Altina The Sword Princess
/ Altina the Sword Princess Vol 8 Chapter 4
The base they had left for over a month. They can shower, sleep on a bed and eat the food they were familiar with after they return. Despite their fatigue, the soldiers had bright expressions.
Deeply troubled. Altina was always troubled. At this moment, if Regis was here, he would be able to adjust the plans for the troop’s movement according to the situation. Thinking back, Altina had always left these to him. If Jerome was here, he would be able to make the right call after seeing the conditions of the soldiers.
Altina didn’t have related knowledge or experience. On the return trip after this long campaign, the season was rather hot. Even though she felt it would be better for them to rest, she didn’t want to go against the troop’s wishes to return home quickly.
She kept dragging the issue as she couldn’t decide. Following the movement plan Regis made before he left, it was time for a short break. Even when the soldiers heard that, they would just answer ‘no problem!’. That’s how they were. But the 7,000 soldiers had to carry their weapons and push the cannons. Some of them were collapsing from fatigue.
There were casualties from the consecutive battles too. The soldiers who couldn’t keep up and needed to get picked up by the rescue wagons were more than usual. Should she let everyone rest?
Or just carry on like this? The soldiers walking in front shouted: “I can see the fort——!!” Wooahhh! Cheers erupted. The joyous atmosphere was contagious, which made Altina smile.
But her frustration over her lack of experience as a commander clouded her heart. She was only depressed for a moment. Just treat this as an experience! Altina was someone who could think so positively. The Beilschmidt Border Regiment left as a unit of 4,000, and returned as the Imperial Fourth Army with almost twice the numbers. The soldiers came out from the fort. Because a messenger alerted them that the unit out on a long campaign had returned. The one at the very front was Evrard. He was a tall and burly knight, the captain of the fort defences. He was over fifty years old, but still very energetic. “Your Highness~~~!!” “It’s been a while, Evrard!” “Wonderful! Just wonderful! It’s great that you are alright!”
Evrard galloped over, jumped off his horse and got down on one knee. His bald head was shiny as usual, and his beard was a mix of black and white. It had just been a month, but it probably worried him a lot.
Altina dismounted too. “You watched over the fort well, thank you.”
“You are being too distant!” With a tremor of footsteps, the soldiers from the fort ran over. The joy of reuniting with their returning comrades could be heard everywhere. The Beilschmidt Border Regiment was originally from the Empire. They had acquaintances even in the Second Army. There were people who met again unexpectedly. And also grieving for the comrades who couldn’t return.
Altina looked down at the soldiers around her.
“... Men, are not just numbers.”
“What’s the matter, Princess?” “... I lost a thousand men from the Beilschmidt Border Regiment that left for the campaign. Even though they have their companions and families.” “I heard that High Britannia was using new weapons that had never been seen before. The Second and Seventh Army were defeated, even Prince Latreille was wounded. The enemy even made it all the way before the capital. Despite the hard battles, you still brought back 3,000 soldiers safely, that is something to cheer for.” “Yes… Even though I told Regis the same thing.”
“The sense of responsibility and mourning for the men we lost isn’t a bad thing. We are no longer on the battlefield. I may have overstepped my bounds, but I prepared a victory feast. There will be plenty of wine and meat.” “Fufu… Thank you. Let’s go back to the fort!” Altina mounted her horse.
Evrard rode beside her. The bugles sounded again, and the soldiers walked shoulder to shoulder.
They began singing patriotic songs. Altina asked:
“By the way, where’s Eric?”
Evrard who was smiling all this while became depressed.
He was full of life just a moment ago, and now he looked like an old man. After reaching the fort, they saw a swordsman in black clothes and a silver haired youth descending the stairs. It was Eddie and Auguste. “Yo, Altina! You are back!” “... It’s great that you are alright.” Even though he was dressed like a man before the troops, Auguste’s real identity was Felicia. Altina raised a hand in response. A large carriage entered the fort. Clarisse got down and bowed deeply. Eddie tilted his head.
“Eh? Where’s Regis?” “He went to the capital for his promotion and acceptance of his peerage.” “I see. That will happen after all his accomplishment.”
“Really! Right when the Germanian Federation is about to attack!” “Well, the Empire had never been peaceful.”
“That might be so…” Some of the soldiers led the horses to rest, some carried the wounded to the infirmary, and the fort became lively.
