The morning of a new day has arrived.
It was already mid-January because there were many things to do; burying the dead, mostly empty tombstones because we couldn't recover their bodies, as well as expanding the cemeteries. Awarding the brave warriors who fought, whether alive or not. Starting the reconstructions of the capital due to what happened, luckily for the kingdom, I made a deal with them.
I told my father to lend me the robots from both businesses so we could do secret reconstructions; this world needs to modernize a bit if they want me to live here, and starting with the kingdom is a good step.
I really hate not having TV, internet, or video games. So, I'll have Ixion bring almost 1000 years of futuristic development to this disgusting, fake fantasy world that it actually is.
Returning to what happened before this great day. There were many medals and many demotions as well as rank promotions.
The girls, somehow (I don't know how), were awarded the medals for effort, bravery, honor, and both were promoted to low-ranking knights.
Airi was surprised, as this was the first time a commoner girl (not even a commoner man) was promoted to knight, and she wasn't even a baronet for that.
Erselica was also promoted for confronting Rafiel; no one cared that she had the same rank as Airi.
My family somehow stood out, a lot.
Apparently, many were amazed by my family's ships and armed units.
Currently, the palace has a deal with the shipyard and workshop to modernize our ships and mobile knights.
There was a lot of resentment towards my family from workshops, master craftsmen, and thaumaturgies. I understand them partly, as no one would think a simple countryside family would cause such an impact on the country.
Though it's thanks to me, of course.
My father and brothers were named low-ranking knights. Both Lyle and Bram were graduated from their academies since it was absurd to have two brave knights still studying, many thought.
My father didn't have a court rank, but he was given the eighth superior rank due to how brave he was, according to reports, marching directly to the center of everything and staying there.
My mother warned him not to get a big head since now many people, both men and women, want to shake his hand.
As for me...
"You seem very happy today."
It's exactly as the beautiful woman I'm with in the carriage says.
I'm happy because today, I will be demoted to a baronet after the offenses I committed at the palace. Plus, I was blamed for the sinking of the royal aircraft, which I gladly accepted.
My court rank and noble rank will be removed to have the same status as a baronet, and who knows, maybe I'll be lowered to being a commoner.
Excitement bubbles from me!
"There was no need for you to come pick us up; we could have rented any carriage to come directly to the palace, my Queen."
When my family and I arrived at the port, Queen Lecia-sama herself was waiting to escort us.
My family is in the carriage behind; there are ten carriages in total. The reason is that the most important woman in the country came to pick up a countryside family; I can't even believe it myself.
"Please don't say that; today I just wanted to have a little chat with you, nothing more."
"I understand, and what might that be?"
I asked with interest while watching from my seat as we passed different places to go to the palace, among them the cemetery.
Definitely, death is something I don't want to see until I'm a decrepit old man.
From her seat in front of me, she asked me things about what the robots did.
I told her it was a gift that would take time to manufacture.
From the other side of the carriage window, I could see several robots flying while drilling into the ground to plant large metal tubes. Only I know what that means.
I lost the machine to make money, but I'll make money by reconstructing objects from my previous life.
Without a doubt, I'll be disgustingly rich in a year.
"I see."
She said after finishing telling her a bit about what they did so she wouldn't suspect anything bad.
I could already see the palace's shadow getting closer and closer.
I tried to keep my happiness inside so she wouldn't notice, but what I did notice was that she was looking at me with a face that indicated she was annoyed with me.
Just like Airi that one time, this mature woman was puffing out both cheeks like a balloon while frowning in a sign of annoyance.
"Le- is something wrong, my Queen?"
"Nothing."
She averted her gaze from me to look at the road and occasionally glanced at me.
Please stop being charming; a mother shouldn't have that destructive charm.
Unintentionally, I looked at her dress and hair.
It was a beautiful white dress with sequins, gloves of the same color up to the elbow. A pearl necklace that seemed like a snake wrapped around her entire neck; her hair was combed back, showing a more serious face of a woman who doesn't use makeup to show her natural beauty.
The only things on her face were blush on her cheeks and lipstick on her lips that highlighted their red.
I swore not to look at her breasts, but even if I don't see them, everything else is divine.
"I want to monopolize her."
"Huh? You said something."
She turned to look at me because of something that escaped me.
Fortunately, she didn't hear what I said since she was making a wasp sound with her lips.
"Nothing! I just said it was very nice to see this view and I'd like to monopolize this moment in my heart!"
"Huh? Well, it's true it's a pleasant view. It will be a shame not to see it again when you leave."
For some reason, her tone seemed sad.
I said nothing, and both, as if in sync, started watching the road until we reached the palace.
◇◇◇
While Rudel watched the road, Lecia's heart sent a feeling to her head as she glanced sideways at her transport companion.
(Rudel-kun Idiot.)
◇
The moment has arrived; I was in my best suit, I had my gloves, my mantle, and my cape.
I walked on the great red carpet with a smile that made my terrifying face look disturbing. Nothing will bother me today!
The ministers, officials, my family, among other people, were gathered.
They were placed according to their ranks from least important to very important, from left to right.
I was three meters from King Leonis's throne.
