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ED: LonelyMatter
Chapter 322 – In the Frontier City of Klyphoth
The western side of the continent was uncharted territory for Ain.
Balt was the closest place to that land, but he had never ventured farther than that. Besides, it wasn’t an area where many Ishtalika people lived to begin with.
The frontier city of Klyphoth.
It was a full two days by water train from the royal capital, Kingsland, which was commanded by Batz’s father, Baron Crim. This time, however, Ain didn’t come by land.
He gazed at Klyphoth from the Leviathan at sea and spoke to Chris, who was standing beside him.
“Hey, what should I say to apologize when we get back?”
Having approached Klyphoth in less than a day, Ain reflected on the events that led him there.
“…To His Majesty, right? Shouldn’t you just say ‘I’m sorry’?”
“Yeah. Warren-san said Grandfather was utterly exasperated. To be honest, I owe it to Mother more than anyone.”
“Olivia-sama was worried, too. Once you return, it might be best to spend some time together, just the two of you.”
Since Sylvird couldn’t head to Strohm after sending Tigre to the capital, Warren temporarily accompanied him.
After much negotiation, Ain finally departed Strohm.
“But I think everyone understands the situation, don’t you? Take Krone-san, for example. She didn’t hesitate when she asked me to ‘take care of Ain-sama.’”
“Huh? So you could say it’s no exaggeration to say she trusts me?”
“Fufu… It depends on how you phrase it, but what Ain-sama has accomplished surely merits that trust, wouldn’t you say?”
“I see. Well, then I’d better not disappoint their expectations.”
The port of Klyphoth gradually drew nearer.
Fortunately, the port was small and had few moored ships, allowing the Leviathan to enter. Even with the naked eye, they could make out numerous knights standing near the dock.
Needless to say, they were all part of the group gathered to welcome Ain.
(It feels like a town similar to Balt.)
However, Klyphoth was known for having more knights than adventurers.
True to its name, the frontier fortress was impressively surrounded by sturdy, tall stone walls. If Klyphoth were to fall, monsters would likely swarm even the settlements near the royal capital.
That was why Klyphoth gathered knights with extensive combat experience, even from Ishtalika.
“Speaking of which, Roland mentioned wanting to float Leviathan in the sky.”
“Um, what exactly are you aiming for, Ain-sama…?”
“It sounds fun, but also pretty tough, right?”
“…Sigh. I wonder why. Even your friends are influenced by you…”
“I don’t think it’s my fault this time.”
As she held her head, Chris’s hair fluttered in the sea breeze.
“It’s a bit late now, but was it really okay?”
She asked after a short pause.
“What exactly?”
“The forces that Ain-sama brought this time aren’t particularly large. But their quality is top-tier.”
“Me, Chris, the Black Knight, the Royal Knights, several magical weapons, and this Leviathan. I think that’s plenty.”
“But even though you say you intend to strike the enemy’s main force, Marco isn’t here, is he?”
“Well, I plan to take down the enemy’s main force myself. But I don’t think I’m their real target.”
“Their target isn’t Ain-sama? I thought Camilla’s sole target was Ain-sama. Ain-sama said so yourself, didn’t you?”
“Hahaha, no, that’s not it. That person has a nasty personality, don’t you think?”
Ain’s rare venomous remark left Chris momentarily speechless.
Still, she didn’t argue, only responding with a small “Yes.”
“She’s a woman who’s sharp when it comes to ways to make me suffer. So, you know, to her, even a dragon is just a disposable pawn.”
“Eh, um… What does that mean?”
Ain chuckled softly and lightly patted Chris on the head before starting to walk.
“I left behind a reliable creature, too. If push comes to shove, I gave them permission to suck up my magic power to their heart’s content.”
“…Ain-sama.”
“Hmm? What is it?”
Chris decided not to ask about the details.
She grabbed Ain’s sleeve as he started walking and said, looking embarrassed yet resigned.
“Um, that was kind of short just now. Could you say it again? The effect is mainly tied to my morale.”
“So that’s how it is.”
Even if they hadn’t reached the battlefield yet, it didn’t matter.
The other day, she fought fiercely to express her feelings. She was strong.
Ain, thinking of it as a moment of respite before the battle, gently reached out to her once more.
◇ ◇ ◇ ◇
This was the knights’ headquarters within the fortress.
On the top floor, several people were conversing across a table in a room.
“I cannot express my gratitude enough for your long journey here! I must tell my son that a hero has visited us!”
The speaker was a man as large as Lloyd.
With a rugged, unkempt beard and short hair swept briskly to the side, he was Baron Crim.
True to being Batz’s father, he spoke boldly and straightforwardly.
“Commander. I understand your son was friends with His Highness. Wouldn’t boasting about that be pointless?”
“Hmph! Now that you mention it, you’re absolutely right! Then who should I brag to!?”
“I told you, I don’t know. Instead of worrying about bragging, why don’t you properly greet His Highness?”
“Ah! You’re absolutely right!”
The lively exchange between the Lord and his knight made Ain smile involuntarily.
Despite having suffered a dragon attack just the other day, he didn’t feel bad witnessing such boundless cheerfulness.
“And so, Your Highness! We are deeply honored that you have traveled so far to be here—”
As the knight was about to repeat the same words, Ain raised his hand to stop him.
