Things are progressing well. As for the strategy…
“Aren’t we attacking yet?”
Preparations are nearing completion. Manon’s instructions have been competent, and the means for material transport and delivery are in place. The only issues lie in the tactical domain.
Ashtal prefers to fight without resupply, and I want to motivate Rothfar by slapping him back and forth until he gets moving. Harmonia, meanwhile, is completely bogged down with transporting supplies.
If no one takes charge and unifies them, the army won’t function. Even if someone does, with this much disarray, we’ll be picked off individually and defeat will be unavoidable. The Knight Order, gathered with such effort, has devolved into a disorganized rabble. It was at this moment that the person who would solve our problems, and also cause them, arrived.
“You’re late, Baron Shin.”
I haven’t slept. If he’d only look at the bags under my eyes before complaining, I thought, suppressing the scream in my heart, I managed to say, “I apologize.” I am but a common baron, unable to defy my superiors.
Gathered here were Queen Anneliese, Count Knorr of Harmonia, and Count Ernst, who has not yet accepted the annulment of my engagement. Also present were Yuma Bashar and the rookie baron, Fleet Helm.
From Rothfar came Third Prince Markbaimar Rothfar, and two overly arrogant old men. Markbaimar, perhaps thinking he had secured Queen Anneliese, was leering at her with a lecherous gaze. Should I gouge his eyes out?
From Ashtal were Ulysses Fowler Marquis, the one who had yelled at me and was the Supreme Commander of the expeditionary force, three other equally arrogant individuals, and a lovely young lady. Perhaps she was the Marquis’s daughter, she seemed friendly, waving at me.
Being surrounded by so many important people makes me nervous. Where should I sit? Where is the seating chart? I surveyed the room and found two empty seats: one next to Queen Anneliese and the other next to Marquis Fowler.
Naturally, I headed for the seat beside Queen Anneliese. I didn’t want to sit next to one of those old men… When a voice I didn’t want to hear called out to me.
“Baron Shin, as a baron of Ashtal, won’t you sit here?”
Marquis Fowler stopped me as I was about to sit. It’s true that I am a baron of Ashtal, and perhaps it’s proper to sit on that side? As I got up, a pleasant scent and a gentle voice came from my side.
“Baron Shin is currently serving as a mercenary for Harmonia. According to the wartime accord, it is proper for him to sit here.”
With that, she grabbed my sleeve and pulled me into the chair. It felt a bit like we were competing for me, but perhaps I’m popular!?
“This! This small country’s…!”
“Well, isn’t it fine? Baron Shin is, after all, a baron of Ashtal.”
The young lady intervened to stop Marquis Fowler. She spoke with considerable authority, but who was she? I think I recognize her… or do I? I think I do… Yes! Just remembering her made my blood run cold.
“If Viscountess Mallory says so.”
Viscountess Mallory. Melissa Fiona Mallory, Viscountess Mallory. Her father was a duke, a relative of His Majesty the Emperor. She was Orietta’s sponsor for weapon production and had a massive debt that I had… taken care of in a room in the Imperial Capital.
My blood ran cold, but sweat broke out on my forehead. Is she here to collect the debt!? No, that was handled steadily through repayment, so there shouldn’t be a problem. Was it about giving the super-vibrational Halberd to a new member of the White Lily Corps!? No, that was officially part of the White Lily Corps, so that shouldn’t be an issue either.
If that’s the case, then the answer must be… She’s here to split me and Anneliese apart! She’s definitely planning to spill the beans about that room. Ah, my path to kingship grows distant.
“May we proceed with the discussion?”
Putting my fragile heart aside, Yuma Bashar began the proceedings. Yuma and Fleet Helm, the former butler and current baron, presented their reports one after another, but I was in no state to focus on that.
Miss Melissa kept waving at me for no reason, and Queen Anneliese glared at her as if jealous. I felt like a guy about to be caught cheating. My glass heart was already cracking. Someone, bring me a strong drink.
“Ashtal Empire approves. We shall defer to Your Majesty’s opinion.”
“Rothfar has no objections either. Someone needs to take the lead, and if it’s Harmonia, then so be it.”
“He’s an Ashtalian! He’s becoming a count!”
I wasn’t in a condition to listen, so I hadn’t heard anything, but was someone being promoted? Becoming a count, that’s amazing. Well then, I should probably…
“Mikael, a word.”
The murderous intent from earlier vanished as Queen Anneliese, with a beaming smile, turned to me. What did she want me to say? Question marks danced in my head.
“That’s right, say something! Mikael Sin, Earl of Ashtal Empire!”
