unlike Gwandan, Ana and the others didn’t seem to have any particular requests, but Ana, who had a gentle and kind aura and face that made her seem like she couldn’t even kill a bug, seemed to possess a boldness and originality that defied Gudo’s expectations.

Gudo couldn’t help but feel uneasy about that.

「I don’t want The Roaring Sun’s Majesty to be too distrustful of me, as I still have to continue my business here in Uminal, so I have to be careful about how I handle this.」

Ana’s act of touring Uminal was not something that could be praised in the current situation, but Gudo had overlooked it because of the intimidating presence of Gwandan, who was acting as her bodyguard, and the strict orders from the Arkrest Kingdom to show maximum consideration for Ana and her companions.

If Gwandan was connected to Ryuuguu Kingdom through the Dragonian heritage, then what was Ana, who looked like a Romal, all about? This question had been swirling in Gudo’s mind since yesterday, but he warned himself not to step on the tail of a sleeping dragon.

Following a modest knock, a middle-aged Pigeonkin serving as Gudo’s secretary, called out to him.

「Lady Ana and her companions have come to greet you.」

「Oh, they’re here. Bring them some appetizers. And prepare some tea.」

Gudo steeled himself for the meeting with his guests, wondering what they would ask of him this morning.

Amria and the others, who had finished the breakfast that Gudo had prepared for them, thanked Gudo profusely for the night’s lodging and food and announced that they would be touring the city of Uminal again today.

They had already taken a look at the area where the Romal people were isolated from a distance yesterday, but Uminal, which used to be an important maritime trading center in the southern part of the Empire, was a large place. It is not possible to tour the city in a day or so.

So it came as no surprise to Gudo when Ana asked to tour the city again.

「So you’ll be sightseeing in the city again today. Is there anything you want me to tell the envoy when he arrives?」

Up until now, Gwandan had been the main point of contact with the Arkrest Kingdom’s secret agents, passing on information to them. However, while he was staying at Gudo’s Aldam merchant’s association, there would be people disguised as merchants or customers or even spies targeting Gudo.

Gwandan answered Gudo’s question. He was in charge of dealing with spies.

「No, there’s no new information that we need to pass on at this time. If the envoy does arrive, all we can do is apologize for making him travel all this way for nothing.」

I see. I am sure that is true since I came to this Uminal only yesterday. Oh, by the way, as planned, all ships of the Aldam merchant’s association will be unable to sail for the next few days.

Therefore, if Sazamina asks you if you are still in Uminal, tell her that your ships aren’t sailing.」

In reality, the ships were not actually damaged or short-staffed. This was just a ruse to allow Amria and the others, who were supposed to be in Uminal to escape from the Romal Empire, to stay in Uminal for a few more days.

Even so, as long as the ship could not sail, it was inevitable that Gudo and thus Aldam merchant’s association would incur losses, but since the Arkrest Kingdom would compensate them, Gudo had no complaints.

He wasn’t in a position to object in the first place, and he had no intention of doing so.

「I am truly grateful. I will never forget the help that you and the Aldam merchant’s association have given us.」

「Oh, it’s also beneficial for us, and it’s what our backers ordered us to do, so it’s necessary for us as well. So, what time do you plan to leave today?」

Amria, who set the plan for Gwandan and the others, answered Gudo’s question.

「We’re planning to leave right after this. We’ll be back by sunset if there are no problems」

「That’s very energetic of you. I hope you have a fruitful day.」

「Yes, thank you very much. I will try not to waste any time.」

Amria smiled and told him so, and Gudo smiled as well. Gudo wondered how long he could keep smiling. After all, Amria was trying to make contact with Regul, the young Lionfolk who ruled The Roaring Sun’s Majesty.

*

One of the things Amria and her team had to keep in mind when contacting Regul was to make direct contact with him or someone close to him without involving either the Asya faction or the Leko faction.

If Regul was caught between two divided extremist factions, they might influence his attitude and words. Greedily, Amria wanted Regul’s pure and true intentions and policies, which did not contain any impurities.

If she had been accompanied by anyone other than Gwandan and the maids, Amria would not have attempted such a reckless plan. However, knowing that Gwandan and the three maids had extraordinary combat abilities and were kind-hearted, Amria was able to make the reckless move, albeit with some hesitation.

It turned out that Regul occasionally left the former governor’s office to go to a training ground or barracks outside the city, where he would spar with soldiers who were about to go to the front lines or to exchange opinions with those above the rank of commander.

Given his position, he couldn’t do this very often, but fortunately for Amria’s plan, Gwandan was able to see through the heavy cloaking magic that The Roaring Sun’s Majesty had cast on the governor’s office.

The insect-shaped golem and Gwandan’s clairvoyant that had snuck into the old governor’s office yesterday had already confirmed that there were those who were neither Asya’s nor Leko’s, but Regul’s, so to speak.

They would be the first to inform Regul and ask for instructions. If this happens, it would be a good thing for Amria.

Now, Amria was undoubtedly a princess of the Romal Empire, but since her existence had been kept a secret, it was not certain that the rebel group Roaring Sun’s Majesty, let alone the Grand Duke of Linosart and Princess Asteria, were aware of her.

However, for better or worse, Amria was the spitting image of a certain person whom the Roaring Sun’s Majesty could not ignore. Despite her anxiety, which was somewhat, no, greatly concerning, if she were to impersonate that person, she would have a good chance of meeting with Regul.

In other words, she would impersonate her twin sister, Asteria.

It was a bold plan, but one that only Amria could pull off, and naturally, there was an element of anxiety.