Chapter 1: Project Lorelei (part 5)

If the ruler of Amidonia had been not Gaius or Julius, but Roroa instead, the

world might be a very different place right now. No, there was no doubt it would

have been. When he thought about that, Colbert couldn't help but feel a deep sense

of regret.

However, it seemed Roroa herself wasn't even thinking about that. "It just means

my old man was no match for him. That old man was hopeless when it came to

anythin' off the battlefield, after all. Honestly... I told him if he didn't stimulate the

eagerness to spend and get the economy movin' again, this economic slump was

gonna last forever, but he didn't hear a word I said."

Hearing her speaking so bitterly, Colbert hurried to respond. "Um, princess...

about your father..."

"Oh, don't you worry about that none," she said. "I ain't too bothered by it

myself."

In the recent battle, the forces of Amidonia had suffered a major defeat at the

hands of the forces of Elfrieden, and Roroa's father Gaius VIII had been struck down

by the Royal Army under the command of Souma Kazuya.

When Colbert tried to show her some sympathy for her loss, Roroa just waved

for him to stop. "I wondered why it is? I heard my old man's dead now, but I don't

feel sad about it one bit. I guess in the end, I never did get along with my old man or

my brother..."

"Princess..." murmured Colbert.

"If anythin'... I'm shocked that I ain't more shocked by it," said Roroa. "I oughta

want revenge against Souma, but all I'm feelin' towards him is curiosity. The way he

rebuilt that old country and the strange way he uses the Jewel Voice Broadcast, I

wonder what kinda world he must've lived in to learn to do all that. I'd like to meet

him and talk about it. Hey, Mr. Colbert. Do ya think I'm heartless, maybe?"

For the first time, her uncertain eyes peeked out from behind the hood. Her moist

eyes were like those of an abandoned puppy. When Colbert saw her like that, he

hurriedly said "No!" and shook his head.

"You were trying to save this country in a different way from Lord Gaius!" he

declared. "That's why you never got along with Gaius or Julius, who put ideology

before the people, and you feel a kinship with King Souma who always looks at

things through the eyes of his people! That is the true proof you are the princess of

this country!"

When Colbert said that, Roroa, who had just moments before had the look of an

abandoned puppy, said, "Y'sure? Well, good," then started chuckling to herself.

W-Were those crocodile tears?!

Even the mild-mannered Colbert was ready to snap at her for that, but he

reconsidered. Roroa was capable of pretending to be sad, but she was also capable of

pretending to be pretending to be sad. Only Roroa knew what she truly felt. So...

Colbert said nothing.

Then, suddenly, Roroa pulled back her hood. With her two ponytails hanging

forward in front of her, Roroa's adorable face came into view. Colbert's eyes opened

wide with surprise.

"Princess, what do you think you're doing?! We are in hiding, you realize?! What

if someone sees you?!" he exclaimed.

"Everyone's busy watchin' the music program," she said. "They ain't gonna be

lookin' at either of us. But, before we talk about that, as the man I'm gonna be up

against, I was thinkin' I should burn the image of Souma's face into my eyes now."

In Roroa's eyes, Souma was a plain, ordinary young man, the kind you could find

anywhere. However, she was also well aware that there was more to him than met

the eye. A normal person couldn't restore a declining kingdom, or defeat the three

dukes and the principality. He was a difficult opponent to gauge precisely because he

looked so normal.

Roroa put her hood back on, pulling Colbert by the arm as she walked away.

"Now then, we've got some preparin' of our own to do. Souma moves faster than I

thought."

"...Ah! Yes, ma'am!" Colbert said.

Thinking that this was where things would begin in earnest, Colbert wore a

serious expression on his face. As she walked, Roroa turned back, looking at the

image of Souma projected by the receiver, and giggled.

Now that you've gotten us in the mood, don't go thinkin' we'll let you run off while

you're ahead, she thought. You're gonna have to take responsibility for it. Oh, yes, you

are. Better get yourself ready, Souma! ♪

◇ ◇ ◇

With Juna's song finished, it was Pamille's turn again. We didn't have enough

loreleis yet, so for today's broadcast, each of them was going to sing two songs.

When Pamille's turn ended, I waited for Nanna to begin her second song, and

then dragged Aisha off to somewhere out of sight, where we wouldn't show up in the

broadcast.

"Wh-What is it, sire?" she asked. "We're still live, you know?"

"I told you there was something I was worried about during this broadcast,

yeah?" I said. "It's what comes up after Nanna."

When she heard those words, Aisha took on a serious expression.

I quietly told her, "When the next act begins, I'm counting on you as my

bodyguard."

"Wha?! You don't mean to say Madam Juna would do somethi—mmmph."

Even though we were still in the middle of the broadcast, Aisha had started to

raise her voice, so I'd covered her mouth with my hand.

Once she'd calmed down, I silently shook my head. "It's not Juna. In between

Nanna and Juna's second songs, we have a singer who jumped in to participate at the

last minute."

