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Anoseka Volume 2 Bonus SS
🕑 Added 2023-10-16 05:02:56 +0000 UTCThis is MTL. So, I cannot guarantee that the translation 100% contextually accurate or appropriate.
(TL Notes: Reminder, I wrote the title bonus ss, but this is a different story from anoseka. This is a new route (I think). I myself almost forgot because of the title.)
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Principality Sisters Part 2 "The Thin Thread of Fate"
.
The Black Knight of the Principality of Fanose was a hero whose name was well known not only in the Kingdom of Horfalt, but also in neighboring countries.
The number of flying battleships and armor destroyed reached triple digits and it was feared that this feat would be impossible for anyone to surpass.
The Black Knight Viscount [Bandel Him Densen], has recently been preoccupied with the troublesome domestic situation.
"Why haven't I been given permission to sortie!?''
Bandel's angry voice echoes through the royal castle of the Fanose family.
The person he is dealing with is [Gerat], who holds the rank of Count in the Principality of Fanose.
Intimidated by Bandel, a warrior, Gerat moved his hands restlessly.
His gaze wanders and he seems to be desperately trying to think of an excuse.
"When someone is as heroic as the Black Knight, we decided it was excessive to send him out to fight sky pirates."
"It's none of your business. Exterminating the sky pirates is good training for me."
Fighting a real battle against sky pirates was the same as training for Bandel.
From the beginning, Bandel did not even recognize the rampaging sky pirates as enemies.
He never thought about losing.
But that's Bandel's situation.
Each country has its own circumstances.
Gerat chooses his words carefully so as not to provoke Bandel.
"I am more than aware that the Black Knight-dono is strong. However —— we must avoid a situation in which you might be injured, even if only slightly,"
Bandel swung his fist down on the desk in the room.
DON! Gerat let out a frightened "Hih" at the violent sound.
No matter how he chose his words, to Bandel, it seemed as if he was being made a fool of.
"No nobleman fears being wounded on the battlefield!!"
"You are right! Black Knight-dono is absolutely right! ——But the higher-ups in the principality don't think so.''
"What?''
To Bandel, who looks at him quizzically, Gerat strokes his proud mustache and proudly tells the idea of the higher-ups.
"You are probably the greatest hero in the history of the Principality. If such a peerless hero were to be injured, the people would be worried."
"What do you mean by 'Hero'? If you consider me a hero, you should have sent me to the battlefield"
"That's the story of heroes in general, and you are an exception. You are too big, not only for our country, but also for our enemies.''
Active in wars with other countries, Bandel is also the most famous person in the principality.
In particular, the Kingdom of Horfalt has been suffering a lot from Bandel alone.
The kingdom's nobles, knights, and soldiers hate Bandel, but are also extremely afraid of him.
Bandel alone is a big deterrent.
The most powerful hero in the history of the Principality —— it was the decision of the higher-ups of the Principality not to send such a hero to the battlefield.
"If you were to get injured, there would be some idiots who would make a fuss that the Black Knight had lost his strength due to old age.''
Even Bandel is no match for old age, he said.
"If it's stupid people like that, all we have to do is crush them completely.''
If he attacks, on top of that he defends the principality, he strikes the enemy thoroughly.
That was what Bandel said, but Gerat let out a big sigh.
He convinces Bandel with the attitude that Bandel doesn't understand anything.
"If we are invaded, our country will be damaged. The best situation is to prevent that from happening.''
"Then, are you going to tell me not to go into battle forever?''
"If possible, I would ask you not to go out on a sortie. Your defeat is not a matter for you alone. Please understand that it will affect the entire Principality."
If this were a common hero, he would be sent out and made to play an active role.
But Bandel's situation is different.
If Bandel were to be defeated, it would lead to the demoralization of the entire Principality of Fanose.
It was more beneficial to the upper echelons of the Principality to keep him alive as a legendary hero.
"You want me to be a decoration!?''
"That's not true. We will have you continue to work for the Principality! You also have the important role of training the next generation.'
"Are you saying that this old man should take care of the chicks?''
