Chapter 267: Everyone Returns

“Wahahaha! Lord Van, we have returned!”

“Welcome home, Dee. And Arb, thank you for your hard work.”

Though showing signs of fatigue, both of them seemed lively, which was a relief. The Seatoh Knight Order following them also looked relieved and were smiling.

“His Majesty returned ahead of you and told me about the victory. Was everything okay?”

“Of course! Thanks to Lord Van, our defense was impregnable! We had no trouble attacking with the mobile ballistae! We were cautious of the cannons at first, but once we realized we could track the cannonballs with our eyes, it became easy!”

“Track them with your eyes? The cannonballs?”

“Yes, sir. If you look up in the direction of the sound, you can spot the cannonball right away! The trick is to predict the cannon’s firing position and estimate the height. I’ll teach you sometime if we have the chance!” Dee said something utterly outrageous immediately upon his return. Unfortunately, I would prefer to decline Dee’s instruction, as I’m not ready to quit being human yet.

Arb, meanwhile, stumbled toward me with a face that looked like he was about to cry. No, he already had tears welling up in the corners of his eyes, so it would be more accurate to say he was crying.

“Are you alright?” I asked, concerned.

Arb nodded, looking utterly haggard.

“I was at my limit… I’ve never been so happy to receive a return order.”

“What? Was the Kingdom of Yelenetta’s attack that severe? Even after we strengthened the fortress city so much?” I asked, surprised by Arb’s words. We had ballistae for the cannons, and the structure should have been difficult to breach even if they got close. If they were still breached, perhaps a flying adult dragon or something similar had appeared.

Should I have reinforced the sky defenses even more?

I asked, thinking that, but Arb shook his head, leaned closer, and spoke softly.

“No… The Yelenetta army couldn’t touch the fortress city, and the main battlefield quickly moved to the Kingdom of Yelenetta’s Royal Capital. However, in the atmosphere of war, a certain Knight Commander’s motivation was so immense that all his undirected energy went into training… It was the most brutal training we have ever faced. Everyone was completely exhausted by the endless training…”

“I wonder who that Knight Commander could be…” “Well, anyway, thank you for your hard work. I’m giving everyone who returned from the expedition a week off. You can go to the large bath and then sleep. Ah, for those who want it, I’ll include a free stay at the Kusala Hotel… the inn in the Adventurer’s Town.”

Seeing Arb’s exhaustion, I felt pity and went overboard with my consolation, which made Arb’s eyes shine, and he looked up.

“I-is that true!?”

“Did you hear that, everyone!?”

“Yay!”

The members of the Knight Order lined up behind Dee and Arb raised their hands and cheered.

Wait. Aren’t they surprisingly energetic?

Thinking that, I watched as Dee nodded vigorously and laughed.

“Wahahahaha! Balance is important, I agree! However, I do not require such rest! I shall start training the stay-behind group starting tomorrow!”

“…I-I see. I’ll leave it to you, then.”

“You can count on me!”

And just like that, the entire Seatoh Knight Order was gathered together for the first time in a while.

Incidentally, Count Ventury and Lord Ferdinatto, who had been part of the force that advanced on the Royal Capital of the Kingdom of Yelenetta, returned a little later, and they all seemed quite energetic too.

Lord Ferdinatto, curious, left quickly with a brief greeting, saying he was going to see Arte.

And the overly energetic Count Ventury seemed quite angry for some reason.

“Congratulations on the victory in the war,” I said.

Ventury snorted unhappily.

“We won the great war against a major power, yet I failed to secure any major accomplishments. Just as we were about to launch a fierce attack on the Royal Capital, they surrendered so easily.”

“Well, let’s look on the bright side: it’s good that our forces didn’t suffer any casualties,” I said with a wry smile.

Ventury gave me a malicious grin and pointed at me.

“There is no doubt that you are the biggest contributor, Lord Van. That reply must be sarcasm.”

“Me? Why me?”

I had spent the shortest time on the battlefield. My accomplishments would certainly be recognized, but they wouldn’t be the first accomplishment. Personally, I thought Panamera, who was active in two battlefields, was the biggest contributor.

However, Ventury shook his head.

“It’s not about the conquest of the Kingdom of Yelenetta’s Royal Capital. Looking at the overall picture, the power of Baron Van’s fortress and the effectiveness of the defense were what overcame the most critical phase.”

“…Is that so? In that case, maybe I can request something I really want.”

When I smiled and said that, Ventury opened his eyes wide with interest.

“Oh? Something you want, my Lord? That is rather intriguing.”

Just as Ventury said that, His Majesty wandered into view. Ventury, his knights, and their accompanying soldiers all dropped to one knee and bowed their heads simultaneously.

His Majesty smiled and waved a hand.

“That’s enough. Everyone, be at ease.”

After saying that, he addressed the standing Ventury.

“Oh, Count! Your performance in this war was splendid. Your proud Magitek Cavalry unit was particularly outstanding.”

“Yes, Your Majesty! Thank you!”

Praised by the King, Ventury puffed out his chest with pleasure. However, he quickly looked at me and spoke.

“By the way, Your Majesty. Regarding Baron Van…”

“Hmm?”

“Eh?”

I was surprised to be brought up in the conversation so suddenly.

“It seems he has something he desires if he is granted the first accomplishment.”

“Oh, is that so! How unusual, Baron! What is it that you want?”

With Ventury’s killing pass, His Majesty’s mood suddenly lifted, and he started talking to me. No, no, isn’t this too sudden?

Well, I was planning to ask anyway, and although I wanted to choose my timing better, it couldn’t be helped. I decided to make my request here and now.

“…It might not be the first accomplishment, but if possible, I would be very happy if I could be granted the preferential rights for trading with the Central Continent that the Kingdom of Yelenetta possesses, I wonder…”

I said this, imagining seasonings and rare ingredients for delicious food. It was slightly embarrassing that I sounded so focused on food, but I decided to pass it off as my childish innocence.

Thinking that, I looked up at His Majesty with an embarrassed smile.

However, His Majesty was smiling even more brightly than expected—no, he wore a powerful and very happy smile.

“Indeed, I agree. Finally, Baron Van will be able to develop weapons using black metal. You mentioned a part of this plan to me previously, and I look forward to the day I can see it with my own eyes.”

When His Majesty said that, Ventury raised an eyebrow.

“Oh? Previously, you say?”

“Yes. It seems Baron Van’s ambition lies with the Central Continent. Hahahaha! He is truly dependable!”

Hearing His Majesty’s words, Ventury looked at me with an expression that seemed to say, I’m impressed.

Eh? Why did the conversation turn into that?