Side Story – The Imperial Princess
This is a story from when I was dismantling the imperial castle to collect reparations after subjugating the imperial capital.
“What are you doing here?”
“Eek! I’ve been found!”
Bored, I had decided to pass the time by going on a “walk,” which in truth meant exploring the hidden passages of the castle.
And that’s when I ran into a noblewoman with guards. She looked to be in her mid-teens, a long-haired blonde, clutching her bag tightly.
Behind her were several maids as well.
“Your Highness Princess Leenthal, please step back. We shall buy you time.”
Several knights placed themselves in front of the noblewoman—the imperial princess, from the sound of it—in order to let her escape.
That very moment, Takuto, Alicia, and the knights with me flared killing intent and drew their blades. Of course there’d be escorts—this was enemy territory.
But I recognized the knights on the princess’s side.
“Ah, the Kukkoro Knight Squad.”
“““““Don’t call us by that nameeeeeeeeeee!”””””
Their outfits were identical to the Rose Knight Order from my favorite suspense novels—commonly known as the Kukkoro Knights.
They were the ones always moving independently, constantly captured by the enemy, due to their rivalry with the all-female Yuri Mage Order.
The strange part was, every time they were captured, they’d get cornered by the enemy men—but by the next page, the tables had turned and their captors were the ones exhausted and captured instead. It was a mystery-filled novel indeed. Stranger still, the enemy men always ended up utterly drained for no clear reason.
It was Keena who’d lent me the books, and I had to admit—the writing was clear, the pacing immersive, and the author had talent. On Earth, they could’ve become quite a famous literary figure.
The only mystery was the author. The works never had a name attached.
Some said it was an anthology by multiple writers, but judging by the consistent style, I was sure it was the work of a single author.
“Why… why did it even spread to Arland!?”
“This too is the fault of that nameless author!”
“We are the Imperial Guard!”
For some reason, they dropped their weapons, banging their heads against walls or slumping to the ground in despair.
Their pitiful display made even us falter. Were they serious about fighting? Dropping your weapon in front of the enemy was basically surrender.
Since they were effectively incapacitated, we bound them on the spot.
“Why were you trying to run off?”
“At this rate, I’ll be killed!”
“I thought I’d already announced no punishment would be dealt to those who hadn’t violated Arlandian territory.”
“I don’t believe it. Surely we’ll be assaulted.”
That remark enraged the knights.
“Never! Ra*e while in service is punishable by death!”
The Arland military’s code was terrifyingly strict.
After all, our army wasn’t designed for invasions in the first place. Our role was domestic disputes, monster subjugation, and noble uprisings.
Plunder and ra*e? Absolutely forbidden—because for us, that would mean assaulting “our own people.” Hence the harsh laws.
Of course, I personally had no regulations binding me abroad, so I did plunder here in the empire—but only from the army, nobles, and mines. Never from ordinary citizens, except slaves.
So as long as people behaved quietly, they weren’t harmed. Not that I’d show mercy if someone raised a weapon at me.
“Did you ever lead troops to invade Arland?”
“The princesses of the Granzur Empire are political tools. I have never even left the capital.”
Indeed, imperial princesses were marriage pawns with zero power or command authority.
The Imperial Guard, too, were normally stationed in the capital to guard royals, with a separate unit handling the emperor and crown prince. So none of them had ever entered Arland.
“Then we’ll call it not guilty.”
“… Eh?”
“No harm was done. If you want to escape, be my guest.”
This princess was no threat. Everyone knew imperial princesses had no real authority. If it were a prince, maybe—he could serve as a rallying point for rebellion, so we’d keep him confined. But a princess? No one would bother.
“… Is that really alright?”
Alicia asked me.
“Doesn’t matter. Though honestly, where do you plan on going?”
Staying here would only end badly.
As for the princess’s future—well, once things settled, she’d just be married off to some noble or foreign power as a political pawn.
“… I intend to leave the empire.”
“You really think you can survive?”
Throwing away her status and fleeing abroad? Not likely. Her living standards would collapse, funds would dry up, and could she even handle normal life?
“I’ve actually been publishing books, you see. They sell quite well. Naturally, my father and the others don’t know.”
So she was an author. Impressive—secretly publishing books while hiding her identity.
“Wow, that’s amazing. What genre?”
“Art!”