At the sight of Bandel grumbling angrily, Gerat had a face that was trying hard to hold back a grin.
"No, that's not true. It would be a great benefit to the principality if you could use your experience to train the next generation of heroes. Besides, you also have the role of protecting the princesses, don't you? Those are great roles that only you can fulfill.''
Bandel clenches his right hand until it hurts.
(Damn you pretending to be a statesman)
◇
In the courtyard of the royal castle, the sisters were seen playing after lunch.
The older sister [Hertrude] and the younger sister [Hertrauda].
Both had beautiful glossy black hair, fair skin, and distinctive red eyes.
Bandel, who is watching the situation, is pondering about his own inability to even go out to exterminate sky pirates.
(What the hell is a hero? How much value is there in a hero who can't even go into battle?)
Will he be forced to stay away from the battlefield without being able to take revenge on the Kingdom of Horfalt? Such anxiety crossed his mind.
As his expression turns grim with frustration, Hertrude, who had been playing, approaches him.
"Are you hurting somewhere, Bandel? If it hurts, you should see a doctor.''
Bandel looked away from Hertrude, who was genuinely concerned about him, and he was troubled.
Because he could not look directly into Hertrude's eyes.
"It doesn't hurt anywhere.''
(I am not worthy of their concern. ——Because I have left their parents to die.)
Even though he knew that the duke and queen were going to be assassinated, he turned a blind eye.
The guilt of this burden tormented Bandel's mind.
Bandel tried to reassure her, but Hertrude remained concerned.
"Even if you're scared, go see a doctor. ——I don't want Bandel to be gone, too."
"! O-Of course."
Having lost her parents, Hertrude seems to fear the loss of those closest to her.
When she returns to Hertrauda, this time the knight approaches Bandel.
He must have been waiting for the right time.
"Bandel-sama, I have something to report.''
"What is it?''
Although he is kind to the princesses, Bandel is generally unfriendly.
The knights were aware of this and were surprised to see Bandel in the company of the princesses.
He hesitated as to whether he should call out to him, and he must have been waiting until now.
"The unit that went out to exterminate the sky pirates has returned, and apparently they have captured a kid.''
"A kid?''
Bandel, who thought it was strange, turned his gaze to the knight's face, and he reported the details.
"Apparently, there were experiments with Lost Items on the kid they captured during the assault. According to reports, the exterminated air pirates had extended their reach outside the country and were on the rampage——"
"That's a roundabout way. Just get to the point."
''——That kid has a master-servant contract with the Lost Item.''
"A kid who made a contract with the Lost Item, huh?''
A troubling existence had emerged, Bandel thought.
At the same time, he guessed that once the knight reported to him, he decided that others could not handle the situation.
Bandel's gaze turned to the two sisters.
"Take me to the kid."
(The only thing I can do is to avoid putting the princesses in danger. ——That is the best I can do to atone for my sins)
The guilt of having deprived the young children of their parents bound Bandel's heart.
◇
After leaving the royal castle, Bandel headed for the Principality's military base.
It's a fortress that serves as a port for flying battleships, but a kid has been thrown into the dungeon.
The child lying unconscious looked about the same age as Hertrude.
Near such a child was a small black sphere.
One big flesh eye.
The creepy sphere seems to be protecting the child.
[My new partner is tired and asleep. If you have any business with him, you can do it tomorrow or later.]
Bandel was somewhat surprised that it could make conversation.
However, thinking this would be a quick story, he decided to ask the black sphere —— a magical creature for more details.
"Then you should explain the details."
It was a vague question, but the magical creature seemed to understand the intent.
It turns around and looks at the sleeping kid and explains.
[The sky pirates found me sleeping and pulled me up. They probably tried to use me as I was, but since I was asleep, I had no way to react.']
"Use you?''
How did the air pirates plan to use the magical creature? To Bandel, who was wondering about this, the magical creature in front of him changed its form.
It may appear to be a small arm, but it grows and becomes an arm of armor.
As Bandel's eyes widen, the magical creature answers.
