Chapter 126: The Return of the King General
After the first night with Eleonora, upon returning to Lanct Castle, I was met with a flurry of events: banquets, public presentations, and all manner of formalities. Let’s skip over the details.
Well, such ceremonies are necessary. They foster a sense of unity between the Lanct Duchy and the Kingdom of Silesie.
Ideally, I would have escorted Eleonora directly to the Silesie royal palace and introduced her to my other wives. However, the urgent situation forbade it.
Despite being the Princess Knight Eleonora, a formidable warrior protected by the ‘Flame Armor’ we couldn’t risk leaving the castle open. Her duty was to maintain order in the territories of the union of lords.
So here I am, the sole bearer of the news that I’ve gained another wife.
Of course, if I were alone, I could easily leap to the Silesie palace with Kaara’s assistance. But explaining this to my existing wives… well, that’s another matter.
-0-
As soon as I stepped into the Silesie royal castle, Lyle-sensei appeared, showering me with praise.
「Takeru-dono, splendid work!」
「Sensei, what do you mean?」 I knew exactly what she meant, but there was no need for further explanation. With a knowing smile, I raised my thumb. Well done, Lyle-sensei.
「With this, the combined forces of the union of lords and the former imperial army are under our control. Takeru-dono, achieving this single-handedly is beyond our wildest expectations. Remarkable!」
「But won’t my other wives be angry about the new addition?」
Hmm? I’ve been given with a ‘what’ look.
「If you ask me, I’ll say that I’m looking forward to seeing how much more there will be. As a hero, it’s only natural. No one will be upset. Oh, and perhaps we should consider adding Imperial Princess Elizabeth to the harem as well?」
「Wait, that’s going a bit too far!」
Lyle-sensei chuckled.
Apparently, it was all in jest. Indeed, throwing an eight-year-old child into the harem would be no different from the tyrant Fist Slave Emperor Dyson’s misdeeds.
「For maintaining control over the southern regional nobles and securing our foothold, we’ll need volunteer troops. Additionally, the conflict between the United Kingdom of Britania and the Kingdom of Castilia over dominion in the Western Sea is escalating. However, aiming for imperial rule isn’t opportune at the moment.」
「Please refrain from saying things like ‘if the timing were right.’」
Just like when I married Queen Silhouette and Princess Caroline.
Lyle-sensei tends to playfully suggest things but secretly pushes the conversation forward. I must be cautious.
Well, if Lyle-sensei plans to establish a puppet regime and eventually absorb the Germania Empire, that’s acceptable. I’ve promised to be a pawn for her ambitions. However, to legitimize our authority, having the old emperor here should suffice.
Fist Slave Emperor Dyson’s audacity in attempting to involve an eight-year-old girl was a colossal failure. It even alienated the hearts of Archbishop Nicholas’s Neo Homotestants Cult.
I won’t make the same mistake.
「Regardless, thanks to your efforts, both allies and enemies have clearer roles now. First, we’ll mediate a truce between the Roland Kingdom and the former imperial army. If we give them a little extra in addition to recovering their old territories that were taken from them, Roland Kingdom should sheathe its sword.」
「Will that help the former imperial army recover as well?」
「It won’t be that straightforward. The three kingdoms on the eastern border are bound to align with the Dyson faction no matter what. They remain formidable foes. Besides, Silesie Kingdom can’t afford to focus solely on the east.」
「We’ve brought General Mainz into our fold, so I’m considering appointing him as the Eastern Grand General to cover the union of lords’ territories and the former imperial lands.」
Upon hearing this, Lyle-sensei’s face lit up.
General Mainz, the seasoned veteran, was one of the few predecessors she truly respected.
「Appoint General Mainz, who governs the fortress city of Dunburg, as the commander-in-chief, and designate Eleonora, who safeguards the Lanct Duchy, as the deputy commander for the Eastern Front. How does that sound for our preparations against Dyson?」
「Excellent. Given that the Kingdom of Silesie faces enemies both to the south and east, having General Mainz oversee the east will ease our burden.」
As the wounds from the Battle of Silesie heal, we must continue to gather strength. Of course, if the situation on the battlefield changes drastically, we won’t have the luxury of avoiding war.
「Well, that about covers it.」
「Takeru-dono, I apologize for bothering you when you’re already tired.」
「Huh? Is there something else?」
「Well, even though you’ve accepted the new addition to your wives, don’t neglect your existing ones. After all, it’s Queen Silhouette who guarantees the King General’s authority. We should secure an heir as soon as possible… Wait, why are you hugging me?」
「No, I mean, take care of the existing wives.」
「I didn’t mean it in that sense! Ugh, listen to me!」
Lyle-sensei’s tone seemed inviting, but I knew better. If I think about my role as a husband, there’s only one person—Lyle-sensei. Perhaps during my absence, she felt lonely. How endearing.
I carried Lyle-sensei princess-style to the innermost part of the harem. Well, what happened afterward doesn’t need to be mentioned.
※※※
Emperor Conrad and Princess Elizabeth reside in a secluded annex within the royal palace. Concealed among the trees in a small garden deep within the harem, this wooden structure is known as the Outer Leaf Villa.
Ironically, this small villa was once where Queen Silhouette, an elf by birth, lived in seclusion. Denied entry to the main harem due to her heritage, she led a shadowed existence here.
While it pains me to have the old emperor and his granddaughter occupy this place, there are no other suitable options. Besides, security concerns prevent them from residing in the main harem.
The small villa, with its intricate history, now shelters the deposed former emperor and the displaced imperial granddaughter. It seems fate has woven yet another thread of destiny.
The villa where Queen Silhouette once resided, hidden among the lush trees, now serves as the provisional imperial residence for the legitimate Germania Empire.
