Chapter 45
The carriage carrying Rocabill and the rest of us traveled south through two towns in North Rudek before arriving at a certain small basin.
An unusual sight spread out before us, and we immediately understood where we were.
"Could this be...?"
"Yes. This is Femas."
Ryuzel, who had been practically held captive in the carriage as Luluria's conversation partner, answered the murmur Luluria let out as she gazed out the window.
"Please stop the carriage. I'd like to take a look."
At Salisha-sama's words, the carriage stopped. When we all climbed out together, what stood before us was an absurdly long rampart.
"..."
For a while, everyone was at a loss for words as we stared at the rampart.
Luluria was the first to speak.
"Is there somewhere we can leave flowers?"
"Yes. On the other side of the wall."
The section Ryuzel pointed to was wide open, forming a road through the wall.
"Then let us go there before offering our prayers. Even so, the wall has been left standing, hasn't it?"
At Salisha-sama's words, Ryuzel, who had grown quite accustomed to explaining things during our journey, began to speak.
"The forts that stood to the east and west were demolished, but the ramparts were left standing because so many other matters take priority. The western rampart is less of a concern, but part of the eastern rampart has been damaged, so it may collapse. Please do not approach it."
"I heard about that in a letter. Lapiria was in danger, wasn't she?"
Ryuzel nodded at Luluria's words. I looked at the rampart again and pictured the fierce battle that had taken place there.
Some sections were blackened with soot, perhaps scorched, and seemed to tell of the battle's ferocity.
A battle that would go down in the history of the continent had taken place here just over a year ago. I had heard that the number of seriously wounded and dead from both armies exceeded thirty thousand. It was a staggering number.
The Empire, too, had been consumed by war and had seen its share of major battles, but I could not recall the combined losses of both armies ever exceeding even ten thousand.
If a nation waged battles on this scale every time, it would be bled dry in no time. Under normal circumstances, battles this reckless did not happen often.
It was clear that both countries had come here with the firm resolve to settle things once and for all.
I had heard that Roa=Stein had laid the groundwork for this. If that was true, then by my reckoning, it was utter madness.
"Come, let us head beyond the wall now."
As Ryuzel urged us on, we passed through the wall and saw what appeared to be a small town a little way ahead.
"A town? I thought there was nothing in Femas."
Near the mountains along the eastern edge, there really was a town, small though it was.
"Yes. Femas once had only a small post town. That had disappeared before the war as well, but... as time passed, merchants and travelers began making their way here, and a town gradually began to form around them."
I see. Though it felt a little disrespectful, for merchants and travelers, this must have been a place they wanted to see at least once.
"You can leave flowers in that town as well. Come to think of it, by some twist of fate, the area where the town stands is where Roa established his main camp."
As we continued toward the town while listening to his explanation, we noticed that it was strangely bustling.
"...I doubt anything is amiss, but stay alert just in case. Please return to the carriage for now."
Ryuzel's expression turned serious, and Rivote likewise fixed the town with a sharp gaze.
But we needed to remain on guard for only a short while.
"It seems a famous traveling troupe has stopped in town. That explains all the excitement."
Ryuzel reported this to us with a slightly troubled expression.
"A famous troupe? Do you know its name?"
"I believe it was... La Verno Ale, or something like that."
"Oh, I know that name. They are certainly a famous traveling troupe. They have performed plays in the Imperial Capital many times. But why perform in a sparsely populated place like this?"
When Salisha-sama said this, one of Ryuzel's subordinates, who had gone to check on the town, began to explain: "Actually..."
"It seems they created a play starring Deputy Commander Roa. Now that it has finally been completed, they decided to give its first performance here in Femas."
"A play about Roa?! How wonderful!"
My sister-in-law, Luluria, leaned forward with shining eyes.
"If we have time to spare, I'd like to see it."
Salisha-sama voiced the same wish. Ah, I see. Perhaps Ryuzel had worn that troubled expression because the outcome was predictable. Or perhaps Ryuzel had been thinking through the security arrangements while speaking.
"We do have time, but..."
Ryuzel glanced over at Rivote.
Rivote nodded slowly.
"Salisha-sama, Luluria-sama, even though this area is safe..."
"Oh, if Rivote has judged this area safe, then we have nothing to worry about. Still, surely we cannot mingle with the townspeople. Let us ask La Verno Ale whether they could put on a separate performance for us outside the town as well."
Salisha-sama made her decision without even waiting for Rivote to finish speaking. It was somewhat forceful, but, to be honest, I was interested in seeing the play too.
"I suppose it can't be helped. But we will cancel the performance if we cannot ensure your safety. Is that acceptable?"
Though Rivote announced this sternly, Salisha-sama and Luluria were already giggling and chattering excitedly, clearly eager to see the performance.
Even as I wondered whose vacation this was supposed to be, I secretly found myself looking forward to seeing what sort of story awaited us.