Everyone listened carefully and silently to the speech of the new queen.
“For them, who risked their lives to protect this country, I have the obligation to create a good country, where everyone can live in abundance. If there was a result of having protected it, I believe it to be the mission to make such country. I’m well aware that I’m an unreliable, young ruler with shallow experience. For this reason I will promise all of you. I won’t become an egoistic tyrant.” (Imeraria)
Imeraria, who declared that with a refreshed expression, slowly returns into the royal castle while receiving cheers and applause to the degree of feeling an earth tremor.
While men and women were exchanging their opinions about the just heard declaration, they returned to their daily lives in succession.
Midas, who followed up on the dissolution of the populace, noticed himself shedding tear before he knew.
“Pajou, it might be something different from what you had been aiming for, but Imeraria-sama, firmly standing on her own feet, announced her path. There might be many problems, however I believe it to be a plenty satisfactory outcome.” (Midas)
Anxious about the fate of this country and the princess, he recalls his colleague, who lost her young life. Secretly splitting away from the mass, Midas spilled a stream of tears.
There were already less than 12, of the group surrounding Hifumi, remaining.
The group, who assaulted their unarmed opponent with swords, having their necks, arms and feet broken, were forced either to faint in agony, to toss themselves about in great pain or to die.
For those, whose limbs were still alright, the most they can do is to drag away their injured comrades to separate them from Hifumi.
Even as they slashed desperately, Hifumi directly steps into the bosom of the attacking knights, as if completely sticking to them like a magnet, and with his held-out fist, similar to two wedges, he hits their chins and ribs.
Once they drop their swords due to the pain, their arms will be arrested and they will get thrown. Crashing into the solid ground with their heads first, their necks will be broken or, if they are lucky, they will faint due to the damage suffered by their heads.
Even if they tightly gripped their swords, their faces will be grabbed and the back of their heads will be thrust into the floor causing a flower of blood painting the floor. Or they will have the insides of their elbows beaten, which naturally causes them to injure their faces or feet with their own swords.
“Impossibles… the opponent isn’t even using a weapon.”
“Shit! Why doesn’t he die!?”
Frightened people, angered people, Hifumi continues his attacks without discrimination.
On the contrary, to finish it up, using the force of the sword swung downwards by a knight, he arrested the knight’s arm, quickly circled around, let the power flow downwards from above and crushed his face, nose first, into the ground making him faint.
One of them had their helmed seized and their cervical vertebrae broken by twisting.
One of them had their sword stolen and died by having it thrust into their own face.
One of them had the flesh of the throat torn off with fingers and bled to death.
There were still some alive moaning, but within the hall painted in red with blood, the last one, trying to run away, had his feet constricted and fell over. With him having his neck broken by being stepped on only Hifumi was remaining standing.
“Fuu…” (Hifumi)
As expected, it was a large number, Hifumi, who inhaled a breath due to overflowing with emotions as it had been a long time since he handled a large number of opponents bare-handed, exhaled in satisfaction.
Amply savouring the smell of blood, he goes around delivering the finishing blow carefreely.
There were also some begging for their lives, but with a single word of 「Too slow (T/N: osoi)」 he snatches their lives away by twisting their necks or stepping on them without using the katana at all until the very end.
Hifumi, who suddenly noticed a presence entering the dance hall he remembers, slowly turned his look towards the open door.
“… Although it was such amount of knights, did you spare that person…?” (Imeraria)
It’s Imeraria who stood there.
“The most energetic guy was also the smartest and ran away. He is probably the mastermind.” (Hifumi)
“I dealt with the lot left behind, but there’s still the possibility of something else lurking somewhere”, Hifumi laughs.
“Hifumi-sama, just now I finished the coronation ceremony.” (Imeraria)
Rather than a crown, she was bestowed a diadem with detailed ornaments and gleaming in golden colour so that it was more suitable to call it a tiara. It was on top of Imeraria’s soft, silver hair.
“I see.” (Hifumi)
With these short comment, Hifumi placed his heel at the neck of the last fainted knight and put his weight onto it.
Hearing the thick groan, Imeraria averted her eyes.
“Watch it properly. This is the result of you not being able to firmly lead the knights.” (Hifumi)
Due to Hifumi’s words, Imeraria put her breathing in order and surveyed the inside of the hall.
“What on earth do I have to do so that it doesn’t end like this… ?” (Imeraria)
“Don’t know. In my case, at the time I considered them to be suspicious, I would screw them up? … No, this much had better be important for you. It’s convenient to reveal the idiots. In fact, this many idiots came gathering.” (Hifumi)
“Besides, there’s also a worth in doing it as there were so many opponents”, Hifumi says.
