The Invincible Aloof Yandere Princess Falls in Love with Her Younger Court Mage's Fatherly Warmth! ~She Clung to Him So Much That the King Fired Him. When He Made Marriage His Official Reason for Resigning Under Royal Order, the Light Vanished from the Princess's Eyes~

Chapter 3: Division Commander of the “Shield of the Mane”

“No, really, sorry about this. Making you come all the way out here, away from the capital. Court mages usually don’t leave the capital, I think, but our operations cover the whole kingdom.”

I walked between the rows of houses, listening to the knight who came to meet us. Our destination seemed to be the village head’s house.

“We wanted to handle it ourselves, honestly. But there appears to be a skilled mage on the enemy side, and there are other situations where we need mages’ power, so we reached out to you all.”

“Hmm, I see. So the more detailed request will come from the person in charge…?”

“Yes, sorry… It touches on confidential matters, so directly from the division commander, please. Plus, the division commander is looking forward to explaining it in person.”

“Looking forward?”

When I asked back, the knight made a face like “Ah, crap.” Okay, okay, I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that.

But anyway, even before hearing from the division commander—or rather, before leaving the capital—I already knew some of the circumstances.

Cooperating to eliminate the armed forces attacking the farming villages around here. That was why my squad was called in this time.

But for some reason, this request specifically named me, and the princess was strongly against it. She almost pushed it with “My adjutant can’t leave me!”

Still, before being the princess’s adjutant, I’m also a court mage. And a senior one with subordinates, at that.

Plus, honestly, when I hear about villages in crisis… I can’t help thinking of my hometown.

Even for me, who doesn’t hold strong attachments to most things, I feel like I have to help at least a little. When I told her that, she reluctantly accepted, which shows the princess is really a honest good girl.

…Just, speaking of which. There was one other thing that bothered me.

Yesterday, when I met Suu-san after a long time, she was oddly in high spirits and said,

“You’re going outside the capital starting tomorrow? It’ll be tough, but good luck. There might even be some surprise!”

…How did Suu-san know I was going on an expedition for a request? And what surprise?

While I was thinking about that.

“We’re here! This is the village head’s house. We’re a bit earlier than planned, but the welcome preparations should be ready soon!”

The knight said that in front of the largest house I’d seen in the village. We were urged inside.

Passing busy-looking women in the hallway now and then, we headed to a large room with a long table in the center.

Dishes were being brought in one after another to the table, and the welcome preparations were just about complete.

“Heh. Everything looks like dishes I’ve never seen before.”

“Hmm. I don’t know many of these either, for all my reading. Well, let’s taste one.”

Ah. The two of them sat down on their own and started reaching for the food that was still being served.

Isn’t that a bit too rude? I should say something, I thought.

Just at that moment.

“…! You’ve arrived! I’ve been waiting!”

A voice from behind. And this one, I remember hearing recently…

I turned around suspiciously, and there stood.

—A tall, slender woman with long black hair that had red inner coloring.

She wore light armor engraved with the lion emblem. It had more decorations than what regular knights wore, showing she was a high-ranking knight.

But even though she was such a high-ranking knight, when her sharp eyes met mine…

—She smiled brightly, truly happily. She blinked her round eyes and expressed her joy with gestures as she spoke.

“You got here much earlier than I heard! But I’m glad the time apart from you turned out shorter than expected. —Ah, sorry, I need to be a bit more serious right now because of my position. My subordinates are watching, after all.”

“Division Commander, why are you suddenly so excited… or rather, this is the first time I’ve seen you like that…! Even the division commander makes faces like that…!”

“…Hm. Is something strange? I think I’m always smiling and approachable as a division commander.”

“No way whe— Eek! Y-Yes, that’s right! My apologies!”

“…Really, saying unnecessary things. …Anyway! Let’s pull ourselves together. —Thank you for coming in response to my call today. Since this appearance… is our first meeting, let me reintroduce myself.”

Then, she declared.

“I’m Scarlet Clay, division commander of the Great Lion Knights’ ‘Shield of the Mane.’ …How about it? Surprised, Al-kun?”

Hearing her words, my feelings were exactly as she said—completely filled with surprise.

“—Suu-san is the division commander…!? But Suu-san is supposed to be a maid—”

“I’m sorry for keeping it secret all this time… But I finally mustered the courage to tell you. To you, and only because it’s you…”

Why is the division commander dressed as a maid? Was her usual look some kind of camouflage?

Um, what should I ask first, I thought with my slightly confused head, when figures entered the corner of my vision.

Ah. These two, doing whatever they want again—

“Pleased to meet you, Division Commander Scarlet. I am Keirens Albus, eldest son of Marquis Albus house. I have come in response to your call. …However, your beauty lives up to the reputation of the beautiful swordswoman who rose to division commander at the youngest age…”

“Ah, this guy again… My colleague is rude… but Division Commander, you seem to already know that guy—no, our squad leader, so I’d love to get acquainted too. —I’m Ignatz Edel, court mage. Not as good a family as him, but I’m pretty confident in my skills. If I prove useful in this mission, please consider promoting me.”

Hmm. They seemed a bit rushed, but they weren’t saying anything rude, so no need to warn them this time…

Yes, while I’m at it, I should introduce the last one too, I thought briefly.

…For some reason, Suu-san’s expression looks really stern? Did my subordinates say something to offend her—

“You two, from what you just said, you’re Al-kun’s subordinates. —…Yet you’re treating him quite lightly, aren’t you?”

“Huh?”

“—It makes me very uncomfortable. I want to talk with Al-kun alone. Could you two leave quickly?”