The Strategist Knows Everything - Side Story of Volume 4
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- Side Story of Volume 4 - A Quiet Story: Roy's Chapter 2
Part 4: Albion Chapter
A Quiet Story: Roy’s Chapter 2
Translated by: Hiro02
Edited by: SevenTails
The key to Mikana’s room had already been lent to us by the ship’s captain, a pompous princess, so it was easy to get in.
“If I open it without permission, arrows will fly at me…”
I could imagine myself being ripped to shreds without being able to defend myself.
Why in the world do I have to do this?
I should just get it over with.
I held the tray in one hand and lightly tapped on the door with the other.
“Mikana. It’s me, Roy. I brought you some food, so come and eat.”
I tried to be as calm and proper as possible. Well, it was the same as always.
The ship had left the Empire two days ago, and Mikana hasn’t eaten anything since then.
No matter who brought her food, she would not accept it.
It will probably be no different this time.
There was no way she would open the door to me if she didn’t open it for Nicola-onee-chan.
I waited for a while but received no response.
What if she was actually dead? The thought crossed my mind.
No, she didn’t seem like she would die even if she tried, so I guessed she was okay.
I shrugged my shoulders and was about to leave the front of the room when the door suddenly opened.
“Whoa!”
“… -what is it…?”
“What is it? It’s not… It’s you…”
I was surprised by the sudden opening of the door, but I was more surprised by the sight of Mikana coming out of the room.
She was always well-groomed, always wearing her clothes and armour, no matter where she was or what she was doing.
But now, right in front of me, Mikana’s hair, which usually was tied back, was bouncy and shaggy. Her skin was rough, her eyes were red and swollen from crying, and her clothes were wrinkled and crumpled.
There was absolutely no resemblance to her previous self.
When she was well-groomed, Mikana was pretty enough to attract attention, but now, I doubt anyone will pay attention to her.
“… Something happened?”
“You look terrible. You should at least put your clothes on properly…”
It was only after I told her that Mikana realized how awful she looked and gave me a sharp glare.
“It’s not my fault…”
“… Please wait a moment.”
Mikana closed the door as soon as she said it.
I could hear some sort of rustling sound across the room.
The room that I saw just a moment ago was so messy that I thought there was no place to step. That must be the reason.
Well, at any rate, if she was still rational enough to feel embarrassed about her appearance, then she’ll be fine.
It meant that she’s got enough room in her mind to feel embarrassed.
Erica-onee-chan, who was watching me from afar, had a big smile on her face.
I’m sure she was happy that the mission was a success, but I had a feeling that Mikana would have come out of her room even if it wasn’t me.
When she came out of her room, her eyes were glued to the food on the tray. I’m pretty sure she came out because she really was starving.
Well, after two days of fasting, she must be feeling very hungry.
Just when I convinced myself of this, the door opened.
Mikana, who somehow managed to look presentable, came out, a little out of breath.
“Don’t be in such a hurry. The food won’t run away, okay?”
“Who says I’m hungry?”
“So you don’t want it?”
“I have no intention of wasting food. If it’s for me, I’ll eat it. Otherwise, it’s disrespectful to the person who made it.”
“No, I’m sure the cook would definitely love to feed someone hungry, you know? That’s why I’m going to eat this meal.”
At the same time, Mikana reached for the tray.
However, my behaviour was to be expected.
“Damn it! Give it to me now!”
“I’ll think about it when you beg me for it.”
Now that I had a trump card in the form of food, I could make up for my grudge against her.
I’ve been called an idiot and a fool, but I was going to remind them that I can be devious in my own way.
“… I understand.”
“Okay! Now say it!”
“I’ll eat in the mass hall.”
Huh?
Mikana quickly ran to the ship’s mess hall.
All that’s left behind was me.
“Roy? What are we doing here?”
“… No, she got out of the room, and what do you know, it’s all thanks to me after all, isn’t it…?”
Erica-onee-chan grabbed my shoulder from behind.
