Chapter 1 E 22.5 (Aftermath)
An angry voice resounded during audiences.
The owner of the voice is a person nicknamed the prime minister of iron and blood, Lord Dornest.
The emperor who should have been the most important person silently listening to Sardina's report while resting his elbow on the armrest of the throne.
"That's all for the report. I'm willing to receive any punishment."
In front of the Emperor, starting from Sardina and Saitou, Seria, Rolph, then Orlando had kneeled down together.
Within Sardina's mind, replayed the event that had happened a few days ago.
After letting Ryouma escaped, Sardina had waited for dawn to come and the soldiers that had been scattered to return. She bet on the chance that she might be able to catch up to him.
Since her mistake that leads his escape is due to the lack of soldiers.
The situation might change if she collects all the soldiers for pursuit.
However, in the end, Sardina cannot catch a glimpse of Ryouma figure again.
"I know it; it's impossible huh..."
Hearing what Sardina had muttered, Saitou responded with a sour expression.
"It cannot be helped... It was hard to gather all of the soldiers after all..."
For Ryouma, he might have expected something like this to happen.
To said it plainly, he might have calculated that they won't be able to continue the pursue until he was able to cross the border.
"That guy, he's not careless at all it seems..."
Not having naive mind might be the greatest strength that Ryouma possesses.
Sardina bites his lips for realizing that she's being too optimistic.
"It can't be helped... Let's return to the imperial capital."
Saitou's face shows a clouded expression after listening to Sardina's words.
Indeed since they have failed to capture Mikos.h.i.+ba Ryouma, there's no meaning for them to stay inside the forest for much longer.
Not only they need to immediately let the border to be opened again to make sure it does not inflict much damage to the empire economy, but they also have to inform Seria and the other that had gone to the south.
Although Saitou can understand the situation, he still feels uneasy toward the treatment that Sardina will receive.
After all, it was a big loss for them to have failed to capture Ryouma. And the worst part is, they let the arrested person to escape.
Furthermore, there are some casualties among the knight.
Although there was some unexpected event that Ryouma have some companions, this is not something easy to ignore.
"Dornest face will definitely turn into rage eh~..."
In spite of Sardina's joking words, Saitou's expression remained stiff.
"Indeed..."
In Saitou's mind, he can imagine Dornest figure yelling toward Sardina in front of the emperor.
He was nicknamed the prime minister of blood and iron, due to being a politician that has a strong mind like iron and having the determination to shed blood.
He won't change his att.i.tude toward Sardina just because she's royalty.
He will definitely won't let this case end like this.
Furthermore, there's also another concern.
"I think there's also a problem how to handle Seria-sama after this..."
Sardina nodded toward Saitou's subdued voice.
The one who's the most enthusiastic about this mission is Seria who had lost her family member.
What are they going to say toward such Seria?
"Well, we will manage it somehow. Seria is not that stupid after all. I think if I were to explain the situation to her properly, she wouldn't complain too much..."
(That is the case if it was the usual Seria though..."
Saitou was uneasy due to whether or not she was able to remain calm after her relative being murdered.
Maybe she read him having such complexion on his face.
Sardina shrugged her shoulders and said,
"Well, leave that matters to me. In any case, there's no other choice than to return to the imperial capital."
A while later, Seria, Rolph, and Orlando sat down in front of Sardina.
"Is that so..."
Seria's voice lacked her usual energetic vibe.
After the decision of returning to the imperial capital, Sardina recalled the three who had gone to the southern border, and she decided to join them at the town south the imperial capital in order to share the information before having an audience with the emperor.
Thinking the current location of Sardina, people might think that she had to pa.s.s the imperial capital to get there, such way of thinking is not wrong.
This place is the suburbs of Oito, where the road junction merge.
In the tent that was set up, Sardina told them the situation.
"I see... If the situation ends up like that, no wonder you've failed to catch them huh."
Rolph's face turns sour.
His expression indicates his regret to be unable to accompany Sardina together.
Orlando also has the same expression.
"But still... Right after being summoned, that person, Mikos.h.i.+ba Ryouma was it? He has people who help him? Furthermore, they have such a degree of ability?"
Toward Rolph question, Sardina shakes her head.
That question is the one that Sardina and Saitou had contemplated seriously along the road as well.
"I've also thought of that along with Saitou... But to be honest, we are not sure either."
Toward Sardina who shook her head, Orlando asks a question reservedly.
"Emm... Your highness, how are we going to report to the emperor?"
This was a question that all of them except Sardina were worried about.
The order of the Emperor is absolute.
Since they could not fulfill them, at worst, the death penalty may befall them.
"I will report things as they are..."
Saitou nodded his head in agreement toward Sardina's words.
That is because the two of them had agreed between themselves as to what to do when they are on the way toward Oito.
"Is that alright?"
The complexion on Rolph's face indicating was it really fine to do that.
If they report it as it is, all the responsibility will hang over Saitou's and Sardina's head.
Although one of them is a member of the imperial family, she might not get out from it unscathed.
"There's no helping it. It was a fact after all."
Sardina answered as such quietly. And she has prepared to do so...
"Even if you're an imperial princess, to report something like this!"
"Dornest... Be silent for a bit..."
The emperor's voice interrupted Dornest angry voice toward Sardina.
Saitou shook off the imagination that appears within his mind and turned his consciousness to the emperor's words.
"In response to Sardina's report, I have no intention to criticize."
A heavy voice comes from the throne.
A surprised expression appears on Dornest face.
"However... Your majesty!"
"Listen to what I had to say... Dornest!"
The Emperor presses his elbow on the armchair harder and called him with a low voice.
"Indeed Sardina had failed to fulfill my order. That is a fact. However, an unexpected strong people also appeared. What do you think they can do in that situation?"
Dornest was unable to reply the emperor's question.
Certainly, that was the truth.
No, being able even to capture the other world person once is already close to a miracle.
After all, at first they don't even know the name and face of him.
For that, Dornest understood.
"But still... To let the other world person escape!"
"I also know that. However. Sardina and Saitou are an important strength of our empire. No matter how much we want to suppress the hateful man that had killed Gaies, we can not put the empire in danger because of declining strength just to kill that person in question, no?"
They should avoid losing the leader and vice leader of the Succubus Night chivalric order that they are so proud of at the same time.
Now with Gaies have died, the empire power has declined, and if they also have to part with the leaders of the new formed main force, the empire hegemony will be without a doubt getting threatened.
Considering all kinds of matters, Sardina judgment was right.
"However..."
The gaze of the emperor looking at Sardina.
"Although be that as it may, it is also a fact that you cannot fulfill my order. Therefore you will take over Gaies job in conquering the Eastern countries. Sardina, you will be in charge of command."
After that words reverberated within the audience hall, Sardina and the other four lowered their heads at once on the spot.
Instead of giving them punishment, the emperor gives them the opportunity to gain merits to offset their mistakes.
"We will certainly respond to your expectations. Your majesty!"
The End of Volume 1 : Being Summoned to another world.
TLN: I'm going to update some of the website page, well, look forward to the beginning of second volume tomorrow!
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