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Chapter 254

Naturally, there was much argument regarding Dran escorting Amria to the Romal Empire using his clone of Gwandan. In the first place, there were already the questions of whether Amria should travel with them, and whether three guards—Gwandan, Yachiyo, and Fuuko—would be sufficient.

The discussions regarding these two evident issues were divided into two camps, with a swift solution nowhere in sight.

There were the negotiators who wanted Sperion and the rest of Arkrest Kingdom to approve Amria’s departure for the Romal Empire. On the other hand, there were the escorts who were occupied with an intense debate on the selection of guards to accompany Gwandan if Amria was permitted to go.

The negotiators consisted of the Arkrest royal family, Amria, and Sperion who was acting as a temporary guardian to Amria, Yachiyo, and Fuuko. The escorts were made up of members of Bern, including Selina and Dramina.

While Sperion was carrying out his discussion in the study at the back of the office, Selina was eagerly expressing her wish to join Gwandan in the office. Diadora and Dramina, however, were more reserved in relating their desires.

Christina had not been part of the previous trip to the Romal Empire as well, and she was hoping to participate this time. Despite this wish, she exercised every bit of her iron will as the lord of the territory to refrain from expressing her own desires. She watched on instead, thinking about how wonderful it would be if she, too, could join in.

Dran was acting as the arbiter in this situation. He stood shoulder to shoulder with Gwandan, whom he had manifested, and the two listened to the opinions of the women with their arms crossed.

Selina and the rest were unlikely to be as enthusiastic about accompanying Gwandan as long as Dran’s real body remained in Bern, but things were different this time. Their eagerness stemmed from their concern about an acquaintance entering a dangerous territory.

As long as Gwandan, Dran’s clone, was accompanying the party, there was no uncertainty regarding their strength. However, that was an entirely different issue.

「I think I’m suitable because I went with Dran to the Romal Empire the previous time, and I can metamorphose to make myself look human. Although brief, I also managed to take a glimpse into the Romal Empire.」

Selina snorted as she expressed her opinion, while Dran put on a farce of contemplation.

In the event that Amria was to be brought to the Romal Empire, Yachoyi and Fuuko would definitely accompany her. In that case, there would be at least five people in the party including Gwandan. If they wanted to escape the notice of Grand Duke Linosart and Princess Asteria, it would be best to avoid increasing the number of people.

「I have yet to decide whether I’ll visit the various southern tribes, but it’ll be tough on Selina if her metamorphosis is unfortunately unraveled.」

Selina was clearly disappointed at Dran’s apologetic statement. Dramina, who yearned to join the party like Selina, decided to give up as well.

「It’s unlikely that anything unfortunate will happen, but if a Lamia like Selina will have a tough time, then a vampire like me should refrain from traveling to Romal as well. A vampire would be at greater risk than a Lamia, and that could be a real problem.」

「Sorry about that. What about you, Diadora?」

「I can’t be the only one acting surreptitiously. Besides, I’m not fond of disguises, and I’m not particularly worried about Amria’s safety, unlike the rest. So, I’m not bothered.」

「Is that so? Your sensible opinions are always a great help. In that case, should we just have Gwandan go alone? With Yachiyo and Fuuko tagging along, we can leave caring for Amria to the ladies.」

「Oh, Dran, in that case, how about letting Lynette, Gundeus, and Kyrlinne go with them?」

The sudden suggestion by Diadora caused Dran and Gwandan to turn their attention to her. Even Lynette, who had been named, looked over. Diadora did not appear intimidated by their piercing glances but spoke as if she were a mother sending a child on an errand.

「Don’t you think it’s about time Lynette and the rest visited lands beyond Bern? The Romal Empire might be a little trying for their first trip, but I’m sure they can handle it.」

Diadora looked back at Lynette, Gundeus, and Kyrlinne with an expression that sought agreement. The three sisters could sense the trust from the spirit of the black rose, and their cheeks flushed with joy.

However, Diadora was right about the circumstances of Lynette and her sisters. The trio had been in the barony of Bern even since Dran took them in, and they were certainly naive about the world. That being said, the sudden leap in experience by taking them to a foreign nation caught in a civil war was rather extreme.

「I’m sure no harm will befall Lynette, Gundeus, and Kyrlinne. The only concern now is whether they can stay out of unnecessary conflict with the empire’s citizens who must be in a frenzy because of the civil strife.」

Dran’s genuine mutterings drew a bitter smile from Diadora. She, too, could not deny this statement. Lynette did not express particular interest in people beyond her acquaintances and often seemed disingenuous, but Gundeus was even more so aloof.

