Chapter 25 - The Archduke by the Riverside
The Archduke by the Riverside
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Translator: Dusky90
Chapter: 25
Chapter Title: The Archduke by the Riverside
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In the game [Territory War], every hero unit had its own rank.
There were nine ranks in total, ranging from F at the lowest to SSS at the highest.
'Could it really be Wazir…?'
If Otto’s guess was correct and that white-haired elderly man was indeed Archduke Wazir, it would mean that an SSS-ranked hero unit had appeared.
'No way, that can’t be.'
Named hero units weren’t something one could just get, like picking up a stray kitten.
Letting go of his expectations, Otto slowly approached the white-haired elderly man and spoke.
“Excuse me, is this seat taken, sir?”
The old man exhaled smoke from his pipe and replied.
“Seat? Ha! On a little riverside like this, where would your seat or my seat be? If you sit down, that’s your seat.”
“Thank you.”
Otto plopped down with a heavy thud and glanced at the white-haired old man.
'Could it really be him…? Or not? I’m not sure.'
He was torn between doubt and suspicion.
“What are you staring at like that?”
Sensing Otto’s awkward gaze, the white-haired old man spoke bluntly.
“Excuse me… Aren’t you Archduke Wazir von Vasily?”
“You know me?”
“EHH?!”
“How did you recognize me? I never thought there would be a young person who recognizes me even in this rural backwater.”
"M-My goodness.”
Otto almost fainted at the fact that the white-haired old gentleman was really Archduke Wazir.
[Wazir von Vasily]
A legendary statesman and administrator, as well as a diplomat.
The title of Archduke he carries is a highly prestigious rank acknowledged across the entire continent.
In the past, he leveraged his genius to work as a mercenary in various kingdoms, proving his abilities, and also served as a mentor to the great rulers of his time.
Having fully retired from active duty 10 years ago, he now travels the continent, enjoying his later years.
Category: Hero
Race: Human
Age: 77
Affiliation: None
Grade: SSS
Specialty: National Revival
Archduke Wazir’s specialty, [National Revival], is perfectly suited for governing a territory, making it an SSS-grade ability sought after by all players.
As a result, anyone playing [Territory War] wanted to enlist Archduke Wazir by any means.
The mere presence of Archduke Wazir ensured the territory functioned smoothly, allowing players to focus less on internal administration while playing.
On top of that, his vast network and renowned reputation made him an exceptional diplomat, just having him on one's side made foreign affairs run effortlessly.
Strategy 90 / Military Strength 35 / Politics 90
Leadership 90 / Charm 90 / Dignity 99
Notoriety 70 / Honor 99 / Governance 99
Health 80 / Reputation 99 / Skill 99
Luck 50 / Diplomacy 99 / Administration 99
Being an SSS-ranked hero unit, Grand Duke Wazir’s abilities were truly outstanding.
'Un.. Unbelievable. Grand Duke Wazir actually appeared.'
Otto was almost overwhelmed by the jackpot, but he held onto his sanity tightly and spoke to Wazir.
“It’s an honor to meet you. I am….”
“Enough.”
“Uhh…?”
“Why would I bother learning the name of some young guy from the countryside?”
"....."
“I don’t care about you being next to me, but keep quiet. Otherwise the fish might flee.”
“…Yes.”
Otto stayed close to Archduke Wazir, keeping silent in response to the admonishment.
Until Wazir finished fishing….
* * *
About three hours later.
“Tch. The fish aren’t biting much today.”
Wazir, having caught only a few small minnows and not a single carp, got slightly annoyed and brushed off the spot as he stood up.
“Are you leaving now?”
Otto addressed Wazir.
“Have you been there all this time?”
“Eh…?”
“I thought you’d already gone.”
"....."
“No wonder it wasn’t going well, it looks like it’s all your fault.”
“What does the fish not biting have to do with me?”
“The fish ran away when they heard you breathing!”
“Why would that be my fault?”
“Then it’s not?”
“Of course n…”
“If an elder says something, that’s final! Why so much talk from a young one? When an elder speaks, you just say yes!”
“I-I’m sorry.”
“Ugh~! Young people these days have no manners~!”
Wazir vented unnecessary annoyance at Otto, then packed up his fishing gear and loaded it onto the saddle of the horse he rode.
“Um… Your Highness, Archduke? If it’s not rude to ask….”
“It is rude, so keep quiet.”
"....."
“Winter’s almost here, and there are still dung flies. Hoho.”
Otto felt a surge of irritation but restrained himself.
'Calm down, calm down.'
There’s no such thing as a free lunch in this world.
'I have to get him on my side somehow.'
Otto didn’t want to risk upsetting Wazir and losing the opportunity to secure such an SSS-grade hero.
After all, Wazir was the kind of man who deserved careful handling and persuasion.
“Since fate has brought us together like this, I would like to treat you to a meal.”
“In a countryside dump like this, how could you possibly treat me? Stop spouting nonsense and get out of my sight.”
“Your Grace, please, don’t be that way…”
Right at that moment.
“I greet Your Grace.”
Camille arrived and bowed politely before Wazir.
“Hm? Aren’t you Camille?”
To Otto’s astonishment, Wazir and Camille were already familiar with each other.
Back when he was studying at a foreign knights’ academy, Camille had attended a special lecture Wazir gave as an invited guest instructor.
‘Oh, that’s right. I forgot about that.’
Remembering this, Otto simply observed the conversation between them in silence.
