Chapter 77: Reason for Trying


    I and Lize-aneue along with the cavalry regiment marched at full speed toward the South. We marched all night but we still couldnt catch up with Jurgen.


    The path of light was constructed by fixing special glowing stones on poles along the road. They will appear as normal stones in the daytime and start glowing at night. These stones are not particrly expensive. A child can even find one on a mountain.


    However, the ridiculous thing here is its sheer amount of number.


    I heard that it is still unfinished but how far will this road going to extend.


    To think that he was able to do this much without any help from the Empire.


    Jurgen has many ties with the merchants after all. He was also in a cooperative rtionship with Eric until recently as well. That should help him quite a lot.


    What a scary person.


    He even made use of Eric?


    But as a duke, he still isnt considered to be involved in the session war.


    Certainly, he has connections with merchants under Eric. He must have chosen Erics faction because it is the most prominent one. However, that might not be his main reason


    Gordon is not hostile to me so far but if I show a sign that I want to be a candidate myself, he will surely get in conflict with me. I shouldnt have to say anything about Zandra at this point. Thats why Jurgen chose to contact Eric. The person himself told me this so theres no doubt about that.


    He always gives his priority to Aneue isnt he.


    I only told him to do what he likes. Its not like Im asking him to do anything.


    Aneue mutters as she rides on her horse.


    Her face looks a little displeased. It seems she doesnt like him making her worried like this.


    Eric-aniue must also understand his aim and went along with it. This road will greatly benefit the Empire once it finishes after all.


    Jurgen is meticulous after all. He will probably sell it to the country to make some profitter.


    That sounds like him.


    Even if his stance is one that prioritizes Aneues benefit, he will still take everything he can. He must have several ns in the work already as well.


    As I thought, hes a scary person.


    We were saved because he fell in love with you Aneue.


    What do you mean?


    If he didnt fall in love with you, he would have objectively looked at the situation and joined the session war based on that. He will surely be quite a troublesome opponent. He has money and connections everywhere. It would surely be a headache if we have him as our enemy.


    Yeah, Jurgen is certainly excellent. He would be quite a troublesome opponent if he became an enemy.


    It would be disastrous if he fell in love with Zandra-aneue dont you think.


    Dont look down on Jurgen. Even if hes like that, hes still the man who fell in love with me alright? Theres no way that he would be deceived by the likes of Zandra.


    For some reason, her tone was slightly angry.


    With my eyes round, I turn my eyes to the Regiment Leader running slightly behind us


    He smiled and gave me a small nod.


    So this is that huh.


    Aneue


    What?


    Hmm, never mind. Saying it out loud would still be useless after all.


    Did you just speak fondly of him without knowing? I was about to say that but I swallowed it down.


    She would just deny it after all.


    Well, she didnt look like it on the surface but,


    Its true that Aneue has acknowledged Jurgen.


    While having that thought, there is a light flickering in front of us.


    Soldiers over there! We have prepared food for you! Please have them on your way!


    Saying so the vigers hand portable food packages to the soldiers.


    Aneue and I stopped there but the Regiment Leader took one and immediately set off.


    Excuse me! Who told you to do this!?


    N? What? Nii-san, havent you heard?


    Said the old woman as she handed me water and portable food.


    Then.


    Its the Duke you know. He said that there will be soldiers following behind him so he asked us to prepare food for them when they get here. When he constructed this road he went out of his way and made this space for us you know. He asked us to make something that the soldier can eat while they march.


    I see.


    Hey! Ms.Beauty over there, have some too!


    Saying so the old woman pushes the portable food on to Aneue.


    Aneue obediently receives it and looks around.


    The cavalry regiment has been marching all night so they were tired. However, their expression looks better now that they receive food and kind words from the vigers.


    Its because of Jurgens consideration.


    .I dly ept it. How much do I own you?


    Dont worry about that! The Duke gives money to the vige every month. He wont listen when we tell him that we dont need that much money either. He only told us to take good care of people who travel on this road. Still, you guys are the first group of people we saw you know. You are following after Duke-sama, right? If you catch up to him please thank him for us alright.


    I see..understood. I will definitely tell him that.


    Saying so, Aneue got up on her horse and took off.


    As I follow her, I open the bag containing the food.


    There was a cookie inside.


    Aneue loves her sweets after all.


    Shut up. All soldiers are more or less like the sweets alright. You cant find it at the front line after all. This should energize them quite well.


    What about you Aneue?


    Dont be stupid. Im not tired from the start.


    Saying so, Aneue gradually raises the speed of her horse.


    Its Jurgen we are talking about, he must have made ces for the horses to rest along the way as well.


    I see, I see.


    He really loves my sister huh.


    Saying so, I followed after her.


    Noon of the next day.


    The fatigue of the regiment is about to reach their limit.


    The path of light was over and a little earlier they have found recently defeated monsters carcasses.


    This one is still new.


    We are already close huh.


    The closer we are to Jurgen the more monsters it will be.


