[WN] Emperor's Seventh Son : 14 - 1 Part 1

14-1 Part 1

The Frost Giant Bergelmir - Celebration Drink and the Beginning of the Meeting -

Translator : PolterGlast

Recap of the Previous Chapter

Returning to the Imperial Capital, Ashley decided to introduce Kachua, who had accompanied him on the journey, to his older brother Georg. There, Ashley deceived Kachua and succeeded in bringing her into a dinner party at the White Dragon Palace. With the flustered Kachua as a side dish, a lively time passed by. Kachua was favored by Atomina for her simple loveliness, and by Georg for her bow skills.

Ashley also conveyed a serious matter he had obtained on his journey to his older brother. The suspicion that the second son Julius and the fourth son Yord were communicating with the Abyss, and that Yord had obtained a magic sword. However, an urgent report arrived then. Surprisingly, 500 elite beastmen appeared in Erin, and they each insisted on becoming Ashley's subordinates.

The next day, when Ashley and the others headed to Erin, familiar faces from before, including Carral Hez and Sigrun, had gathered there. According to Sigrun and the others, the King of the beastmen country Kaha found hope in the new possibility called Prince Ashley, and decided to bet on him. Then, instead of Ashley, his older brother Georg was deeply moved by this development. He, like the King of Kaha, found a bud of hope in Ashley, and despite being in the position of a General, agreed to the alliance with Kaha.

Not aiming for the Imperial throne, but for the sake of the Empire's order, its people, and the neighboring countries that fear chaos. Let us all combine our strength from now on. Leaving Ashley's bewilderment aside, his comrades united their feelings, and the story reached a new turning point. Comrades are beginning to gather under Ashley, who had continued to fight alone from darkness to darkness.

――――――――――――――――――

Great Legacy: The First Emperor's Forgotten Item

――――――――――――――――――

The Frost Giant Bergelmir - Celebration Drink and the Beginning of the Meeting -

You could say she's only well-prepared when it comes to unnecessary things, or rather, as expected, that woman cannot be underestimated. It seems she had been making arrangements on the premise that an agreement would be reached, and just when everyone's excitement reached its peak, a liquor barrel conveniently appeared there.

From then on, it was celebratory drinks. The ale and wine brought by the Hez Company's ship were opened, and a noisy banquet began. I was immediately surrounded by the beastmen. I was praised without reason. I was thanked. I was unconditionally acknowledged as a man among men.

「My little sister came back all thanks to Ashley-sama!」

「If I hadn't been saved by you guys that time... I would have been bullied to death by the villains...」

「If it's a man Sigrun acknowledges, there's no mistake! We'll follow you anywhere, Prince Ashley!」

When I actually listened to their stories individually, a lot of things made sense to me too. Those 500 reinforcements had some kind of connection with the beastmen who had been abducted by that slave company. At the same time, every single one of them seemed to be enamored with Sigrun's martial prowess.

And so it goes. I was given no time to sit down and talk calmly with the familiar faces, and spent a noisy morning.

◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ ◇

The stupid revelry lasted until noon. Since the beastmen made me drink my fill of alcohol, I was starting to think about sleeping in my room in Erin, but that was utterly impossible. Ignoring my plans, following the banquet, a meeting reeking of alcohol had begun.

Now that things have come to this, there is a mountain of things that must be decided. But I really wanted to be spared from being dragged into it. 『Just tell me the result later,』 I was about to say that, but stopped myself after all. If an absurd decision is made in this state where everyone's heads are fuzzy with alcohol, it will only increase trouble later on.

「Yes. Now then, to summarize the above, our current military strength is—first, the Imperial soldiers who idolize Georg-sama make up about 25% of the entire army. In other words, around 100,000.」

「...But the army is the army. No matter how much of a General I am, it is not something I can move on my own authority. Unless we start a rebellion, we cannot defy the Emperor's orders either.」

In short, General Georg's power and charisma are immense, but under the current circumstances, he cannot use them as his own hands and feet, is what it means. If left to this Puis and Georg, it seemed they would handle whatever it is well.

