The Guardian Knight of Affection-Starved Young Ladies

29 – Hiatt (01)

030.

The northern front line.

A place of pride for the northerners, and at the same time, a place called the lawless zone.

Due to the characteristics that the ‘north’ has brought since ancient times, northerners take pride in combat.

However, no matter how peaceful the times, the front line is the front line.

That tension can never completely disappear.

Moreover, the number of monsters is gradually increasing, so there were often life-threatening situations.

Pride and life.

The warriors of the north took pride in that gap.

It wasn’t long ago that a new face appeared on such a front line.

And rather than being new, it was rare to see within the front line.

There is no northerner who does not know the name of Selassie Hiatt.

“…Sorry.”

A newly built temporary barrack on the front line not long ago.

For now, it might be okay to stay with those on Selassie’s side, but that is a statement that does not know the north.

It is a very difficult thing for a woman to become a renowned knight.

Even more so, a female knight who can be on the front line is even rarer.

It was natural that there were only men at the front line.

It was only natural that Selassie, who had also undergone the coming-of-age ceremony, found it somewhat difficult to be alone with the men.

Because of that, the hastily built temporary barracks had many shortcomings.

For example, it was particularly difficult to bring someone in with Selassie.

“Prince Thorn seems to be going back and forth between the front line and the mansion. Can’t we do that?”

“To do that, we need someone who can command the remaining troops at the front line. Even though Thorn monopolized the front line work, the reason I could send my faction’s troops was because I put the condition of eliminating that commander-level person.”

“So now, Miss, you have taken on that commander-level role.”

“Yes. Exactly. So, for a while, I think I’ll have to stay at the front line…”

Selassie looked around the barracks and sighed lightly.

In the name of privacy, there was not much around the newly built barracks.

A place where Kallen could close his eyes or take a rest, for example.

But the space was too cramped to bring him into the barracks together.

“I’ll ask Makbel or Craders.”

Makbel and Craders were still close enough to be called Selassie’s closest aides.

It was only natural that they came to the front line together.

Craders had a place to stay as he went back and forth to the front line, and Makbel took such Craders.

In the end, only Kallen was left awkwardly floating.

Selassie said so and tried to find the two.

“It’s okay. Instead, just take out one chair, Miss.”

“A chair?”

Hearing Kallen’s words, Selassie, though puzzled, soon brought out a chair from the barracks.

Kallen took the chair, placed it roughly in front of the barracks, and sat down.

“Isn’t it a guard? I have to stay by your side, but following the two would only be tiring.”

“Are you really okay?”

“Yes.”

Selassie murmured, tapping her chin with her index finger.

“A guard…”

“Anyway, you won’t be here all the time. You said you’re busy with a lot of front line work.”

“Yes. That’s right.”

Nodding with a bright smile, Selassie soon passed by Kallen.

“Let’s go, Kallen. We have a mountain of work to do.”

She started walking ahead, as she had always done since Kallen arrived here.

The resonance of a guard.

Having someone behind me,

It felt a little reassuring.

*

Is this really the front line?

There was nothing wrong with Selassie’s words.

First, gather the forces within the faction and receive reports on what has happened.

Also, adjust people according to the changed situation and handle various things that arise in the process.

Craders and Makbel, who came along, were a great help.

Of course, there was also bad news.

It was not surprising that Selassie’s mind had changed, as she had not been able to be greatly involved in the front line work.

Those who step onto the front line are all brave knights.

Especially the heart that shines in the name of Hyat was, paradoxically, easy to shake.

Thorn, who directly goes to and from the place called the ‘front line’.

The fact that Selassie was a woman and could not be involved in the front line played a big role.

The already small faction turned their backs.

Selassie’s expression when she received that fact was hard to describe as good, even as a figure of speech.

Was this what it meant to have no one on your side?

Selassie started touching her chin with her index finger again.

However, the short intervals suggested she was a little anxious.

“…Makbel.”

“Yes, Miss Selassie.”

“What should we do?”

Makbel was the one who directly reported this situation to Selassie.

It was the old man who had long assisted Hyat who calmed the gradually anxious heart.

Selassie, feeling frustrated, unconsciously sought help from Makbel.

Makbel, fiddling with his short mustache, remained silent for a while, then cautiously opened his mouth.

“How about cleaning up the monsters on the front line, Miss?”

“Cleaning?”

“Yes. Isn’t that what those who left ultimately did? Since you are a lady and were far from the front lines, they probably thought you wouldn’t know. Since you haven’t experienced it firsthand, they said at least Prince Thorn, who is on the front lines, is better.”

