Chapter 144
“No, if His Royal Highness the Crown Prince calls.”
‘I’ll wait as long as you want, the Viscount replied.
(No, I can’t wait at all.)
“Hmm, that’s a good point. I wish your allies had your attitude.”
The Viscount is from the Alliance Faction. This is because the Hamilton Family is a warrior Family and an ally. Viscount sat down on his seat while I stood behind him. I didn’t make eye contact with the Crown Prince. He saw me for a moment but disregarded me as a no-name servant.
In the meantime, the course meal was served. I was not a waiter, so I stood by the Viscount’s side, silent.
After the meal arrived, the dinner went on without the Crown Prince saying anything. The Knights were glaring at the Viscount, but he didn’t seem to be affected. They may be waiting for a signal from the Crown Prince.
The Viscount didn’t speak to him either, and proceeded with the meal. We don’t know if the Crown Prince will poison the food, so I used C-rank Grass’ awakening skill, [Flavoured Vegetables] which prevents abnormal conditions, on the Viscount.
Now he won’t be able to kill the Viscount with poison.
“I was surprised yesterday. Have you not disciplined Master Swordsman Kurena? I thought she was a barking dog. And by the way, Master Swordsman Doberg is still the same. He went back to the battlefield without saying a word.”
Suddenly, the Crown Prince started talking. It was about how Kurena responded in a loud voice in front of him in the ceremony.
After beating up Kurena in the tournament, Master Swordsman Doberg didn’t participate in the ceremony at the end of the tournament and returned to the battlefield on his Magic Ship. From the looks of it, he probably didn’t even greet the Crown Prince.
According to Rifol, Doberg’s attitude has always been like this.
Born a serf, the Master Swordsman Doberg has a number of anecdotes. One of the most famous stories is that when he received the title of Marquis, he ignored being called to the Royal Castle and wielded his sword on the battlefield.
“Master Swordsman Kurena is now being raised freely. As a result, I apologize for her disrespectful attitude towards His Royal Highness the Crown Prince.”
The Viscount bowed to the Crown Prince as he took his seat.
“I see. The Viscount’s policy is good, which is why she won the tournament in just one year. The past Master Swordsmans didn’t seem to be able to do this.”
“Thank you.”
“Looks like territory management is going well.”
“What? Well, yes, sir.”
“A Master Swordsman has been born in your territory, Mithril is being harvested, oppositions have been destroyed, and everything is sailing smoothly. I wish I knew what I had to do to make things work so well.”
“Destroyed…?”
The Viscount has lost his eldest son, Mihai. It has not been smooth sailing for the Viscount, but he didn’t mention that. He only denied the word “destroyed,” though not completely.
“Well, yes. The Granvelle Family would not be well if word spread that they had defeated and destroyed him. Your performance in the Audience Room was excellent.”
“Performance?”
“Wasn’t it?”
The Crown Prince gave the Viscount a glare. Then the Knights moved their center of gravity forward just a little bit, unnoticed. They seem to be waiting for the Viscount’s answer.
“…”
“Well, that’s okay. But even so, His Majesty has done a crazy thing. But I don’t want to follow a contract signed with a descendant of a lower Noble. Now, I have to take care of someone else’s mess.”
Apparently, silence was the right answer.
The Crown Prince shook his head in disbelief. It seems that the Crown Prince has heard about the contract the King signed with Kiel.
The Viscount has already made arrangements with the Nobles to ensure that the terms of the contract will be carried out even if the King changes.
“I have also signed my name in the contract and will work to rebuild the territory of Carnell after his service is over.”
“Well, if his service is over.”
(Hmm?)
The Crown Prince grinned, as if he had been waiting for those words.
“What do you mean?”
“I’m sure the contract stated that the Kingdom would designate the fortress he would be assigned to. I was also in trouble when Giamut Empire asked me to send someone capable. I’m going to ask him to go with the Master Swordsman.”
The Crown Prince was relieved that it was just the right thing to do. Now he can send his free spirited Master Swordsman to the battlefield.
I think they’re looking into the fact that Kiel was living with Kurena and us. As per the contract, the Kingdom will designate the battlefield.
