Chapter 329
(Kyle Calendar Year 514: Age 21)
The Banquet After the Victory
Translator : PolterGlast
The Royal Capital Tournament
concluded without a hitch, both the individual and team matches. Amidst the
swirling massive cheers, just as the tournament was about to be crowned with a
perfect ending...
「W-We did it! The team match was also
10 times the payout! With my sisters, this time too, this time too...」
「Yuka-sama's intuition is splendid! With this, we... have a complete
victory.」
「Everyone together once again! I'm so
glad. It's just like that time, there's nothing happier than this!」
The moving finale was drowned out by the shouts of joy
swirling in the VIP seats. It was clearly audible even to Takuhir and
the others in the stadium.
「...」
The two brothers who had these women as wives and a
sister—one in the stadium, the other in the VIP seats—could only hold their
heads in silence together.
『I mean, with this level of joy, the
bet definitely wasn't just around
100 gold coins. Just how much did they bet?』
If things go wrong, they might have earned an amount
exceeding the annual revenue of a Viscounty, right? Thinking so, Takuhir
was too scared to ask for details.
After that followed the awards ceremony, the conferment of
rewards, and when the sun set, the banquet welcoming the King of Fearalt
and such continued. At this banquet, partly at the request of both Kings, the
top three of the individual matches and the two teams that advanced to the
finals, having left notable results in the team matches, were also specially
invited, adding flair to the event.
「Um... is it really alright for someone
like me... to be here?」
「Miss Altena, me too.
Somehow... it feels incredibly out of place...」
「I thought I had gotten used to being
surprised after moving to Teigoon, but... this is the ultimate.」
「Such a glamorous seat, it's too
dazzling... I feel like I'm going to get dizzy.」
「I-I'm too nervous... I mean, I'm nothing more than a commoner of the Imperial
Kingdom...」
「No, I mean, I am... no, what should
I do?」
Not only Altena and Serena who hail from the Kingdom,
but the immigrants from the Imperial Kingdom—Aura, Diana,
and Almis—were in the midst of feeling humbled and bewildered.
Furthermore, the only male surrounded by women, Yorm, also froze,
looking out of place.
「It's not like I'm used to it either.
Even though Miss Carleen and I are Baronets, we are originally of
commoner birth. But Lady Yuka rushed around frantically and went out of
her way to arrange dresses for everyone. If we flinch here, we'll have no face
to show Her Highness the Queen of our country.」
「Same as Miss Lilia. Because
when you're with Lord Takuhir, your senses get messed up in various
ways. Well, since we're here, let's just enjoy the luxurious meal.」
Lilia and Carleen
have gone through scenes of carnage in various senses up to now, so they were
strong even at times like this.
And regardless of the bewilderment of some, the banquet
proceeded, and the feast welcoming the King of Fearalt began. At that
time, there were those who surrounded the girls, who were tense and clustered
in a corner, from a distance and looked at them with wicked eyes.
「Why! Why did those people change
their clothes. Even though His Majesty was also looking forward to a stylish
arrangement.」
「Exactly. Those eccentric clothes had
something that... stirred one up, after all...」
「How about it? Why don't we buy those
eccentric clothes for them, make them change, and have them add flair to this
feast? To let them participate in this feast despite being of lowly status in
the first place... If so, it should be necessary to have them cooperate a
little with our tastes.」
The men staring suspiciously at them said whatever they
pleased, since their targets were merely semi-nobles and commoners after all.
Although the old customs from when the restoration faction
dominated were abolished and the outward system was revised in this country,
the consciousness reform of the nobles themselves inside was still
insufficient.
Much less, many nobles still thought of Takuhir as an
upstart in their hearts. In fact, a few years ago he was nothing but the second
son of a Baron house, not even holding a peerage...
「Takuhir-sama...」
Even at this time, the one who was quick to sense such an
anomaly was Yuka. Receiving the words she softly whispered in his ear, Takuhir
slowly advanced behind them.