“Pleased to meet you. Batz and I are always on good terms.”
Perhaps he shouldn’t have used such formal language.
At first, the thought that this was his friend’s father came to mind, but from then on, he tried to act like a Crown Prince.
“Then let me get straight to the point. I want to know the direction they fled after the recent assault and the direction Tigre, the former prince of Heim, and those who kidnapped him headed.”
“Hmm… Surely Your Highness does not intend to lead the vanguard yourself?”
“Yes. That is my intention.”
Even Baron Crim, who had spent many years in Klyphoth, had heard of the Crown Prince’s exploits in the Heim War and the Sea Dragon Incident. Yet, the thought “But you are the Crown Prince” seemed to take precedence within him.
“From the perspective of those who have defended this fortress, we oppose your advance to the front lines.”
“Even if His Majesty and the Prime Minister have given permission?”
“If it is wrong, then correcting it is also the duty of a subject.”
(…He really is just like Batz.)
His unflinching resolve was refreshing. Baron Crim’s gaze shone with strength. A memory flashed through Ain’s mind—Batz admonishing him during that field trip.
Ain responded to that character, projecting every ounce of dignity he could muster.
“I won’t stand silent while my friend is hurt. Even if they flee deep into the miasma caverns or hide in the dungeon of divine abduction, I will find them and make them pay. Since the hatred directed at me is involved as well, I have no intention of just sitting back and waiting idly.”
“…You are not consumed by the murderous intent of revenge, are you?”
Then, Ain was taken aback.
Baron Crim had been worried. He had discerned a certain trauma, or perhaps a karmic bond, within the heart of Ain, a being standing at the threshold between boyhood and adulthood.
He had been careful so that the Crown Prince, renowned for his gentle nature, would not become consumed by thoughts of vengeance.
“This is responsibility. It is all responsibility that I must bear. It is nothing other than the final responsibility I left behind in my youth.”
The reason needed no explanation; everyone knew it.
“Very well then! You may show off your power, worthy of being called heroic!”
“…Huh?”
“Hey, what about those documents?”
“Yes, yes, Commander. I brought them. Your Highness, if you’ll excuse me.”
“Ah, yeah…”
Ain and Chris were startled by the sudden change, especially since he had been holding back just moments ago.
While they were still surprised, several documents were placed on the table.
“If a man has made up his mind, it’s rude for outsiders to nitpick. I’d want my son to learn from Your Highness’s bravery!”
“Since he’s a fellow student, wouldn’t your son know about it, too?”
“That makes sense!”
After witnessing their usual boisterous exchange, they were urged to look at the papers that had been distributed.
“There’s no sign that the red dragon my son fought has returned here. However, we lost track of the dragon’s trail beyond a certain point.”
“…Which is here?”
The first document was a nearby map with several written notes.
It showed a plain shaped like a river, surrounded by mountains and marked with a red circle.
“It doesn’t seem like a river, but it has a unique shape.”
Ain nodded at Chris’s words.
Upon closer look, the meandering plain connected as if flowing from the continental landmass toward the sea.
Baron Crim responded.
“This region is a river, but not one where water actually flows.”
He took a small stone from his pocket and placed it on the table.
“It’s a lava flow. There are hot springs nearby, and the gouged-out ground retains heat.”
“Huh… Hot springs sound nice.”
Ain’s casual reply drew laughter, but he was far from calm inside.
It seemed best not to consider fighting the red dragon now. The true power of this species of dragon remained unknown until they fought. Regardless, they were prepared to take it seriously.
“You could reach this area in half a day on horseback. But the mountains are rugged, making it difficult to venture deeper. Still, those robed figures headed into the interior.”
“So it gets steep?”
“More than that. There’s a lot of unformed ground and cliffs, so many paths need to be avoided.”
“That should be manageable,” Ain thought as he stood up.
Walking toward the window, he pressed a hand to his mouth in thought.
“Ain-sama, Ain-sama.”
Chris stood beside him, tapping his shoulder.
“Hm? What is it?”
“You seem pretty confident, but you’re not suggesting we use a magic weapon to collapse the cliff, are you?”
“That would be pushing it, wouldn’t it? No, I was thinking of forcibly creating a path using my race’s power.”
“Roots, you mean?”
“Exactly.”
Connecting the cliffs would create a passageway. In fact, it would be more reliable than some shoddy man-made structure because it would be part of his own body.
“Once everything’s settled, I’d like to soak in a hot spring before heading back. It’d be a nice way to reward the knights who came with me, too.”
“That sounds like a good idea. It’s not something you often get to experience in the Royal Capital.”
“Right? Oh, and of course, Chris too.”
Their carefree conversation before the battle showed how relaxed Ain was. Chris knew this was his way of unwinding. She didn’t mention his lack of restraint; instead, she matched his tone and let the conversation flow.
“I-I-I… I’m not quite mentally prepared for us to enter together!”
“If I may point out, I don’t think I said we had to enter the hot springs together.”
Above all else, the commotion needed to be quelled quickly.
Ain reached for his sword with his free hand and gripped the hilt tightly to release some of his tension. Thinking of Camilla, who was seeking revenge by reviving an ancient dragon amid recent disturbances, he knew it was time to settle things once and for all. His mind drifted back to when he defeated Grint at Heim Castle.
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