“Camille, what are you doing in a place this remote? Someone with your abilities shouldn’t be stuck out here.”
“I’m merely serving my lord.”
“Your lord…?”
"The person standing beside you is the one I serve."
Camille pointed toward Otto as he responded to Wazir’s question.
“That guy with the pretty face is your lord?”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
“He’s a lord?”
“He is His Majesty the King.”
“A king? This place is a kingdom?”
“…It is.”
Camille looked away, a hint of embarrassment on his face.
It was embarrassing for him to introduce a place so close to a rural village as a kingdom.
“That smooth-talking, pretty-faced guy is the king?”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
“Since when?”
“Yesterday he held the official coronation and… founded the kingdom…”
“Puhahahahaha!”
Wazir erupted into roaring laughter.
“Puhahaha! Hahaha! Hahahaha! What an amusing joke! Hahaha!”
"......"
“Hilarious! Absolutely hilarious! A little speck of a countryside town being called a kingdom! Hehehe!”
Camille bowed his head, unable to say anything in the face of Wazir’s reaction.
“You’re not saying it’s real, are you?”
“It is.”
“I never thought I’d see something like this. This backwater town is a kingdom?”
“Somehow… it ended up like that.”
“A kingdom of fools, I take it? Seeing that slick fellow as the king?” Wazir muttered.
Otto trembled with rage but restrained himself once more.
“Your Grace, Archduke. Since fate has allowed us to meet again, might you graciously spare some of your precious time here?”
“I am an old man already retired. What use would my time be?”
“I merely wish to host Your Grace for dinner. Knight Camille earnestly requests Your Grace’s indulgence.”
Camille knelt on one knee before Wazir.
“Hmm! If you put it that way, I suppose I could spare some time!”
“Thank you for your generosity.”
“By the way, how have you been?”
“I’ve been faithfully fulfilling my duties as a knight each day. How about you, Archduke? Have you been keeping well?”
“What problems could an old man like me have? Heheheh! Since retiring, I’ve been traveling across the continent and enjoying life.”
Wazir and Camille chatted amicably as they walked together, the mood light and friendly.
Meanwhile, Otto….
‘Those two, seriously…!’
Jealous of Wazir and Camille, he pouted and walked along.
‘Just wait! You old geezer!’
Otto gritted his teeth while looking at Wazir’s back.
* * *
Otto left Wazir in Camille’s care and went after the other two arrows.
‘What will show up this time?’
Having witnessed the appearance of the SSS-ranked hero Wazir, he felt a quiet thrill of anticipation.
‘I’m not even hoping for SSS-grade. Even just an A-grade would do.’
The second arrow led him here.
There, a certain vagabond was lurking in front of the inn with a golden exclamation mark floating above his head.
‘Huh?’
Otto immediately recognized the vagabond.
One arm.
One leg.
And one eye.
The hero with the missing left eye, right leg, and left arm could only be one person.
‘S-rank hero, the legendary instructor Spooner?!’
He had once served as a soldier in the Arad Empire and was the greatest instructor, having trained countless outstanding war heroes.
His skill at training soldiers was so exceptional that few could match it across the entire continent.
Having been falsely accused and exiled, he now wandered the continent as a homeless vagabond…
‘What a stroke of luck!’
Otto dashed over to Spooner without hesitation.
“Are you Sergeant Spooner?”
“Y-Yes, that’s me.”
Spooner looked clearly flustered that some young man recognized him.
“My name is Otto de Scuderia. I may be nothing special, but… I am the king of the Lota Kingdom.”
“This place is actually a kingdom?”
“Haha… yes, well… that’s how it turned out. Haha….”
Otto scratched the back of his head, feeling a bit awkward.
“If it’s not too much trouble… may I talk with you for a moment?”
“If you mean to talk….”
“You must be hungry. Allow me to treat you to a drink.”
“Ah, yes, that would be wonderful.”
Spooner, long famished, gratefully accepted Otto’s offer without hesitation.
He was suspicious whether this was the real king or a crazy man, but now was not the time to worry about such things.
“I greet His Majesty the King.”
“I greet His Majesty the King.”
“I greet His Majesty the King.”
When Otto entered the inn’s first-floor dining area with Spooner, the townspeople knelt and paid their respects.
“Y-You really are the king?”
“Yes, well. You could say that.”
Otto answered with a wry smile to Spooner’s surprised question.
“Let’s start with a drink. Bring a glass of beer… no, a whole keg. And also some bread and meat.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. I’ll bring it immediately.”
Otto presented the starving Spooner with cold beer and warm bread and meat, while making his proposal.
“If you don’t have anywhere in particular to go… would you consider staying here to train my soldiers?”
“But I was dishonorably discharged….”
“I have faith in you, Sergeant Spooner.”
“How can you trust me?”
“You spent your life serving as a soldier of the Arad Empire, taking part in countless wars, and in the process lost an eye, an arm, and a leg. After losing your leg, you continued to serve as an instructor, dedicating yourself to the Empire. Could someone like you really embezzle military funds or sexually assault female officers?”
“That's….”
“It must have been a false charge. I believe corrupt people set you up, Sergeant Spooner. Your life proves your innocence. Please, would you stay here and help train my soldiers?”
“Your Majesty….”
Tears began to well up in Spooner’s eyes.
Otto’s heartfelt kindness and reassurance had unleashed all the resentment Spooner had held inside.