Chapter 99

It had been half a year since I returned to the kingdom.

It's clear that the reconstruction has progressed even more than before.

After seeing the dire state of the republic, my homeland seems even more radiant—

In such a homeland, I went to the palace and stood before His Majesty Roland—no, the shit bastard.

Today, I'm not here for a ceremony, but to discuss official matters.

There are other nobles around, talking about me.

Roland was picking his nose.

"Shit brat, you caused quite a commotion. Thanks to you, I had to send messengers multiple times. I want to hear your excuse for increasing my workload during this busy period."

"I deeply apologize to Your Majesty. I feel terrible for robbing you of your elegant moments, your time to flirt, and your time to talk about love with women."

It really hurts my heart.

I only regret not causing him more trouble.

"Stop being so insincere, shit brat."

"Not at all, it's the truth."

"Liar."

"Yeah, it's a lie. So what? At least you got to work a bit more seriously, didn't you?"

When I let out my true feelings, Roland's forehead veins popped.

"I'll have you executed for insulting me."

"Insult? Facts aren't insults. Didn't you know? But it's good, at least today I've become a bit wiser."

Instead of Roland, who started talking nonsense, Bernard, Claris' father, began to speak to me.

"Well, let's get to the main topic now that our usual conversation is over. I've heard the details from the prince. I won't say you were without fault, but you did show the kingdom's resolve. Personally, it's a very interesting story."

Personally, yes. This person must have had various thoughts about the republic too.

Vince is not here, but Gilbert, Anje's brother, is.

"But the kingdom has lost one of its sources for magic stones. Moreover, one of the neighboring countries is now unstable. The situation is not optimistic."

It's not that the neighboring country is in a dire situation—

A country that exports a large amount of magic stones has disappeared.

Depending on the circumstances, I might have created a troublesome situation.

The kingdom is also struggling to respond.

"I went too far, didn't I?"

"You've prevented the republic from invading the kingdom in the future. I'll give you credit for that."

If I hadn't done anything, the Holy Tree or Ideal would have gone berserk.

I don't think the people here would understand even if I explained it to them.

Roland is stroking his beard with his fingertips.

"It's your fault. Therefore, you shall be executed!"

Ignoring Roland, Bernard began to speak seriously.

"Now, about your treatment—"

"Hey, listen up!"

Everyone is ignoring Roland's nonsense.

Isn't he being treated too lightly?

"Baron Baltfalt, no—Duke. I'm sorry, but we need to start preparing for the ceremony immediately. The kingdom has decided to award you a medal to show that our actions were not wrong."

"Huh? Duke—what?"

I didn't understand what Bernard was saying.

When I looked at Gilbert,

"You took care of the republic before they could invade the kingdom. And this is your reward for slaying the monsters. Please accept it."

"No, I'm not royalty, and I'm not fit for such a position. I decline—"

Cold sweat poured out uncontrollably.

A duke is like a branch of the royal family in the Holfort Kingdom.

The Redgrave family also falls into this category.

It's not a position that a commoner like me can take.

It's clearly wrong to give me such a position.

As I panicked, I saw Roland's smirking face.

"I know I can't execute you. I want to send you to the executioner's block, but I thought about what you would hate the most. I realized that giving you the title of duke would be the best."

With wide eyes, I looked at Roland as he began to speak fluently.

"The current kingdom has few nobles. A noble like you, who can be used without feeling guilty, is the best. I'll promote you and use you to the fullest. Since you're capable, I'll use you until you're worn out. Aren't you happy, Duke Baltfalt?"

Of course not!

"Shut up! I'm not royalty!"

At that moment, Gilbert said, "You are, though."

When I turned to look at Gilbert,

"Have you forgotten? Anje also has the middle name Rapha, which means she has royal blood. As her husband, you can legally become a duke according to the kingdom's regulations. Normally, it wouldn't be possible, but it's an emergency now."

—I had forgotten that Anje was a real princess.

Well, she is a princess, but I had forgotten that she was even more of a princess.

Roland looked pleased.

"Seeing your face like that makes me feel refreshed. I'll sleep well tonight! By the way, I'll also give you the third 'upper' rank. Serve the kingdom well, Duke."

"No, that's a lie."

"Too bad! It's not a lie. Despite your protests, you are excellent, and I must give you a reward. Therefore, I will show you the utmost respect and promote you to duke. My intuition tells me that this will make you suffer while I enjoy it. My intuition is usually right."

