On the morrow following Kazuya and his companions' rescue of the near-death slaves from the underground dungeon.

 

Upon hearing that a messenger from Phyllis had arrived, Kazuya, accompanied by Chitose, made his way to the castle.

 

"This feels like a castle straight out of Europe."

 

"Yes, indeed. It exudes such an atmosphere."

 

Every corner of the castle gleamed with meticulous care, adorned with plush crimson carpets on the floors and expensive paintings hung on the walls.

 

As Kazuya and Chitose strolled through the castle, taking in the sights, they were led to a room.

 

"Here we are."

 

Guided by a maid, Kazuya and Chitose entered the room to find Phyllis clad in armour and an unfamiliar mature woman, dressed in a lavish dress adorned with jewels, seated on the sofa.

 

...Who is this person?

 

She was a bewitching woman in her mid-thirties, exuding a mature allure as she sat on the sofa.

 

Despite his lack of acquaintance with this woman, Kazuya proceeded into the room, albeit with a slight tilt of his head.

 

"This way, please."

 

"Thank you for your hospitality."

 

"Excuse us."

 

Prompted by the gracious smile of the woman, Kazuya and his companions took their seats on the sofa.

 

"Allow me to introduce myself. I am Queen Isabella Verhelm of the Kingdom of Canary."

 

The queen suddenly appeared!?

 

Kazuya was taken aback by the revelation that the unfamiliar woman was the Queen of Canary, but he managed to maintain his composure without showing his surprise and responded somehow.

 

"Allow me to extend my greetings, Your Majesty Isabella. I am Kazuya Nagato, the captain of Parabellum. And this is my deputy, Chitose Katayama."

 

"Yes, I've heard about you from Phyllis. You are reputed to be an excellent adventurer."

 

"It is... an honour."

 

While responding to Queen Isabella, Kazuya sent a glance towards Phyllis, conveying his inquiry about what she had told the queen.

 

Noticing Kazuya's gaze, Phyllis awkwardly smiled as if to say, "I hope I didn't say anything strange."

 

Kazuya couldn't completely hide his unease at Phyllis's demeanor.

 

"Well, let's leave the greetings at that. Allow me to explain why I'm here."

 

Kazuya, casting a stern glance at Phyllis, seemingly indicating that he would question her later, turned his attention back to Queen Isabella, who had begun to speak.

 

"I am here to personally express my gratitude to you. Thanks to your efforts, Iris— and consequently, the Second Royal Guard— were saved from peril. I am truly grateful."

 

"N-no, we just happened to help."

 

Caught off guard by Queen Isabella's sudden display of gratitude, Kazuya stumbled in his response.

 

"Don't be so modest. Whether by chance or not, the fact remains that you saved Iris and Phyllis. It's appreciated."

 

"I see..."

 

Facing Queen Isabella's gratitude, Kazuya responded with a vague reply.

 

"Besides, that girl— Iris— has been talking about you ever since she returned to the castle, you know?"

 

Huh?

 

Kazuya felt a sense of discomfort as Queen Isabella talked about Iris as if she had heard it from someone else.

 

"Um... forgive me for asking, but have you not met Princess Iris?"

 

Bracing himself for the possibility of rudeness, Kazuya questioned, and Queen Isabella seemed to lower her gaze sadly.

 

"Yes, I wish to be with her too. However, my subjects have forbidden me from meeting her, fearing that my presence might trigger her magical outbursts."

 

"Your Majesty... shall we return to the main topic?"

 

As the conversation began to veer off course, Phyllis interjected, swiftly redirecting the discussion.

 

"Yes, I apologize. That was not a suitable topic for our guests... Let's get back on track."

 

With a somber expression, Queen Isabella deliberately changed her demeanor to a brighter one and turned her gaze to Phyllis.

 

"This is the reward for your task."

 

Prompted by Queen Isabella, Phyllis retrieved a jingling white bag and handed it to Kazuya.

 

This is quite generous...

 

The bag handed to Kazuya by Phyllis contained fifty gold coins and one platinum coin.

 

"Is this really necessary?"

 

Receiving a reward higher than the market price, Kazuya questioned Phyllis.

 

"Oh, it's fine. You've done work that deserves such a reward. It's only natural."

 

"I see. In that case, I gratefully accept it."

 

Handing the bag of gold coins to Chitose, Kazuya thanked Phyllis and was about to leave when Queen Isabella called out to him.

