The Mysterious Child: An Adventure Tale Beginning with Numerology

War is about to begin.

Despite being told this, it still didn't feel real to me.

For now, our quest was over, and we had returned to the mansion. The sun had already set, so I wanted to start dinner right away.

As we were all enjoying Punisuke's cooking, Nagi, who was unfamiliar with human history, voiced a question.

"I just wondered, why is the Maguu Empire invading Stoania? Isn't this a fight between Mataisa and Maguu?"

"It's a matter of geography and history," Saaya answered.

"You see, the Stoania Kingdom was originally part of the Maguu Empire's territory. Long ago, it was cut off by a disaster, and about a thousand years ago, it tried to become an independent nation. The Mataisa Kingdom, which supported this, and the Maguu Empire, which tried to reclaim the territory, apparently fought various battles in the Stoania region for about 200 years. That period is called the Stoania Independence War era."

"So, is the Maguu Empire trying to reclaim its territory?" Nagi asked.

"No, I think that's unlikely. Even if they could reclaim it, it would be difficult to maintain."

"But they are actually directing troops towards Stoania."

"That's why Mataisa is troubled, because they can't pinpoint their aim."

Saaya crossed her arms with a serious expression.

I'm not good at reading these kinds of political motives, so I just listened quietly. Besides, the food was delicious.

"Even if they're sending troops, you said they're advancing using monsters. If this is a war, isn't this not the main force?" Nagi asked.

"That's right. So that's probably a decoy. Luney Trading Company and the royal family probably anticipate this much... but still, they can't not send reinforcements to Stoania. They're allied nations after all."

"Then, is the main force heading towards Mataisa? In this situation, Mataisa, having sent reinforcements, would have its capital quite vulnerable. If they attack the capital now..."

"But you see, that's the question. Originally, to go from the Maguu Empire to Mataisa, the only route is through the Katedra Mountains. The Katedra Mountains also form the border with Stoania, so it's impossible to send an army without being noticed by surveillance."

"What about the sea route? Both countries face the sea on the east side."

"That's even more impossible. The 'Calamity Island' is in the eastern sea. It would be more likely for them to send troops over the mountains than that."

"Neither is realistic?"

"That's right. To begin with, I don't think they're seriously trying to start a war as an armed conflict. Geographically, the attacker is at an overwhelming disadvantage."

Nagi and Saaya were deep in thought.

Meanwhile, next to them, Seori, who couldn't follow the conversation, Elen, who wasn't interested in national affairs, and Punisuke were elegantly enjoying their meal just like me.

"Also, the Maguu Empire must be wary of Luney Trading Company's information network. They can't make noticeable preparations, so they shouldn't be making such flashy moves as directly sending troops. If they're going to make a move on the capital, they might use some other method."

"Perhaps an assassination of the king?"

"That's a possibility too. But with this tight security, it might be harder to make a move. Assassinations have a higher success rate when there's no commotion. So I don't think it's a direct assassination plan."

"If that's the case, what other methods are there?"

"Well... For example, setting something up in the castle to hold the royal family's lives hostage?"

"But what would that accomplish? It would still end up in war. There must be a clearer objective."

"You're right... That's why everyone's on the back foot. Both Luney Trading Company and the royal family."

The Maguu Empire's aim, huh? If we knew that, we wouldn't be struggling so much.

But it might be something surprisingly simple. Like wanting to steal a lover, for example.

Honestly, there's nothing I want badly enough to go to such lengths. Having such deep attachment that you'd pay any price to obtain something means having an equally strong love.

I still can't empathize with such emotions.

"Paying any price, huh..."

Come to think of it, Saturn had been doing that for a thousand years for Roze's sake.

Nagi, too, followed those emotions to achieve her revenge.

Regardless of the method, I've experienced firsthand the threat of those who pursue their goals with ruthless determination. The Maguu Empire's actions certainly felt similar to that.

"If we at least knew what kind of person the emperor is, we might be able to imagine," Saaya said.

"Indeed," Nagi agreed.

...The emperor, huh?

All I know is that he's a man in his forties. He's said to be quite strong as an individual, charismatic, and has reigned as emperor for twenty years.

Maybe for the first time, I'm curious about what kind of person the emperor is.

The darkness of the empire that even Luney Trading Company can't penetrate. The charismatic king who rules over it.

I wonder what kind of person he is.

■ ■ ■ ■ ■

"Hurry! We've sent messengers to replenish supplies in the towns along the way! Focus on moving as quickly as possible for now!"

