Trapped in Another World With No Magic

Chapter 106: Chosen Sides

Heralesse rides with her knights for the Grand Duchy of Stalvaltan. Her Royal Thoroughbred buckrokh is of the fastest bloodline ever born into the Kingdom of Mornistae, a legacy of Heralesse's own family. That said, her knights are on lower pedigree mounts, so she has to be mindful not to get too far ahead.

The reason she is riding for the Grand Duchy is fairly simple. Rikuto has been operating completely outside of normal royal duties, and he sent a weapon to destroy Fort Twilight, which is unthinkable. But, one of her maids overheard some of the returned soldiers talking about it. It's believed that Daniel and the other members of the 'Fievegal' were slain at Fort Twilight after meeting with Sundenelle.

The only one that can make sense of everything and remain in control is Aramellianna, at least that Heralesse can trust to see everything objectively. Her own parents are supporting Rikuto, even though no one knows what weapon he is supposedly so afraid of.

The new Stalvaltan estate becomes visible near the beach of the gulf as the group emerges from a forest pass. It's not what she expected to see, though. The training grounds for the Stalvaltan Grand Duchy have always been close to the estate, and it's common for thousands of troops to be either in refresher or new recruit training.

Instead, it seems that the Stalvaltan Grand Duchy is preparing for defense. The Stalvaltan mansion is modest and elegant in appearance, but is in fact well defended like a castle. It's the new location of the seat of the Grand Duchy, since Aramellianna confessed to liking the beachfront estate, and the old estate can still remain functional, since it's closer to the Royal Capital. It's likely one of Aramellianna's governors or son in laws would reside at the old estate and manage affairs too far to manage from the new main house.

Heralesse slows her entourage as they near the perimeter gate, manned and guarded by a dozen Stalvaltan Guards, and the battalion nearby watches the riders approach. The soldiers seem on guard, and the guards at the gate also move like they're surprised.

One of the senior guards steps forward, bowing as he keeps his hand on his spear. "Y-Your Majesty, Queen Heralesse. It is our honor to see you."

"Thank you." Heralesse brings her buckrokh to a stop nearby, and it pants gently as it catches its breath, along with the others as her knights do the same.

"If I may, your Majesty; what brings you out here with such a modest escort? Should you not remain in the safety of the Royal Capital?"

"Your advice is noted, but I must speak to the Grand Duchess at once. I tried sending her a message, but I haven't received a reply."

"I'm... afraid that's not possible at the moment, your Majesty. It's best if you return to the Royal Capital, and we shall inform her Grace to respond to you at once."

"What? No! I need to see her now. I... need her advice. Rikuto... he's... I don't know what he's thinking. And... I don't know the right answer."

The guards glance at each other, unsure of what to do.

Their concern is not specifically because of Heralesse's presence, as it turns out. The young queen can't help but feel a little suspicious, but she's not sure what it is. Something feels wrong about their environment.

"Your Majesty," whispers Qualler, her senior knight. "Something is off about the Stalvaltan Guards."

She looks around briefly. "Will you not provide your Queen hospitality, good sir guard?"

The guards again glance at each other, even more disturbed by this idea.

"Or... is something..."

"Flare! Flare! Flare!" calls out one of the soldiers in the battalion. They point, and coming from slightly south of the estate are lookout flares.