Chapter 180: The Fox Ladys Lips
「By the way, where has Countess Agene of House Aquitaine—the other ringleader—gone? Has she already fled?」
The coup among the southern nobility was orchestrated, ostensibly, by Marquis Pipin of House Burgundy and Countess Agene of House Aquitaine, though in reality.
The army of Countess Agene, already on the battlefield, had surrendered. However, unless we capture the countess herself and force House Aquitaine to surrender, the war won’t truly end.
「If you’re looking for Josephine-dono, she’s in the inner chamber.」
Guided by the surrendered young master Boltaigne, I was led to the depths of the castle. There, reclining on a soft pink sofa, sat an enchanting woman. Her long hair was a pale orange, and her fox-like ears perked toward me. The low neckline of her dress revealed ample bosom, akin to ripe melons.
「So, you’re Countess Agene?」
「Ara, call me Josephine, hero-sama.」
Josephine Agene Aquitaine—the woman known as the Fox Lady.
Not merely a vixen but a true fox lady—Josephine carried the blood of half-beast, half-human. A rarity among the Silesien nobility, steeped in human supremacy.
Whispers labeled her a seductress who ensnared men with her tantalizing prowess. Lyle-sensei had warned me: ‘Beware of poison from such a femme fatale.’ 「Come closer, and let us engage in our ‘negotiation’.」
Her alluring smile drew me in, but just as her face hovered near my lips, my shadow emerged—a figure named Kaara—holding a knife to Josephine.
「Nation’s father, it’s poison.」
「Poison?」
「This one has coated her lips with a deadly poison.」
「Ah, I see… ‘Poisonous temptress’ takes on a whole new meaning.」
She tried to assassinate me, but you see, I won’t die so easily from mere poison.
「Ah…」
As I lightly licked her crimson-slicked lips, Josephine’s black eyes widened, and she pulled away. If our lips had met, she might have succumbed to her own poison.
「Fufu, I don’t know about the men you’ve ensnared before, but a hero isn’t bothered by such mild poison.」
「Ara… Perhaps an aphrodisiac would have suited you better. Next time, perhaps.」
Josephine, who had been lounging, suddenly leaped from the sofa and out of the castle window.
She jumped!?
「Hey!」
But it wasn’t a suicide leap. Far below the tower window, mercenaries deftly caught Josephine using white sheets.
Whether her assassination succeeded or failed, it seemed she’d planned her escape from the start. Her agility caught me off guard.
「Shall we pursue and finish her off?」
「No, let it be.」
From beneath my amused gaze, a noble-looking mercenary—clad in a billowing blue cloak—strode toward us and shouted:
「Greetings King General, Sawatari Takeru-dono, I am Zephyranzas Silva. While I’d love to face the renowned hero of Silesie, I’m currently tasked with escorting this lady. Let’s postpone our duel!」
Zephyranzas, despite being on the losing side of battle, managed to sound suave and cool. His tenacity was oddly endearing.
Ah, there stood the famed mercenary noble of Roland—Zephyranzas. Reputation had it that he never betrayed his employer as long as the contract held. He was the formidable mercenary captain who gave Sarah-chan’s volunteer corps their only real challenge among the enemy ranks.
「Zephyranzas! Let’s hope next time we’re not enemies!」
「Haha, I’m a mercenary. The Zephyranzas Mercenaries are always open for business. Prepayment is especially welcome, King General!」
Ah, the twists and turns of fate! Zephyranzas, the charismatic mercenary captain, swiftly departed with Josephine in tow, leaving behind a trail of self-promotion for his mercenary company. It seems he’s now switched from fulfilling his contract with Marquis Pipin to safeguarding our elusive fox lady.
Despite being an enemy commander, Zephyranzas exuded an almost refreshing charm. Of course, as a ruler, I hope our wars won’t necessitate hiring mercenaries too often.
「Whoops.」
The poison still lingered—I found myself crouched by the window. Clearly, my resistance wasn’t quite up to par yet. Kaara, ever the exasperated companion, wiped my poisoned lips and produced an antidote potion.
「Nation’s father, you’re showing off too much.」
「Well, I suppose I’m curious about the extent of my own poison resistance…」
Kaara downed the antidote potion and then leaned in to kiss my lips. The liquid flowed down my throat, neutralizing the poison.
「Hmm… Having a soft spot for women might be a troublesome habit.」
「Well, I’ll be careful.」
I chuckled. My weakness for women had led me into this predicament. But truth be told, I had no intention of killing Josephine, and it was best to let Zephyranzas and his mercenaries retreat swiftly—minimizing casualties.
