Chapter 444
(Kyle Calendar Year 516:
Age 23)
A Banquet Celebrating
the New Year, A Connected Future (Part 1)
Within
the altered history, a year that unfolded with a completely different
appearance came to an end, and a new year dawned. The year 515 of the Kyle
Era, a year of unknown and major war, was one that greatly swayed my destiny as
well, and it is very deeply moving that I was somehow able to safely weather
this year too. That is not all. After the meeting that decided the basic
policies held the previous year, large-scale public works projects began moving
in various places throughout the Demon Territory Dukedom, resulting in
an unprecedented victory boom and explosive growth in domestic demand. Perhaps
due to that, at the annual banquet to celebrate the New Year and thank all the
concerned parties, the number of people gathered in the grand hall of Kusanagi
which served as the venue was also extraordinary. Well... the booming economy
isn't the only reason, though. This time, due to various circumstances, the
hosting period was pushed back by about ten days compared to usual.
Furthermore, last year there were family celebrations (marriage announcements),
so basically, the New Year's banquet was held only among family (the exceptions
being the Marquis Solis family, the Marquis Gorman family, and
the Viscount Bauner family). However, this time I couldn't say that, so
I lifted the self-regulation around that. Thanks to that, the guest
participation from other families was out in full force: four groups of
official guests, two groups of guests who inexplicably invited themselves
suddenly, and about five groups of guests from among relatives.
「Then, in gratitude to the new year,
to everyone who has supported the Demon Territory Dukedom, and to the
guests who have traveled from afar, cheers!」
「「「「「Cheers!」」」」」
「Gratitude to Archduke-heika!」
「To the future of the Demon
Territory Dukedom!」
「To our numerous victories!」
「To the departure of the new country!」
Cups
celebrating the new year were exchanged along with words of congratulation from
everyone. Normally, it was an annual custom for the Commander to give
the toast greeting at this banquet. But... This time, to avoid being rude to
the official guests, I ended up taking on the role myself.
「I believe there are those
participating in this banquet for the first time. I will say this beforehand,
but this banquet was devised by my mother, and it is also a venue for us to
show our gratitude to everyone who has taken care of us over the past year.
Therefore, from here on out, it will be a 『free-and-easy』 occasion. I ask that you observe minimum etiquette, but
there are no hierarchical relationships. Everyone is the guest of honor; please
join conversations without reserve, participate in turns including those
serving as attendants, and by all means enjoy the food and alcohol.」
After
explaining the rules of the banquet anew, I myself descended from the platform
and joined the participants. Doing so, immediately...
「First of all, we express our deep
gratitude to Archduke-heika
for our ability to safely welcome the new year, and for granting holidays to
the laborers we dispatched.」
The
first to come and greet me saying so were King Crajyu and Alicia-denka. Even after traveling to the Imperial
Capital together, they have been coming to visit like this whenever they
have the chance, but... Is it really okay for the King of a country to casually
go out to greet a neighboring country? Especially at this time of year...
「We are individuals whose lives were
saved, and whose country and people were also saved, by Archduke-heika. Hearing from Miseri-sama that a 『banquet
to express feelings of gratitude』 is held every New Year, we intruded
because we absolutely wanted to offer words of gratitude to Archduke-heika.」
No...
Alicia-denka, that is wrong.
The banquet is a venue for me to show gratitude, not a venue to show gratitude
to me, though... Well, fine. It seems Alicia-denka and Miseri and Yoltia have remained connected
even after that and have been exchanging letters, too.
「Likewise, I offer my thanks anew to
the two of you who have traveled all this way despite being busy with 『preparations』 of various kinds. I never expected
you to stabilize the governance and solidify the country's foundation this
quickly. Besides... next time, it will be our turn to rush over to celebrate
the two of you.」
These
are my honest feelings. If anything, despite being excellent—no, precisely
because they were excellent—these two were once shunned in their homelands.
Therefore, even though they unified the countries, I thought there would be
another wave of conflict with the old regime faction. Yet, these two—no, the
three of them including General Golpa—managed to pull through it
splendidly. And... shortly after the new year dawns, these two will officially
become the King and Queen in all their glory.
「To begin with, we had powerful
backing, after all. Every single citizen is tremendously grateful to the
liberation army that extended a hand, and to everyone in the Demon Territory
Dukedom, starting with Heika. And the dissident elements within the
country are trembling in fear at the 『might』
of Archduke-heika, who
defeated numerous formidable enemies. However... there are still things left
undone.」
At
my 『might』?
That's... not the infamy of 『Demon King』,
is it? Because I heard that in the Sura Principality and the Turncoat
Kingdom, who were subjected to terrible experiences by my tactics, the
nickname of Demon King is spreading as if it were true...
「It is exactly as Alicia-dono says. Starting with the new
territories bestowed by Archduke-heika's
military might, your unparalleled activities in the Empire Territory and the anecdote of liberating the
three countries with lightning speed are already heroic tales known even by the
children in our country. We too are moving to begin the final touches.」
Hero?
