Although His Royal Highness Astina was her direct superior to Ms. Presha, she had never had the opportunity to receive a direct word from him before.

　This was because, as the third princess, she was constantly being watched by those around her, so His Highness Astina was always forced to behave cautiously.

　In the Rayseneian Knights, it was customary for knights with command authority above the head of a unit to give orders to their subordinates through a deputy who acted as an assistant, and it was not recommended to have direct words with certain subordinate knights.

　Although quasi-regular knights were elite in the army as a whole, their individual combat abilities made them a subordinate who was likely to be on the front lines with the civilian soldiers and, from a senior knight's point of view, likely to be unreturned. It was believed that if they had feelings for each one of them, it would reduce the accuracy of their command.

　--But His Highness Astina was different. She was willing to break conventions and cause her superiors to have a bad opinion of her, and she came here out of concern for her subordinate, Presha-san.

　Raquel, who always stood tall, straightened her posture even more to show her Highness her thanks. His Highness responded with a small wave of his hand and stood in front of the cell where Plesha had been placed.

　Through the bars, His Highness was standing at the end of Presha's misty gaze. You'll be able to get the most out of it.

...... This is not the place for your highness to come. I don't want to be pardoned. I still regret that I didn't kill those men who sold out my village.
"Wha-......, Plesha, what is it like for you to be here: ......
''It's fine, Raquel. I was unaware of Presha's thoughts and asked him to take the lead as an excellent spear knight. ...... I thought Presha's boldness was dependable. I didn't even know what kind of emotion that spear was being wielded with.

　Presha-san looked up at His Highness' eyes, which were filled with a quiet light, without saying a word.

　From Raquel-san, Presha-san had heard a little bit about His Highness Astina's character. Born as a princess, she did not want to end her life being used as material for political maneuvering, and in order to protect her homeland and her close relatives, she entered the officer's academy at the same age as Presha-san, and finished the entire course in two years, half of what would normally take four years to complete, and graduated.

　With her beauty, which is said to be immense, the leaders of the Order had contacted her many times, dreaming of marrying the princess of the kingdom - but His Highness Astina was never as they wanted her to be, and until she was called by the nickname of 'The Lone Swordswoman', her personal efforts He has made a lot of success in the war alone.

　His Highness Astina standing further away from Raquel, the object of admiration for Ms. Presha. But she, too, can never punish an officer from the nobility who has abandoned his people for self-defense.

　His Highness Astina will make a successful war in the East and eventually return to the center. Being on the front line originally is an exception in itself, so he's not like a soldier like himself who ends his life in battle.

...... I only fight because I hate them, and I don't want the unforgivable to live. I'm not going to be able to say that the person who betrayed our village or the League of Grunica Cities is any different. I hate the traitor more for being a nobleman of this country.

　--That's very sweet of you, Presha. Your mother would be so proud of you.

　--You should kill anyone who stands in your way. Our suffering will never be understood by this fair maiden.

　Like a curse, a gentle voice can be heard. An indiscriminate killing intent boils up from inside Presha-san - not by justice, nor by her will.

　With her now, no matter how strong she is, I don't think she can survive for long on the battlefield. From this moment on, it seemed that she couldn't even move on to Raiseneire.

　Because in Presha-san's mind, even though it was given to her by others, she only had the desire to kill His Highness in front of her.

　His Highness Astina should have noticed it too. And yet, she is.

　Just standing there, taking in all of Presha-san's emotions as they are.

''There is no law in this kingdom right now to punish those who caused your village to be attacked by the enemy. His Majesty the King must decide on the punishment in person ......, but the only thing reported to His Majesty by the Knights is the victory and defeat of the battle.

　At that time the warfare in the east and south was fierce, and His Majesty the King was lying sick in his bed with much heartache. Bartholomew 25th, once known as the Sun of Läsenneia, became incapacitated after a serious illness in his fifties - his public appearances declined so much that Queen Cassandra II even took over for the king. It was.

　I will appeal to His Majesty, that King, to punish the nobleman who fell on Mr. Presha's village. That this was impossible even for His Highness Astina, His Highness's deep melancholy eyes showed that this was impossible even for His Highness.

　Even though she is a princess, she has no authority. Nor does she intend to punish traitors. Ms. Presha was not disappointed by that.

　A black stain fell on Presha-san's worn out mind. The spirit of a person is being eroded - the human spirit is being eroded.

I don't care how many people over here die before ...... if that's all that matters to you as long as you defeat the enemy. Is that what you're saying ......?
"Presha ......, in the presence of His Highness Astina, such ......!
'It's fine, Raquel. I can't punish them ...... A superior officer who can't even make his subordinates feel better about their disappointment is not qualified to lead.

　--Don't be fooled, Presha. This man is only trying to play you down with pseudo words.

