Chapter 62: Allied Army

We ride on the carriage at the wheat field’s farm road. When we reached the farmhouse on our way back, the members of the family, who were just devastated a while ago, now have joy plastered on their faces as they look at the restored fields and the children were even running around with their dog.

The middle-aged man who is probably the head of the family, whom we spoke to earlier, is also holding hands with a woman who seems to be his wife. When he noticed that we came, the man alone came to greet us.

“Princess and your party… I really can’t thank you enough. To stop that gray land, what kind of miracle did…”

“That forest is the place that our royal family used to manage as a garden. Getting right down to it, we abandoned the management of the garden so this happened… However, today, I was able to change the situation where we could not do anything until this point.”

The reason why my name was not mentioned was because I asked Her Highness to do so beforehand.Translated by Yume Neiji (yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com)

The fact that I am a plant spirit user can certainly become a basis which would make it easier for us to get the farmers’ trust and ask their help for something in the future. However, it would be dangerous if the fact that I have a contract with the sacred tree and having a great influence on it is widely known.

For now, our enemy is not yet aware of my existence. However, if this was known to Zirconia’s side.… Though this farmer is unlikely to betray us, but still, we don’t know from where this information would be transmitted.

We cannot force the territories to keep things as confidential like what a military personnel does. To completely do my duty as a military doctor, such as having the food problem in the fortress solved and the tentative plan to solve the shortage of medicine, I need to stay low. Then as planned with Her Highness, I would appreciate it if my name would not be spread.

I think we must increase the number of people we can trust both inside and outside the Knights’ order. I have no power now so I should always move discreetly and carefully.

“We couldn’t do anything, even though we knew that something abnormal was spreading from that forest. It was thanks to the knights that we didn’t have to leave the land we are used to live in. And I never think that the wheat that had withered once would even recover…. The people who were first to leave the village should also be informed as soon possible, they grow accustomed doing this work you see. They will surely hurry to come back.”

The farmer, who just had a brooding expression, talked with a cheerful smile. The farmland had returned to its original state, and their acquaintances in the same village would be able to come back.Translated by Yume Neiji (yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com)

―However, his expression suddenly stiffens. Presha-san holds her weapon and turns her sharp gaze at the group of horses approaching from the east.

“…That seems to be the flag of the Reinfeld family, it is said that this area is under their jurisdiction.”

“Y-Yes…. they might have come to this place because of the large amount of monsters that came out. We were told not to leave the farmland, given that, w-what should we say……?”

“I understand. We don’t have a good relationship with them but… Nevertheless, I’ll explain that you guys have no fault in this. Please stay inside your house.”

“Sorry, Princess…w-well then…”

The man looks frightened and quickly enters the house with his family. Her Highness also instructed us to get into the carriage―and Presha-san escorted us.

“It’s probably not the father, so I don’t think it’ll turn into an explosive situation. The father said that the Knight Order seized the territory so he bears deep resentment to us you see…”

“Father… does that mean that the son of the Reinfeld’s family head is here?”

“Yeah. He has a son, who will be the next family head and a younger sister after him I think… I just heard it from a hearsay so I don’t know the accurate details.”

As Presha-san had said, it was a young man with golden hair who led a group of about ten horses. A woman with the same hair color as him and who is yet to be called a woman of age, is following him diagonally from behind. They are probably the children of the Reinfeld’s family head.

Before they approached Her Highness, they got off their horses perhaps to say their thanks. However, even though the cavalry does not have a weapon, they are lined up in a horizontal row, giving an uncanny feeling of intimidation.

“I’m Snyder, son of Hartner Reinfeld. Please forgive me for the horses behind me as we talk. General Astina.”Translated by Yume Neiji (yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com)

“I don’t mind. I know that your father is wary of us Knights.”

The man who introduced himself as Snyder couldn’t look directly at Her Highness. It’s not really intimidating but, you can’t just really look at her directly –I think this is what I can call as a “Divine atmosphere”, which Her Highness got when she became the shrine maiden.

“Given your position, you shouldn’t be blamed for the fact that you’ve brought soldiers. There will be bandits around the area where people are lessened. Rather than that, please speak why you are here.”

“…Originally, we are the ones who claimed the autonomy for the rural areas around here. We ask for a review of that matter.”

“Tsk…..”

Presha-san puts power into her hand holding the spear. According to the Reinfeld’s claim, even if the farmland returns back to normal and even if the people return, it does not help in solving the food situation.

―But it was different. The “review” Snyder wanted was not to return the Reinfeld’s autonomy in the rural areas.

Snyder kneels on the ground. The woman who appears to be his sister also imitated him and deeply lowered her head ―That is… it was an act that proves that they, the Reinfeld family pledged their alliance to Her Highness.

“In his sickbed, my father entrusted me with the fate of the Reinfeld family. In order to fight Zirconia which threatens our territory from across the river, I Snyder von Reinfeld, together with my 500 soldiers, we pledge our allegiance to you.”

The soldiers on horseback similarly lined up behind Snyder, raising their swords overhead, they offered their prayers –that means that Reinfeld’s private army had joined the troops under Her Highness.

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