The "Master swordsman” who was reincarnated, wants to live freely - Chapter 66

Translator: Darling | Editor: Coming soon…

Night – We arrived at the inn where we planned to stay the night.

The number of escort knights had been increased out of precautions.

I already explained the situation to Remyl. She too had made amends as soon as she heard that Eina was being hunted.

Eina and her bodyguard Mersche slept in the same room as Iris and I. We talked about what Eina mentioned before.

The Shadow Apostles.

“First of all, this time… The reason that I had you lower the number of escorts, was to lure those guys in – I won’t deny this.

I used you as bait”

“You used us…”

Iris couldn’t hide her surprise when Eina said this so briskly.

Eina was well aware of the burden she put on us by lowering the number of guards.

Still, what was she thinking by doing so? … This could actually have become a problem between the two states.

“Knowing that you’re hunted and willingly lower the number of guards… Isn’t that all the more dangerous?”

“Aah, I know. After all, whatever happens to me is the Kingdom’s responsibility, yes? But that is exactly what they’re after”

“The Shadow Apostles, you mean? The assassin organization, you mean?”

“Exactly. In the Empire, they’ve already become quite the organization… But of course, there is a reason they’re called an enemy of the Empire.

After all, we’re not just some rock”

It seemed like she was evading the main question here, but Eina’s words were clear in what she wanted to relay.

There seems to be an incentive to get the two states to fight with each other.

And if you think about the fact that Eina’s father is the former Marshal of the Empire – It is safe to assume she wants to save her father’s position.

(Conservatives and extremists… Is that what they are?)

Eina’s purpose is to strengthen the ties between the Kingdom and the Empire, so it’s her who the Shadow Apostles are after.

“Do not worry – Is quite an empty phrase right now. Still, I too will prepare as much as I can. If something were to happen to me, a war between the two states wouldn’t break out, so”

“What is that supposed to mean?”

“Well, it’s quite simple. My father explained the strategy to me – But I really can’t expect you to just accept it as is.

Is what Eina said in response to my question.

She is voluntarily becoming a decoy, in order to destroy her father’s enemies… Is that what is actually the purpose of this whole tour around the country?

“You wanted to come and inspect the kingdom with this reason in mind?”

“The visit is necessary to strengthen our ties. That is my personal stance about it at least.

Of course, this is my responsibility towards the kingdom. But with all of that in mind I came here – That being said, I am still sorry for the inconvenience”

“No, it’s no inconvenience. But it is now a truth that you are being hunted. And harboring your safety is the duty of me and my knights. 

“Duty…. you say. You’re really meaning to tell me you’re a knight, huh”

Eina may question whether I am really a knight or not, but my job doesn’t change whether Eina is being hunted or not.

It is my job as a knight of the kingdom to protect her.

… Even though Alia is now also involved in all of this.

“The Shadow Apostles are an organization of the Empire, right?”

“They’ve existed for a few years now. … That being said, One of them, Iris – Is an acquaintance of yours, isn’t she?”

“My best friend. She’s even part of my family…”

Iris said in response to Iris.

Why would Alia be part of this organization though… As far as I’ve heard, Iris’ mother has taken care of Alia ever since they met. — But this means that Alia is actually a citizen of the Empire.

For whatever reason, she had left the organization, or has she obeyed the orders of the organization since the beginning?… That’s what we do not know.

“I was going to ask what the Empire was going to do about it… But it seems that you also have some sort of connection to them”

“That’s true. In this case, we might have to wonder what the Kingdom and what the Empire could do about this. Lady Eina, you too want to get rid of this organization, correct?”

“That’s right”

“I would like to get Alia away from them, and get her back on my side — You could say for that reason, it is necessary for me too to fight this organization”

“Are we going to bundle our powers then? Even though I was hiding this all from you?”

“Right, well let’s make sure that there is nothing more hidden then. Of course, you might have things you’d rather not discuss, but at least provide us with information in regards to the Shadow Apostles.

Then we too can conduct an investigation from our end on out”

“… Understood. We will give you a comprehensive explanation. Mersche, make the preparations”

“Yes, m’lady”

Mersche said.

Eina and our movements weren’t going to change. We were going to continue the tour, but now with a necessity to also fight the ones who are after Eina, the Shadow Apostles. 

… The group that Alia is right now in.

“…”

Iris still had a certain depressed look on her face and left the room on her own. 

Even from what we had just heard, we still didn’t know much about Alia.

All we now know is that the organization has been in the Empire for quite a while now.

While I was thinking about it, Mersche came over to me,

“Lord Alta. I have something I’d like to discuss. Do you have a moment?”

“Certainly. What’s wrong?”

“….It’s about “Notoria”. Lady Eina has entrusted me with this information”

Mersche said.

…Notoria is — Is Alia’s surname.

However, Mersche’s words sounded like they had some different meaning to them. That’s what I felt at least.