　--The princess wants freedom. She just wants to make you a convenient dumping ground for her achievements.

'Yes ...... I know ...... mother ......'
...... presha.

　It was a very small murmur. But there was no way His Highness and Raquel-san would miss it.

　Raquel-san is biting her lip. His Highness Astina looked at her and then turned to Presha-san once more.

(...... No.) If you leave Presha-san alone any longer ...... but ......)

　Even though I know it's in the past, I wish it was. I must wipe away the blackness that seems to be entwining around Mr. Presha, now.

　--But. His Highness Astina's magical power, which should have been sealed off at that point, slightly overflows from his body.

　His Highness didn't give up or try to give up, no matter how much Presha-san rejected him. It was a force that made him feel compassionate, which I could clearly see - even though the overflow of magical power would be a great burden on His Highness' body.

The battle with the Urban Alliance has been in a stalemate for the past month ...... and the burden on both sides is so great that there is a move to seek opportunities for a lecture.
'Your Highness Astina, with all due respect ...... the current situation is that we are losing a key border point to the League of Cities, and I'm afraid that if we don't change that situation, the movement of the lecture will not proceed. ......
...... That is, if the situation does not change. The decision on the operation in a week's time has just been made by the Governor General of the Eastern Sector Army. We will attack the enemy's stronghold, which is staring at the ...... Aldrone Valley, which breaks the urban alliance's stance and shows our military superiority.

　The Aldrone Valley - it is a natural pivot point called the 'corridor' that runs east to west across the southern border between Laiseneier and Grunica.

　During the winter months it is impassable due to snowfall, but during the current season and summer it can be advanced by infantry and horses. However, the Grunica side has built a fort adjacent to the ravine, and as the border approaches, they mercilessly rain arrows down on you.

　However, a 'fierce general' who defies common sense as much as His Highness Astina, Raquel-san, and Presha-san would be able to ride through the ravine while mounted.

''If we can bring the Aldrone Valley under our control, Grunica's army will try to retake it at all costs. However, we are only a ranger ...... If our main force doesn't move, it will be difficult for them to divide their troops into the valley, too. Right now they are in a favorable terrain, so we only have to deploy our troops as they are now.

　If we tried to build a fort in the ravine, the enemy would come out to interfere. However, we can't attack them from here - it can be said that our foresight in not thinking that the ravine would be a strategically important place and not building a base was lax.

　If it was His Highness Astina, she should be able to determine where we must hold just by looking at the topographical map around the border - she had the ability to foresee the battlefield even before she made a contract with the divine tree.

　As she listened to the story, Presha-san was anticipating what she was going to be told.

　His Highness had come to punish him in prison. And that was something for Mr. Presha to rejoice over. Because punishing a traitor and slaying an enemy soldier are equivalent for her.

If ...... I cut in and ...... pave the way, then ......

　With Presha's strength, he could run through the canyon if he used his strength to risk his life and just keep going.

　But that was not the case. The person I knew, His Highness Astina, had never changed and never forced his subordinates to sacrifice alone.

'No ...... you are not alone. Presha, you will go with us. Three horsemen will ride through the valley.
'Huh ...... Your highness, that won't do!　No matter how strong His Highness is, he himself is such a .......
'For now, I'm only taking care of part of the squad. The difference between the captain and his men is not so great as absolute ...... difference?

　His Highness dares to speak without regard to the fact that he is the third princess in line of succession to the throne.

　Raquel tries to say something. But His Highness's eyes, which are filled with determination, are unwavering.

...... together.... and the three of us... ......?

　That reckless belief of His Highness made Presha-san regain her human-like emotions.

　The hatred for the nobleman who caused my mother's death faded for a moment, and the original glow of Presha Hortensia, the brave spear knight, returned.

''Yes. Me and you two. These three are the only ones who can fulfill this.''

　At that time, he was still unaware of the Raseneian Kingdom and the Grenica City Alliance.

　His Highness Astina, who would later be called the Sword Princess General. And that the two knights who serve her have the strength of a single rider each.

　　　◆ ◆ ◆.

　The next sight I see, Presha-san has already left the punishment cell.

　After finishing my report to my superior officer, Raquel-san, and walking down the corridor of the fortress to go to the training, Presha-san is greeted by a man I recognize as a wild man.

　--Dadrum. The man who called out to Plesha with a group of people and tried to get her to follow him, but couldn't.

'How did you get into the princess's arms?　...... Well, I love the idea of joining the Order, I love the fact that that princess is only interested in women. ......
...... He's looking at Mr. Dadram like that again. ......!

　Mr. Presha, who did not mean to sharpen his eyesight, swallowed his anger nonetheless, with heartfelt contempt for Dadram and his crony men.

'You can say whatever you like about me. But I will not allow you to speak ill of your highness.'
''Ha, haha ...... still such a strong point. I know, I know that you were grabbed by your uncle and offered a severe punishment.
Huh. ......!

