Chapter 103 Landing Of Ortria
"...Was it really like this in fleet battles?"
"Well~, isn't it? Besides, this is probably Ms. Yumie's first time watching a naval battle too."
"That's true, but still?"
By boarding the Council of Beasts and requesting assistance for Ortria in my name, I've finally been able to return home with Monica... But along the way, I encountered a scene where the imperial and royal navies were engaged in a fleet battle.
If I see something like that, I can't just stand by and do nothing.
So, that's why the Euphemia navy entered into battle, but... their tactics were quite strange.
Mr. Lygar and the warriors of the Red Tiger clan were flying around like it was normal, using cannonballs as projectiles, and the warriors of the Silver Bird clan were steadily air-dropping other fighters. I don't think this is how sailing ships should battle.
And the enemies were also strange; they're on sailing ships, but they're using modern battleships without any sails. Isn't that unfair?
Well, it's even more unfair that Euphemia won by attacking unilaterally from a distance that could only be seen with a telescope.
Actually, if we're talking about unfairness, Monica is pretty bad too.
What in the world was that magic? The battleship sank in one hit.
Isn't that insane?
"I'm still not quite there yet~. I can't produce that kind of power without the help of the knights, but my father-in-law... ahem, Ms. Yumie's father, could probably shoot like that all by himself."
"Huh...?"
My father, is he really that amazing?
I've never seen him fight, so I don't know... but to me, he just looks like a doting father, so I guess people can be deceptive.
By the way, the crew of the sunk enemy ship was rescued and taken aboard this ship.
We don't know the details of the battle yet, so we wanted to find out more about it... but maybe we went too far, because the enemy soldiers we helped were all in a daze and still unable to listen to what they had to say.
Well, yeah, I understand how you feel.
"Anyway, you can see it now"
And so, we finally arrived at the port of the Ortria Kingdom.
Suddenly, a massive fleet that didn't belong to this country appeared, and they were on the verge of panicking, but the damaged Ortria ship that had gone ahead explained the situation, allowing us to safely dock.
"Well then, Ms. Yumie... as we talked about, from here we will split into 2 groups."
"...Yes."
Once we landed, we quickly began to move as we had previously discussed.
The rescue team from Euphemia and I headed towards the Granbell territory, proceeding straight to the main battlefield.
Monica and the Belmont knights led by Duke Cas headed directly for the royal capital to rendezvous with the royal guard.
I have already seen the power of Monica and the Belmont family with my own eyes.
So, while it might be out of place for someone like me to worry... even so, what I worry about still weighs on my mind.
"Ms. Monica... let's definitely meet again in good health. It's a promise, okay?"
"Don't worry, we won't lose to cowards who take advantage of a country busy with political upheaval and launch sneak attacks. If you're anxious, how about exchanging a vow with a kiss?"
With a somewhat joking tone, Monica said such a thing.
Hearing that, I embraced Monica tightly and placed my lips on hers.
"...I can do this as much as you want. Just please, don't overdo it."
During the last 3 months when I couldn't move properly, Monica had always been there supporting me.
Monica not only helped me with my physical disability, but also comforted me when I was feeling overwhelmed by anxiety about the future.
To me, Monica is no longer just a friend.
She is as important as a family member.
I kissed Monica with a heartfelt wish that we would stay safe even though we were apart.
"Hoa..."
Steam blew out and I was shocked.
...Huh?
"Ms. Monica, are you okay? Ms. Monica"
I slapped her on the cheek, but she didn't react.
It doesn't seem to be okay, what should I do?
Just as I was thinking that, Duke Cas came and picked up Monica.
"Oh, sorry, I'll have my daughter back."
"Ah, yes. I pray for Duke's safety as well."
"Ah, thank you. But, um... it would be helpful if you didn't tempt my daughter too much."
"...??"
What do you mean by tempting her?
I don't think that kiss was such a big deal, you know?
While I was in Euphemia, I always gave a kiss when saying goodnight.
Just on the cheek, though.
If we're friends, kissing is pretty normal.
Monica used to say that all the noble girls in Ortria do at least this much every night.
At times like these, a kiss on the lips should be fine, right?
"...Is it your daughter's own fault then?"
"????"
Seeing Duke bury his head in his hands, I tilt my head in confusion.
Somehow, I feel like the people around us are looking at us with warm eyes, but I wonder why?
Gray looks even redder than Monica; is he okay?
...Could it be that the idea of kissing is a lie that Monica made up about the Ortria Kingdom?
Hmm, maybe I'll ask her about it next time when things have calmed down.
"Yumie..."
"Yes? What is it, Thea?"
Thea pulled at the sleeve of my shirt lightly, causing me to turn towards her.
Looking up at my face, Thea opened and closed her mouth, blushing, as if she wanted to say something... eventually, like usual, she hugged me.
"...nothing...forget it"
"?????"
What happened to Thea?
Maybe she got lonely because I was always paying attention to Monica?
I hugged her back, and Thea's expression relaxed with happiness.
Yeah, I guess I just wanted to be spoiled.
"When I'm with young lady, I can relax in any situation..."
"Lisa, that's not a compliment, is it?!"
"I'm praising you, even this"
When I argued with Lisa's tweet, she replied with a bitter smile.
I'm not entirely convinced, but I don't think it's right to make the atmosphere too tense, so I'll just be happy about it.
"Father, mother, elder brother...I'm on my way now. Please be safe and wait for me."
Thinking of my nostalgic hometown, which I was heading to, I muttered this once again.
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