A Creative Alchemist Enjoys His Freedom – After Being Banished from His Hometown, He Is Now Free to Create Magical Items with Incredible Effects Under the Control of the Demon King - Episode 57

Episode 57: “Interlude: An incident near the border in Imperial territory”

　──On the road heading north into Imperial territory──

“Finally, my chance has come. All those years of serving that old man, it’s all worth it.”

　The commander of the Northern Expeditionary Force said that.

　His name was Isaac Muller.
　His age was 24. He was from the Marquise de Muller.
　Since his teenage years, he had served as one of the close aides to the Minister of Military Affairs, Zagran.

　This was a road heading north.
　Commander Isaac was leading the procession, with the soldiers forming a line behind him.
　At the centre of the procession was the carriage carrying Princess Sophia Dorgalia.

“This is an opportunity for promotion… I absolutely cannot let it slip away.”

　Isaac tightened his grip on the sword hanging from his waist.

　Isaac’s family was a prestigious house that had produced Ministers of Military Affairs up until his grandfather’s generation.
　Because of this, he had been continuously reminded of it by his father.

『Either remove Zagran and become the Minister of Military Affairs, or show that you can elevate the family’s title.』

　And now, the opportunity to achieve merit had arrived.
　The high-ranking officials had issued an order to Isaac to proceed to the border town with the princess, to the Demon King’s.
　The specific details were as follows:

• Station with Princess Sophia in the border town and conduct regular military drills.
• Remind the Demon King’s territory of the Empire’s strength.

　──It was a golden opportunity for Isaac to make an impact.

“…If I achieve merit in this operation, attaining the rank of Duke is not just a dream. With the Regus family having fallen and the position of Duke now vacant, missing this opportunity is inconceivable.”

　The order was to 『conduct regular military training for three years』.
　But that was not enough.
　To get a higher position, he needed to achieve more.

　Throughout his journey, he had been thinking about ways to gain further achievements…

“Now that I think about it, there is a Thor Regus in the Demon King’s territory. He goes by the name Thor Kanan in the Demon King’s territory, but…”

　He heard that information from the Minister of Military Affairs, Zagran.
　Isaac was also acquainted with Thor Regus during his time in the Empire.

　A few years ago, he was present as a military officer when the skills of the children of nobles were assessed, and Thor Regus was also there.

　He remembered him well because he was the only boy with no combat skills.
　He had once been asked by the former Duke, Balga Rigas, to participate in mock battles.

　Thor Regus was currently in the Demon King’s territory.
　Even though he was a hostage sent by the Empire, he seemed to be trusted by the Demon King and the demons.
　Zagran had said, “Beware of Thor Regus──no, Thor Kanan.”

“That means… it would be troublesome if I were to use him to achieve an achievement.”

　Isaac had also heard about the 『Demon Beast Gargarossa Subjugation Battle』.
　After the battle, Princess Liana expressed her desire for the 『Wandering Alchemist』──『Thor Regus』.
　And the Demon King had flatly refused that request.
　Thor Regus also declared in front of the people of the Demon King’s territory that he would 『abandon his family name』.

　Thor Regus’ heart was in the Demon King’s territory.
　It would be difficult to pull him out or set him up as an inside spy.

“However, we have Princess Sophia here.”

　Zagran used Princess Liana incorrectly.
　If they were going to use Thor Regus, they should have had him speak directly with the princess. They should have separated him from the demon race and persuaded him. If they had done that, he might have changed his mind.
　Seeing the invincible power produced by the Holy Sword, Thor Regus would have feared, bowed down, and remembered his loyalty to the Empire.

　But Zagran couldn’t do that.
　Princess Liana had a high right to inherit the imperial throne and was an important person for the empire.
　He probably couldn’t leave her alone with Thor Regus.

(What a cowardly behaviour. You’ve gotten old, Zagran.)

　Commander Isaac muttered silently.

(I am different. This Isaac Muller knows how to use the princess properly. I’m different from Zagran, who only thinks about protecting himself.)

　While thinking about this, Isaac looked behind him.

　A flag was raised from the carriage carrying the princess.
　It was a signal for a break.

　A female soldier, Zagran’s adjutant, Mariella, got out of the carriage.
　She announced as she trotted over to Isaac.

“Commander Muller. Considering Her Highness the Princess’s health, we will begin the scheduled break. Is that okay?”
“Of course. Her Highness the Princess is an important person after all.”
“Yes. Although she is in poor health, she is enduring the long journey.”
“We will arrive at the border town in the evening. There is something we need to discuss there.”

　Isaac thought for a moment before making a suggestion.

“I would like to send several soldiers ahead to the town. We will inform the townspeople that Her Highness the Princess will be arriving shortly and prepare for her arrival. We will prepare the rooms at the inn, boil water, and ensure that Her Highness can rest immediately.”
“I think that’s a good idea. I don’t think it would suit Zagran-sama’s wishes.”

　Isaac’s expression stiffened upon hearing adjutant Mariella’s words.
　Mariella continued, oblivious to this.

