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Volume 3 Epilogue

Epilogue: Waves

August 17, 2013 of the Continental Calendar

Seven days have passed since the Heavy Knights of Waldrind invaded the territory of Artuk. They have set up camp in close proximity to Vilar Constance’s castle, but they have not received an order to launch an attack as of yet.

From the window of the castle, Villar Constance, Earl of Artuk, let out a wry smile while looking at Waldrind’s positions.

「The food they brought with themselves should last them for 10 days at best if they ration it well. They did not sent an envoy, and the did not start looting. Are they planning to capture the castle before they are going to run out of food? 」

「Or maybe they are considering if they should come back home before they run out of food instead of surrounding the castle? 」

Head Mage Laura Hadley voiced her opinion.

「It would be great if that was indeed the case… 」

But of course, Vilar did not think that things would be so simple.

At first glance, Waldrind’s actions this time around seem hastly made and unplanned, but that made Vilar think that they were meticulously preparing for something much bigger.
「If only it had been decided at the Lord’s Conference that we would face off against the Factory Alliance through military means… 」

Laura brushed her hair aside in frustration.

Three months ago, it was decided during the Fantasia Union’s Lord’s Conference that they would try to negotiate peace with the factory Alliance. Because of that, the Union had missed its once in a lifetime chance to finally destroy the Factory Alliance once and for all, and earlier this month, the Alliance has declared a sudden end to the peace talks, after which it has proceeded to invade Artuk.

Vilar was also aware of the fact that the Factory Alliance has been unusually active for the past three months. However, it was still not clear exactly to what extent has the confusion withing the Factory Alliance subsided.

(Is it an expedition because the chaos has subsided? Or is it an expedition to calm the chaos?)

Knowing that would change the course of the incoming battle. If the chaos had already subsided, that it would be an expedition to destroy Artuk. However, if this is just a demonstration meant to calm the chaos, then they should start retreating pretty soon, just like Laura said.

For the time being, the surrounding allied nations are on stand-by so that they can take military action at any time if necessary. But the only opponent was the Heavy Knights of Waldrind, I was confident that I could protect this castle.

However, he does not know how the allied neighboring countries such as Vltava, Ozer, and Stark will move now that the situation has become like this. There was also the possibility that armies from distant countries would also come to seize the opportunity that has presented itself to them.

There was no choice but to respond flexibly to any situation that might develop, but even though he had not neglected the preparations for ant eventuality, Vilar was still feeling restless for some reason.

「A fleet is approaching from afar, sir. 」

The news came to him from the watchtower in the early afternoon of the same day.

「Tell the Admiral to take alert and remain on standby. 」

Villar’s castle faces the sea from the east side. The slopes of the cliffside on which Castle Unicorn was build were steep, but climbable from the coast, and the castle ramparts were also somewhat lower than on the landward side. However, the navy was already waiting at a nearby port, ready to intercept and neutralize any threat that might be coming towards Artuk from the sea, and with the current wind, it should have been possible to leave the port at any moment if the need for that arises.

「Colleen. 」

Villar called Colleen Messara, who a specialist at Alchemy Magic in Artuk’s Magic Division, to his side.

「What is it that you require of me, my Lord? 」

Colleen leaned over to Vilar’s side, although it was clear that she was nervous.

「Nice weather we are having today, would you not say? 」

「Y-Yes, a nice one indeed. 」

Colleen nodded in confusion. She never expected Vilar to be asking her about the weather of all things.

「Can you prepare 「The Mirror」for me, please? 」

But with those words of his, she finally understood Villar’s intentions.

「Yes, I understand, my Lord. 」

Colleen bowed to Vilar and left the room to fulfil his request.

The 「Ray Mirror」that she made is a magic vessel that collects the sun’s light and irradiates it towards the enemy. Despite its limitations, it can easily set ships on fire.

「Which fleet are wea talking about? 」

After waiting for Colleen to disappear, Laura asks Villar.

「I think it’s Dartania’s fleet. 」

Villar answered while moving to a window overlooking the sea. He sounded quiteperplexed.

「I sent a fast boat and informed the navy about the situation already. 」

「Then, did Lord Milza come to help you? 」

Laura’s face lit up.

「I hope so. 」

Villar’s words were very articulate.

「Is there anything bothering you? 」

Laura asked.

「It was a month ago that Lord Milza became the Viceroy after his father’s sudden death. After that, there were rumors that Lord Milza was fighting a small tribe that refused to obey him. 」

「So he must have already pacified them. 」

「Perhaps. But even if the news were delivered on a fastboat, I thought it would be a little too early for the entire fleet to come from across the sea. 」
「Surely… 」

Even if you used a fast boat, it should have taken several days to get to Dartania.

「But Lord Milza is fast like the wind, as always. 」

Laura said as if she wanted to convince herself.

Looking out the window at the sea, a fleet of ships was slowly approaching. The land breeze was blowing now, so it was using oars to advance.

It was then that out of the fleet, a small boat suddenly came towards the land at a furious speed. Moreover, the ship did not use oars.

「What is that ship? 」

Laura let out a cry of surprise.

「Is it magic? 」

「Yes, that is right. 」

However, even with magic, moving a ship at that speed required a high level of ability. That ship must have had a very good Mage on board.

(There should only be Shamans in Dartania, but…)

Since that small continent refuses to follow the peerage system, Elam has not dispatched Mages to it. Of course, some Shamans have excellent magical powers. For example, Zelma, the head of the White Witches. And also…

「Lady Margret… 」

Laura remembered the name.

「If it is her, she could control the current and make the ship run at that speed! 」

「Margret? 」

「I can’t think of anyone else! 」

Laura nodded vigorously.

Then, she contacted the Mage attached to the Admiral of the Navy to instruct them not to attack that ship and guide it to the castle dock.

「If she really is coming, she will have dire news. I am going down to the dock. You can stay here. 」

「Understood! 」
Laura gracefully bowed and sent Vilar off.

Villar quickly walked through the castle and headed for the dock. and when he just arrived, he saw that the ship was still heading towards the dock, and there was no sign of it slowing down.

There was only one person on board. She was standing on the bow and looking at him. She was dressed like a sailor and had a turban on her head, but as Vilar watched her, she untied it… showing her fiery red hair.

「Margaret… 」

Villar muttered dumbfoundedly.

She should have returned to her hometown of Dartania, where she should have become a priestess of the Fire Cult. The ship approaches steadily and finally collided with the dock. But just before that, Margret let her body dance in the air, and she spread her arms wide.

As the ship and the pier broke apart with a violent crash, Villar firmly held Margret as she flew through the air. She was about to fall down with too much momentum, but he held on to her with both feet and managed to endure without falling down.

「I wanted to see you… 」

Margaret let out a sigh of emotion and embraced Villar passionately. Villar hesitantly accepted it.

「Why are you here? What in the world happened? 」
Villar asked, puzzled.

「Milza Kuches, the Viceroy of Dartania has defected to the Factory Alliance. 」

Margaret walked away from Vilar, and said ominously.

「What?! 」

Vilar narrowed his eyes like blades.

「It seems that Lord Milza has given up on me. Well, it cannot be helped. 」

With a self-mocking smile, Vilar contacted the Admiral and ordered him to attack Dartania’s fleet.

「So my dear cousin was waiting for Lord Milza’s arrival. 」

However, thanks to Margret’s report, they were spared a surprise attack. And Artuk’s navy is not inferior to Dartania’s either in terms of equipment or proficiency.

(If he wants my title, then I will have him work for it.)

Villar smiled fearlessly and stared at the ocean.

There, dozens of fleets were about to clash.

『To be continued in Volume 4』