Episode 128 Iberica – Departure
Shortly after Talleyrand went up to the capital to receive approval for another attempt to make contact with the Eastern Empire, we completed preparations for our departure to the Iberica Peninsula.
“Welcome, Your Majesty.”
As the generals and I bowed in unison, Eris nodded and responded.
“Thank you for your hard work.”
As a princess who fled from the royal palace, she experienced a civil war and lived as a wandering bard. When a plague broke out, she went around healing people.
Eris, who went through the chaos of the revolutionary period as a saint and fought the war against the empire as a queen, has changed a lot.
A wise queen who is still an idealist, but has lost her somewhat childish appearance and has learned to compromise with reality.
Now, I’m quite used to the generals and I being polite, so I don’t feel burdened.
“Still, I’m glad the expedition is in winter. “I heard that the Iberica Peninsula is very hot. If you go early, you can get used to it little by little, right?”
“Hahaha…”
Even though it was veiled, the generals also secretly laughed at the playful tone of the voice.
Even though a lot has changed, this remains the same.
The appearance is also far from the extravagant elegance of usual white robes, hoods, and veils.
Eris does not accompany the Iberica expedition.
Up until now, it had been a state of war, and it was a war where the Frangian throne was directly at stake, so Eris stood on the front lines, but even then, the reluctant council naturally opposed the queen’s following in someone else’s war.
To go into a more political issue, it was also significant that the church government hinted that they did not want the officially recognized Saint Queen to go to help the pagan Crocs in their war.
It is a war in name to drive out those who are in league with demons from the central continent, but it is even more unworthy for a saint to be with the heretics. The Holy Church is also a very funny people.
It is entirely natural for Eris, who is a saint, to shake off the Holy Church.
While I was lost in thought, Eris, who seemed to be making eye contact with each of the participants in this expedition, let out a small exclamation.
“Wow-”
Although it is covered with a veil, the direction the head is facing is very clear.
“Your Majesty the Queen.”
Christine smiled slightly and bowed her head to Eris.
This time, the destination was relatively close, so it wasn’t a very long voyage, and Christine was also an admiral, but since she had never performed a formal mission, she was tasked with escorting our troops and set sail together.
“Wow, is this the Admiral’s uniform? “That’s wonderful, Count of Aquitaine.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
I unconsciously nodded at Eris’s words.
Christine always wore simple black dresses that looked like mourning clothes, but her appearance in military uniform to officially go out as an admiral was truly stunning.
Christine: Her appearance, dressed in a black military uniform with a cape and clothes decorated with gold thread, suits her better than expected, to the point where she wants to show it to the members of the National Assembly who said it was ridiculous for a woman to be an admiral.
No, no. There is no need to show such a cool side to those guys.
While I was thinking nonsense, Eris, who had been chatting lightly with Christine and the other generals, looked in my direction.
“Then, Marquis de Lafayette. … It’s a war, so there can’t be no casualties, but I hope you don’t go overboard. “I hope everyone returns safely.”
I nodded and answered Eris, thinking I could see what kind of expression she would have even if she was covered by a veil.
“Don’t worry too much. “I will take special care, Your Majesty.”
“Okay then-”
Eris raised her hand to the sky and a brilliant light emanated from her hand.
“Oh oh-”
Not only the generals but also the soldiers who came out to greet the queen exclaimed.
The sight of the brilliant light extending into the sky turning into powder and slowly falling down is always a spectacular sight.
I smiled while looking at Eris like that.
Indeed, the saintly queen is now often good at performing political performances like this.
If it was the first time, I never would have imagined it – huh?
When the light scattered by Eris touched me, I felt something warm and powerful flowing through my body.
This can’t be right.
Sure enough, Eris, who had been emitting light for a while and lowering her arms, stumbled and I held her arms before the others, who were distracted by the mysterious golden light scattering from the sky, could see.
“Eris…!”
How many people are here now and what have they done?
When I criticized softly, Eris also responded in a small voice.
“You’ll get better if you rest for a few days. “I can’t go with you, so please let me do this.”
Even though she is covered with a veil, you can see her pale face, but her tone is actually full of playfulness.
Even though she was making that face, I could see that she was sticking her tongue out playfully, so I waited for Eris to regain her balance and then took my hand away.
“…okay.”
I have no choice but to do this to make my Queen feel at least a little at ease.
Everyone rejoiced at the brilliantly shining powder and the energy felt from their bodies, and then the curtain of light faded away.
“Then I believe you will have a good trip. “God bless you all.”
A saint who once said she did not believe in God spoke in a bright voice with earnest prayers.
* * *
After departure.
The Franzian Navy’s flagship 86-gun ship of the line ‘Libre’.
“Oooh….”
Everyone, including generals, officers, and soldiers, came out on the deck and were busy admiring the wide-open horizon and the territory of Franzia visible in the distance.
I told you that the deck had become so crowded that we had to form groups and take turns to look around for fear that it would interfere with navigation.
I laughed looking at them.
Most people have never been on a boat before, so it’s natural that they find it fascinating.
But that’s just the first time, you’ll get sick of it after a while. After that, all you’ll be left with is seasickness like hell.
However, this time it is a fleet to transport troops, so unlike in Krafte, the fleet of multiple ships moving at the same time is quite grand.
Ah, it should be okay this time.
Unlike the sea route to Krafte, which required a fairly long voyage, Iberica is a short journey that takes only a few days.