“Zagran-sama wishes for Her Highness Sophia to undergo regular military training while also considering her health. And to show the Demon King the power of the Empire.”
“…I guess so.”
“I am glad that Commander Muller understands Zagran-sama’s way of thinking.”

　Deputy Officer Mariella bowed and returned to the carriage.
　She was the deputy assigned by Zagran to keep an eye on Isaac.
　However, while they were currently on the move, she could not leave Princess Sofia’s side. It would be best to take action while there was still time.

　Isaac immediately called in his direct subordinates.
　From among them, he selected fast, lightly armoured cavalry.

“Give orders.”

　The plan had been decided.
　In the imperial capital, he was unable to move freely because of the watchful eye of the Minister of Military Affairs, Zagran.
　But he had time to prepare without being noticed.

“Advance to the border town and prepare to welcome Princess Sophia. Her Highness is tired. Arrange accommodations so she can rest immediately. I will provide the necessary funds. You understand how to use this, don’t you?”

　Isaac handed the bag of gold coins to his direct subordinates.
　There was also parchment inside the bag.
　It should be written there as follows.

『Hand out money in the border town to gain allies.
　Find those connected with the Demon King’s territory.

　Gather information on the demon beasts.
　There are rumours of dormant demon beasts near the border.
　Verify and locate their whereabouts.
　Now is the ideal time for subjugation, with Her Highness the Princess able to use her magic.』

「「「──Understood!!」」」

　The men mounted their horses and rode off north.

　These were the subordinates that Isaac had trained over the years.
　They would be able to get the border town residents to Isaac’s side.

“Minister of Military Affairs, Zagran-sama. The reason you are in your current position is because you have Princess Liana in your hands. You have achieved great things by supporting her, the Holy Swordsman.”

　Commander Isaac muttered quietly.

“In that case, you wouldn’t complain if Isaac did the same thing as you, right?”

　Eventually, the break period ended and the procession began to move again.
　In Isaac’s line of sight at the front, the castle walls became visible.
　These were the tall walls surrounding the border town.

“Wait for me, everyone in Muller family. I will return after achieving great accomplishments.”

　My term at the border was three years, but he had no intention of waiting that long.
　At most, he would achieve results within a year; at the shortest, within a few months, and return to the imperial capital.

　And then ── if possible, he was aiming to become the next Minister of Military Affairs after Zagran.
　If that proved difficult, he was planning to elevate the family to a duchy.
　At the very least, he was trying to become a general commanding an army.

“I will use both my combat skills and magical powers for this purpose. 『For important battles, do not hesitate to use the contents of the storage box. Use everything to change the world』── these are the words left by the hero. Isaac Muller, the unit commander of the Northern Expeditionary Forces, will follow those words.”

　Fortunately, there was a princess who excelled in the same 『Light Attribute Magic』 as the hero.
　He hoped she would be of great assistance.
　In return, Isaac would serve and assist her.
　So that she could achieve significant accomplishments for the Empire.

　Princess Sophia was also a princess of the empire who worships the hero.
　She would understand Isaac’s point of view.

　The same goes for Thor Regus, a boy in the Demon King’s territory.
　It would be a great honour to follow Isaac to the imperial capital in triumphant return.
　For that reason, he too would come out of the Demon King’s territory.

“I thank you, Minister of Military Affairs, Lord Zagran, for giving me this mission. So──”

(With all due respect and esteem in my heart, I will now remove you from your position as Minister of Military Affairs.)

　Isaac muttered silently again.

　The Demon King’s territory shouldn’t have noticed our movements yet.
　There are plenty of openings. Opportunities for advancement──

　With these thoughts in mind, Commander Isaac rode his horse forward.

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“…that is.”

　Looking out the carriage window, the princess suddenly muttered.

“Your Highness, it would be best if you closed the window.”
“Mariella, was there anyone outside just now?”

　Hearing Sofia’s voice, Military Officer Mariella leaned her head closer to the window.
　Then she shook her head,

“There are none. No beasts or monsters will come near our elite troops. Rest assured.”
“No, that’s not it…”

　Sophia looked out the window again.

“It looked like someone was flying through the trees.”
“You must be tired. Please, get some rest.”

　Saying that, Mariella slammed the window shut.

“We will arrive at the border town in the evening. Once the journey is over, you will be able to calm down. Please rest in peace as you think about your future mission.”
“……I understand”

　Sophia leaned back in her seat and closed her eyes.
　She was tired. She had a fever. She knew that herself.
　She was far away from the imperial capital and would not be able to see her sister, Liana, for a while.
　That anxiety and fatigue must have made her see strange things.

(…There’s no way there’s a winged fairy (pixie) in a place like this.)

　And then Sophia fell into a short sleep.
　She felt like she had a dream of playing with the winged fairy (pixie).
　As the legend goes, strip off all your clothes and be free.

　A few hours later, the unit led by Commander Isaac entered the border town.
　The unit decided to wait for Princess Sophia to recover before inspecting the training grounds.