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 58

Episode 58: “Interlude: Incidents near the border in Imperial territory (2)”

　──In Noza, a town near the border with the Demon King’s territory──

　Princess Sofia woke up on a hard bed.
　Looking around, she remembered that this was not the Imperial Capital.

“…I arrived in this town yesterday.”

　Sophia let out a long sigh.
　The journey from the Imperial City to the border had been too much for her.
　After entering the town, she got off the carriage and, upon entering the inn’s room, reached her limit.

　All she remembered was refusing the maids’ help and changing into her nightwear.
　After that, her memory was unclear.
　Somehow, she managed to get into bed.

“The Empire should really do a bit more to improve the roads. Even though it is a border area, people and soldiers are still coming and going. At the very least, they should do something to address the jolting of the carriage…”

　Either improve the roads or create a new carriage with less jostling.
　──Thinking about that, Sophia shrugged.

“How ridiculous. What good does it do for me to think such things when I’ve been banished to the north?”

　Sophia got off the bed.
　She was in a two-room suite: a bedroom and a guest room.
　It was smaller than the rooms in the detached palace, but there were no particular issues.

　This was the mayor’s residence in the town of Noza..
　The troops that had come from the imperial capital had used this as their base.

　Until just a few days ago, Liana and Zagran’s troops had been stationed there. In their place, Sofia and her group had arrived.
　So they were using the same residence as before.
　However, Sofia would be staying here for a much longer period.

　Thinking about this, Sophia opened the window.
　A gentle breeze flowed in.
　It carried the scent of greenery. The forest must be nearby.

“…What a nice breeze. The air here feels clearer than in the Imperial Capital.”

　From the window, she could see the tall city walls.
　This town was designed to anticipate attacks from the Demon King’s territory.
　The high walls and the facilities for housing troops were for that purpose.
　Even in times of peace, the empire had not forgotten to prepare for threats from the north.

“I am curious about what this land has to offer… but…”

　Sofia tensed her arm to close the poorly fitting window.
　That effort alone left her breathless, and she sat down on the bed.

“But I must return to the imperial capital as soon as possible. It is… not good for Liana to continue being influenced by Zagran…”

　However, she did not know how to achieve that.
　If she exhausted her light magic through military training, might they send her back to the imperial capital?

　Sofia came here to use 『Light Attack Magic』.
　If she ran out of magic and became unable to move—if she became useless—they might let her return.

“…It would be good if Zagran would forgive me.”
“Your Highness Sophia. Have you awoken?”

　Suddenly, the voice of adjutant Mariella came from outside the door.

“──I’m awake. Good morning, Mariella.”
“How is your condition, Your Highness?”
“It seems better than yesterday.”
“I am glad to hear that. May I make a request?”
“A request?”
“I would like to have a word with the town mayor and the representatives of the commercial district.”

　Adjutant Mariella spoke from the other side of the door.

“With so many soldiers arriving in the town, it seems the citizens are unsettled. If Your Highness could show yourself and address them, it might help calm them.”
“I understand”

　Sophia replied.
　She could empathise with the townspeople’s feelings of unease.

    During the 『Demonic Beast Gargarossa Subjugation Battle』, many troops had been stationed in this town.
　If a new unit arrived shortly afterward, it was natural for people to wonder if it meant 『another battle with the Demon King’s territory.』
　It was understandable for them to feel anxious.

“I will calm the townspeople. This is also a duty of royalty.”
“Thank you. I will come to escort you once preparations are complete.”

　Mariella said.

“Until then, please rest, Your Highness. We will take care of everything ourselves.”

　Behind the door, she heard Mariella’s footsteps as she left.
　Soon, the maids arrived with clothes for her to change into.

   “We’ll help you get changed,” they offered, Sofia refused to let them into her room.
　The maids who accompanied her on the journey were all under Zagran’s command.
　With them by her side, Sofia’s words, demeanour, and even her condition would be reported back.
　While it was inevitable──she disliked being monitored from the very first day in the town.

