Chapter 265: Victory Report
A month has passed since then. The afterglow of participating in the intense battle has completely faded, and my daily routine is now office work during the day and studying at night. If Dee returns, even morning sword practice will be added. I swear I’m going to rebel eventually, Dee and Espada.
Today, too, I was soaking leisurely in the bath before bedtime, trying to heal my tired body and brain.
“The bath is truly the cleansing of the body, after all…”
Wait, was it the cleansing of the soul? It feels obvious that the body gets clean.
As I was thinking that, loud footsteps thundered outside the large bath. This is Lord Van’s exclusive large bath in the Lord’s manor. What is all this commotion? Be quiet.
As I looked toward the entrance from the tub, Khamsin burst in through the swing door.
“Lord Van!”
“Oh my, Khamsin, you pervert!”
“What!? I-I’m so sorry!”
When I made a joking, pure maiden-like reaction, Khamsin panicked, apologized, and rushed out. That’s right, Khamsin is too serious.
“It’s a joke! What do you need?”
When I called out toward the other side of the door, Khamsin quietly returned.
“…You startled me.”
Unusually, Khamsin grumbled a complaint, sounding annoyed. I’m sorry, okay?
“I told you it was a joke. So, what is it?” I asked again.
Khamsin immediately shifted his mood and looked serious.
“Yes. A fast rider from His Majesty’s Royal Army arrived here just now.”
“Huh? A fast rider? Is it another unreasonable request to remodel a fortress city or something?” I replied, a frown forming on my brow involuntarily.
Khamsin shook his head.
“No, if it were that kind of content, I would have sent them away.”
“No, no, no, you shouldn’t send them away! He’s a fast rider from His Majesty, right? In times like that, you have to show understanding, then find all sorts of excuses to whine and stall to get your way…” I tried to impart lessons on adult conduct to the alarmingly forthright Khamsin.
However, Khamsin ignored that and continued his report.
“I checked the contents, and it seems they have won the war against the Kingdom of Yelenetta.”
“…Huh? Won? Do you mean the battle at the border? Does it mean the defense of Fortress City Murcia was successful?” I asked in surprise.
Khamsin shook his head and spoke.
“No, the Kingdom of Yelenetta demanded a ceasefire, and His Majesty refused. When he declared his intention to attack the Royal Capital, they offered a conditional surrender, which was accepted after negotiation, I hear.”
“Wow, so they surrendered. I thought they might have launched an offensive with the Shelvia Confederation and failed, and the news got through to them, forcing the surrender?”
Though surprised, I conceded that the surrender itself was a wise choice. If the war had continued, the Royal Capital of the Kingdom of Yelenetta would undoubtedly have suffered devastating damage, and a terrible future of execution awaited the royal family and some high-ranking nobles.
“Alright, let’s go hear the report.”
I wanted to know the results, at least. Thinking that, I left the bath, quickly dried myself, and changed clothes.
Till had prepared my change of clothes, but it was conspicuously flashy, almost intentionally so. Recently, with the Mary Trading Company and the Commercial Guild bringing in goods, we started receiving elaborate clothes that are not typical of a frontier region. That’s likely why Till keeps stocking up on them.
She doesn’t like flashy clothes for herself, yet she insists on making me wear clothes that stand out.
This time, it was a very aristocratic outfit with silver embroidery on deep blue fabric.
Since I couldn’t go out naked, I reluctantly put it on and went outside.
“They are waiting for you here.”
Khamsin guided me to the VIP guest room, where the door was left ajar, and Till was carrying in a serving cart.
“Ah, Lord Van. Are you finished with your bath?”
“Yes, the water felt great.”
Exchanging pleasantries, I turned to the people sitting on the sofa in the VIP room.
And I instantly froze at the sight of them.
“…Brother Jard and Brother Sesto?”
When I called their names, Jard, who was sitting with his arms crossed and a scowl on his face, snorted and narrowed his eyes.
“…You’re living quite the life, Van.”
“What do you think a communication from His Majesty is…?” Sesto tried to criticize me, jumping on Jard’s sarcasm, but Jard glared at Sesto with a stern face.
“Be quiet.”
Told off by Jard in a low voice, Sesto looked abashed and fell silent. Did something happen during the war? I felt an invisible wall between the two of them.
Puzzled, I sat on the sofa and spoke.
“My congratulations to both of you on your successful efforts. Were you allowed to return to your territory earlier than others? That’s great news.”
When I said that with a smile, Jard slapped the top of the low table in anger.
“Are you mocking me!?”
“Hyah!”
Jard’s action and shout startled Till. It was fortunate that she didn’t spill the tea she was about to place on the table.
After checking that Till wasn’t too frightened, I looked up at Jard.
“…I didn’t intend to mock you, but what are you angry about?” I asked as calmly as possible, though my voice unintentionally dropped lower.
Jard clicked his tongue and glared back at me.
“The fortress city you used as a base is in your territory. You should have been fully aware of all the information on the battlefield.” Jard muttered, his attitude probing.
I shrugged and raised both hands, shaking my palms.
“No, no, I was a bit busy, so I haven’t heard many reports from the battlefield.”
When I said that, Jard snorted and smiled meaningfully.
“You were busy while His Majesty was fighting on the front lines? Do you realize you’ve just said something highly disrespectful? We fought bravely. You might think you contributed by building walls with some incomprehensible magic, but you haven’t truly participated in the war. If you have any noble pride, you should advise His Majesty to decline any rewards or honors…”
Jard started rambling on with complaints. He probably hadn’t performed as well as he’d hoped in the war. Seeing through the situation, I watched him with a wry smile.
At that moment, a sound like a hard object hitting something rang out behind me. I turned around in surprise and saw Till looking at me with an angry face. No, she seemed to be looking at Jard behind me.
“Lord Jard. I say this with all due respect, but…” Till began.
Jard’s eyes narrowed dangerously as he glared at her.
“What is it, you… What do you think you’re saying to me?” Jard questioned in a menacing voice.
I almost complained about his attitude, but Till retorted faster than I could.
“Lord Jard. You spoke as if Lord Van was simply relaxing in Seatoh Village, but that is absolutely not the case. Lord Van traveled to the Fertio Marquis territory and repelled the large armies of the Shelvia Confederation and the Kingdom of Yelenetta. And he did so during an intense battle where Marquis Fertio sustained severe injuries…”
“W-what? Father sustained severe injuries, you say…!?” Jard, who had been listening to Till’s words, stood up in shock. Sesto also opened his eyes wide. Observing the two of them, I felt a sense of incongruity.
“Huh? I thought the Kingdom of Yelenetta rushed their surrender because we renewed the alliance with the Shelvia Confederation, but was I wrong?” I wondered aloud if the news of repelling the massive armies of the Shelvia Confederation and the Kingdom of Yelenetta hadn’t reached His Majesty.
Jard did not answer my question.
“What do you mean Father is severely injured? What is his current condition?” he questioned rapidly.
“Eh? The Marquis is fine. He is guarding Centena again now.”
When I answered, there was a moment of silence, and then Jard folded his arms and sat back down on the sofa.
“…I see,” Jard replied, letting out a faint breath.
Sesto, on the other hand, clicked his tongue in disappointment. He usually stayed in Jard’s shadow and didn’t stand out, but it occurred to me then that Sesto might be the truly dangerous one.
No, to the innocent Van-kun, all family members other than Murcia are enemies, but that was the moment I realized Sesto might have the most frightening personality of them all.