That's not me. I mean... who spread such stories? To begin with, even when
recapturing the Royal Capitals of the three countries, I only laid hands on the
Cain Kingdom. The liberation of Lute and Vile is their own
military exploit, you know? But still, what is 『things
left undone』 and 『final
touches』?
「Congratulations on welcoming the new
year. I apologize for interrupting your conversation. Hearing that Crajyu-heika
is attending this banquet, may I also be allowed to greet both Heikas?」
The
one who joined the conversation saying so was another guest who had experienced
these free-and-easy gatherings many times by now, Marquis Flame. Because
I had taught him beforehand that calling out like this is not a problem at this
free-and-easy banquet. And he is also one of the 『official』 guests who had requested to participate in advance.
「I had a message from my lord saying
he wished to invite you all as state guests to the marriage ceremony to be held
in the spring, let alone Archduke-heika,
and I was entrusted with the invitations. In addition to that, I was also
entrusted with a message that the Principality of Fearalt will dispatch
an official envoy to the marriage ceremony of the two of you to be held soon,
and that our King will also participate, albeit unofficially.」
And
because he was able to meet the next invitees here in Kusanagi and
convey it directly including the unofficial talks, does that mean it saved him
the trouble?
「My! That is something to be thankful
for.」
「I express my gratitude anew for Krugel-heika's consideration!」
After
the two bowed deeply, Alicia-denka
smiled mischievously and began to speak again.
「By the way, I wonder if it would be
alright to welcome Krugel-heika
as a 『state guest』
just like in the Empire after he visits?」
Hahaha,
she intends to utilize it politically right away. She probably intends to show
off to the dissident elements within the country that the new King has backing
from surrounding countries.
「O-Of course. If you would receive
him as such at the marriage venue...」
Marquis
Flame also had a slightly complicated face, but that can't be helped
either, right. The visit itself is 『incognito』,
but appropriate courteous treatment will be necessary in an official setting.
「My King also said this: 『If I can be of strength to my new friends, that is also my
joy.』」
Hahaha,
『new friends』, huh... In that sense, everyone who
stands at the top of a country, starting with Heika, is lonely in a way.
Once you become a King, there is no one you can talk to on equal footing. If
there are people you can talk to without being conscious of political
aspects... that in itself is precious, isn't it. I have self-awareness of being
a 『hastily made』
King, and since I also have memories of being a commoner as Nishida, I
somehow can't get used to their circumstances, though.
「If so, I will hold onto the
invitation for the Emperor-heika.
This will save even more trouble, won't it. By the way, Heika says he
will also dispatch an envoy representing the Empire to the marriage
ceremony of the two of you.」
There
was a person who newly joined the circle of conversation here. That was none
other than one of the sudden participants who appeared without prior notice, Sieghart,
who is now a Marquis in the Empire. He had been sending a representative
as the Kempurna Trading Company to the annual banquet every year, but to
think he would participate as the 『representative』
himself this time...
「Ah... well...」
「I-Is that really alright?」
「Th-Thank you very much!」
The
reactions of the three were varied. Marquis Flame seems to be at a loss
for a reply, but that's reasonable. Because his role includes meeting and
greeting the Emperor, after all. King Crajyu was feeling humbled, and Alicia-denka's eyes were sparkling, though. If
an official envoy from the Empire is also dispatched to their marriage
ceremony, the two will have been completely acknowledged by the Empire.
「Normally, if I do not visit the
three countries and directly convey my lord's words to greet you, I would be
losing manners. Therefore, I would like to request it after greeting the Emperor-heika directly, but...」
「Of course, Marquis Flame's
visit is welcome, and I am not recommending that you omit it. However, in a
face-to-face setting, I think it will take the form of an official reply as the
Emperor of the Empire, 『dispatching an envoy of
congratulation』. With various eyes and ears around,
Heika won't be able to speak his true feelings, after all. Therefore, my
offer is that I receive only the letter in advance and hand it to Heika
privately.」
「I see! Then I will take you up on
your offer and request you to do so. By the way, we are also making
preparations to welcome the Emperor-heika
privately. Including Sieghart-sama,
of course.」
「Then we will be able to reunite in Feari
with everyone we met in the Imperial Capital! And... we will also be
able to visit the Demon Territory for the first time, won't we.」
I
mean, Princess, you're raising your voice happily, but you mustn't resemble
that 『tomboy』
in strange areas, you know. Or is it because she had been isolated within the
royal family of the Cain Kingdom for a long time and confined to the
Royal Palace, that just going out somewhere with everyone is unbearably happy
for her?
「Also, Sieghart-sama, I would like to have a little of
your time for a business consultation after the banquet...」
Huh,
Alicia-denka's expression
changed a little? Somehow... it's a smile like she's plotting something...
「Of course. I am also the
representative of the Kempurna Trading Company, after all.」
Saying
so, Sieghart bowed respectfully to Alicia-denka. Could it be... regarding the catapults she ordered
previously? Well, if it's a 『business』
matter, there's no need for me to stick my neck in...
「Since it's a good opportunity, I
also have a request for Archduke-heika.