I don’t want to show Christine suffering from seasickness.
Now that I think about it, it seems to be fine so far. Are you getting used to seasickness?
With that in mind, I went to the admiral’s room and knocked on the door, and a voice came from inside.
“It’s me, Admiral.”
“Come on in.”
Upon entering, Christine was sitting at her desk in a natural manner, as if this had been her seat from the beginning.
Was he in a meeting when he saw a chart spread out above him and Captain Duheng next to him?
“Ah, did you get in the way?”
“Ah haha, no, Marquis! “Then, since I have reported everything to you, Admiral, I will now leave.”
“Okay, Captain Duheng, let’s go back. Good luck.”
Christine answered with a calm expression on her face, nodding her head, and Duheng saluted Christine and quickly left, giving me a light wink before leaving.
I cleared my throat, closed the door, and turned around to see Christine looking at me with a soft smile as if she had never done that before.
Honestly, I liked moments like this.
This is the moment when I see with my own eyes that Christine, who is cool-headed in everything and has little emotional ups and downs, treats me as special.
“Christine.”
When I called with a natural smile, Christine asked with a gentle smile on her face.
“How is your Majesty the Queen?”
“….”
Is it because of my mood?
He still seems to be smiling softly, but he feels a little cold…
“…I think I used too much strength, but he said he will be fine after a few days of rest.”
…I realized it while I was talking.
On my first voyage, I got on the boat and looked at the scenery for a while and immediately got seasick, but now I don’t even have any signs of it.
Could it be that this is also the power of an unknown blessing given by Eris?
No, even more than that now.
“…Did you see it?”
“Yes, I saw it. “He held it quite naturally.”
Christine answered calmly.
…Actually, she wasn’t the type of person to be distracted by such a flashy light.
“No, that is an area of concern.”
“My lord as a subject?”
“Yeah, that one.”
Christine answered with a grin.
“I know.”
…Then what’s the problem?
No, it doesn’t seem like Christine is feeling uncomfortable right now in the first place.
So did you really just ask because you were worried about Eris?
While I was thinking that, Christine stood up and walked over.
I thought she was coming towards me, but Christine passed me and grabbed the door – and there was a clang sound.
“…Christine?”
Why is the door locked?
As Christine turned around, her cape fluttered as she moved, catching everyone’s attention.
“Pierre.”
“…Please tell me, Christine.”
“I heard from Duheng that you suffered from severe seasickness during your first voyage. Are you feeling better now?”
“Oh yeah. “I’m not sure, but I think it’s probably thanks to Eris’ blessing-”
I answered without realizing it, but Christine’s eyebrows twitched slightly at the part about Eris’ blessing.
Oh, it’s not my fault. It’s definitely not my fault.
Christine came towards me with a smile and grabbed both of my shoulders with her hands.
The moment I reflexively lowered my waist a little, a soft touch touched my mouth.
Soft, warm and sweet. It’s a happy feeling.
…Why does my spine feel cold?
Still, I couldn’t help but feel intoxicated and distracted by breathing with her.
After kissing for a while, Christine finally smiled in satisfaction.
“I feel like my mind is a little blank now.”
“ah.”
Only then did I realize.
I’ll be arriving in Iberica in just a few days, so I won’t be able to see you for quite some time.
Even in front of Christine, worries about Eris never left my mind.
After dropping me off, she will have to return to the capital and get busy preparing for the war against Krafte.
“I’m sorry, Christine.”
Christine smiled softly and, without answering, took something out of her pocket and put it in her mouth.
She came back and kissed me again, swallowed as much as she handed me, and then asked.
“What is it?”
After swallowing what was given to her, Christine seemed to really like the question and answered with a deep smile.
“Contraceptive pills.”
“…Eh?”
It’s quite expensive, so only people with extra money will use it, but more than that, why do it now?
Confusion filled my mind, but Christine, still smiling, untied the gold string on her cloak.
The sight of the cloak slowly falling from her shoulders and falling to the floor somehow feels oddly unrealistic.
now? here? In the Admiral’s room in broad daylight?
“Huh Christine? “There must be subordinates wandering around outside.”
Even I was embarrassed by this, so I asked Christine’s answer, and Christine’s answer was beyond my imagination.
“I thought you might want to try hugging the Admiral in his room at least once.”
…That’s not to say that I never had such a delusion while staying in the Admiral’s room on the way to Krafte.
“…I didn’t know you had this kind of taste.”
I never imagined that Christine would show something like this, but seeing how good this is again makes me feel helpless.
Christine, who heard what I said, reached out her hand and gently pushed my chest without answering.
Christine said, smiling provocatively as she pushed and her back touched the desk in the middle of the room.
“Have you ever wondered how I would react if you had me sit on a bridge and showed me in front of your subordinates?”
This really sent goosebumps up my spine, and I asked myself this question without even realizing it.
“Are you really mind reading?”
Christine slowly tilted her head and answered with a smile.
“Just a little bit, just for you.”
Then he stretched out his arms and wrapped them around my neck.
“And now I realize, it’s quite fun to see you at your wit’s end.”
As I swallowed dry saliva without realizing it, Christine came closer and whispered in my ear.
“I’ll make sure you can’t think about anyone but me until you get to Iberica.”
“It looks like you’ve already succeeded-”
The words that couldn’t come out were stuck on her lips.