Intuition!? Did you promote me just based on that?

I thought there was no higher position for me, but I've been promoted for an unbelievable reason.

It's impossible. It shouldn't be!

While it's possible according to the regulations, there's no one in our country who has become a duke in one generation. These guys are forcing me into a higher position!

As Bernard saw my trembling legs,

"You should have let Claris take care of it."

What do you want me to do about that?

In front of me, Roland's attack—didn't end.

This guy is really persistent!

"While I've been suffering because of you, I've been thinking about how to make you suffer the most. Day and night, I've been thinking about how to take revenge on you. Then, I received a divine revelation."

You were thinking about me day and night?

Maybe you were actually free?

"You're free too, right?"

"Shut up, brat! Do you know how many times I've stayed up all night because of you! Making you suffer is the only thing that kept me going. I can't execute you, and I can't neglect you, so I thought hard about how to get back at you! —Are you ready?"

"Gilbert, is there more?"

"Yes, actually—"

"Let me speak!"

Roland is a dramatic guy who always strikes a pose.

It's annoying.

However, after listening to Roland, my world went dark.

"I thought about giving you a foster child. After all, a duke without subordinates is ridiculous, right?"

My mouth started to tremble.

A foster child is, simply put, a subordinate.

However, not a subordinate who swears loyalty to me.

A subordinate sent by the state to serve under me. In the case of a lord, since my family is a baron, it would be like taking care of a knight or a minor baron.

Not a direct subordinate, but a subordinate sent by the kingdom.

"Hey, that's a lie. Stop—"

"Actually, there are four nominal barons. I talked to their families, and they agreed to serve under you as a duke."

I had a feeling who these four were.

I couldn't stand it and was supported by Gilbert and Bernard.

"Zirk, Brad, Gregg, Chris—these four will serve under you. Take care of them, and more than before, okay?"

"—You bastard"

Marie took in the four troublemakers, and now this guy is pushing them onto me.

Roland had his hand on his chest, looking refreshed.

His royal aura was leaking out.

"I'm glad to hear that from you. Thank you. And—good luck!"

"No way!"

As I shouted, Mileine entered the meeting room.

"It's noisy. What's going on—Leon, what's wrong!"

"Queen, the king is bullying me. He's a devil!"

Mileine rushed over, placed her hand on my shoulder, and glared at Roland.

"You? I said to show the utmost respect, didn't I?"

"N-no! I promoted him and even gave him foster children! It's unfair to call me a devil! I tried to show the utmost respect—"

Mileine sighed.

"Is that what this is about? In that case, I'll add one more condition."

"What? If it makes the brat suffer, I welcome it."

"I'll marry my daughter to Leon."

The nobles in the room started to chatter.

"Mileine's daughter—"

"But, that would damage the Redgrave family's reputation—"

"Is it okay? The princess is already engaged, isn't she?"

It seems Mileine has a child other than Julius.

Marriage her real daughter to me?

There are many things I want to say, but Roland was the one trembling.

"Huh? A—what? Mileine, I didn't hear you clearly. Can you say it again? You're going to marry one of the princesses to the brat, right? I heard you say you're going to marry your daughter to him?"

From the context, it seems there are several princesses.

However, Mileine's daughter seems to be special.

"I said I'll marry [Erika] to him."

"No, no! Not Erika! Choose another daughter! If she marries this brat, she'll suffer! I absolutely won't allow it. I won't allow it, even if I have to use my royal authority to stop it!"

"—Honestly, you become a doting parent when it comes to your children. Erika is the only one of age. What can you do? The next princess is only twelve years old."

"Erika is only fourteen! I won't allow it. I actually wanted to oppose the engagement too! I want to keep her by my side!"

"Enough! Besides, Erika is fifteen this year!"

"She's still fifteen! Unlike you, she's as precious to me as my own eyes."

"—We'll talk about it later, Your Majesty."

Hey, isn't Roland blatantly discriminating against his daughter?

It's okay to marry the next one at twelve, but not Erika at fifteen?

Still, fifteen is like a middle schooler, right?

No way.

Besides, I already have a fiancée.

"Um, I have a fiancée, so I'd like to decline, okay?"

Roland's sharp gaze pierced me.