“I’m a baron,” I thought, “would that be a good joke?” I doubted I had the confidence to make people laugh in this atmosphere, but the urge to offer a joke gripped me.
“Uh… Um…”
Standing up and drawing everyone’s attention made me want to joke even more. The tension washed over me, leaving me speechless. Someone, please tell me what page this is in the textbook.
“Mikael, chin up. From now on, you will be called the Hero.”
The girl next to me whispered, and the page she pointed to had “Hero” written on it. And my page… *I’m* the Hero!?
When I think of a Hero, I picture someone who can use swords and magic, admired by kind companions, looked upon with respect by the people, and who defeats the Demon Lord and marries a princess.
Except for the sword, I don’t fit the description of a Hero! And an Earl, even if it’s only for one generation? This is a huge promotion. Dad, Mom, I’ve gotten on the fast track to success in another world.
“Uh… Please treat me well.”
That’s not right, is it? It’s not right. I should say something more commanding. …I can’t think of anything. Question marks danced in my head.
“Very well. From now on, you are to be addressed as Earl. Strive for the betterment of the Ashtal Empire.”
“Mikael, from now on, please do your best for Harmonia as the Hero.”
I understand the Earl part. It’s an intermediate rank in Ashtal Empire’s nobility, a privileged class in itself, though not with dozens of people. My deceased grandfather would have wept tears of joy and sung three cheers. But what about being a Hero? What does it mean to strive as a Hero?
“You don’t seem to grasp the Hero’s position very well.”
My sponsor, my lover, my dear Melissa offered a helping hand. I wasn’t too eager to accept it, but I’ll let this important person teach me.
“A Hero is the supreme commander of the Allied Forces. It’s a position created to unify the Knight Orders dispatched by each nation.”
Thank you, important person. When you’re done talking, please return to Ashtal. Don’t say another word.
“It wouldn’t do to be a mere baron if you’re aiming to be the Hero, so we’ve elevated you to Earl. There would also be issues with marriage prospects if you were only an Earl, so if we were to take you as a son-in-law, a Marquis would be appropriate.”
Some unsettling words were spoken, but was this a sinking ship? I want to escape before it goes down. Where is the lifeboat?
“What do you mean by that?”
I hate how I can’t help but ask, even when I shouldn’t. Did Miss Melissa bring me a matchmaking offer? No, in this world, it would be a political marriage, wouldn’t it? Personally, I’d prefer a passionate romance leading to marriage…
“You must be rewarded for defeating the Demon Lord. If you consider me your reward, that should be sufficient. Upon defeating the Demon Lord, I shall be yours. Of course, I wouldn’t mind taking you as a husband. Eventually, you shall be Mikael Mallory, Marquis.”
Heroes are supposed to have a romance with princesses. They defeat the Demon Lord and receive the princess as a reward from the king. In a way, it’s a disregard for human rights. But in a feudal society, it’s inevitable.
“We haven’t even repelled the Demon Army yet, and to speak of rewards is premature!”
Queen Anneliese, unusually defensive, raised her voice. Was she trying to hide her embarrassment? For my sake?
“It is by showing the reward first that people are motivated, Your Majesty. I am saying that if you, a Viscountess Melissa Fiona Mallory, slay the Demon Lord, I shall be yours.”
And now, a Marquis title comes with it! How advantageous! What is this… this late-night shopping vibe?
Defeating the Demon Lord is for my own good, and I don’t need Miss Melissa. A mere baron can’t say that to a Marquis. Queen Anneliese also disliked the situation escalating, so she said nothing further.
The meeting concluded, and I was chosen as the Supreme Commander of this Allied Forces. It was clear that the selection was politically motivated. Whether they will truly listen to me is doubtful, but I remembered a trump card, so perhaps, slightly, ever so slightly, I have confidence in taking command.
After the meeting, I spoke with Queen Anneliese alone. Honestly, I wanted to go home quickly. I needed to hurry back and make excuses to the White Lily Corps about Miss Melissa!
Perhaps “excuses” isn’t the right word. I have to correct the misunderstanding with Miss Melissa, or my life will be in danger. Well, I guess it’s fine even if it’s not immediate, but it’s better to correct misunderstandings sooner rather than later. Yet, Queen Anneliese wouldn’t let me leave.
It was late by the time I finally returned and got back to the White Lily Corps. I have things to report. That I became the Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces, that I was promoted to Viscount, and that Miss Melissa was mistaken.
As I opened the door and said, “I’m home,” eight orbs glowing like sunlight pierced me with eighty thousand UV rays.
