Chapter 19
That day, a lively atmosphere returned to the royal capital of Rudectrad after a long absence.
The Tenth Knight Order was returning from Lifrea, and a victory parade was being held.
People had gathered from all over Rudek, not just from the capital, hoping to see the returning heroes in person.
The victory over Lifrea had already been secured at the end of the previous year.
With the arrival of the spring thaw, Lifrea's governance had finally begun to stabilize, so the Tenth Knight Order's return was decided.
Although swift action beforehand had prevented any major confusion within the country, the victory parade was still taking place while the entire continent remained under restrictions.
People who had been forced to live confined lives, whether they liked it or not, flocked to the capital that day as though determined to vent their pent-up frustrations.
Seeing this, the capital's merchants rose to the occasion as well, and all sorts of stalls stood packed together along the main street. The king, who had been forcing the people to practice austerity for the time being, was joining in the festivities for today alone.
Amid the packed stalls, the one that stood out above the rest was Tutu's stall.
Although Tutu had been introduced to the market as famine-relief food, limited harvests meant that it was available only in Rudectrad and Gadeland, the two major cities.
Perhaps because it seemed novel to people from outside those two cities, crowds gathered around the stall, adding to the capital's excitement.
"So this is Tutu! Just as the rumors said, it's completely different from Zakuban. Are they really the same kind of potato? What do you think, Opa-san?"
The person turning toward Opa while holding two skewers of Tutu was Cecilia Hogbeck, Wickhart's younger sister.
The person she addressed was Opa, Wickhart's fiancée.
The two had come to the capital at the king's invitation.
Strictly speaking, the person invited was Desanto, head of the Hogbeck family and Wickhart's father, so the two had merely tagged along.
Desanto had been summoned because of the True Guidance Church members who had been spared when Lifrea fell. The purpose was to discuss accepting some of them into Hogbeck territory.
The plan was to gradually disperse the members of the True Guidance Church throughout the various regions and render them powerless.
Hogbeck territory had been chosen as the first test case because Alex, the first person to defect to Rudek, was staying there.
At his own request, Alex was working at the Hauworth ranch, where he had been taken in after collapsing by the roadside.
Alex had already told them what they wanted to know, and after being informed beforehand that he would not be permitted to meet the pope, he had chosen this path himself.
For now, Alex had caused no major problems and was said to spend his days peacefully absorbed in caring for the horses.
The plan was to show the survivors of the True Guidance Church what Alex was like and make them reconsider how they wanted to live.
After all, they were no longer obligated—or in any position—to feed them merely for praying.
Of course, regardless of how the members of the True Guidance Church were treated from here on, they had no right to refuse. Their lives remained in Rudek's hands, as they had all along, and would continue to do so. Wherever they went, they would remain under the Eighth Knight Order's surveillance for the rest of their lives.
Still, if the members could be integrated into society without causing any major problems, that would be ideal, which was why this policy was being tried on an experimental basis.
The Hogbeck family would be saddled with the trouble, so, not exactly as compensation, they were granted a new territory and elevated in rank as nobles.
Since there were no prominent lords in the region west of Rudek, this would put the Hogbeck family a head above the rest.
That was why Desanto had been summoned to discuss these matters. The king had also thoughtfully arranged for them to come during the victory parade so they could see Wickhart in his finest hour.
"Don't get too carried away."
Desanto's admonition failed to reach the ears of the two, each excited for an entirely different reason. Opa, of course, was eagerly anticipating her reunion with her fiancé after so long.
Cecilia, meanwhile, was simply looking forward to watching the victory parade.
"Good grief..."
Thanks to their unpretentious ways as country nobles, the family could casually enjoy the stalls amid the capital's bustle. Still, seeing them like this, Desanto secretly sighed, thinking that Cecilia finding a suitable match was still a long way off.
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Boom! Boom! Boom!!
Drums announcing the arrival of the Tenth Knight Order rang out. The people cheered, rejoicing at their arrival.
"They should be here soon, Opa-san!"
Through the king's consideration, the two had been given a room with a good view, and they leaned out the windows at the sound of the drums.
"Hey, hey, careful. It would be a serious matter if you got hurt and caused a commotion. Calm down a little."
The two sheepishly pulled back at Desanto's words.
"I'm sorry for the embarrassing display."
Desanto directed his apology at Nelfia, who had arranged their viewing spot for the occasion.
"Not at all. I am looking forward to it as well."
"However, Nelfia-dono, wouldn't you ordinarily be among those taking part in the victory parade? I hear you were on the battlefield, too."
"No. I was only there as a recorder."
"...I see."
"Yes."
"Then I won't pry any further."
"More importantly, the Tenth Knight Order should be coming into view any moment now. Come, you should take a look at your son's triumphant return while you have the chance."
Just as Nelfia had said, the roar of the crowd was unmistakably drawing closer.