Chapter 89
A short time after the National Foundation Day ceremony, information came in that the Centraren Kingdom had completely lost the Bruseni region. Considering the speed at which the information was transmitted, it is safe to assume that it was probably around the time of the founding ceremony.
Well, it's a natural result. They brought troops from Bruseni, which was in balance, and attacked Ramslett.
To be honest, I can only think of it as a fool.
Another piece of information that came in was that the Second Prince's faction of the Centraren Kingdom had raised an army in the north with the Second Prince as the flag.
On the other hand, unfortunately, the Crown Prince who survived with Amy returned to the royal capital and is ready to gather support mainly in the west and counter these movements around the royal capital.
And as for us, we're going to sit tight for the time being.
Apart from that, We have no intention of meddling in this conflict. We just need to be careful with Amy, who has become a witch, and are prepared to assassinate her if necessary. We don't know what she will do to us if we leave her alone.
Oh yeah. Also, a messenger came from the Est Empire saying that they recognize our independence.
It is the establishment of diplomatic relations between the country with the person who killed the Crown Prince and the country that kidnapped the princess.
By the way, there is no reply from Norsane or Westerdale yet.
As for Westerdale, it is as expected. But for Norsane, it is possible that it is just delayed due to geographical factors, but it is also possible that it is not.
Assuming that Norsane is supporting the Second Prince's faction, the state approval would make the relationship with the Ramslett Kingdom strange when the Second Prince comes to power.
It is only hypothetical, but if Norsane were to try to exert a strong influence on Centraren while supporting the Second Prince, then without the territory of Ramslett, the Second Prince would certainly need substantial food aid from Norsane.
However, the details are not well understood at this point, so we will have to wait and see.
Now, to change the subject, I was able to ask Oscar, who had his wound healed and got his head cooled with Anna's magic, about what was going on.
The conversation then went something like this.
"Oscar. Why does that woman have that staff? And don't you know that she became a witch?"
Anna asks Oscar, who is restrained in the interrogation room. He then began to speak without any sign of resistance.
"Amy suddenly said there is a staff for her in an abandoned church somewhere in this country. So I ordered a group of soldiers to go explore an abandoned church in the woods near the royal capital. And there was really a staff just like the one she described."
I see. So Amy has also finally come up with the idea of getting ahead of the time, is that it?
As expected, it was impossible for me alone to search for an abandoned church that I didn't even know where it was, and this staff was a very low priority for me at the time.
If I think about it now, it would have been better if I had collected it first, but I was thinking of proceeding accordingly while prioritising the scenario and without making any big moves to stand out. To be honest, I thought that I had proceeded perfectly, but now that I think about it, there were probably quite a few things that were left out.
"So when Amy touched the staff, there was a light emanating from it. Then Amy's body emitted a black aura or an ominous aura, perhaps. Something like that overflowed from Amy's body. It was like the apocalypse you see in church frescoes. It was like that. I thought this was bad….."
Oscar looks down once in pain.
"But I still liked Amy. Unlike the women around me who only saw my face, blessings, and my family's money, she understood my problems. Though I don't express it, I was really worried about my face, but she understood and sympathized with me without me saying a word…. Because she was such a woman, I wanted to be with her even if I had to give up my position, and even if I couldn't, I wanted to be there to support her."
With that said, Oscar bites his lips.
"But when you said she was a witch, it kind of made sense. It wasn't that she understood me without saying anything, but that Amy was anticipating my problems….."
Oscar said that with a forlorn look on his face. The truth is that he didn't know about it because of the witch's power, but there is no doubt he was doubtful from the very beginning.
Oscar then looked at Anna with a serious expression and apologized to her in a different serious tone than usual.
"Princess Anastasia, I apologize for my many disrespectful behaviours at the school. I know that my apology will not be forgiven, but if this head will bring you any comfort, I will gladly offer it to you."
I see. There seemed to be some doubts about Oscar and Markus, but it seems that was the case.
That may mean that Markus has also been manipulated.