「Yes. If a turbulent era comes, the military force protecting this Imperial Capital region is overwhelming. If Georg-sama felt like it, he could stage a coup d'état and usurp the Imperial throne. And that is exactly why all the royals are desperately trying to get Georg-sama on their side.」

「But power seized by force of arms will be taken back by force of arms. That is akin to bringing about a civil war ourselves. It is the worst of the worst plans.」

In the dining hall functioning as a meeting room, there were Carral, Atomina-aneue, Durin, Kachua, and even Sigrun. However, no one is well-versed enough in politics to interject in the conversation between Aniue and Puis. Me included, of course.

「And then, the beastmen forces stationed in Erin are 500. However, beastmen are extraordinarily excellent warriors, and it's said that one person does the work of 20. Countless descriptions remain in literature stating that in past battles as well, the beastmen joining the battle line completely changed the war situation.」

「You can expect great things there kyan; everyone is the elite of the elites kyan. Besides, they all came intending to dedicate their lives to Ashley-sama kyan!」

This is a trivial matter, but it seems both Aneue and Durin have taken quite a liking to Yashu. To those two, Yashu seemed to look like an energetic and adorable doggy.

「Furthermore, the soldiers stationed in Erin that Puis scraped together are 200, huh. Let's invite them half at a time to the Imperial Capital and train them up.」

「Ooh, then I shall keep them company in that! I will raise those recruits into splendid daredevils who fear not even death! Hic... Mumu, it looks like my drink has run out...」

Perhaps this loud drunkard didn't need to be called to the meeting place. I just hope she doesn't start saying she doesn't remember anything when tomorrow comes...

-----

Thank you for my Patrons !!

[Platinum]

-

[Gold]

B random

Nepheos

ShitaiNoKootoRyuu

[Silver]

Corey Hicks

Creris

Frédéric Bertrand-Hudon

Jake Seagraves

Matthew Fraser

Tbaum56

Xavier O'Donoghue

[Bronze]

Anton Lim

Austin Lorenzo

Baelee

Bloodyemperor

Ctdela

Curious Panda

David Bankole

Enrique Miranda

nick nasca

openope

Radhitia Furqan

SD Fox

Read Advanced Chapters only on my Patreon

-----

<<Prev << ToC >> Next>>

Read More

[WN] A Hero From a Remote Village : Chapter 240

Chapter 240

Growth from the Joint Capture

Translator : PolterGlast

After that, the three-day joint capture with 【Battenberg】 came to an end. Although we were able to reach the sixtieth floor in these three days of capture, I feel like it had become more like a joint practice rather than a joint capture.

It took the form of Aoi watching Sonia and Zola's battles, while I watched Duke's, and compared to the first day, all three of them had grown significantly. Sonia and Zola's growth, in particular, was remarkable; although they couldn't master it on the first day, they had learned it by the end of the second day. Today, on the third day, they were even handling applications of it, fully demonstrating their high combat sense. With this, they should be able to fight decently well against strong enemies even individually, and I think their strength as a party has gone up a level.

They'll still need to raise their proficiency, but I'm looking forward to their future.

And as for Duke, he spent the three days in a routine of handling battles with monsters and having a mock battle with me at the end of the day. The results of the mock battles were my thirty wins in thirty matches. Moreover, they were overwhelming victories, with the result being that his best performance was the mock battle in the Royal Capital.

However, his movements were improving as we repeated the matches, and I feel like he's already starting to remember how to use his grown body. Although it wasn't visible growth like Sonia and Zola's, Duke had also definitely grown, and even if I say so myself, I think it was a fruitful three days for 【Battenberg】.

「Graham-san, thank you truly for these three days. It was far removed from the joint practice I had envisioned, and we ended up being completely taken care of, but you seriously saved us.」

「I'm glad you think so. We were able to properly reach the sixtieth floor on our end too, and we even received all the items, after all. Besides, it was simply fun, so let's have another joint practice again soon.」

「I appreciate you saying that.」

They yielded all the items and such obtained in this capture to us. At first, they tried to pay an instruction fee, but since it was only to the extent of giving light advice, I firmly refused that proposal. Thereupon, we settled on them yielding all the items we found to us.