Did they guess the state of affairs? Groups of Fokalore soldiers entered and began to skilfully clean up the corpses.
“Well, this is your way of doing things. I have likely my own way of handling things. The desired outcome is probably different as well. Because you wanted to kill them, you did this. You likely have no choice to do it this way whether you like it or not.” (Imeraria)
Imeraria ponders.
“Think and think about it. You won’t get an answer until the results appear after trying. After all, if I look at the battle just now, I could have died. There’s nothing strange about that either. Considering the things you can do, deciding to do your best and using everything you can use, it’s fine to be sad or happy once the results come out.” (Hifumi)
Just before leaving the room, Hifumi looked back at Imeraria.
“Observe your surroundings. Though those, who are usable, might come gathering on their own accord, it’s a totally different story whether you will be able to understand the things you see and the seen things.” (Hifumi)
Does he plan to sleep? Hifumi said 「Good Night」 and left.
“That’s right, isn’t it? The prime minister, Sabnak, Vaiya-san and Lotomago. I should request the support from Midas-san as well. Besides…” (Imeraria)
Imeraria remembered the faces of the people, who gave her many cheers and applauses not long ago.
Imeraria, who headed towards the audience hall at a quick pace, sat on the throne and summoned Lotomago. She ordered him the suitable measure of chasing the escaping Balzephon.
This was the first decree of Queen Imeraria.
Chapter 80: Paradise City
While publicly being peaceful and internally taking a massive toll, the coronation ceremony finished safely.
Imeraria will unify Orsongrande as new queen, Adol will continue to counsel the ruler as prime minister and Sabnak will be assigned as guard for the castle and Imeraria as Royal Knight Order Captain.
In the castle, where the shadow of the prince faction completely vanished, it was decided to appoint new personnel as civil officials and knights by gathering appointed nobles, who don’t possess new territories, and the sons and daughters of nobles, who aren’t estimated to inherit their households.
The aspect, which was different from how it was done up until now, was that all of the personnel
would receive training in Fokalore.
“Then, please take care of them, Hifumi-sama.” (Imeraria)
Having finished their journey preparations, the newly recruited nobles were lining up in a row. In their presence Queen Imeraria bowed towards Hifumi very naturally.
The nobles were noisily clattering about like ripples on a water surface, but there will likely be no one looking down on Hifumi as rising noble with this, Imeraria thought. If someone, possessing unusual vanity, were to come forth to confront Hifumi, the personnel, we gathered at great pains, would be decreased again.
“Understood. Since I received it as job, they will get trained properly.” (Hifumi)
Hifumi showed a firm nod.
There is an agreement that from now on several of each, civil officials and military officers, will be sent as exchange students as request from the royal capital to Fokalore every year. Of course, Hifumi will be paid proper rewards by the kingdom.
“I’m sorry, Captain Sabnak, but thank you in advance.” (Vaiya)
“Yea, please leave the house-sitting to me. It’s alright for you to slowly savour the life of a newly-wed.” (Sabnak)
Close-by, where Imeraria and Hifumi have been talking, Vaiya and Sabnak exchanged greetings of departure. He, together with several knights, will accompany Hifumi and the trainees as escort until Fokalore. Together with his fiancée, Phyrinion, they are scheduled to head towards the territory of Viscount Amazelo, which is Phyrinion’s family’s home.
“Once I finish my part, next it will be Captain Sabnak’s turn, right? Since the person, who will become your father-in-law, is nearby, will you return home for some greetings?” (Vaiya)
Watching Shibyura quietly drawing close from behind Sabnak, Vaiya smiles.
“Don’t make fun of me. … I still haven’t officially talked with the prime minister.” (Sabnak)
Vaiya, who stared in surprise, raised his voice alternately looking at Sabnak and Shibyura.
“You surprised me there! Is there some kind of problem?” (Vaiya)
“That is…” (Sabnak)
“It’s only Sabnak-sama being a good-for-nothing. Please go meet your bride without worries as I will have taken him along for greetings, even if I have to hit him, until Vaiya-sama returns.” (Shibyura)
Shibyura, seizing Sabnak’s arm with the slender fingers of her right hand, is clearly digging her nails into Sabnak’s upper arm.