"Oscar, I accept that apology. It is now in the past. Besides, I am happy now as a result. I have nothing against you."
"I'm grateful."
Oscar's acknowledgement of his wrongdoing and Anna's acceptance of his apology marked the end of her relationship with Oscar.
After that, I asked him to leave and warned him about Amy, who is now a witch, that if he still has any fondness for her, then he will again get his will twisted and lose control of himself.
Oh, of course, as is the custom in this world, I heard that we received plenty of ransom money.
He is the eldest son of the wealthy Wimlet Marquis. I haven't heard how much, but I'm sure it was a lot of money.
Now, let's return the topic to the Kingdom of Centraren.
So the Kingdom of Centraren can no longer afford to be concerned about us, and a truce has been reached without a hitch.
We have enough production to feed our people, so we have no intention of expanding our territory any further. Therefore, we have not attacked Centraren, and temporary peace has been restored between the two countries.
And as for me, I'm working again today. It seems that if I officially marry Anna, they will leave some territory to Anna and me, so I'm undergoing an apprenticeship that also serves as a study for that.
Well, it's not very interesting because it's all paperwork, but it has an appeal because I didn't have any knowledge of how to read a ledger book.
Then, after lunch with Anna, I would work again, and the day's work would end around snack time.
After that, it's training with Anna.
Anna has recently recovered enough to run, if only lightly, so I've been able to spend some quality time with her, swinging my sword a bit and practising dance, which is not my favourite thing to do.
By the way, today was my least favourite dance.
For the time being, I managed to finish without stepping on Anna's foot, so let's praise myself that it is big progress.
Well, it's hard to say that I've improved, but I'm still one step better.
After spending the day in this way, it was time for dinner. Lately, we have been eating dinner together as a family, and today I am sitting around the table with the Royal Family of the Ramslett Kingdom and my mother.
Today's main dish was beef fillet steak. The meat was so tender that it melted on the tongue, so it must have been high-quality meat.
And so, after enjoying an exquisite dinner, Anna opened her mouth.
"By the way, Allen. Do you know what day it is today?"
"Eh? Umm…."
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She may be referring to some kind of anniversary, but I have no recollection of it.
In the first place, wasn't this the time last year when I wasn't even allowed to talk to them yet?
When I was impatient, Anna gave me a dumbfounded look.
Not good, did I offend her by forgetting any anniversary somehow?
For a moment, I thought so, but Anna smiled and opened her mouth.
"Allen, happy birthday!"
"Eh?"
Gerhard-san, Elisabeth-san, Friedrich-san, and mother congratulate me, who was surprised.
"T-Thank you?"
"Hey, Allen. Why the question mark? Oh, jeez. Here, this one's from me."
With that, Anna presented me with a beautifully embroidered handkerchief. The motifs were two black and white dragons, a spirit, and Buitor, which were combined to look like a coat of arms.
"This, did Anna?"
"Oh. Well, you know, when I couldn't move much, at that time. So, umm, how is it?"
"Thank you. It's very nice. I will treasure it."
When I said this, Anna looked relieved.
"I heard from mother-in-law, Katerina, that Allen doesn't like to celebrate himself too lavishly. So I did it like this……"
"Oh, yeah. Thank you. I'm not very good at balls like the last one, so I'm very happy."
"Oh, well, that's good to know."
With that, Anna gave me a beautiful smile that I wanted to look at forever.
I also received gifts from everyone else, and for the first time, I experienced a birthday celebrated by someone other than my mother.
Ah, I see.
Is this what it's like to have a growing family?
It's very….good.
Side – Amy (10):-
"Hahh, hahh, Karl-sama."
"Amy, hang in there. We're almost across the border."
"Yes, that's right. Then we can return to King's Landing."
I ran like hell. I didn't think it would come to that.
"Leo and Oscar helped us escape. We must live to repay them for that."
"Y-Yes."
That's right. No matter how much that nerd cheats, there's no way he could have survived those wounds.
