The young lady, the territory lord of Ainsworth

 
 
 ☆
 
 
 The northern city gate opened for the first time in half a day.
 Commander Virgil of the kingdom’s expeditionary force gave out orders to the unit of knights giving chase.
 
 “Don’t pursue them too far. Our goal is to only scout. This is to only ascertain whether the monsters make any movements to attack again in an organised manner.”
 
 “Understood!”
 
 “Alright. Then go.”
 
 “Yes! ——— Let’s go, you guys!! Pursuit unit, move out!!”
 
 With a shout of 『『Yeah!!』』, the knights left through the gate in a beautiful column.
 
 Though they appeared strange with magic swords strapped to their waists, and magic rifles and light machine guns strapped to their backs, to me, they appeared very dependable.
 
 “It’s over, huh.”
 
 Looking beside me to see who spoke, I saw the owner of the owner of the voice… the Prince of a friendly nation.
 
 “That’s right. There’s still the processing of monster corpses, compensation for those injured, and a whole lot of other things that simply must be done, but… we’ve past the worst of it for now.”
 
 Right now, the ground on the city’s northern side was packed with monster corpses. If left alone, they’ll become infested with insects, and probably become a breeding ground for germs too.
 We need to quickly gather them all in one place and burn them.
 It’s a waste, but we’ll have to give up on the magic stones inside the monsters. It would be a disaster if those engaged in collection got an infectious disease.
 Those with a lot of magic power, such as myself, Otou-sama and Onii-sama, cooperated with magic to dig a hole, gather monsters and burn them all at once with over 1000 degrees Celsius.
 The melting point of magic stones is 1500 degrees Celsius, so if we’re lucky, some will survive.
 
 “Is there anything I can help with?”
 
 “There is, but… I can’t rely on you for so much. I’m glad just with you coming here.”
 
 Theo looked at me with a blank, startled expression, before smiling wryly.
 
 “It’s nothing, considering what you did for me. You need more hands for dealing with the monsters, don’t you? I’ll help out.”
 
 “Thank you, Theo. It really helps.”
 
 Saying so with a smile, Theo probably got embarrassed, as he pouted and turned away.
 
 “C-, come now. Let’s get to it right away!”
 
 “Yeah!”
 
 Thus we spent two days dealing with the monsters, and as a result, we obtained a huge amount of high quality magic stones.
 
 
 ☆
 
 
 Three days since the Defense of Cocomel.
 
 After the remnants were cleaned up and the safety of each settlement was confirmed, I consulted with Otou-sama and my companions and ended up declaring 『the end of the battle』.
 
 Thanks to the pursuit unit’s investigation, we’ve confirmed that the fleeing monsters have scattered and returned to their original habitats.
 
 The goblins and orcs went to the forest.
 And the cyclops and the saber tigers returned to the northern mountain range.
 
 We did an investigation into the hairy man who was thought to be controlling them, but with his corpse scattered all over there was barely any information to be gathered.
 
 ——— no, there was one thing.
 
 The black sphere the man was carrying.
 We’ll be starting the analysis, but at the current stage there is one thing we know.
 
 I didn’t notice it the first time I saw it due to it being entirely black, but there was a slight irregularity on the surface of the sphere.
 
 It was designed so that a finger could fit into the dent and hold it in a certain position, and looking closely, it was carved in the shape of a certain creature.
 
 『A spider』
 
 I’ve once again been made a fool of by the black spider.
 
 The spy that had infiltrated Cocomel was using a magic communications device with a spider emblem.
 
 I had expected it, but that hairy man was likely connected to the spy after all.
 
 And then of course, there’s that disgusting magic tool used on Theo as well.
 
 Having come this far, I even think that they might be targeting me.
 
 Everyone decided that we’d also request an investigation into this 『spider』 during the report to His Majesty, then after that, I asked Otou-sama and Onii-sama, as well as Anna and Sofia, to remain in the meeting room.
 
 In order to make a certain proposal.
 
 
 ☆
 
 
 “I’m thinking of establishing Ainsworth’s own intelligence agency.”
 
 “An intelligence agency? Why again??”
 
 Otou-sama asked this in response to my words.
 
 “If I were to say it in a single sentence, it would be to protect myself and my people.”
 
 “But we just decided to 『request His Majesty investigate』 a moment ago. It’s just a hunch, but I think Our country does have such people.”
 
 Otou-sama may be playing dumb, but he should actually have an idea on the actual state of things.
 
 Because as you know, he was the commanding officer of the former Second Knights Order, and now His Majesty’s adviser.
 
 “Of course the country might have people like that. But they won’t always bring us the information we need, when we need it.”
 
 “Can you be specific as to what information you’d need?”
 
 Faced with Graham-nii-sama’s question, I gave an answer.
 
