Vol 3 Chapter 53 – Heading to the Ignia Estate【Empire War Arc】

Roy’s group successfully entered Imperial territory.

The group had assumed they’d head straight to the Imperial Capital, but according to Sophia, they were now bound for the domain of Eiden Ignia—founder of the Anti-Nobility Armed Organization, Stark.

Naturally, no one objected. After all, they’d made it this far thanks to Stark’s assistance.

Location-wise, they traveled east, tracing the Kingdom’s border.

The group entered a deep and vast forest. Dart, who led Stark, took point. The Shadow Clan occupied the middle, with Ange’s former royal guards bringing up the rear.

Light snow drifted down. It had started falling after Roy’s group crossed the border. The Imperial territory itself was a cold region, and combined with the current Season of Blue, those unaccustomed to the cold were sneezing.

The Stark members and Sophia, being from the Empire, advanced briskly and didn’t seem particularly cold.

(Sophia… isn’t she cold in that slit dress?)

While Roy pondered this, Sophia vigilantly scanned their surroundings. Just then, Dart turned around with a beaming smile and began speaking.

“You Kingdom folk, snow’s pretty rare for you, right? Savor that novelty while you can. You’ll be sick of it soon enough…”

“…”

No one had the energy to respond. (Honestly, I’d prefer if he just guided us in silence.)

“Ahem! Whatever you do, don’t stray from the path. Snow Wolves prowl these woods. Their fangs hurt like hell, you know?”

One of the Shadow Clan members, exhausted from the long journey, snapped at Dart.

“Hey, Dart-san, we fought Kingdom knights to a standstill, you know? We’re not gonna lose to some wolves.”

Dart’s expression soured.

“Don’t get cocky. Fighting in unfamiliar terrain drains way more stamina than you’d think. Besides, you were just shooting arrows from atop the wall, weren’t you? It was Roy-dono who fought on the front lines, putting his body on the line.”

Dart seemed irritated that his well-intentioned warning had been dismissed so casually. He started arguing back… (if this continues, internal conflict is inevitable.)

(Now, what to do…?)

“Shut uuuup! Dart, was it? You should’ve just given your Snow Wolf warning and turned back around. We don’t need your extra concern!”

An irate Ange scolded Dart. Then she turned her gaze toward the Shadow Clan member.

“And you, consider Dart’s feelings! He came to the Kingdom to protect you people, then risked his life helping you cross the border, you know?”

“…Yes.” “…Got it.”

Both parties looked dejected. Then Roy noticed Yukino starting to drift away and pulled her back with Shadow Whip.

“…Didn’t I tell you not to wander off?”

“Ugh, I’m cold and sleepy… zzz”

“H-hey! Don’t fall asleep while walking… Can’t be helped.”

He wrapped his arm around Yukino’s shoulder and tucked her completely inside his cloak. Yukino flinched, then grabbed onto Roy’s clothes and began walking alongside him.

Her eyes grew moist, her face flushed slightly, and she leaned her head against Roy’s chest.

“Hey! No flirting!”

“We’re not!”

At Ange’s remark, laughter erupted around them, boosting everyone’s morale.

“Roy-san… we’re like a married couple…”

“No one said that, you know?”

Roy retaliated by roughly tousling Yukino’s hair for her mischief.

Sophia, noticing the commotion behind her, started needling them.

“Why is your hand under her arm?”

(Ah, when did that happen? No ulterior motive. Besides, this way she won’t drift off.)

“Well, it’s so Yukino won’t wander away…”

“Why is your hand moving forward a bit? Yukino, if you don’t like it, you need to speak up, okay?”

(Ugh… my hand had gradually moved forward. Gotta watch that. I’m too used to it from the purification rituals.)

“Me? Um… I’m used to it… I guess?”

“Question mark!!”

(Since even Sophia’s saying this, maybe I should stop sleeping together with her. At first she’d squeeze her eyes shut and scream, but now she just blushes and makes eye contact.)

While this was happening, the forest began to open up. Everyone was surprised by the sudden change in scenery.

—This is Ignia territory.

Houses with steep roofs—designed to handle snow—lined the streets, and vast fields were full of ripe red tomatoes.

Though it was still daytime, street lamps powered by magic stones were already lit, casting a faint glow over the entire town and transforming it into a fantastical orange landscape.

“Roy-dono, that large building is Eiden-sama’s manor.”

Where Dart pointed stood a castle-like structure.

“…It’s huge.”

“Even though he’s a landowner, he’s still a lower-class noble… this is on the small side.”

Dart answered with a somewhat self-deprecating tone, as if something weighed on his mind.

Roy decided not to press further and silently followed along.

☆☆☆

New arc begins! Time for the customary status update!

(Roy has been checking stats in detail behind the scenes)

Manabu and Sarina’s dark weapons were completely purified, so their levels aren’t displayed. (They retain some of the original weapon characteristics)

Yukino’s Magic Staff Thyrsus is linked to Roy’s Holy Sword Gram, so it avoided complete purification.

S-Rank weapons exist beyond just holy and dark types, and all are called Legendary Weapons.

Status

Roy & Yukino (Shadow Mage, Healer)

Gram +96

Total Power 9230

Holy Sword Enhancement

Thyrsus +96

Total Power 8990

Skill Improvement

Sarina “Spear Master”

Meteor Spear (Lightning)