　Sophia checked her condition as she changed into a simple dress.
　Much better than during the journey.
　She still got tired easily, but that was to be expected.
　She wondered why her body felt heavier when she put on clothes. It had always been a mystery to her, even though the fabric wasn’t particularly heavy.

“…In the words of the hero, I suppose I am a 『piece of junk』.”

　Sophia said, sitting back down on the bed.
　A few moments later, Adjutant Mariella knocked on the door.
　Sophia was led by her to the hall, where the people were waiting.

“Thank you for granting us an audience with Her Highness, Princess Sofia Dorgalia!”
“There is no greater joy than this. Thank you, Your Highness!”

　In the hall, the town mayor and the representatives of the commercial district were bowing deeply.

　Sophia couldn’t see them very well.
　Her face was hidden behind a thin veil.

　It was what Mariella put on before entering the hall.
　The reason given was that an Imperial Princess should not show her face to commoners, , but such a rule did not officially exist. It was likely a directive from Zagran.

　In front of Sophia, the guard soldiers lined up.
　Gazing at the mayor and the others through the gap, Sophia gave a bow as an imperial princess.

“I have come by order of His Majesty the Emperor. I am Princess──Sofia Dorgalia.”

　Although she was still weary from the journey, she was able to speak.
　As a princess, she needed to alleviate the people’s anxieties──Thinking this, Sophia continued speaking.

“With the continuous arrival of troops, you may feel uneasy. However, there is no need for concern. This training is not for war──”
“──Given the threat of the Demon King’s territory, it is only natural to strengthen our border defences.”

　Interrupting Sofia, troop commander Isaac said.

“Our soldiers of the Dorgalia Empire are continuously training daily with the goal of becoming heroes. This military exercise is part of that effort. You should witness the strength of our soldiers yourself. That should dispel any fears you have.”
“──Wait a moment. Isaac Muller!”
“Despite her fatigue, Her Highness the Princess has graciously spoken to you. Do not forget this kindness. The cooperation of you all with our unit is precisely what the princess desires.”

　Saying this, Isaac waved his hand, urging the town mayor and others to leave.

(This is not correct. The people unease is not because they doubt the strength of the soldiers──)
“Your Highness, this way.”

　Mariella, who was there, took Sofia’s hand.
　As Sophia was about to return to the hall, she led her out into the corridor.

“Your Highness only needs to give a greeting. There is no need to converse with common people.”

　Adjutant Mariella’s eyes were stern as she looked at Sofia.

“Your duty is to use 『Light Attribute Attack Magic』 during the military training. That is why you are here. Do not forget that.”
“But. If the townspeople are anxious, shouldn’t it be addressed…?”

　Sophia continued speaking intermittently.

“The townspeople… may be thinking that there will be a war with the Demon King’s territory. This is a town near the border. Their views on demons and demi-humans are probably different from those of us in the Imperial capital. If so, we should make it clear that we have no intention of fighting…”
“You seem tired after all.”

　With that, Mariella clapped her hands and called the maids.
　After instructing them to prepare a meal, she guided Sofia upstairs.

“Please get some rest. I’ll prepare some hot soup for you right away. Once you are warmed and calm, you will likely stop worrying about unnecessary things.”
“Mariella! I should be thinking about townspeople──”
“That is not Your Highness’s concern.”

　Mariella cut off Sofia’s words.
　Then she lowered her voice and continued:

“I will be handling all dialogue and negotiations with the townspeople myself. Everything will be carried out as planned, without excess or deficiency. I will ensure that military training is carried out in accordance with the will of the Minister of Military Affairs, Lord Zagran. There is no need for Your Highness to be troubled.”
“…However”
“Yes. I understand. You are concerned about the people, aren’t you? Then let us arrange for Your Highness to tour the town. By travelling around the town in a carriage, you will be able to see how the townspeople are doing. Will that satisfy you? Your Highness.”
“…That’s right. I get it now.”

