“It’s been a while, Lord Kael! Ah, but now that you hold the honorary rank of Acting Commander, should I address you as such?”
The rank might say Acting Commander, but in truth, it’s a temporary position, leaving some ambiguity.
The Emperor’s will is simple: don’t worry about other people’s opinions and just act as you please.
But from my perspective, rather than alleviating pressure, the new position actually adds more weight.
And yet, “it’s been a while”? Your Highness, Princess? We’ve only been apart for less than two weeks!
Anyone hearing that might think we haven’t seen each other for two whole months.
“Ah. It’s all over your face.”
“Excuse me?”
“You’re clearly implying it hasn’t been long at all!”
Oh no…without even realizing it, I started unconsciously touching my face.
As a noble, showing such expressions in front of a princess is highly disrespectful.
And yet, I couldn’t help but clutch my forehead in defeat.
“Geez. I was just joking.”
“…I fell for it, didn’t I.”
Maybe Her Highness the Princess is actually a genius strategist.
If she can trick me like this, then she truly deserves the title!
“Hmm. Anyway, you can address me however you please, Your Highness.”
“Is that so? Then, Kael. How does that sound? On a first-name basis.”
“…It’s fine.”
I was talking about the honorary rank, but in an instant, the princess has dropped the formal title “Lord” and now uses just my name.
This is getting worrying. I shouldn’t get too close to the princess.
Especially when I’m already on thin ice with the Emperor. Getting close to his daughter would only make things worse!
“Have you heard the plans?”
“Yes, Your Highness. You’re planning to tour the western legions and then make an inspection visit near the border.”
“We do have a teleportation array to the west, but it would likely be impractical. Visiting the legions would be easier this way.”
So no matter what, this is going to take at least two months.
Great. In less than a year, we’ve already covered the empire’s north, east, and now the west.
At this rate, will we be hitting the southern territories next?
“Hey Kael.”
“Yes, Your Highness?”
“Why is that girl coming along with us?”
Following the princess’s gaze, I turned my head and saw a familiar face – Charlotte, the only daughter of the Demon Union Council Chairman.
She’s also Nobogorod’s first imperial exchange student.
Honestly, I didn’t expect she’d be the first student exchange. Considering what Charlotte represents, it feels almost excessive.
She’s the only daughter of the Council Chairman himself.
If something were to happen to her, it would be a huge problem for Nobogorod.
The moderates would find themselves in a difficult situation, having sent their key figure away.
With their leader’s child in imperial hands, the hardliners would likely use it as an excuse to attack.
Yet despite this, Charlotte has become the first exchange student.
Which brings us to why she’s traveling with us and the princess – namely her journey to the south and west.
“The route to the south and west is fairly direct. She’s only accompanying us until that point.”
“Hmm. If that’s the case, we could have taken your sister along too, couldn’t we?”
If it were Kaya, I’d have strongly opposed it.
Previously, I could manage Kaya under the guise of protection.
But this time around, without the weighty title of protector or the special circumstances of battle, managing my younger sister with her impulsive nature would be quite challenging.
I know I should discipline her more strictly… but d*mn, it’s hard.
Because of the age gap, I’ve always spoiled her since she was young.
Even now, no matter how old Kaya gets, I still see her as a five-year-old child.
“Second Princess, Lord Kael.”
Charlotte approached us with a smile, having apparently noticed us from afar.
What’s truly impressive here is the princess’s reaction – just moments ago, she was grumbling but now any trace of it has disappeared from her face.
“Charlotte. I’ve heard the news. You’ve become Nobogorod’s very first exchange student?”
“Yes, that’s right. Since the empire is well-known for its prosperity, I believe it would be beneficial to learn good things here and bring them back home.”
“What a proper response. Exactly, that’s the spirit of serving one’s country.”
Is there a deeper meaning behind those words? Did the princess just imply that the hardliners opposing the empire are the ones who are truly wrong?
“Indeed. If insisting is only going to cause harm, then it’s better to let go and start anew.”
Charlotte smoothly agreed with the princess’s statement without any change in expression.
Leaving the princess temporarily speechless.
As expected from the daughter of the Demon Union chairman. Truly worthy of being from the moderate Estania family.
“The two of you are heading west?”
“Yes, Charlotte. That’s right.”
“I’m going south. There’s the Imperial Academy, right?”
Indeed, in the south lies the well-known Imperial Academy.
Technically, it should be called the Royal Academy since it’s directly under imperial administration.
I’d anticipated joining this academy initially, imagining a college-like experience filled with romance.
But looking at things now, the academy is not an obligatory institution like in other worlds.