(Oh! You’re sending me to the hardest place in the world? That’s where I want to be.)
I was standing behind the Viscount with a dead expression on his face, but I smiled for a moment.
I was concerned about one thing. I was afraid that I would be assigned to a place with very few magical beasts. With the current state of the war, there’s a pretty good chance of that happening.
According to Rifol, the magical beasts have been overwhelmed by the arrival of the Hero, and it is not uncommon for magical beasts to not attack even when they spot a fort. After regaining the Imperial territory, the Hero and the Imperial army seem to be on the verge of regaining the former Rasturi Kingdom territory, which was destroyed by the Demon King’s army about 60 years ago, in the next couple of years.
Of course, the magical beasts are being chased because the Imperial Army is attacking, and the battle lines will continue to move northward. If we are placed in a fort in the south, there may be no battle. I shuddered the moment I thought I might spend three years on top of a fort, staring at the horizon.
Many people suffer because of the Demon King’s army, so it might be better if they were assigned to such a place, but I want to go to the hardest battlefield.
The Crown Prince just now said that he was not going to throw us into a bored fort, but into a fierce battle zone. For that, I’ll have Kiel go with Kurena.
“… Is that so?”
“Of course, your daughter, who is working with him, will be going as well.”
“Oh, wait!”
The Viscount stood up. Then the Knights behind the Crown Prince reacted. The Crown Prince raised his hand, and the Knights returned to their initial posture.
“Why are you surprised? Why don’t you and your allies just do your duty? There are certain battlefields where someone’s blood must be spilled anyway.”
This is what the Crown Prince was apparently trying to say: If you want to support the Five Continents Alliance so badly, just send out your own daughter.
There is no guarantee that Kiel will survive if he goes to the harsh battlefield. Even Master Swordsmans have died on the battlefield. The Master Swordsmans of the Kingdom born after Doberg have all died. If Kurena dies cruelly, he can show the members of the Alliance Faction what happens to those who are against him.
On top of that, he can prove his cooperation to the Empire by sending the newborn Master Swordsman out into the harsh battlefield.
The Crown Prince was smart in his own way. Now, if we don’t move soon, the Viscount might concede something.
“This is a great opportunity to increase our war potential, sir.”
I muttered quietly for the first time since we came here. My voice was so quiet that only the Viscount could hear it.
“Huh! Allen!!!”
“Don’t worry. I’ll protect you as well as Lady Cecile. So, please don’t back down here.”
The Viscount seemed very upset so I tried to encourage him.
“No? What’s wrong? Oh, by the way, you black-haired brat…”
The Crown Prince looked at the Viscount and me, who were conversing in small voices, quizzically. Then he seemed to remember something. ‘The one behind the Viscount is the black-haired boy that Kurena was talking to in the arena yesterday.’
He probably only thought of me as having unusual black hair, but now it seems he remembered.
“Yes. Your Royal Highness, you called for me?”
I bowed my head lightly and greeted him.
“You were in the arena, too.”
“The other day, I was watching the matches of my friend Master Swordsman Kurena.”
“Friend?”
“Yes, I’m in the same party as Kurena. I am the party leader. Lady Cecile and Kiel are also in my party.”
(There’s also Dogora.)
“Party Leader, you? Not the Master Swordsman?”
“Yes. Power alone is not enough to be a leader after all.”
“Well. So what do you think about what we just talked about?”
“His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has arranged for us to have more opportunities for achievements in battle.”
“Buu-“.
The Viscount was going to lose his soul along with his meal.
“Hey, Viscount, manners.”
The Crown Prince warned the Viscount who started to spout off his meal. At this moment, the Viscount thought that perhaps it would have been better if he had come alone.
“That’s right. Unlike the current King, I am not going to make a serf a Marquis but I will consider rewarding you if you do well after graduating from the Academy.”
The Crown Prince smiled with a face that said, “This kid doesn’t know what he’s talking about.”
“Yes!”
(Okay, I wonder if I look like a servant using Kurena to gain achievements.)
Allen bowed his head deeply. The conversation between Allen and the Crown Prince was over. The meal was soon over, and both the Viscount and Allen left the hotel.
Thus, the story proceeded with each person’s own agenda.
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