Updated at 12:00 PM. Scheduled to update at 12:00 AM.
Xiaoming stood at the classroom door, took a deep breath, and firmly gripped the secret letter from his mother.
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Amidst the cherry blossoms dancing in the wind, Misaki opened the old diary and read the words of promise written there.
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I appeared under Leo, where I had been transferred.
However, personal teleportation is quite rough, so pinpoint accuracy is impossible.
I landed a bit off target and flew through the sky to chase after a group that was kicking up dust.
Leo was already on the move at this moment. He truly was impressive.
Our destination was Keel. He was riding with the knights at full speed.
I landed in front of Leo's path and waited for him.
After a while, Leo noticed me and stopped his horse.
"…Is that you, Silver?"
"Indeed. It's an honor to meet you, Prince Leonardo."
"We don't have time for formal greetings. If you're here, does that mean you've come to reinforce us?"
"Yes, that's the plan. However, I think it's best not to head there directly."
"What do you mean?"
Leo asked with a rare tone of anger.
Given the tsunami, he must have been eager to reach Keel as quickly as possible. That's why I appeared here.
I couldn't let Leo and his few knights charge into a horde of monsters.
"Even with the Royal Guard, the number of knights is too small to make a difference against the massive number of monsters attacking Keel."
"We won't know until we get there! There might be lives we can save!"
"I understand your sentiment, but if saving people were that easy, it wouldn't be so difficult. The knights around you seem to understand, don't they?"
Leo looked at his knights.
Seeing their serious expressions, Leo showed a slight sign of unease.
I pressed on.
"Given the tsunami, we need the army to stop it."
"Where is such an army? Are you telling me to just sit and watch? Keel has my father, my sister, and the people I need to protect! If I abandon them, I can't forgive myself!"
"Ah… I never said to abandon them. I just think we should gather our forces before heading there."
"…?"
Leo, who had been getting heated, seemed to calm down as I spoke in a roundabout way.
Finally, I got to the point.
"Prince Leonardo, the knights in the eastern region are not just the Royal Guard around you."
"…Are you suggesting I use the knights from the surrounding lords?"
"Such a ridiculous suggestion! Using the knights of the lords would be a complete overreach, even for a prince! Even if we overlook that, it would take days to mobilize knights who don't understand the situation!"
The captain of the Royal Guard said irritably.
It must have seemed unrealistic. Of course, it would take days just to move.
Mobilizing the knights would be unrealistic. But I could make the impossible possible.
"Leave the method to me. The question is whether the prince has the will. You might be reprimanded after everything is over. Can you accept that possibility? How serious are you about saving your family and the people?"
"…If it can save them, I don't care about my status as a prince. I have no objections to mobilizing the knights in my name. Explain the method."
"Your Highness!?"
"It's an emergency. Besides, if it's for the emperor's safety, I can argue my case. It's fine. Come on, Silver. Explain the method."
"…I respect your resolve. It's admirable. The method is simple. I'll open a teleportation gate on a hill near Keel. You need to give a speech through that gate and guide the knights who don't understand the situation to the teleportation gate."
It was an outrageous method.
As a prince, you're asking the confused knights to jump into a suspicious magic gate without any proof.
Their direct masters are the lords. If a lord says not to go, that's the end of it.
It all depends on Leo's speech.
If not many knights gather, I'll have wasted valuable time and magic power.
But it's worth it. The festival is still ongoing.
Carlos, who was in first place, is probably disqualified, and I, in second place, am also disqualified. Gordon and Leo are tied for third. If Leo can gather the knights and defeat the monsters, he will likely win. Deploying a significant number of knights will quickly resolve this chaotic situation.
The only concern is whether Keel can hold out. That's why I sent Elna. It should be fine. If the situation is beyond Elna, it wouldn't be wise to send Leo with a few knights.
"What will you do? Are you not confident?"
"Well… I'm not confident. But I'll do it. My brother would probably tell me to try it."
"I wouldn't expect the washed-up prince to say that."
"You don't know. My brother has exceptional decision-making skills in a crisis. He's probably making the fastest decisions right now."
I was surprised by Leo's evaluation.
I didn't expect such a high evaluation.
It feels good.
"Is that so… Then you should try it."
Saying that, I clasped my hands. I wasn't using personal teleportation. I was creating a portal that could move multiple people.
After a while, a portal to the hill was formed. It was large enough for about ten people to pass through at once.
The unstable, distorted portal was not something you'd want to jump into. I went through it first.
Leo followed without hesitation.
For a moment, my vision distorted, and I was standing on a hill near Keel.
"So this is teleportation magic…"
"The real challenge starts now."
I said to myself and created the same portal in the seven major towns around Keel.
The rest depended on Leo's speech.
"I've used an amplification spell. Start."
"…Knights of the eastern region, please listen. I am Leonardo Lakes Ardler, the eighth prince of the empire."
Leo spoke slowly.
He knew failure was not an option. He didn't rush, prioritizing being heard.
He was calm. This might work.
"Currently, a tsunami has occurred in the eastern region, and Keel is in a dangerous situation. I am seeking knights to join me there. If you can hear my voice, please come to me through the teleportation gate that has been created nearby. You don't need to consult your lords. I ask you to join based on your personal judgment. I will take full responsibility."
Just as the speech seemed to end, Leo took a deep breath and drew his sword.
Then, with a voice full of authority, he declared:
"Protect the people of Keel! Knights with a heart! Brave knights! Those who wish to join me, gather under my banner! I expect your decision!"
Leo's closing words were like those of a general heading to the battlefield.
The nearby Royal Guard must have felt it too, looking at Leo in surprise.
But Leo's expression remained stern as he stared at the portal.
No one came for a while.
Just when I thought it was a failure, a young man appeared from one of the portals.
Surprised by his first teleportation, he quickly dismounted and bowed upon seeing Leo.
"I am Hans, a knight of Hessen! I have come to join Prince Leonardo!"
"Thank you for coming, Hans. I appreciate it."
"No! I should be the one to thank you! Ever since I heard that Prince Leonardo visited various villages, I've wanted to fight under your command! I'm not the only one! More knights will come! Please wait a moment!"
Charisma is the ability to naturally attract and gather people.
By that definition, Leo was a true charismatic leader.
Knights continued to gather through the portals.
Finally,
"I am Folker, the lord of Ulm! I have brought five hundred knights to join you, Your Highness!"
An old man appeared on horseback.
He must have been over sixty. He was well-built, but his white hair and appearance made one wonder if he was fit for battle.
"Folker, I appreciate your joining, but are you sure you're okay?"
"I have a heart and courage! Is there something wrong with that?"
"…No, if you're sure, that's fine. Thank you for joining. I'll have you lead the charge with me. I count on you."
Looking into Folker's strong eyes, Leo smiled and said so.
Folker, who had braced himself to be turned away, opened his eyes wide in surprise and responded loudly.
"Y-Yes! I will show you my prowess!"
"I look forward to it."
Thus, over three thousand knights from the eastern region gathered. They were a motley crew, but they had joined of their own will, so their morale was incredibly high.
Seeing this, I felt relieved.
This should be fine.
"Silver, thank you for your help."
"I acted as an adventurer for the people. It's too early for thanks. Let's save Keel first. I'll go ahead."
Saying that, I teleported to Keel.
And what I saw in the sky above was an unbelievable sight.