I didn't find the girls, and that's saying something since my eyes always find them.
The Queen was to the right of the King with her scepter; she was putting on the best face she could, but I could notice a bit of annoyance towards me.
It hurts; please stop, I don't want an older woman to hate me.
The King took the scepter and stood up; everyone else also did so because of the sounds they made.
He started giving a speech. Ixion was at home and said he didn't want to see how his master was further embarrassed.
"On this day, I, Leonis von Altfode, want to thank everyone once again for fighting for our country!"
(How bored I am with these dialogues, really; hurry up, I want to be demoted.)
"Difficult times for many!"
(Hmm, now that I think about it. What will the girls do when I leave? I'd really like to know since Ixion will be with me, and I won't be able to protect them from abroad.)
"The war was horrible, but more horrible was the shame Viscount Bradford committed before the crown that day!"
(Oh, here it is! I can already taste the demotion.)
"For that reason, I, remove you from the position of supreme commander of the kingdom's fleets."
(Goodbye responsibilities I never wanted.)
"I remove your court rank, viscount title, and also withdraw your second name."
(Ahh, absolute happiness, here I come.)
I opened my eyes to see the King fulfilling the deal exactly as I asked.
But what is this?
I'm seeing that he stopped speaking. And, he's looking at me. Why is he looking at me?
No, not only that.
Hey, why are you smiling?
What's with that strange smile of superiority?
"Therefore, for your achievements and being the Hero of the Kingdom, I name you, high-ranking knight, minister of war, and finally, rebaptism you as Count Rudel von Bradford, with the fifth inferior court rank!"
"I thank those humble—"
Unintentionally, I blurted out what I had to say after being demoted.
I was being demoted, right?
It's impossible to have said something that wasn't a demotion, right?
Suddenly, I started sweating; my sweat was cold. I looked at the others, and everyone had their mouths open and eyes wide; my family seemed to have fainted.
"Y-Your Majesty, I-I think I heard wrong, could you repeat it?"
The King showed no interest as he sat down after finishing speaking.
"Alright. I named you high-ranking knight, a ministerial position, and baptized you as Count Rudel von Bradford and a promotion to the fifth inferior rank. Not satisfied? Fine, then the fifth superior rank."
That's when the ministers, including Mayer, raised a cry.
"Your Majesty, what are you saying? That rank is already the same as being prime minister!"
"Is that so? Fine, let it be the fourth inferior rank."
"Your Majesty, what are you doing!"
"Promoted to minister at such a young age!"
"In the kingdom's history, no one has ever been baptized! And now he's a von having been born a van!"
"Skipping the rank of viscount to earl, to become a count, Your Majesty has lost his mind!"
"Is that so? You're right; now it's the fourth superior rank."
"Wahh, now he's at the same level as the royal family and any duke!"
"Your Majesty, please reconsider what you're saying!"
"Certainly, now it's the third inferior rank, count."
"Everyone shut up now!"
"In just one year, he has risen so much being a teenager!"
"What will happen to the country now!?"
"You're right; the crown prince's position becomes the second inferior rank and the count to the third superior."
"We're sorry, we won't question what you say, but please stop!"
The ministers fell silent, and even Mayer didn't respond.
I could see the Queen trembling, and her mouth opened as if wanting to say something.
I trembled, and I only had unpleasant thoughts while looking at the king... at Leonis, who looked at me as if he had made the best presentation in the world.
"With that, this ceremony ends; enjoy the banquet that will be held shortly."
(...Don't screw with me, don't screw with me, don't screw with me, King!!!)
◇
"This is fucking bullshittttt!"
I threw my gloves and several pillows on the floor and walls because I was extremely annoyed.
"This was not what we agreed on!!"
Now I was hitting them because my anger had no way of being calmed.
"S-Sonia. My son is a count and a minister!"
"What will that mean for this family?!"
My parents were in the waiting room assigned to us after arriving; both trembled and looked at me scared.
Paula just looked at me with eyes of admiration and amazement; occasionally she would let out something about being someone incredible.
As for my brothers...
"Wahh, Rudel is a count, a minister, and his second name changed! Ahhh, my future is ruined now, ahhh!"
"Lyle, that's not the worst; this idiot is at the same level as Prince Liam in the court, surpassed the prime minister and other dukes effortlessly. And to top it off, we can consider him a noble completely independent of the family; Rudel is another branch of the Bradford's!"
"Ahhh, shut up, shut up, ahhh!!!"
"Sonia, what should we call him now? Count or Rudel-sama?"
"I have no idea! I never expected any of my children to go through a miracle like this."
Everyone was terrified and excited because of what happened.
"Shut up!"
"I am and always will be Rudel, your son and brother! Don't talk nonsense!"
It seemed that with that, they wouldn't stop trembling like small animals.
"I'll go fix this now!"
"Huh, where are you going?" said my father.
"Obviously, to ask for an explanation!"
I shouted it at my family and left the room, slamming the door hard.
◇
"Ahahahaha, that's right, I killed that guy!"
I was laughing; I went out to look for the King, but I was informed he was with the ministers talking about my promotion and ministerial position.
So, I had no choice but to go to the banquet to wait for them to come out of the meeting; it was a terrible decision.
