Interlude: Kingdom of Menexes (3)
(Continental Calendar Year 578, Season of Wind)
The inspection at Margrave Soshure’s territory was truly wonderful.
The Margrave praised his son and daughter, saying that their greatest achievement was bringing along skilled Dwarf craftsmen from the Kingdom of Lizmoni. Indeed, creating such a magnificent dam could only have been possible under their tutelage.
While Dwarves do live in various cities within our kingdom, most of them are blacksmiths, and Dwarves who specialize in architecture overwhelmingly reside in the Kingdom of Lizmoni.
After graduating from their academy, they leave their settlements to journey for training.
Once they find a place to settle down, they almost never move again.
Thus, if one wants to recruit them, it must be during their academy years or while they are still training. Being able to recruit Dwarves skilled in architecture among them is truly remarkable.
"This dam, you see, isn’t just for storing water. Of course, it's designed to regulate the river and prevent flooding, but it also secures water resources to be safely used for daily life, agriculture, and industry. And more importantly, though still in the planning stage, our Princess intends to use the power of this water to generate enough energy to move large mechanisms!"
The young Dwarf—no, although he was small in stature, he was already an adult—
Every time he passionately spoke about the dam’s role, he would always mention "the Princess."
This Princess referred to Miss Katrina, daughter of Duke Planert in the Kingdom of Lizmoni, who had been called a child prodigy since childhood. It is even whispered that the numerous reforms carried out over the past ten years were all thanks to her advice.
There was a rumor that even the widely spread toys, such as playing cards and Reversi, beloved by nobles and commoners alike, were invented by her when she was only five years old.
Though, at the time, it was considered a dubious claim, suspected to be a lie spread by the Duke to marry his beloved daughter into royalty—
But now, looking back, no one doubts that it truly was her creation at five years old.
I recall that long ago, we even proposed her as a bride for our princes, but we were declined, being told she was the successor to the Dukedom.
Now, despite being only twenty years old, she has already married and, as a Duchess, is steadily building her achievements.
Ah, so this young Dwarf also belonged to Duchess Katrina’s household.
"The Princess thinks not only of national interests but also hopes to spread the magnificence of this dam so that fewer people across the continent suffer from flood damage. Compared to the so-called saints other nations cling to, she is far more of a saint! Ah, though of course, the Adventurer Saint, popular among adventurers, is a different story!"
Haha, if someone from the Divine Nation or the Empire heard that, they would probably get furious.
But truly, he was right.
Healing physical wounds is said to be the role of a saint, but if healing potions can manage that much, I fail to understand why one must especially venerate saints from countries where they refuse healing magic unless large donations are made to their temples.
Meanwhile, Duchess Katrina can save the lives of people far into the future.
She truly deserves to be called a saint.
Still, I had never heard of this "Adventurer Saint" before.
A saint supported by temples, and an adventurer who values freedom above all—someone holding two such opposite titles sounds quite intriguing.
After that, we also received proposals for building giant cisterns in areas without rivers, and advice on river embankment construction.
"Right now, I can't move because this dam isn’t finished yet, but once it’s completed, I plan to get involved in dam construction for other territories as well. When that time comes, please have the people from the next territories participate from the beginning. If they work together from the start, they'll better understand what needs to be done next, right?"
Since Margrave Soshure’s construction is scheduled to be completed by the end of this year, I promised to gather construction personnel in the territorial capital next year, thus ending our two-and-a-half-month inspection.
Starting tomorrow, we will travel through Margrave Soshure’s territory on our way back to the royal capital.
At a leisurely pace, we would likely return by year’s end.
According to the investigation by Lionel, my son had just moved his base of operations from the frontier to the neighboring County of Rieshik.
"It is not unusual for nobles to commission adventurers for bodyguard services, so perhaps by requesting a few adventurers from this town to head to the Planert territory, then onward to Rieshik, and beyond, we could become involved without raising suspicion. Given the information that he is of Silver Rank, it should be easy to commission a bodyguard request."
"Oh, I see. That’s a good idea. Well then..."
Knock, knock, knock.
"Forgive the intrusion, but this is an emergency report!!"
Just as I was having my final dinner and discussing tomorrow’s plans with Lionel in the guest room, there was a sudden, violent knocking on the door, and one of the guard knights burst in.
"What happened!?"
"There’s been...there’s been a coup d’état in the royal capital!"
"W-what???"
What is this man saying?
A coup d’état? Who would start such a thing?
If anyone, it would be Duke Raftrala, but even he has been quiet lately. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have been able to go on an inspection with the Chancellor.
"Th-the Second Prince... Second Prince Orhide has turned his blade against the Crown Prince!"
Why?
Orhide had grown up to act first before thinking, his development slightly skewed toward muscle over brain, but he was an honest boy, devoted to his elder brother, and they got along very well.
He had been so excited to stand next to his brother as the Knight Commander at next year's coronation ceremony!
And now... a coup? He raised his blade against his brother? Why?
"My King, we must return to the capital at once! If the coup has just begun, it should still be possible to suppress it. We must leave immediately!"
"Your Majesty, we will accompany you as well. We, the people of the Soshure Frontier, will become your sword and shield. We do not know the Second Prince’s intentions,
but seeing the relationship between the two of them all this time, it seems too unnatural to us as well. Let’s send an advance party ahead on swift horses!"
I almost fell into a stupor from the sheer shock, but Margrave Soshure, already dressed in knight’s armor, rushed to my side.
Ahh, if I act recklessly now, it may play right into the hands of whoever is manipulating things behind the scenes.
Surely, it must be that uncle. He had been lying low, waiting for this moment.
I do not know what sweet lies Orhide was fed.
He is naïve, but not a fool.
Unless it was something truly extreme, he should never have been swayed by the words of that uncle, who had continued to oppose me for so long…
I changed out of my nightwear and climbed into the carriage. It seems I will not be able to meet with Filehien. No — considering the current situation, if he is simply alive and safe in a secure place, that alone is enough. I will think of it that way.
"Now then, we shall return to the royal capital. A coup is currently underway at the royal castle. We will gather information from the surrounding areas as we go, but we must hurry back as quickly as possible.
I have already sent letters via the guild so that horses can be exchanged at territories along the way. I must ask you all to endure harsh conditions, but I am counting on you!"
[Understood‼]Led by Margrave Soshure and the Commander of the Royal Guard, the carriage raced through the night roads. Please, please let the two of them be safe.
※A coup d'état has occurred in the Kingdom of Menexes. The story will continue at a later date; for now, we return to Vio's daily life in the current timeline.※
What do you think about this chapter?