[My true form is what you call "armor'']
"Did you mean Lost Item was the armor?''
Lost Items are the relics of a lost civilization.
There are many of them, ranging from meaningless things to powerful things.
[The sky pirates tried to use me, but I was asleep, so I had no way to react. So I don't know what they were thinking, but they threw the kid they caught into me.]
The magical creatures didn't know much about the situation either.
The reason is that it was asleep, but the magical creature itself doesn't seem to have much interest in it.
Bandel turns his gaze to the child.
"You say you woke up when the kid got in?''
[It was because he was compatible with me. So I woke up, my partner told me what happened, and we took out the sky pirates. Your people came in later, and I tried to escape, but my partner passed out.]
After the explanation, the child wakes up.
He looked around and didn't seem to know where he was, but he was a strangely calm kid.
"Kuro, where is this?"
When a magical creature is called Kuro, he immediately asks for correction.
[Buddy, I introduced myself as Brave, right? Why are you calling me Kuro?]
"Because you are black. And easy to call.''
Bandel thought as he looked at the child who was saying that and yawning.
(What a gutsy kid to be yawning in this situation.)
Bandel became a little more interested in the child.
"May I ask your name?''
The child looks at Bandel and reluctantly answers, scratching his cheek with his fingertips.
"It's Leon."
"Leon. Leon, huh?"
(If he has no last name, then he is not a knight or a nobleman. But I do like his bold attitude in front of me, in addition to being recognized by the Lost Item as his master)
Bandel forces Leon to make a choice.
"Do you have any intention of becoming a knight? If you become a knight of the Principality of Fanose, I will take you out of here right away."
Hearing Bandel's offer, Brave —— Kuro was stunned.
[If my partner wanted to, he could get out of this dungeon in no time, you know?]
Kuro insisted that he had the power to do so, but his master, Leon, was pondering Bandel's offer.
And he comes to a conclusion.
"I've got nowhere to go, and it wouldn't be a bad idea to become a knight, I guess?''
Kuro's eyes widened in surprise as Leon accepted Bandel's offer.
[Are you going to accept this guy's offer, buddy!?]
"I don't have any other good ideas.''
[Don't you want to go back to your hometown?]
"——It's like I ran away from that hometown, and now I can't go back.''
Apparently, Leon ran away from home.
When Bandel thinks that the child in front of him has a family, he regrets slightly that he was too hasty in his earlier offer.
But Bandel is also a hero representing the Principality.
He is determined to live for the principality —— for those two princesses.
"I'm sorry, but I can't let you go back to your hometown. I can't leave you alone with a Lost Item."
(If only he hadn't gotten the Lost Item, I could have sent him back to his hometown.)
Since Kuro was single-handedly defeating the sky pirates, he could not be ignored given his strength.
A detailed investigation would be conducted from now on, but the Principality did not have the option of sending Leon back to his hometown.
While Bandel was depressed, Leon looked unconcerned.
"I can't go back, or rather, I don't even remember where it is, so it doesn't matter.''
"——Don't you hate the idea of being separated from your family?''
Perhaps there are problems in the family environment and he does not want to return? Bandel's premonition about such concerns comes true.
"Family, huh? I don't think we'll ever see each other again.''
The small child had a wise look on his face.
Bandel decided to stop asking any more questions.
"I see. I've asked you some bad questions. ——I'll talk to the guards and get you out of here right away."
(Did this kid lose his family just like me?)
When the kingdom invaded, Bandel lost his family.
He constantly regretted not being able to protect his wife and daughter at that time.
Given the circumstances of his capture by air pirates, Bandel can only imagine what happened to Leon's family.
Therefore, Bandel ends up making a suggestion that even he had not planned.
"Leon, will you come to my mansion?''
◇
"You shitty old man! Are you planning to kill me!!''
The Viscount Denzen family took me in and my name became [Leon Him Denzen].
I guess I am what is called a reincarnated person.
Before I knew it, I had become a child.
I regained my memory of my previous life and was confused to see myself in the form of a child.