A bunch of old men and women surrounded me wanting to talk to me; after escaping from them, a group of noble young ladies approached me.
I thought this was bad, but it was the complete opposite.
"Weren't you scared?"
"Of course not. I faced him bravely as the hero I am."
I winked at them since they wanted me to tell them my stories of how I rose to become a count.
Should I have refused? Hell no!
"It was a very hard battle against him, even more so when he revealed that mysterious technology that left the battlefield in chaos. I won't lie, I thought I was going to die, but... knowing that beautiful ladies like you would be in danger made my heart and soul scream with courage and fight until sacrificing my lost objects!"
I wasn't going to waste the opportunity to show off in front of beautiful girls, especially young ones who haven't been tainted by the dirt of society and the world.
I was telling and dramatizing all the events that happened in my life.
One of them, with a panicked face, asked me in a cute way that made her seem like a forest creature from a fairy tale.
"Excuse me, can I call you Rudel-senpai? Although it's two years until I enter the academy, it's truly an honor to meet you, so I was wondering if I could call you by that name?"
I gave them my best smile that I could with this face.
"Of course, if you wish, you can call me that or as you please."
"Kyahh!" they all screamed in unison.
"I can't wait to enter the academy to go to your tea meetings!"
"Talking with Rudel-senpai is very entertaining! Your stories are not only true; they all seem taken from fiction."
"He is undoubtedly what they call a hero of legends!"
"Life in the academy with Rudel-sama will be wonderful without a doubt!"
(Ahhh, this is what I always wanted. To be surrounded by cute girls instead of old men.)
(The academy will be a wonderful place for two years...)
(Wait! I don't have time to revel in this wonderful feeling of self-satisfaction. I must find the King and demand he change his order.)
As if by incredible coincidence, I found him; he was heading to a secluded place among the crowd.
"Forgive me, girls, but I must speak with someone; later we'll arrange a meeting, goodbye."
I ran to confront him and demand an explanation.
◇
"Hey, King."
After following him for a while, I finally caught up since I got a bit lost among these pillars because this area was a bit dark.
He turned after I called him.
"Is something the matter, Count Bradford?"
"Count my ass! What the hell happened there? That was not what we agreed on."
I was annoyed, and he looked at me with a serious face.
But that's when his appearance changed; his belly popped out of his girdle, and his face changed to one that seemed like how I would look if I were old.
"Hah, you're demanding something from the king? Impertinent little shit."
His attitude and relaxed demeanor that he showed during my two promotion ceremonies, during Balzac's trial, and in the underground hangar vanished.
Was this guy really the King?
Now he raised the little finger of his left hand and did the same thing I do when I talk to someone whose opinion I don't care about at all.
His finger dug into his nose while he spoke to me.
"What happened was what you deserved, or what, did you really think you'd get off free after what you did? Fujaja, what an idiot you are, fujaja."
Was this guy making fun of me?
"We had a deal! I win, and you would demote me."
His finger now took out a booger and blew it away with his breath, then rubbed his belly.
"The deal was too good, don't you think? You win and get out free, but what about me?"
I don't understand what he's saying now.
"I don't understand?"
He left his belly alone to speak to me seriously.
"I'm talking about the embarrassment I went through because of you."
Which was not worthy of a King, without a doubt.
"Embarrassment... what did I cause you?"
"Of course!"
I think I know what he's referring to.
"I deeply regret hitting your son."
"Bubu!"
He made a strange sound that seemed to be a denial.
Then it must be that; definitely, anyone would get angry.
"I beg your forgiveness for bothering your wife!"
"Idiot, who cares about that fatty, and I'm not talking about my family!"
"...Huh? Then..."
His mouth moved to say what he expected from Liam.
"He said you stood out more than the King! I wanted to be the center of attention, that's why I was happy when my brother died from overworking; being a King means doing as you please, and I was born to be one, but I don't want to be put to work, that's why I wanted Liam to be King already and make him work for me."
But this was much worse.
"You... you're a worse human trash than me!"
I screamed from the bottom of my heart.
"What the hell does what you say have to do with my involuntary promotion!? This is a violation of my human rights!"
"Shut up, insolent! That was my chance to show Mayer that I'm no longer that scolded child, and you, only you, ruined it with your stupidities and the fight with Liam. That's why I decided to take revenge on you, fujaja, I really am the best king that ever existed."
"Don't screw with me, son of a bitch! You're a damn son of a bitch worse than me!"
"Your reason for hating me is just childish resentment!"
"I'm the King; nothing is childish; everything is serious!"
"Screw you, damn idiot! I'll do what I wasn't going to do. Kick your ass here and now!"
"If you do, Mayer will get angry; I'm still the King, above all."
"Guhh— in that case, I'll destroy the palace!"
"Sieg will get angry with you, and even I don't want those eyes behind me."
He's right; that old man is very annoying.
In that case, I'll use heavy artillery.
"I'll hit your son as many times as I want!"
"Do it; I'd even name you crown prince instead of him; that human defect seems to lack neurons."
Don't call your son that! Fine, I'll play rougher.
