The Extra Strategist’s Royal Road Chapter 188.
Preparing to find Eonia was not easy.
A rather large ship was needed to search the waters where Eonia was located, but Rinoa, who had been providing funding, became difficult to move due to the last incident.
Moreover, it became even more difficult to move because that area was in the territory of the Savior Alliance.
Therefore, there was no choice but to watch the situation at the academy until a method could be found.
As the exams were approaching soon, I was trying to focus on studying magic while suppressing my anxious feelings.
What I was concentrating on was the study of light magic.
Arcane magic had its usage somewhat defined and was practical, but light magic was not.
Light magic had been neglected until now due to its inefficiency.
It has the property of exploding when cast through an aura, but that also tends to be ambiguous. It feels like it explodes from the friction between magical powers, but if it’s not gathered into a form, it just scatters.
Therefore, light magic was merely a side branch at the moment.
However, after visiting the Forest of Lament this time, my thoughts changed.
‘They said it was effective against dark mages…’
There was something that old man Polarian said in passing.
With my aptitude for light magic, dark mages would melt instantly.
As there might be a chance to enter the Forest of Lament again, I decided to hone my light magic skills.
So I was using most of my time for magic research.
The remaining time was for my mother.
I decided to make time to guide my mother, who was still unfamiliar with this world, around the city.
My mother was still unfamiliar with magic and changed her expressions at even small things.
Although she seemed to be enjoying herself on the surface, the worry within was still evident.
I patted her back and said, “Mother, don’t worry too much. Everyone will be doing fine.”
“I hope so.”
What my mother was worried about was the family left behind in our continent. Not only father and brothers Ferge, Max, and Miller, but also the twins who had just turned 3 years old.
“Haha… Aren’t you worried about sister Julia?”
“I think that child can do well anywhere. The same goes for you, Ars… But you make me anxious in other areas. I’m telling you in advance, it’s not allowed.”
“Huh? What’s not allowed?”
“Rinoa, was it? You shouldn’t increase any more.”
“I keep telling you, it’s not that kind of relationship with her. We’re just friends. Friends.”
“Then what about Lucretia?”
“That’s a business relationship.”
While I was being pestered with this topic for quite some time, we ran into Erina’s group.
It seemed Erina was showing Princess Rosa and Meissen around the city.
“Sir Ars!”
Erina approached with small steps, smiling with her eyes. I could feel the attention shifting sharply as Erina moved, as she had already monopolized the gazes of the surrounding men.
Princess Rosa also follows, smiling warmly.
As it was a royal outing, the royal guards were accompanying her. The guards were glaring at me with sharp eyes. It felt like there was some sort of grudge, beyond simple vigilance.
“Are you two out for a walk?”
“Yes, we happened to have some free time. We heard there’s going to be fireworks in the square, so we were going to check it out.”
Erina continues speaking with an awkward smile.
“Um… Would you like to join us? We were just heading to the square as well.”
“Sorry, it’s a bit burdensome to walk around with the royal guards.”
“Ah…”
As Erina made a disappointed expression, Princess Rosa laughed breezily and said, “Then the nuisances will disappear. Erina, go on.”
“Huh? Princess?”
Princess Rosa pushed Erina towards me and disappeared with her entourage.
Meissen also seemed to take the hint and left with Princess Rosa.
“Really…”
Erina laughed bitterly as if she couldn’t help it, and while glancing at my mother, she clung to my arm.
A moment of silence passed.
My mother speaks in a heavy voice.
“Is this okay? Even if you don’t need to be mindful of your family’s eyes right now… No, rather, becoming aggressive in this situation, don’t you think it’s cunning?”
To that meaningful question, Erina answered after making a decision.
“I understand why you might think that. But you don’t need to worry. I… I’ve decided to leave my family.”
“You mean you won’t return as the daughter of the Duke’s family?”
“If my father opposes it. It would be best if it doesn’t come to that, but if it does, I won’t hesitate.”
“Sigh…”
My mother glares at me as if scolding me, then says with a sigh, “Ars, I’ll go back first.”
“Huh? Aren’t you going to watch the fireworks?”
“I’ll watch them with Yumir next time.”
It was somewhat of a pointed remark.
“Then I’ll escort you back.”
“There’s no need for that. I know the way back well enough. You escort Erina. I’ll let them know you’ll be back late today.”
“Ah…”
As my mother left, Erina grasped my sleeve with a flushed face, as if she had resolved herself for something.
I escorted her towards the square.
* * *
A night close to midnight.
After sending Erina back to her room, I was walking in the mansion’s garden to get some fresh air.
The moon was exceptionally bright, giving the feeling of dawn just before sunrise.
‘Is it okay to be doing this?’
Although I knew there was no use in rushing and was moving steadily, the anxiety rising in my heart grew day by day.
‘I should try to speed up the Eonia matter forcefully.’
It means going to the site and finding a ship somehow. Whether borrowing a fisherman’s boat, hitching a ride on a merchant ship, or in the extreme, hijacking a pirate ship.
‘Tch, Gaspar would be perfect for this kind of rough business.’