 “Information regarding each nation’s magic techniques. And also, fresh, quality information regarding the New territory and the border touching the Principality. Because as I mentioned earlier, be it the background of the magic tool thought to have controlled the monsters this time or the military and economic information of the Principality when they eventually invade, it will surely be something necessary for us.”
 
 “Bu those things should be known to some extent even through the country’s investigations. There’s no reason to keep your own personal intelligence agency.”
 
 Hearing Otou-sama’s words, I sighed in my head.
 I didn’t want to say this, but…
 
 “Otou-sama, please remember. It’s been half a year since we asked His Majesty to investigate the differently-sized magic stone^[1]. Have you been told anything new? Also, even though Our country’s prime minister and his faction were in contact with a potential enemy nation, the kingdom’s intelligence failed to catch any information about it. And then to top it all off were the course of events that led to the attack on the royal castle. ——— These are lethal blunders for a national intelligence agency. To put it bluntly, it makes me question their competence.”
 
 “Y-, yeah…”
 
 Unable to respond, Otou-sama ponders.
 
 
 
 “Two clues, the differently-sized magic stone and the spider symbol, connects to the royal castle assault incident, Theobald’s kidnapping incident, and also this monster rampage incident. To first probe into the true state of affairs of the most-suspicious Principality, I’m thinking of sending in several people disguised as merchants to infiltrate said country, how about that?”
 
 The first to react to my words was Graham-nii-sama.
 
 “Father, if it’s only to that extent, then it shouldn’t be a problem, right? Father has also been having suspicious as to the country’s 『ulterior motives』, haven’t you?”
 
 “Yes… But, right. If you think of it as a complement to the country’s intelligence gathering efforts, then I guess it isn’t a bad idea. Letty, Do you intend to put this matter under your jurisdiction?”
 
 “Yes, that’s what I intend to do. That would also be more excusable to His Majesty, won’t it?”
 
 I smiled, to which Otou-sama returned a wry smile and spoke.
 
 “Seriously, I’m no match for my own daughter. ——— Fine. I will report to His Majesty. Do as you wish.”
 
 “I’ll talk to His Highness Gerald.”^[2]
 
 My brother added on to what my father said.
 
 “Thank you so much! Otou-sama and Onii-sama, I love you!”
 
 Otou-sama and Onii-sama both had wide grins on their faces.
 And watching over that were Anna and Sofia.
 
 Thus, it was decided that I would form an intelligence agency under my direct command.
 
 
 ☆
 
 
 Five days after the Defense of Cocomel.
 
 Just past noon, many people had gathered in Cocomel, the territorial capital of the Ainsworth Countdom.
 
 They numbered 10 thousand. This number was roughly two thirds that of the territory’s population.
 
 Added onto the original citizens of Cocomel were almost all of the citizens of the northern region. Amongst them were the village chief and their sons, who accompanied the northern children returning to their families.
 
 They gathered in the central plaza, and when they couldn’t fit there they crammed into the alleys, and then the roadside, going right up until the Count’s mansion.
 
 There was just one person they were waiting for.
 
 “Isn’t Leticia-sama going to start yet?”
 
 “It’s almost time. Look, the soldiers are setting up the ropes.”
 
 “That’s true! But, we won’t be able to hear from over here.”
 
 “It’s fine. They apparently prepared a magic tool that lets us hear even from over here.”
 
 “Huh? Really??”
 
 “I only heard about it at the women’s association, but I’m sure of it.”
 
 “Yay!!”
 
 Such was the conversation between a mother and her child as they took their place on the roadside.
 The middle-aged couple next to them were also talking about their territory lord.
 
 “I was bringin injured and bullets up and down the walls, but honestly, I thought 『it’s too late』 so many times. But when I looked to the side, there was that little Count-sama fighting with her gun just a step away. I just couldn’t run away after seeing that.”
 
 “Me too. As I was helping out with the food distribution, I heard squawking and looked up in a hurry, and while Leticia-sama was being chased by countless monsters, she flew through the city with such amazing vigour. And all alone despite being so young. Honestly, I thought the nobility were full of people who were simply haughty, but she was different. I’d gladly do anything Leticia-sama tells me to.”^[3]
 
 It wasn’t just one or two people talking like this.
 
 Those who saw her during that defensive battle, or perhaps even during the evacuation of the northern residents, recalled her hard-working figure as she constantly took the lead in fighting, hoping to protect the people.
 
 That figure became one they could trust in, and one they felt connected to.
 
 
 
 When the people first heard that this city would no longer be royal territory, a vague sense of unease spread amongst them. It was land that had been the royal family’s territory since the kingdom’s founding 300 years ago. There were barely any people who were happy when they heard it would become a noble’s property.
 