"I'll harass your wife in the worst, most shameless, and unscrupulous way, and in public!"
"Go ahead! She's just a political marriage and fulfilled her function of giving me an heir; I don't care what you do with her since she seemed to like what you told her; I'll name you her official lover if you want. That said, my girls are off-limits; I'll cut your head if you go for them."
"You damn trash King, you are Leonis!"
"Don't call your King trash!"
"Trash my ass, you're my king! You're a damn trash both as a king and as a human being, so I'll call you Leonis, the trash king of the trash kingdom."
"Fine, I'll kick your butt and then go show it to everyone!"
"That's what I wanted!"
He got into attack position while I threw off my gloves and showed the same stance.
"Come, I'll kick your royal ass and make them demote me!"
"I'll never allow it! Guards, help your King, guards!"
"You're damn trash!"
Just when I was about to go hit him, my arm was pulled back, and that's when it touched something that wasn't there before.
I turned and observed it.
A huge pillar came out of nowhere.
"Excuse me, Your Majesty."
Or so it was until it spoke.
I stepped aside, surprised.
There was little light, but only a part of his body was visible; it was a person, a very tall one, almost as tall as that bloody bastard.
His clothes seemed foreign, from the East, it seems.
"A... Adlet, what are you doing here?"
Leonis called him Adlet, meaning he knows him, but he seems scared since he was sweating and showing his teeth.
"I came to present my report on what happened with Moldred; I'd like to know everything that happened with him, but first I came to see you, from duke to King, to apologize for what happened."
"...N-no need to apologize; everyone knows you're a great person and that Balzac was lying to you, fujaja."
I don't understand? Why does he seem scared? And also...
He said duke! That means this guy is...
In that darkness, his brown eyes stood out a lot; I could feel him glancing at me.
"Can we talk in private?"
"...Eh! Is it necessary?"
"Yes, and a lot."
"...Alright."
The tall guy walked towards Leonis, who was scared, while they went somewhere.
It was surprising to see him walking next to that guy; it's almost like seeing a tree with legs.
I stayed a while waiting for my heart to calm down. This day has been full of strong emotions, and it also seems I won't achieve my demotion with that trash King.
Just when I was about to go to the hall so the beautiful and pure girls could cheer me up, I heard some voices coming from another direction in this place.
"You're in the way; move."
"Kyah."
I ran towards the direction of that cute scream since I'd recognize it anywhere.
After running a bit, I found her; Airi was on the floor; it seems she had fallen.
"Airi, are you okay?"
"...Rudel-san, I'm fine; I was looking for you, and that girl pushed me out of nowhere for no reason."
She pointed with her nose the direction where that idiot went.
The place she went was dark, but I could notice two figures that seemed to almost vanish into the shadows; one of them was a maid talking to her.
"Char-sama, you shouldn't do that."
"Who cares about a commoner; Addie, where is that idiot?"
The voices could no longer be heard because of how far they were; the only thing I could notice before they disappeared was that the girl who seemed to be the culprit of pushing Airi was a noble; her dress was beautiful and white.
But the most curious thing is that the color of her hair and the way it shone reminded me a lot of Liam, as if Liam had become a girl.
No, it must be just my hatred for that idiot that makes me think weird things.
I extended both hands to Airi to help her up.
While helping her up, I observed the dress she was wearing.
It was blue with a short skirt up to her thighs, white shoes, a pearl necklace, and her hair was styled on one side; honestly, I prefer her normal style; it makes her look cuter.
"Can I know why you were looking for me? And, you look very nice."
She brushed the dust off her dress and reacted to what I said.
"Thank you; I was looking for you because I want to tell you something; well, actually, it's Alisa and I who want to tell you something."
"Whatever it is, I'm sorry it's not today; I'm not in the mood now."
"Huh? Umm, I understand, and when could it be?"
She really wanted to ask me something; is it that important?
"If it's something simple or about what I'll do from now on, you can tell me any day; you don't need to call Alisa for that."
"No, it's a question that includes Alisa, me, and you!"
She seemed very excited for some reason.
"If you want, let's go look for her now."
With those words, we went to look for Alisa, but somehow Airi got lost when I turned, and by chance, the one I was looking for arrived.
"Rudel!"
It was Alisa running towards me; she was in a long red dress, like her heels; her hair always amazes me since she has it short, but when she unties it, it seems to grow magically; currently, she has it on one shoulder.
She lifted her skirt a bit while coming; unintentionally, I observed her legs that weren't wearing stockings; it was her skin I saw—something good today, without a doubt.
"Do you know anything about what His Majesty named you?"
"No, and you?"
She shook her head when I asked.
"Not at all; neither my father, nor the prime minister, nor even Lecia-sama knew anything about that."
(So the bastard pulled it out of his sleeve and didn't tell anyone!)
(This is bad; at this rate, my future will truly become dark.)
"Rudel."
Alisa called me while biting my finger.
Her eyes were serious and staring at me fixedly.
"I'd like to take some of your time; Airi and I have to tell you—"
"But what a pleasant surprise; just the person I was looking for."
Both of us turned to that voice that seemed directed at us, and indeed, it was the other woman who was part of my scarce social circle.
