Rune Troopers: Self-Defense Forces Adventure - Chapter 2: Argentavis (Part 7)

It was the second time Lalona had come to the Royal Castle. The first time was when she participated in the military parade after joining the army.

Her legs trembled with tension. Because, at the military parade, they could only enter the square inside the castle, but this time they even stepped into the throne room. 

As a retinue of Carda, this was unexpected. Normally, they would have to wait in the waiting room. The gazes of the guards who covered their mouths with a veil felt terrifying.

But at the same time, she was moved by the honor of having an audience with Her Majesty.

Now she listened in silence as her superior Carda made her report, with her head bowed as she stared at the finely embroidered rug.

“A ship made of iron?”

Lalona could hear the voice of a man who was probably close to Her Majesty.

He spoke in a mocking tone.

“And it was as big as an island, and it moved across the sea without sails?”

This time, the words mixed with ridicule from someone who seemed to be a Court lady. Lalona was annoyed.

She was brought here so that she would be laughed at for being a hoax.

The low voice of a man who seemed to be a high-ranking military officer landed another blow.

“Well, in wartime, absurd stories and strange rumors take on a life of their own. It’s not surprising.”

Lalona clenched her fist tightly.

She grew up in the mountains and had good eyesight. She was that big, and on top of that, there was no way she could have mistaken her for what she had seen up close. She didn’t remember eating anything bad too that would affect her sight.

However, no objection was allowed here. As a commoner, Lalona couldn’t even raise her head. At that time, she was speaking quietly, but then she heard a resolute voice.

“… I’m sorry, but are you going to doubt my subordinate’s report?”

“No, no, I’m not laughing at the Warrior Commander Carda’s words…”

“Taunting my subordinates is mocking me.”

Lalona looked up in surprise. She was screwed, she thought, but fortunately, she was not reprimanded.

Carda never flinched in the presence of the Nation’s heavyweights in the throne room. As an aristocrat, she was dignified. However, the place froze at the words because of that pride. 

No wonder. 

The opponent was something that a mere Warrior Commander could fight against.

Several ministers expressed their anger at Carda and tried to speak up.

However, the voice of a certain person saved Carda from her predicament.

“… Interesting news.”

It was the voice of a cunning yet youthful girl.

Everyone present was amazed.

That was because the one who spoke was the person sitting on the throne.

On the throne, a girl crossed her legs and looked down, fanning her little face with a finely crafted fan.

She wore a tropical dress made of white fabric so thin that one could see through her brown skin. Her blonde hair, tied in two, fell on her back. Red eyes, which were rare even in this region, seem to be emanating the aura of Royalty.

Despite her age of fifteen, no, not even over thirteen, she possessed a dignity that made even grown-ups cringe.

Her name was Hamiea. She was the Queen of this Nation.

“H-Her Majesty Queen Hamiea…”

The Queen of the Nation showed interest in Carda’s story. With that alone, Carda’s position was reversed. But Carda himself couldn’t hide his surprise.

She even rolled her eyes when it came to Lalona.

“Then, that iron ship…” She folded the fan that was fanning her face and asked.

“What Nation do you think this ship came from and what purpose does it serve, Carda?”

She descended from her throne and walked away. In the cool breeze of the throne room, her thin robe swayed like a celestial robe.

All the people in this place prostrated themselves. It was not everyday when the Queen would leave her throne.

“I would like to express my sincere gratitude. Your Majesty.”

Carda hesitated in her judgment, but because of her loyalty to his Queen, she concluded that there was no choice but to be honest.

“The truth is that I have no idea.”

“Oh, I see…”

Hamiea narrowed her eyes and let out a small chuckle. It sounded like she was impressed rather than mocking her.

“You’re quite talented, aren’t you?”

Some in the audience thought the Queen was being ironic. But some decided it was a tribute to her. The latter was correct. 

Accurate information was of utmost importance in the military. If one put subjectivity in there, all subsequent judgments would go wrong. It was never incompetent to be honest with accepting something that one didn’t know.

“Then you have already decided what you should do.”

Hamiea gave her a faint smile.

It was a smile like that of an infant plotting a mischief, but it seemed that behind it lay a deep plot that even adults couldn’t think of.

The Queen pointed at the prostrating Carda with her fan.

“Carda, uncover their true identities. And if they are not enemies, bring them before me.” A commotion ensued.

“Unidentified people in front of Her Majesty!?”