His bloodshot eyes were no longer the royal aura from before, but the annoying father aura.

"To decline the chance to marry Erika, you have some nerve, brat!"

"Whose side are you on? Besides, it's too late to say that. Hey, Gilbert? Ah, Gilbert?"

Gilbert had a blank expression.

"Yeah, it's a problem, isn't it?"

This guy is definitely angry! What should I do?

"Queen, do you understand the implications?"

"Gilbert, don't be angry. I've already gotten Anje's permission. Besides, Bernard agreed too. If my daughter—Erika—becomes Leon's main wife, it's not strange for a baron's daughter to be below her."

Gilbert's sharp gaze seemed to pierce Bernard.

But Bernard had a cool expression.

"Hehe, that's right, Queen."

Does this guy know about this?

"No way! Erika is—Erika is too precious to me! To give her to this brat, it's too cruel for her!"

Roland seemed to have broken down, rolling on the floor and throwing a tantrum.

—Huh? What's going on?

◇

In a room at the palace.

When I returned, I was greeted by—

"From now on, I'll be under your care, Duke."

It was Zirk, smiling.

"Aren't you upset about serving under me? Aren't you going to refuse? Or quit?"

"I won't. I recognize you as a duke."

What should I do—this doesn't make me happy at all. Not because I'm recognized by a man, but because I feel like I'm being recognized by these guys.

Brad was also enthusiastic.

"Who would have thought we'd end up serving under you?"

"Refuse it."

"Huh? No, it's fine."

"Show some resistance!"

"Why?"

Gregg and Chris, wearing uniforms, were trying to take them off as soon as they could.

They were taking off their shirts right now.

"Better than strangers. Besides, if your subordinates are stronger than me, I have no complaints!"

"Hmm—nice to meet you."

Seeing the four of them not showing any displeasure, I thought—somehow, it feels like I've been given something unpleasant.

Julius was looking at me.

"What?"

"Can I be taken care of too?"

"What for!?"

"Well, it looks fun. Besides, it would be lonely to be the only one, right?"

"Are you kidding! Who in the world would want a prince to be taken care of!"

You need to have more self-awareness as a prince!

When I noticed, Marie and—Carla with Kyle—were clinging to my legs.

"Hey, what are you guys doing?"

"We won't let go! Big brother, take care of us for life!"

"Lord Baron. No, Lord Duke! I'll follow you for life!"

"If you let the Duke go, we'll be in big trouble. Let's work hard together!"

Are you guys trying to drag me to your side?

"Let go! I don't want to take care of you guys! I absolutely don't want to!"

Marie wouldn't let go of my legs.

She clung to my legs with all her might. I could feel her determination.

"Big brother—always together."

Seeing Marie cling to me with a smile—felt like watching a horror movie.

Marie's smile was terrifying.

My body temperature dropped instantly, and my back was drenched in cold sweat.

With the voices of Marie and the others, who seemed to be dragging me down, I shouted.

"NOOOOO! Someone, help me!"

What did I do?

What did I do to end up in this terrible punishment game-like situation!?

Someone, explain!

◇

Meanwhile, at the Baltfalt Baron's mansion, Anje and Noel were present.

Noel, in a wheelchair, was holding a case with both hands.

Anje was pushing Noel's wheelchair, strolling through the garden of the mansion.

Noel, who was creating an awkward atmosphere, spoke to Anje behind her.

"Do you have something to say to me?"

Anje answered while pushing the wheelchair.

"Once your injury heals, you should enroll in the kingdom's academy. The queen and I have already discussed it."

"Is that okay?"

The reason Noel was brought to the kingdom was the case on her lap—containing a green sapling.

When it was brought back to the kingdom, Yumelia saw the sapling of the Holy Tree and said it was still alive.

From there, Yumelia restored the sapling, and Noel regained her value as a priestess.

Noel is now an important person.

"Leon cares about you. I want to confine you as a priestess, but that would make him suffer."

Anje was only concerned about that.

"—I expected more insults. Like, 'Stay away from my man.'"

Anje smiled.

"I wanted to say that. But if I did, Leon would worry. That's not the result I want."

Noel hugged the case containing the sapling of the Holy Tree.

She seemed to be happy, as the leaves had turned green again.

"You're so kind. I might have kicked you out."

"At first, when I saw you in the republic, I wanted to burn you."

They both laughed.