I couldn’t propose hijacking a pirate ship to Erina or Lucretia, after all.
It felt like I was facing a talent shortage.
‘Can’t be helped. I’ll have to try doing it myself somehow.’
As the moonlight was gradually being obscured by clouds, I decided to return to my room and try to sleep.
That’s when I heard a rustling sound.
“…Who’s there?”
In response to my question, Anduha revealed himself.
He spoke with a stern expression.
“You’re back late.”
“The fireworks were quite spectacular.”
“Hmph, can you afford to be so leisurely? Didn’t you say your vassals were missing?”
“That’s none of your concern.”
“It certainly was. Until now.”
“…?”
As far as I knew, Anduha was someone who had been loyal to the Branford family for a long time, enough to have witnessed the moment Rinoa was born.
Before that, I heard he was an adventurer. He was skilled enough to be helpful even in the Forest of Lament.
That’s all I knew about him.
“I heard from the young lady. You said you’d help her if she helped you find your vassals.”
“Yes, well. I did say something like that. Though Rinoa brushed it off.”
“Indeed, the young lady didn’t seem to think much of it. So? What are your true intentions?”
“If she asks for help, I intend to help her. Sincerely.”
“…That’s what I wanted to hear. Wade, or should I say Ars Elaine?”
“Just call me Wade.”
“Alright, Wade. I’m asking you. Please help the young lady.”
“What’s with the sudden change of heart? You didn’t seem to think well of me before.”
“I’m still not sure about you. My thoughts changed after seeing your vassal. Gaspar, was it?”
“Ah, I see.”
It seems Anduha didn’t believe my talk about having vassals in the first place.
Since the first person I mentioned finding was Erina, he probably thought I was just looking for a friend or lover, not a vassal.
That understanding changed when he saw Gunther and Gaspar. He realized that my vassals were no child’s play.
“You must have other capable vassals besides that beastman, right?”
“Gaspar is quite skilled among them. In terms of pure martial ability, he’d be fourth or fifth.”
“Whatever the case, that’s good. I’ll fully support you in finding your vassals. More than before. In return, please shatter the cruel fate awaiting the young lady.”
“Saving her life shouldn’t be too difficult, I think. We could just have her go into exile. If you’re asking me to restore the family’s honor as well, that’s another matter. It would be difficult for me too.”
After all, the Branford family did attempt rebellion, and Rinoa did commit an unfilial act.
Anduha nodded heavily.
“Even just the young lady’s personal happiness would be fine. Please, I beg you. There’s no one else I can ask for help.”
The kingdom intends to use the Branford family as a sacrifice to purge the rebels, and the Savior Alliance has already distanced itself from the Branford family.
As Anduha said, Rinoa had no one else to turn to for help.
“I’ll do what I can.”
“Phew! Yes, I’m counting on you. In that sense… You said you needed a ship to explore the northern continent’s seas, right?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“I’ll prepare it as quickly as possible. The young lady is in a situation where it’s difficult for her to move due to watchful eyes, but I’ll do what I can.”
“That’s good news.”
It seemed Anduha was sincere.
His plan was to help me find my vassals as quickly as possible, and through that, save Rinoa.
Since I had no intention of letting Rinoa die either, this was a deal I couldn’t refuse.
* * *
Anduha quickly arranged for a ship to the northern continent.
However, I was the only one going on this journey.
Erina wanted to come along, but she had academy work to do, and someone needed to stay with Meissen.
Lucretia was busy preparing for the subjugation of the Forest of Lament, and Rinoa had agreed to behave for the time being.
Originally, since the purpose of this journey wasn’t dungeon subjugation, there was no need for many people to go together.
I submitted a leave of absence to the academy and began preparing for the trip.
Due to the leave of absence, I would fail the upcoming exams, but it could be somewhat offset by my recent dungeon subjugation experience in the Forest of Lament.
So, with the coastal area of the northern continent as my destination, I quickly headed south towards the coastal city of Barecal in the southern continent.
Although the destination was the coast above the northern continent, it could be reached by traveling south from the southern continent.
It would take a bit longer, but to secure a reliable ship, using a kingdom ship was the only option.
The ship Anduha prepared was a warship that could accommodate about 100 people.
It was a ship used for pirate subjugation or marine dungeon subjugation, and all the sailors on board were veterans.
‘Anduha really put some effort into this.’
With this force, pirates wouldn’t even dare to approach.
I explained the designated sea area to the captain.
For some reason, the captain’s expression tightened.
“Is this really the place?”
“Why? Is there a problem?”
“Well, yes, there is. This area has many reefs, making exploration difficult. To explore every nook and cranny avoiding the reefs, we’ll need to use small boats. But as you know, we can’t launch small boats on days with strong waves. If the weather is bad, the exploration could take a long time.”
“That’s troublesome…”
“Well, it’s a period of weak waves right now. So don’t worry too much.”
The captain loaded six small boats onto the ship and minimized the number of crew members. This was to reduce food consumption and allow for the longest possible exploration.
“Shall we go then? Raise the anchor!”
The land gradually receded.
I gazed at the distant horizon, hoping for success in this journey.
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