Everyone, thank you for your congratulatory messages!
You gave me a lot of suggestions, but it was a bit difficult to do without preparation, so it became a second update, hehe.
The only one that had potential was the sexy scene with the older sister, but since it's not Zandra's character and I couldn't see the demand, I gave up (´・ω・`)
I'm sorry to those who were looking forward to it <m(__)m>
Riese and I were leading the cavalry regiment at full speed. We ran all night, but we still couldn't catch up to Jürgen.
The path of light was made by fixing special glowing stones to poles. They look like ordinary stones during the day, but they shine brightly at night. They're not particularly expensive stones; children can collect them from the mountains.
However, the number of them is extraordinary.
I heard it was incomplete, but I wonder how far it extends.
"You managed to do this without the help of the state, that's impressive."
"Jürgen has connections with many merchants. And until recently, he was in a cooperative relationship with Eriq. That influence is significant."
"He's a scary person, isn't he?"
Even Eriq was used.
There is no duke who does not get involved in the imperial succession.
Indeed, Jürgen had connections with merchants who were associated with Eriq. The main reason, I think, is that Eriq is the most likely candidate.
"Gordon doesn't show me any hostility for now, but if he becomes emperor, our personalities will clash. As for Zandra, it goes without saying. That's why Jürgen was in contact with Eriq. He told me this himself, so it's not wrong."
"Everything is for the sake of the sister, huh?"
"That's the result of letting you do as you please. I didn't ask for it."
While riding, my sister muttered.
Her face looked a bit dissatisfied. She's probably upset about something she was worried about.
"Eriq must have known your intentions and still cooperated. This road is very beneficial for the state."
"Jürgen is thorough. If it comes to that, he'll sell it to the state and make a profit."
"He would, wouldn't he?"
In the end, as long as it benefits my sister, that's fine, but he'll take what he should. He must have several plans in motion.
He really is a scary person.
"I'm glad that man is in love with my sister."
"What do you mean?"
"If he wasn't in love with my sister, he would be a troublesome duke who would interfere in the imperial succession based on the situation. He has money and connections everywhere. Just thinking about him being an enemy gives me a headache."
"Indeed, Jürgen is excellent. He would be troublesome as an enemy."
"If he was in love with Zandra, the situation would be even worse."
"Don't underestimate Jürgen. He's a man who continues to be in love with me, you know? There's no way he would be swayed by Zandra."
"..."
For some reason, my sister said this with a slightly angry look.
I widened my eyes and shifted my gaze to the regiment commander, who was riding slightly behind me.
The regiment commander chuckled and nodded.
Is this it?
"Sister..."
"What is it?"
"Ah, never mind. I think it would be pointless to say it."
I almost said, "You're even smitten in your throat," but I swallowed it.
Even if I said it, she would just deny it.
Actually, even if she doesn't see me as a romantic interest, it's true.
My sister definitely acknowledges Jürgen.
While thinking about this, the light ahead flickered.
It looked like villagers had gathered.
"Soldiers! We've prepared food for you! Please eat while you run!"
The villagers handed portable rations to the regiment members.
My sister and I stopped there, but the regiment commander urged the soldiers who had received the rations to keep moving.
"Sorry! Whose order is this!?"
"Huh? What's the matter? Didn't you hear, brother?"
The elderly woman pushed portable rations and water into my hands.
Then she said,
"The duke. He told us to prepare food because more soldiers would be coming from behind. He even made a special space on this road for us to hand out food while you run."
"I see."
"Here! You too, miss!"
The woman pushed rations into my sister's hands.
My sister took them obediently and looked around.
The cavalry regiment, which had been running all night, was tired. But they seemed a bit better after receiving food and encouragement from the villagers.
This was Jürgen's consideration.
"... I'll accept it gratefully. What about the payment?"
"Don't worry about it! The duke gives the village money every month. We tell him we don't need so much, but he doesn't listen. He just asks us to be kind to those who use this road. Actually, you're the first to use it. If you see the duke, please tell him we said hello."
"I understand. I'll definitely pass it on."
With that, my sister spurred her horse.
I followed her, opening the bag of rations I had received.
Inside were cookies.
"Sister likes sweet things, you know."
"Shut up. All soldiers, big or small, like sweet things. They can't get them on the front lines. This will boost their morale."
"Does it boost your morale too, sister?"
"Stop being silly. I'm not tired to begin with."
With that, my sister spurred her horse forward.
Jürgen, being Jürgen, must have prepared rest areas for the horses too.
I see, I see.
"Falling in love with my sister has its merits."
With that, I followed my sister.
■■■
The next day at noon.
Just as the cavalry regiment was reaching the peak of their fatigue.
