Chapter 190

Eve and Slei were told to wait outside the camp for a moment .

Turning towards Eve…

“For the time being, let’s go with what they said . ”

Telling her so, I stepped into the camp alone .

Seras revealing her true identity—– that fact also had its merits .

For one thing, it makes it easier for us to justify our presence on this battlefield .

“Seras Ashrain has come to help Princess Cattleya, the person she used to serve . ”

This makes it easy to understand why the Fly King Squadron took part in this fight .

The other advantage is that—–

[……………… . . ]

It would be easier to get in touch with the Princess this way without having to go through all those troublesome steps .

I let my gaze crawl into the tent .

It looks like a fairly spacious tent .

This looks like the kind of tent that nomads seem to use .

In the back, there was an office set up .

[Welcome, please come in . ]

A woman with silver hair tied in a vertical roll sits in a chair .

[My name is Cattleya Stramius . ]

……So that’s the Princess of Neia huh .

Prudent, ash-colored pupils .

She looks classy in her military attire .

However, her sturdy stance looks like that of a warrior .

Two Holy Knights waiting at her side .

Diagonally standing in front of her is Seras in her Fly Knight attire .

She is still dressed as a Fly Knight, but she has removed her mask .

Seras seemed to be at ease .

She must have been filled with the joy of their reunion they shared .

I could tell that from the redness of Seras’ eyes .

Then, Seras came up to me .

This is the first time we have exchanged words since we’ve joined the battle in this place .

In a hushed voice, Seras whispered in my ear .

[My apologies . I’m sure that they already know who I am, so I……]

[I know . Don’t worry about it . ]

Seras is bowing her head, her clenched fist held up on her chest .

[Yes . ]

Pulling herself together, Seras looks up .

[The only information I’ve told them about you was that you’re the “former Ashinto who have rescued me from the Black Dragon Knights”…… Anyway, I’ve told them you’re my saviour . ]

[That’s fine—- Leave the rest to me . ]

Looking like she understood, Seras refrained from speaking more and stood by my side .

Turning around to face the Princess, I knelt on one knee and lowered my head .

[I believe this is the first time we’ve met, it’s nice to meet you—– I’m the leader of the Fly King Squadron, my name is Belzegia . As I proclaimed at the time of our entry into this war, our troops used to call ourselves Ashinto . ]

[Belzegia…… That’s the same name as the Fly Knight from the legends . ]

[Yes . I borrowed my name from the Fly King from the legends . ]

[Fufufu, so Seras could be said as one of the Fly King’s loyal retainers—- ” The Sword of Belzegia “ . When she rushed towards me, Seras also took the name of the First Oath, Astaria…… Anyway—-]

I felt the Princess standing up .

[All of you saved my life . As the general leading Neia’s army, I would like to thank you first . If you hadn’t arrived, we could have been annihilated . ]

[——I’m glad that we’re able to help in the time of crisis, Cattleya-sama . ]

[Sorcery…… I don’t know the principle behind this, but it’s quite the formidable power, don’t you think? And there’s also the army of stone statues and the multi-legged black horse…… and the two Fly Knights holding tremendous combat ability . It’s just that it doesn’t have the same impression of the Ashinto that I heard from rumors . ]

[If you want me to reveal the hidden circumstances, it would be that Ashinto was divided into two factions . And…… we were considered as a minority faction . While the other faction dreamt of stepping onto the front stage beneath the light of the day, our factions only wanted to remain hidden behind the scenes . ]

“In the end…” I continued .

[Our faction has decided to abandon the name of Ashinto and henceforth, live as the Fly King Squadron, the faction secretly moving within the shadows of the wold . ]

[Did the other faction allow it though? I don’t think it would be so easy to let you go, seeing that you held so much power . ]

[—–It’s just as you discerned . They never approved of our separation from their group . Beyond that…… I’ll just leave it to your imagination . ]

Ashinto, who is perceived by the world as the group that has suddenly disappeared .

“Those of the other faction that followed the Fly King Squadron into the Demon Zone were annihilated within the Demon Zone . ”

Or perhaps—- we were the ones who annihilated them all .

There have been some whispered rumors about their entry into the Demon Zone, but they can expand such rumors even further in their imaginations .

[After parting way with them, I received information that the Neia army led by Cattleya-sama was going to join the war against the Great Demon Emperor’s army…… and considering Seras’ emotions, we arrived with hopes that we could be of some help to Cattleya-sama . ……Initially though, we were planning to sneak in the Southern Army as a mercenary . ]

“I see…” The Princess seems to be convinced .

……I’m not so sure if she’s wholeheartedly convinced though .

The Princess takes a step towards me .

[Belzegia-dono, please stand up . You’re not someone under my command after all . ]

[…………… . . ]

Doing as I was told, I stood up .

