Chapter 116
"Ah, you've arrived. First things first: I look forward to working with you again this year."
Thor-sama welcomed us, and after exchanging New Year's greetings, we ended up having lunch together.
Like Lord Boldras, commander of the Fourth Knight Order, Thor-sama wanted to hear about the capital and the Zetta Plain. Apparently, the difficulty of getting information while shut up in a fortress was a common concern.
In fact, even when the First Knight Order's conspiracy with Reflair succeeded, the various knight orders were picked off one by one without ever managing to grasp the situation.
For a while, we focused on providing Thor-sama with information. Once he was more or less satisfied, it was our turn to ask questions.
"What were you doing when we met in Haksha the other day?"
Thor-sama looked slightly troubled by my question.
"I'm sorry for saying something so cryptic the other day, but the truth is, I can't talk about it right now."
"Did something happen?"
"Actually, at the time, I received an urgent message from a spy who had infiltrated Golbel. In other words, it was after I'd received that spy's report. Since I'd come all this way, I thought I'd offer a prayer, and then I found you there."
"Yes."
"However, after I returned and examined the report, I found that its contents were not something I could judge on my own. So I sent a messenger to the royal capital to ask for instructions. Until I receive a reply, I can't discuss the matter lightly. That's why. Sorry."
"I see. It's concerning, but I suppose it can't be helped."
"Yes. If you're really curious, ask Lord Raiz when you return to the royal capital. That gentleman should have heard about it, and if there's no problem, he'll probably tell you."
"Understood. I'll do that."
After that, we asked about the Golbel army's movements around Riese as well, but apparently it had been so quiet since the Sixth Knight Order took over that it was almost anticlimactic.
Golbel had concentrated its forces on the Zetta Plain, so that was more or less the answer we'd expected.
"So, even though you came all this way, I don't have much of a story to tell you. I was going to tell you there was no need to come here, but then Lapilia showed up with a strange girl, and I lost the chance to tell you."
"Please don't worry about that. Yuimei wanted to see the fortress at Riese anyway, so we were planning to stop by."
"Oh, so you're the twin knights of the Fourth Knight Order? I'd heard rumors about you."
When Thor-sama turned his gaze toward the twins, they spoke up as if they'd been waiting for this moment.
"Hello."
"Let's have a little match."
They suddenly made an outrageous suggestion.
"What are you two talking about?!" I exclaimed. Beside me, Wickhart said, "I see. So that's what you were after," while Frein said, "Well, I figured it was probably something like that."
I mean, I knew Thor-sama was one of Rudek's finest spearmen. It was common knowledge that he wielded a rare weapon with blades on both ends—a double-headed spear, right?
Still, no matter how skilled Thor-sama was, I never expected him to suggest something like that out of nowhere. The twins had been surprisingly well-behaved during this vacation, so I had completely let my guard down. Is this really going to be okay?!
But despite my concern, Thor-sama began sizing up the twins with a fearless expression.
"Hmm, if I recall correctly, you two use morning stars, don't you? I've never fought a morning-star wielder before, so I'm interested... but—"
"What, are you backing down after saying that much?"
"How disappointing."
When Thor-sama stopped speaking, the twins taunted him. Without getting angry, Thor-sama countered, "I don't think it would be right to injure such esteemed knights of the Fourth Knight Order." I really wish they'd stop.
Thinking Lapilia-sama might stop them, I glanced over at her, but she showed no sign of intervening and simply watched the exchange. She seemed a little out of it... Could she be sleepy?
I didn't know what Lapilia-sama was thinking, but I had to stop this. I tried to call out, "Wait!"—but it was already too late.
"I can't very well face you with my double-headed spear, so instead I'll take you both on at once. You only show your true strength when you move as a pair, don't you? How about it?"
"Now that's interesting."
"Then we'll take you on with spears. Come to think of it, Thor-dono, spears are your specialty, aren't they?"
Sparks seemed to fly between them, and all three laughed, "Ha ha ha ha ha!" Their eyes weren't laughing at all. It was terrifying!
Before I could stop them, they had somehow made their way to the training grounds.
The officers and soldiers of the Seventh Knight Order who remained at the fortress heard the commotion and began gathering around, asking what was going on.
Moreover, since it was the holiday season, quite a few of the off-duty soldiers had already been drinking, and they began egging the three on.
Seeing a business opportunity, the proprietor of the fortress cafeteria brought out liquor and snacks to sell. Then one of the officers started taking bets, and money began changing hands. Before long, it had turned into a small festival.
It was tolerated only because of the season. No, this was the sort of ridiculous uproar that absolutely would not have been tolerated at any other time of year. In the middle of the spectators, Thor-sama and Yuimei stood ready with blunted practice spears, and the air around them changed.
Once the two sides took their battle stances, Frein, who had somehow volunteered to be the referee, shouted, "Begin!!" A particularly loud cheer went up, and the battle began.
Amid all the commotion, Lapilia-sama was sound asleep beside me, softly snoring.