I initially refused this proposal to yield the items as well, but when it came down to being able to accept them, the items from a three-day capture are just too delightful, and this alone made it worth coming all the way to the Dungeon City.

「Graham-san, thank you very much. I think we've become strong enough that even we ourselves feel we've grown.」

「Not only did we become stronger, but I was able to think of dungeon capturing as fun for the first time. I'm truly glad we were able to capture it together with you, Graham-san, Ginia-san, and Aoi-san.」

Because strength is necessary to feel that something is fun, after all. It will probably get even more fun from here on out, and if they get hooked, they should grow rapidly like Ginia and Aoi. I'm looking forward to Sonia and Zola's growth as well.

「I'm glad you feel that way. I'm looking forward to your growth.」

「Do your best! If anything happens, just come to Biodasdal and I'll instruct you!」

「Thank you very much. Ginia-san, please instruct us someday as well.」

「Me? I don't think I'm suited for instructing, but of course I will do it.」

Ginia looked happy, but the day she gets asked to instruct will probably be a few years away at the earliest. Because what Ginia is doing is that far ahead of Sonia and Zola, after all.

Having finished our greetings, we parted ways with 【Battenberg】 in front of the dungeon. We were able to capture up to the sixtieth floor and obtain many items, but the biggest harvest is probably that we were able to become even better friends with 【Battenberg】. It's the same with 【Crimson Rose】, but being able to get along with adventurers from various cities has great benefits.

Besides, they are a party with both the status and ability of S-Rank adventurers, so they'll likely notice immediately and give us information if anything happens. It's absolutely not like I befriended them out of calculation, but with the Demon King's Army's movements becoming suspicious lately, being able to expand my network of contacts is a good trend.

「Ah, the capture was fun! Sonia and Zola were good people too!」

「You were unusually enthusiastic about instructing, too. Even though you're so reluctant to instruct Lia and the others.」

「That's obvious! The little ones don't listen to a word I say, yet they're pointlessly energetic! In contrast, Sonia and Zola properly obey what I say, and more than anything, they adore me!」

Most likely, the part about them adoring her is the biggest factor, huh. I couldn't help but give a wry smile at Aoi, who has an all-too-easy-to-understand personality.

「I was jealous of Aoi-chan this time. Because I felt like an outcast, you know.」

「It's not that you're an outcast. It's simply that the level of what you're doing is too high, Ginia.」

「You looked like you were building up frustration, after all! We're still staying for a few more days, right? Ginia needs to let it explode!」

「Yeah. Tomorrow is dungeon capture including Gree. From the day after tomorrow onwards, we plan to subjugate the wanted poster monsters near the Dungeon City.」

「In that case, I will be going all out starting the day after tomorrow!」

Ginia, full of motivation, flexed her bicep. Tomorrow will likely be a capture on the lower floors since Gree is with us, so I guess I'll look forward to Ginia's explosion starting the day after tomorrow.

-----

Thank you for my Patrons !!

[Platinum]

-

[Gold]

B random

Nepheos

ShitaiNoKootoRyuu

[Silver]

Corey Hicks

Creris

Frédéric Bertrand-Hudon

Jake Seagraves

Matthew Fraser

Tbaum56

Xavier O'Donoghue

[Bronze]

Anton Lim

Austin Lorenzo

Baelee

Bloodyemperor

Ctdela

Curious Panda

David Bankole

Enrique Miranda

nick nasca

openope

Radhitia Furqan

SD Fox

Read Advanced Chapters only on my Patreon

-----

<<Prev << ToC >> Next>>

Read More

[WN] Jitsuwa 3-Domedatta : Chapter 327

Chapter 327

(Kyle Calendar Year 514: Age 21)

The 1st Royal Capital Tournament ⑤: Team Matches Qualifiers

Translator : PolterGlast

The morning individual match preliminaries ended with a satisfactory result for the time being, but for me, the real performance is the team matches. After all, the most formidable enemy, Marquis Gorman's team, is staking everything on the team matches.