"Mmph... I-I never heard about that!" Aisha cried.

"Like I said, she jumped in at the last minute," I said. "We decided on it suddenly,

right before we went live. Besides, if I'd warned you in advance, I figured you'd be

too busy thinking about it and you'd flub your lines."

"Murrgh... I can't deny it," she said.

Oh, come on... I thought.

Still, I clapped her on the shoulder. "So, there you have it. I'm counting on you if it

comes to that. You're one of the hosts, so you can't carry your greatsword, but do

you want to keep a smaller weapon on you?"

"No, in that case, I'm better off bare-handed... Wait, is this person that

dangerous?!" Aisha exclaimed.

"Nah... I think, probably, it won't be an issue," I said. "I'm just taking out some

insurance."

"Insurance, I see... Understood. I will protect you to the death, sire."

Aisha thumped her chest once. It usually made a metallic clang because of her

armor, but today Aisha was in a cocktail dress. The ample bosom that was usually

hidden beneath her armor swayed, so I turned away in embarrassment because I

didn't know where to look.

Now, then... Let's see how this goes.

◇ ◇ ◇

"This music program sure is nice..." someone in the crowd said.

By the time they had finished listening to Nanna's second song, an air of

relaxation had set in for the Amidonian viewers. They were sincerely enjoying the

music program. Judging by the order of things so far, Juna Doma was up next. They

were even excited to hear her singing again.

However, that air was all but blown away in the next instant.

A woman appeared on the screen. She looked to be somewhere between thirty

and forty years old. She stood nearly two meters tall, with a build so muscular that it

was apparent even through the military uniform she wore. There was a sharp glint

in her eye, and she wore her hair slicked back, so it was hard to tell what her gender

was.

In fact, the only ones who knew that she was female were the viewers in the

principality. It turned out viewers in the kingdom thought she was a guy in drag.

Souma and Aisha appeared on the screen next to the woman. Souma still had his

forced smile on, but Aisha was looking at the woman warily.

"Now, we have a surprise guest participant," said Souma. "It's the Amidonian

commander, Margarita Wonder. While the troops garrisoned in Van were

withdrawing, Ms. Wonder remained here to monitor whether we were respecting

the agreement and not harming the people."

The people of Van nodded. That sounds exactly like Madam Wonder, they thought.

Despite living in the Principality of Amidonia, where it was hard for women to

make a successful career for themselves, her extraordinary martial prowess and

ability to lead had let her rise to the rank of general, and she was now an

experienced warrior. Her martial ability and stern appearance made her feared by

the people, but she had also gained their trust for her reputation as a fair and

upright individual.

Still, that made it all the harder for them to understand. What was Madam

Wonder doing here, next to Souma?

"Ms. Wonder was a prisoner of war, but the reason for her capture being what it

was, we had her under house arrest," said Souma. "However, when she heard about

this broadcast, she said, 'I'd like you to let me sing, too,' and volunteered to

participate."

Souma was talking in a cheery tone, but Margarita herself was silent. That

difference in enthusiasm between the two of them was palpable, and it sent a chill

running down the spines of the residents of Van.

"Hey... is something about to happen?" someone in the crowd wondered.

"You don't think Madam Wonder would use this as a chance to try and kill

Souma, do you?"

"No, Madam Wonder would never stoop to doing something so underhanded..."

"But look at that dark elf's expression. She's on guard."

"Souma's smiling, but you can tell he's on edge, too."

Even though the events were actually unfolding in the castle, the people in Van

could pick up on the uneasy air and it frightened them. In that atmosphere, Souma

kept on talking with a smile.

"Now, let's hear her sing. Ms. Margarita Wonder's song will be... 'Through the

Valley of Goldoa.'"

When they heard the song title, the air flowing around the audience seemed to

freeze.

The announced song, "Through the Valley of Goldoa," was the national anthem of

Amidonia. She was going to sing the anthem in occupied Van, right in front of Souma,

the occupying power's king.

The people of Amidonia understood the significance of that in an instant.

Madam Wonder was prepared to face death.

Once Souma and Aisha had gone off-screen, a solemn piece of music in a minor

key began to play. Then, at last, Margarita started to sing.

"In the land beyond the mountains, where Ursula will be born tomorrow, ♪ Is the

land that birthed our forefathers, the land to which we will return. ♪ Press on, O

horses, climbing over the hill of our fallen comrades. ♪ Press on, O brave warriors, to

become the earth of the land beyond. ♪"

It was a powerful song sung in a husky voice. The people of the principality

naturally stood tall with pride.

Margarita's singing forcibly reminded the people of the principality that they

were citizens of Amidonia, including the ones in Van.

They had been feeling a budding admiration for the "freedom" enjoyed by the

people of the kingdom, but her song was like a frost that caused those buds to close.

[MISTERLP]: Well, i already posted 6 chaps, so tomorow i post more. see y'a.