“As this person saved me by literally risking her own life, I intend to talk it over carefully.” (Sabnak)
In contrast to Shibyura, who has a rough nasal breathing full of fighting spirit, Sabnak was crestfallen and had dropped his shoulders.
“That is a problem.”
Between the maids a rumour has taken shape, which states that as result of Shibyura defeating two knights during the coronation ceremony’s rebellion, she saved Sabnak.
Those two had a good relationship since the coronation ceremony, but in contrast to Shibyura, who treats others with sterny* stout-heartedness, Sabnak, who often listens to the opinions of others with a gentle personality, is apparently seen as being totally dominated. (T/N: * キビキビ or kibi kibi, I think this comes from kibishii which means strict/harsh/stern etc. This is a bit cutely way to express an adjective like fua fua which means fluffy. So I will add an -y at the adjective’s end to express it. ^^)
“At least go to do formal greetings once you get some confidence after having acquired slight achievements as captain.” (Vaiya)
Sabnak saw Vaiya off laughing feebly.
☺☻☺
Different from before at the main gate of the capital, where it has turned into a cheerful departure, heavy air drifts about in the office of Knight Captain Lotomago.
Two people, Lotomago, who’s the owner of the room, and Adol are in here.
“Then, there’s no doubt that you will retire after today?” (Adol)
“Yea, with the serious affairs, that happened in the castle, far from being helpful, I ended up being caught by the enemy. I have no position as military officer anymore. I have received permission by Her Majesty the Queen yesterday.” (Lotomago)
While sorting the documents remaining on the desk, Lotomago calmly answered the prime minister’s question.
“However, at that time even Her Majesty the Queen as well as the Royal Knight Order Captain suffered from enemy attacks. I think there’s no necessity for Lotomago-dono to retire or anything like that though…” (Adol)
Lotomago slowly shakes his head towards the prime minister, who tries to detain him. His face shows no grief or bitterness. He has a calm and gentle expression.
“Even though Captain Sabnak was saved by Earl Tohno and prime minister’s ojou-san, he personally acted towards escaping the danger. As for Her Majesty the Queen, she was betrayed by the guards attached to her. In comparison, I, who wasn’t able to offer any kind of resistance, couldn’t do anything more than passing the time by sitting and waiting…” (Lotomago)
Temporarily pausing his words there, Lotomago leaned his body against the back of the chair.
“No, that’s no more than mere pretence. A military officer, who wasn’t able to fight because of his old age, should leave. That’s all there is to it. There’s no meaning in lining up reasons, that seem like excuses, either.” (Lotomago)
“It seems that you’ve made your decision.” (Adol)
“It’s just a story about running away. It isn’t anything as noble as a decision. Besides, I discovered a successor, whom I was able to smoothly burden with the work.” (Lotomago)
Due to Lotomago smiling, even Adol was lured into laughing.
With a sudden knock on the door, a single knight came entering.
“Excuse me. I was told you called for me, but… this is, were you talking with His Excellency the Prime Minister? I’m very sorry.” (Midas)
It was Midas, who entered the room.
“No, it’s alright since I called you here.” (Lotomago)
Urged by Lotomago, Midas stands in front of Lotomago.
“Midas, how old were your children again?” (Lotomago)
“Ha? 10 and 7 years old, but… Did something happen?” (Midas)
Midas, who was confused being abruptly asked about his family, pulled himself together and replied honestly.
“I see, the prime time of being mischievous. Although you rejected it once, won’t you move to the mansion, which is close to the royal palace? For only 3 people the care-taking will be easy as well, if you employ a maid. Accordingly it will likely become more comfortable for your wife, too. Because it is easy to get lessons close to the royal palace, even for educating children, it will probably be convenient one way or the other.” (Lotomago)
“No, the size of that mansion is for us too spacious after all… I will feel awkward to receive food made by someone else since I like the home cooking of my wife.” (Midas)
He is a stubborn fellow, Lotomago smiles. Adol, who listened as well, showed a smile.
“However, if someone, who is the Knight Captain, commutes from too far away, it will likely take time to deal with it once something happens.” (Lotomago)
“? I’m the vice-captain. Because there’s also a place in the castle, which is on standby in case of an emergency…” (Midas)
“That’s what we will talk about now. You will become the captain. The notice of personnel change has already been accepted by Her Majesty the Queen as well.” (Lotomago)
Looking at the paper, handed over to him, Midas has been surprised as if his eyeballs are popping out.
“Th-This is… But, for me, who hails from a poor Viscount family, this sort of position is…” (Midas)
Summoned Slaughterer - Book 5 Page 4