Chapter 15 – Those who flee, those who pursue

“… If we continue like this, we’ll be detected by the Imperial forces expanding to the north. Let’s take a slight detour.”

On that day, I bid farewell to the imperial capital, which I had considered my second home.

Together with Mayo-sama, the royal guard Shizuku-san, and several warriors and their families, we left the capital before the sun fully rose.

Karan-dono led the way and my master accompanied us at the rear.

‘We may not be a hundred, but still, this number is considerable. There are children and civilians and their pace is unavoidably slow. We must be cautious…’

There might be others who want to distance themselves from the capital, but it’s impossible to bring everyone along. Moreover, with too many people, there’s a risk of losing some along the way.

I reminisced about the journey I had taken with my master in the past.

‘If we continue through the mountains, we’ll reach a river. Crossing the bridge there, we’ll then proceed along the mountain path. The edge of the path becomes dangerous as it turns into a cliff. Besides, nights are cold.’

That journey was tough… And crossing the mountains takes quite a few days.

Once we cross the mountains and enter the forest, we can head north along the river and eventually reach the grasslands. It should be safe once we get there. The nomads are likely to welcome people from the empire. And then…

‘And then… what do I do? Can I spend the rest of my life peacefully as a member of the grassland tribe? What if everyone back in the imperial capital is still fighting? What if the imperial forces also advance into the grasslands?’

…No, I can’t. Lately, I’ve been feeling a bit off. My mind doesn’t seem to settle. There’s a gaping hole in my heart and negative emotions are trying to fill it.

The formidable imperial army, the heavily armoured infantry I couldn’t handle on my own, the lost homeland…

The overwhelming sense of loss and the feelings towards the internal strife in the empire causing this chaos. These are things I can’t do anything about.

Is it a matter of position or power? If I had been in a powerful position, could I have chosen a different future? Is this world always controlled and influenced by those in such positions, shaping the era?

Am I just someone who gets caught up in it all?

“…Ei!”

“!?”

Suddenly, a finger pierces my right cheek. It hurts quite a bit!

I quickly turn to the side, and there stands Mayo-sama, her face covered with a thin veil. Her finger had pierced my cheek with considerable strength.

“Mamama, Mayo-sama!?”

“Yes, it’s Mayo. Fufu…Your expression looked so complicated that I couldn’t resist messing with it.”

Wha-what’s the reason!?

Unexpected actions from Mayo-sama cause the dark emotions that had been nesting in my heart to dissipate like mist. Shizuku-san, who walks beside me as a royal guard, also wears a slightly troubled expression.

“Mayo-sama, that’s improper. You shouldn’t casually touch gentlemen.”

“Araa…but the empire is already gone. I’m no longer a princess of the imperial family, you know?”

“You can’t just change your attitude so suddenly…”

Shizuku-san was the only royal guard who accompanied Mayo-sama.

Originally, the royal guards were the cream of the crop among warriors and their numbers were very small. Most chose to stay in the capital until the end, remaining by the side of the emperor.

Through discussions among the royal guards, I heard that Shizuku-san, being a woman like Mayo-sama, decided to accompany her on this journey.

“Vyril. I’m very pleased that someone born in a foreign land like you would be so devoted to the empire. I truly appreciate it.”

“…Eh?”

“Given the circumstances, you must have felt a sense of responsibility, right? You had that kind of expression.”

“…………..”

Responsibility… responsibility, huh. That’s indeed a possibility.

Responsibility as a warrior. Responsibility born from being part of the imperial family. Various responsibilities… I felt the pressure. It seems like it’s just an increase in the things I carry.

“I understand the feeling. I also feel the responsibility as a member of the imperial family. Ideally, I wanted to stay in the capital until the end, alongside my brother.”

Mayo-sama continues her words.

“As a member of the imperial family, I couldn’t let the Tsukimikado bloodline end, my brother persuaded me. It’s a promise with my brother, whom I can no longer meet. I have a reason and responsibility to keep on living.”

