Proofreader: somnium

Venia couldnt understand what was going on.

The lady, who got out of her carriage, called Venias name, and ordered her to be put in her carriage.

There was a quarrel in the middle. The knights panicked and said that they had to do a body search. Even her maid said in surprise,

Madam, do you know who this is?

Its someone I know. Thats enough. Lets go to the city of Kader.

The lady said so.

The knights asked the maid to remove the cloak from Venia. Not only was her clothes dirty, but they thought she might be hiding something inside it.

Venia struggled not to lose her clothes.

Take it off. Its muddy. Ill wash it for you later.

Leave it alone, Alice.

Artizea said so while coughing. She also told the knights,

Its okay. You can trust her.

If Her Highness knows her.

Sir Owen answered so. He knew that Artizea had subordinates he didnt know, and there were things he had to pretend he didnt even see.

But Venia didnt know why she was saying that. So she looked up at her while holding her belly.

If she escaped safely, she was told to visit the Evron Knights in the Western Army.

She thought it would be fine. She believed what Lysia said, that someone would come and help her.

But she was skeptical.

It was strange in itself that a real noble woman was leading the knights through this area now.

Besides, it was strangely filled with rejection and fear.

But she was the first to be asked,

Is Miss Lysia safe?

Ah.

At those words, Venia swallowed her breath.

Artizea looked at her face and knew that her memory had not returned.

Then, this girl in front of her eyes is a real 17-years-old girl, not the Venia she knows.

Uh, how do you know?

Venia asked, stuttering. Alice also looked at Artizea with a puzzled face.

Artizea had no doubt that Venia had run away from Lawrence.

Otherwise, Venia wouldnt have been in this area.

If it was just Lawrence, he would have dragged Venia along. Venia was the maid whom Lysia relied on until the very end.

It was certain that she could be used as a hostage. It was also well known where her hometown was.

There were many villages that the Saintess had saved, but Venias hometown was especially famous.

It was unfortunate, but it was because Venia herself often spoke of gratitude and admiration for that time.

Did you run away for Miss Lysia?

Venia nodded her head frantically.

Alice grabbed Artizeas skirt.

Madam, calm down. This child is young.

There was no guarantee she wasnt a trap.

She was suspicious as she alone fled this wide plain with the bandits on her tail.

But Artizea shook her head.

Venia was a brave woman. She was decisive, and she had the courage and determination to throw herself to carry out what she decided to do.

Even though shes still 17 years old and she hasnt been through the storms of the years, she could have done it.

But she realized that she shouldnt be in a hurry. If Venia was frightened she might not be able to speak properly.

Artizea blinked at Alice. She knew she wasnt fit to earn peoples trust, and so was this situation.

Alice said instead,

Its okay. You can trust her. Our madam is the Crown Princess.

Venia didnt get it right away and she blinked her eyes. Then she shouted, Ah!.

There, there is something the Saintess gave!

Venia highly unfastened her cloak, which had been tied up tightly.

Alice glanced at Venia again with a look of dissatisfaction with her. She said their Madam was the Crown Princess, she wondered what nonsense Saintess she was talking about.

Venia untied her overcoat, and she pulled off the top of the cloak she was wearing. She then pulled out what she had tied around her belly with a long cloth.

Dont!

Alice screamed at her in great dismay. The carriage stopped and the door swung open.

Owen slammed the door open, and he was startled, and he immediately slapped Venias hand. Venia grabbed her hand and fell at Artizeas feet.

The pistol flew out of her hand and rolled across the floor.

Alice quickly picked it up. At that time, Owens sword was already aimed at Venias neck.

Alice, open the back door.

Alice quickly followed his words. Owen said,

Your Highness, with all due respect, please come down from behind.

It was to not give Venia a chance to make a move. Artizea shook her head. She held out her hand to Alice.

Alice noticed quickly and placed the pistol she had picked up into Artizeas hand.

Artizea looked at it back and forth for a moment. Owen also saw it with a side eye.

And he said in a surprised tone,

Isnt that the Crown Princes pistol?

Lord Owen, lower your weapon.

Artizea said so. And she clumsily opened the cylinder.

It was empty with no bullets inside.

Artizea showed it, but Owen did not lower his sword. As for safety issues, Artizea had no authority to command him.

Venia struggled to get her words out, terrified,

I have been asked to return it to the Knights of Evron or the Knights of the Western Army.

