The Youngest Daughter Of The Great Wizard Of The Famous Swordsmanship [EN]: Chapter 170

170. Ominous News (2)

April 18, 2024

‘Daniel is hurt?’

Rosette reread the letter carefully to understand the details.

Despite his subordinates’ advice to remain in a safe area, Daniel Adrian took up his sword and led from the front. As one bearing the name of Adrian, he couldn’t hide in the rear, he reasoned.

Contrary to expectations, Daniel mercilessly eliminated the monsters. Some even predicted that Daniel would reach the realm of Master [a high level of swordsmanship or magical ability] after this subjugation.

As Daniel took the initiative, the knights’ morale soared. They actively participated in the subjugation, declaring they couldn’t hold back when the heir of Adrian was leading the charge.

It seemed the subjugation would end smoothly. However, strangely, the monsters that appeared this time were not only more numerous than before but also exhibited different behaviors and attack methods.

Monsters were originally individualistic beings. Lacking intelligence, they rarely moved in groups.

But the monsters that appeared this time were behaving as if they possessed intelligence. They moved in packs and seemed to use tools or strategically coordinate their attacks on the subjugation force.

Joshua found the sudden evolution of the monsters surprisingly strange.

But more important than anything else was the news about Daniel written at the very end.

The day before Joshua wrote this letter, Daniel, leading from the front, skillfully evaded the monsters’ attacks and subjugated them.

Suddenly, a weapon resembling an arrow flew from a distance. Daniel quickly dodged, but the sharp projectile slightly grazed his thigh.

It was just a slight scratch, so neither Daniel nor the people around him paid much attention to it.

However, from that night, the affected area began to swell, and Daniel also developed a fever. The military doctor examined him, but the medicine he had brought showed no improvement, the letter said.

Considering the time it took for the letter to travel from the North to the capital, it had already been several days since Daniel was injured. There was no way to know whether Daniel had recovered during those days or if his condition had worsened.

‘Of all places, it had to be his leg.’

Daniel’s old self, whom she thought she had completely forgotten, resurfaced in her mind.

Daniel, who limped because of the carriage accident. He used to walk with a cane, and of course, he couldn’t wield a sword.

Thinking of her eldest brother, who was somewhat cynical and prickly due to his physical discomfort, made her chest heavy.

‘We barely made it.’

She thought Daniel had only a bright future ahead of him. She imagined he would marry Ines, have beautiful children, and build a happy family.

Rosette took a few deep breaths to calm her pounding heart. Then she went straight into Duke Adrian’s office.

“Father.”

The Duke was reading a document, presumably a telegram from the North. His expression was grave, as if he had received the same news from Joshua as Rosette.

He was so serious that he didn’t even look at Rosette when she entered. It wasn’t that he didn’t notice her presence, but it seemed he didn’t have the capacity [mental or emotional space] to react.

Rosette spoke again.

“I heard Daniel is hurt.”

Only then did Duke Adrian frown slightly and look up.

“How did you find out about that?”

He quickly realized the answer himself, seeing the letter in her hand.

“It seems His Highness Joshua sent a letter.”

“Yes.”

Rosette pulled up a chair and sat down in front of the Duke’s desk.

“What did His Highness say?”

“It’s probably similar to the message Father received. The monsters’ attack patterns have changed, and Daniel was injured by a long-range attack they had never used before. They are looking for a cure, but they hadn’t found it yet when they sent the letter.”

“I see.”

Duke Adrian rubbed his forehead.

“His Highness shouldn’t have told you such things.”

“It’s not unnecessary. I have the right to know about my brother.”

Rosette’s voice rose slightly, agitated.

“So what happened after that? Is there any additional news?”

“……Not yet.”

The Duke folded the letter he was reading a couple of times and put it in his desk drawer. Rosette secretly wanted to read the letter, but she refrained because the Duke didn’t seem inclined to show it to her.

“But you don’t have to worry, Rose. You must be busy preparing for the Imperial banquet, so go and rest.”

“But how can I not worry? I don’t know if Daniel has gotten better or worse; how can I comfortably participate in the banquet?”

“First, we will send doctors and support staff to the North to assess the situation. Besides, if Daniel’s condition were dire, we would have received an urgent additional message. The fact that it hasn’t arrived yet means he’s stable.”

