“Baron Shin, you may enter,” Isabel Sumner said.
Even though it was a campsite, your tent, Vicomte, is large. There are tables, chairs, and even a partitioned bed in the back. Now that I’ve become a Baron, I wonder if I should get a larger tent and have a more comfortable life.
“Excuse me, Vicomte Sumner.”
I was invited to sit at a table and offered ale. It’s often drunk because it’s more hygienic than water, but what do people who can’t drink do? And how can I hit on a girl who’s good with alcohol and doesn’t get drunk?
“I’m grateful for your considerable skill as a Baron.”
Our initial impressions of each other weren’t good, but it seems Vicomte Sumner has warmed up to us as a result of our dedicated contributions being recognized.
Of course, our dedicated efforts in training knights as part of the Training Corps do not involve us getting into Vicomte Sumner’s bed to teach them. Seriously, really.
I think the real reason he warmed up to us wasn’t just being polite, but because we were overwhelmingly strong.
In our spar, Priscilla, Alana, and I each defeated nearly a hundred people. Alana, true to her epithet “Cavalry Killer,” mowed down the Sumner family’s cavalry. They opened their hearts to our dedicated violence.
One thing I can’t understand is why, when Priscilla and Alana defeat someone, they hear shouts of praise like “Amazing!” or “So strong!”, but when I defeat someone, they mutter “Tch!” or “Damn it!”. I didn’t even injure them.
Perhaps it’s because the Sumner family, a martial family, has a philosophy like “strength is justice.” Once they opened up, we were able to build a good relationship. Everyone except those who lost to me.
“I have something important to discuss with you today.”
“Is it about the Lizardmen? If so, I’ve been thinking about it.”
Lady Isabel Sumner is not wearing armor inside the tent, so she has a casual appearance that is rarely seen, but she is truly delicate.
She looks even thinner than Sophia. Lady Isabella should gain a little weight. It’s my pet theory that most guys like girls with a bit more meat on them.
Of course, I like slender women too. I like supermodel types like Christine, and even child-like figures like Rufina. What I’m not good at is violence, perhaps… Why am I in the White Lily Corps?
Vicomte Sumner’s full plate mail, shield, and spear—even if they are magical artifacts—can’t possibly be light. Is she perhaps lean and muscular? I want to see her take it off sometime.
“No, it’s not about that, it’s about what happens after the Lizardman subjugation.”
“Hm? I intend to return to my territory once the subjugation is complete…”
So, she wasn’t listening after all. That damned Emperor! Should I tell her or not… I came here intending to tell her, so I have to give her an early heads-up and explain the significance of this subjugation.
“After the Lizardman subjugation, the 6th Knight Order will be disbanded, and the Sumner family will become the Training Corps.”
“…Absurd!”
That was the expected reaction.
Of course. They’ve always been a martial family, so being told, “Step down from the front lines and become instructors,” would be unacceptable.
“For the future of the Empire’s Knight Order, I ask for your cooperation, Vicomte Sumner.”
“I refuse! Do you know how much I’ve struggled! How much for the sake of the Sumner family… The Sumner family will continue to fight as the Empire’s blade!”
That blade is rusted. It’s a blade that hasn’t fought in wars or battles, a blade that has always relied on adventurers and mercenaries when monsters appeared. The era of simply having the name “martial family” is over.
“Please use that blade for the development of the Imperial Knight Order. His Majesty the Emperor also desires it.”
“…”
Was it cheap to bring up the Emperor’s name? When the Emperor desires something, nobles cannot refuse. Since His Majesty entrusted me with this persuasion, he should allow me to use his name.
“His Majesty the Emperor desires a strong knight order. He considers the current ceremonial knight order unnecessary. His Majesty’s wish is for you, Lady Sumner, to direct your experience from this Lizardman subjugation towards the Imperial Knight Order.”
“But…”
She must have worked hard. As a woman, and not even physically gifted. Only because she was the heir, she’s held a sword since childhood, and lived without appreciating flowers, only to be told “We don’t need you anymore.” It’s unbearable.
“But… But we have our pride as warriors. I’ve never heard of warriors who don’t fight…”
Her voice was weak. Although she couldn’t accept it, the thought of having to accept it made my guilt surface. Her troubled expression is also quite charming!
Grant honor to the Sumner family. I want to give them a glorious battlefield, one that will likely be their last.
“The Training Corps is essential and urgent for the Empire. Starting with this Lizardman subjugation, the Emperor has entrusted the Sumner family to be the vanguard of the Imperial Knight Order’s major reforms.”
But today, I’m saying a lot of pretty words. However, they are also facts. The Imperial Knight Order must become stronger. To prevent the future invasion of the Demon Army.
Vicomte Sumner called a knight and sent someone to the Imperial Capital to ascertain the truth of the matter. He’s quite handsome, but I hadn’t realized he was a girl. I doubt the Emperor’s mind will change even if he goes now.
In my past life, our alliance of nations was on the verge of collapse. Aiming for a miraculous reversal, we, the White Lily Corps, attacked the Demon Lord. Strictly speaking, I went alone and we both died. What happened to the world after that?
Did the Demon Army retreat after the Demon Lord’s death? Or did someone take his place, and the alliance of nations was annihilated even without the Demon Lord?
I hadn’t heard that monsters possessed cooperation or a sense of unity, so I thought all I had to do was defeat the Demon Lord. So I defeated him, and thought that was the end of it.
If things went poorly, I absolutely want the Imperial Army to be drawn out and persuade the alliance of nations to join them. Not a ceremonial knight order like it is now, but an unparalleled elite knight order.
According to what we heard when we were part of the alliance of nations, the Imperial Knight Order was a gathering of indomitable warriors. It’s completely different from now. If the Sumner family could build the Training Corps and create a knight order as described, and if they sided with the alliance of nations, wouldn’t the outcome be different from my past life?
Thinking about that, I want Vicomte Sumner to lead the Training Corps. I doubt we’ll have enough time before the Demon Lord’s invasion if we start choosing different people now. Bureaucratic work is slow, even in another world.
She wouldn’t easily say “yes” to the Emperor’s unreasonable demand. However, “no” is not an option either.
Vicomte Isabel Sumner. I want her to leave a legacy of her life so far in the form of the Lizardman subjugation.
I never received a definitive “yes” in the end. Nor did I receive a “no.” She needed time and reasons to convince herself. I feel unwell even after leaving the tent. I feel like I’ve laid down a path for someone.
It’s better than being hit by a train, but this path will undoubtedly be full of hardships. I’m reminded of my commute on a swaying, crowded train.
As soon as I left the tent, Priscilla “kidnapped” me as if she had been waiting. It seems I have no days off.
“Mikael, pay me the wartime compensation from the Nuyoo incident now.”