He must have definitely narrowed his target down to me and solidified his players.

「Even so, Father-in-law is pleasingly easy to understand. To completely cut off the individual matches like that is terrifying in a sense.」

「It's probably my father's personality. This time too, he told me, 『You are already Lord Takuhir's wife. Pay no mind to the affairs of our territory, and support the Archduke with all your might,』 and didn't tell me anything.」

「Hahaha... so you couldn't gather any information?」

「That is that, and this is this. He didn't tell me the answer, but looking at his face when I asked the question... he cannot deceive his daughter's eyes.」

「...」

Looking at Yuka laughing lightly, I couldn't say anything.

Yes, I will be careful from now on too. So that I won't be told, 『You cannot deceive your wife's eyes.』

「The one who cannot be underestimated the most this time is Father-in-law. He has probably heard a general overview of our efforts and player candidates through Arrogantz as well...」

Yes, it's only natural for a unit commander class of the Demon Territory Knights to know that we are appointing excellent shooters even from those hailing from the Istoria Imperial Kingdom and Empire soldiers.

「I don't think that's the case. It seems my father also probed around that area, but apparently Sir Arrogantz didn't speak about anything at all. Because conversely, my father was happily praising him, saying, 『His loyalty and sincerity toward the Archduke is splendid.』...」

「I see, then Father-in-law too...」

「Yes, I'm sure he will be surprised!」

Yuka also answered me with a full smile.

Yes, the team match participating players will enter shortly. The players participating for me were clad in jet-black robes edged in crimson and white, wearing the hoods deep to hide their faces.

Amidst a group clad in leather or light armor prioritizing ease of movement, it was rather a bizarre sight.

「Tch, he's scheming something again...」

I heard such a mutter from my brother, but I pretended not to hear it.

And then... When the introduction of the participating players began, each player turned to face the VIP seats and bowed deeply to both Majesties.

「...Next, we will introduce the representative players of the Archduke's Direct Territory from the Westlights Demon Territory Dukedom. Baronet Soldia von Carleen...」

「「「「Ooooh!」」」」

A stir arose not only in the VIP seats but among all the audience. Toward Carleen, who simultaneously with her name being called, cast off her robe and bowed deeply to the VIP seats.

Because her outfit consisted of pure white and crimson upper and lower garments, clothing that does not exist in this world, and she was clad in something looking exactly like miko (shrine maiden) clothes. As if like... or rather exactly as it is, I intentionally made it that way.

Since Lilia, who was introduced next, was wearing the same outfit, the audience got even more excited.

Beautiful girls, beautiful women, and miko clothes... for some reason they fit perfectly, but of course! This is not my special fetish.

Previously, I requested the clothing workshop in Gaia to make them out of a slight mischievous spirit, and their evaluation was surprisingly good. Starting with my wives, the girls wore them enthusiastically. Even Anne, who usually only wears maid clothes...

And then, since we're at it, let's participate wearing them at the Royal Capital tournament! Before I knew it, that had become the flow of things.

I repeat... I neither guided nor forced them. Certainly, I feel like I might have said something about wanting to astound the Royal Capital audience with our clothing too, but...

I want to believe... it's not them reading the room for my sake.

Incidentally, starting today, these miko clothes will also be on sale with high acclaim at the antenna shop in Kylar.

In preparation for this day, I had the sewing lines in Gaia operating at full capacity to prepare a massive amount.

And the announcements continue. Next, Aura, who served as the general in the team match of the previous tournament, was introduced, and then Altena, the winner of the individual match in the previous tournament...

「O... ooh?」

「No way... that can't be, right?」

「No... but...」

Although there were cheers as usual, voices of doubt began to rise from some people.

「Fufufu, almost time.」

I unintentionally let out words with a villainous face. And then...

「Whaaaaat!」 「My word!」 「Such a thing!」 「So that's how it is....」 「You've done it now!」 「You certainly pulled one over us!」

Separate from the audience getting wildly excited over the women in miko clothes lined up in the venue, speechless words leaked from the VIP seats.