「Is this also the work of fate?」
Emerging from the dense foliage, I crossed a stone bridge over a tranquil pond. The sound of Zither’s strings and her clear singing voice reached my ears.
Unlike the opulence of the main harem, this place exuded a serene ambiance.
Zither, her honey-colored hair neatly braided, donned a flowing silk robe. With closed eyes, she played her stringed instrument in the shade. From this perspective, she appeared not as a village girl but as a distinguished court musician.
She must be doing her best to liven things up. After all, she is the sole direct retainer to the old emperor and the imperial granddaughter, serving as the court musician.
While they have maids who visit from our castle, having a familiar face makes a world of difference.
As I finished applauding the folk duet of the old emperor and Princess Elizabeth, I stepped forward.
「Gunner-sama, listen to this! I’ve been rehired as a court musician!」
「Wait…」
Zither charged toward me, kicking up dust. Why does she address me as ‘Gunner-sama’? I’m not even wearing my black robe. Look at me—clad in shining Mithril Armor and the King General’s cape. Besides, I don’t even carry a rifle!
「If you have any requests, Gunner-sama, feel free to ask. I’ll play my heart out; it’s my duty!」
「No, thank you.」
Doesn’t she realize? We’re deep within Silesie’s harem.
Even a naturally air-headed musician should sense it.
Seizing this opportune moment, I decided to challenge how long it would take for Zither to recognize my true identity.
Of course, Her Imperial Highness, the Imperial Princess, seems to have already realized that I am the hero of Silesie. Given the circumstances, it would be odd if she hadn’t.
Ignoring the easygoing, air headed minstrel, Princess Elizabeth approaches with grace.
Her small hands rest behind her back, and a mischievous smile graces her childlike face. She must find Zither’s dumbness amusing.
「Ehto, how should I address you here?」
「Well, ‘Gunner’ will do. After all, there’s someone over there who still insists on calling me that.」
Pointing at Zither, who has inexplicably started playing background music on a stringed instrument, Elizabeth chuckles. In her merriment, she appears nothing more than an ordinary child.
「Continuing, I shall address you as ‘Gunner-sama.’」
「Very well. How is His Majesty Conrad’s health?」
「Well, this place has natural beauty, and the water from Silesie seemed to have helped a lot. Grandfather seems to be recovering quite well.」
「I see. That’s good.」
On the veranda, Emperor Conrad, aged and frail, quietly closes his eyes. Just a while ago, he sang in unison with his granddaughter, but now he sleeps.
It was regrettable to impose such a journey on him after his confinement and exhaustion, but he needs to recuperate.
This elderly, senile man was once the hero who ruled half the world—the Emperor. Despite being an exceptional ruler, his failure in choosing a successor tarnished his twilight years. His plight evokes sympathy.
Though this modest retreat hardly befits a former world emperor, we must forgive its inconveniences.
At the very least, it’s far better than the sunless stone dungeons.
「Once again, I express my gratitude, Gunner-sama. Please forgive my numerous impertinences.」
「No need for apologies. If we’re talking about rudeness, I’m guilty too. My words of assistance hold no deception—I merely helped a pitiable old man and a child.」
It’s almost too clever for an eight-year-old girl. But then again, she’s been imprisoned as a rebel and is now hiding in a foreign land. Telling her to rest is unreasonable.
「I believe your words.」
「Yes, trust me.」
Now, what to do?
Does the child have a playmate? Perhaps I should introduce her to a slave girl of similar age. It might distract Elizabeth a bit.
「As for me, I don’t mind either way. Therefore, I’d like grandfather to rest quietly.」
「That’s not how a child would say it. No one needs to sacrifice anything. Let the child and the old man, both saved by adults, play and sing with Zither. If Eliza’s wish is for a peaceful life, then so be it.」
I want the child to remain childlike. If there’s any reason for me to act like an adult, it’s to protect the vulnerable child. Watching the eight-year-old girl stiffen her body and stand proudly is heartbreaking.
「Thank you for everything.」
「By coming this far, you’re safe. Apologies for the small accommodations, but consider this your home. If you need anything, feel free to ask me or anyone in the castle.」
Well, regardless, the environment has drastically changed, so telling her not to be rigid won’t work immediately. Let’s allow this gentle old man and his granddaughter some quietude for a while. There’s already one lively presence here. Thinking so, I signal Zither, who stops playing and approaches.
「Ehto, which song should I play?」
「Why the sudden request?」
Zither unexpectedly asks me for a song.
Why, though? We never discussed anything like that!
「Indeed, Gunner-sama, you mentioned singing earlier. If you have any favorites, I can play Silesie’s regional tunes as well.」
「Zither, did you listen to our entire conversation earlier? Are those lines from that?」
「Yes?」
「Fufu…」
Elizabeth, who had been composed, tilts her head at the clueless Zither and bursts into laughter. She hurriedly covers her mouth with her small hand. Innocently laughing like that, she truly appears childlike. And that’s perfectly fine.
「Well, never mind. It’s commendable that you’re working diligently as a court musician.」
「Yes, it’s my duty, so I’ll play energetically!」
Zither plucks the strings, and this time, she starts playing a lively tune. Although I didn’t request anything specific, she must be in that kind of mood.
Zither is already twenty-four years old, but she seems smaller and less skilled than Elizabeth, almost appearing more childlike. Perhaps this air headed minstrel is the perfect playmate after all.
Being able to make Elizabeth laugh with her antics serves as ample comfort. Zither has done an admirable job. Maybe she should introduce herself as the court jester rather than a court musician—it suits her.
Come to think of it, there are quite a few entertainers who use musical instruments. Zither, aiming in that direction might be a good idea.