Tearmoon Empire: Volume 10 (eBook)

Nozomu Mochitsuki (Autor)

eBook Download: EPUB

2023
250 Seiten
J-Novel Club (Verlag)
978-1-7183-7166-8 (ISBN)

Infos

So, how many lives did Mia end up saving in Sunkland again? There's Sion, King Abram, and even Echard-in other words, practically the entire royal family. Go Mia! However, her adventures in Sol Saliente put her face-to-face with an opponent she can't ignore: the glorious taste of sheep's butter, imported straight from the Equestrian Kingdom!

Her eyes on the prize, Mia immediately accompanies Rafina and Abel on their stop to the Equestrian Kingdom, only to once again be attacked by the horseback brigands from before! Luckily, Lin Malong comes to their rescue and captures the bandit leader, a young girl named Aima. She reveals herself to be a member of the lost Fire Clan, and upon hearing that they've hit hard times, Malong decides that he can't look the other way. He invites Mia to help mediate the negotiations, a position she has no interest in taking. That is, of course, until he tells her of all the tasty milk she'd be able to enjoy...

Textauszug

Chapter 1: The Mushroom Knight

The Great Sage of the Empire, Mia Luna Tearmoon, had her hands full. The future of the Empire rested on her shoulders, and these days, it felt as if the fate of the entire continent was resting on them too. Thus, Mia spent her days tirelessly (well, at least in Mia terms, that is). Despite these preoccupations, however, she was currently spending her time relaxing to the fullest in one of the guest rooms in Count Lampron’s residence.

Her original objective had been to avoid Sion’s assassination, and she had done just that. She had also somehow saved King Abram when a series of extraordinary circumstances led to him being faced with the same threat, and she even succeeded in freeing Sion’s brother, Echard, from the fate of execution. Now, at last, it was time for a moment of respite.

“Even if it’s just for some quality milk and butter, visiting the Equestrian Kingdom with Miss Rafina means that I can’t afford to let my guard down,” Mia noted. “I’ll have to teach her how to ride horses too...”

Should a moment of negligence lead to injuring Rafina, the consequences would be disastrous. No matter what Rafina might have to say on the matter, one couldn’t ignore the very real possibility of being chased down by a guillotine that had sprouted legs. In other words, it was of absolute priority that Mia keep her eyes open at all times.

“And that’s exactly why I need to take the time to rest and recover now! A slice of cake while relaxing in bed is the perfect way to restore my spirits! Oho ho! I should get planning! I’ll go on a tour of the sweets shops in Sunkland, and...”

Whether it be for better or for worse, this yet-nascent ploy of Mia’s was not afforded the time to be fleshed out any further. The talks between Rafina and King Abram were worked out strangely and surprisingly quickly, and just two days later, Mia’s party departed from Sunkland.

Rafina’s attendants, as well as Ludwig, had taken care of preparations for the journey home. Three carriages from the Empire and one from Belluga were in position, and in front of them stood Mia, who was currently hearing a report from Ludwig.

“There will be four carriages for our return trip with guards positioned around them. The Princess Guard will be the center of all protective operations.”

“Huh?” Mia tilted her head.

Belluga had restricted its military operations on its own volition. Thus, Rafina’s convoy consisted of as few members as possible. The soldiers of the country she was visiting—or nearby mercenaries hired by Belluga—were typically tasked with guarding the saint. This time, however, her protection was left to the Princess Guard.

Nothing’s the matter with there only being a few guards from Belluga, but...

“What about the convoy from Remno?”

A joint force consisting of knights from the Greenmoons’ personal army, the Princess Guard, and soldiers sent by Count Lampron of Sunkland had guarded them on their way here. The coordination of such had required a hefty amount of mental taxation from Ludwig. This time, he had Belluga to consider as well as Abel and the guards he’d brought from Remno. It was only natural to assume that Ludwig would appraise the situation with a grimace—and yet that was clearly not the case.

“Well, the Kingdom of Remno only brought one knight with them,” said Ludwig.

Mia’s eyes opened in shock. “Just one?”

“Indeed. Apparently, Prince Abel’s attendant would like to specifically greet you.”

“Very well. I’d be happy to meet with him.”

Despite her agreement, Mia was slightly worried, and that worry only grew once Abel’s sole protector was right in front of her.

“It brings me the deepest of pleasures that you would take the time out of your busy day to allow me an audience, Your Highness. My name is Grammateus, and I am the knight tasked with overseeing the protection of Prince Abel.”

Kneeling before her, head deeply bowed in respect, was a single old man. Just him. That was it.

Of course, this worried Mia even more.

There’s only one guard with him...? And he’s so old! Abel, you’re not receiving the cold shoulder back home, are you?!

Despite her qualms, Mia slightly lifted her skirt from above the ground with a smile. The expression she wore was a perfect facade, so amicable and princess-like that it completely obscured the anxiety she felt.