He was saying ‘he’ll be okay,’ but the Duke’s expression wasn’t reassuring either.

“He might lose his leg again this time. In the worst-case scenario, he could die.”

“This father won’t let that happen.”

“It’s because Father doesn’t remember how Daniel suffered in the past. Father, I……!”

Rosette, who had raised her voice in agitation, barely calmed down and continued speaking steadily.

“I’ll go to the North.”

“……!”

“I’ll go check on Daniel and help subjugate the monsters.”

“That’s not allowed.”

The Duke’s voice was firm.

“That’s out of the question, Rose.”

“My brother and Joshua are doing it, so why can’t I?”

“Daniel is the heir of Adrian, and His Highness is a member of the Imperial Family. Both of them have a duty to protect the Empire.”

“I’m also an Adrian.”

“Rose, I want to grant all your wishes if possible, but not this time. I’d rather go myself if necessary.”

“Then Father will be in danger!”

Duke Adrian got up from his seat and gently guided Rosette to stand.

“You’re in danger too.”

“But, Father, I’ve done this a lot in the past!”

The Duke flinched for a moment, realizing what Rosette meant. But soon he coaxed her gently.

“Whatever the past may be, now you are just this father’s precious youngest daughter. It’s not that I doubt your abilities. But I can’t put my beloved child in harm’s way after Daniel and His Highness Joshua. I would have stopped Isabel or Lucas if they had said they were going instead of you.”

“…….”

“So won’t you trust this father and wait?”

Rosette looked at Duke Adrian’s face, filled with complex emotions, and reluctantly answered.

“Okay, Father.”

* * *

That didn’t mean Rosette gave up immediately. She went to her room and started packing a bag.

[Chirp? Chirp?]

“I’ll go to the North depending on the situation.”

[Chirrrp?]

Bibi protested, asking if she was out of her mind, but Rosette was more determined than ever.

She was diligently packing the necessary items in her bag when it happened.

“Hey, what are you doing, kid?”

Rosette was startled and looked back at Lucas’s voice suddenly coming from behind her.

Lucas, who had entered silently, was looking down at her with his arms crossed and a sulky expression.

“How can you come in without announcing yourself, Brother?”

“It’s not like I didn’t announce myself. I knocked several times and called your name. I came in wondering if something was wrong because there was no response.”

He clicked his tongue, looking at Rosette’s luggage bag.

“Are you running away or something?”

“It’s not that…….”

“His Highness the First Prince isn’t here, so why the sudden escape? Did you find another man?”

“I told you it’s not an escape.”

“Then what is it?”

Lucas, who had already plopped down next to Rosette, examined the items in the bag.

“Why are there so many medicines? Did someone get hurt?”

Realizing Lucas and Isabel didn’t know about Daniel’s news, Rosette mumbled.

“No, it’s not that. I’m just packing some over-the-counter medicine just in case. So I can take it with me if there’s an emergency.”

But Lucas wasn’t fooled. He was surprisingly perceptive in these situations, and he quickly figured out what was happening.

“Did Daniel or His Highness the Prince get hurt? So you’re packing to go to the North without Father knowing?”

[Chirp! Chirrrp!]

I thought he was an idiot, but he’s surprisingly smart!

Bibi exclaimed from the side, but neither Rosette nor Lucas paid attention to the little wren.

Rosette tried to deny it.

“It’s not that. I’m just preparing for the worst.”

Lucas took Rosette’s bag with a stern face.

“I don’t know what’s going on, but I’m confiscating this for now. Where are you trying to go, kid? You stay put in the capital. Prepare for the banquet too…….”

“Why does everyone keep telling me to prepare for the banquet, Father and Brother?”

Rosette couldn’t hold back her rising emotions and exclaimed. Lucas looked surprised, his eyes widening at her uncharacteristic outburst.

“Why is the banquet so important? Everyone is fighting for their lives, so why only me……! I didn’t come here just to be protected. I, I want to protect someone precious too!”

Lucas silently stared at his sister, who couldn’t calm down, for a moment.

A little later, he whispered softly.

“Father and I are just trying to reassure ourselves.”