It’s more of an optional path, primarily serving as an avenue for commoners to rise in status.
While there are many nobles attending, the truly powerful noble families surprisingly send few of their heirs.
Perhaps they avoid it to prevent forming factions within the academy.
In any case, I had to answer to my family’s military tradition.
With all the military training and exams, I ended up missing the application season.
“I still miss it sometimes. ‘Farewell, my academy life!’ I used to say.”
Looking back, it was probably for the best that I didn’t attend.
Had I gone, it would have been nearly impossible to achieve my current standing.
Though… I wouldn’t have been labeled a genius strategist either.
“Empire – it’s made great advancements in academia, hasn’t it?”
“That’s right. Many renowned scholars have emerged from there.”
“I’m quite envious. Nobogorod still lacks in that regard.”
Again with the polite self-deprecation. The princess couldn’t help but compliment Nobogorod’s culture in return.
Seeing this, I’d say the princess is fire while Charlotte is water.
From then on, the princess and Charlotte had a pleasant conversation for a while.
I chimed in occasionally with appropriate interjections and responses to any questions directed at me.
“…So that’s how it is. His Majesty the Emperor bestowed the temporary rank of Acting Commander upon Lord Kael, I hear.”
“Yes. Though it’s only a temporary position, as it’s a direct imperial appointment, it grants authority in any region or legion.”
“Remarkable, Lord Kael. In my studies about the empire, I’ve heard that someone your age achieving such a royal appointment is quite rare.”
“Haha… well…”
As I was about to reply with “Just lucky, really!” the princess suddenly covered my mouth.
Her soft lips press against mine, the sweet scent invading my nose.
Caught off guard, I stumble over my words as the princess answers for me.
“Kael would likely say ‘Just lucky, really!’ But I don’t think that’s the case at all. It’s not luck but his own talent and ability that naturally attract fortune.”
As I’m about to protest “That’s not what I meant, Your Highness,” Charlotte swiftly covers my mouth again.
“Indeed. There’s an old saying in Nobogorod that ‘God extends His hand to those who give their all, which foolish ones call luck.'”
“Wow, that fits you perfectly, Kael. Looking at your accomplishments, calling it all luck is simply unbelievable!”
“Charlotte is right, Lord Kael. Saying it’s all luck would imply that the nations beyond our eastern borders, including Nobogorod, have no luck whatsoever, which would be even more shameful.”
…
I could only look back and forth between the two women, bewildered.
Why are they suddenly so harmonious? What happened to their earlier tensions?
“Now. I must bid you farewell.”
Three days after departing the capital, Charlotte took her leave.
Naturally, as this was where the roads to the west and south split.
“To both of you, I hope we meet again. Especially you, Lord Kael?”
“Yes?”
“There are so many things I’d like to ask you, so many things I’d like to learn from you. Next time we meet, I’d like to spend more time together. Would that be possible?”
Her farewell was unusually specific, leaving me at a loss for a proper answer.
By the time she’d said her goodbyes to the princess, Charlotte was already heading south.
“Honestly, a surprisingly decent demon.”
Once Charlotte was completely out of sight, the princess commented with a smile.
Still, why does that smile seem so chilly to me?
“But. Kael, I don’t think there’s any particular reason for you to associate with her.”
“…”
“Even if you encounter her again, just treat her casually. Understand?”
“Um, might I inquire about your reasoning?”
“She’s a demon from Nobogorod. Not clearly an enemy, no, but certainly not a definite ally either. Would you please follow my words? Can you do that for me? Kael?”
Your Highness, those eyes of yours look like they might sh**t lasers any second now.
Caught off guard by the intense gaze, I found myself nodding involuntarily.
At which point the princess recovered her radiant smile, beautiful enough to make me completely forget the previous chill.
One month later, Kael and Isabel finally reached the empire’s western border.
Along the way, they visited and encouraged the various legions guarding the west.
While the princess diligently fulfilled her duties, Kael prepared to carry out his own mission.
“Welcome, Lord Kael. We’ve been waiting for you.”
Commander of the First Legion guarding the western frontier greeted Kael respectfully.
Previously, Kael was simply the eldest son of a ducal family. Now he holds the rank of Acting Commander.
Though temporary, it’s a position personally appointed by the Emperor himself.
Meaning that it’s not just an advisory role within the military, but also serves as the Emperor’s eyes and ears.
Thus, even a legion commander must properly observe protocol.
“Here are the latest reports on the neighboring western kingdoms.”
Kael began reviewing the documents handed over by the commander.
Almost immediately, he let out a groan and began furiously scratching his head.
[Inquiring about Dugal Kingdom’s participation intentions in the western front…]
*
