Greeted by a thousand horsemen, Raidorl Zain climbed into the carriage provided for him.
As for the pioneer cities, he left that to the guild master, Zafis.
Before Raidorl was sent to the frontier to become a lord, Zafis and other old adventurers ruled the city in his place. Thus, it was possible to run the town without Raidorl.
âNot that my brother or the Prime Minister wonât try something crazyâŠâŠalthough Iâd like to believe that theyâre not that stupidâŠâŠâ
The pioneer city is a place that prevents the flow of demons from the jungle in the south of the Kingdom of Zain.
If someone were to cause chaos in the city, the demons would flow into the kingdom, and other places within the Zain Kingdom would be caught between the empire and the demon horde.
His brother Granard and the Vizier banished Raidorl.
This may have been due to Granardâs personal grudge, but it was also because he feared that the emergence of a holy sword holder would cause political strife.
It is not something that Raidorl would condone, but there is no doubt that they are serious about protecting their country.
They would not go out of their way to destroy the country by harming a pioneer city.
âAt any rate, âŠâŠ Iâm going to be in hostile territory from here on. Iâve got to be on my toes.â
Raidorl looks out of the carriage window, his gaze fixed on the road ahead. As the young princeâs eyes turned determined, a concerned voice came from beside him.
âWhatâs the matter, Master?â
âNo âŠâŠ thereâs nothing.â
Raidorl responds by waving lightly at the girl in the maidâs uniform.
The only one who accompanies him is Neimilia, the only one who is willing to ride into the lap of the brother who excluded her master. The young man who is the keeper of the holy sword and the witch who was once known as âThe Doomâ are sitting in a carriage side by side.
And sitting opposite them was a young man in his twenties. The man in charge of this unit was Darren Garst, the Thousand Horsemen Chief.
âIf you do not feel well, please tell us at once, Your Royal Highness Raidorl.â
Raidorlâs lips twisted sarcastically at the young knightâs glowering comment.
âEhhh, Iâm going to be respected as royalty?â
âOf course. You are definitely a legitimate member of the royal bloodline of Zain.â
ââŠâŠ So, if I have to fight with my brother, will you stand by me?â
âPleaseâŠâŠdonât say that, Your Highness. Even if it is a joke, not everyone can take it.â
Darren frowns and complains while Raidorl shrugs his shoulders and laughs scornfully.
âYouâll have to forgive me for complaining like this. My Dearest brother has thrown away a useless prince and then called back because of some circumstances. Iâm sure you understand what I feel about this right?â
ââŠâŠ, Your Highness. I know itâs not my place to say this, but His Majesty Granard is sincerely hoping that he and you can reconcile and stand together against the Empire. I would be grateful if you would consider that.â
âI donât like it. I think itâs refreshingly selfish.â
Raidorl became the keeper of the Holy Sword and because of that he became an obstacle, so he was banished to the frontier and cut him off.
Now HE needs the power of the Holy Sword, so he asks for reconciliation/forgiveness without sincerity.
Itâs all about the kingdom. It is the selfish ego of his elder brother King Granard.
âI wish he would have left us alone. Then we wouldnât have had to fight each other.â
âNeimilia.â
âYes, Master?â
Raidorl pointed to his throat and called out the maidâs name, and Neimilia nodded with a smile.
She took out a water bag and a wooden cup from her bag, which she had brought with her from the pioneer city and began to make tea in the carriage.
âPlease wait a moment while I heat it up.â
âAaaâ
When Neimilia clasps the cup of tea in her hands, the liquid inside bubbles up. Before long, a mellow aroma rises from the cup with the steam.
âYes, itâs ready. Please excuse the milk, itâs not âŠâŠ out yet.â
ââŠâŠ Donât say a word. Thank you.â
âWhat?! So, the woman is a sorceress?â
Darrenâs eyes widened in surprise as Neimilia handed Raidorl a cup of tea.
In this world, a person who can use magic is called a sorcerer.
It is said that there is only one sorcerer in a thousand, and as such, they are often considered a valuable resource and kept around by the state and nobility.
âMagic âŠâŠ and no chanting magic!ăWhy is there so much magic in the middle of nowhere?â
The children of sorcerers are more likely to inherit a magical background, and even if they donât serve in the royal court, they have no trouble finding marriage partners. And if they can use magic without chanting, it would be so much the better.
There is no reason why a sorcerer should be living in a dangerous frontier city when there are so many noblemen and wealthy merchants to choose from.
Darren was speechless and surprised, Raidorl smiled mischievously as he accepted a cup of tea from Neimilia.
âWhatâs the matter? I donât remember showing you anything so surprising, do you?â
âWellâŠâŠ that makes sense. But why did Your Highness bring her alone?â
âHurm?â
âThere are not more than ten sorcerers in the court who are proficient in the use of chantless magic. If you have that kind of talent as your bodyguard, then you donât need another bodyguard.â
Darren nodded, his honest face slightly tense.
He understood that the maid who called herself Neimilia was one of the best sorcerers in the world. The question is, why did Raidorl reveal this to Darren?
âI donât think itâs because he wanted a cup of tea. This is a warningâŠâŠ!â
âI have a good sorcerer on my side. So donât do anything stupid.â
Raidorl is pointing his finger at Darren.
â And âŠâŠ this also means that His Highness does not trust us. He doesnât believe in me or in His Majesty the King one bit. Iâm not sure if heâs really trying to save the country when he accompanied me to the capital. What on earth is the purpose of thisâŠâŠ?â
Darren remains silent and ponders. The more he thinks about it, the darker his thoughts will sink, and the more anguish he will feel, as if his guts were stuffed with lead.
Whether he knows it or not, Raidorl sips his cup with a calm expression.
âWell, tea is always better when itâs made by Neimilia.â
âWhat a waste of words. It was worth the extra honey.â
ââŠâŠ I take back what I said. What the hell did you put in my tea?â
Raidorl and Neimilia started to argue in the carriage, as if they were a married couple.
As Darren watched them, he pondered Raidorlâs intentions with a grave look on his face.