※
「How about it? Making those women
perform a dance to add flair to the entertainment?」
「That is a good idea. I was thinking
of keeping them by my side under the pretext of providing guidance within my
territory...」
「Then allow me to go and speak with
them. We are prestigious nobles; mere commoners wouldn't dare say no.」
『...I mean, you guys are way too
creepy. A bunch of grown men, every single one of you...』
Do I have to pick a fight here too... It was the moment I
sighed. From behind my back, a clear, dignified voice echoed.
「You people, even if it is a joke,
you have quite a courageous way of speaking, do you not?」
「What did you say? Who do you think
you're talking to...」
Saying so, they looked to my left and froze.
「You people, of course! You possess
great courage. Or did you get blinded by beautiful women and become unable to
see important matters?」
「Y-Your Highness Clarice...
w-we would never.」
「You people should thank me. Firstly,
because I stopped you from being charged with lèse-majesté.」
Saying so, Her Highness Clarice stared at them while
floating an expression of contempt.
「Wha-! We committed no disrespect...」
「Certainly, speaking in terms of status
in this country, they are semi-nobles and commoners. But this time, they are
honored guests invited specifically by our His Majesty the King and His Majesty
Krieger. To insult His Majesty's honored guests is equivalent to
insulting His Majesty.」
「No... we had no intention of
insulting them at all. We just wanted to add flair to this feast...」
「Heeh, is that so? It sounded exactly
like you were treating them as a sideshow, though? Incidentally, secondly, you
people just narrowly escaped death, you know?」
「???」
「Archduke Westlights calls his
subjects 'comrades' and cherishes them very much. If he learns that those comrades
were insulted or made into a sideshow, he would probably be infuriated and hand
down punishment upon you people. It seems you people do not know the
terrifyingness of His Majesty the Archduke?」
Hmm? No, the story is heading in a somewhat strange
direction... I don't care about myself, but...
「The people of this country know far
too little about the terrifyingness of His Majesty the Archduke. His martial
arts are tremendous, not inferior even to me, a Sword Saint, and capable of
confronting legendary-class monsters. His ambition is so fierce that since his
time as Frontier Count Demon Territory, he would kick me aside if
necessary. His wrath is so rough that he tears apart and mercilessly rips to
pieces and annihilates 20,000 enemy soldiers in an instant. His brilliance is
so terrifying that he freely incites merchants, easily stopping the
distribution in many territories and plunging them into
famine. The army under his command is the strongest among neighboring
countries, attacking with the fierceness of a raging fire, to the point where
enemy nations fear him and call him the Demon King.」
『Somehow... it sounds like I'm a
terrible person, but...』That's the only way it sounds to me, but...
「It seems there is a misunderstanding
among everyone that he is someone who attained prosperity merely by riding the
current of the times with luck alone. I intervened and saved you people just as
the Archduke was about to hand down punishment upon you insolent people.」
Saying so, Her Highness smiled at me ostentatiously and then
bowed her head.
「Eek, D-Demon King...」
Noticing my presence there for the first time, they turned pale
and began to tremble. The person in question who declared it is sticking her
tongue out and laughing. I mean, I feel like I've been had, so I can't honestly
thank her.
「His Majesty the Archduke, the
loose-lipped people of our country were exceedingly rude. Nonsense spoken at a
drinking party... please, for my sake, spare only their lives...」
After saying so, she bowed her head deeply once again,
but...
You've got to be kidding me! I would warn them, but there's
no way I'd say to pay with their lives. I might get somewhat belligerent, though...
「Please, Your Highness, raise your
head. This makes me look like the bad guy. Also... please spare me from just
'Demon King'. Even I get hurt being called that.」
「Oh my? It was my own way of paying a
compliment, was it no good?」
No... you weren't praising me. It only sounds like
retaliation for me constantly calling you a muscle-brain, a tomboy, and so on.