The path of light ended. And a little further ahead, a fresh monster corpse was visible.
"It's still fresh."
"They must be close."
If Jürgen and his group were close, it meant there would be more monsters.
They should have cleared the nearby monsters when building the road, and the strong, cautious monsters wouldn't approach the glowing path. They must have taken other precautions too.
But those precautions had ended.
Still, we had already entered the southern region. The exact location of Leo and the others was unknown, but it was only a matter of time before we arrived.
As I was thinking this, the sound of battle came from ahead.
"It's the Duke of Reinfeldt and his group."
"Yes."
A cold remark.
His expression didn't change, but he was urging his horse forward.
He's worried, no matter what.
"Duke...! This is reckless!"
"Those who are injured, fall back!"
A familiar voice echoed.
Looking ahead, Jürgen and his group were facing a large bear-like monster.
A Double-Headed Bear. An A-class monster. But one of its two heads was crushed.
This seemed to have made it more aggressive. Several smaller monsters were also around it.
Jürgen and the knights, who had been running and fighting many monsters, were moving sluggishly from fatigue and struggling against the group of monsters.
The Double-Headed Bear's claws lunged at Jürgen.
He barely blocked it with his halberd, but Jürgen was blown back.
"Jürgen!"
My sister called his name as if involuntarily.
She tried to rush to his aid, but Jürgen, recognizing her, quickly stood up and shouted.
"Don't interfere! Hurry on ahead!"
"Don't be reckless! Leave the rest to your subordinates!"
"If you have the energy, use it for the problems in the south! Leave this to us!"
Despite his words, there weren't many knights around Jürgen.
They were probably scattered to keep the monsters from hindering us.
My sister, ignoring Jürgen's words, tried to order her subordinates to help, but Jürgen glared at her fiercely and stopped her.
"Don't underestimate us! We can handle a few monsters!"
"Enough! You've done enough!"
"Please go ahead! What's the point of coming here!? There's a situation in the south that could shake the state! People are waiting for you! Hurry!"
With that, Jürgen charged at the Double-Headed Bear, pinning it down.
Seeing this, the regiment commander urged his subordinates forward.
"Regiment commander!"
"Please forgive me. The duke is right. We came here to hurry ahead."
With that, the regiment commander said, "Excuse me," and hurried ahead.
Still, my sister didn't move.
"Jürgen... why go this far? You've done enough. You don't need to do this... you're not the type to fight..."
This was a question she had harbored for a long time.
To this, Jürgen, while struggling with the Double-Headed Bear, answered.
"It's simple...! I want to look good...!"
It was a blunt answer.
But it might be true to Jürgen's character.
Jürgen is indeed a merchant type. There's no need for him to come to the front lines and fight monsters. It might be a foolish action.
But...
"I want to look good in front of the person I love...! I want to be a reliable man in front of you...! Is there any other reason for a man to put himself on the line...!?"
"What kind of answer is that...?"
"Men are like that! I don't mind being called foolish! I want to put myself on the line for you!!"
With that, Jürgen pushed the Double-Headed Bear back with a determined voice.
The Double-Headed Bear, intimidated by Jürgen's newfound strength, faltered.
Seizing the opportunity, Jürgen swung his halberd gracefully and severed the other head.
"Yaaaaaahhhhhh!!!"
"The duke did it! Keep it up!"
"Yaaaaaahhhhhh!!!"
"Yaaaaaahhhhhh!!!"
As Jürgen raised his halberd with a loud cry, the exhausted knights were invigorated.
I glanced at my sister. She still looked worried.
Good. She didn't notice.
I thought it might be excessive, but I lent a little strength.
I cast a fatigue recovery barrier. But that was all.
It's a mystery why Jürgen was able to push back the Double-Headed Bear without an enhancement barrier.
At most, it was his usual strength. Maybe now, the power of love is a believable explanation.
"It seems to be going well."
"..."
"Ha... I'll stay behind. If I stay, you can't be reckless. Please go with peace of mind."
"Is that okay?"
"I'm tired too, and I can't do much even if I go. Please take care of Leo."
"I see... I understand. You can trust Leo to me. And don't belittle yourself. You've kept up with our forced march, haven't you...? You've grown, both mentally and physically. So, please take care of Jürgen."
"Leave it to me. I'm your future brother-in-law, after all."
"It's not decided yet."
"Really? I thought you looked good just now."
"Don't underestimate Jürgen. He's capable of that much."
With that, my sister spurred her horse.
When her figure disappeared, Jürgen and his group finished off the monsters. But they all fell to their knees as soon as I dispelled the barrier.
Well, I'll have to get them to a safe place.
"They're a handful."
Muttering this, I rode my horse toward Jürgen and his group.