 

"Just a moment, please."

 

"Your Majesty?"

 

"Yes, what is it?"

 

"There is something I would like to ask of you."

 

"Another request...?"

 

"Yes."

 

Both Kazuya and Phyllis were taken aback by Queen Isabella's sudden request.

 

Unable to ignore Queen Isabella's request and leave, Kazuya and Chitose resumed their seats on the sofa.

 

"The request I have is none other than this: I want you to be Iris's playmate."

 

"Your Majesty!? That's..."

"...?"

"Would you not accept? I don't mind the reward; name your price."

Hmm, though I'm not particularly in need of money at the moment, perhaps it's wise to earn while the opportunity presents itself?

It was at that moment when Kazuya fell silent, pondering how to handle Queen Isabella's sudden request.

—Bang!

Suddenly, a soldier covered in sand burst into the room, crashing through the door with force.

Immediately, Phyllis, hand on her sword, glared at the soldier and shouted, "What is the meaning of this? Her Majesty Queen Isabella is currently conversing with a guest!"

"Pant, pant... My apologies! I bring urgent news!"

With these words, the soldier rushed into the room, casting a brief glance at Kazuya and Chitose.

"It's all right. Proceed with your report," Queen Isabella permitted, as the soldier hesitated, wondering if it was appropriate to deliver an urgent report in front of Kazuya and Chitose. Upon receiving the queen's approval, the soldier kneeled, assuming a formal posture before speaking.

"I shall report! Adventurers have discovered a large number of monster corpses at two locations where abnormal monster breeding had occurred! We are still verifying the details, but both sites resemble scorched earth, with almost all the monsters exterminated!"

"What!? Is... is this true!?" Queen Isabella exclaimed in disbelief, interrogating the soldier.

"Yes, Your Majesty! It is indeed true!" The soldier firmly nodded in response to Queen Isabella's inquiry, prompting tears to well up in her eyes.

"Oh, thank goodness... Truly, thank goodness! With this, we can spare that child from being sacrificed."

With genuine relief, Queen Isabella covered her face with her hands, shedding copious tears.

"I... I apologize for my emotional outburst," the soldier said, exiting the room as Queen Isabella regained her composure, and the conversation resumed.

"No need to apologize," Queen Isabella replied.

"Now, regarding our earlier discussion—"

—Bang!

"Urgent news!"

As Queen Isabella attempted to redirect the conversation, the door was once again violently thrust open, and another soldier burst into the room.

"Again!? If this is about the abnormal monster breeding sites, we've already heard it!" Phyllis shouted at the soldier, thinking it was a repeat report due to miscommunication. However, the soldier shook his head, denying her assumption.

"No, this is a separate urgent report!"

Upon hearing this, and observing the soldier's contemplative expression, Queen Isabella granted permission for the report to be delivered before Kazuya and Chitose, similar to the previous instance.

"Proceed with your report."

"I shall report. The Elzas Magic Empire's army has invaded the fortress city of Nacist. The size of the invading enemy force is 100,000, with an additional 500,000 reinforcements confirmed in the rear! Currently, Duke Karen Lotrek is engaged in a siege defense, urgently requesting reinforcements! Additionally, though unverified, there is information suggesting the presence of traitors within the enemy forces!"

Huh? The fortress city of Nacist... if I recall correctly...

"No way!? Is that... is that true!?"

"Yes, I swear by the gods! Please, send reinforcements swiftly!"

Upon receiving this sudden dire news, both Phyllis and Queen Isabella were left speechless.

"Very well... You may leave now," Queen Isabella instructed the shocked soldier, who then exited the room, leaving behind a heavy silence.

"Your Majesty... What shall we do?" Phyllis was the first to break the silence.

"How many days will it take to assemble the troops and march out from now?"

"If we are to gather the entire army, we must also recall those stationed at the border, so it will take one to two weeks. If we gather as many neighboring soldiers as possible and march out, we could organize a force of 20,000 to 30,000 within three days. However, considering travel time and other factors, if we spend more than three days organizing the army and sending reinforcements, the fortress city will likely have already fallen. And even with just around 30,000 reinforcements, it's merely a drop in the ocean compared to the approximately 20,000 defenders of the fortress city."

"I see..."

Once again, the room fell into a sombre silence.

Amidst this atmosphere, Kazuya and Chitose found themselves unable to join the conversation, pondering what they should do.

"Um..."

"Oh, sorry, I completely..."