Kyrlinne was the most social of the three, but she tended to use brawns over brains or words in many situations. If she were ever caught off guard, problems were likely to arise.

「Amria may not get to see the everyday lives of the empire’s citizens, and she may end up witnessing the unusual instead. That being said, such a sight isn’t so bad since it’ll be food for thought for her.」

After Dran expressed his agreement with the addition of Lynette and her sisters to the escort party, he turned his blue eyes to the study where Amria was persuading Sperion and the rest.

Their discussion was far more difficult than the selection of guards. Everyone in the office, including Dran, was concerned about Amria who had leaped into this debate.

Sperion and those with him had moved to the study where the bookshelves were conspicuously empty. By the time Dran and his team had finished selecting the escorts, Sperion’s party had also reached a conclusion.

Those in the study remained standing, and Sperion heaved a deep sigh before Amria while maintaining a dignified expression. It was an unusual sight for the cheerful and intelligent prince, but those close to him—namely Frau, Shald, and Radai—knew that it was a sign of Sperion’s surrender.

「Amria, it is my duty to keep you safe. This may just be a personal matter of mine, but I took an oath to protect you at all costs. I even brought you to Bern because I thought it would be safer than leaving you in the royal city.」

「Yes, Your Highness has already conveyed that to me many times. At this point, I bear no doubts about Your Highness’s concern for me.」

「Is that so? I’m glad you trust me. However, that’s exactly why I’m conflicted by your desire to return to your empire and learn about the realities of your people. I’m sorry if I sound like a bothersome worrywart, but the Romal Empire is a foreign nation in the midst of a civil war. There are limits to what we can do, and we can no longer guarantee your safety.」

「But it’ll be fine with the escorts Dran has gathered. Your Highness shares the same opinion, right? I didn’t miss that look on Your Highness’s face.」

Amria was spot-on with her statement. Dran’s superior combat abilities, his grit, and the sense of security from knowing that there was nothing to fear in his company made him the perfect escort.

The same could be said of the Twelve Wing Generals and those with comparable abilities in a fight, but it was clear that Dran still had a number of hidden cards up his sleeve. Even the cloning magic was an unexpected skill from Dran, and it would not be hard for Amria to escape the Twelve Wing Generals with the clone Gwandan around.

「Your perceptiveness is astounding.」

「I’m aware of my ignorance, but this is the result of my efforts to learn about various things. Moreover, I know that I’m being selfish and causing more trouble despite your kindness and care for me thus far.」

「No, please don’t say that. Are you really going to the Romal Empire?」

「Yes, I am. I will see the realities of that nation with my own eyes. In fact, I should be asking you to seek Arkrest Kingdom’s help after witnessing the state of the empire, but I seem to have ended up doing things the wrong way around…」

「If you make your decisions based on what you’ve witnessed in the nation, then I’ll be able to refute anyone who says that you’re a sheltered young lady ignorant of reality. Both Grand Duke Linosart and Princess Asteria are vying for the title of emperor, but they’ve taken into consideration these lands that will come under their rule. Hence, the damage on imperial territories of old aren’t as disastrous. Rather, wars have been waged frequently on the lands of various ethnic tribes and races, and public order has been declining in an increasing number of areas due to the influx of refugees and fugitive soldiers forced to leave their homelands.」

「Are you trying to tell me that reality is far more brutal than anything I can imagine?」

「Brutal and tragic. It’s filled with things better left unseen and unheard of. I can’t help by worry that you’ll be hurt once you see and come to know about such matters.」

A stranger to the situation would easily assume that Sperion was in love with Amria, but everyone except for the two conversing had expressed some kind of reaction of their own. They furrowed their brows and let out sighs of varying degrees.

「But there are things I’m glad to have seen and learned about. Surely, it is also necessary for me to experience the regret of finding out the truth rather left unknown and then lament it.」

「Amria, I… I have never felt such resentment over a woman as intelligent and resolute as you.」

That being said, Amria could not leave for the Romal Empire with just Sperion’s approval. He might be the heir to the throne, but his word lacked the authority to approve of Amria’s journey.

Amria’s intentions had to be conveyed to Sperion’s father, the king, and his chief retainers. Then, she would have to wait for the results of their deliberations regarding the pros and cons of such a move. If Amria were to leave for the Romal Empire without waiting for their decision, there would be turmoil behind the royal palace’s walls. After all, Amria could be a valuable pawn to situate as a puppet emperor in the Romal Empire. It all depended on how the kingdom played its cards.