Chapter 6….
“Unexpected Ambush”
“If you cross this mountain pass, you’ll finally reach Ernstal.”
“Really!? At last…!”
Elze, exhausted from the long unfamiliar journey, brightened at the ambassador’s words.
Ever since the day she left her homeland, Elze had been continuously traveling in a carriage toward the royal palace of Ernstal.
Because of her unique ability of “future sight,” Elze had never once left her homeland until now.
At first, she had been excited by the scenery visible from the carriage window, but after sitting for so long, her entire body had begun to ache unbearably.
Now, all she could wish for was to reach the royal palace of Ernstal as quickly as possible.
“Still, Ernstal is vast, so it will still take days from here, won’t it?”
“Compared to the journey so far, it will be much shorter. Please endure just a little longer, Princess Elze.”
“Hehe, thank you for bringing me this far. My body hurts, but it was really enjoyable.”
Perhaps because she had cried when leaving her homeland, the ambassador traveling with her had been constantly attentive, striking up conversations and looking after her at every opportunity.
Thanks to that, Elze had been able to make the journey without much trouble.
When she sincerely thanked him, the ambassador narrowed his eyes slightly and smiled.
“…The honor is mine, Princess Elze. I know it is improper to say this, but… you somehow resemble my daughter, and I could not leave you alone.”
Elze blinked in surprise, then laughed brightly.
“Hehe, I get that a lot. People say I look like their daughter, their younger sister, even their granddaughter. It just means I’m an easy-to-approach princess, right?”
“…You are not offended?”
“Why would I be? I’m happy. It’s more fun being able to talk freely with people than having everyone keep their distance just because I’m a princess.”
That was truly Elze’s honest feeling.
Hearing this, the ambassador widened his eyes in surprise and murmured softly.
“If someone like you… then perhaps…”
But just as Elze was about to ask what he meant, the horse suddenly neighed loudly and the carriage shook violently with a jolt.
“Gyah!”
“What in the world—”
“We are under attack!”
Before anyone could understand the situation, the driver shouted in a frightened voice.
At this unexpected development, Elze froze in shock.
(An… attack?)
Cautiously peering outside through the window, she saw the guards riding in the front and rear carriages engaged in combat with what appeared to be attackers.
“Tch… bandit attack at a place like this…!”
The ambassador muttered with clear frustration.
(So this is… bandits…)
The Kingdom of Magriel was so rural that not even bandits ever came near it.
For Elze, this was her first experience of such a thing, and her heart pounded painfully in her chest.
(Now that I think about it… when my sister told me about Ernstal’s situation…)
Ernstal was a great nation incomparable to Magriel.
However, because of its size, conflicts between territories were common, and in some regions, conditions were still unstable even now.
She had been warned to be careful when passing through dangerous areas—but—
(At this point, there’s nothing we can do!)
There were more bandits than expected, and even the guards seemed to be struggling.
Seeing this, the ambassador gave instructions to the driver.
“…It cannot be helped. While they are drawing attention, we will withdraw from here on our own.”
“W-What are you saying!? You would abandon those fighting for us!?”
Elze raised her voice in shock, but the ambassador slowly shook his head with a pained expression.
“Princess Elze. Our mission is to safely deliver you to the royal palace. …Even if it means sacrificing others.”
“That’s…”
“Please… understand.”
He bowed deeply.
Biting her lip in frustration, Elze felt helpless.
(All because of me… someone might lose their life… just to protect a mere princess of a small country…)
But Elze herself could not afford to die here either.
For the sake of protecting her homeland—and those precious to her.
(What am I supposed to do…?)
As she clenched her fist tightly, painfully aware of her own powerlessness—