“The pleasure is all mine, Sir Grammateus. I am Mia Luna Tearmoon, princess of the Tearmoon Empire.”

Her greeting was as flawless as her smile, but once she lifted her face, she found herself transfixed with the sight in front of her. Oh, my... He’s... She couldn’t stop the wonder from clouding her eyes, for the old soldier was decked in golden armor that covered his entire frame. The rounded metal was plastered with countless scratches, a testament to the many battles Grammateus had overcome. But even more worthy of note was the expression on the old man’s face; despite the dreadfully heavy armor he adorned, he wore a debonair grin. His movements were completely free of burden, and he had a brisk energy that defied his old age.

To the trained eye, one glance was enough to tell that this was no ordinary man. But of course, Mia’s eyes were far from sharp—they were pebbles. Or, to put it more nicely, they were marbles. To really flatter her, perhaps they could be called sapphires. In any case, they were pretty to look at, but not fit for judging the strength of an opponent in any way. And so, that was not what had caught Mia’s gaze.

“The helmet you have there is simply marvelous, Sir Grammateus. Would it be possible for you to put it on? I’d love to see what it looks like.” Mia, seeing the helmet Grammateus had been holding by his side, decided to ask him for a favor.

“It brings me the deepest of pleasures to hear such praise for my battle attire. If that be your request...”

The sight of Grammateus decked out in his full suit of armor turned Mia’s prediction into conviction.

Oho ho! He looks like a mushroom!

That was the thought that had preoccupied Mia’s mind. Just one look at the round protrusion of the helmet and gentle curves of the armor was enough for the exacting eyes of Mia. She could find the mushroom hidden inside anything!

Mm-hmm! Only someone of my caliber would have been able to notice! Mia was perhaps a little too proud of herself. I’ve heard of this before, though. Soldiers often dress like mythical beasts in order to intimidate their opponent or gain inhuman powers! Mia took another glance at the man in front of her and the metallic mushroom armor he wore. Sir Grammateus is dressed like a mushroom, which means he’s channeling their power! He’s a Mushroom Knight! I’m sure I can count on him!

At times, mushrooms use their virulent toxins to slay their foes, and at others, they use their supple grace to evade enemy attacks. To Mia, mushrooms were a symbol of strength!

Mia nodded her head. “I see. That armor of yours really is magnificent. I’m sure we can count on you.”

Mia’s mumblings left Grammateus’s eyes open in shock.

Abel looked much the same, accompanied by a wry smile. “You really know everything, don’t you, Mia? Grammateus has trained our royal family in swordsmanship for quite a while now. He’s worked both my brother and I to the bone over the years.”

“I see.”

Oho ho, if he teaches swordsmanship, then he must be strong! That’s a Mushroom Knight for you—his choice in armor exudes an aura of strength!

While Mia was preoccupied with her thoughts, the Mushroom Knight (A.K.A. Grammateus) was bellowing out a warm welcome to the sight of Dion Alaia. “My, oh, my! You are Dion Alaia, are you not? I heard you even bested the Adamantine Spear!” With that, he trampled his way over to Dion, stopping just a few feet in front of him. “Hah! I see that there was truth to the rumors! You seem to be quite the man.”

With a hand on his chin, Grammateus gave Dion a once-over.

“Not at all,” Dion replied. “If it isn’t Sir Grammateus of Remno, the Sword Saint. I’m surprised you’re still kicking.” The smile on Dion’s lips was warm, but his eyes were cold, busy with the task of appraising his opponent. “So? How do you suggest we position the troops, Sir Grammateus?”

“As if you needed to ask me! A man of peerless valor such as yourself should prove to have no trouble. I mean, you bested the Adamantine Spear! I think it would be wise to leave everything in your capable hands.”

After waving the old soldier goodbye, Mia turned to Dion.

“Do the two of you know each other?”

“Nope, but I’ve heard stories of him. He’s the one who invented the fundamentals of Remno swordsmanship. Whether it be ‘Master’ or the ‘Sword Saint,’ he’s got a bunch of fancy nicknames surrounding him.” Dion shrugged with a grimace. “Looks like even you managed to figure out how strong he is. Well, he lives up to his name. A pity that I couldn’t have met him in his glory days... Anyways, I don’t think we’ve got anything to worry about. I might even ask him to help train the Princess Guard.”

“My! He really is strong!”

As she watched the...

Produkt-Details

• Erscheint lt. Verlag: 5.10.2023
• Reihe/Serie: Tearmoon Empire
• Reihe/Serie: Tearmoon Empire
• Illustrationen: GILSE
• Übersetzer: Maddy Willette
• Sprache: englisch
• Themenwelt: Literatur ► Fantasy / Science Fiction ► Fantasy
• Schlagworte: Heartwarming • Light Novel • period fantasy • Princess • Reincarnation • rewriting history • school
• ISBN-10: 1-7183-7166-7 / 1718371667
• ISBN-13: 978-1-7183-7166-8 / 9781718371668