Chapter 286
(Kyle Calendar Year 513: Age 20)
A Grand Misunderstanding
Translator : PolterGlast
Having fulfilled their mission in the Fearalt Principality,
Takuhir and his group hurriedly handed over border security to Corps
Commander Schultz's subordinates of the Royal Capital Knights
Third Army, and began their march straight to the Royal Capital Kylar
for the victory report and triumphant return.
On the way, they stopped at Kleirat and joined the
units conducting post-war processing and restoration. At that time, Takuhir
entrusted the main force of the Demon Territory Knights to Commander Weiss
to return them to Teigoon, and together with his close associates, led
the Western Area Army and Royal Capital Knights Third Army returning
triumphantly to the Royal Capital, proceeding straight to Kylar.
As we approached the Royal Capital Kylar, the
expressions of the soldiers who fought through the Western Front brightened,
expressing the joy of a triumphant return, but conversely, my heart gradually
grew heavier.
That was because I had received a request far too heavy for
me to bear before leaving Salaam.
Thinking about how I should report it at the Royal Palace, I
was absent-minded even on horseback.
"What is the matter, Brother? You have had a gloomy
look on your face for a while now. Please tell me more details about the story
in Ishtar and the process of your recent
victory."
While moving from battlefield to battlefield, I couldn't
meet my sister Chrisia at Kleirat. At that time, to save even one
more wounded person, my sister was in the vortex of their battlefield together
with the Holy Mages.
And on our return journey, when we stopped at Kleirat,
I joined my sister and the other Holy Mages, along with Princess Clarice.
And now, during the march, she occasionally brings her horse to my side and
comes to ask about stories from the Southern Front.
"Ah, according to reports, Father also fought bravely
without taking a single step back against the Imperial Iron Cavalry. Shouting
at the lined-up generals, unifying the army, demonstrating his true worth as a Space-Time
Mage..."
"No, I have already heard of Father's safety. So I
don't care about such stories anymore."
"..."
Wow... you don't have to be that blunt... The image of my
father with teary eyes floated in my mind. No, it absolutely won't end with
just that. He'll cry, he'll definitely cry.
Ever since the numerous condemnation events that happened
not once but twice or thrice... Chrisia has become merciless toward
Father.
"By the way, I introduced Alexis to Father
saying, 'He is the son-in-law who will carry the future of the Count Solis
family.' Actually, as the commander of the Ishtar Area Army,
he led even Father and Uncle (Viscount Cornell) and fulfilled his duty
splendidly."
"My! Brother, you did that on your own...? My!"
My sister's words of surprise were initially spoken
unintentionally while blushing with embarrassment, and after that, they were
words of joyful surprise.
"Then, Alexis-sama..."
"Yeah, in this battle, he demonstrated merits exceeding
expectations as a commander. He will be rewarded individually in the rewards
for services, and of course, he'll receive a promotion in peerage as well as
rewards. He's a hero at once."
"My!"
"..."
Hmph, I've grown older, and my sister has grown up too. To think I'd end up seeing my sister making such a
love-struck face...
Needless to say, while happy, I felt a little complicated.
Having said that, even during the march or rest, my sister's top priority task
is attending to Her Highness. Since she accompanies her as an attendant, she
basically has little free time.
After that too, my sister came countless times, begging for
stories about his exploits.
With such things happening, I passed through the gates of
the Royal Capital without time to slowly indulge in thought.
Upon entering the Royal Capital, an unprecedented number of
residents surged in, raising cheers of joy.
"Long live Her Highness Clarice!"
"Long live the Kyle Kingdom!" "Long live the Demon
Territory Count!" "The hero who saved the nation, the Demon
Territory Count!" "Ever-victorious General, glory to the Demon
Territory Count!"
Huh?
I understand the voices praising Her Highness Clarice.
It was like that before, and about half of the people's cheering voices are
that. But I feel like they're praising someone else too... Ever-victorious
General?
WHO ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?
WAS THERE SUCH A GREAT PERSON HERE?
I couldn't help but mutter unintentionally. At this point,
the general public should have no way of knowing my achievements...
After that, I escorted Her Highness Clarice, conveyed
my wish for an audience at the Royal Palace to report my return, and
temporarily entered the Count Solis family's mansion located in the
Royal Capital. First, I wanted to slowly wash off the grime of the
battlefield...
Just when I thought so, I was summoned by a call from the
Royal Palace.
Upon arriving at the Royal Palace, I was shown to the secret room
where regular meetings were held. Entering inside, His Majesty King Kyle
and the Old Raccoon were sitting there with beaming smiles.
"Your Majesty, I
sincerely apologize for arriving before I could even properly report my return.
I, Demon Territory Count Solis, responding to the friendship tied between Your Majesty and the neighboring country, have fulfilled my
mission and returned just now."