It would be fine to leave the rest to Evrard. Altina walked to her room. And climbed a long flight of stairs. “Eddie, Felicia, are both of you well?”
“I didn’t even catch a cold.” “... Sorry, I caught a cold once.” Felicia didn’t need to act since there wasn’t any soldiers here, and showed her usual frail and demure side. When she was acting as Auguste, one could even feel a majestic aura, such incredible acting skills. Eddie scratched his head.
“Ah, well… it can’t be helped for Felicia. The cold weather persisted longer than usual.” “... I-Is that so?” “It will be great if I can protect you from catching a cold. Well, if you are feeling under the weather, don’t be too concerned about anything and just rely on me.” “Yes… Thank you. I will count on you like usual then.” “I will make the cold days warm too.” “... I’m so glad.” Felicia’s cheeks blushed. It didn’t suit him, but Eddie smiled with a gentle gaze too. Altina felt her mood strangely turning for the worse. She felt that she was an eyesore? And sighed. She shifted her gaze away from them, and looked at Clarisse who was walking slightly behind her. “... Hey Clarisse.” “What can I do for you, Princess?” “When will Regis be back?”
“... I asked him, he said it would take between a week to a month. After finishing his business at the capital, he would need some time to come back here. It would probably take between 6 to 30 days.” “Hmm, it would take that much time after all… Hah… It would be great if I could go to the capital too.” Altina slouched her shoulders. Eddie smiled wryly.
“What are you saying? The commander can’t leave her unit behind and run off. If you do that, it wouldn’t be your unit anymore.”
“Yeah... This is unreasonable, I know at least that much. But for some reason, whenever I see you and Felicia, I will feel the urge of wanting to see Regis! I don’t understand why though.” “Hmm? But why?”
Eddie looked baffled. Felicia who was blushing turned a deeper shade of red, and was stammering.
“T-That is… Sister…”
“Ara ara…” Clarisse sighed deeply. Altina parted with Eddie and Felicia in front of her room —— She entered her room and wiped herself with hot water.
And sat inside a wooden bucket. Clarisse soaked a silk cloth with hot water from a flask, and gently squeezed the water onto Altina’s skin. She started warming up.
“Phew…” “Your skin is really beautiful, Princess. “Is that so? But I think it’s similar to Clarisse though?” “Fufu, thank you very much. But the Princess’ skin is like a shiny gem. And it looks so tender and delicious.”
“... Y-You can’t bite okay?” “Don’t worry, I won’t. But… Such a day will come one day. Hah… My dear Princess…” “I will be bitten? Don’t joke with me, I won’t let my guard down no matter who my opponent is.” “... You said guard down.” “Hm?”
“Fufufu… You don’t need to worry for now. Your Highness is really the Princess.”
“Hmmm?”
Clarisse became strangely happy, and wiped Altina’s body as if she wanted her skin to shine.
As if her troubles and filth from the long campaign had been washed away, Altina’s mood got better.
She sat before her dressing table she had not seen for so long that she was starting to missed it. Clarisse helped to brush her hair. Altina giggled. “Hee… Eheehee.” “Your highness, does it tickles?”
“Not at all. It just feel so nostalgic.” “That’s true.” “Hey Clarisse… You will stay with me forever right?” “Of course. But Regis will be back soon right?” “I-I’m not talking about Regis!? Well, of course he will be back. He promised.”
Clarisse applied a thin layer of oil, and Altina’s hair was elegant just like her skin.
But it was a bit itchy and Altina kept fidgeting her body. The victory feast began in the evening, the campaign group, garrison group and the former Second Army soldiers all drank together. Even though training was the only way to improve the coordination between the units, this could deepen the bonds between them mentally. Being happy about surviving, feeling sad for those who passed, the banquet lasted into the wee hours of the night. It might carry on until dawn. Night—— Altina visited Eric who didn’t attend the victory feast. She found out from the lady doctor that Eric had recovered, and didn’t need to stay in the infirmary and was staying home too. She knocked on the door. “... Who is it?” A response came from behind the door. Altina took a deep breath and said:
“I’m alone, is it convenient?”
“Eh!? Your Highness!?” A high pitched panicky voice sounded out, followed by hurried footsteps. After the sound of the door being unlocked, the door was opened forcefully.