The knight barracks in the Mataisa royal capital were busier than ever before in history.

The Maguu Empire's assassins who suddenly attacked. The betrayals among the royal family's personal knight orders due to mind control. The court officials moving slowly, trying to protect their own interests without taking responsibility.

And amidst all this, information came in that the Maguu Empire was marching towards Stoania.

Of course, as the knight order, they couldn't not move troops.

Under the instructions of the Knight Commander, the deployment of the Third Knight Order was decided. Accompanying them are temporary troops from nobles and commoners. They're clearly short-handed, opening the national treasury to hire mercenaries and adventurers as well.

"Gavin, you're on standby. No matter what orders come after this, don't leave Princess Maple's side. We don't know where the empire's spies might have infiltrated."

"Yes, Father!"

Gavin saluted his father and immediately headed for Maple's private chambers.

Half of the First Knight Order had already advanced to Stoania. The only force left to protect this capital is the Second Knight Order commanded by his father. To be honest, it's quite a small force to defend the capital.

It's clearly a trap to thin out the capital's defenses by sending reinforcements to Stoania. But they can't ignore it either.

"Damn it!"

They know they're being played, but there's no other way to respond. The castle's magical defenses have been strengthened more than ever by Cardel and the court magicians, but while this can prevent the use of magic, it can't prevent physical intrusion.

To protect Maple, Gavin can't leave her side.

Due to the recent kidnapping, not just Maple but all the royals have been ordered to stay in their residential areas until the alert is lifted.

Gavin, who had arrived at Maple's private room, narrowed his eyes as he gazed at the bustling town below from the window.

He hoped this chaos would settle soon...

"Gavin... What's going to happen from here on?"

"Don't worry, Princess. No matter what happens, we'll protect you."

Maple looked up at Gavin, clutching her clothes anxiously.

He gently patted her head.

Usually, her personal maid would scold, "That's disrespectful!" but she seemed too preoccupied to notice. The three of them gazed at the noisy scene outside the window, trying to keep their spirits up despite feeling crushed by anxiety.

As the sun set, the commotion in the town settled down a bit.

"Excuse me. Your Highness, it's time for your meal."

As it's an emergency, the royals have been instructed to take their meals in their rooms to avoid gathering in one place. Gavin watched intently as Maple ate the dinner that had been brought.

He clenched his fist, remembering how she had been happily eating with everyone at Ruruk's mansion this morning.

Gavin hated the Maguu Empire for taking away his lord's smile.

After the meal, Gavin was sent out of the room.

Maple was wiping her body in the room. While guarding in the corridor, Gavin felt sorry that she couldn't go to the bathhouse.

As it was getting close to bedtime,

"Excuse me, Princess. Gavin, it's time to switch."

A senior female knight, also a personal guard, knocked on the door.

Maple has three personal guard knights, and except for Gavin, they're all women. It's unusual to have a male personal guard in the first place, so Gavin's presence here is the odd one out.

"Understood. Then, Princess, I'll take my leave."

"G-Gavin..."

"Please don't look so anxious. I'll be on standby in the next room."

Gavin didn't want to leave either.

But he couldn't imagine any traitors among this group. They were comrades who had sworn loyalty to Maple just as much as he had.

"Then, excuse m--"

"A message!"

A messenger servant shouted from outside the door.

"Emergency! A stampede has occurred in the dungeon! I repeat! A stampede has occurred in the dungeon!"

At the same time as those words, the warning bell on the castle's outer wall rang loudly.

Maple jumped off the bed and rushed to the window. Gavin and the others also looked out the window.

Magic was already flying in the direction of the dungeon.

The female knight who was supposed to take over widened her eyes and muttered.

"A stampede..."

"Princess, to the evacuation passage immediately!"

"U-Understood!"

Gavin grabbed Maple's hand without hesitation.

A monster overflow.

It's a phenomenon where monsters spill out from the dungeon.

It's a kind of natural disaster that occurs when too much magical power accumulates in a dungeon. It hadn't happened in this capital's dungeon for several hundred years, so it wasn't surprising that it could happen at any time.

"W-Why now of all times!"

The female knight cried out. She was looking at the town worriedly.

She probably has family in the castle town.

But there's no time to be dazed.

"Let's go, senior!"

"A-Ah, right!"

"Princess, excuse me for a moment!"

Gavin picked up Maple and dashed into the corridor.

Noticing that the screams and sounds of battle from outside the window were gradually getting louder, Gavin focused solely on protecting his small lord as he headed towards the hidden passage underground.