After this, Yuka, Chrisia, and even Her
Highness Clarice entered the circle of our invited players and those
from Marquis Gorman's territory, and began to handle things so as to put
them at ease. Introducing them to friends and acquaintances, and handling
things so they wouldn't feel left out at this feast.
Seeing such a state and turning on my heel in relief, a
troublesome man in a different sense called out to me from behind.
「Hohoho, the Archduke was saved by
Her Highness.」
Certainly, I probably have to thank Her Highness. If the
current me causes a brawl, there are too many things that would be dragged into
it.
I also understand that the cause of that is me being taken
lightly because I act 'unlike what I am', and as a result, my comrades are also
taken lightly. I reflect on this, but it's too late to change it now...
「Yes, I was saved. However, not being
able to behave as one pleases under public scrutiny is a constricting thing.」
「That is probably a luxurious worry
that only those who have can say.」
「A luxurious worry, is it... I
suppose so, but... Unsuited, I think that is more accurate. By the way, Academy
Principal, you managed various things well this time, didn't you?」
「Oh, whatever do you mean?」
Tch, he's playing
dumb. Cunning as always. Well, I don't intend to complain about every little
thing regarding this point.
「In this tournament, about how much
'funds to bear the future of the Kingdom' did you collect as the bookmaker?」
「Hmm... I suppose I should disclose a
certain amount of information to the Archduke, who was the originator and
shared the know-how. The total betting
amount... exceeded 200,000 gold coins, I will just state that much. I was
indebted to your wife and sister in various ways, but at the very end, they
thoroughly fleeced an appropriate tuition fee from me. I thought I must also
give some thanks to the Archduke for teaching us the operation methods.」
You say 'disclose', and that's all! I mean, if that's the
case, you must have obtained at least 40,000 gold coins as revenue. Amazing...
However, this is assuming the bookmaker's revenue was set at 20% like ours.
Since it's the Old Raccoon, there's even a possibility it's more.
It's a good opportunity. I was thinking of talking in a
separate room later, but conversely, might right now at a drinking party be
more convenient? I decided to consult (declare) with the Old Raccoon regarding
a certain speculation.
「Indeed, they are excellent in
various ways, after all. Also, I don't need anything; if I carelessly accept
something, it seems it would cost me dearly. However, there is just one point I
would like your permission for.」
「Oh... if it is something I can do...」
「When approaching negotiations,
gather elements to win and information the other party dislikes in advance. I
was taught that by the Academy Principal while enrolled at the academy. I would
definitely like to receive your permission. For the prosperity of both
countries and the future ahead as well...」
「Oh...」
Answering briefly, the Old Raccoon narrowed his eyes,
becoming a different person from the good-natured old man expression just a
moment ago.
「What I desire is permission to
present the information I have learned to the target person at the negotiation
table from now on. The contents are two points, the details and the other party
are...」
Lowering my voice, I conveyed the thought I was harboring
now. About the indispensable element to accomplish the hidden purpose for which
I came to the Royal Capital...
「I must say that is quite a dangerous
negotiation. If handled poorly, it could result in making enemies of them, but
will you still do it?」
「Yes, fortunately we are an
independent nation possessing sovereignty. If they do not consent, we merely
cut them off.」
「Even if that results in increasing
enemies?」
「Even if hypothetically it comes to
that, preventing them from openly becoming hostile is what this consultation is
about.」
「Hmm... I cannot decide this solely
on my own discretion, but it likely cannot be helped. I
shall convey the matter to His Majesty from my end as well. However...」
「I am fully aware that it is
forceful. And that they are a difficult opponent...」
「Hohoho, the previously obedient Archduke
has also become quite cunning. It is a fine thing.」
「Yes, it is probably the result of
being blessed with (bullied by) a good instructor in Kylar.」
In front of the person himself, I declared it nonchalantly.
For better or worse, I was trained considerably by the Old Raccoon. I still
don't have the confidence to beat him, though...
Thus, the banquet on the final day ended without a hitch. Now then, tomorrow is... dealing with the hidden purpose!
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