By whom?

Ly, Lysia Morten, said they would know.

Hearing those words, Owen was surprised. There was no reason to doubt any further.

Venia fell to the floor as if collapsing. The sorry Alice lifted her up and took her by the shoulders.

Owen looked at Artizea with a puzzled face.

He followed Artizea, but he didnt know that he would really hear about Lysia here.

Its been quite some time since there was no news. He asked questions, but no words were heard.

Where in this wide west was she going to look for a lost person? Even after subjugating all the bandits near the place where the incident took place, they disappeared, so they couldnt find them anymore.

Lets start on the road.

Understand. Sorry for the fuss.

Owen answered without complaint. And closed the carriage door.

Even then, Venia was trembling. Artizea glanced back and forth at the pistol, then pulled out her handkerchief and wrapped it around it.

Venia.

Artizea looked at Venia with deepened eyes and said,

I came here to find Miss Lysia. You have to help me. When did you escape? Is it over three hours?

No. I came out this morning.

Venia moistened her parched throat with saliva, as if it was about to tear her apart. Alice handed her water.

After she drank it, she seemed to live a little. Finally, tears welled up in her eyes.

The Saintess and the Head.To the Head.

Without speaking, Venia rubbed her eyes with the back of her hand.

Artizea stopped Alice from flinching. It didnt matter whom she called the Saintess now.

There were reins left in one of the horses in the stables. And he said he would try not to notice even if I ran away.

Except for the middle part, Venia told them everything. By that time, her face was covered with tears and dust.

I dont know when I was noticed. I went down the river to find the village, and in the middle of all this, the horse got tired and took a break.

You got caught there.

Yes.

You did well.

From Venias point of view, she calmly remembered all the information she could give.

Artizea stroked the lower part of her lip, deep in her thoughts.

It was already afternoon. The sun will set in a little while.

Considering the speed of the bandits movement, she couldnt pinpoint the location with that information alone.

And are you the Crown Princess?

Yes. The Crown Princess.

Alice answered instead of the thinking Artizea.

There was a message that I had to tell the Crown Princess. After showing the pistol to an Evron person.

As Venia gasped, she said,

She told me to say 90,000.

90,000.

Artizea repeated those words back like a parrot.

Then, as she said, the blood drained from her face, which originally showed signs of illness as is.

The inhabitants of the city of Kader were 90,000.

Considering that it is a transportation hub, the actual number of people in the city is probably much higher than that.

Cedric arrived in the central city of the West with only 20 elite knights.

He moved quietly. There were no official announcements when he departed from the Capital. On the road he had passed, he had never stopped by a government office.

Nevertheless, by the time he arrived, the Western Army knew all of his moves.

Knowing that he hated pretentiousness, Ein, the commander of the Western Army greeted him with only the city defenders lined up.

Next to him was Amalie.

Long time no see, Sir Ein, Dame Harper.

Cedric greeted the two with a military salute.

Its not an official schedule, but you gave the soldiers a hard time.

The entire Western Army is delighted to see the Crown Prince again. Even if we ask for a ceremony, everyone will like it.

At Eins words, Cedric smiled bitterly and shook his head. He didnt have time to spend on such things.

Amalie spoke in a more realistic way,

The Crown Prince personally came to visit us at a time like this, so nothing can touch the hearts of Westerners more than this.

As she said that, Amalie smiled.

I didnt know the day would come so soon to congratulate the Crown Prince.

Lets not talk about that now.

Amalie politely bowed her head in affirmation. The Emperor is still alive.

Cedric said,

Unfortunately, I didnt come here to patrol.

Yes. I have heard the big news.

Amalie handed him a letter.

It was sent to me by Lady Hayleys yesterday.

Cedric hurriedly unfolded it.

After Hayley had given a brief news on her side, she delivered the orders she had received from Artizea.

To put the troops on standby in three days at the northeast of the city of Kader?

Yes.

Is this possible?

Amalie answered Cedrics question,

Of course, it is impossible to send troops from here. In the city where Lady Hayley is, a significant number of Western troops were stationed to protect the Crown Princess.

The dispatch will be made from there.

The Crown Princess sent an order engraved with the Crown Princes coat of arms, or more precisely, Grand Duchy Evrons coat of arms.

The Western Army had no reason to refuse.

Hayley had only forwarded the contents of this letter to Amalie to inform her of the situation.