It was late at night, but Eric was still wearing his usual leather clothes as he stood there with his eyes wide open. Altina smiled awkwardly. “Sorry, it took quite a bit of effort to excuse myself from the feast. Were you sleeping?” “Not at all!” The candles flickered in the room. Normally speaking, it was possible to make it through the night with just the moonlight. But Fort Volks was modified from a mine, so there wasn’t any windows for lighting. The soldiers would use torchlight and candles to illuminate the room. “I have something to tell you, is it convenient?” “Y-Yes! I will change right now and visit you in the meeting room!” “There is no need for that but… wouldn't it be better not to do it in the corridor?” Sound would carry in the corridor. Finally, Altina entered the room. Eric went down on one knee. “For Your Highness to enter such a place is…” “Well, according to the lady doctor’s report, your injuries have healed right? So I was wondering why you didn’t show up at the victory feast.” “Ugh… M-My apologies! I should have put everything down and greeted you!”
“Alright, hearing flattery words too often gets kind of annoying. It’s not something that could be done by my own power. Instead of that, I am more worried about your condition.”
Eric lowered his gaze to the floor as he knelt.
Normally, a Non-Commissioned Officer such as a Fifth Grade Combat Officer would bunk together with others inside a large room. However, Eric was assigned a personal room because he was Altina’s Escort Officer. Beside the bed was a nice desk. If Altina sat at the desk, she would be looking down at the kneeling Eric. In the past, when she visit Regis without invitation, he would sit on the bed and offer her the chair.
On hindsight, a Fifth Grade Admin officer acting so respectfully wouldn’t be a surprise. She turned into a strange person once again. With no other choice, Altina pulled the chair before the bed and sat on it. Eric, it’s hard to talk like this, so sit on the bed.” “Eh!? H-how could I…”
“When it is just the two of us, it’s fine to not be so formal. I didn’t come here to make you kneel, but to speak with you.” “... My apologies.”
Eric sat down cautiously and respectfully on the edge of the bed. This was bought after they took down Fort Volks, not a straw filled mattress, but layers of cloth laid on top of a springboard. A high class item provided to Commissioned Officers. He croaked a little. Although Eric paid more attention to formalities than others, he wasn’t that stubborn. He must have his reasons —— Altina guessed. It was probably related to Evrard’s gloomy expression. “... Well? What’s the reason?”
Altina preferred getting straight to the point instead of going round in circles. Eric lowered his head. “Ughhh…” “Is it something you can’t tell me?” “Not at all!” Tears welled in his eyes. His shoulders trembled.
Altina waited quietly for his reply. She was no longer a child, she will hold it back if necessary. Even more so for the sake of her subordinates. Eric opened his lightly trembling lips. “My left hand…” “Yes. I heard that your wound has healed?” Eric’s tears streamed down his cheeks.
“... I… Can’t be a knight anymore.”
He gritted his teeth. And reached out his left hand.
His fingers were trembling. “... I can’t… use any strength.” His pale slender fingers were just like a girl’s.
But there weren’t any wounds. Altina reached out with her left hand and touched his fingers.
“Grip it.” Eric clasped his left hand with a pained expression. It was akin to shaking hands. He should be able to hold a mug.
But it would be impossible to lift heavy weapons. Knights need to hold their lance in their right hand, and the reins with their left. If they couldn’t muster the strength, they wouldn’t be able to fight on horseback. Tears fell from Eric’s eyes. “Ughh… Uuu… That’s all I can do…”
“Is that so…” “If… I can only use such child-like strength… I won’t be able to fight. I can’t be the Princess’ shield, and will be a burden instead…” He held back his sobs and said between snivels. Altina held back with the same strength as Eric. “B-But the lady doctor said the power should recover in two months…” Eric shook his head. “No… That’s not it… She is referring to my shoulder… Even though it is recovering… But my fingers couldn’t use any strength.” Altina had participated in many battles, and this wasn’t the first time she visited wounded soldiers. She met soldiers whose shoulders and back were hurt, and knew that they lost their strength in their arms and legs. Even though their muscles were still there, there were people who couldn’t move their fingers or even stand up. Without understanding the reason, there was no way to cure it too. Eric’s grip was as strong as a child. It won’t affect his daily life, but he won’t be able to serve as an Escort Officer, or even as a soldier. Altina’s hand that was holding him turned stiff. She didn’t know what to say. “......” “Ughh… Your Highness… I am sorry… I… I am useless now…” Eric’s shoulders trembled as he gritted his teeth loudly.
