File 03- Our Last Crusade or the Turbulent Hallowen Party
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The witch’s paradise—also known as the Nebulis Sovereignty.
The Nebulis Palace.
“No more! I can’t do this anymore!” Alice yelled in front of the mountains of paperwork. “It’s been a whole week straight of this. It feels like my entire job is sitting in my study and signing my name! It’s so boring that I’m groggy, and my back and buttocks hurt from sitting for so long!”
Aliceliese Lou Nebulis. She was the Sovereignty’s second princess, and her brilliant golden hair complemented her charming features. Despite her gorgeous appearance, she was currently wailing and on the verge of tears.
“Look at this, Rin! I’ve held this pen for so long that my fingers are red and swollen!”
“Signing documents is one of your duties as a princess,” her attendant, Rin, said bluntly. She was also Alice’s guard.
“Say, Rin, don’t you feel sorry that a young girl like me is suffering from stiff shoulders and back pain?”
“Not at all.”
“Well, you should! At least let me take a break. I want to stretch my wings outside the palace. Let’s go out somewhere!”
“All right,” Rin said. “I’ll make the arrangements.”
“I knew it, you’d never allow it. All right, all right. You don’t need to tell me…wait?” Alice’s eyes went wide, and her eyelashes fluttered once she’d processed Rin’s unexpected reply. “Rin, what did you…?”
“If you would like to go on an outing, then I shall make the arrangements. I think I know something quite suitable.”
“Suitable for me?” Alice confirmed.
“We can go to a carnival.”
Rin pulled out a schedule book, checking Princess Alice’s official appearances.
“It’s somewhat similar to Halloween,” Rin continued. “Sightseers from all over dress up and participate in a parade at a carnival.”
“Where is it?”
“Do you know of the city-state of Bachils?”
“Aren’t they aligned with the Empire?!” Alice asked, unintentionally raising her voice. The Empire was one of the two global superpowers, and it was locked in an ongoing war with the Sovereignty. Its citizens called those like Alice witches, in a derogatory sense.
The nation Rin had mentioned was affiliated with the Empire.
“Bachils is a small country that derives most of its income from tourism. They’ll be holding a carnival next week.”
“But, Rin, an enemy state would be much too dangerous to visit, even during a time of revelry.”
Since Bachils was a tourist country, it would likely have lax immigration checks. However, if anyone found out Alice was a witch princess, she would doubtlessly be attacked. She could even run into Imperial soldiers there.
“Rest assured that our only goal is to participate in the carnival.”
“So we’re not going there to fight?”
“That’s right, we’re not. A large number of sightseers will be dressing up at the carnival for the parade. Since our faces will be obscured, we will be able to walk through the city in the open. It’s perfect for observing the enemy.”
“Oh, I see. You’re right.”
It was an important task in its own way. They would participate in the enemy’s carnival and observe them. Whatever the case, Alice preferred it to being cooped up in her study.
“What will we wear to it?”
“You can rent outfits at the location. I will prepare costumes for both of us. Do you have any requests?”
“Since we’re dressing up, I’d like something flashy.”
As long as Alice’s face was covered, no one would know she was a Sovereignty princess.
But there was something that bothered her.
“Say, Rin, Bachils is still affiliated with an enemy. Do you think the Imperial forces will be there, too?”
“Even if they are, there will only be a few representatives. The chances of coming across them at a costume carnival are low.”
“Do you think Iska will be there as well?”
“Excuse me? Lady Alice, what was that?”
“N-no, nothing!”
She had accidentally said the name of a swordsman who was part of the Imperial forces.
Iska, the Saint Disciple. He was the only person Alice had ever fought to a draw in the battlefield—and he was her rival. She had decided they would settle things someday.
“Will Iska be dispatched there, too?” She stared out the window as she murmured to herself.
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