Chapter 293
(Kyle Calendar Year 513: Age 20)
Awards Ceremony ③ A New Future
Translator : PolterGlast
The story goes back a little.
It was the day before the awards ceremony were held. Among
those gathered in the Royal Capital for the rewards ceremony, there were those
secretly invited to a room in the Royal Palace. Forbidden to tell anyone about
it...
Those present there were Count Gorman, Count Solis,
Viscount Solis, Viscount Cornell, the three Barons of the Falmus
Army, and for some reason, Darek's wife, Flora.
They were the main nobles of the Southern Front excluding Takuhir,
but then why wasn't the Demon Territory Count called? Everyone thought
it was strange.
"Hohoho, Your Majesty, everyone has gathered."
When Duke Klein spoke, King Kyle nodded
silently.
Besides them, the three present were King Kyle, Duke Klein
as Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Minister of Internal Affairs.
Apparently, only Darek and Flora were called earlier and had been
having some secret talk...
"I apologize for the trouble of having everyone gather
suddenly. Actually, there is a matter I want to consult and obtain unofficial consent for in advance. In this rewards ceremony,
His Majesty wishes to greatly reorganize the territories of the southern
frontier."
"That is..."
"Of course, I am well aware it places a burden on
everyone. But first, I want you to hear the details of the negotiations His
Majesty and I conducted with the Empire, and His Majesty's thoughts. Naturally,
a portion of the negotiation results and our response have already been
conveyed to the Demon Territory Count. Actually..."
With that preamble, the Minister of Foreign Affairs began to
speak about what they were thinking, and the means to realize those thoughts.
"What!" "Is that so..." "Such
a..." "Then... the Demon Territory Count will..."
The reactions of each who were told the thoughts varied, but
uniformly, they were astonished and lost for words.
"Currently, the border in the western Kingdom has
become a blank zone, and there is no one around with the ability and popularity
to bear border defense. Therefore, I spoke with Viscount Solis and Lady Flora
in advance and obtained their prior consent to become the Margrave of the
western border."
"Then what about the Viscount Solis territory?
No, before that, what do you intend to do with the Margrave Hastburg
territory?"
Count Solis dared to ask this point, feeling
something strange about his son, Viscount Solis, a party involved in
this matter, listening silently.
"In the former territory of Margrave Hastburg
before the civil war, the central to southern part, right beyond the city of Burg,
along with the Viscount Kyrias territory, will be entrusted as the Demon
Territory Count's new territory. So, Count Cornell."
"Count?"
"I want you to hand over your territory, the former
territory part and the former Viscount Hiyorimi territory, to the Demon
Territory Count. Instead, I want to connect the northern side of the Margrave
territory including Burg, the new territory the Margrave gained during
the civil war, and the territory Viscount Solis gained, to make a new
Earldom territory."
That proposal was an astonishing one. In terms of area
alone, it easily exceeded twice the current Viscount Cornell territory,
and it encompassed several populous cities starting with Burg.
"Why me?"
"This long, horizontal territory will become this
country's defense line extending into the future. Of course, while you are
alive, it will be a useless long object. I want to entrust this to you, who
befriend the earth and hold many Earth Mages."
"It's a story hard to answer immediately, but there are
absolutely no inconvenient points for us to say no."
"Next, Marquis Gorman, regarding you. With your
military exploits this time, I will newly bestow a territory the size of a
Barony to you. And preparing a Viscounty territory in the new territory within
the Empire too; I have already obtained the Demon Territory Count's unofficial
consent for this matter only."
"Regarding this matter, I will supplement as well. For
the territory on the Imperial side, you should assign either the son or
daughter who was deprived of succession rights in the previous civil war. It
would be good to give them a place to stand. This was also the wish of my late
friend (Margrave Hastburg). Since it is no longer Kingdom land, they won't
be bound by the Kingdom's laws."
"Wh-... such... Thank you very much! I humbly... I
humbly accept."