Flinch.

At the moment when Makbel conveyed my thoughts.

The boy standing behind Selassie flinched at the sense of discord he felt at that moment.

Everyone conducting the meeting was focused on Makbel’s words, and even Makbel, who was speaking, did not notice the boy’s small movement.

“I have organized the records of monster appearances.”

Makbel glanced at the materials piled on the desk since he joined the meeting.

“Although it was originally on an increasing trend, it hasn’t been at an increasing level in the last five years.”

“We already know that the number of monsters is gradually increasing.”

“No. To be precise, we only knew that fact.”

Peace had come to the empire, but the work in the north had not changed much.

In the end, it is a battle.

An endless battle, whether the target is people from hostile countries or monsters.

The number of monsters that had increased significantly in the last five years was gnawing at the north in a different way.

Although it was still at a manageable level, one cannot be certain about the future.

It is enough to leave a sense of unease.

“And the center of it is presumed to be Mount Hiatt.”

“Are you saying that monsters are being created at Mount Hiatt?”

“I cannot know, my lady. Because it is something I cannot confirm myself. However, judging by the information I can obtain, it is probably certain.”

Makbel slowly.

As if gauging Selassie’s intentions, he straightened his back and rolled his eyes.

Selassie was still tapping her chin with her index finger, deep in thought.

“We need to show them. That you have the qualities of a ruler, my lady. If you accomplish what Prince Thorn could not, many will surely pledge their loyalty.”

Flinch.

Once again.

The boy behind the quietly contemplating Selassie twitched slightly.

This time, Makbel also saw the movement, but dismissed it as nothing and fixed his gaze back on Selassie.

For a long time.

Selassie, who had been quietly contemplating, nodded.

“In the end, it’s a fight where we must take the initiative.”

“Yes, my lady.”

“With Sir Cradders here, as long as we don’t overdo it, we can handle the monster cleanup. If we take our time and proceed slowly, it won’t be dangerous.”

Selassier carefully stood up from her seat, making sure not to tip over the chair.

“Thank you all for not turning away. And I’m sorry for asking you to do something dangerous. But please help me. I can’t stand to see that scum ruin the North.”

She looked each person in the meeting room in the eye.

Selassier spoke with a determined expression.

No one opposed.

The knights exchanged uneasy glances and then nodded one by one.

That was enough.

Selassier didn’t expect unwavering loyalty.

Reality was as cold as the North to dream of such illusions.

For now, they followed her will.

That was enough.

Just, please.

She only hoped that the festering wound wouldn’t get any worse.

She could only wish for that.

*

As the late-running meeting came to an end.

Everyone left the meeting room, leaving only Makbel, Selassier, and her guard Kallen inside.

“Aren’t you leaving, Makbel?”

“I have a few things left to organize, my lady.”

“Thank you for your hard work. But don’t overdo it.”

“Yes.”

And so, everyone left the meeting room.

Szzzt-

Because of the late-running meeting, it had gotten quite dark.

There were lights illuminating the meeting room, but it was natural for the weak light to be swallowed by the great darkness.

In the quiet meeting room, a small bright light flickered.

-Makbel? How did it go?

“We have successfully driven Selassie to Mount Hiatt, my lord.”

– Haha! As expected of Makbel!

In his hand was a small communication magic tool.

It was so expensive that not just anyone could have it.

Unless they were the eldest son of the Northern Grand Duke’s family.

– Our foolish brother walked right into the trap. Anyway, well done, Makbel. There were no signs of being discovered, right?

“Yes. All the data used as evidence is based on facts, so it will be difficult to doubt.”

– Good, good. Then, Makbel, you will continue to hide and isolate Selassie on Mount Hiatt.

“…Yes.”

A sinister laugh echoed from the communication magic tool.

– I never thought planting you would turn out like this. I didn’t expect Father to allow you to go to the front lines, but it worked out well.

In the somewhat dark conference room, the conversation continued for a long time.

The light swallowed by darkness did not seem to extinguish,

and it only stopped when a satisfied, loud laugh was heard.

– Oh, by the way, be careful of that escort. If Father was surprised to see him, there must be something. No matter how foolish she is, she wouldn’t suddenly bring in an outsider.

“I will keep that in mind.”

– Then, good job, Makbel. I need to sleep now.

“Rest well.”

Makbel’s voice quietly echoed as the last sound.

“Prince Thorn.”