Kazuya timidly interjected, catching the attention of the two, who had seemingly forgotten their presence.

"My apologies. It is as Kazuya heard. An issue has arisen. His Majesty and I must act promptly. Beg your pardon."

"Oh, I just remembered I have some matters to attend to."

"Hmm? I see... Well then, please excuse us. Take care, Your Majesty."

"Yes, um... I apologize, Lord Kazuya. It's all quite hectic... If we have the chance... about our earlier conversation... No, it's nothing. Excuse me. Farewell."

The two seemed to have an inkling of what might befall the Kingdom of Canaria in the future.

With solemn expressions, they left the room.

As Kazuya and Chitose followed them out, the castle was in turmoil, with many people running through the corridors.

At that moment, a familiar face rushed towards Kazuya.

"Hah... hah... I found you!!"

"...Beretta?"

The one who rushed to Kazuya was Vice Captain Beretta Zara of the Second Royal Guard.

"What's the matter?"

"U-um... h-have you heard the news about the Imperial Army attacking?"

"Yes, I have. It's turned into quite a dire situation."

As Kazuya responded to Beretta's inquiry, tears welled up in her eyes, and she lunged towards him.

However, Chitose stepped in front of Kazuya, preventing her.

"What is it you want from my master?"

"Please step aside, you have no business here!!"

Despite struggling with Chitose, Beretta tearfully pleaded with Kazuya.

"Please!! Save my sister!!"

Beretta's anguished voice echoed throughout the castle.

To hear Beretta's story, Kazuya had moved to a location in the corridor that wouldn't obstruct traffic and listened to her tale.

"So, that's the situation."

"...In other words, Beretta's sister is in the fortress city that the Imperial Army is trying to capture, and Beretta herself, being a member of the Imperial Guard, cannot act. Therefore, she wishes for someone to rescue her sister in her place."

"Exactly!! The Empire does not spare the demonkin or beastfolk like us. ...They kill us after defiling us. So, please!! I beg you!! Please save my sister!!"

Beretta pleaded with Kazuya, kneeling and pressing her head against the ground.

While looking down on Beretta with cold eyes, Chitose spoke up.

"Listening to your story from earlier, are you asking your master to go into the line of fire because you can't move?"

"If I could move, I would!! But... the Second Imperial Guard is escorting Princess Iris, and... even if I were to go alone to the fortress city, nothing would change...!! But with Kazuya's Parabellum...!!"

"That's not an option. Let's go, master."

Chitose urged Kazuya, attempting to leave Beretta's side.

"Wait...!! Please wait!!"

"...Chitose."

"Yes?"

"Don't torment Beretta so much."

"But... we need to do at least this much."

"Huh?"

Listening to the conversation between Kazuya and Chitose, Beretta looked between the two, trying to understand what was happening.

"In fact, before Beretta asked us, we had already decided to go to the fortress city."

...I also have personal debts to repay.

"Eh, really?"

"Yeah, it's true."

"...Th-thank you so much!!"

Upon hearing Kazuya's words, Beretta, seemingly relieved, threw herself into Kazuya's chest and burst into tears.

"...Then, please take care of my sister. Her name is Colt Zara."

Saying so, Beretta entrusted her sister to Kazuya and left. Watching her leave and receiving the request, Kazuya returned to the mansion and gathered all his subordinates.

"Listen up, everyone. We're heading to the fortress city of Narsist. That fortress city is currently under attack by the Elzas Magic Empire and is in dire straits. Our goal is to repel or annihilate the Imperial Army. Ten members of the squad will stay at the mansion, while the rest will join the vehicle unit in full gear and head out!!"

"Understood!!"

Upon hearing Kazuya's command, the soldiers responded with spirited affirmations and dispersed to prepare.

"Master. Are you truly heading to the fortress city yourself?"

"Yeah, why?"

"...Understood. What about the other units?"

"I don't want my capabilities—my strength—to be revealed to other trippers just yet. But if the situation in the battle is dire, I'll intervene as needed. Keep them ready to move at any time at the forward base. Also, deploy the motorcycles with sidecars from the vehicle unit as scouts."

"Understood."

Seeing the determination in Kazuya's eyes, Chitose didn't ask him to stay behind but instead remained as his aide, assisting him.

With the preparations for departure complete, Kazuya and his group merged with the vehicle unit, summoning modern vehicles and setting off towards the fortress city of Narsist.