He won’t be able to take the field like this. He won’t be able to handle the task of ferrying supplies. Normally, he would be discharged and sent home. But would this be fine? Regis said that if Eric hadn’t been there, he would have died. “T-That’s right, if it was Regis…” “... Eh?”
Eric wiped his eyes that had gotten swollen because of his tears. Altina grabbed his left hand with both of her hands suddenly. “I am sorry. Maybe I said something cruel. You can be angry for my irresponsibility and willfulness… but, I still think that Eric is a reliable Escort Officer.”
“Y-Your Highness…?” “During the Founding Day festival, Regis said that it was thanks to you that we noticed that Auguste was actually a girl disguised as a boy. You also prepared the horses for our escape, and protected Regis during the fight with Franziska of ‘Renard Pendu’.”
“... Y-Yes.”
“I don’t want to lose Eric. Consult the lady doctor again. She just got back from the campaign, and has yet to diagnose your injury in detail right?” “Y-Yes… But her diagnosis would definitely be that it is hopeless.” “No matter how long it is, I will wait. And maybe Regis would know something.” “Regis… must be disappointed… to see me like this right…?” Eric looked really timid. Altina shook her head hard. “Not at all! Impossible! Regis won’t just sit and watch idly! Definitely! He will definitely say ‘I read about this in a book before’!” “... Really?”
“Yes, really.”
Eric lowered his eyes. And sighed. “But… Regis he… didn’t visit the infirmary or came here. Did he already forgot about it?”
“Don’t be stupid! Regis went to the capital for his promotion and to accept his peerage!” “Eh!?” “Didn’t anyone tell you!? Sigh… But you didn’t ask either. I just came to find out how your health is. Oh right, I promised to write letters to him.” “Letters? Your Highness… will be writing?” Eric wiped his eyes and showed a shocked expression once again. Altina frowned.
“What, I’m just writing a letter, why are you making it sound so strange?”
“I-I didn’t say that! It’s just that… I didn’t see Your Highness holding a pen much.”
“Even I can write letters. I already promised. I will write every day.” “Every day!?” Eric opened his eyes wide as if he had forgotten about his own matters.
Was it something that shocking? How regrettable. “Every, every day. First, I will write about Eric.” “... Y-Yes… That’s right. Every day… I am a bit surprised. Even though the absolutely critical information would be written so badly that it makes Regis sigh…” “Ugh.”
Altina averted her eyes. She wasn’t bad at writing, but it was a pain sitting in a chair and only getting to move your hands. Eric bowed deeply.
“... Thank you very much… Your Highness, for your concern… Just your words are enough to make me feel that it is wonderful that I became a knight.”
“Yes! And it’s not over! I have not given up! Be it changing the Empire or your issue!” Eric had a baffled face.
News of the Emperor’s passing probably haven’t reach the fort yet, and Eric didn’t know about Latreille’s announcement on taking the throne. It couldn’t be helped since this was the borders.
Altina sat straight on her chair again and pondered for a moment. “Errr… where should I start…”
At this moment, there was a knocking on the door. Who could it be? Eric muttered and stood up. Altina finally let go of his hand. With his right hand on the hilt, Eric opened the door. Standing at the corridor was Clarisse holding an entire tea set on a tray. She was smiling.
“It seemed that the conversation would take a while. Would you like tea with sugar?” “Eh… Ms Clarisse…”
Altina waved happily.
“Ahah, as expected of Clarisse! It’s just nice, come join us. Let’s write the letter together!” “Ara, you seem to be having a wonderful time.”
Eric tilted his head. “Is this okay? Didn’t Regis and ‘the Princess’ made a promise to write letters every day?” “Ugh… I-It’s fine. Right? The most important thing is to rely on your comrades. Challenging an opponent you have no hope of winning and fighting on your own is a display of courage right?” She raised a finger and said in Regis’ tone. Eric and Clarisse looked at each other and laughed. Why are they laughing——!? Altina thought as she pouted. Chapter 4 The Meeting of the Stars “Bastian! I found a carriage!” “Really!?”
Chapter end
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