　Sofia felt her will to speak fade.
　Because she could tell that Mariella had no intention of discussing matters with her.

“After the meal, I will bring a letter. It is to inform the Demon King’s territory of the arrival of the troops. I will prepare the draft here; please just sign it.”

　Saying that, Adjutant Mariella returned to the hall.
　Sophia went to her room with the maids.
　When she entered the room, she sat down in a chair and slumped her shoulders.

　She knew that she was a failure, a 『piece of junk』 as they called it in the world of heroes.
　So she thought she was prepared to be treated roughly.
　However── she didn’t think it would go to this extent.

　The unit leader, Isaac, and the adjutant, Mariella, were not paying attention to Sofia.
　Both were trying to assert their own control, so they were focused only on their own concerns.
　That was how it seemed to Sofia.

“Is this going to continue for three years?”

　Sophia sighed and picked up a book from her desk.
　It was a book she had brought from the imperial capital.
　It contained accounts of how heroes spoke about their world, and how the ancestors of the Empire felt when they heard them.

　When Sophia touched a book, she felt strangely calm.
　The knowledge contained in books took her to unknown places.
　It even taught her about heroes who were no longer summoned, which pleased her.

“Now that I think about it… in the world of heroes, there was an item that could send voices over long distances. I think it was something called a 『Smartphone』. I wish I had such an item…”

　Sophia opened the window.
　She closed her eyes and whispered as if speaking to someone far away.

“Hero. please grant me the power of the 『smartphone』. I wish to convey my words to the townspeople… and the people of the Demon King’s territory. That I have no intention of being hostile towards the Demon King’s territory. I do not intend to provoke a conflict or involve the townspeople…”

“──────Okay.”

“……Huh?”

　Sophia looked around as she heard a faint voice.
　Even when she glanced down, there was just a small garden below. There was no sign of anyone.

　Come to think of it, she might have seen a winged fairy (pixie) on the way to the town.
　However, they are a race that does not appear in public.
　It would be impossible for them to initiate a conversation.

“If that’s the case… could it really have the same ability as a『smartphone』?”

　Just as Sophia was muttering this, there was a knock on the door.

　Sophia quickly closed the window.
　She sat down and assumed a pose as if she had been reading the book the whole time.
　After doing so, she replied, and the maids came into the room.
　They prepared the meal and then moved to the corner of the room.

“I’ll call you when I’ve finished eating. You may leave now.”
“I am instructed to remain by Your Highness’s side.”

　The young maid said this and bowed.
　It seemed she had no intention of leaving.

　So Sophia tried not to look out the window while she ate.
　She had a feeling that it would be better not to mention what had just happened to anyone.

(I’ve heard that the Demon King’s territory has the power to defeat the 『Demon Beast Gargarossa』 and its minions. In the same way, what if they have powers that I don’t understand… such as the ability to transmit voices over long distances…?)

　They might already have this information.

　In the end, Sophia decided not to tell anyone about what had just happened.
　Unreliable information would only make those around her anxious.

　If the Demon King’s territory was using some kind of power for reconnaissance, it would be better to pretend not to notice for now.
　This way, she could feed them false information from here.
　It should also be possible to convey that Sophia had no intention of opposing them.

　Moreover, this military training would be open to the Demon King’s Territory.
　There was nothing that needed to be hidden.

(If the Demon King’s Territory really does have an item like the hero’s 『Smartphone』…)

　She would very much like to see it.
　After all, Sophia’s body was a 『Piece of Junk』 anyway. She wouldn’t live long.
　If that were the case, she wanted to see an item from the hero’s world before she died.

　After that, she would tell her sister Liana.

“There are things in this world that we cannot even imagine. Strength alone cannot solve everything.”

(As an older sister, that is the least I can do for Liana.)

　Princess Sophia muttered this without saying it out loud.