And thus, we headed to the knights' barracks. It was just near the training grounds, but I had never actually been inside. I mean, it's a place for men, so one can only imagine what the inside would be like. As for the women's part of the barracks, I wonder if it would be nice to have a little tour.

The men's and women's barracks were two different buildings, but they were just next to each other. When we arrived in the area, we were greeted by knights standing guard or doing pretty much nothing at all.

I smiled at them and gave a gentle wave of my hand, feeling a bit like a celebrity. Wait, I technically am a celebrity, nice!

Shortly after, we reached the men’s barracks and the knights guarding it froze in shock at my arrival. I sweetly smiled at them.

“Hello.”

“P-Princess? H-How may we help you?”

“I heard that Alzen is here. I wish to see him.”

“Y-Yes he is here. But…” The two guarding knights smiled wryly at each other. “Our lodging is not especially presentable at the moment.”

“Please wait here, your highness. We’ll quickly clean things up.”

“Ah, no need. I don’t mind. I just need to check up on him.”

Not like I would go anywhere else. I won’t go searching for any secrets you have in there. Definitely will not be searching for any magazines of you know what — oh yeah, you don’t have those, that’s sad…

Anyways, he’s an elite knight that got irreversibly injured in my operation, it’s to be expected that I’ll at least check if he’s doing fine. Or just show my appreciation really.

I stepped inside.

“W-Wai—”

I ignored the knight and walked through the corridor with my servants tailing behind me. It was then I paused to turn to Rogan.

“Rogan, I have no idea of the layout of this building, lead the way.”

“Of course, sure.”

He moved ahead of us and as we went, I looked around. Some of the doors were opened and some rooms were a little messy. But it was not that bad. Messy rooms were often to be expected when places consisted of different kinds of people.

At least no one here seemed to be idling or playing around. There were no games, no one lying on beds or chairs, cheering or laughing in groups. I might have become a bit irritated if that were the case during this time of day. It would only go to show that they didn't take their responsibilities seriously and lacked discipline or something.

I might get the urge to kick them out of the building and make them run in circles around the city. But all’s fine. It's not like I would actually do it. I'm the princess, I wouldn't be that cruel…

A while later, Rogan stopped by a particular door.

“Here.”

I entered inside and paused when I saw a familiar young man, namely Alan, sitting on a chair facing his brother. He looked quite sad — man, the guilt must be gnawing at him, huh? Surprised by my sudden arrival, he jerked up from his chair.

“Princess?!”

I smiled slightly, but I didn't feel like giving him a wide smile. He stressed me a little. I had read the reports. Don't people ever hear the phrase 'don't be a fucking hero'?

They normally don’t? Dammit.

This could have been avoided if Alan hadn't tried to force himself to fight a foe much more powerful than him. There's nothing wrong with backing away. Retreat is always an essential aspect of war, and it could potentially bring victory tomorrow.

Then, I turned to the man lying on the bed, his eyes wide as he beheld me. He wore long sleeves, and his left sleeve was loose.

“Your highness,” he muttered as he quickly removed the sheets and was about to leave the bed. But I raised my hand to stop him.

"Please, there is no need for that," I said with a gentle smile, and he slowly returned to lying on his bed but remained sitting up.

"Are you feeling better?" I asked.

"I am. With healing magic, the pain is nonexistent," he replied with a bit of power in his voice.

“I am relieved to hear that…” I blatantly glanced at his missing left arm and looked away sadly. “First… I apologize for the sudden visit.”

I stepped closer.

“No… I don’t mind…” he said.

I gently nodded my head and stared into his eyes with pure intentions, slowly sitting down on his bed with a bit of obvious hesitation. Nervously, I rubbed my hands together.

This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

“Um… I would like to apologize… because of my operation, you were hurt terribly… and…” I glanced at his missing left arm again.

He seemed to have realized what I was intending to say and shook his head. "You have nothing to apologize for, your highness. What happened was of my choice. I did what I believed was a must in that circumstance," he said, shifting his eyes towards Alan, then back to me, now staring deep into my eyes. "Do not blame yourself, your highness."

I smiled a little and nodded slightly. Apparently a bit embarrassed, I reached out for his hand and lightly touched it. He seemed to hold his breath as he stared at my adorably shy face.

Then I said to him, “Thank you so much for the help.”

“I was… I was just doing my job.”

“Alzen, you are an honorable, brave, heroic, and brilliant knight. I pray that the gods may rain you with blessings.”

“If that ever happens, I know just the person to thank for that,” he slightly smiled back.

I giggled. “... Of all my time with the knights… We have never spoken much.”

Or not at all.

“... I…” He looked away. “I am not worthy to speak with you, princess, without a good reason.”

Compared to his usual tough and mean look, this time he appeared more vulnerable than ever before. Quite unexpected. I wasn't planning on giving him much attention due to how much of an asshole he could be. However, this change was a welcome sight. Why did he have to act like an asshole most of the time?

“I see… I am always embarrassed to talk to people I don’t know. So talking to you now is quite refreshing… So… have some good rest, okay? Have a decent amount of sleep, to heal a bit faster.” I slowly stood up. “... I have said my piece, so I will not disturb you any longer. Until next time, Alzen.”

