Chapter 87 – Rescue Operation 3 Part 3
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Translator: SFBaka
Editor: Thor’s Stone
After an hour or so since the banquet resumed, the occasion finally came to a close.
The royal family left, and the senior nobles followed afterward. I met with the prime minister again as well. He laughed as he chatted with me for a short while, but his eyes definitely weren’t. Now then, how will things pan out from here……?
I’m not sure exactly when they’ll discover that there’s been a breakout, and felt uneasy about the possibility of the prisoners being found inside our carriage.
While pretending to be drunk and giving perfunctory greetings to the nobles I came across on the way out, I finally succeeded in exiting the banquet hall.
The chamberlains who I left the Lord Protector’s shield and my personal coat of arms with immediately followed after me. Yeah, I actually almost forgot about them.
When I came out of the castle, Elna, Sharon, and Selena all came before me and knelt down on one knee. Joy was evident on each of their faces.
“We have been waiting for your return, Lord Corinth,” Elna greeted.
“Umu, thank you for your hard work. Please take the Lord Protector’s shield and my coat of arms from the chamberlains.”
“L-Lord Protector!? ……Understood.”
Elna and Sharon reverently received the items from the chamberlains.
“I am tired. Let us return posthaste.”
“”Yes!””
Elna and Selena sat on the driver’s seat out front. I and Sharon sat inside the carriage. The eleven escaped prisoners were all huddled inside the luggage compartment behind the carriage.
Come to think of it, the suspension of the carriage should have sunk considerably compared to before due to the added weight.
I was on pins and needles until we made it past the castle gate, but we were able to leave without being stopped for a surprise inspection.
I and Sharon exchanged looks and let out audible sighs. Now then, we have to hurry and get the rescued prisoners out of the city, or the gates would be closed for the night.
We followed a preplanned route, and upon confirming that there was no one tailing us via the drones, our carriage headed straight for the warehouse district near the inn we were staying at instead of directly returning to the inn.
When the carriage approached a certain warehouse, the people standing guard outside quickly opened the warehouse doors to let us in.
Once the carriage managed to enter completely, the doors were immediately closed shut once more.
About forty people were waiting for us inside the warehouse. Of course, they were all Shining Star Clan members.
“Alan! You were later than planned so we were getting worried.”
“Yeah, a lot’s happened. We managed to safely make it back in any case.”
We immediately opened the luggage compartment of the carriage.
“Ooh!”
We helped the people inside get off the carriage one by one and walked around a bit on shaky legs.
The moment they noticed Cleria’s presence, they rushed to her side and knelt down on one knee.
“”Cleria-sama!””
“Your Highness!”
“Aah…… Look at how skinny you have all become……”
“It has been so long, Your Highness.”
“……Heinz, Bruno, Paul, Randall, Roman, Utz, Kusav, Erich, Holger. I am truly sorry…… You have all suffered because of me.”
“This is nothing, Your Highness! We merely took an extended vacation.”
“Yes, that’s right! An extended vacation was all it was.”
“……I see. But I will still have you take a good long rest for now. Please just concentrate on recovering your bodies and minds.”
“Yes, Your Highness. We will endeavor to return to our prime and swear to be of help to Your Highness as soon as possible.”
“I will be counting on you then.”
Two unfamiliar men were kneeling behind the rescued royal guards. They were probably the former prime minister and his son who Selena mentioned in her report earlier.
“Heinz, who are these people?”
“These are the former prime minister of this Belta kingdom, Lord Leister, and his son.”
“My word!”
“Ooh.”
“I hereby present myself before you, Your Highness, Princess Cleria Starvine. It is an honor. My name is Werner, and this is my son, Abel. We are pleased to make your acquaintance.”
“So you are Lord Werner Leister. I remember that you brought me a wonderful set of teaware when I turned twelve.”
“Ooh, to think you even remember such a thing, Your Highness! Yes, it was I who brought you those items. It has been so long.”
“But what brings you here, Lord Leister?”
“I was caught in a despicable trap employed by the current prime minister, Villis Burke. My family was almost exterminated. I and my son ended up getting imprisoned in the castle dungeon. We were brought along when your men made their escape. We are truly grateful for your help.”
“………I see. It is fortunate that we were able to rescue you as well. If you truly feel gratitude toward us, then it would be best if you keep my whereabouts a secret.”
“Yes, of course. I and my son Abel will never speak of today’s events no matter what. I swear on my family’s honor.”
“Thank you. ……We are about to leave the royal capital. You may accompany us for a time and go on your own way at a suitable opportunity.”
“……Your Highness, would it be possible for me and my son to accompany and serve you instead?
If we were left alone, I do not mind even if I die without a grave, but my son Abel is still too young and inexperienced. Thus, I would like to ask for your patronage in exchange for my meager service.”
“However…… Alan?”
“……Isn’t it fine? Well, as long as everyone else agrees, of course.”
“Dalshim?”
“It is fine as long as they pledge their allegiance to you, Cleria-sama.”
“But of course…”
“Are you going to turn your back on our country, father!?”
“Be quiet, Abel. We… Our vow of loyalty has already been discarded like dirt by this kingdom and its king. Hence, this will not be considered abandoning our duties.”
“But for Father to serve and live like an adventurer is……”
“Have you no eyes, whelp? These people are not merely adventurers. As long as I can join them as their comrade, I do not care if I have to live as an adventurer or beggar. As long as our last wish is fulfilled, I can pay any price.”
“……Father. I see.”
“Lord Leister, what is that wish you speak of?”
“To take the current prime minister, Villis Burke’s head. As long as we can part that snake’s head from his neck, we, father and son, will never shirk away from anything.”
“……It is true that you may get such an opportunity if you serve under us. Though we cannot guarantee just when an opportunity like that would arrive.”
“Ooh, as I expected! Your Highness, please leave reaping that snake’s head to me! As long as you provide me that chance, I and my family will swear eternal loyalty to the Starvine royal family.”
“What do you think, Alan?”
“I don’t think there’s any particular problem with that. That current prime minister certainly isn’t any good, that’s for sure. After all, he tried to poison me to death. Twice at that.”
“P-Poison!? Alan! Are you alright!?”
“Of course, I am. Well, it’s fortunate that I managed it somehow.”
“That man truly does prefer the use of poison. He makes use of special poisons that are difficult to detect, but it’s truly impressive that you managed to stave him off. ……Will you leave that man’s neck to me?”
“……I can only promise you that you can do as you wish as long as such an opportunity presents itself.”
“That is more than enough. Until then, I and my son will do our absolute best to serve you.
I hereby swear on my family’s honor that my sword shall only be wielded for the sake of Her Royal Highness, Princess Cleria Starvine.”
“I hereby swear on my family’s honor that my sword shall only be wielded for the sake of Her Royal Highness, Princess Cleria Starvine.”
When Werner made an oath of fealty as Cleria’s vassal, his son Abel also hurriedly followed suit.
“Ria-sama, it’s about time.”
Oh, right. We don’t have much time until the royal capital’s gates are closed shut.
After this, the ones we rescued will be heading back to Gantz under the guard of Satellite Team 10. We prepared enough horses, wagons, and supplies for that very purpose.
“We will also head back to Gantz as soon as our business in the royal capital is finished. Until then, be sure to take care of yourselves.”
“”Yes!””
Everyone exchanged brief goodbyes, boarded the wagons, got on top of the horses, and quickly left.
Now then, we should also get out of this warehouse and make our way back to the inn.
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I would probably deploy the “apostles” and raze the castle.