Receiving these words, Count Gorman kept his head
bowed deeply, his shoulders trembling.
"Now then, I saved you for last, Marquis Solis, with your two proud sons... you must be filled with deep emotion
too, right? I will newly add a Barony-scale territory to you as well, and
prepare a Viscounty-scale territory as an enclave within Imperial
territory."
"This is... unexpected consideration, truly thank you very
much."
"Now, Baron Kreitz, Baron Bold, Baron Herald.
A consultation for you who will become Viscounts this time. We are thinking
it's about time for the revival of the Falmus family. Therefore, for
now, we have prepared land equivalent to an Earldom in the new territory within
the Empire. I want one of you to revive the Falmus family name there. Of
course, the continuation of the Viscount family name is also permitted. I want one
to newly support the Duke in the western frontier as the right hand of Margrave
Hastburg. For the last one, I will gather the former territories of the
three Baron families, and reorganize a part of it with a part of the former Margrave
Hastburg territory. I intend to secure territory size enough for each to
stand as an Earldom in the future."
"What!" "Then we will..." "Th-Thank
you very much!"
The three slumped on the desk, each crying aloud. It's no
wonder, as their long-cherished desire, the revival of their master's house,
was coming true.
"With this, the shape is complete. For Margrave Hastburg,
two Viscounts with abundant actual combat experience will support both wings,
handling new territory management and border defense, bearing the heavy responsibility
of becoming a bridge between the two countries. Those supporting Demon
Territory Duke Solis will grow their power further, and the Duke can push
forward with the development of the new territory."
"Hohoho, as the Minister of Internal Affairs says, a
new future, truly a thing to look forward to."
"Hmm. Everyone
has positively consented to Duke Klein's words; I may assume so, yes? "
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
At King Kyle's final words, everyone prostrated
themselves. And... it leads to the awards ceremony held the next day.
"I wish to ask
everyone again!"
His Majesty the King stood up again and raised a loud voice.
"How do you think it is appropriate to reward the
achievements I am about to state? Those who have thoughts, speak without
hesitation."
Saying so, His Majesty glared around at those attending the
rewards ceremony.
"What of the achievement of the loyal one, who prepared
for the emergency coming from 10 years ago, and pierced through his path
unyielding to numerous obstructions!"
Um, that is... who is he talking about? I wasn't loyal or anything, I just wanted to protect my
family, companions, and myself...
"What of the achievement of the wise one, who
anticipated the invasion from four countries this time, proposed a perfect
interception posture, and constructed it!"
The one who anticipated it was Sieghart of the
Empire... and the one who commanded the overall interception preparation was...
the Old Raccoon, right? I only
prepared the Southern and Western Fronts.
"What of the achievement of the meticulous one, who
proposed the formation of the Magic Knights, gathered and trained them,
and had them play an active role in actual combat!"
I proposed it, but Yuka and Chrisia were
active in gathering them, the Commander trained them, and Her Highness
commanded them on the battlefield, right?
"What of the achievement of the tactful one, who left a
strategy on the Eastern Front, overturned an overwhelmingly
disadvantageous situation, and brought complete victory!"
I ordered the trap to be made, but the one who utilized it
and won was Margrave Hamish, right?
"What of the achievement of the deep-scheming one, who
spun a scheme on the Northern Front and obtained as many as 4,000
prisoners without fighting!"
That's... my brother, right. Because he steered the battle
considering it to become so.
"What of the achievement of the strong one, who
completely defeated an enemy army more than three times larger on the Southern
Front and took over 10,000 soldiers prisoner!"
This is, of course, Alexis. ...right?
"What of the achievement of the sagacious one, who
captured the ringleader of the invading army with a meticulous plan, and obtained vast territory and enormous
reparations!"
The one who captured him was the Commander, and the one who
obtained that through negotiations was the Old Raccoon. I don't think I'm wrong in that understanding...