With a saintly smile, I bid him farewell.

“Next time… princess.”

As I was about to step away, there were a couple of footsteps right by the door coming our way. Then, a middle-aged man came and stood by the door, pausing when he laid his eyes on me first. He must have felt quite surprised, and he didn’t seem to recognize me.

Who’s this guy?

Obviously, I would never know who this was. But given the context and place where we were at, I have a little bit of an idea.

“Father…?” muttered Alan quite audibly.

Yup, it’s their father.

The man glanced towards Alan with blatant disdain before going gentle when he returned to look at me.

“Mm… Princess?” he lowered his head and placed his palm on his chest. “My apologies, your highness. May our hallowed Lord and Lady bless the moment of our delightful meeting.”

“Count Welford. May we receive the resplendent blessing from our illustrious Lord and Lady.”

“I never imagined I would get to meet you here. Forgive me for my rudeness, I have only seen you when you were still a small child… and it was quite brief.”

“That is quite fine, I understand. You’re here for your children, I was just taking my leave. Please excuse me, Count.”

“Yes, princess.”

He moved aside and allowed me and my servants to pass through. As I left, I didn’t get to hear any outrage from behind me, perhaps there was a delay due to my sudden presence. But I didn’t really care about their family issues. Not my business. I could only imagine how fucked Alan gonna be in the eyes of his own father.

Well, it’s not like I care.

I didn’t need to know the mess behind me but just look forward. Focus on myself. Prepare for the future. And most of all, enjoy this time of peace!

Indeed!

I got out of the barracks, then looked up at the beautiful sky.

What a wonderful world~.

Hm, I wonder when I’ll get to return to my lessons.

***

A tall man wearing a long brown cloak walked off the path heading away from the capital city of Wisteria. His sword gently dangled on his waist. The wind blew nicely on this bright sunny day, the sky blue and serene, a day to be lauded and celebrated.

However, this man was feeling neither joy nor elation. He looked down on his grassy and rocky path, heart filled with sadness and grief. All after looking into the city after a massive news spread all over the region, news about a battle in the middle of the capital city.

It was unexpected.

He slowly made his way into a forest. When he entered into the shade, he made sure to look around and sense if there were any humans nearby. There weren’t any. He found a flat rock and approached it before sitting down slowly.

He sighed and pulled down his hood, revealing a beautiful man with a light complexion, golden hair, emerald-colored eyes, and long pointy ears.

“I’m sorry, my friends.”

He recalled the group sent into the city - ones that were no longer to be found. The reason for that was obvious: the damages to the city and announced threats to the state could only be referring to the beastmen and elves stationed in the city. More than that, he had also looked into the last hideout he had known and it was destroyed. Going into the city was a bit dangerous when the chaos had just ended; he had to wait for about a week just to see. And it was saddening.

Arnaut and the others were gone. He could not exactly say what had happened to them, but there was an announcement that all remaining culprits had been executed.

This elf, Alruwin, was the one financing the group in the city with money that came from a particular source. It was his job to take care of them. But now they were gone and he felt a bit guilty.

To think the humans found them…

He knew they were careful, thus he could not understand how it ended up that way.

Oryn too was likely gone.

He sighed.

Alruwin was one of the few who came with Oryn to the human realm, they were part of the very first expedition — one who would investigate and one who would help Oryn infiltrate the palace. Everything went well, even making Oryn’s story believable by making things happen like it in the real world. It was not easy, but they did it.

Then, the others were sent elsewhere for something else — to prepare for the future. And those who remained here in Wisteria were Alruwin, and Oryn, the latter who was in the human palace where the daughter of the Ruling Deity of Blood was hiding.

Arnaut’s group was then sent after.

But Alruwin was to remain hidden in the shadows as a contingency. And now he, who had been away from home the longest, was all that was left in this wretched nation.

It would be hard to tell this news back home — that all of Arnaut’s team had been wiped out. What would he tell their families?

In any case, even in grief, they had to keep moving forward.

He pulled out a small object that fit in his palm from his shirt pocket - something that looked like a bird but was not moving.

A puppet courier.

He had to send a message as soon as possible to prevent any undesirable incidents.

He poured a little mana into it, and the puppet twitched before slowly standing on both legs. Then Alruwin spoke to it.

“Arnaut and his team are gone. Do not try to make contact with them again… Deliver the news to our ambassador. May their sacrifice be forever remembered in the world below.” he paused for a moment. “It is becoming more dangerous, contact me less. Do not return this courier, I still have a spare. I will do my part starting tomorrow, Arnaut and his team’s last task for me.”

With that, he let the courier fly into the air. It flapped its wings, looked and moved like a normal bird, heading towards its destination.

When it disappeared from sight, Alruwin rose and looked around once more before pulling out a pouch from his pocket - one he had received from the two elves. He clenched it tightly.

I have found the perfect spot to spread out the dust.

He would need to make a clearing, but that would be easily manageable.

And once everything was ready…

May this nation burn and fall to ruin.