The two hundred elites to be dispatched from our country have completed their
selection in consultation with General Golpa, and I have brought them
along on this visit. We would like them to participate in the training at Aegis
just like this...」
「Ah! That's right. I was also about
to forget one of the 『important purposes』 for visiting this time. I have brought along the two
hundred people from the Empire to participate in the training at the Demon
Territory, so I will entrust them to you just like this. Please train them hard
to your heart's content.」
Sieghart's words, the part about 『one of the important purposes』,
catches my attention somehow. Are there still others? Somehow... I'm anxious.
「From the conversation just now, it
sounds like there are other purposes as well...」
「Excuse me! I heard something about
the Demon Territory, and since this is a matter that concerns me as well, by
all means, could you let me join the circle of conversation?」
Tch,
he covered my words with all his might as if seizing the perfect opportunity.
Yes, this intrusion, which seems completely intentional, is of course the
second group of unexpected visitors.
「No, Brother... does this concern the
Margrave of Hastburg as well?」
At
my words, my brother floated a mischievous smile. This is bad... this is the
face my brother makes when he's plotting something.
「Just as Archduke-heika says, in our country, the 『noble personage (Clarisse-sama)』 scheduled to marry in as a bride
insisted on participating as a special envoy in the marriage ceremony of the
King and Queen of Lute-Vile-Cain, and there was a dispute in the Royal
Capital, you see.」
Yeah,
but that's an unreasonable story. It's impossible for an unmarried Princess
awaiting marriage to a neighboring country to go as a special envoy, and to a
completely unrelated country at that. So this time, my brother was appointed as
the special envoy. Actually, this is another reason why my brother is
participating in the New Year's banquet in Kusanagi.
「So that person, in exchange for
compromising on the matter of the special envoy, ended up saying she would 『go to the Demon Territory receiving an invitation from
everyone』 along with her marriage to the
Principality, and this time she wouldn't back down a single step, you see.」
Huh?
No one invited her. Rather, she was the one who brought it up! Somehow... isn't
this flowing in a direction where I become the bad guy?
「Regarding this, there was a direct
request from the King-heika
and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, who were holding their heads in trouble...」
King:
『I will grant the Margrave of Hastburg the duty of
accompanying as a special envoy, and order him to guard the Princess outside
the marriage venue.』 Minister of Foreign Affairs: 『You are one of the strongest swordsmen in the Kingdom, and
moreover, as someone familiar with the Demon Territory, you would be perfect as
an attendant (guard).』
「Having received such orders from the
two of them, I have been assigned a new mission.」
I
mean, to begin with, Brother is the Margrave of the West bordering the Principality
of Fearalt, so it's not unnatural for him to accompany Clarisse-denka's marriage journey, but rather a
matter of course. If so, could it be... he just dared to collude with the 『tomboy』 and attached a plausible reason?
No... it might just be my wicked guess, though. The developments are becoming
too convenient for the parties involved, aren't they?
「For that purpose, I have brought
soldiers leading them to participate in the preliminary training as promised.
This unit is led by my subordinate Viscount Errol serving as regular
training as well, and it amounts to about one thousand cavalry, but...」
One
thousand cavalry! Doesn't that feel like about eight hundred cavalry too many?
He's totally full of motivation to use this as a pretext to conduct training at
the Demon Territory for his subordinate soldiers! He's even shrewdly brought Flora-sama along... Is this a vacation! I
couldn't help but speak to my brother in a low voice.
「Brother... you prepared something
behind the scenes again this time, didn't you?」
At
those words, my brother laughed mischievously. Intentional after all?
「The ones I led this time are
centered around the former 6th and 7th units of the Frontier Knights who are
used to the Demon Territory, and the ones participating from the Royal
Capital Knights are also the two hundred who were formerly dispatched to
the Demon Territory Knights. So they know the lay of the land, and I'll
handle the training and stay expenses here, so I won't cause you trouble.」
After
saying that with a serious face, next my brother floated a slightly lonely
expression.
「This time even Father and Mother are
participating, right? Even Chrisia is here, isn't it unfair that only I
am left out? I wanted to show Mother the face of her grandchild, and I wanted
to see my newborn brother's child, too.」
Yes,
the five groups of guests from among relatives are my parents the Marquis Solis
couple, my uncle the Count Cornell couple, the newly appointed Margrave Falmus
couple, and the Viscount Bold couple. In addition to that is Marquis Gorman,
but he alone had been participating singly every year making some excuse or
another perhaps to see Yuka, but this time he is participating bringing
his family, starting with his wife, and Yuka's younger sister and
brother. Before the banquet, I met his wife brought by the Marquis for the
first time, and she thanked me with tears flowing that her son was able to
establish himself. And... before I knew it, Brother had also become a father.
Half a year after taking his post as Margrave, I heard the story that Flora-sama gave birth to a healthy boy, and I
had also sent gifts, but this is the first time I'm meeting him.
「Even so... it looks like it will
become an amazing thing in Feari. I wonder if that fun night in the Imperial
Capital will be reproduced?」
No... Alicia-denka, please don't raise weird flags. Far from an amazing thing, it's obvious that with even my brother added, it will become an uproar like overturning a toy box. My head hurts just thinking about it... However... the astonishing events, the events that would connect to a new future, were to be the main favorite starting from here.
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