Her eyes sparkled as she flared her nostrils with passion.
… That’s too broad to mean anything.
“Art!”
“I heard you the first time, no need to repeat it.”
Some instinct inside me screamed not to get involved.
“Come to think of it, Princess Alicetia, you’re familiar with the Kukkoro Knights as well, aren’t you? Very well. As thanks for letting me go, I shall give you my autograph. It’s quite rare.”
… So she was the author of the Kukkoro series. Keena had said it originated in the Empire, but to think I’d meet the creator herself!
Turns out my instincts were wrong. Anyone who could write such wonderful novels couldn’t be bad.
“The Kukkoro Knights… I’ve heard that name… ah!”
Alicia suddenly opened her notebook, flipping pages.
“I own one, but this one’s borrowed.”
“Then allow me to present you with my new, unreleased work. And if you wish, I’ll sign that one as well.”
I quickly sent Keena a message on my magi-phone: “I met the author. Want me to get your copy signed?” She replied instantly—”Yes, absolutely!”
“Keena wants a signature too. Please sign this one.”
“Of course… wait, this is a copy. There’s no publisher’s seal. Normally that’s unacceptable, but Arland is so far away… WHAT IS THISSSS!?”
“Whoa.”
“Do not startle the princess!”
The knights rushed to shield her after her sudden scream.
“This—this is unacceptable! All the vital, beautiful scenes have been cut! How could anyone appreciate my art like this?!”
… So ours had been defective copies?
“Hah! This is a challenge to me! Everyone!”
“Yes, Your Highness!”
Her maids pulled books from her bag, handing them to a knight, who reluctantly offered them to me.
“I’m getting chills just holding this…”
“There’s no magic on them. Hand them over.”
“H-here.”
“And these are?”
“My complete Kukkoro series. Read them, and you too shall understand the glory of art!”
So what Keena and I had read were incomplete editions. That explained why the story sometimes jumped. I’d thought it was just “left to the reader’s imagination.”
“I’ll take time later to read them—and share them with friends.”
“Please do! Now then, I shall depart on my journey!”
“And your knights?”
“They only followed me to save themselves. My true companions are these girls.”
So the knights had only used her as an excuse to flee the capital.
“Let’s go, everyone!”
“”“Yes, Princess!”””
“From now on, call me Sister. I am no longer Princess Leenthal of Granzur. From now… yes, Amelia. After my mother’s name.”
“”“Yes, Sister Amelia!”””
“I’ll overlook one carriage.”
It wasn’t as if we needed it, and she’d given me books.
“My thanks!”
“Let’s go! A journey to discover new art!”
“Yes, Sister Amelia!”
She boarded the carriage, with her maids taking the reins, and gallantly rode away.
We waved at each other until we were out of sight.
“… As I feared. Princess, hand over that heretical book.”
When I turned back, ready to resume my walk, Alicia stood pale-faced, her notepad trembling, demanding I hand over the books.
“Why? They’re mine.”
I hugged the gifted books close.
“Princess, they are dangerous heretical texts. Once read, you cannot return to the righteous path. They are banned. Hand them over.”
“I’ve already read some of them! They’re not bad books!”
“Where did you even get these copies? I specifically forbade the merchants from letting them into your sight. I must investigate your source.”
“No! She gave me new ones, and some I haven’t read yet!”
“No! Knights!”
“Our apologies, Princess.”
The knights behind me seized the stack. I barely managed to keep the one borrowed from Keena, but the rest were taken.
Alicia flipped through them, sniffing furiously.
“As expected, heretical filth. Hmph! Hmph!”
“Alicia, your breathing is heavy.”
One knight remarked. She flushed and coughed.
“These books are dangerous. I cannot allow you to read them.”
“Give them back!”
I tried my best to reclaim them. Fortunately, the one from Keena I’d already sent back to her using the magic phone’s transfer function, so it was safe. Only special models had that feature, and I’d given them only to close companions.
“Takuto Shishido. Keep these safe for now.”
“You think I’d turn against Alice?”
“You’ll understand after reading.”
“… Pfft!”
Takuto opened one and immediately burst out laughing.
“Alice… she’s right. This reeks of rot.”
“Takuto, not you too!”
And thus, the books I had received were confiscated.
It was only later that I learned “Amelia” would become famous across the continent as both an author and a wanted criminal.
What do you think about this chapter?