 And the new lord that was coming was an innocent girl, who had not yet come of age. Word from the grapevine said that she was a meritorious vassal who protected the king and the prince from an attack.
 With slight anxiety and expectation in their hearts, the people accepted her.
 
 Half a year later.
 The people’s lives didn’t change much except for some minor changes, and just as those who occasionally saw the young lady, their territory lord, in the city with a faint sense of familiarity, the news came in.
 
 A massive invasion by a horde of monsters.
 
 Though the people were surprised and bewildered, instructions still came from above and thus evacuations and preparations were done immediately.
 
 The people’s awareness changed when, on that day, the young lady, their territory lord, stood upon the platform in the central plaza.
 She then spoke to them.
 
 『In order to protect the city, in order to take back the northern region, I myself will fight to the end』, is what she said.
 
 And then, she called out to everyone.
 
 『Let’s protect the future to our last』, is what she appealed.
 
 Those words awoke the people, engulfed in anxiety and despair, to courage.
 
 The courage to fight.
 And, the courage to protect what’s important.
 
 As a result, despite their sacrifices, which was by no means small, they protected what was important to them.
 
 The future.
 
 One could constantly see the figure of that girl, taking the lead in that battle.
 Carving away despair, she was a powerful ray of light.
 
 The girl fought together with the people, and was injured together with them.
 And now that they have overcome that geat hardship, there is not a single person in this city who does not believe in her.
 
 
 ☆
 
 
 “Ughhh… I’m getting nervous.”
 
 In front of the carriage with a crest of two teddies drawn on it, Leticia was taking deep breaths to calm down.
 
 Seeing her like that, her father called out to her.
 
 “What, compared to the situation during the last speech, this is nothing. You’ll just be declaring the end of the battle. Please be at ease. Everyone will likely be content if they just see your adorable figure.”
 
 “I’m nervous because everyone’s expectations have become inflated compared to the other day! Otou-sama, please be quiet.”
 
 “O-, ok.”
 
 When his daughter shushed him, the father dejectedly dropped his shoulders.
 Ignoring the father, this time a boy the same age as the girl stepped forward.
 
 “If you’re nervous by yourself, I can go with you?”
 
 “Though you went out of your way to suggest it, we will have to respectfully decline. To do something like ride alone with an unmarried woman in the same carriage, that’s shameless!”
 
 “Wai-, you, did you just say I’m 『shameless』?! Isn’t that going too far?!”
 
 Theo spoke back to Anna.
 However, yet another figure stood in his way.
 
 “No, it is shameless. His Highness should ride together with me in my carriage.”
 
 “M-, Marquis Owleyes…”
 
 Where’d my low spirits from a little while ago gone?
 Letty’s father was back on his feet in seconds, getting rid of the bad bugs following his daughter around.
 
 Moreover———
 
 “That’s right. I too thought I’d like to have a 『CHAT』 with His Highness at least once. Perfect timing. Let’s ride a carriage together.”
 
 “E-, even Sir Graham???”
 
 The deputy leader of the Kingdom Unified Knights Order followed after his father in applying pressure.
 
 
 
 “Pf… pfft.”
 
 The situation seemed so funny that that very same Leticia had to hold back her laughter.
 
 “Phew. Please stop that for a bit. It was so amusing that my nervousness went far away.”
 
 Saying that, Letty laughed for a short while, then turned to face everyone.
 
 “I’m fine now. Well then, let’s go.”
 
 “Yeah.” “Yep.” “Right.”
 
 Hearing her words, the nodding men each responded with their own words.
 
 “Ojou-sama. Your hand.”
 
 Taking Anna’s offered hand, Letty placed a foot on the carriage’s step.
 
 “Oh, right. When the carriage runs———”
 
 “Go as slowly as possible, right?”
 
 Letty nodded at her attendant’s words.
 
 “As expected of Anna.”
 
 “Because I am Ojou-sama’s attendant.”
 
 Saying so, the two of them smiled.
 
 
 ☆
 
 
 That day, the entire speech was distributed by a journalist who showed up late^[4], and for a while, it became the talk of the kingdom.
 
 It is said that, when reading the newspaper, the nation’s king was greatly amused, saying something to the effect of 『Count Ainsworth has a gift for speeches too. I’d like her to make a speech in the Senate next time』.
 
 Setting the domestic reaction aside, the truth of the matter is that the speech strongly resounded in the hearts of the people gathered in Cocomel.
 
 That day, the reporting newspaper had this written at the end of the article to finish it off:
 
 
 
 ——— 『That day, those residing in the County became one. The moment the speech ended, shouts of 『Ainsworth!』 could be heard, and that crazy excitement included everyone, from babies to the elderly, and continued late into the night.』 ———
 
 
 
 
 
 『Magic revolution of a Young Noblewoman Starting Over』
 
 《Part 2, Complete》