Tensei Oujo wa Kyou mo Hata o Tatakioru Chapter 115

    I peered into the shadows but saw no one.
    A number of tree stumps and piled up timber were scattered around the opening where various tools such as axes and saws were left abandoned.
    I quietly heaved a sigh and proceeded further in while avoiding the giant logs. Looking up, the unfelled trees were bare at the trunk, a contrast to the thick foliage on top. It looked exactly like a cut-up cake with the branches seemingly serrating the leaves. 

“Johan.”

    I turned towards the voice that called for me. 

“This place was totally cleared out, huh.” Nacht stood next to me and scanned the area.
    Our current location, or what Nacht referred to as ‘this place,' wasn't the entrance to the forest he inspected last time. Rather, it was a bit more towards the east.
    The path leading to the back of the forest was narrow, but further along the way, it would eventually merge with the main road. Though, I won't say that out loud since it was the knowledge that was entrusted to me in secret.

“I'm glad I took your advice.” Saying so, Nacht glanced behind.

    The tall man who was stroking his stallion gave a smile under his cloak. 

“I'm pleased to be of service.” 

    With a humble reply, he took off his hood and dropped it onto his back.
    A familiar face appeared. Solid black hair and long, sharp eyes of the same colour complemented his well-formed nose bridge and brows, the latter two exuding his unshakable will.
    As he grew older, I had wished for him to become unsightly with time, but that fragile beauty instead increased the man's charms even more.
    A headache manifested itself as I glimpsed at the sophisticated figure. I wish to one day catch up and overtake him, but I had a feeling it would take even longer now. 

    I bit down on my lips without thinking.
    The man, Leonhard, noticed my envious gaze and courteously replied with a lowered head followed by a wry smile. 

    When this man appeared in front of me in the city as I was scouting for an escort, I had doubted my own eyes. 

    Why was the Captain of the Royal Knights of our country wandering around in such a place?

    According to his story, it seemed Father had something to do with it. 

'I made a silly blunder by exhaling a sigh in front of His Majesty.' Leonhard said with the same wry smile he gave me earlier.

    It's hard to believe someone such as Leonhard would make a silly mistake as such, but he didn't seem to be joking either.
    He said he was criticised for his blunder and was forced to do an inspection in the name of taking leave. ‘If you're that tired, go take a vacation.' Father reprimanded. 

    Father probably wanted to learn about the forest that was cut down and the ongoing epidemic in Wind through Leonhard, who would also double as my escort for the trip.
    However, I couldn't understand the reasoning behind Father's actions since this role didn't require Leonhard. What's the point of sending our country's strongest knight out on an errand? Were there fearsome beasts lurking in this forest? 

    If my sister was standing in my shoes then he would be the one keeping her in check. My sister always tries her hardest and often pushes herself to the limit, but if it's this man, then he can curb her behaviour somewhat. Unfortunately, looking at him had the opposite effect on me. My fighting spirit goes up instead. I had gotten fired up to the point where whatever the cost, I would do it, especially just to spite him. Was my father intending to light a fire under me by sending him?

    I grit my teeth as my eyes sent curses flying at him. To ward me off, Leonhard put on a serious expression and turned to us.  

“I will ask the two of you once more. Do you truly intend to go into the forest?” 

    'We're already here so why are you asking that now?' I nearly blurted out before I stopped myself. That's because I realised he was questioning our resolution. 

“From here onwards, there will be many dangers that await us. If you do not wish to go, then I shall proceed by myself. You can leave this to me.” 

    Certainly, leaving this to Leonhard would probably yield better results. It's annoying to admit, but I do recognise his abilities. 

    Nacht, who was silent up until now, frowned, folded his arms, and heaved an exaggeratedly long sigh. 

“…That's true. If we go with you, we'll just be dead-weight slowing you down. It's a good plan.” 

“Nacht.” 

    I called out his name as he leaned towards Leonhard's words. Surprisingly, turning my expectations completely upside down, Nacht continued, 

"However, to bow my head and give in with, 'I'll leave it to you, sir!' here wouldn't suit me at all!”