I started running, screaming as I went, and stowed away on an airship in the harbor, driven by a sense of urgency to get away from this place as quickly as possible.
The worst part was after that.
The airship was attacked by sky pirates.
I was also found as a stowaway and was captured by sky pirates.
What will happen from now on? I was worried, but then I saw Kuro in the treasure that the sky pirates had.
I remembered Kuro——Brave's appearance.
It's a paid item.
It was difficult to conquer a certain otome game and resembled a powered suit called armor that was purchased along with a spaceship at that time.
However, he was missing both arms and one leg and did not appear to move properly.
Later, I was lucky enough to be thrown into Kuro by a group of air pirates for fun.
The armor does not move with anything, but when a person gets into it, its tentacles reach out and entangle the body in an attempt to take it in.
The sky pirates seemed to have escaped before they were taken in, 'What would happen if they were taken in?' They were curious about what would happen if someone were taken in.
That's why they threw me, a kid, to try it out.
I guess they didn't expect it to work because it was mostly broken to begin with.
But it moved.
When I got in, Brave woke up and regenerated his lost arms and one leg, easily defeating the sky pirates.
I was then saved by a flying battleship of the Principality of Fanose —— and as a result, I was picked up by an old man called the Black Knight.
The result is this.
"Those who aspire to become knights should not make any noise with this level of training.''
The Black Knight with his arms crossed, watching me —— the old man was now my adoptive father.
He is training me to be a knight, but the problem is the training menu.
"No way I can squat with a rock on my back! Are you trying to kill me?"
This old man is a hero representing the principality, but he is far from common sense.
He makes me, a kid, carry a rock on my back and tell me to do squats.
"Never give up before you have done anything. Don't underestimate your own limitations in the first place.''
"You're just overestimating it!''
"Just do it!''
A rigorous training menu is prepared for me every day, and this old man rigorously checks to see if I am managing to digest them.
When I turned my attention to Kuro, who had become my partner, I saw that he was eating cookies prepared by [Ethel], a woman in her forties who lived and worked in the mansion.
He also drinks tea.
[The balance of bitterness and sweetness is the best!]
Ethel-san looks as kind as usual.
"I'm glad you liked it.''
——He ignored me, his partner, and went into tea time on his own.
There is a heartwarming atmosphere only between the two of them, but there is a dreadful atmosphere of swearing between me and the old man.
"I'll definitely hold a grudge against you."
"Hmph! I don't care about your grudge now. Do you know how many people have a grudge against me?" As I carry a rock and start doing squats, this world
As I carried the rock and began to squat, I was confronted with the reality that people in this world are not the same as in my previous life.
In terms of muscle strength, there is little difference.
However, the energy of magic power compensated for the lack of muscular strength.
"O——One——Two——"
The old man grinned when he saw me starting to do squats.
"You can do it if you try, right.''
"You don't have the right to talk to me like that after you forced me to do it.''
I managed to survive and all I could think was that it was a big mistake to be picked up by this old man.
◇
That day, things had been strange since the morning.
I was made to change into the clothes prepared for me before, and was put into a carriage and headed for the royal castle.
"Why are you bringing me to the royal castle?''
When I walk behind the old man and ask him a question, he answers without hesitation.
"Because the princesses were interested in you."
"Princess?''
"Her Highness Princess Hertrude and Her Highness Princess Hertrauda. Please be polite. In particular, please refrain from using that impudent talk in front of the two of them."
"I'm always a gentleman to people other than you, old man.''
"That's what I'm talking about.''
While we were conversing, we arrived at the room where the princesses were supposed to be.
I had assumed that we would meet in the audience chamber, but it appears not, as it is a private exchange.
When the old man called out to the guard, the large door opened.
Is it a playground for princesses?
The large room was equipped with books and toys, making it comfortable for the two of them.
Two black-haired girls look at me with red eyes.
At first, they were a bit nervous, but since the old man brought me here, they must have noticed.
The younger sister runs up to me.
"You must be Leon! I'm Hertrauda. Nice to meet you!"
"——N-Nice to meet you."
