“At last, we’re leaving.”
Inside the carriage, Earl was slouched and muttering blankly to himself.
Looking out the window, I could see that the carriage had already passed through the gate.
I calmly gazed at the castle walls visible through the glass.
“So this is where I wasted nearly a month of my precious vacation.”
Deep in thought about the past days, I leisurely sipped my coffee.
“But hey, it’s not like there were only bad memories – that’s lucky at least.”
“That may be true… but still…”
As expected, we got attacked by the High Priest,
had to waste time cleaning up the kingdom’s mess,
and then the Empire got terrorized in the middle of all that.
“Man, everything under the sun happens here, doesn’t it.”
For my first vacation in this world, it certainly had more than its fair share of incidents.
The only fortunate thing is that I did gain something from it, right?
The Empire re-established solid relations with our ally,
we managed to thwart the heretics’ conspiracy before it could unfold,
and I was able to resolve the curse that was my original objective.
Though I’m still lacking in some areas, gaining special regenerative abilities turned out to be quite beneficial.
And we even made contact with a competent information guild.
Considering all that, it wasn’t such an unsuccessful trip after all.
It was tough, but…
“Next time, let’s come for fun. That seafood dish was really delicious.”
“That’s true. Do you know how much it sucks to work while everyone else is playing?”
“I worked too, you know. Anyone would think I was slacking off.”
Though Earl’s whining was annoying to look at, I decided to let it slide this time.
We did end up doing a forced march even though we weren’t on the battlefield.
I planned to give them some leeway for a while.
“That brat… will he be able to do well? Ruling as king doesn’t seem easy.”
While munching on the Arion Kingdom’s specialty fish jerky he’d packed plenty of, Earl wore a worried expression.
That made me recall Heffner’s parting words before we left.
“You advice… I won’t forget it.”
With those words, Heffner quietly departed.
The guy who seemed like nothing more than a thug in the red-light district…
looked every bit a king once he tidied up his appearance and dressed properly.
Recalling that, I smiled faintly and said,
“He’ll be fine. That guy will become an excellent king.”
His determined expression still remains vivid in my mind.
Anyone who saw it would have thought the same.
“Hmm… If the captain says so, then that’s that.”
With a somewhat indifferent reply, Earl took a drink of his beverage, then said something unexpected.
“Still, don’t you think we need to expand our numbers soon?”
“Eh? What’s that supposed to mean all of a sudden?”
“I mean, the captain’s getting a star now, right? But having just two subordinates isn’t normal, is it?”
Indeed, a valid point. Blinking in surprise, I responded.
“We are the Royal Palace’s direct special forces unit, after all. Moreover, I’m the first of its kind.”
Thinking about it carefully, aren’t we technically directly under the Emperor within the royal family?
It’s absurd when you think about it.
If they didn’t want to follow royal orders, why create a royal palace direct special forces unit all of a sudden?
Damn old man.
When we return to the capital, I need to challenge him to a duel.
This time, I’ll definitely punch that irritating face of his.
“The special forces aren’t just one or two people, right? He’s from Blackwater too, isn’t he? Do you know how many members Blackwater has?”
“How should I know that? Do you?”
“Nope.”
Black Wolf answered with an expressionless face.
Seeing that, Earl slapped his chest in frustration.
“Anyway, there must be more of them than us, right? Where in the empire can you find a unit with only three members?”
“There’s some truth to that… but if needed, they’ll fill in the numbers, right?”
“No. Unless the person in charge speaks up, no one will know. Now that you’ve earned your stars, this is the time to make clear demands. We need more personnel. If we keep going like this, we’re going to be in serious trouble. Remember when we fought the High Priest? If the Infantry Palace, the Guardian Knights Captain, and His Holiness the Pope hadn’t been there, we would’ve been dead. Don’t you feel that way too, Captain?”
“Alright, alright, calm down.”
Having accumulated a lot over this period, Earl spoke with saliva flying.
How hard was it for him?
I nodded while trying to calm him down.
“If it doesn’t come up this time, I’ll officially propose it. Is that fine?”
“I know the captain isn’t greedy, but this is a legitimate request. You know there’s no one else who’ll take care of the subordinates unless the commander does, right?”
“I get it. Stop if you don’t want to get hit.”
Speaking of which, this guy is also a major now.
Other majors probably have plenty of subordinates…
Am I making him suffer like a low-ranking soldier?
Thinking about that made me feel uneasy again.
“I’m fine as I am.”
Did he read my expression? Black Wolf suddenly spoke to me.
Is he trying not to burden me?
Gratefully, I shook my head while petting his head.
“It’s okay. You guys can’t keep working hard forever, can you?”
“Really, I’m fi-”
“Hey. Think about it. If you have subordinates, you can dump all the annoying tasks on them and always stay by the captain’s side.”
Isn’t that already happening?
He constantly barges into other people’s beds, bathes together…
But Black Wolf seemed to have different thoughts.
“…Maybe I do need subordinates.”
Hearing Earl’s words, he perked up his ears and looked at me with eyes full of enthusiasm.