    ‘It's simply not an option!' Nacht added. My hand that reached out to him suddenly lost its strength. 

"My people could be suffering in this forest. Knowing that, how could I ever consider to ‘wait in a safe place'? You can shove that so-called good plan up your a.s.s! I'm not called the 'Eccentric Prince' because I put on airs like a dandy!"

    Nacht puffed out his chest and raised his nose.
    His choice of words didn't suit a prince at all, but they were strangely reliable. 

“Sigh. Well, we might be eager to protect, but in the end, we're just extra cargo. Please look after this piece of troublesome luggage too." 

    Then he went ahead and made that pathetic joke.
    I let slip a small chuckle. My shoulders finally relaxed thanks to him. 

“What say you, Master Johan?” 

    Leonhard turned towards me this time. 

“I wanted to say the same thing.” 

    All the points I wanted to say had spilt out of my head. I had built up a bunch of reasons to give him, but how could I top Nacht's speech?
    With his eyes closed, Leonhard surrendered his next words with a sigh. 

“Understood.” He nodded. 

    I thought he would object. I was so taken aback that only a hollow voice escaped my mouth. 

“Wh?” 

“Then, shall we get going?” 

    I smiled as a vein suddenly popped on my temple. 

“That's it!?” 

“Yes.” 

    There must be more!
    I was sure you would lecture me with, 'For someone of the royal family, you lack awareness of your own position,' or even 'Don't let your emotions control you!'

    In case he had refused me and said something along those lines, I was prepared to spout ten to twenty excuses for staying.
    Leonhard's gentle eyes looked on us like a grown-up looking down upon a child, and then he gave a warm chuckle. 

“If you two have decided to go no matter what, then it is my job to simply protect you.” 

    ‘Ohhh, so cool~' Nacht murmured under his breath.
    The teeny tiny bit of pride I had left prevented me from agreeing with Nacht, though. It's not as if I don't admire the man himself, but every time I look at Leonhard, I see my sister's cheeks dyed red, and I just can't accept it. 

    Leonhard reached into his pocket and took something out.
    In his wide palm sat two small bottles that made a satisfying clink when they made contact. 

“Can you apply this on your skin before we set off?” 

“On the skin?” 

    Looking at the bottle we were handed, Nacht tilted his head in confusion.
    I had a similar reaction as I shook the viscous liquid inside. When I opened the lid, a distinct citrus-like smell hit my nose. 

“It's an oil extract from a plant. A diluted solution, to be exact.” 

“Are these herbal oils? But why now?” 

“It's an insect repellent. I can protect you from humans and animals, but insects are another matter entirely.” 

“I see. You're amazing. You've prepared everything.” 

“You give me too much credit. These only are the things I know well.” 

    Nacht may be impressed, but I wasn't. Not his wealth of knowledge, nor his tendency to share things at his own cost, or even his humility. None of them interests me. Others might say it's an inferiority complex, and the fact that I wouldn't be able to deny that statement made me sick.

    I applied the skin ointment as I complained in silence as the lemony fragrance enveloped us from head to toe.
    The refres.h.i.+ng scent reminded me of my beloved sister. 

    What are you doing now, I wonder?
    Looking up to the sky, I was reminded of my sister's smile back in our home country. 

TN: Leon best girl. 

EN1: The dramatic irony is real, yo. Also, please tell me I wasn't the only one rolling my eyes when Johan described how hot Leonhard was. The author is laying Leonhard's looks on thick, we get enough of that from Rose, thanks. I get it, Leonhard has washboard abs, a suns.h.i.+ne smile, beautiful eyes, a nice a.s.s, yes, I get it, no more, please. Also, yay, it's nice to see Nacht and Johan back! Can't believe Nacht joined the Leonhard fanclub with Rose, though…still, he's My Boy.

EN2: I love Nacht. I may have forgotten who exactly he was, but his speech here really moved me. Finally someone told Leonhard to eat s.h.i.+t.

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