"Hmph, do not mind it. This is an unofficial setting. Demon
Territory Count, good work on this mission. Bringing results [beyond expectations],
I am overflowing with joy and almost a little troubled."
Hmm, somehow, isn't there an awful lot of accent on the word
'beyond expectations'? Could
it be... that matter?
Thinking so, I couldn't help but brace myself a little.
"Hohoho, Demon Territory Count, the citizens'
welcoming was truly something else. Were you surprised?"
Wait, that... was a setup by these two? For what purpose? Or rather, the Old Raccoon's beaming smile... it reeks
of danger.
"To the Kyle Kingdom, you
are already a hero who saved the nation; your reputation even surpasses hers (Clarice's).
With your achievements known to everyone, the nobles throughout the Kingdom
will also have no choice but to acknowledge it." (This is all an
important stepping stone to push the marriage forward, after all)
Your Majesty, you too?
What is with that meaningful smile? I have nothing but a bad premonition...
"The reason we suddenly summoned you before a formal
audience this time is none other than Clarice. We have been getting
somewhat of a headache over that matter (her marriage partner). So we thought
we'd consult (order) you."
Does that mean Her Highness promptly kept her promise and
told them the circumstances of this time herself?
"I was actually harboring the exact same worries."
(If so, I guess there was no need to agonize over it)
"Oh?" (This means... can we also expect it?)
"Um, regarding Her Highness Clarice's marriage,
I also have a report and a request..." (Wait, my role to report is
already over, right. When they just said 'consult', surely they don't mean it's
still on hold?)
"My word! So the Demon
Territory Count shared our thoughts! Even so, lightning fast; I suppose the
hero of the battlefield isn't limited to just the battlefield?" (Taking
after his father and brother, being fast-acting with women is somewhat of a problem...
This time it's a convenient arrangement for us to begin with, but as her
father, I have slightly complicated feelings...)
"Honestly speaking, I myself was worrying about how I
should speak of it." (Having such an arrangement
suddenly dumped on me, I was truly troubled)
" It is only
natural, only natural. You (a person from the same world as the First King Kyle) and I (a descendant of the First
King Kyle) are tied together by a
mysterious fate. There is no need for restraint!" (I said that, but
this guy already has five wives, a hero in that path too, surpassing his father
and brother. We might need him to show at least a little restraint...)
"Then Her Highness has already conveyed the story of
the marriage (with King Fearalt) to Your Majesty, correct?"
"Indeed, I have heard!" (To be precise, when I
just mentioned the word marriage to her, she turned bright red, said 'Please
ask the Demon Territory Count for the rest!' and ran away to her room,
though. Even I saw such an innocent figure of hers for the first time)
"I myself was worrying throughout the return journey
that I would receive a considerable scolding." (I was trembling with
fear wondering if I would be questioned for my supervisory responsibility)
"Hohoho, these things are common among the young.
Surely His Majesty will also forgive you." (Don't tell me this guy had
already let the deed precede the words! Sometimes the young cannot
suppress their passion. But still... to lay hands on royalty, he cannot be
underestimated)
"Is that so. I feel a little relieved." (What,
so basically they approve? Why make it sound like a consultation...)
"But I also have something to worry about. Regarding
your family members (wives). I was thinking of persuading them (wives)
privately myself." (Especially since the daughter of Gorman, who
is now the legal wife, needs to lower herself one step. Among women, there must
be various conveniences too)
Hmm, what is the Old Raccoon talking about? Family members,
does he mean Yuka and Chrisia?
Certainly, they serve as Her Highness's close attendants. But Yuka
is my wife, and considering Chrisia's state, they probably wouldn't say
they'd accompany Her Highness to the Principality...
"I never thought Your
Excellency Duke Klein had given it that much consideration. However,
regarding them, I do not think it is a major problem." (Since those two
are already out as personnel accompanying her to the Principality, please find
other attendants on your end)
"Hohoho, that is splendid." (Even a veteran
hero is careless when it comes to domestic matters. It seems that eventually,
as his elders and as members of the royal family, we will have to guide him in
that regard as well...)
"Then Your Majesty, having obtained the Demon
Territory Count's consent as well, shall we proceed with this matter all at
once here? My, my, I am also relieved." (Proceeding just as we planned.
