Chapter 29
A frigid land where it's difficult for people to live.
The surrounding forests have been cleared to expand residential areas, forming the town of Taurus centered around Ransheen Fortress.
The towering city walls, with their double structure of outer and inner barriers, encircle the town to prepare for sudden attacks. However, the western side, where the Kingdom of Srelan is located, has specially designed walls with particularly thorough defensive measures compared to other sections.
Passing through the gate, you first notice the tall watchtowers placed in all directions, followed by Ransheen Fortress standing deep within the town. Most of the streets leading to the fortress are lined with shops and blacksmiths selling weapons and armor, while the central plaza is flanked by eateries, general stores, clothing shops, and accessory vendors. In the residential areas down the alleys, there are fields, livestock sheds, and watermill-powered mills.
Those who work at the fortress, their families, retired individuals, and even former soldiers from other regions who admire Marshal Fildé Rotish gather in Taurus after retirement. Despite being a frontier land, Taurus continues to develop, boasts remarkably good public safety, is considered a vital stronghold of the nation, and is exempt from taxes.
With self-sufficiency and the blessings of the lush, abundant forest, even if supply lines were cut off, the fortress wouldn't fall easily.
Looking only at the town itself, it seems like a very livable place, but this is the frontline closest to enemy territory.
To prevent children who haven't yet reached adulthood from carelessly venturing outside the town, they are told bedtime stories from a young age about "savage raptors coming from the west when the veil of night falls." Growing up witnessing the brutality of frequent battles, the children here mature early.
While I'm impressed by children my age or younger than Rudo and me arranging goods at stalls or sweeping in front of shops, Renato, who is excitedly looking around and exclaiming "Amazing......!" seems so adorable that my cheeks can't help but soften.
For Renato, who has never left the Royal Capital before, life at Ransheen Fortress and shopping in this town must feel like a grand adventure.
"The sword at the shop earlier was light, but was it made of iron?"
"It's difficult to maintain strength while reducing weight...... but they might have managed it here."
"I see...... If it's a technique unique to this town, then the price makes sense."
"Shall we buy it?"
"Please do."
Unlike my younger brother whose eyes are sparkling, my older brother is constantly talking about weapon materials and prices with Altried, who walks behind us.
Rudo mentioned that this is his first time walking through Taurus, but since he has toured towns as the Crown Prince with escorts before, he seems composed.
——Even so......
"Just one guard?"
(The Crown Prince and the Second Prince, no less......) I swallow the rest of my words, but perhaps sensing my thoughts, a reply comes back, "It's not just one, is it?"
"Inside the fortress, Altried is the only guard, but in Taurus, there are others who escorted us on the way here waiting on standby. They must have been informed of my presence in the town, so they're likely mixed in with the civilians everywhere. Besides, this is Taurus, of all places. No fool would dare plan an attack here, right?"
"That's true, but...... my stomach feels like it's going to get a hole in it."
"There's no need to be so nervous. Guards are stationed close by, so everything will be fine."
I can't help but feel tense since I don't know who these guards are or how many there are.
Realizing that Rudo and Altried aren't tense at all, I tighten my grip on Renato's hand.
The hand-drawn map on the paper didn't indicate what kind of shop it was, but it seems the destination is a clothing store in the central plaza.
"That's why I said just daily necessities and a sword wouldn't be enough......"
"......Yes."
Standing in front of a building noticeably larger than the surrounding shops, I'm scolded by Rudo as I look at the items displayed through the glass, and I hang my head.
"But Grandfather......" I grumble in dissatisfaction, but the three of them quickly head inside the store without paying attention to me.
Dragged by Renato, I step into the store and see uniforms, armbands, and accessories on display...... and I get incredibly excited.
There are uniforms like the ones Grandfather and Uncle Ruget usually wear, as well as the black jacket and pure white slacks that Rona pulls off so well.
Beyond that, there are outfits that are entirely white with black trim, others in a pale aqua color, and military caps at the edge that might be used for ceremonies...... they're all so wonderful and cool.
Wandering this way and that, drawn to the uniforms as if magnetized, I make my way to the uniforms displayed to be visible from outside the store.
A seemingly plain and simple uniform is adorned with a decorative cord called an aiguillette hanging from one shoulder across the front, woven with gold thread, and covered with so many silver badges on the chest that they obscure it.
A military cap placed at the foot and a slender sword with an ornate hilt further enhance this uniform, making it impossible to look away.
What rank would one need to reach to wear something like this?
Colonel...... no, perhaps Marshal......?
"......Celes!"
"Hya!?"
I let out a weird sound in surprise......
Curling the fingers I had been reaching toward the uniform, I hurriedly turn around to see Rudo with an exasperated expression and an older woman smiling at me.
"I'm sorry. I got carried away."
"Hehe, it's fine. Are you a student from the military school? Did you come to buy something you're missing?"
"No, Grandfather told me to come here, but......"
There's nothing else written on the paper besides the map.
I was told to go shopping, but since I don't know what to buy, there's no point.
"Grandfather...... could it be you're referring to Marshal Fildé Rotish?"
"Yes! Do you know him? I was told to go shopping, but I don't know what to buy......"
"My, my...... he's the same as ever. Are you his grandchild?"
"I'm his granddaughter, Celestia Rotisch."
I bow my head lightly in greeting, but for some reason, the woman looks between me and Rudo with wide eyes and says in surprise, "You're a girl......"
A white shirt and slim trousers. Though my long hair is tied up in one bundle, it shouldn't be so easy to mistake my gender......
"It's the height......"
"It's probably the height."
Rudo and I exchange glances and nod, lamenting the rapid growth in height over the past few years.
"I'm sorry...... Your face is so beautiful that I couldn't tell."
"It's fine."
"Marshal Rotish placed an order for his grandchild's measurements. Girls need to have their uniforms measured before entering school. Come on, this way."
"Ah, yes."
"The other children have already finished their measurements. It's just you and one more left. Come now, take off your clothes here."
Urged by the woman, I head to the back of the store, to a spot with a full-length mirror partitioned by cloth, and undress.
The body reflected in the mirror is completely different from three years ago. My once thin limbs and flat stomach now have muscle, and my chest...... well, I think it's decently there.
During the measurement, she touches my muscles and praises me, saying, "The Marshal's grandchild is something else," but I definitely don't aim to be like that......
"Your limbs are long, so there's no need to hem anything."
"It feels a bit long, though......"
"You're still in your growth spurt, right? That length will soon be just right."
"Growth spurt......"
Imagining my future self, I shiver as I return to the store and stand next to Altried, who is at the counter, quietly looking up at him.
If my height keeps growing, I might surpass Altried......
"Is something wrong?"
"......Altried, you're on the tall side, aren't you?"
"I suppose so. Among knights, I'm considered tall."
"I see......"
Being tall should be more convenient than being short in many ways......
Telling myself that, I hang my head at the counter when a cute voice saying, "Wow......" comes from right beside me, and I slowly turn my face.
"Amazing...... like a prince......"
A girl with shining eyes, covering her mouth with both hands.
For a moment, I thought Rudo and the others' identities had been exposed, but it seems that's not the case......
Because the person this girl is staring at intently is me.