The people around her looked a little troubled by the energetic younger sister.
Later, the older sister, Princess Hertrude, arrives.
"Rauda, be more ladylike!''
Her Highness Princess Hertrauda, who has been scolded, obeys her sister's words, although her cheeks are puffed out and she looks dissatisfied.
"Ye~s"
Her Highness Princess Hertrude came in front of me and put her hands on her hips.
"Nice to meet you, Leon. So, what are you going to do for fun?"
After looking at Her Highness Princess Hertrude, her eyes shining with anticipation, I turned my attention to my grandfather.
When I send a protesting glance at him, saying that I didn't hear this stuff, the old man opens his mouth.
"I'm sure your body will break down if you are always in rigorous training. Since it is your day off, you can be the playmate of the princesses."
Does that mean you want me to spend my precious day off to entertain the princesses?
The old man ignores my reproachful look and tries to leave the room, saying that his business is finished.
"Then, Princesses, please take care of Leon.''
He finished his greeting with a smile he never showed me and left the room.
As I was stunned, Her Highness Princess Hertrauda grabbed my right hand.
"Come on, let's play.''
Her Highness Princess Hertrude had a troubled look on her face.
"Rauda! You were too excited since earlier!''
"Even one-sama was nervous all morning!''
The two sisters were about to start a fight in front of me, so I had no choice but to play with them.
——However, I will complain to the old man when he gets back.
◇
Several months have passed since Leon and the sisters were introduced to each other.
When Bandel shows up at the royal castle, his stern face relaxes a little when he sees the three of them playing in the courtyard.
(I guess It was the right decision to adopt him.)
Just seeing the princesses having fun and playing together made him feel that it was the right decision to take Leon in.
Some people around him said that his status was too suspicious to allow him to play with the princesses, but that was Leon, who had obtained the Lost Item.
Bandel trumped all other opinions by saying that it would not hurt to have him interact with the princesses now in order to make him more useful to the Principality in the future.
In fact, that is how attractive the performance of Brave——Kuro was to the Principality's military.
While watching over the children at a distance, Gerat comes.
Gerat looks toward the courtyard and seems to find Leon's presence disgusting.
His greeting to Bandel also contains a thorn.
"I see that he is playing with the princesses today as well. Do you really intend to raise him to be the successor to the Black Knight?"
Why don't you let him train instead of playing around all the time? Bandel crossed his arms, knowing what he meant.
For some reason, he doesn't get along with this Gerat.
Still, since they were of the same faction, Bandel could not ignore him either.
"He needs a break from his rigorous training. Besides, the princesses will be happy to have Leon with them."
Gerat stroked his proud mustache and looked at the young children who were playing with a disgruntled look in his eyes.
"Normally, it should be the more noble children who surround the princesses."
"——You guys are the ones who are hindering the other factions to stay away from them."
There are children of high-ranking nobles in the principality, but Gerat and his group are the ones who are preventing Hertrude and others from having them play with them.
"It's not easy to tell a lot of things to little children. Those two have a role as important as the role of carrying the country on their shoulders."
The royal family of the Principality of Fanose had a very important role to play.
There is a Lost Item called the Magic Flute, which is a tool that summons a giant monster.
Whether attacking or defending, that huge monster is useful.
It was the trump card of the Principality of Fanose.
Nowadays, only princesses who were members of the royal family could use such a magic flute.
This is the result of a combination of problems that began with a dispute over the succession to the throne that occurred two generations ago, and the previous ruler was unable to find a successor for a long time.
For that reason, Gerat and his group were sensitive about the education of the princesses.
He was worried that the children, who knew nothing about the subject, would gain unnecessary knowledge about it from them.
Bandel looks at the courtyard.
"Even if there was no magic flute, the kingdom could be destroyed at any time.''
Although Gerat is taken aback by Bandel's forceful opinion, he responds with flattery.
"Even if the Black Knight-dono does not lose, we do not stand a chance against them given the huge gap in power between the two countries.''
Even if Bandel wins alone, the war cannot be won.