It's easier done than worried over, as they say. However... it would be troublesome if she is truly scheduled to give birth soon! What a
troublesome fellow)
"Umu, as a father there are points I am reluctant
about, but... It is an extremely joyous matter for this country." (Even
so, Demon Territory Count, aren't you a bit too fast with your hands
toward the Princess? At this point, I have no choice but to let it slide, but I
must give him a
lecture here)
"I also feel a weight lifted off my shoulders being
able to respond to Her Highness Clarice's feelings." (With this,
I've got commitments from both of you. Well, it was easier than expected, so
I'm surprised in a different sense)
"What! From Clarice! Hmm... I see." (So the Old Raccoon's eyes hit the mark. However... that unruly horse! Despite being in the position
of royalty, to offer herself proactively to a guy... my head hurts! If by any chance I had lectured him,
I would have lost face entirely)
"Then Your Majesty, how about announcing this
auspicious event at the rewards ceremony and celebrating it as a nation?" (Your
Majesty, please calm your heart here. With this, everything is exactly as we
want...)
" Umm. That
sounds good." (Umu, Gramps, I know. If we obsess over trivial details
here, things will only get complicated later)
"Um, I think that might be a little premature..." (I
mean, the development is unexpectedly too fast)
"No, there are political matters to consider as well. I
believe that is the most appropriate venue." (This fool... ignorant of
my feelings and struggles... What a truly troublesome fellow)
"All the more reason considering the political aspects.
Your Majesty, shouldn't you at least wait for the arrival of the messenger
announcing the proposal?" (We don't know when the rewards ceremony will
be, and we don't know if the messenger from the Principality will have arrived
by then)
"A formal messenger you say, from whom?" (Since
the person himself is here, there's no need for a messenger. Or what, is the
style of tying marriages in that world such a roundabout thing?)
" From the
King of Fearalt, of course." (Are
these two playing dumb out of sheer joy, excuse me for saying? I don't know the
royal customs of this world, though)
"Hohoho, Demon Territory Count, His Majesty also
consents, you should refrain here." (Does he want to clarify his
military exploits through the Principality's messenger and make that the just
cause to marry Her Highness? This person doesn't know our bitterness... I
thought he was a person combining wisdom and courage, excelling in both
politics and warfare, but it seems I need to train him anew regarding politics)
"But Your Excellency, the matter is a problem of both
countries. Isn't it too hasty?" (Is the Old Raccoon playing dumb on
purpose? Like when I was a student, being told pass or fail later is annoying, so
I should stick to the sound argument, right?)
"Demon Territory Count, there is a thing called
the order of priorities. It is not something I need to tell you at this late
stage." (Even without military exploits in the Principality, you have
established massive achievements sufficient to marry a royal Princess! What
an unexpectedly timid fellow)
"No, Your Majesty. If you announce such a thing before
the formal messenger of proposal arrives from King Fearalt, this country
might have its weight and importance questioned."
"That's why a messenger... no, w-what... did you say
just now?"
"Therefore, I believe
the messenger for King Fearalt to propose to Her Highness Clarice
has probably already left Fairy. Her Highness Clarice is waiting
for it with the feeling of a day being like an eternity right now. Thus, I
humbly suggest that you warmly watch over the feelings of those two, and this
marriage ceremony which will serve as a bridge between our two countries."
"Huuuuuuuuh?"
The two raised loud voices, stood up, and leaned forward.
Did I... say something strange? Hmph, I won't lose to such a thing like a pressure
interview.
"In a world where marriage for political reasons and
strategies is the norm, the two truly care for each other
and desire marriage. I consider this the best match that also leads to the
Kingdom's peace. It is a story already endorsed by Your Majesty and the
Minister of Foreign Affairs. I understand the feeling of hastening good news,
but regarding the timing of the engagement announcement, shouldn't you follow
proper procedures..."
How about it, Old Raccoon, this is the correct answer,
right? I saw right through your prank—no, your test to see if I could voice a
correct opinion even against an erroneous one.
"Clarice... marriage? Such a thing... Principality...? I haven't... heard anything... at
all?"
For some reason, His Majesty slumped into his chair, looking
into space and muttering something like delirium. On the other hand, Duke Klein...
was foaming at the mouth and had fainted.
Huh? What? What on earth just happened?
After a while...
"C-Call Clarice! Drag her here this instant!"
Suddenly, His Majesty's scream, with veins popping on his
forehead, echoed.
After that, the peaceful reporting meeting overflowing with
smiles instantly turned into a meeting from hell. And I... feeling like I was
made to sit on a bed of nails, could only watch the fierce exchange between
parent and child that followed...
DID I... MESS SOMETHING UP AGAIN?
-----
Thank you for my Patrons !!
[Platinum]
-
[Gold]
B random
Nepheos
ShitaiNoKootoRyuu
[Silver]
Corey Hicks
Creris
Frédéric Bertrand-Hudon
Jake Seagraves
Matthew Fraser
Anton Lim
Austin Lorenzo
Baelee
Ctdela
Curious Panda
nick nasca
openope
Radhitia Furqan
SD Fox
Tbaum56
Yosua Lumbangaol
Read Advanced Chapters only on my Patreon
-----
