Chapter 20: Imperial Forces
Birdmon had arrived some time ago, yet since then, there had been no further news of the Empire's intentions towards the Nonette Kingdom, leaving me completely unaware of the current situation.
And now, the day when the Imperial forces were arriving had come.
For the time being, we decided not to engage in battle at the fortress.
Considering that we would lose anyway, we prioritized avoiding casualties as the first reason.
While preparing to welcome the approaching Imperial forces as messengers, I also prepared my appearance to look more like a member of the royal family.
"I'm grateful that Alectem brought me the attire of a prince and the insignia of a marshal."
"You look quite dignified as a prince. However, I have reservations about wearing a sword."
Alectem expressed his dissatisfaction, but I didn't stop wearing the sword belt around my waist.
"I need to wear this sword and the dagger I received from Princess Parvela in a visible place as a measure of deterrence against the enemy."
"Princess Parvela's dagger can be used as a warning to the Empire, but why do you wear a sword made by the Empire?"
"It doesn't have any particular meaning. It's like a charm that I hope will cause some misunderstanding when they see this sword."
Having finished arranging my attire as a prince, I proceeded to the entrance of the fortress, crossed the raised door, and stepped outside. Alectem was waiting next to me.
Now, I decided to wait patiently to see how long it would take for the Imperial forces to arrive.
The Imperial forces arrived when the sun was slightly past its zenith.
There were about thirty people visible, all wearing equipment similar to what I had picked up on the battlefield.
The soldiers of the Imperial forces looked slightly nervous upon seeing me and Alectem, but they approached us.
Before they could address us, let's introduce ourselves first.
"Nice to meet you, soldiers of the Magistri-Plumbur Imperial Army. I am Milimos Nonette, the youngest child of King Chorex Nonette of the Nonette Kingdom."
With a smile and an affected 'boku'-style manner of speaking, I introduced myself, and laughter could be heard from inside the fortress.
Apparently, my portrayal as a prince was quite amusing.
Despite feeling like my expression was about to break due to the disrespectful soldiers of my own country, I maintained a smile and moved on to introduce Alectem.
"This is Alectem. He is a seasoned warrior and is currently serving as my bodyguard."
"It's a pleasure to meet you."
Alectem gave a rough soldier's salute.
After observing that, I turned my gaze to the Imperial soldiers.
"I've introduced myself. Won't you introduce yourselves?"
I conveyed this message.
The Imperial forces seemed to understand our intention, and a person who appeared to be their representative stepped forward.
He had silver hair and a stern face in his thirties. While everyone else was armed, he was the only one dressed in a military uniform.
"Receiving a welcome from the prince is truly a great honor. I apologize for the delay. I am Executive Funselloria, appointed as the First Minister of the Magic Empire Magistri-Prunbl. And these are my escorts."
Seeing their refined and elegant greetings, I couldn't help but think that the empire was indeed advancing, in a carefree manner.
This won't do; I need to proceed with the conversation.
"Honorable Funselloria, who serves as the First Secretary of the Magic Empire, what brings you to the small country of Nonette?"
"If Prince Milimos, who graciously received us in advance, is present, then I assume you are already aware of the situation, aren't you?"
Upon hearing these words, I stumbled for a moment, caught off guard.
If I already know the empire's intentions, there's no need to ask about the purpose.
It would be appropriate to deflect such a malicious question with an evasive answer.
"From what I know, Mendashium was occupied and renamed as the Mendashium Region. Right after that, everyone departed towards this direction. That's about it."
"I see. It seems you have an excellent intelligence officer. Indeed, the fact that our empire occupied Mendashium is the very reason why we have come this far."
I was tempted to interject and ask for a straightforward answer in response to their evasive language.
But just before doing so, I restrained that impulse.
"I see. In that case, it's inconvenient to talk while standing here. Let's have a discussion in my office within the fortress. Oh, but the room is not spacious enough to accommodate thirty people, so please limit the escorts to three."
I turned my back to the imperial unit and walked into the fortress.
However, when I looked back, puzzled by the absence of any following footsteps, I saw everyone staring at me with astonished expressions.
"What's the matter? Won't you come inside? Ah, there's no need to worry about our soldiers on this side. We have no intention of fighting against the empire."
As I said that with a smile, it seemed to have the desired effect. Alextem hurriedly came to my side, and the imperial unit began walking together in unison.
I took the lead and entered the fortress, advancing toward my office. Along the way, I gestured to the soldiers we encountered, instructing them to keep their distance from the imperial unit.
Finally, we arrived at the room and I opened the door myself, stepping inside.
"From here on, let's have a discussion among the three of us: myself, Alextem, and Honorable Funselloria, along with the three escorts."
As I announced from inside the room, the imperial unit gathered for a moment, engaging in a private conversation, before Funselloria and the three escorts entered the room.
"Then, in order to fulfill these requirements, let's proceed with the discussion. Oh, should we leave the door open?"
Funselloria asked with a cautious expression, and I nodded.
"If your matter is not of a confidential nature, please feel free to proceed. Alectem, I will sit at the desk, so please prepare four chairs for the others."
"Understood... I will prepare them."
Alectem headed towards the side of the office and brought four round chairs with long legs, distributing them to Funselloria and the guards.
Funselloria and the guards took their seats, but they seemed uncomfortable, their positions unsettled.
The Empire seems affluent, so they must find these chairs rather shabby. This is a moment to offer an apology.
"At the frontier fortress, we rarely have the opportunity to use chairs since there are only rough individuals. Unfortunately, we don't receive good supplies. I apologize."
"Oh no, chairs are meant to be sat upon. Please proceed with your matter."
Just before Funselloria finished speaking, the inside of the fortress became chaotic.
"Intruders! Intruders! A person in full armor riding a horse is coming down from the mountains!"
"They landed inside the fortress by descending the cliff! Surround them!"
The surroundings of the fortress were steep cliffs that required rock climbing to ascend.
To come down that way on horseback and land safely inside the fortress, that horse must possess extraordinary physical abilities.
Hm? Extraordinary physical abilities and full armor??
Those two words connected in my mind, and a cold sweat ran down my back.
I hurriedly stuck my head out of the window and shouted loudly to the soldiers.
"That person is from the Holy Knight Country! Disperse the siege and do not show hostility! Politely guide them to my room!"
"The Holy Knight Country!? Why would that be!?"
"I-I apologize! Please, it seems the Marshal is waiting in his room..."
With the sudden appearance of a knight from the Knight Country—likely due to him being on horseback—the soldiers, though confused, seemed to be carrying out my orders.
Relieved that the knight from the Knight Country didn't cause a ruckus, I smiled at Funselloria, who had a face as if she had bitten a bitter bug.
"We both had our hearts chilled by this unexpected intruder."
"...I agree with that sentiment. I wonder why a knight from the Knight Country would appear alone."
Although he criticizes us, honestly, I can't understand why a knight from the Knight Country would show up either.
If today wasn't an unlucky day, I would wonder what kind of day it actually is, but instead, I decided to wait until our soldiers bring the aforementioned knight.