※※※
Now, let’s delve further into the unfolding events:
The Silesien royal army and volunteer forces, victorious in the decisive battle at Isoir—the stronghold of the southern noble alliance—pressed onward to Countess Agene’s territory. There, they secured the city of Agene without bloodshed.
Our intentions were clear: no desire to kill Josephine, nor any wish to annihilate House Aquitaine. However, the fox lady, abandoning her ailing husband, had fled beyond our borders.
It’s likely she crossed over to Roland Kingdom alongside the Zephyranzas Mercenaries. And now, it seems Kaara has something to share with me.
「Shall I go after and Kill her?」
「There’s no need to pursue and kill Josephine further. With her backing gone, she’s just one woman who wishes to flee. Let her be. 」
But my heart goes out to the unfortunate figure in Agene City: the bedridden Count High End, Josephine’s husband.
This sick man’s wife had an affair with Marquis Pipin, and ultimately, the responsibility for the rebellion falls upon him. Now, he can’t even rise from that bed, and all of House Aquitaine’s lands are seized.
Given that one of the rebellion’s masterminds was none other than Countess Josephine, it’s an unfortunate but necessary outcome.
Yet, I found no words for the emaciated Lord High End. Perhaps he’d been poisoned—his condition worsening since he welcomed the fox lady into his life.
「Ensure he has enough resources to live comfortably.」
I instructed Sarah-chan.
Since we’ve decided to grant the Agene County lands to her, the details of handling this situation fall under her purview.
「Being generous to the former count is a lord’s virtue.」
Indeed, the once-prosperous Lord High-End, whose family fell due to his ill-fated marriage to the enchanting fox lady, now garners sympathy from the commoners. He was a foolish man beguiled by her allure. While he bears some responsibility, he wasn’t a tyrant in the eyes of the people. Treating him well might even help stabilize governance.
And so, with this, the civil war that began with the southern rebellion in Silesie comes to an end.
Seated on the throne in the audience chamber of Agene Castle, I address the assembled volunteers under Sarah-chan’s command, bestowing rewards upon them.
「Formal decrees will come later from Her Majesty the Queen, but as the King General, I have the authority to grant rewards. First, any noble who pledged allegiance to the Silesien royal forces, even midway through the conflict, shall retain their lands. In return, they must uphold the promise made by our volunteer forces: a year of tax exemption for each territory, contingent upon their continued service.」
The nobles who later pledged allegiance from the southern regions, especially the trio known as the ‘Three Crows’ visibly breathed a sigh of relief. While tax exemptions might pose economic challenges, they’ll need to manage it. After all, the toll of war weighed not only on the nobles and knights but also on the commoners. Healing the wounds of civil war requires tending to the well-being of all.
「The lands of the rebellion’s masterminds—Count High End, Marquis Pipin, and Baron Bonjour—are all confiscated. For nobles who resisted until the end, we’ll seize their lands but spare their personal fortunes. Knights, however, shall remain in service to Silesie. And for those of lower status, their treatment remains the same.」
The assembled nobles murmured in awe saying ‘how generous’. Perhaps my approach seemed even more magnanimous due to the earlier intensity of Sarah-chan’s actions.
Now, governing these new territories presents a fresh challenge. Often, the original ways are lost, and we start anew. The true masterminds are either dead or fled, and the time for punishment and impeachment has passed.
「Next, for outstanding merit, Acting General Sarah Rod.」
「Yes!」
Sarah-chan knelt before me—a golden-haired girl radiating an almost ethereal beauty.
Her emerald-green eyes held unwavering determination. From a simple village girl, she’d grown into a historical figure—the acting general who secured a momentous victory.
Clad in the sturdy ‘Black Cedar Armor’, her mantle bore the Silesien royal emblem—a white lily. Her presence exuded an inexplicable dignity. She’d become a symbol, rallying the people. Perhaps her luminous gaze and beauty had turned her into everyone’s idol.
「Your service as the general has been exceptional. You shall receive the Agene County lands. Henceforth, you may bear the name Sarah Agene Rod.」
「I am grateful and honored.」
Sarah-chan replied, rising gracefully. Her smile surpassed her years, and her confidence lent her an air of authority befitting a countess. Truly, she rivaled any seasoned adult.
