The Second Son of The Marquis Runs Away from Home ~ Lacking Talent, He Abandons Everything and Becomes an Adventurer ~ - 8

Chapter 8: Sense of Deja Vu (Hinowa’s Side)

“Sigh…”

As Berg and the others left the room, Hinowa exhaled to release the tension. Taking a sip of tea prepared by Rin, her escort, she finally began to relax.

“Good work,” Rin said.

“Thank you… So, what did you think of them?” Hinowa asked.

To be frank, I was startled the moment I saw them. Not only were they all bearers of divine artifacts, but the power emanating from Berg’s artifact felt like being surrounded by swords… It was like the pressure of a dragon’s jaws looming before me.

“To put it bluntly, it was awe-inspiring. Even without their divine artifacts, I doubt I could win against them. Especially the Black Storm Knight… I’m not even sure I’d stand a chance against him,” Rin replied.

“To think even one of Gomon’s finest swordsmen like you would say that… What kind of den of demons is the Empire?” Hinowa mused.

I was aware of the existence of the Black Storm Knights. Everyone in Hizuchi had witnessed the events from a year ago, and we had gathered information for this negotiation. But there was a difference between knowing something as information and facing it directly. Moreover, facing the bearer of a divine artifact, said to be capable of turning the tide of a nation with just one person, alongside five others simultaneously, without losing composure, was a pressure that made me want to commend myself.

“And to think you noticed us as well,” Rin said, as one of the hidden figures approached and bowed. Despite their considerable skill in stealth, Berg and the girl named Shurin had effortlessly discerned their presence.

“The Black Storm Knights… I had heard they were the Empire’s strongest force, capable of toppling an entire nation despite their small numbers. It seems those were not mere rumors,” Hinowa remarked.

If we could harness their power… Such thoughts crossed Hinowa’s mind, but she shook her head, dismissing the idea.

Given the distrust lingering from the Empire’s side, asking for intervention in another country’s conflict would be shameless.

With Zanma and Kamtsuhi, we could counter any means necessary.

So, she reminded herself that the priority was to ensure the success of this negotiation at all costs.

“But there’s one thing I don’t understand, Your Highness,” Rin said.

“What is it?”

“Why did Lord Berg ask you such a thing out of the blue? It caught me off guard.”

“…,” Hinowa paused at Rin’s question. It was indeed the reason she had remained calm amidst that pressure. But it was also a question that had piqued her curiosity without any basis.

“…It may sound rude, but I felt a resemblance.”

Despite the differences in gestures, impressions, and everything else, the black hair and straight eyes suddenly overlapped with someone in her memories.

The person who taught me about magic and life, my grandmother who supported and protected Gomon alongside the head, was a master of magic and a bearer of divine artifacts.

“To my grandmother…”