Because the final player, Diana, another one of the three recommended by Christoph, was introduced, and all 5 bowed to the VIP seats together.

The Knight Commander and the legion commanders of the Royal Capital Knights in particular turned pale and trembled. Their read was completely off the mark, and they must have felt an unfathomable dread.

The reason and purpose for my participation in this tournament lay here. To win the individual and team matches of the tournament, and show off the active roles of female players throughout the Kingdom.

The purpose of that is to excavate human resources buried around the Royal Capital. Starting with the Teigoon area, and as the entire Demon Territory Dukedom as well, the gender ratio is heavily skewed towards men. That is not the only reason, but conversely, there are many places for women to play an active role.

Through this tournament, I intend to make it known throughout the Kingdom that there are places for women to play an active role in the Demon Territory Dukedom, and recruit ambitious women, literally uprooting them.

I'll probably be resented by the men of Kylar, but... I was unpopular with the male students at the academy too, and I'm already used to such things.

Even in this world, the percentage of women taking on key positions and playing an active role is extremely low. Except in the Westlights Demon Territory Dukedom...

It is nonsense in the first place not to utilize the power of women, who make up half the population, and in my territory, we constantly adopt opinions from various quarters regarding policies to support working women, and immediately put them into action.

This time, the establishment of a guide for recruiting immigrants at the antenna shop, and a separate consultation counter exclusively for female immigrants, is also a measure for this.

Putting that aside...

「Archduke, you certainly entertain us quite blatantly.」

「Yes, during my enrollment at the academy in the Royal Capital, I even earned the nickname 'Harem Baron', after all.」

Saying this with a wry smile, this is also a well-known fact. At the academy, Mary and Sasha were always by my side, and female companions stood out in the Mage training course as well. From the following year, there was additionally Yuka and her school friends...

『Harem Baron』, 『Amorous Baron』, 『Ero Baron』... and so on. I received many such nicknames. It's an entirely unappreciated story, but...

I had no choice but to accept such backbiting with aloofness.

「So, how about their skill? Gouras and the others seem to be panicking that the story is different.」

「I intend to have brought our country's highly skilled individuals as well.」

In fact, the team match participants are all top-class, far stronger than Gail, Gord, and the others.

「I see... network of people... so that's what it is. Does it mean former enemies are now powerful allies? I'm looking forward to the matches.」

「As you say. Then, please excuse me to head to the venue.」

Saying so, I went down to the match venue where they were waiting.

※

Upon descending to the venue, the scenery I saw changed completely. Before the cheers of the massive crowd and the spectators easily exceeding ten thousand, I felt an indescribable, tremendous pressure.

「Amazing... it's as if the surrounding walls are closing in on us. Everyone, you don't need to get worked up thinking you have to win. You've got a souvenir story of participating in a match before the King. The rest is just enjoying it.」

「「「「「Yes, sir!」」」」」

「Fortunately, the most formidable enemy (Gorman's team) is in a different group in today's preliminaries. Three matches today; I'll entrust the vanguard to Carleen, Lilia, and Altena. Go all out!」

「「「Yes, sir!」」」

To the 3 who answered vigorously and the other 2 as well, I handed the tasuki (sashes for holding up sleeves) made by each of my wives.

As expected, Japanese-style clothing needs a tasuki... When you put it on, it somehow gives a dignified feeling.

For Carleen, it was Anne, who has been together with her since Est. For Lilia, it was Claire, her close best friend both publicly and privately. For Altena, it was Miseri, who first called out to her during talent excavation. For Aura, it was Yoltia, who counseled her after she immigrated. For Diana, it was Yuka, who looked after her as a fellow Wind Mage.

The wives who had connections to each respective player made them for them.

◯ Preliminary Group 1

·         Westlights Demon Territory Dukedom - Archduke's Direct Territory

·         Frontier Duke Model

·         Count Cornell

·         Royal Capital Knights

◯ Preliminary Group 2

·         Frontier Duke Hastburg

·         Frontier Duke Hamish

·         Marquis Gorman

·         Marquis Solis

Since our opponent in the first match was Frontier Duke Model, I sent out Lilia. And she showed us a flawless victory, taking out all five opponents by herself! Looking next door... Milia was it? Marquis Gorman's female player had won a flawless victory, taking out all five opponents against the team my brother prepared.