A reason and responsibility to keep on living…

Mayo-sama’s thoughts and considerations are something only she can truly understand. However, this journey seems to be the result of Mayo-sama’s careful consideration.

Mayo-sama, too, isn’t heading towards the grasslands without any thoughts for the brother and people she left in the capital.

“Everyone has lived their own lives, carrying their own burdens. Vyril, don’t make that face… though I know it’s easier said than done. Please, tell me your thoughts.”

“Thoughts…?”

Mayo-sama. Perhaps she came to encourage me, feeling the weight of responsibility…

“Yes. You walked this path with Kirimune-sama in the past, right? What kind of journey was it? What is the grassland like?”

“Well…”

As I recall the past, I share various stories. Along the way, other warriors and Shizuku-san seem interested, interjecting with questions here and there.

Despite having spoken only a little, the oppressive feeling that lingered earlier is now gone. It’s strange. Maybe talking with someone is indeed a better distraction than staying silent.

“…So, is there a large river and a bridge ahead?”

“Yes. I learned later that the empire constructed a fairly large bridge to allow the grassland people to cross with their horses. It’s hung with ropes, though, so it sways quite a bit.”

Only those who travel between the grasslands and the imperial capital pass through here. Moreover, traversing this almost nonexistent path consumes a considerable amount of energy. Without a guide, there’s a risk of getting lost.

Beyond the bridge lies such a place. However, if we want to go to the grasslands without taking this route, we’ll have to make a significant detour within imperial territory. We have no choice but to proceed with caution.

“There are wild beasts in the mountains and forests. They can be valuable as food but you need to be careful.”

“Fufu. If need be, I can slice them up with my mark technique.”

“Eh…?”

Come to think of it, what is Mayo-sama’s mark technique? Or rather, that sounded like a somewhat ominous statement.

As I pondered that, my master’s angry voice echoed from behind.

“Run! Imperial pursuers are closing in!”

“Eh!?”

Looking back, I could see a cavalry with imperial flags in the distance.

No way…! They noticed us!?

“Ku…!”

“Run! Run!”

“Kyaaaaa!”

“Calm down! There’s a bridge ahead! Let’s get across it first!”

Damn it…! After coming this far…! I can’t let Mayo-sama be taken by them here…!

■

“Hurry! Don’t let the imperial people escape! Anyone wielding a sword is a warrior, kill them all! Don’t kill the unarmed ones, we don’t know who the royalty is!”

“Ooooooh!”

Having received reports from Bliss, Maibar prioritised those on horseback, preparing them first before heading north to pursue those who had fled.

Although they numbered less than a hundred, every one of them was armed. The group with civilians is still at a disadvantage.

The infantry will catch up later. Right now, the priority is to capture those trying to flee outside the country.

“Hmph…! Where do you think you can escape to? Listen up! Don’t let a single one escape!”

With these words, Maibar illuminated the seal at the base of his right thumb. He then raised his right arm overhead.

“Mnnn…!”

A spear of light appeared above his head. The moment Maibar swung his right hand, the spear of light flew straight ahead.

It would be unbearable if it hit a member of the royalty. Therefore, it was just a restraint to stop them in their tracks. However…

“Aaaah!?”

An elderly man drew his sword and completely dispelled the spear of light.

“Bold for an outlander…! Alright, hurry! They’re about to cross the bridge!”

The imperial pursuers, having noticed their prey, were sprinting towards the bridge. At this rate, they might cross the bridge entirely.

However, the bridge itself is quite spacious and horses seem able to pass through.

“Hmph…! It seems we’ll catch up after they cross the bridge…!”

In normal circumstances, they would likely check how many horses can safely cross at once before proceeding. But time is of the essence now.

Maibar let his subordinates cross the bridge first, intending to observe the situation from a slightly distant location.

“Hehehe…! Not just the Ironclad Knights but I might also make a great achievement! Much gratitude to Adrldon, the commander who stationed us in the north of the capital!”