“Your Majesty, that is not possible!”

Hamiea replied with a cool face to the aides who shouted at each other.

“Why? I don’t think it’s that strange to invite someone who isn’t an enemy here as a guest?”

“However……”

“If they pretend to not be an enemy and try to take my life, you will say that you cannot protect me, right?

After being told that, no one could retort. Hamiea already said to everyone with a mysterious face.

“The Filborg Empire has become an enemy. The Holy Prominian Empire with a thousand-year history has also fallen, and this Nation is in danger.”

She gallantly turned her back and attempted to return to her throne.

And she, in a low voice that no one could hear, continued.

“This Nation needs allies.”

She looked out over the terrace overlooking Seyrord Bay.

“It’s a beautiful Nation.”

She loved the Nation with all her heart.

“That’s why I can’t pretend to be.”

“If this Nation perishes. The city will be burned and the people will be enslaved…”

The ultimatum sent by the messenger of the Filborg Succession Empire was to pledge allegiance to her vassal state. That was unacceptable.

She was required to donate most of the income of this prosperous trading city to the Empire, to have Hamiea and other important families of the Nation live in the Imperial Capital Agartha, and even to provide military forces in times of war.

On top of that, she didn’t think the Empire would guarantee their lives as promised even if they followed it. In the past, some did accept the same demands, but were killed on suspicion of rebellion as soon as they could not meet the Imperial Tax hike.

(I will never let you do that.)

There was no other way left than to fight.

However, it was also true that they did not have the strength to win against that mighty Empire on their own.

Since they were separated by the sea, they couldn’t attack today or tomorrow, but it didn’t change the fact that they had no time.

The Nation of Marysea was planning to form alliances with neighboring Nations and prepare for war with the Empire. However, it became a disaster when the Empire declared war on Marysea. 

There are few countries that were willing to cooperate with the Empire in the fight. She knew that tomorrow would be her turn, but she didn’t want to let go of the immediate comfort.

(An unidentified ship made of iron… huh. Hmm, even I know that something like that is a misunderstanding. It’s profitable if you can pull it in.)

Right now, she wanted to use whatever element was likely to bring her Nation an advantage in battle.

She carried the burden of an entire Nation on her back.

She looked up at the sky beyond the terrace, trying to ease the pressure on her.

── and.

“Hmm?”

 Her ears twitched as she found “something” coming from beyond the sky.

(What is that?)

Instinctively, she started walking towards the terrace.

Her aides were taken aback and hurriedly followed her.

“Your Majesty!? What’s wrong!?”

One of the ministers asked Hamiea, but she didn’t even move, staring at the sky.

At that time, Lalona gradually began to hear something like a strange hum.

“What is that sound?”

The aides couldn’t hide their upset at the sound they had never heard.

It sounded like something was hitting the air.

The sound grew gradually as it approached them.

“Ah, what the hell is that…!?”

Everyone there recognized four things flying from the sky beyond the sea.

If it was a commercial Argentavis, they would have seen it many times a day.

But it wasn’t Argentavis.

In the first place, Argentavis didn’t make that kind of noise.

“Oh, is it a monster?”

“Giant bug?”

Speculations were being talked about on the terrace, but no one could know the answer.

Carda felt relieved.

That flying object was heading this way.

Due to his sense of responsibility as a knight, Carda reported to Hamiea.

“I shall head out! Your Majesty, please go indoors!”

However, Hamiea, who was staring at the unidentifiable object with a pensive face, said to the senior vassals without trying to move.

“Bring me binoculars”

“What!?”

Hamiea’s reply stunned the retainers.

“Hurry up!”

In a hurry, one of the maids presented a high-class binocular made by a dwarf craftsman that she usually used to see the city and the sea from this terrace.

Hamiea looked at it.

Carefully observe the object flying in the sky.

And then, he muttered in a state of genuine surprise.

“… what the hell, next to the ship made of iron, there is no way it’s an insect made of iron.”

She felt a little shy and had a fearless smile.

“Carda.”

“Ha, here.”

Hamiea commanded Carda.

“It’s still too early to conclude that your report is nonsense. I want to know the true identity of that object. Fulfill my order.”

“What!?”

Queen Hamiea glanced up at the sky, staring at her stunning subjects.

(Isn’t the iron ship that emerged from the sea of ​​mermaids a mistake?)

Hamiea covered her mouth with her fan and gave a crooked smile.