"I'm not in the mood for your strange comments about me, Eleonora-senpai."
As always, this cyan-haired girl with large breasts held up by her arms tries to bother me with the strange things she says; I don't see her usual fan or her cliché ninja around here.
"Truly, you are the kind of man who needs education, fufu; I wouldn't mind giving you private lessons."
"But that's not what I wanted to talk about; I came to tell you this is the last time we'll see each other like this."
"Huh, why?"
"It's obvious because I graduate soon, silly; despite all the scandal that happened at the academy, graduation is something that had to happen to me."
"Oh, that's true; I wish you the best in whatever you do from now on."
"Thank you, but I didn't come for you to tell me that; I came to ask you, what will you do now?"
I imagine what she's saying.
"You're a count despite having been born a baron; you were baptized—something that had never happened; you entered the same rank as the crown prince, surpassing the prime minister and other royal relatives; not even the young lady beside you is at your level despite being of a higher rank, and as the cherry on top, you were declared as a minister and of a new title. Do you know what this means, right?"
"...Yes. Annoying problems."
"Besides your zero interest in that, I'm not referring to that, but to something much more important than all that."
"Engagement..."
It was Alisa who responded while holding her dress with both hands.
"It's exactly as she says; from now on, you'll be the target of many women whether you want to or not. So I recommend you start looking for excellent options."
Everything that comes out of her mouth is bad for me.
"Really? I'm sorry to say that the only thing I have left now is my hero title; my lost objects were destroyed without the possibility of being recovered and, above all, sunk. The workshop and shipyard are my family's, so if any woman wants that interest, she must look for my older brother and tie him down. And, as if that weren't enough, the palace took away my territory after the sinking of their precious ship. Sorry, but I'm a poor devil who doesn't even have a place to die; no matter what kind of woman she is, not a single one would want to be with a guy who doesn't even have a copper coin to eat, hahaha."
I laughed loudly to show her my reality, but I didn't imagine she had such a terrifying countermeasure.
"Truly, how silly you are; do you think that's enough to stop a girl from being with you?"
"Huh? But I'm—"
"A noble who started last year as a simple non-heir and ended a few hours ago turned into a count, promoted to minister, and being two ranks below His Majesty. You're not a normal man; whether you want to or not, you'll capture the interest of many people. For that reason, it's better you start looking for your own allies; I'll always be your ally, but the world you entered requires people who don't want to use you nor discard you."
Please don't try to scare me; you've already succeeded.
"You only have one option left for your life to be better: become engaged to the daughter of an influential family. Only then will your future be more or less secured both economically and socially. You don't have a territory, right? That's a perfect opportunity to ask your future in-laws for it as a gift, fufu."
She was laughing a lot; the conversation seemed to become strange; this took a turn where they try to engage me at all costs.
"You can also create your own house since you're a noble independent of yours; it would be a second branch, but I don't think your family would care that you are the main branch; after all, your children will be the ones to inherit your territories."
"I've been listening for a while, but you, what are you trying to tell Rudel?"
Alisa suddenly spoke; her eyes looked at her very furiously; senpai, in contrast, smiled while looking at her.
"I'm just saying a way to improve his life."
"Oh really? Then, why does it seem like you're trying to push him into your house?"
Senpai's smile grew bigger.
"Fufu, does it seem that way? I'm sorry it seems so, although the truth is, the Roseblaire Household wouldn't mind him being the next head. And even more so when my father sang wonders of him and his family."
"By joining senpai's house, does that mean you want me to marry you!?"
"My, you're not as slow as you seem. My mother nor my younger sister would mind you being the next head of the house; that said, they said you must improve your manners, but I would take care of that in our intimacy."
She put her hand on my chin and brought her face close to mine; I could feel her breath.
"Stop with the nonsense! Rudel is and will be the next head of his house."
Alisa grabbed me to pull me aside from her while confronting senpai.
"Should he? I don't care whose house he's the next head of, but my husband will only be one man."
"Precisely because of that! Stop telling Rudel what's best for him! That's my job as his patroness!"
"Oh dear, at this point do you still think you're his patroness? I'm sorry to say that your game of friends and knights ended when he was declared a hero; women will surround him whether you want it or not; the job of his future wife will be to keep those pests away from the husband's wallet."
"Again the same thing! Stop calling yourself Rudel's wife; he doesn't have a fiancée yet!"
Things were becoming very scary, so I decided to escape from there.
Truly, my peaceful life seems to have ended.
◇◇◇
The news about Rudel was spreading to all corners of the world; in a certain country where it was already nightfall.
A girl was returning from daily shopping after leaving work.
The streetlights turned on; the bustle of people and other unimaginable sounds too.
At that moment, a newspaper hit her face; she picked it up without any interest.
She read what the part of the newspaper that hit her said.
"The Kingdom of Altfode celebrates that the newly named Count Bradford eliminated the fearsome Bloody Knight... but what stupidity is this?"
The girl crumpled the newspaper and threw it aside; she continued on her way directly to her house; her long hair tied in pigtails swayed in the wind.
◇◇◇
In another part of the world, in a kingdom bathed in sunlight, in a special room, a soldier was reading the news to his superior.