The second match was against Count Cornell, but this time Altena splendidly pulled off a flawless victory, taking out all five opponents. On the other hand, Marquis Gorman's side also had a player who won the past supreme tournament advancing by taking out all five opponents.

The third match... although we hadn't directly confronted each other at this point, it was already clear that this was a showdown between me and Marquis Gorman.

Carleen, who had improved her skills even further than before, flawlessly swept 5 fierce individuals selected from the Royal Capital Knights, and on Marquis Gorman's side, Arrogantz suppressed 5 players from my father Marquis Solis's territory.

Even in the eyes of the spectators at the venue, they sent massive cheers to the rapid advance of both sides yielding to neither, and the players supporting it.

「Am I... are we... still facing such a high wall...」

Muttering so, Knight Commander Gouras was collapsing with teary eyes. In the spectator seats, Legion Commander Hoffman and Legion Commander Schultz were also hanging their heads.

「Tch, for me to have all the good parts taken by my younger brother... my position as an older brother is...」

My brother said so while looking down. But... it wasn't me who beat you, Brother, right? It was Marquis Gorman, you know.

「Why? What is the difference between me and Gorman? Please... someone tell me.」

Father, the answer is simple.

Because Father-in-law has the accumulation of continually walking alongside the territory residents since the beginning, earnestly, with himself and his daughter (Yuka) involved.

When a rebellion occurred within the country, there is also the anecdote of the lord's daughter taking a crossbow in hand herself to protect the territory residents, leading them and fighting on the front lines, and this has become a legendary tale in the Gorman territory.

The thoughts the territory residents put into the crossbow are completely different from those in Father's territory.

Well, I wonder if that's the only thing? Is it also partly because I snatched away all those with talent in archery in the Solis territory...? Maybe a little? Well, I haven't laid a hand on the new domains at all, so that part isn't my fault, you know.

「Hahaha, Duke Model, to lose this clearly is rather refreshing.」

「Exactly as Duke Hamish says. Our master (Lord Takuhir) is still at an unreachable height. That is what it means.」

「We were working with Lord Gorman as our goal, but we still have a long way to go. I felt the need to dispatch an inspection unit and work thoroughly to see if there is anything to improve.」

Duke Hamish, Duke Model, and Count Cornell's camps seemed rather to accept the situation refreshingly after being overwhelmed to this extent.

「Fufufu, as expected, the man I set my eyes on is different. Or should I praise Lord Gorman here?」

「Hohoho, Your Majesty, that can wait until after seeing the results of tomorrow's finals. Truly, this is a fine thing.」

「How about it? Shall we adopt the crossbow in our country as well, and aim to turn the territory residents into a military force?」

「Your Majesty, that would be excellent. Fortunately, I hear that Salaam has already begun working on it as a whole city under the Archduke's guidance.」

「Is that so! Then let's promptly drop by Salaam on the return journey, and exchange cups with my drinking buddies while consulting them!」

No... those drinking buddies are Zahark and the others, right? The sight of them drinking alcohol while trembling with pale faces floated into my mind again.

Thus, those who advanced their pieces according to their speculations, and those who burned out with their speculations missing the mark; the contrasting team match preliminaries closed their curtains.

-----

Thank you for my Patrons !!

[Platinum]

-

[Gold]

B random

Nepheos

ShitaiNoKootoRyuu

[Silver]

Corey Hicks

Creris

Frédéric Bertrand-Hudon

Jake Seagraves

Matthew Fraser

Tbaum56

Xavier O'Donoghue

[Bronze]

Anton Lim

Austin Lorenzo

Baelee

Bloodyemperor

Ctdela

Curious Panda

David Bankole

Enrique Miranda

nick nasca

openope

Radhitia Furqan

SD Fox

Read Advanced Chapters only on my Patreon

-----

<<Prev << ToC >> Next>>

Read More