A Maiden’s Unwanted Heroic Epic

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'How troubling', Kreschenta said with a deliberate face.

The cavalry captain Ehran and even his men were puzzled by the young princess's words.

They also thought that she had come to the Imperial State to ask for help in the recent civil war.

“But I was relieved to hear that Miko-sama would continue to lend your strength to the Kingdom.
I feel like a burden has been lifted from my shoulders.”

“…So you don't need help with the civil war, is what you mean?”

“Yes, Miko-sama.
What I'm asking for is help after the war.”

Smiling without any guilt, Kreschenta said that calmly.

Dodge the opponent's expectations and seize the initiative.

She read the thoughts and logic of her opponents and left them defenseless.

Kreschenta was always the one who deceived, derailed, and manipulated.

Kreschenta thought only of making all others dance in her palm.

One of the ways she did this was by making them speak and remained silent, knowing that they misunderstood her.

In exchange for refusing to help in the civil war, the Miko assured her that she would help her in a war against other countries, and she obtained a contract with her.

Royalty made no mistakes.

And it was the same for the Miko.

Once she had spoken out, she could not withdraw it.

“There's a limit to rudeness, Princess Kreschenta.
Of all things, you dare to scheme Miko-sama…”

“High Priestess Halvis, watch your mouth.
This is the Hall of the Holy Spirit.”

The Miko coldly rebuked the high priest who raised his voice, but the dead tree-like high priest didn't stop glaring at Kreschenta.

But Kreschenta was unmoved.

She was not afraid of the intimidation of those of lower ranks.

“…
It seems that I made a hasty conclusion on my own from your country's circumstances.
How embarrassing.”

“No, it was my clumsiness that caused the misunderstanding.
It was a sudden visit, like chasing after a fast horse.
It was my fault…
I apologize for being rude.”

Kreschenta said so with her mouth alone.

She didn't believe that crying would work with the Miko.

In that case, she just needed to use another means to disturb her opponent.

Even if there were some problems with the means, once the Kingdom settled down, something like the Imperial State would be no trouble.

Their national power was different from the beginning, and the Imperial State cannot help but rely on the Kingdom as a shield due to its location.

“However, the reason why I asked for an audience is as I said.
If the Kingdom is exhausted by this civil war and loses the strength to maintain its territory, there is no doubt that the surrounding beasts will soon come to devour it.
……So, in order to prevent that from happening, I have come to ask Miko-sama to prepare for it.”

“……I see”

The Miko finally realized the true nature of the poor princess named Kreschenta.

She shouldn't have looked at her looks or age.

She should have seen her as a cunning, decades-old leader.

—-Cursed Child of Alberan.

She was exactly that.

She visited a foreign country by herself, stirred up the other person's heart, and still had the courage to keep smiling calmly.

At the very least, she was no mere child.

She was clearly abnormal.

“In a few days, we will receive a report that the Dragon's Maw has been conquered.”

Kreschenta announced as if it was a matter of fact.

The attack on the dragon's jaw was the starting point for all actions—-it was the point that Krische and Selene decided to focus on the most, so there was no need to take their time.

Failure to do so would mean Christand defeat.

Because of her absolute confidence in herself, Kreschneta also had absolute trust in her sister.

“And in less than a month, we will defeat His Majesty the King's enemy——the usurper Gildanstein.
At the very least it won't be long.”

“It looks like you have a pretty good chance of winning.
The hero of your country–Margrave Christand, we also know his military fame.
I heard that Princess Kreschenta was at a disadvantage without him.”

“Yes.
Therefore, even if I ask for help from Miko-sama, I also think that Miko-sama will not be able to make a decision.”

Kreschenta clapped her hands and tilted her head.

“How about this? Even for Miko-sama, it's such an important matter that Miko-sama also can't rush to a conclusion either.
I think it's fine even if it's after you see whether my odds of success are true or not.
Even if I try my best to speak, there are things we cannot understand without seeing.”

“That's right, honestly…
I would like to have time to think.”