And even the villainess should be easily defeated if it's Leo. She didn't look like she was in very good shape.
But, still….
"I can see it. It's a village!"
"Eh? Did we make it?"
"That's right. We have left the land occupied by the rebels."
"Oh, thank goodness…"
When I felt relieved, I lost my strength.
Then Karl-sama carried me like a princess.
"Kya! I, I.."
"Don't worry about it, Amy. I'm doing this because I want to. I'm sorry I made you walk all the way out here."
I shook my head adorably.
"Yeah. I'm happy to have both Karl-sama and Markus with me."
I said this with an upward glance, then looked down a little and said with determination.
"Let's go! For both of them too!"
"That's right!"
"We must protect Amy for both of them."
I nodded at their words and managed to escape back to the royal capital with my life.
****
Oh, God. What's really going on?
Why is the second prince escaping when I've just become a Saint of Charity? What's more, the struggle for succession is happening at a time like this!
Be prepared northern aristocrats who oppose me!
Also, I heard that the front with the Est Empire is being pushed back somehow. What's going on?
Are the soldiers in this country a bit feckless after all?
That's it! I came up with a good thing.
It's a bit of a challenge, but let's go with this strategy.
If so, I have to go to ask Karl-sama for help as soon as possible.
****
"That's great of Amy to take it upon herself to get involved in this kind of activity."
"Really, since becoming the Saint of Charity, Amy has grown so fast that I think we will be left behind!"
"Oh no. It's not like that. That's too many compliments. Besides, I'm a saint of charity, so this much is only natural."
Fufu. I don't think I can capture any more, but I'm getting more and more favourable feedback from both of you.
"Well, Amy, here we are."
With that said, Karl-sama escorted me into a large room.
Fufu, there are a lot of soldiers here.
Karl-sama, facing the soldiers, started giving a speech.
"Thank you all for gathering here. As you know, our country has the Est Empire in the east, the rebel former Duke Ramslett in the south, and in the north, my foolish brother, who has been tricked into rebellion by the rebel Duke Schleistein."
Fufu. That's just like Karl-sama, isn't it? His speech is so cool too.
"But it is because of your efforts that the royal capital and its people are able to live in peace!"
""""Uoooooooo""""
"So there! Our King's beloved Saint, Amy, has come to encourage you. She has offered to encourage each of you out of her compassionate heart. Please take your turn, line up, and speak with Amy."
""""Uoooooooo""""
Fufu, how is it? This is Operation Saint, where you can come to see me!
The soldiers have already lined up in plain sight. Now all that is left is to handle this like a handshake event.
"I-I'm Daniel. I'm a knight apprentice. U-Umm, you look beautiful."
"Well, Daniel-sama. You are so good. Being an apprentice is hard, isn't it? Please do your best."
"Yes! I'll do my best!"
"Then next!"
"Wait a minute. I will give my blessing to Daniel-sama."
So I shook the hand of this dumb guy named Daniel and looked at him with upturned eyes.
Then, cute. He got all red in the blink of an eye.
"Amy, the Saint of Charity, is always rooting for you. Please protect everyone. Daniel-sama."
Daniel seemed dreamy as he left. After that, Daniel was a total fan of mine.
Well, next!
"I-I'm Oliver. I'm a knight apprentice. Oh, well, you look nice."
From here on out, it was pretty much the same conversation over and over again. It took a while, but it doesn't matter when you think you are dealing with potatoes.
Plus, they're knights. Thanks to the fact that they're properly trained, they're a little bit strong, but it helps that there are no creeps.
I don't think I would have been able to do the handshake event for such a long time if I had been dealing with creepy fat guys.
"Amy, thank you for your hard work."
"Oh, Amy, that was great. I see the morale of the soldiers has been boosted considerably."
"Oh no, I just did what I could do."
"Your humbleness is also wonderful, Amy."
I shook hands with various soldiers every day. Then it was over in no time.
Moreover, I've also healed the injured, and I'm already the beautiful and gentle Saint of Charity Amy-sama among the soldiers.