"What of the achievement of the brave one, who saved my
daughter's predicament on the Western Front, and completely defeated an enemy
army of tens of thousands with a single strike!"
Is that perhaps about Gord? Helping Her Highness in a
predicament, taking command, and proposing the water attack.
"What of the achievement of the conqueror, who not only
recaptured the border in the Principality expedition, but defeated the rebel
army and was made first in merit!"
I have some recollection of this too, but I'm not a
conqueror, and that's an exaggeration.
"Appointing outstanding personnel to become his
subordinates, placing them in the right positions, managing them to establish
military exploits respectively, and possessing the presence of a king—if anyone
has a fitting reward in mind for such a person, answer me."
Amazing~ Who is that about? Loyal one, wise one, meticulous
one, tactful one, deep-scheming one, strong one, sagacious
one, brave one, conqueror... finishing
with the presence of a king.
A parade of such praises... isn't the one being told embarrassed?
I muttered quietly.
"Marquis? Duke? Margrave? Not enough at all! I intended
to welcome that person as the husband of my daughter, as the King Consort of
the next generation, but... that dream was crushed. Even if that came true, it
would still not be enough!"
SORRY, BUT THAT'S NOT MY FAULT, YOU KNOW.
"For his
loyalty and unparalleled military exploits, I hereby appoint him to Demon
Territory Duke set as the highest of Margraves, and bestow a status second
only to royalty. Not only that! I have resolved to grant autonomy and complete
free discretion within the territory, treatment equal to royalty, and welcome
him as an Archduke. If anyone has objections, present a new appropriate reward
and treatment for him, and speak to me! I permit direct answers!"
Saying so, His Majesty looked over the lined-up assembly
with a face overflowing with spirit unlike anything seen before. Those around
were completely swallowed by His Majesty's spirit, falling dead silent without
making a sound.
"I will have him lead most of the former Margrave Hastburg
territory, its assisting forces, two Marquises and three Viscounts, and those
newly appointed as nobles this time, combined with the ceded Imperial
territory, to establish a Principality that will be our brother country, the Demon
Territory Dukedom. While the Archduke himself retains
his registry in the Kyle Kingdom, this nation shall be recognized as an
independent enterprise, and as the guardian of the South for our country, it
shall become an existence that greatly demonstrates its value!"
"Huuuuuuuuuuh? Dukedom? Archduke? Um... I haven't heard anything about this, though..."
"No objections!" The first to raise his voice was
none other than Margrave Hastburg, my brother.
"A wonderful idea!" The next to raise a voice of
praise was Margrave Model.
"Respect to His Majesty's decisive judgment!"
No... even Margrave Hamish... I mean, the three Dukes who are
heavyweights protecting the borders all together...
"We, the Royal Capital Knights, completely agree
with His Majesty's will." Knight Commander Gouras... but look, the
other Corps Commanders too...
"We also highly agree!" Corps Commander Hoffman,
your voice is a bit loud.
"His Majesty the Archduke, congratulations." No...
Corps Commander Schultz, please stop with the 'His Majesty'. Wait, with
this, the Royal Capital Knights are fully complete...
"We all nobles respectfully offer our
congratulations." Count Clay, and all the fathers of Yuka's
schoolmates, even if you bow your heads...
"We all in duties bearing state politics agree."
Um... Ministers, I'm troubled even if you all kneel...
"We all, anew, pledge loyalty to His Majesty the Archduke!"
No, Marquis Gorman, because my father-in-law says so, aren't all the
southern frontier lords kneeling at once...
"Lord Takuhir, we will strive for even further
loyal service." No Commander, matching the Commander's words, my
companions and wives are also kneeling at once...
"We, a clan with an old lineage, respectfully offer our
congratulations." Marquis Thorhast, were you that kind of
character?
