Chapter : 3
“…So, who are you?”
“Ah, I suppose I was late in introducing myself. I am called Argo.”
“Argo?”
Is that all? Terestia looked at him with that meaning, but he merely shrugged his shoulders.
While heading north, Argo kindly answered Terestia’s curious questions about things that fascinated her.
It took nearly a month, with several carriage changes along the way to the north, before they could finally board the carriage heading to the Ennument territory.
At the onset of the cold winter, Terestia, wearing the warm fur clothes Argo had brought, blinked slowly. The driver laughed and spoke.
“If you keep moving in this direction, it’s the Ennument territory. Do you have any relatives there? The road is far too harsh for a noble young lady like yourself.”
“I don’t have any relatives there.”
“I see… then why are you going to the Ennument territory? The current situation in the territory isn’t good. Mercenaries are disturbing the peace; it’s dangerous.”
“Why? What’s happening in the territory?”
“Well, the usual… Since His Highness the Grand Duke abandoned the north, the Ennument territory is basically a barren land of death.”
The driver clicked his tongue, sneaking glances at Terestia.
It seemed he had become cautious about speaking ill of the Grand Duke in front of someone who appeared to be a noble young lady.
But Terestia tilted her head curiously and asked instead.
“It’s fine, so tell me in detail. Why is it a land of death?”
Cautiously, the driver explained the situation in the Ennument territory to Terestia.
“The Ennument territory is the land closest to the borders where monsters appear. On top of that, it’s cold and barren, making it difficult for crops to grow. The villagers often die of starvation or are devoured by monsters.”
“Borders?”
The northern part of the Pabellon Empire was said to meet the “border,” often described as the edge of the world.
If you asked what lay beyond it, the common answer was the “demonic world” where devils lived.
Of course, this was never proven.
No living human had ever reached beyond the border, and even if they did, it was said that the gate to the demonic world was tightly sealed.
Yet people believed in it because of the monsters that swarmed near the border.
“It’s not called the land of death for nothing. Especially now, since His Highness the Grand Duke has never come to the north since being granted his title… Mercenaries and vagrants oppress the poor villagers without anyone being able to stop them. That’s why it’s even worse.”
Terestia quietly thought for a moment.
…So it’s because of me, isn’t it!
She racked her memory but realized she had never once visited her territory. She only checked the monthly tax reports and showed no interest.
Argo had probably asked if she should fulfill her duties as Grand Duke, but in her memory, Terestia had neglected her territory.
But… how exactly do you fulfill the duties of a Grand Duke?
If she did that, could she avoid losing her body to the Empress Dowager even if her wish wasn’t granted?
Lost in thought, Terestia stared intently at Argo, who was silently keeping his mouth shut beside her.
“…Speak.”
“So, who are you? How far are you going to follow me?”
“My goal is to reach the border.”
“The border? What are you going to do there?”
“Well… judging by your question, have you developed an interest in the Ennument territory?”
“You asked me if I should fulfill my duties, didn’t you?”
“Oh… so that’s what you’re thinking. Quite commendable.”
…Is it really okay for him to call someone of Terestia’s noble status “commendable”?
Seeing her uneasy expression, Argo slightly lifted the corner of his mouth, glanced at the driver, and asked,
“So, have you decided to fulfill your duties?”
“Hmm, but how do I do that?”
“How… is a bit difficult to explain. You’d have to care for the territory in many ways.”
“So, how exactly?”
“You just heard. Develop the cold, barren land so that the villagers don’t starve, drive off rowdy mercenaries, prevent monsters from descending into the territory, and prepare defenses…”
“If I do that… can I continue living in this body?”
Argo blinked slowly, as if incredulous.
Did she even realize that he had casually revealed he was not human?
With a sigh, Argo finally spoke.
“Do you like this body?”
“Yes!”
“Why?”
“It’s pretty. Shiny. I’ve never liked anything as much as this body.”
Argo examined her body, as if belatedly observing it.
Hmm… I see. By human standards, perhaps it is so.
Muttering to himself, he nodded and said,
“Then let’s do this. If Your Highness fulfills your duties in the north, I will become your aide by your side. And if the Empress Dowager tries to take your body, I will help you.”
“Aide?”
When she asked if fulfilling the duties would protect her body, he suddenly offered to be her aide.
She understood what an aide was, but… why the sudden offer?
Observing her sulky expression for a while, Argo finally realized something and muttered in resignation.
“Ah, it was naturally meant for me to accompany Your Highness…”
“You suggested coming here. Were you planning to abandon me?”
“Abandon you? No, I intended to stay near the border for business.”
“Border? I don’t want to go. You said monsters appear there.”
Whether it was okay for a demon like him to fear monsters, he didn’t know. But in Terestia’s memory, monsters were all disgusting and ugly creatures.
“Are you afraid of monsters?”
“Afraid? Why would I fear them!”
“That’s fortunate. Your Highness’ first task is to deal with the monsters swarming there.”
Monsters?
No matter how Terestia remembered, having only lived in the palace, she had no memory related to monsters.
What do monsters even look like?
People seem to hate them for being scary…
While she imagined, the carriage abruptly stopped.
It was too desolate to be an arrival—no people, no buildings, only a barren wasteland.
As Terestia looked around, ready to get off, Argo raised his arm with a bored expression to stop her.
“We haven’t arrived yet.”
“Huh? Then?”
Did a wheel come off? Or maybe the horses were exhausted?
Just as she looked up to see what the driver had stopped for, she heard the driver’s frightened voice.
“P-please, spare me… as you can see, there’s no cargo… I only took passengers wanting to go to the nearby territory.”
“There are so many liars around. Hey, go check.”
Soon, someone approached the carriage.
A fierce face, a sword in hand, scars, and a sinister grin.
They looked like bandits.
Looking inside the carriage, the bandit arrogantly leaned toward Terestia and giggled.
“Oh, this lady’s pretty. How about it—if we leave her, I’ll spare her life.”
“Eek… R-really?”
The driver looked like he might run away and abandon her. Argo shook his head.
But Terestia naturally frowned at the ugly bandit approaching her.
…He stinks.
“What? Who are you? Don’t come closer.”
“Hehe, what will you do if you know who I am, lady?”
“Shut your mouth.”
“Haha, looks like a noble lady. Don’t you know what’s going on? How arrogant. Prepare to be sold off obediently to your new master…”
She couldn’t stand it.
Her nose nearly numbed from the stench!
Terestia punched the bandit’s mouth and jaw, revealing rotten black teeth and a sticky smile.
With a bone-cracking sound, the bandit flew away.
It was unbelievable for such power and speed to come from such a frail body.
“…Kuugh!”
Argo, the driver, and the other bandits stared in shock, but Terestia didn’t even blink, muttering primly.
“I told you not to come closer.”