"...What did you say?"
The superior listened to what his subordinate said about international news while writing his report.
His office was decorated with various fine and elegant items; there were only two portraits there; one seemed to be of him and his family, and the other was of a man sitting with long hair.
Beside the man, there was a large broken sword as a trophy.
"Yes. According to the newspaper from Aster that arrived this morning, it talks about how in the Kingdom of Altfode, a small and almost underdeveloped country in the south, had a war that involved the Black Ouroboros; it seems they all died, including their captain. The kingdom seems to celebrate and have decorated the noble who killed him."
"...What is that noble's name?"
"Rudel von Bradford, my cardinal."
"...I see; you may retire."
"Yes. I'll return tomorrow to inform you of the world's news; until tomorrow, Cardinal Darnic."
When the subordinate left and footsteps could no longer be heard.
"Are you fucking kidding me!?"
The man exploded.
"What the hell does this mean!? You allowed someone other than me to kill you, Bandel!?"
He hit his desk, destroying everything on it.
"I told you it would be me who would take your life; it was an eye for an eye, damn barbarian!"
The man touched his face; his fingers wanted to pierce his flesh.
"How could you let a simpleton peasant kill you!? It should have been me who took your life after losing to you in the war eight years ago!"
The man turned to put his hands on the door connecting to his office's balcony, inhaled, and then screamed from the bottom of his heart while his closed eyes opened.
"I will never forgive you, Rudel von Bradford; my vengeance will now fall upon you!!"
"You will regret the day you decided to become an enemy of the Sword Saint!!"
◇
I was at the palace; it was for two reasons.
The first was that today was the day when, finally after many annoyances, they were releasing Erselica; the idiots were released weeks ago.
Apparently, Liam and the others earned the hatred of the ministers and officials; the Queen hid them on a private island that belongs to her.
She said it was for their own good until Mayer and the others no longer wanted to hang him with their own hands.
The other reason for being here is that there are less than two weeks until I go study abroad.
I had to present reports since they apparently wondered how I would go without a ship they didn't want to provide.
I told them Ixion built an aircraft similar to Brynhild; the size was smaller, and its stats were much inferior.
Ixion himself said it was impossible to replicate Battler and Brynhild without the original parts.
So he had to create some second-hand copies; he was annoyed, very much so.
I sat in a private room with the Queen to chat a bit; our conversations were healthy, so there was no need for maids to surround me in armor.
While we were laughing, a topic arose.
"Truly, you are a rarity."
"Huh? May I know why?"
"It's because of that girl; how much you strived to help her despite everything she did to you."
"As I said, she was being blackmailed by those two; I can't condemn her for that."
"I know; I'm referring to the other things she did."
"Other things?"
I looked at her strangely, but she seemed even stranger.
"Count, have you already forgotten what she did to them? That's why I say you're a rarity; I thought you would be the one who most supported her execution."
"Excuse me, but I don't understand at all what you're saying?"
She looked at me as if I had made a mistake.
"...It can't be! Don't tell me you don't know and still decided to help her?"
She really leaves me more intrigued every time she speaks.
"I don't know what you're talking about; forgive me."
She seemed a bit reluctant to speak at first, but after looking at me and the maids.
"...Well, I think you've matured after your promotion since you didn't want to kill His Majesty, my husband, after your promotion."
Yes, I accepted it as an adult after crying. Fortunately, no one called me to the ministers' meetings, showing they didn't want me.
"Listen, this is what happened after being locked up by Balzac's order."
She told me a story that apparently everyone but me knew; the more she spoke, the smile I made while listening vanished completely, and the tea prepared by my mentor fell to the floor.
◇◇◇
Alisa and Airi were at the palace at the same time; both were in Siegwald's office, who just had free time after all that happened.
And now, he was extremely annoyed.
"Can you tell me how long you planned to keep this quiet?"
Airi wanted to speak for her friend, but Alisa took her hand as a sign not to speak.
"...I'm sorry."
"Do you think a simple 'I'm sorry' is enough to amend everything you caused!?"
Alisa had her head bowed; Airi too as a sign of apology, but Alisa did it out of shame to see her father.
"Not only have you brought shame to the family, to our ancestors, but you have also dirtied the Bismarck surname with your stupidities!"
"...I'm sorry."
"You made an exhibition of your body and hers in public, you bowed your head to someone who was an impostor, you attacked palace guards—among them your own brother—and the worst of all is that... you hit His Highness the Prince and were the second responsible for making that ship be destroyed!"
"...I'm sorry."
"Feeling sorry won't erase the shame and humiliation from our blood! If your mother were here, I don't know what she would do to you."
"...I'm sorry."
Alisa wanted to cry, not because of everything she did, but for dirtying her family's name.
"You have committed many crimes for this family; it doesn't matter if you're the daughter of a duke; execution would come to you for offending the royal family and being an accomplice to the loss of an invaluable treasure."
Neither of the two gave a response.
"Don't stay silent; speak!"
Both felt chills upon hearing that shout from an angry father and minister.
"...Father, if you let me explain to you—"
"Explain what, Alisa? Explain what!?"
"...Everything was to help Rudel."
