Genjitsushugi Yuusha no Oukoku Saikenki

I grew up watching that large back of his...

My father was a big man, but the size of the things he carried on his shoulders made him appear even greater than he actually was. He shouldered the country and the people who lived there as he faced our enemies, served the royal family on a level above himself and his own.

Father believed that they would protect the nation, and protecting the nation would in turn protect his own family. He was awkward and didnt spend much time at home, but as his daughter, I was still proud of him all the same. Proud of that large back of histhe back of a man who everyone relied on and respected.

When he fought to defend something, his martial prowess would overwhelm any foe. I admired and aspired to be like that myself. It was this desire to be like him one day which led me to live the path of a warrior. At first, Father did not approve of a woman like me seeking strength, but when I asked him to teach me, he responded with sincerity. He trained me, and allowed me to watch as he led his troops.

He was never one for words, but I feel like he told me a lot of stories during our sparring sessions. He pulled his punches against me at first, but each time he held back a little less, I felt as though he was praising me, saying, Youve gotten stronger. But, well, he never actually said it out loud...

Ultimately, I didnt manage to beat him even once; still, though, I think I ended up strong in my own right. But now... The father who taught me to live as a warrior is no more.

He was captured as a traitor, and died in prison. Father raised a rebellion against the royal family that he had so loved and respectedthat he has put his life on the line to serveand he was captured in the ensuing war. In the end, he took his own life. The fame he had built up was lost, and all that remained was the infamy of that treasonous act.

I was in a foreign land when I learned of my fathers fate. You see, prior to raising his rebellion, he disowned ushis familyand sent us out of the country. It was probably so that if the rebellion failed... No, because he knew the rebellion would fail, and he didnt want us to be held accountable for his actions. Perhaps Mother could sense his grim determination, because she obeyed him without letting him see her cry. I was ready to stop my father, even if it meant having to fight him, but I was rendered unconscious with a surprise attack. When I came to, I was already outside the country, and unable to return.

When I received word of my fathers passing, I cried. Enough for my mothers share, too, when she admirably did not. Then, after crying my heart out, I stood up. I wanted to learn what it was my father truly meant to do. Even though the way the throne had changed hands had been awfully sudden, I couldnt imagine that my father, so full of loyalty to the royal family, would have started a rebellion.

I didnt know what the new kingI believe his name was Soumawas like, but Princess Liscia, who my father had cared for just as much as he cared for me, was with him. The princess supported King Souma, and had sent a number of letters to Father requesting that he talk things over with him directly. Yet Father never responded. Then he started the rebellion, and even went so far as to make an enemy of the princess.

No one who knew my father could ever have imagined him doing it. He would never have placed the princess in danger. That was why I knew there had to be some secret motive behind my fathers rebellion. I wanted to know what it was. As his daughter... The daughter of Georg Carmine.

Fathers name echoed throughout the land as a warrior of superior talent. The Carmine Duchy was largely made up of land won from the Kingdom of Amidonia in the time when Queen Elishas father, the king two reigns before King Souma, was in power. This seized land, still inhabited by its former citizens, could not possibly have been ruled by a halfhearted individual. It goes without saying that my father, the head of the House of Carmine and chosen ruler of the Duchy, was no ordinary man.

Eventually, with the passing of the king, a succession crisis broke out, ending with Lady Elisha as the royal familys sole survivor. It was then that her husband King Albert took the throne. Father had been friends with King Albert for a long time, and he had great trust for him.

Respected by the people, and feared by the Amidonians. That was my father, Georg Carmine.

The 6th month, 1545th year, Continental Calendar

This happened about a year before King Souma was summoned.

When your domain borders a hostile state, you never know when you might be caught in the fires of war. In fact, Randel, the central city of the Carmine Duchy, was so close to Van, the capital of the Principality of Amidonia, that it was fair to say they were right in front of each others noses. Because of that, there were troops stationed on the border at all times, and they closely monitored any moves the other side made. Though that may have helped to prevent any major conflicts, skirmishes on the border were still a frequent occurrence.

During the reign of King Albert, it seems they insulted our country as being peace-addled, but that could not have been further from the truth. On that day, there were reports of small-scale clashes near a bridge crossing close to the border. Father took his second-in-command, Sir Beowulf, and rushed to the scene on horseback. Because I pushed for it, I was allowed to accompany them, too.

I will trust your judgment.

Understood.

After exchanging those few words, my father returned, and I asked him, Was that all right? Admitting fault so easily?

There was no hostility towards the Kingdom in that young mans eyes, Father said, letting out a little laugh. He was simply thinking of those who had been hurt. Even under my gaze, his eyes remained unswerving. He had the will to look me in the eye. That is proof he had nothing to hide.

Father crossed his arms and watched as Julius and Colbert walked away side-by-side.

The crown prince is a calculating ruler, able to handle things with pragmatism, while the bureaucrat is unafraid to make his opinion known, even to military men. Amidonia has produced some promising youths, too. It seems... we cant afford to let our guards down.

It was then that I burned the image of those men who my father had viewed with deference into my eyes.

Mio, I hear youve had trouble concentrating on your lessons on how to manage a domain. On the way back, Father called out to me.

Urkh... Ill admit, its not my best subject...

Sigh... Youre not a bad warrior, though.

Though I was pleased he recognized me as a warrior, that sigh made me feel like I was being called out for my shortcomingsit was awfully conflicting.