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Chapter 77: The First Princess of the Ibrudia Empire

On the night of the day after we got in touch with Ruzark, we arrived at the “Golden Grape Arbor Room 206” a little before the appointed time.

After waiting for about 30 minutes, Ruzark, Legenda, and a woman dressed in an unfamiliar adventurer look entered the room.

「Sorry to have kept you waiting.」Ruzark.

「It wasn’t that long. More importantly, who’s that woman over there?」

She was around 17 years old. She had slitted eyes, vertically curly blond hair, and her makeup was well put together. There’s no way she’s an adventurer…

「I have already heard about it from His Highness Ruzark… but it seems that you truly do speak to His Highness in that manner.」

「Ruzark said there’s no need for honorifics.」

When the woman looked at Ruzark, he simply displayed a wry smile.

Seems like Ruzark hadn’t told her that yet. Which means, this woman is someone Ruzark is cautious against.

「We are the S-rank adventurer party Black Thunder.」

「I am Luna Ibrudia, the first princess of the Ibrudia Empire.」

Huh? What did she just say?

The first princess of the Ibrudia Empire!?

「For real? I certainly didn’t expect that.」

「I was also surprised at first. It was a sudden visit, after all…

However, if the information from Princess Luna is true, then something terrible is about to occur…」

「Tell me about that information first. Otherwise, we’ll get nowhere.」

「Indeed. Then I’ll explain the outline.

It is highly likely that the Ibrudia Empire will soon begin an invasion of this country. Moreover, invading from two locations simultaneously.」

「Huh!!? I heard it was a cold war, but is the situation really that dire?!」

「No, the situation should not be that bad. In the first place, the fact that the Cold War broke out five years ago was abrupt and one-sided. The intelligence operatives who were sent to find out the inside information have all been dealt with, and so we still haven’t been able to grasp the situation accurately.」

「And what is the reason for the first princess to come to an enemy country in such a situation?」

「That’s because I want to stop the war! …I will tell you everything that happened at the center of the Ibrudia Empire from 5 years ago to this day. So… I want you to believe what I’m going to say first!」

That’s a serious look on her face… When I glanced at Kinu, she nodded slightly.

It looks like we can trust her for the time being.

「Okay. Speak.」

「First of all, my father, Emperor of Ibrudia… has been brainwashed by the demons.」

「Are you serious… demons again?」

「Yes. And that demon also cast brainwashing mental magic on me, but I couldn’t be brainwashed due to the effect of my mother’s keepsake amulet.

However, I didn’t want it to be known… Thus I continued acting like I was brainwashed and waited for an opportunity to come to the Arto Kingdom.」

「It’s amazing how you managed to come all the way here in such a situation…」

「It’s because… I used this Vanish Cloak. The effect time is short, but it’s a treasure of the Empire which you can use to turn transparent when mana is circulated through it. Also, it was necessary to cross the border from an uninhabited location, so I crossed the Raven Canyon. But at that time, in order to deliver m-m… me to this country… two of my p-precious companions…」

While speaking, Princess Luna bit her lips until it started bleeding. Large beads of tears rolled down her cheek.

The sight of her desperately trying to convey the details told me that her journey up to this point was definitely not an easy one.

「Sorry for making you remember painful memories… Do you want to take a break?」

Princess Luna wiped her tears away with her arm, took a deep breath, exhaled, and continued her story.

「No… I’m sorry for displaying a shameful sight…

The Empire probably doesn’t know that I’ve entered this country yet. I think they’re a little confused by my disappearance, but I don’t think they will stop the invasion…

By minimizing the damage caused by this coming war, I will repay the two who desperately stayed together with me until the very end!」

I have been underestimating this woman.

With such a strong will, she is trying to protect the lives in the Arto Kingdom, the enemy country, and to limit the damages of the war, even if it means throwing away her own life.

Besides, I can’t believe this is acting.

「I understand your feelings, Princess Luna. So, how big is the scale of the invasion specifically? And what is the demons’ purpose?」

「The invasion is set to begin in about a month. The scale of the invasion is about 5,000 soldiers, so I think they are aiming for just a skirmish at the border. However, the real goal is to attack the “Dragonewt Village”. The demons’ purpose is also the destruction of the dragonewt race.」

「W-Wait a minute! Why the Dragonewt village!? Moreover, that place is a mountainous area. Even from a geographical perspective, it shouldn’t be a place nor a distance that you can easily invade!」Drake.

An attack on the Dragonewt village, huh…

It’s natural for Drake to be upset.

Even though he was exiled, it is still his hometown. And there is a possibility that it might perish.

And what Drake said is correct.

The distance from the Empire is far, and the invasion destination is a mountainous area.

In addition, sending enough soldiers to wipe out the dragonewt race, where each individual is quite powerful, is not worth the risk and supplies.

「Even before the Emperor was brainwashed, our country was building giant ships called airships. Originally, it was said to improve trade between countries and develop the Sphin Continent further.

However, after the Emperor was brainwashed by the demons, its purpose changed drastically — to “rule the sky”.

After that, the airships built for the development of the continent were equipped with cannons and gigantic offensive magic tools, and were remodeled as battleships.

Currently, there are 10 magic airships in the Ibrudia Empire’s city of Botlock.

All of them can accommodate about 150 soldiers total.」

「A flying battleship… they were building something like that? By the way, what is the destructive power of offensive magic tools?」

「With one shot from the main gun… 20% of this city will be annihilated.」

「I-I see…」

The place fell silent…

It was Ruzark who broke the silence.

「First Princess Luna literally risked her life to bring us this information.

Unfortunately, however, there will be a lot of blood spilled. And once the war has started, the only way to stop it is either the Emperor’s or the leading demon’s death, or the destruction of this country. …To be honest, our country currently has no means to compete with the Empire’s magic airships.

As such we have come to the S-rank party Black Thunder with a nominated quest. The contents of the quest are to evacuate the dragonewt race or ask for cooperation in the war, destroy the giant battleships if possible, and eliminate the demons who control the Emperor.

First, I would like to request the evacuation of the dragonewt race.」

「It’s a very difficult request, but… we’ll do the best we can. The survival of this country seems to depend on it, after all. First, let’s head to the Dragonewt village right away.」

「Thank you. Also, I have something to give to you, Aun.」

After saying that, Ruzark handed me a small magic tool.

「This is a communication-type magic tool that allows you to contact me directly. Please contact me if anything happens.」

A small communication magic tool? Did Ruzark make this!?

That means that the magic tools in the arena and Plainevelt were also developed by…

「Ruzark, are you also a magic tool creator?」

「I have loved working with machines since I was a child, you see. I was creating various things as a hobby, and before I knew it, I reached this level.」

「You’re too talented, aren’t you… Wait, we don’t have time for this. This is an emergency, so give us the permission to fly on dragonback.」

「Ah, right. Drake over there is a dragonewt, isn’t he? You got my permission, so hurry up.」

The five of us went outside the town, and started moving towards the dragonewt village on the back of Drake’s dragon form.