Alisa's voice seemed like a girl about to cry after being scolded.
"And how did that help turn out for you!?"
"Not only did it not serve for anything; without the attack on the capital, he would have equally found a way to escape and have everything turn out in his favor. I still don't understand how the logic that surrounds him works, but it didn't matter what you did; it was useless."
"And how did he repay you? By freeing the impostor and guaranteeing her life despite what she made you do; the Bismarck family will never forgive her, much less that ungrateful one; even Mayer is also annoyed with him. He no longer has anyone to back or support him; the idiot even offered his title and island to save that girl's skin. Do you still consider him worthy of your trust and that he is someone important to you?"
"Yes..."
Alisa and Airi responded in unison; Siegwald smiled mysteriously upon hearing that.
He took out some documents from his desk.
"Good! It's time for your punishment; you are a true headache without a doubt; I should expel you from the family as the mildest punishment."
Both girls' hands tightened very hard upon hearing that.
"But I'll do something better; something that will make you reconsider never dirtying the family surname again. You will get engaged before entering the academy again."
Alisa lifted her head; tears showed upon hearing that; Airi also lifted hers because of what she heard.
"...But, father—"
"No objections!"
"I'm going to punish you like this; only then will you not dirty not one, but two family surnames."
Alisa showed an expression of pain upon hearing she would soon be engaged to someone unknown.
"You, her friend, are a commoner; I thank you for what you did for her, but you are also a bad influence on her; for that reason, after consulting with Mayer, reluctantly, he said he didn't care if you were his concubine. Congratulations, both of you will be with the same guy."
Now it was Airi who showed an expression of pain.
"The details still need to be discussed with his family; many oppose it since that noble is very stupid, rude, foul-mouthed, and, above all, ugly; without a doubt, he is a perfect match for you two."
Both looked at the floor because of what the man in front of them said; engagement was inevitable; Siegwald gave another mysterious smile after seeing them.
"Oh, I also forgot; a friend of his suggested this to me; he said he was an indecisive idiot, and that he will soon go study abroad, so it's better you start preparing your things since the three of you will live in an undeveloped territory—"
In the middle of Siegwald's words, both lifted their heads because of what they heard, but he couldn't finish what he said because a tremor happened at that moment.
"Kyah!"
"What happened?"
The girls held on tightly not to fall; Siegwald too; no one understood what happened; a second tremor occurred, then another.
"Alisa, what's happening?"
"I don't know; tremors normally only occur when islands fracture. But this doesn't seem like it."
Hurried footsteps approached the office door; that same door was brusquely opened by someone.
"Father, Alisa, there are problems!"
"Onii-sama, what's happening?"
Vayne entered sweating; after relaxing a bit, he was about to speak, but again a much stronger tremor shook the place.
Vayne said a shocking event.
"Rudel-kun... Count Bradford is attacking the palace!"
Everyone was amazed while more tremors happened under their feet.
◇
"Bring me that bitch!!! Give me Erselica!"
I was attacking the palace; it's due to what I heard from the queen; Ixion was by my side hidden; I asked him for an explanation, and all he said was:
"If I told you, you would have killed her instantly."
Screw you!
It's outrageous!
Unforgivable!
That woman was in a private room changing clothes since they had kept her prisoner until today.
I told Ixion to give me my katana; I cut the door into many pieces and screamed.
"You. Ungrateful little bitch!"
She should have known what it meant to see me; she asked for forgiveness and tried to escape the room.
Due to her stature, I couldn't reach her, so I used air grenades to make her fall.
But it didn't work; the knights on duty, guards, and officials came to calm me down.
But I won't allow it!
You can spit on me, but on them, never!
Erselica!
"Count, please calm down!"
"We don't want to use violence against— ahh!"
Those screams were from all the idiots who came to stop me.
The grenades weren't lethal; they only exploded as if the air around had been pushed; for some reason, the ground trembled due to the impact.
Others tried to launch magical attacks from afar; I extended my katana like a fire truck ladder and hit them with the back so they wouldn't suffer real damage.
More and more idiots came to try to prevent me from doing justice.
Ixion spoke to me while I was hitting the palace's renowned knights.
Among them were the red and green idiots' parents.
"Master, I didn't tell you precisely because this would happen, but I didn't imagine your desire for revenge would be much more intense than calculated. Without a doubt, you are an anomaly for mathematical calculations."
"Shut up and tell me where she's hiding!"
"...In the dungeon."
"Well done!"
I expelled the idiots who kept coming at me; now only their unconscious bodies remained.
I arrived at the prison door where they had me; I threw a grenade, and the door was blown downhill.
After the smoke cleared, I saw her locked in a cell holding onto the bars.
Slowly, I went down the stairs.
"Wait, onii-chan, let me explain; it was all those girls' mistake!"
"Girls who were your entourage, your followers, who followed your orders!"
I reached the middle of the stairs.
"You ungrateful little bitch! I forgave you for what you did, I forgave you for trying to kill me, I even sacrificed my island for your small and wretched ass!"
"And how do you repay me!? By hurting them! Humiliating them in public! Making many bastards like me have a visual feast at night with their semi-naked bodies, and the worst of all!"