「Second in merit, Baron Zawa Haruto Dot Mox. From the very first battle, alongside Acting General Sarah, you repelled Marquis Pipin’s forces and led us toward the pacification of the southern lands—truly remarkable!」
「Hah!」
The seasoned knight, his hair tied back, swiftly knelt before me.
「In addition to the Dot Baronetcy, I grant you the city of Otan in the former Nant Marquisate. You are also promoted to viscountcy. We could call it the Viscounty of Otan, alongside with your baronetcy.」
「Most gracious indeed!」
Come to think of it, I had a bit of history with Corps Commander Zawa Haruto. During the Gale Rebellion, I’d considered him a pitiable knight, coerced into charging by threats of cannonfire.
Yet now, as Sarah-chan’s staff officer—a silver-haired commander with both defensive and offensive prowess—he led our volunteer army with unwavering determination. People change based on circumstances and alliances. Perhaps he and young Sarah-chan had an unexpected rapport.
「Hmm.」
「Ah, Your Excellency, the King General. Is there something—」
My slight smile seemed to unsettle Zawa Haruto, who wiped sweat from his forehead and shifted nervously.
「No need for apologies. Your efforts were commendable. Otan is a crucial city for stability in the south. Alongside Countess Ajene, continue serving the kingdom.」
「Hah!」
Zawa Haruto prostrated himself deeply. All was well.
「Third in merit, Colonel Alan Mortar of the Volunteer Army—」
「Hah!」
I’ll spare you the details that followed…..
Suffice it to say, I rewarded deserving knights and soldiers one after another, concluding our commendations.
In any case, we incorporated the Nant Marquisate (excluding Otan) and the Barony of Isoir to the royal domain. Personally, I only want the Nant port for trade, but we’d need separate stewards for the inland regions.
After the commendations had been bestowed, I found respite in the castle’s antechamber. There, I received a surprise visitor: Milk Ross, one of Sarah’s attendants.
「Your Excellency, King General, please return this to Regent Lyle.」
「Ah, the cloak and the magic rifle that she lent Milk-kun.」
I hesitated for a moment. Should I simply let him keep them? But no, these weapons were no longer necessary for me but that doesn’t mean the same for others.
「Understood. I’ll deliver them to sensei.」
「Yes!」
「By the way, I couldn’t help but ask you something. Had I been too generous? Considering Milk-kun’s merits, granting you the Barony of Isoir seemed fitting.」
「I wish to serve Sarah-sama.」
I nodded. Sometimes silence speaks louder than words.
Milk-kun, once a young recruit, had grown into a capable young man. I had hoped he’d become my aide, but fate had other plans. Despite my repeated invitations, he clung to Sarah-chan, and now it seemed he’d serve as her adjutant in the Count Ajene’s lands.
Perhaps Sarah-chan’s charisma—captivating both seasoned commanders and handsome youths—surpassed mine. As I watched Milk-kun, once again rejected, I could only manage a wry smile.
And then, with a flourish, Sarah herself burst into the room.
「Ah, Milk! What are you doing here?」
「Acting General Sarah…」
「Fufufu, don’t call me acting general from now on. Call me Countess now. I have a vast territory to govern, and there’s no time for slacking off!」
「Yes, Countess Sarah!」
Milk-kun’s eyes sparkled as Sarah-chan danced around, discussing the management of her newfound lands. Perhaps he found her radiance irresistible.
And just as I thought the scene couldn’t get any more interesting, another voice chimed in:
「Ah, Takeru! What are you doing here?」
As I rested in the inner chamber, Sarah approached me as if remembering something.
「You didn’t expect to find me here? This is technically my private chamber now.」
「No, this place is my castle and this is my private chamber too.」
I can’t help but laugh since she’s right.
Though the official decree hadn’t arrived yet, Sarah, now Countess Ajene, had already begun effectively ruling over the city.
「Look, Takeru. I’ll become an impressive countess, build up my domain, and stand shoulder-to-shoulder with you!」
「Looking forward to it.」
As the King’s General, I appreciated Sarah’s capable and proactive approach to governing the southern lands.
「But there’s something else.」
「Go on.」
Sarah-chan pointed her finger at me and declared in high spirits.
「Takeru, when I become such a distinguished countess that you’ll have to beg me to marry you, watch closely!」
「Well, I’ll certainly look forward to that…」
Sarah-chan, it’s fine to say that, but maybe not in front of Milk-kun. Look at his smile—it seems a bit sad, doesn’t it?
If only Sarah understood men’s hearts a little better, I’ll get down on my knees and beg you to marry me.
But I held back from making that joke; it might set off some strange romantic flag.