Disappointing Teleportation Magic ~ Even Though The Movement Distance Is Only 1 Millimeter, I Will Rise Through Ingenuity ~ - Chapter 31.1

Long, long ago, long before the Kingdom of Yurefelt was established, fertile grasslands spread around the small elevated plateau where the current castle stands.

People tried to raise livestock and cultivate crops on that fertile land, but there was one significant obstacle.

The small elevated plateau had become a colony for wyverns. Even if they raised livestock, they never knew when they might be snatched away, and even during farming, they never knew when they might be attacked.

People lived in constant fear of the wyverns’ shadows. One day, a wyvern flew to the home of the tribe’s chief and spoke in human words.

“Chief, if you offer your daughter as my bride, I will stop attacking humans.”

The chief’s daughter was renowned as a beauty in the area, and many men had proposed to her. Not wanting to marry a wyvern, the chief’s daughter gathered the men who had proposed to her and said she would marry the one who could defeat the wyvern.

The tribe’s chief had no other children besides his daughter, so marrying her meant becoming the next chief. The gathered men thought that while it would be impossible alone, they could defeat the wyvern if they all worked together. They disguised themselves as a procession bringing wedding gifts and headed to the wyvern’s nest.

The total number of skilled men who gathered was thirteen. After a fierce battle, they managed to slay the wyvern, but only one man survived. His name was Yurefelt. He married the chief’s daughter, built a fortress on the site of the wyvern’s nest, and this marked the beginning of the Kingdom of Yurefelt.

“Is that a true story?”

“In the beginning, it was just a legend without written records, so it’s uncertain if it’s true. However, it is said that about a hundred years ago, during a wyvern migration, there was a fierce battle that half-destroyed the castle.”

According to Araseli, there were three wyverns that flew in during the migration a hundred years ago.

“According to records from that time, as soon as they were seen, they landed on the castle roof.”

“That means they fly at incredible speed, right?”

“Yes, wyverns don’t just fly with their wings; they are thought to use wind magic to create air currents and fly.”

Could they fly at speeds comparable to a jet plane? And they have bodies much larger than humans.

“Honestly, do we stand a chance?”

“It’s tough because the national army is tied up with the battle against Fulmelinta. It will be a very difficult fight.”

“What will happen to the people working in the castle?”

“They will likely evacuate to the town below the castle, except for those serving the royal family.”

“Is it safe?”

“No, if the wyverns settle, the town below the castle could become their hunting ground.”

“And that will continue until the wyverns are gone, right?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

Natural disasters like earthquakes and typhoons are also challenging, but disasters that won’t end unless they are defeated or driven away are extremely troublesome.

“So, what should I do?”

“Provisionally, you, Lord Yuto, will be treated as someone who serves the royal family.”

“Won’t I evacuate to the town below the castle?”

“Since it’s uncertain if the town below the castle is safe…”

“So, should I stay here?”

“No, if the wyverns arrive, you will evacuate through the underground passage.”

According to Araseli, this building is used to host foreign dignitaries and has an underground emergency evacuation passage. The passage leads to the underground area where the royal family resides.

“Even during a wyvern migration, the royal family will not evacuate from the castle. This is to show the people that the royal family stands to defend this land.”

“But wouldn’t it be terrible if the royal family were killed by the wyverns?”

“That’s why there is a dedicated underground evacuation facility for the royal family.”

Even if all the buildings visible above ground were destroyed, a dedicated evacuation facility has been built deep underground in the castle to protect the lives of the royal family.

Underground, there is no need to worry about being targeted by the wyverns’ hunts, and there is a passage to the national army’s facilities below the castle, so there is no need to worry about running out of supplies.

In other words, while giving the appearance of not fleeing to the people, they actually escape to the safest place. Well, I understand that this is how powerholders are in any country, but being told about it so plainly is a bit disillusioning.

“However, it seems that Lord Alberic intends to take command on the front lines.”

“Huh? Why? What if he dies?”

“He believes it wouldn’t be right to expose the people and soldiers to danger while he remains safe and comfortable.”

“Is he serious? Doesn’t anyone try to stop him?”

“Of course, they intend to stop him, but if His Highness insists strongly…”

“Please stop him. If something happens to him, wouldn’t Belnort become the next king? That’s impossible!”

He’s far better than an idiot like Belnort, but he’s too much of an idealistic prince. Maybe he thinks it would boost the soldiers’ morale, but I wish he would stay safe.

Maybe I should put a rope around his neck and drag him underground.

“Lord Yuto, um…”

“Hm? What is it?”

“Well…”

Araseli started to say something but then swallowed her words.

“Are you asking me to protect Lord Alberic?”