I clenched my teeth for what I was about to say now.
"You dared to hide it from me and never thought to tell me!"
"Unforgivable!!"
"Unforgivable!!"
"Unforgivable!!"
"I'll kill you here and now! I'll make a fountain with your blood! Your head will be a trophy for them, and I'll eat your entrails while watching your face gaunt from fear as I kill you!"
"Uwahh, someone help me, please! This guy is scary!"
I was almost at her cell and lifted my katana to cut the bars.
"Bradford, what do you think you're doing!"
For some reason, Liam and the other two came to hold me.
He was in front using his body as a shield, while Chlust was behind me holding my katana with his hands, and Frey both of my arms; the two used their legs to block the passage of mine.
"Get out of the way, idiots; this doesn't concern you!"
"Of course it does! If it involves Erselica, we will always be present!"
"Guys..."
"Leave your stupid conqueror monologue and get out! I'll have her head by the end of the day whether you want it or not!"
Liam approached me to push me since I was advancing little by little with my magical power distributed in my body.
"Guys, protect me; this lunatic wants to kill me!"
"Ungrateful little bitch!"
I heard footsteps approaching the entrance, then some voices called me.
"Rudel-kun!"
"Rudel!"
"Rudel-san!"
I turned upon hearing those voices; my hand stopped, but my anger didn't.
"Girls... why didn't you tell me!? I would have eliminated her instantly!"
The Queen was behind Alisa and Airi; all seemed tired from running. Airi was the one who spoke.
"It was for this same reason we didn't tell you anything; the truth is, we don't care what she did to us."
"But I do! Erselicaaaaa!"
My anger returned once more, and I moved my body with more force.
"Rudel-kun, do you imagine the damage you've caused to the palace?"
"Rudel, just forget it!"
"We beg you."
"Never!!"
I looked at both, who seemed to want to cry; what she did to them must have been very traumatic.
"I... will not rest until I deliver her head to you!"
I pointed at her so she knows her execution time had arrived.
"Erselica, damn ungrateful one, I will never forgive you! I will pursue you to the ends of the earth and until the end of my days!"
"Ixion!"
"Yes?"
I called my faithful companion.
"Take care of these idiots!"
"...Are you sure?"
"Of course! I'll kill her whether they want it or not."
I smiled at her so she knows her time had come.
"...I have no choicer; rest a bit until your anger calms down."
I didn't understand what he said, but moments later; a very intense electric shock ran through not only my body but also that of these guys.
"Ixionnn, damn enemy of humanityyy!!"
Both I and the idiots fell unconscious due to the electric attack.
◇
The place I find myself is the academy; it's so weird to be here; there are three teacups on the table; there are two other people here with me; they seem to be the girls.
I don't know the reason, but my heart feels very warm when I'm with them.
Both smile at me; I don't want this moment to end for anything in the world.
I truly...
◇
I opened my eyes after the strange dream I had.
I was seeing a white ceiling; to my left side was a long brown sofa; even if I hadn't seen it, I knew it was a sofa since my legs were stretched along it, touching the armrest.
As for my right, there they were.
"Why did you hide it from me?"
Alisa and Airi were looking at me with loving eyes while I spoke to them; a bit farther away was the queen.
Alisa and then Airi spoke to me.
"We didn't want to worry you during the war crisis."
"We also thought it was better to forget it."
Lying down, I raised my arm to scratch my head and then say.
"Lecia, give me Erselica."
"I don't remember giving you permission to call me by my name, Count Bradford; besides, we don't have that kind of relationship for you to ask me favors."
"Morning mature woman."
I tried to bother her because of what she said, but she didn't seem to react to it.
"Sorry, give me that hussy."
"I'm sorry, but you yourself said not to let anyone touch her, and I'll fulfill that deal."
I made a sound of displeasure because of what she said; I turned annoyed, looking at the brown sofa and asking them again.
"No one told you to do something idiotic like that; are you idiots or what?"
Being in a position where I can't see them, the way they spoke to me seemed to indicate they were smiling while talking.
"We said it once; we are. And that's why we're friends." said Airi.
"We're sorry, but we were more worried about your safety than our pride." added Alisa.
"Rudel, turn around, please."
I did so reluctantly to see what they wanted.
Upon turning to look at them, I observed them happy.
By the way, why have they been holding hands since I opened my eyes? Or, how long have they been doing it?
"First of all, thank you for defending us and worrying about us." said Alisa, and I, a bit annoyed, responded, "It's not that much; I promised you." Then, it was Airi who spoke in a shy tone.
"Rudel-san, can you accompany us to the rooftop for a moment? There's something important that Alisa and I want to tell you."
I looked at them again, and both looked serious and at the same time shy; their hands were squeezing tightly.
The Queen, in contrast, covered her mouth with both hands and exclaimed.
"It can't be! This is that, isn't it? Something that only happens in novels."
Because of her tone, I felt a knot in my mouth.
I told them yes, and before getting up, I thought the worst.
(Please, don't call me just to tell me they entered the forbidden gate and want to express their love in front of me. That floating heart only made me think the worst, and now I don't want it rubbed in my face.)
Without a doubt, this day is the worst.