Bandel was tormented by the problem of national power, a problem that he could not handle alone, and he was unable to achieve his goal.
"What an annoying thing."
"I agree. ——Oya?''
Gerat noticed something strange in the courtyard.
At first he looked relaxed, but his cheeks gradually tightened.
Bandel also opened his eyes when he saw the scene taking place in the courtyard.
"What are you doing, Leon!''
The reason Bandel shouted was because Hertrauda was desperately trying to get Leon's pants off.
To which Leon protested with resistance.
"Stop! Take your hands off my pants!"
"No! Let me see! There's something weird attached, right? Show it to us too!!"
Hertrauda, who wants to see Leon's crotch, is a young child and probably doesn't understand anything.
Leon is more impatient.
Then, Leon asks Hertrude for help.
"You've got to help me too!''
"——What do you intend to make me, a lady, do? Why don't you protect your own pants.''
Hertrude, who is hiding her face with her hands, probably intends not to be interested in Leon's crotch.
But through the gap between her fingers, the red eyes can be seen.
Hertrude was also interested.
Leon's face turns red.
"You can't say that while you're staring at me? Rauda, you should stop too! You'll have a past you don't want to remember in the future. If you stop here, there's still less damage you'll suffer!"
He suggested that when they grow up and remember the past, their current memories could be embarrassing.
However, it seems that it was difficult for Hertrauda to imagine a future at her age.
"I want to know what's in it!''
When Hertrauda tries to remove Leon's pants out of curiosity, the maids around her rush to separate them.
Hertrauda's resistance was stronger than expected, and his pants came off in the spur of the moment when those around him forcefully pulled them apart.
Leon, whose pants have also come off, lets out a high-pitched voice.
"Kyaaaaa!!''
◇
"I'm no longer able to be married.''
In the carriage from the royal castle back to the mansion, I muttered something like that with my knees in my arms, to which the old man coldly replied.
"You are my adopted son, so you won't be taken as a groom, but one who will take a bride.''
"Thank you for your cool reply. But what I just said was sarcasm toward the shitty old man who put me in charge of taking care of all those naughty princesses.''
When I honestly told him how I felt, the old man looked at me and snickered.
"Since when you have become a good talker''
From the point of view of the old man, who seems to be a military man, I must seem rather a good talker.
However, the old man looked slightly happy.
"——The princesses have been laughing a lot lately. I'm glad I recommended you as a playmate."
"You just pushed trouble on me, didn't you, old man?"
"Don't you feel sorry for the princesses if they have to play with that shitty old man that you refer to? Besides, it's healthier to play with other children of the same age.''
"Why don't you just get someone else to play with them? I'm a guy, so having a girl would definitely be better."
The old man crosses his arms and closes his eyes.
That's how he behaves when he's hiding something.
"The world is more complicated than you think, and it operates for reasons beyond your control. That's why you don't see children your age around the princesses.''
It seems like he's not convinced, but even the old man can't do anything about it.
I guess it was all he could manage to keep from screwing me over.
It seems that even a hero who represents the country has circumstances that are out of his control.
We remained silent for a few minutes, and I couldn't take it anymore, so I made a joke.
"If so, then cut down the training time. I'll play more so those two won't be lonely."
When I asked him to shorten the training time, the old man's eyebrows furrowed in a stern expression.
"You fool! You will eventually become a splendid knight and contribute to the Principality by fighting. And now you want me to reduce your training hours to deal with the princesses? Isn't that putting the cart before the horse!"
This old man, why can't he take a joke?
People change, especially when it comes to training.
"I was just making a joke because I can't stand the atmosphere here!"
"N-No, now you have wicked feelings for the princesses. It is a shameful act for a vassal to have ulterior motives toward the princesses! When we return to the mansion today, I will thoroughly rehabilitate you!''
"It's troublesome to have a shitty old man who can't take jokes!''
"Don't get carried away, you shitty brat!''
We cursed at each other in the carriage and then went back to the mansion and the old man beat the hell out of me.
——I will definitely revenge on you someday, remember that.