The Princess was about one head shorter than me .

She raises her gaze .

[And also…… For saving Seras’ life, I give you my gratitude . ]

She bowed towards me .

[It was quite the close call, she was about to fall into the hands of Bakuos over there . ]

[And Seras, indebted to Berzegia-dono, is now serving you…… Have you heard about Seras’ story from the person herself?]

[I’ve heard about her escape from Neia . ]

[—–Berzegia-dono . ]

In a tone that sounds like she’s switching the subject, the Princess spoke .

[Even though you’ve lent your strength to us this time…… doesn’t mean that you’re going to be fighting together with us after this, right?]

[……………… . . ]

Seras’ true identity has been revealed .

It was said that the Goddess has had her eye on Seras since back when she was a Holy Knight .

If she were to remain by the Princess’s side, there’s no doubt that she will eventually interfere with us .

The survival of Seras Ashrain……

One would think that this has been known by those soldiers that weren’t from Neia .

I don’t think we could hide that fact .

At this rate…… I don’t think we’re going to be able to stay long either .

For the time being, I’d like to have as little contact with the Goddess as possible .

We’ve extensively used our “sorcery” and Erika’s homemade weapons in this battle .

Now, our initial strategy of hiding our identity and power while supporting the Princess behind the scenes have disappeared .

And that f*cking goddess would definitely be interested in the Fly King Squadron……

In that case—– we should get out of here as soon as possible .

Summarizing our plan in my hand, I spoke .

[I intend to leave this place by tomorrow morning and return to my original purpose of traveling . I also have my own goals…… However, if Seras desires to serve by your side, I’m willing to respect her will . ]

It might be dangerous—- but if Seras wants to do that, then it can’t be helped .

This was originally a trip for my revenge .

I have also told Seras that she can leave at any time .

However…… if she’s going to stay with the Princess, I would still have some concerns .

Naturally, I’m worried about the interference of that f*cking goddess .

I have a feeling that if it’s this Princess, she may do a good job at deceiving her……

After a slightly bewildered look appeared on her face, Seras spoke in a hurry .

[I am—-]

[Seras is now your “sword”…… I’ve already asked the person herself . ]

The Princess interrupted Seras just as she was about to say something .

Looking into the Princess’ eyes, I ask .

[As for Cattleya-sama, don’t you still want Seras to return to the Holy Knights once more?]

Thereupon, the Princess smiled——

[No . ]

—and spoke her denial .

[If she were to go back to my side, I’m sure that the Goddess will use her in a very bad way . My precious Seras will end up being wasted in a way that I know I will never want for her . ]

[…………………]

The Princess doesn’t take kindly of the Goddess either huh .

Moreover, she seems to know that Goddess well .

Then, how about I ask her something?

[I know this may sound rude, but I want to ask this question—- Does Cattleya-sama have some animosity towards the Goddess Vysis?]

The Princess’s eyes relaxed .

[Yes]

I glanced towards Seras .

Taken aback by her reply, Seras quickly touches her right ear .

Right ear—- it means that she’s not lying .

The Princess isn’t fond of the Goddess .

That’s definite .

By the way, if she touches her left ear, it’s a sign that she’s “lying” .

Rather than that, this Princess—–

[You consciously kept your answer brief so that Seras could judge it to be “true”, didn’t you?]

The Princess only replied “Yes” just now .

The answer that is easiest to judge whether it’s truth or lies is those that can be answered with YES or NO .

That’s right…

The Princess is making use of Seras’s ability to make me judge whether she’s telling the truth or not .

[It would be faster to talk about it that way, don’t you think? The shorter the time that we need feeling around the other person’s true motives, the better it would be . ]

It would be faster to use a “lie detector” than a bunch of babbling words .

Or so that’s what she’s thinking .

That’s naturally a good move that can be taken if she doesn’t know the power of Seras’ wind spirit……

Seras looks a little awkward .

The guilt hanging around her is probably because she used her ability to judge truth and lies against the Princess .

[That means, Cattleya-sama doesn’t want Seras and the Goddess to meet each other?]

[Of course . Otherwise, I wouldn’t know why else would I let Seras out of that castle at that time . That’s why……]

Walking over, the Princess takes my hand .

[May I continue to entrust Seras to you?]

[However…… Are you sure that you can really entrust her to me?]

[Whatever you may say, in the end, you’re the man that Seras has been charmed by . ]

At that moment, the complexion of the two Holy Knights who were on standby behind her suddenly changed .

“Eh!?”

I thought I heard such a heartfelt surprise from those two Holy Knights .

As for Seras…

[Princess!?]

She looks like she heard something she didn’t expect .

However, the Princess didn’t look at Seras .

She’s still looking up at me, with a smirk on her face .

[Is there a problem with that?]

[No…… I also felt that Seras is precious