    When constructing this road he must have someone exterminate the monsters along the path already. In the first ce, monsters wont approach strange sources of light like this road since they are very cautious. He should already have other countermeasures in ce as well.


    However, thepleted path has already stopped.


    Still, we have already arrived in the South. We dont know where exactly Leo is but it is only a matter of time before we meet up with him.


    I was thinking about that when I heard the sound of battle a little ahead.


    It seems to be Duke Reinfelds group.


    Yeah.


    Thats cold.


    Her expression hasnt changed but she quickened her pace by kicking the horses side.


    She must be quite worried.


    My Lord..! We cant hold them much longer!


    Those who are injured fall back!


    The voice that I got used to recently echoes.


    Looking at the source of that voice, Jurgen and his men are facing a big bear-shaped monster a distance away from the road.


    Double Headed Bear. An A rank monster. However, one of its signature characteristic twin heads was already crushed.


    Still, it seems that it is going on a rampage. There are several small monsters around them as well.


    Jurgen and his knights who have defeated monsters along the way here are struggling with this group of monsters as their movements are sluggish from their fatigue.


    The Double Headed Bear uses its ws to attack Jurgen.


    Jurgen defended against it with his halberd but he was sent flying.


    Jurgen!


    Without realizing, Aneue called out his name.


    She then tried to run toward him but once Jurgen stood up and saw her he shouted back.


    Theres no need to help me! Please go on ahead!


    Dont be unreasonable! Leave the rest to my subordinates.


    If you still have energy left then please use it at the South! Please leave this ce to us!


    That being said, there are only a few knights around Jurgen.


    Perhaps he wanted to lessen our burden so he split up his group to cover more areas.


    Aneue ignores Jurgens words and tries to order her subordinates to defeat the bear for him but Jurgen stops her with his ogre-like stare.


    Please do not underestimate us! I and my knights are at least good enough to pave the way for you!


    Enough already! You have already done enough!


    Please dont mind us and go on ahead! Why did youe all this way!? You are here because something is happening in the South, arent you!? There are people waiting for you there! Please hurry up and go!!


    Saying so, Jurgen charges toward the Double-Headed Bear and seals its movement.


    Seeing that, the Regiment Leader ordered his men to advance.


    Regiment Leader!


    Please forgive me. It is as the Duke says. We have to hurry.


    Saying so, the Regiment Leader excuses himself and hurries to the front.


    Still, Aneue doesnt move.


    Jurgenwhy did you go that far? You already did enough, you have already done enough to support me. You dont have to go that far anymore..you are not the type to be fighting like this.


    That must have been the question she had for a long time.


    In reply to that, Jurgen gets into apetition of power with the bear.


    Its simple! I just want to look good!


    It was a blunt reply.


    However, that might just be what Jurgen would do.


    Jurgen is certainly a merchant type. He doesnt need to go out of his way to the front and fight the monsters himself. This might be his own foolishness.


    But.


    I just want to look cool in front of the person I love.! I want to look like a dependable man in front of you! Is there any other reason why a man would train his body..!?


    Whats with that


    A man is such a creature! It doesnt matter if its stupid! I just train myself to look cool in front of you!!


    Jurgen shouts and pushes the Double-Headed Bear back.


    The bear was getting afraid of the sudden burst in Jurgens power.


    Jurgen did not miss that chance and splendidly send the bears remaining head flying with his halberd.


    YEAHHHHHH!!!!


    The Duke did it! Charges!


    HAAAAAAAA!!


    WOAAAAHHHHH!!


    The Knights revive as Jurgen raises his halberd up and shouts in a loud voice.


    I lightly nced at my sister and she still looked worried.


    Good. it seems she hasnt noticed.


    It might be unnecessary but I did help him a little bit.


    I deployed a fatigue recovery barrier for them but thats it.


    Its still a mystery how Jurgen pushed back that bear as the barrier doesnt enhance his strength.


    At best he would have the same amount of strength he originally has. Right now, if someone were to say that it was a power of love, I would surely believe him.


    He looks alright isnt he?


    ..


    Haa..I will stay with him. If I am with him then wont he be able to push himself anymore so please dont worry about him.


    Are you sure?


    I am already tired and when I think about it I wouldnt be able to do anything even if Im there with you after all. Please take care of Leo for me.


    I seeunderstood. Leave Leo to me. And dont push yourself down too much. You have been able to follow our forced march so far havent you.. You have grown up well. Both in mind and body. I will leave Jurgen in your care alright?


    Please leave him to me. Hes my future brother-inw after all.


    I havent decided that yet.


    Really? I thought that he looked very cool earlier though.


    Dont look down on him. If its Jurgen then he should be able to do that much already.


    Saying, Aneue runs off with her horse.


    When her figure disappeared, Jurgen and his knights also finished with the monsters as well. However, maybe it was because I removed the barrier, everyone fell down to their knees.


    Now, lets take them back to a safe ce.


    These people really are hard to take care of.


    Muttering such a thing, I drive my horse toward Jurgen.