Magic Gems Gourmet

Chapter 314

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ED: LonelyMatter

Chapter 314 – Different Path

Now, let’s move to the Heim Autonomous Region, specifically the port town of Roundheart.

Even here, near where the Roundheart family mansion once stood, black antique-style street lamps and neatly laid cobblestones hinted at a higher level of technology. This was because Heim has already become one of Ishtalika’s cities.

As the year was coming to an end—and thus, as Ain’s birthday was drawing near—those who had crossed the sea, especially Batz, radiated courage.

“Leonard, Our formation is complete.”

“Already… That was fast…”

“This is my main job, after all. So, how about your side?”

“Almost done. Just hold on.”

The knights, organized into groups of dozens, stood in formation without a sound, their posture resolute. Back at the ships moored in the harbor, more forces were likely preparing for their own missions, ready to go at a moment’s notice.

They were all regular knights, the pride of Ishtalika. Though they did not quite reach the level of the Royal Knights, their formidable physiques and honed skills were in no way inferior to those of knights from other nations.

The knights who had finished forming ahead of Batz had already left the port town and were preparing to advance toward Birdland outside the city.

A dozen minutes after Batz arrived with Leonard, all formations were finally complete, and the two caught their breath.

“I never get used to this. A young, inexperienced guy like me giving orders to knights like I own the place.”

“You idiot! This is exactly the kind of situation where acting like you own the place is just right.”

“Oh? And that means?”

“Well, if you were a knight, would you want to follow a commander who was wandering around aimlessly? A sense of responsibility is necessary, but you must never show hesitation.”

“Still, I hate how I always end up learning from you when it comes to this sort of thing.”

“I’m a military officer; you’re a civilian. Just deal with it. Seriously.”

“I’ll reluctantly comply. I’ll head back to the ship first. A civilian task perfectly suited for me awaits.”

Two knights escorted Leonard away. Then, taking his place, Tigre approached Batz.

“Impressive. Hard to believe it was your first time commanding.”

“Right? I used to play similar games with my father when I was little.”

“What sort of games did your father play? Never mind. So, are you two leaving immediately?”

“That’s the plan. We’ll head straight for Birdland, then push on to Rockdam in the northwest.”

“Why didn’t you go to Rockdam from the start?”

“Because, frankly, the investigation in Birdland is more important.”

“…I see.”

◇ ◇ ◇ ◇

Batz, Leonard, and the other commanders who had finished their preparations departed the port town of Roundheart. Less than two days later, in the dead of night, a window in Tigre’s private room at his Roundheart mansion suddenly flew open.

“Huh—!?”

Four knights and one woman stepped inside.

The woman wore a robe, so Tigre couldn’t see her face. However, he recognized the armor of the four knights. No wonder—until just two years ago, he had seen that armor every day within the castle walls where he was born and raised.

“Y-you are…”

“Your Highness. We have come to escort you.”

“Hurry—prepare yourself! I will apologize outside for the delayed welcome and for this rudeness.”

It was the knights who spoke, not the woman.

What the hell were these people talking about? Tigre sat up on his bed, still in his pajamas.

The cold wind blowing in through the window made him shiver from the chest up, but it was just the stimulus his sleepy body needed.

“I don’t get it. What are you here to do to me?”

Tigre raised his voice harshly for the first time in a while. He imagined his former self and acted out a performance, being high-handed and thoroughly condescending.

He fixed them with a condescending gaze, pulled his chin back sharply to force the knight to kneel, and waited for an answer, clearly displeased.

“We deeply apologize. We, the Royal Guards of the Kingdom of Heim, apologize for taking so long to come and greet Your Highness.”

“You must have endured much suffering, forced to serve that tyrant for so long. But now is the moment we make our move for restoration!”

“Are you fools? You haven’t answered a single one of my questions. I see no value in knights who are so utterly useless.”

“M-my apologies! In my excitement, I… I responded in such a manner…”

“Perhaps it would be better for this person to explain rather than us!”

He was exceptionally skilled at flustering kneeling knights.

Tigre chuckled inwardly with a touch of self-mockery, yet he remained wary of the new arrivals.

(My situation isn’t ideal, is it?)

A concern.

But before addressing that, he wanted to hear from the “person” the knight mentioned.

“Long time no see, Your Highness.”

It was a familiar voice, one he simply hadn’t heard in a while.

In that instant, Tigre was overcome by an unpleasant sensation, as if every pore and inch of his skin had been frozen solid. Her voice trembled with delight, yet the sly, knowing smile that spread across her face made his cheeks twitch for a moment.

No doubt about it. This situation was far from good.

“Ah, it’s been a long time—Camilla.”

As Tigre spoke, she removed her hood, revealing her face.

She was still beautiful, as befitting a countess—or so he thought—but her elegance had faded. Her fingertips and toenails were unmanicured, and her hair lacked its former luster.

“…It seems you’ve endured hardship.”

“Indeed. Unlike Your Highness, we’ve lived in constant hiding. Tonight, we took advantage of the fact that fewer of the tainted knights are present in this transformed port town and made our way here.”

Her resentment wasn’t just directed at Ishtalika; it was also aimed at Tigre, who sat elegantly before her. The thorns hidden within her words closed in on Tigre like beasts of the forest.

But Tigre did not back down, rebuking Camilla.

“What manner of speech is this? Were you ever in a position to speak to me like that?!”

“Then I shall explain the reason we have come.”

Camilla smiled without answering, and the reverence she once held was gone.

Tigre thought inwardly. “So Camilla is indeed my—”

“Please come with us. Come with us to fulfill the wishes of the heroes who perished in vain. And for the revival of the proud Kingdom of Heim.”

“I see. So Camilla is my enemy after all.” Tigre smiled defiantly.

“Do you truly believe you can defeat Ishtalika? If so, you are gravely mistaken.”

Even if they had enough strength to win, he would not give in.

Tigre rose from the bed and drew a breath.

“Capture her! She is a fool to oppose His Majesty Sylvird!”

Soon, Ishtalika’s elite forces entered.

This mansion was the residence of Duke Heim and could be considered a crucial stronghold, even in Ishtalika’s current state. Naturally, several burly knights stepped inside.

Then, two Heim knights who had remained silent until now stood up.

Their footsteps were unsettling. They seemed devoid of life, almost inhumanly lifeless.

“Camilla. I know my foolishness has caused trouble for everyone. That is precisely why I will atone for your sins alongside mine before His Majesty. Cease your futile resistance—”

“…It is regrettable, Your Highness.”

At Camilla’s command, the two knights drew their jet-black swords from their waists.

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