During this time, a knight apprentice was seriously discussing how to help Amy-sama, you know?
It made me laugh. I think of you guys as nothing more than potatoes.
At the very least, work for me, will you?
Even so, the power of the Saint of Charity is really convenient, isn't it?
In the game, prayer and words weakened the last boss, the villainess. And now …… oh, Leo should have defeated her, so it won't happen this time.
Leo … you'll come back properly, right?
・
・
・
Oh no. I got sidetracked.
After this, there's the church. If I can get them to recognize me, there won't be anyone in the country who won't recognize me as a Saint.
But you know what? They are stubborn.
They say no because I haven't performed any miracles, or shown any proof.
How can they not see that my existence is proof?
It's hard to deal with people who are not very smart. Really.
Side – Amy (11):-
Huh? Huh? I don't understand!
How come the villainess and the nerd are still alive?!
Also, I, the Saint of Charity, am wanted as a witch, aren't you crazy?
What's more, how dare you say it's okay to kill me!
Are you so afraid of me, the Saint of Charity?
That's probably right. After all, she is the villainess.
I'm sure there are a lot of things that are confusing but wait and see.
We'll make it easier soon.
When I was thinking about that, I got some unbelievable news.
Eh? The territory of the villainess was recognized as a country? What's more, the kingdom of Xaus, which was supposed to be fighting them, recognized it and sent a princess to the ceremony?
And on top of that, the engagement of that nerd and the villainess was announced, was it?
Huh? You've got to be kidding me!
At that time, Markus burst into our room.
"Your Highness! Something terrible happened."
"What happened Markus?"
"Leo is! Leo is!"
"What about Leo! Did he come back!?"
"Th-that is… in the c-coffin…"
"What?!"
"Eh? Leo…is? De..ad?"
When I heard that, my eyes went blank.
"Amy."
But then Karl-sama hugged me and held me close.
Oh, oh, but yeah.
I'm still okay.
But still, I can't believe they killed Leo!
Leo is a capture target, unlike the villainess and that damn nerd mob, you know? Why did you kill him?!
I, the heroine and the Saint of Charity told you to come back at any cost, so you have to come back to me! What were you thinking?
……Unforgivable!
To my Leo! How dare you!
"Karl-sama! Leo! Avenge Leo!"
All right. I'll kill them for sure.
That's right. We should have just killed the villainess and the nerd quickly.
I'm a Saint of Charity and was too nice to them, so those scum took advantage of me.
(T/N:- No, you're an idiot.)
I will not fail again!
"I know, Amy. But if we don't do something about that coward–"
"Excuse me! Your Highness!"
What is it, can't you read the air?
"Oh, the Saint of Charity too. You are very beautiful as always.."
"Well, thank you. You're very good."
For the time being, I answered as the Saint of Charity.
"What's wrong?! What's the matter?!"
"Hah. The front against the Est Empire has collapsed and all of Bruseni has been lost."
"What! What did you say!? Didn't the report say that Cardassia wouldn't fall, even if it was pushed back somewhat?!"
"It seems that there was a secret passageway that we did not know about, which was used to attack us from within the city walls."
"Tch, then?"
"Hah. The sudden appearance of enemy soldiers in the castle confused our side, and we lost half of our men, who were crushed."
"Half of them, you say?"
"Hah. And the Est Imperial Army, which has defeated the whole of Bruseni, is now further organizing its forces. It is likely that they will soon begin their march towards Lurden."
"Damn."
No way? Are you saying that the royal capital will fall even if the villainess is not there?
But I, the Saint of Charity, am here, you know? Yes, that's right. we will not lose.
I get it. This must be the last boss battle.
(T/N:- For once she is right.)
"Oh, I'm here. Karl-sama. I'll support everyone in this fight!"
"Yes, that's right. We have the Saint of Charity with us. We can't lose."
"As long as we have the Saint of Charity, there's nothing to fear!"
My words motivated everyone.
That's right. Now is the time to show my power as the heroine!