Chapter 445
(Kyle Calendar Year 516:
Age 23)
A Banquet Celebrating
the New Year, A Connected Future (Part 2)
Around
the time I was grandly holding my head in my hands inwardly at Alicia-denka's words, an event occurred that
greatly shifted the direction of the banquet. It started when Sieghart,
thinking the time was right, stepped forward before me with an innocent smile.
「Then, Archduke-heika, since your conversation seems to
have settled, I will proceed with the 『other purpose』
you asked about earlier. I have brought words of congratulation addressed to Archduke-heika from my lord, Grat-heika, the Emperor of the Griffonia
Empire.」
Saying
so, he respectfully took out a piece of pocket paper from his breast pocket,
and after bowing, began to read it aloud. Perhaps sensing something in his
demeanor, the previously noisy banquet venue fell completely silent.
『Regarding the auspicious event of my
sworn ally, the Westlights Demon Territory Dukedom, I offer words of
congratulation from the bottom of my heart. I bless the birth of the two
Princesses-denka from the bottom of
my heart, and pray that they grow up healthy. Hoping that when they grow up,
they will become new bridges connecting the future Empire and the Principality...』
「「「「「Ooooooooh!」」」」」
At
these words, the venue was enveloped in a loud cheer. No... when did he find
out? Claire gave birth to a baby girl two days after Anne gave
birth, and not even three weeks have passed since then! I was planning to make
the official announcement at this banquet, so I thought only a portion of the
people involved knew, but... I was intending to introduce the two infants, Renka
and Hanano, whom Anne and Claire were holding while
participating, during the middle closing, but... the schedule has gone haywire.
Moreover, to have the added prestige of having their births celebrated directly
by the Emperor of the Empire so soon after being born...
「My lord, the Emperor-heika of the Griffonia Empire,
has brought ten thousand Imperial Gold Coins each and gifts for your
wives to celebrate the birth of the Princesses-denka. Please accept them.」
Saying
so, Sieghart presented a catalog, but... Don't tell me this is an
advance payment of betrothal money? I haven't said I'm giving my daughters away
yet. It goes without saying that I was made to feel like a father sending off
his daughters so soon after celebrating the birth of new lives.
「Congratulations! I offer my
heartfelt congratulations on behalf of Krugel-heika. Now, we too will immediately send an express messenger to
our country and fetch words and articles of congratulation, so please wait a
moment, just a moment! To be forestalled by the Empire... this is a
major crisis for our country!」
No...
I clearly heard the words Marquis Flame muttered at the end in a great
panic, but still. Come to think of it, Clarisse-denka had raised a massive flag before. King Crajyu and Alicia-denka, who had been visiting Kusanagi
quite frequently, knew the circumstances around that well, after all. One week
after the birth, General Golpa had visited as a congratulatory envoy,
but still... Isn't everyone being a bit too sensitive?
From
then on, the banquet transformed from a venue where we thank everyone to a
venue celebrating the birth of the two. Of course, let alone my father doting
on his grandchildren, my mother caring for the two who had just given birth,
and Chrisia wanting to hold the babies, it goes without saying that it
was a venue where the whole family gathered together for the first time in a
long while. And... at the end of the banquet, there was also a surprising
report.
「Archduke-heika, for someone like me at a banquet like this...」
「We apologize for our personal
matters amidst your precious time...」
「Hm? Mark and Sean,
what's wrong with both of you being so formal?」
「「We are terribly sorry!」」
They
suddenly prostrated themselves, but what does this mean? I have absolutely no
idea what they're apologizing for, though?
「Jeez, you're pathetic at the
important moments. Where did the momentum from when you were condemning the 『Harem Baron』 at the academy go?」
「That's right! Even though you were
so gallant protecting us on the battlefield...」
Behind
the two of them were Mary and Karleen... Eh? Don't tell me... is
that what it is?
「The precious person Heika
calls a 『companion』...
p-please give her to me!」
「I-I will protect her even at the
cost of my life!」
No,
I'm not their father, you know? It's barking up the wrong tree to apologize to
me.
「Well done. I would like to report to
Takuhir-sama that I will be
marrying Sean.」
「I too will be officially uniting
with Mark-san, and would like
to report it to Takuhir-sama.」
Hahaha,
even just looking at this scene, a future where the two are henpecked by them
is certain. Well... I've had a long association with them since the early days
of summoning Mages. So I think it's inevitable that the temperature difference
when confronting me is clearly different, but still.
「First of all, let me say
congratulations. Right now, because of their positions, I think they're
unnecessarily nervous, but at the academy, they were fine men with spirit, you
know. They are irreplaceable and precious companions to me. Please be sure to make
the two of them happy.」
「Of course!」
「I swear and promise!」
「Then I have nothing to say from my
end. Don't forget to report to Claire and Yoltia too.」
Yes,
I don't know where or what happened, but it seemed they took a liking to that
foursome and were looking after them in various ways. I can understand Yoltia,
who has direct involvement with Mark through the firing control of the
magic cannons, but Claire was a mystery, though.
「Yes, we consulted with the two of
them beforehand!」
「We intend to go report to them anew
from here on!」
「Fufufu, both Claire-sama and Yoltia-sama are not just superiors to us, but
like older sisters. So our side has already reported it, you know.」
「Right. We've heard everything from
the beginning, even when they were endlessly consulting, saying things like our
statuses are different.」
「「Wha!」」
At
Mary's words following Karleen, Sean grandly, and Mark
slightly, froze up. It's true that Sean had been devoted solely to Mary
since their academy days. That's why he had complicated his feelings towards
the 『Harem Baron』
even more. I had heard from Yoltia that Mark had protected Karleen
by throwing himself in front of hellfire of fire magic unleashed by the First
Prince's side during the offensive and defensive battle at the Big Bridge.