“Yeah, that's right.
Let's do that.
The main problem will be after that.”

Kreschenta continued in a good mood.

“…However, it is true that the defense of the kingdom is still a concern.
Therefore, if possible, I would like Miko-sama to prepare in advance so that the army can move along with the decision of Miko-sama.”

“…In advance?”

“Whether I win or lose, from the point of view of Miko-sama, the stability of the Imperial Kingdom should be prioritized above all else.
I think we should proceed with preparations for the dispatch of troops.”

The Miko narrowed her eyes and examined her proposal.

Whether Crescenta wins or loses——either way, the Kingdom will need reinforcements.

And the word 'along with her decision'.

It did not mean the end of the civil war.

——She was saying that when she thinks Kreschenta could win, she should entrust the army to her.

It was in effect complicity in the civil war, only with a change of words.

But in name, the army would only serve to fortify the defenses of the exhausted Kingdom.

There would be no political problems, and they would be able to make the Kingdom owe them.

The people of the Imperial State also had a lot of pity for Princess Kreschenta, and they considered the army to be for the princess.
They will be satisfied that the Imperial State had done justice.

It was not a bad proposal considering public sentiment, political interests, and the overall aspects.

“There is a considerable distance to the kingdom from the Imperial State.
…I think it's better to start moving early.”

The smiling princess's eyes—-that inorganic purple color reflected the Miko's eyes.

She was not a twelve-year-old girl.

They were not even those of the same human being.

They were eyes with a devilish quality.

They looked frightening, yet she did not take her eyes off of them.

A leader was driven by practical interests, not by personal feelings.

Because of this, the Miko suppressed her emotions and simply answered in her role.

“I will think about it, Princess Kreschenta.
…Please stay here for a while.
If there is any inconvenience, please give orders to those around you at any time.”

“Yes.
Thank you, Miko-sama.
…May the ties between our two countries last forever.”

“…Yes.
Of course, I also hope so.”

—-Alberan's Cursed Child, Kreschenta.

Etching her existence deeply, The Miko nodded at her.

When she was shown into the room, Kreschenta first let the imperial servants out because of Bery's presence.

Bery, who had a troubled look on her face, didn't say anything, and when she was alone with her, she changed her dress and asked Kreschenta.

“How was it?”

“Don't you think it's rude to ask that question? There's no way I'd make a mistake.”

“Fufu, that's true.”

“…More importantly, Argan-sama, I'm tired.”

Kreschenta in a white one-piece dress said somewhat dissatisfied, and Bery apologized and prepared a chair.

And she began to prepare tea——but Kreschenta didn't sit down in the chair during that time.

Bery finally understood her intentions and smiled wryly, then sat down ahead of her master.

As if waiting for that, Kreschenta jumps on top of her.

“Fufufu, good girl, good girl, you did your best.
Shall we take a rest after drinking sweet tea?”

“…………”

“My, you don't seem to have a lot of energy today.
If it's the doggy Kreschenta-sama, she would have rubbed up against me in no time.”

Kreschenta glared at Bery who was behind her.

Berry, who had an artificially surprised face, said troubledly.

“…Ah, maybe it's Her Royal Highness who's here right now.
What a discourteous thing for me to pet Her Highness, I need to confirm it.”

Bery took out a cookie and waved it from side to side in front of Kreschenta.

“It seems that Her Royal Highness doesn't like it very much, but the 'Doggy Kreschenta', loves sweet honey cookies.
I wonder which one it is today…?”

“Wo…”

“Wo?”

“…Woof.”

With a chuckle, Bery gave her the cookie and gently stroked her head.

It seemed that this cute Krische's sister named Kreshcneta had a tendency to be unable to be honest no matter what.
She needed a pretense that the cookie was being held hostage.

Kreshcneta squealed and pressed her face against Bery's chest, her cheeks relaxed, and Bery smiled happily.

Then, holding her young body, she poured the tea and looked out the window.

The blue sky was reflected in her eyes, and she thought about Krische, who was far away.