Now that I think about it, Black Wolf seems unexpectedly impressionable.
Or has everything I asked him to do until now been bothersome to him…?
I nodded reluctantly with a wry expression.
“Alright.”
“It’s a promise.”
“That’s something I can’t guarantee… Ah, alright. I promise.”
This is the first time I’ve seen him so enthusiastic.
How could I say no after seeing this?
Owing Black Wolf so much, it would only be natural to grant a request like this as a human being, wouldn’t it?
“Phew… Already feeling tired.”
I sighed while looking out the window.
I was planning to fully enjoy my vacation upon returning to the Empire.
Looks like I’ll have to work a little longer.
***
The banquet hall was bustling with noise.
I looked at the numerous nobles before me with hazy eyes.
“I’m from the Nordin family responsible for the southwestern plains of the Empire…”
“Hughes Count. Please spare even a moment of your time…”
“I’m Hosmund Viscount. My youngest daughter happens to be around your age…”
Listening to the words of those who gathered to speak with me made my head spin.
Some wanted to build good relations with me.
Others wanted to introduce their daughters to me.
Some invited me to visit their territories…
There was even a noble who requested a duel with me.
Normally, banquets held within the Imperial Palace are attended only by great families, so-called grand nobles, but today was different.
This banquet was to celebrate the safe return of the envoy delegation sent to the Eastern Union Conference and commend the successful suppression of the heretics’ evil plot, so any noble could attend.
By the Emperor’s command, who could dare not to attend?
Thus, this massive crowd was formed.
If that were all, it would be fine, but the problem was that the fallout reached me as well.
Of course, it was to be expected.
After all, the Emperor personally praised my achievements during the promotion ceremony.
My head was truly spinning.
Why does that gentleman have to say unnecessary things and make me suffer like this?
“Ah, haha…”
All I could do was smile and nod along vaguely.
After enduring the nobles for quite a while, I headed to the terrace under the pretense of getting some fresh air when I finally got a break.
“Phew… I might die. Really.”
The cool breeze feels better.
Wiping away my sweat, I muttered quietly.
“Why say unnecessary things…”
“Shall I deliver that to His Majesty? Allen Major.”
“!”
I hastily turned around to see Lux standing there in a light pink dress.
How exhausted must I have been to not notice this?
Cold sweat trickled down my back.
Lux, who stared straight at my face, giggled.
“Just kidding.”
“Oh, it’s been a while.”
“It’s been a while. Professor.”
Quietly approaching and gripping the railing next to me, Lux looked up at my eyes.
She was as beautiful as ever.
To the point where I couldn’t understand why someone like her would like someone like me.
“Are the nobles bothering you a lot?”
“Don’t even mention it. Fighting the High Priest would be better at this point.”
“Then who’s showing off so much? Is there anyone else besides Professor who can earn a major’s rank at this age?”
“I didn’t ask for it either.”
I let out a small sigh.
Finding my expression amusing, Lux burst into laughter and slowly spread her arms.
I quietly avoided her gaze.
Then she asked with a pouting expression.
“Will you not give it to me?”
“What if someone sees?”
“Let them see. I have no intention of bowing.”
“Could you consider my feelings too?”
I don’t want to lose my head right after becoming a major.
“I’ve confirmed there’s no one around.”
“But what if there’s someone who can deceive both of our perceptions…”
“Then I’ll tell your father.”
“… Haa.”
I obediently followed Lux’s words.
What choice do I have?
If someone says anything, I can just claim the princess threatened me.
“Hehe.”
Lux, nestled in my arms, laughed brightly like a child.
Why is she so happy like this? I don’t understand anymore.
Whatever happens, it’ll be fine somehow.
“Congratulations on your promotion.”
“Thanks.”
“And thank you for all your hard work.”
“I’m sure others worked harder than me.”
“But that doesn’t mean Professor didn’t work hard, does it?”
She’s right, so I have nothing to say.
Remaining silent, Lux tightened her grip slightly.
Does she want me to hold her tighter?
“It’s been a while since we’ve met, so you’re acting extra clingy. Aren’t you too old for that?”
“I’m still a child to Professor.”
“Our age difference isn’t that big, you know.”
“In that case…”
Lux, who had been squirming, looked up at me.
“Will you see me as a woman…?”
Under the dim night sky, her faintly glowing red eyes made me involuntarily swallow my saliva.
She seems to have gotten even prettier since I last saw her…
“…Sure.”
“…”
Lux silently met my gaze.
As time passed, the atmosphere grew increasingly strange, so I awkwardly averted my eyes.
Was that a mistake?
Along with a rustling sound…
I felt a soft touch.
“!”
Lux had stolen a kiss from me.
“Y-you! Wha-, what’s this…”
Caught off guard by the unexpected move, I stammered.
“It’s a claim.”
After spitting out an incomprehensible statement, Lux hurriedly left.
“Wh-what just happened?”
I mumbled dumbfoundedly.
My mind went completely blank.
The only thing that remained in my memory that night…
was Lux’s cheeks, flushed crimson.
