Chapter 263: Assured Victory
We defeated the allied forces of Yelenetta and Shelvia and, furthermore, remodeled Centena into the strongest defensive base. The effect was significant; although the Shelvia Confederation’s Knight Order still retained a force of nearly twenty thousand, Towncar maintained a dutiful attitude fitting for a defeated general.
Since Jalpa, who was gravely injured and still unable to rise from his bed, could not participate in the talks, Panamera and I ended up negotiating with Towncar. That said, since Panamera had already stated her demands, it mostly ended with conveying Jalpa’s intentions. It seems Towncar led half of his Knight Order and headed for the capital of the Shelvia Confederation.
Meanwhile, I was finally feeling relieved that I could go home. My Daddy is recovering well, so it should be fine to return to Seatoh Village soon.
“…Father can walk with a cane now, so I think I’ll head back to Seatoh Village soon.”
When I announced this during a meeting with Panamera, Talga, and Stradale, Panamera crossed her arms and shook her head.
“What are you saying? We are just about to gather as many Shelvia Confederation knights as possible and strike the first blow into the Kingdom of Yelenetta…”
When Panamera said this in a disgruntled tone, Talga nodded with a wry smile.
“Indeed. If we can gain the cooperation of the Shelvia Confederation, it would be best to utilize it to the fullest. However, since we were able to protect Centena thanks to Lord Van’s arrival, we cannot stop you if you wish to return home.”
Talga said this with a smile. Oh, Talga-kun. You’re quite understanding. I want to return to Seatoh Village soon and wash my soul in the large bath. Make it happen.
Thinking this, I watched the proceedings. Then, Stradale looked at me with a difficult expression.
“…Lord Van. Lord Jalpa will not be able to take the battlefield for some time. It is a selfish request, but could you please take charge of Centena’s defense?”
Being asked like that, having actually seen the weakened My Daddy, made it hard to refuse.
“Hmm… In that case, I’ll provide mobile ballistae to make it easier for Talga-san to defend Centena. Also, I’ll throw in some specially made swords as a service.”
“Oh, that is reassuring.”
Talga was genuinely pleased. Despite being the largest man I’ve met so far, he has quite a likeable personality.
Stradale sighed slightly upon hearing the exchange between Talga and me.
“…It cannot be helped. In the first place, it is our duty to protect Centena, which neighbors the Fertio Marquis territory. Lord Van, who has become independent, has no obligation to sacrifice himself.”
Stradale muttered regretfully. Hearing this, Panamera snorted and laughed.
“Wasn’t it Marquis Fertio himself who drove the boy to a frontier village? That’s a conveniently selfish story to bring up now. If I were him, I wouldn’t dare utter such a request even if my mouth were torn open.”
Panamera pointed this out in a mean way, causing Stradale’s expression to darken.
“…It is painful to hear. Just between us, ever since the day Lord Van departed, the knights and maids have asked me countless times if we could petition the Lord to call him back. However, one should not gainsay what Lord Jalpa has decided.”
“Hmph. From what I hear, the greatest blunder of the Marquis family was letting go of Lord Espada and Lord Dee. Retainers who can voice opposing opinions to their master are precious. If you surround yourself only with yes-men, the house will eventually decline.”
Panamera looked Stradale in the eye and said this condescendingly. Stradale did not answer, only looking down.
“W-well, now… Anyway, I’m going home, okay? I’ll make sure the defense is solid, so forgive me with that.”
Stop fighting over me! I almost blurted that out as a joke, but Stradale looked genuinely depressed, so I couldn’t say it.
Hearing my words, Stradale bowed deeply with a solemn face.
“…I am grateful for your deep compassion.”
“No, no, don’t worry about it.”
I’m really glad I didn’t say anything unnecessary. I remembered after a long time that Stradale is dead serious.
“I’ll make good weapons for Stradale and Talga-san, so please do your best to protect Centena.”
“Understood.”
“Even at the cost of this life…”
“Too heavy!”
With that exchange, my return home was finally decided.
When I went to the room where Jalpa was resting, I found him sitting on a sofa instead of the bed.
For a moment, his appearance was so exhausted and thin that I doubted who it was. Apparently, the pain from his wounds was unbearable, preventing him from eating or sleeping properly.
“…Van, is it?”
Jalpa called my name in a hoarse voice. Feeling like I was about to be scolded for some reason, I hesitated to step forward.
“Sit there.”
“…Yes.”
In the end, he even specified the chair and urged me to sit. Although there was a small table between us, the spot was the chair directly facing Jalpa.
I sat down quietly so as not to make a sound, but I felt incredibly uncomfortable.
Stealing a glance, I saw that the missing part of Jalpa’s body remained as it was. Although he was wearing clothes, the lack of a bulge where it should be made it obvious to anyone at a glance.
What should I say? Will he get angry if I say I’m going home now?
While I was thinking about this, Jalpa looked straight at me and spoke.
“…Van. What will you do from now on?”
It was a concise question. But strangely, the words felt nostalgic.
That’s right. This was the question I was asked every morning when I lived in the Fertio Marquis household. Each time, I think I answered that I would study or learn swordsmanship. Back then, I felt scared of Jalpa, and I must have answered with some tension to avoid giving a clumsy reply.
It’s nostalgic, but seeing Jalpa looking far weaker than he did back then also makes me feel a sense of sorrow.
“…What is it? Why do you not answer?”
As I was lost in thought, Jalpa furrowed his brow suspiciously and asked the same question.
I nodded lightly and answered, looking into Jalpa’s eyes.
“I intend to return to Seatoh Village for now.”
“…Return, you say? In the current situation, the Shelvia Confederation should be in a position close to a vassal state. Anyone would say we should make Shelvia cooperate and invade the Kingdom of Yelenetta’s territory. With their main forces away, it would even be possible to take their Royal Capital.”
Jalpa said in a low, hoarse voice. Of course, I understand that. But marching through the Shelvia Confederation’s territory, and then capturing forts and fortress cities near the border of the Kingdom of Yelenetta as we advance, would mean a major campaign lasting several months.
On top of that, if we suppressed the Royal Capital by force, there’s a possibility I’d be made to do repair work. If things go poorly, I might not get home for a year.
Being able to take a bath leisurely and eat meals every day is important to me.
But I can’t possibly voice such honest thoughts. Thinking this, I decided to come up with a suitable excuse.
“…I am not moving for such short-term gains. My goal is the Central Continent. I consider the Shelvia Confederation and the Kingdom of Yelenetta as nothing more than passing points, so I do not have time to spare for them.”
When I said that and watched his reaction, Jalpa’s eyes widened slightly, and he looked dumbfounded. Will he scold me for talking big? No, maybe he realized my strategy of letting His Majesty’s royal army do the fighting while I watched from a high vantage point.
While I waited for his reply with inner trepidation, Jalpa exhaled deeply and narrowed his eyes.
“…I thought I had made many wrong choices until now, but it seems this was the greatest mistake as a Marquis family.”
“By ‘this’, do you mean me?”
When I asked back at Jalpa’s ambiguous words, he snorted and smiled with a hidden meaning.
“…You are now independent from my Marquis family. Even if it is a Baron family, if you are the head of a house, you should think for yourself.”
Saying only that, Jalpa fell silent. For now, since he didn’t say no to my returning home, let’s take it as a good sign.
“…Then, I will think and act in my own way.”
Giving off a serious atmosphere just in case, I told Jalpa that and quietly left the room.
Alright, time to go back to Seatoh Village!