　What those words mean is that Dadram's uncle has sold Mr. Presha's village. How corrupt are the knights stationed in this Vulcanus Fortress - how corrupt are they?

　It's not surprising to be disappointed. But Presha-san understood that there was no point in taking out his anger on Dadram here.

'Leaving the punishment cell will be the end of you, Presha. I'll give you another chance ...... to follow me. If you do that, I'll work to keep you in knighthood in the future.

　How can you say that, I even shudder. Still, Ms. Presha was noticeably different than she had been before she met His Highness - she was closer to the girl I knew, when she was behaving pleasantly.

'I'm not worth the trouble you're going to put up with,' she said. I think you have a much better chance of getting a partner than a woman who is all about fighting.
'...... Don't regret it, Presha. I gave you twice the warmth, remember?

　Dadram spits that out and leaves with his cronies. Presha-san, who is left behind, clenches her fists tightly - but her strength is loosened.

　Ms. Raquel was worried, and she followed Presha-san. She approaches Ms. Presha from behind and places a hand on her shoulder, tapping her gently once, twice.

''Even though the country has a large percentage of women, the Order is a male society. Even more so, there are those who come from the nobility who gain power without even a fragile experience of actual combat ...... A man like that sees female knights as nothing more than objects of lowly desire. You used to suppress your words.

　Even though they weren't related by blood, Raquel-san's exertions for Presha-san were like that of her own sister.

　When Presha-san touched Raquel-san's hand, she smiled as if she didn't need to be so careful. The blue-haired girl's smile was reflected in Raquel-san's jet-black eyes.

''If she's as beautiful as Raquel's sister, she's still so fond of things that she's interested in me, isn't she? Besides, seeing your highness, it seems like you don't care about men and women like me even more.
...... Some men find it satisfying to subdue a woman with the power to fight. Besides, Presha has a low opinion of himself, but that's not the case at all.
'That's exactly what I'm talking about, I think it's a family affair. I'd have to say that sister Raquel is kind and strong, not ...... because she's kind and strong.
Why do you correct me ...... Do you think I'd be embarrassed if you just said you were kind?

　It's an exchange that makes me, who's watching, smile more. Presha-san's desolate heart is definitely being healed by the presence of His Highness and Raquel-san - allies in the knightly order.

　Still, there are some wounds that won't disappear just by covering them softly. The danger I had felt watching Presha-san had continued since then.

'...... We must not show any weakness. The nobles see us as nothing more than pawns.

　The one who was in the end of Presha-san's gaze - was Ms. Deite.

　The woman of that time had an appearance that was completely different from the present. It's a good thing that you're able to get a good idea of what you're looking for.

''I know about your situation, Presha....... But not all the nobles in this country are who you think they are. Please correct what you just said.
...... I think Deite's archery skills are great, too. For a nobleman, you've honed your martial arts skills and joined the Order.
If you'd like to acknowledge me as a colleague, even a little bit, I'd be happy to give you my opinion: ......
If you want to get my way, try beating me. Then you'll do what I tell you to do.

　A clear provocation - that's something you shouldn't normally do to the same knight.

　However, Deite-san was calm. She took Presha-san's words head on and was completely unfazed - even Presha-san was slightly surprised inwardly at her boldness.

　A dainty noblewoman. Deethe-san, who should have been born and raised in completely different circumstances, Presha-san sensed something that she could relate to.

''Our duty, as members of the Order, is to depose the enemy nation. I hope that Presha will appreciate me for the kind of work I do.
...... Presha, Deite is right. Don't make the mistake of pointing your spear at the wrong person.
...... I don't appreciate it or anything. I'm the one who asked His Highness and Sister Raquel to see if they can use it.
'I know it sounds like an impertinent thing to say, but ...... if you think you're being 'used', you don't understand His Highness Astina, nor do you understand Lord Raquel. I know much better than you do from the outside looking in.

　Ms. Deethe, too, was not a simple matter. When she returned the challenge of Presha-san's challenge, she gave a ladylike bow and walked away.

　Raquel-san looked at Presha-san without saying a word - but suddenly the edges of her mouth loosened and she huffed.

''You don't dislike a knight with a backbone like that, do you?
...... Because it's enough to have a Raquel sister to be nosy like that, like she's my big sister or something.

　Raquel only smiled at Presha's reply.

　The calm time that passed between battles. But it was only a short-lived one - the Eastern Sector Army would decide on a major operation two days later.

　While the main force of Vulcanus Fortress is drawing the main force of the enemy, a separate force will attack the Urban Alliance's fortress, which is just beyond the Aldrone Valley.

　Among those selected for the separate force was His Highness Astina's troops, who had volunteered, overcoming the opposition of those around them.