「Well then, you men who were called
pathetic by your wives, go report and say your thanks to the two of them
manfully to redeem yourselves.」
「「Y... Yes, sir!」」
I
watched the backs of the two men while suppressing my laughter. And then...
this time, another official guest, Count Durul, appeared to greet me.
「It seems I've been forestalled by
them. I've come to present myself to celebrate the new year of departure anew,
and to formally make a request to Heika.」
Saying
so, the Count bowed deeply, and beside him stood Rosa. Yeah... does that
mean things wrapped up nicely in the end? I had heard that during the battle
with the three countries, the Count threw himself into the fierce battle
without regard for his life and saved Rosa and the others...
「I am fully aware that it is an
incorrigible story for someone like me, much less a person of the Empire,
to beg to receive someone who is Heika's precious companion, and
furthermore the 『supreme treasure』 of the Demon Territory Dukedom. I firmly promise
that I will not hinder Rosa-dono's
mission. Having said that, I wonder if she could be bestowed upon me...」
「And... are you fine with that, Rosa?」
It's
true that she is no longer just my companion now. She has the position of an
Honorary Bishop of the Kyle Kingdom, and I hear she has been recommended
as a Cardinal due to her achievement in striving to acquire the Church
Territory this time. If so, she's in a position where she can't easily say
she's marrying into the Empire.
「Yes, I made up my mind not just
because he saved my life. Durul-sama
has earnestly listened to my words since before that, and has been running
around to save many lives on the battlefield. Besides...」
After
saying so, Rosa looked down slightly and blushed. Did something else
happen too?
「Despite Count Durul once
being bestowed a large territory in the new southern territories of the Empire
by the Emperor-heika due to
his achievements on the northern front, he declined it and requested a
neighboring territory so that I could serve Takuhir-sama. To think he would care for someone like me that much...」
So
there was such a behind-the-scenes story! I didn't know... It's true that Count
Durul has been a pro-faction of the Third Prince for many years, and the
territory he was bestowed in the awards ceremony within the Empire is
quite small compared to Sieghart and Marquis (former Count) Astray,
who were in similar circumstances. I had completely thought it was intertwined
with the Demon Territory revival, but was the truth different... I mean, isn't
Count Durul too 『handsome』?
If someone did that much for you, anyone's heart couldn't help but be moved,
right?
「Yeah, for my part, I will bless you
from the bottom of my heart. I'm very happy that Rosa will continue to
serve me, but don't push yourself. By the way, was the church convinced?」
If
Rosa, who is about to become a Cardinal now, suddenly marries into the Empire,
it would be a major problem for the church. I intend to cooperate and lay the
groundwork (threaten) if necessary, but still. By granting the Church Territory
in this incident, I have a corresponding say, too.
「Yes, Crebalus-sama, who newly became the Archbishop
of the Central Church, said he will lend his power. Since he was attending this
banquet, I consulted with him earlier, and he readily consented.」
With
this statement from Rosa, Archbishop Crebalus and Cardinal Grace
were standing there before I knew it, floating smiles across their entire
faces. They were exactly the fourth guests whose participation I had been
informed of in advance.
「In accordance with our long-standing
promise, Archduke-heika has
granted us the Church Territory, which was our long-cherished wish. Rosa-dono's achievements are also very
great; if it is something of this level, I will gladly be of assistance.」
「I am of one body and soul with Archduke-heika since my days as a priest in Teigoon.
What should be prioritized is Archduke-heika's will and the 『profit』
of the Demon Territory Dukedom. I will not let the snobs at the center
say no.」
Prioritizing
the 『profit』
of the Demon Territory Dukedom, or calling the Central Church 『snobs』... Hahaha, Cardinal Grace
declared it handsomely too. Because the purpose of these two participating in
the banquet was to express their gratitude for me granting the Church
Territory. The former Priest Grace had also been promoted from a
Cardinal of a regional church to a Cardinal of the Central Church, and had
achieved a major promotion, now bringing all the churches of the Demon
Territory Dukedom under his umbrella.
「If so, there are no worries. We too
will gladly bless you. Have you reported this to Claire and the others?」
「Yes, I consulted with Claire-neesan
variously beforehand, and had her lend me her strength!」
「......」
Yeah,
I knew it. I was the very last one, huh... Considering my largely changed
position, it's a matter of course if you say it's a matter of course, but I
feel somewhat lonely, you know.
The closing of the banquet on this day came to an end in a form where I introduced the three newly born couples to everyone, and everyone blessed their departures. Mark and Sean, who won the unattainable flowers, were relentlessly teased by Raphael, Mizel, Hyman, and the others, and were made to drink alcohol until they collapsed at the end, though. I wanted to participate as a former schoolmate too, but if I go to offer alcohol, it's complete power harassment. In that sense, exactly as Krugel-heika and King Crajyu say, those who stand at the top are lonely, aren't they. Feeling gladness and a tinge of loneliness, I welcomed the new year.
-----
Thank you for my Patrons !!
[Platinum]
-
[Gold]
B random
Nepheos
[Silver]
Corey Hicks
Creris
Frédéric Bertrand-Hudon
Jake Seagraves
Matthew Fraser
Tbaum56
Xavier O'Donoghue
Anton Lim
Baelee
Christopher Feliciano
Ctdela
Curious Panda
nick nasca
SD Fox
Sébastien Dionne
Z
Read Advanced Chapters only on my Patreon
-----