Following the voices that started from people who knew me
well, the number of people raising voices increased one after another, and the
circle expanded. The voices of agreement rippled further to all the lined-up nobles,
continuing to spread greatly.
It almost felt like the illusion of some warm, circle of
light expanding.
Huh... what is this strange sensation?
Come to think of it, Anne, Miseri, Rosa, Claire, and Yoltia, who are
here, were also present at the end of my previous life... The situation,
content, and other people are completely different, but doesn't this somehow
resemble the end of the previous history? The season is slightly off from the
autumn I was executed, but it's the same year I turn 20...
Surely this isn't going to be the ending again, and I'll
return to the beginning again; such a transient story... isn't going to happen,
right?
"Hohoho, Demon Territory Count, no, His Majesty
the Archduke, please resign yourself."
Ignoring my worries, the Old Raccoon and His Majesty are
laughing with satisfied smiles...
Could this be payback for Her Highness's matter? Is it a
prank? It's a prank, right? Surely it is, right?
Is this the path His Majesty once said he would fulfill
someday, the promise to me, to fulfill the first King Kyle's will?
"Now, new Archduke, reaching this point you can no
longer turn back. Shall I have you resolve yourself? Oh, that's right! I forgot
something important. What shall we name the new Dukedom?"
No, being asked
so suddenly, look, such things should be thought about slowly... Normally,
there would be internal groundwork or domestic coordination, right?
I looked down and muttered quietly, but... I can't find the
words for how to reply.
"No need to fret. To begin
with, there's even a secret story that the name of this country, 'Kyle',
was named so young children could easily call the first King Kyle
casually. A country is not its name, but how it exists."
No, I don't particularly want to hear such secret affairs of
the Kingdom now... Moreover, is that a story you can casually talk about? I
mean, really, what should I do...
I was flustered. And completely shaken.
The name of the new country... 'Loengra...' No, that's no
good. The sound is the best, but it doesn't suit me.
And I feel like I shouldn't use it.
'Nishida Dukedom'.
No, that's the worst. The sound is bad too. I feel sorry for the Nishidas in
the world, but...
I don't have the nice naming sense to come up with something like Copper on the spot,
containing a punchline and a humor.
Nishida... Nishi-da? Nishi (west), ta
(rice field)?
"West... West, Rice... field?"
"Ooh! Westlights! Does it not have a nice ring to it!"
"No, Rice... field."
"Alright, it's decided! The Westlights Demon
Territory Dukedom! Minister! Record it so in official
documents immediately!"
"Um... Rice field..."
I had no choice but to give up. Wait, I have one more thing
to worry about.
Archduke of the Demon Territory Dukedom (Makyou Kokoku Kouou);
that's long and really hard to say, right? They wouldn't... shorten it and read
it abbreviately, right? Take the first and last characters and call it...
I don't need a flag like being someone subjugated by the
whole world, you know?
(Translator's
Note: "Makyō Kōkoku Kōō"
abbreviated by first and last characters becomes "Maō" = Demon King).
No matter how I struggle, it seems I am destined to be
treated with a title befitting a final boss in this world. Is the divine
punishment for laughing at my father's Turnip Baron and Potato Baron coming
now?
The branch state of the Kyle Kingdom, the Westlights
Demon Territory Dukedom,
was born on this day. The glorious new country name was determined by a trivial
misunderstanding, but only one person knows the circumstances.
Also, in later years, it is said that those who stood
hostile against the Westlights Demon Territory Dukedom and the unrivaled strong army led by the Archduke pointed
at Archduke Takuhir and called him the 'Demon King' with fear.
The Demon King himself had extremely low self-esteem, and it
is said his daily speech and behavior were casual, like those of a mere noble
(or lower).
He is also said to have been a King unsuited to be called Archduke
or Demon King, humble about his own achievements, but in the history books
passed down to later generations, there is no such record, and only legends
remain.
Thus, the new future began gradually with a punchline typical of Takuhir, and will advance with new steps from here on.
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