The Tale of the Teapot Hero’s Revenge - Chapter 128 The Queen of Stige

 

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Chapter 128 The Queen of Stige

 

Three days since departing from Corcut. We were currently in quite a predicament, unable to enter the castle of Balmirad. Two muscular soldiers crossed their spears in front of the castle gate, refusing to let us pass.

"I've been telling you over and over again, haven't I? I'm the Hero, and I'm acquainted with the Queen of Stige. Isn't Gilius here? Just call him. He'll sort this out in a jiffy..."

"Gilius-dono is currently in the midst of an important meeting! We cannot disturb him!"

"...I'm the hero! I'm Kyrie, the hero! Why don't you recognize me...?"

"We don't know any of you!"

"We don't even know what the hero looks like! The King himself said he cares more about muscles than faces!"

Oh no, these guys were hopeless. They must be former Barbario's guards, they looked like it. We could really use some more intellectual muscle at the gate. And Joanna always disappears at times like this...

"Onee-san, stay strong..."

"Are you sure about this country?"

As I covered my face with one hand, I was comforted by Tokka and Mel-chan.

Seeing this, Leah took out a letter from her pocket.

"I am Leah, here as the representative of King Seatham of Corcute. I request an audience with His Majesty—"

She introduced herself politely, but...

"Demons are not allowed! There's a possibility they're spies for Taltus!"

That's the situation.

"Would a spy come straight to the gate holding a letter...?"

I couldn't help but interject. At this rate, even if Joanna returns, it might still be difficult to handle. Unless the Queen herself comes out to greet us...

As I was thinking about it, the castle gate opened, and a girl with pink hair in a heavy-looking dress walked briskly towards us. Joanna and Princess Pernelle in maid attire were with her.

"Hey, what are you guys doing?! Everything they're saying is true! Let them through right now!"

And then the guards were scolded. Did Joanna sneak into the castle to get Strah? As usual, she did a great job. We were safely escorted inside the castle. Guided by Strah and Princess Pernelle, we walked through the corridors of the castle together. It seemed like Joanna had already briefed Strah on the situation from the fact that she had a good grasp of Leah and Bute.

"It's been a while, hasn't it? About a month?"

"Yeah, around that... I'm glad to see you doing well, Strah."

When we left Stige, I thought our leader had died, so I was feeling down. I was relieved to see Strah back to her usual self, like the brave mother hen she is.

"Uh, uh!"

Beato was also nodding along. She must have been much more concerned about Strah than I was. Beato was kind, after all.

"Well, yeah, I made you worry and caused trouble at that time. Thanks to Belle, I was able to let go of a lot of things."

"Hehe, if I could be of support to Your Majesty, it's an honor."

"You are a support, indeed. Thanks to Belle, I've been saved in many ways."

They exchanged smiles as they look at each other's faces. They had become quite close while I was away. Strah and Princess Pernelle being best friends—it's somewhat surprising yet not surprising at all...

(...What should I do? Should I tell them that the leader is alive?)

They seem to have completely recovered, so telling them might backfire. Besides, the chances of the leader's memories returning are low. I would just quietly tell Gilius, instead.

"By the way, Strah-nee-san, where are we being led to?"

"To the conference room. They've been having strategy meetings against Taltus there, with important people from both countries gathering. But it hasn't been progressing at all!"

Important people... meaning Barbario and Kamil are participating too, right? Wow... How should I put it... Wow...

"So having Leah-san and Bute-san here is a real lifesaver! Thank you! Now things will move forward!"

She's holding one hand of each and thanking them with tears in her eyes. It must have been really tough for her...

"W-Well... I would be happy if I could help Her Majesty the Queen…”

"Ahaha..."

Leah-san and the others seem somewhat perplexed by the Queen's unusually frank attitude. It's probably because Strah was being her usual self with us, right? But she's not usually like this, right?

"Leah-sama, I apologize. She's usually a bit more composed..."

Princess Pernelle bowed her head in apology. Good, she's usually able to act like a proper queen… 

Now, it seemed we've arrived at the conference room. Stopping in front of the door, Strah tightens her previously lax expression. Princess Pernelle knocked on the door, lightly smiling.

"Your Majesty, Strah-sama, Hero Kyrie-sama, and guests from Corcute have arrived."

"Yeah, come in!!!"

A booming voice comes from inside; that must be Barbario. He's calling himself Bario Balmirad now, right?

The door opened, and we entered the conference room. In the middle of the room was a large table with a big map spread out on top, with various pieces of various shapes placed on it. Among those present are Bario, Kamil, and... who was that old man again? I felt like I've met him somewhere before…

There were also some unfamiliar knights from Balmirad, and a few familiar knights from Stige along with Gilius at the end.

"Kyrie, Beato, and Mel, you've returned safely. I've heard the gist of it from Joanna."

"Gilius-san, it's been a while. There's a lot to catch up on, but I suppose we're in the middle of a meeting."

The burly knight and I firmly shake hands. But there's no time to rejoice in the reunion, right?

"I'll listen to your travels later."

Gilius quickly ended the conversation and immediately went over to Leah and the others, and then bowed respectfully.

"General Leah of Corcute, I presume. Your illustrious reputation has long echoed throughout the kingdom."

"And you are none other than Gilius-dono, the strongest knight of Deltirad, I see."

"Strongest, you say. I am but a man who merely held a title and never showed his face on the front lines."

"Your humility is admirable. It is precisely because you are the strongest that you were stationed at the homeland, was it not?"

After exchanging pleasant words with smiles, Leah then headed over to Barbario and Strah. I might have sensed a slight tension, but it's probably just my imagination.

"King Barbario, and Queen Strah. I come as the representative of King Seatham of Corcute. Here are the official letters from the king. Please accept them."

"Yeah, I'll take 'em!!!"

"Certainly received. Leah-san, thank you for your long journey."

She handed over two letters taken from her pocket, each one was received by the respective recipient. For Barbario, it's a lost cause, but for Strah, trying to act like a queen now was a bit too late for Leah.

"All right! You guys join the war council too!! It's a strategy meeting for the attack on the capital city, Diete!!"

"I still think the bait-and-lure strategy is the way to go. We all march to the front of the capital and provoke Taltus to come out!"

"As expected, Kamil! I think a head-on collision strategy is best!!"

"...Hey, Strah. Is it always like this, full of opportunities for rebuttals?"

"Always. It's always like this."

I sympathized, really. When Barbario and Kamil started to do as they pleased and things got out of hand, Gilius-san slammed his hand on the table. Kamil jumped in surprise, and Barbario's attention shifted, silencing them both.

"...Well then, let's begin the strategy meeting. Let's start with assessing each other's forces."

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