I was too scared to turn around.
“Do you really want burnt food so badly, Roy?”
“Erica-san, calm down! As Roy-san said, Mikana-san came out, after all, so let’s just be happy about it!”
Nicola-onee-chan said so and got in between Erica-onee-chan and me.
“If Nicola says so, then I guess we have no choice.”
Oh, no, no, no. Watch out.
My dinner was about to turn into a black object.
I let out a breath and suddenly was approached by another voice.
“You were depressed just now, and now you’re talking like an idiot… You’re a cheerful bunch.”
There was only one person on this ship who talked like this.
“Yo, pompous princess.”
I couldn’t help but call out to her in a normal way.
As I realized that I was in trouble and was about to correct myself, I noticed that the tray in my hand was getting cold.
I looked at the food on the tray and saw that it was frozen over.
“Be careful how you speak. Your mistress doesn’t look pompous; she is domineering.”
“… Roger that.”
“Also, food is precious at sea. Make sure you eat it, even if it has ice on it, okay?”
The most important person on this ship had started to say the most ridiculous things.
The way she said it now, it was as if I’d do it.
“This is my dinner?!”
“I’m good at freezing, but I’m not good at melting. Ask the Red Lotus Witch over there, Captain of the Fifth Unit.”
“I’m not very good at subtle fire control.”
A bunch of unreasonable people.
Even though they can use magic, they are completely useless in this kind of situation.
“If you leave it in a warm place, it will probably melt. I’ll give you some of mine as well.”
“Nicola-onee-chan is the only one on my side…”
“Well, enough of this farce.”
“─What kind of a farce is freezing people’s dinner…? If you like iced meals so much, you can have your meals iced yourself, mistress, okay?”
It was a cowardly threat, using my meal as a hostage.
“I’m sorry.”
“Not very cordial, but all right. Gather Nox’s troop leaders. We need a strategy meeting.”
“Strategy meeting? For what?”
The princess looked at me with pity in her eyes.
Damn it, what’s wrong with asking what you don’t know?
“Huh, you know the drill, don’t you? It’s a strategy to land in Veris.”
“… Is it really that hard to land?”
It was not only the princess but also Erica-onee-chan and Nicola-onee-chan who let out a sigh.
It’s strange. I don’t remember saying anything weird.
“You fool. The Empire has control over the seas around Veris right now, remember?”
“No, but the Imperial fleet is fighting them, isn’t it?”
“The First Fleet has already begun to withdraw. With the current relationship between the Empire and Veris, staying within Veris’ territorial waters may cause unnecessary conflict.”
“Ha?! Then what about the port?”
“It’s occupied. That’s why we have to think of a strategy to break through it. We’ll ask the First Fleet for a diversion, but it will be difficult for them to provide full support. It will be difficult to break through the port unless we do it very well.”
“Hey… What are you going to do…? We’re useless on the sea, right?”
My words were met with a raised eyebrow from the princess.
Then, she turned her non-existent breasts away and declared.
“Don’t doubt me! Your mistress is Liasha Dunehail! I will not trouble you on the sea! The only question is whether you can successfully break through the port. It’s the only question!”
What was it? These words were supposed to be very reassuring, but I didn’t feel reassured at all.
Maybe it’s…
“She’s the one who cried for Yukito-onii-chan…”
“No, I don’t cry! That’s rude!”
“Don’t. Roy, you were trying so hard not to cry yourself.”
“The Red Lotus Witch… Did the mistress become irritated…?”
“I beg your pardon, Lady Liasha.”
When I saw the princess glaring at Erica-onee-chan, I felt that she became even more unreliable.
Nicola-onee-chan must have thought so too because she blurted out a few words.
“… I wonder if… it will be okay.”
I do agree with her.
I couldn’t help Yukito-onii-chan if I didn’t do something here, so I had no choice, no matter what.
Determined to do something about it, I started by looking for a warm place to stay for the time being.