The King's Earnest Request
The King's Earnest Request
The subspace necklace taken from Father.
Its contents were completely emptied, and it is now being used as Hildea's snack basket.
Before entering the capital, I decided to prepare for any unforeseen danger.
"The possibility is extremely low, but if I were to suddenly die, the Northern Army would collapse."
"You will not die. I will protect you by any means necessary."
"I trust you, Hildea-nim. However, this is purely as a precaution."
If I suddenly dropped dead, the North would fall apart.
I do not want Hildea and Rebecca to starve to death miserably.
'Let's clean out this month's remaining budget.'
【Remaining Budget: 36,001,765】
I filled Hildea's subspace necklace with 36 million worth of flour, corn, and barley from the budget.
Equivalent to approximately 1,650 20-foot containers in volume.
"This amount can feed 70,000 standard soldiers for 4 years and 7 months."
"Colonel Piel...."
Enough food to endure 4 years and 7 months without external supply.
This much is sufficient.
After all, food production in the North hasn't completely ceased.
"If something happens to me, plunder the rear and continuously secure food. Do not hesitate to self-procure under any circumstances."
"...Understood. I will definitely do that."
There seemed to be a slight glisten of moisture in Hildea's eyes.
Apart from this, I resolved to stockpile 5 million budget worth of grain every month starting from next month.
'Haah, I really want a Bradley Armored Vehicle...'
But 5 million budget could sustain the 70,000 troops of the Northern Army for 6 to 7 months, so I have to save money.
Why doesn't the rebate apply to the good stuff?
'When I return to the North, I should stack up a ton of rebate beer in a cave or something.'
For the rebate beer <Nellis White & Black Lager>, every time you buy one keg (200 liters), 1 budget point is duplicated.
I plan to pile it up as strategic emergency rations and use the duplicated budget to purchase 3kg cans of Dwarincheon Canned Food and store them together.
'One can of the canned food is about 10,000 kilocalories. I should stockpile as much as possible with the duplicated budget. Hildea's subspace necklace is almost full though....'
I wish subspace magic tools had a much larger volume capacity.
'I'll just have to accept the loss rate and store the beer kegs with Storage Warehouse Magic. It's a shame that items under Storage Warehouse Magic lose the enchantment when placed into subspace magic tools.'
Storage Warehouse Magic carries a risk of partial material loss. And it's difficult to maintain for more than 12 months.
However, for long-term mass food storage and transport, nothing else compares.
***
Hildea has been diligently munching on Calova CX bars whenever she gets the chance lately.
'Grow up big and strong.'
Watching her while being carried on her back warms my heart as if I were the one being cared for.
Of course, while she is running, Hildea supports me with both arms, so I have to unwrap them and put them in her mouth myself.
"Now, before we enter the capital, let's take one last bath to remove the dust.... But how can you run like that and not get a single speck of dust on you?"
"By deploying Aura Armor as a forward field, I can prevent dust from clinging."
Ah, so that's why your chest is so lean.
"I, I did it in case you found it hard to keep your eyes open because of the dust...."
When you put it that way, I can't really say anything.
Anyway, we looked clean outwardly, so we decided to enter the castle just like this.
It would have been cool to enter with the prisoner escort unit, but walking in just the two of us felt a bit awkward.
The entrance to the royal castle was thronged with people, befitting the capital.
Mainly merchants, soldiers, travelers, nobles, and laborers working on the outer farms.
I grabbed the megaphone.
"The hero of the North! Sword Master Countess Hildea Valkenhart approaches! Clear the way, everyone!"
The speaker linked to the wireless mic echoed thunderously, loud enough to rupture eardrums.
The guards and travelers scattered left and right in a panic, parting like water.
Basking in reflected glory.
I really wanted to try something like this.
"P-Piel Daeryong.... You didn't have to go this far...."
***
From the moment we entered the royal castle, we drew gazes from all sides.
Regardless of age or gender, people glanced at Hildea, murmuring or admiring her.
Thanks to the scouting tool directional microphone, I could vividly hear exactly what they were saying, despite the distance and low volume.
"That woman is a Sword Master?"
"The hero of the North... I heard the Elf Legion never broke through even once?"
"The central region got completely thrashed like going through a thresher just from the second elven landing."
"Is the new Marquis Hapscorten out of his mind? He had the luck to serve such a hero as his lord and he stabbed her in the back?"
"Well, it's understandable why he'd try something. How can a person be that beautiful...?"
"The man next to her isn't ordinary either. The two of them look great together."
Some strange chatter was mixed in occasionally, but I ignored it.
'Suddenly, I miss my giant palanquin.'
Riding that through all these gazes would have been truly magnificent.
Come to think of it, Rebecca really understands my sense of romance.
As I briefly debated whether to bring out the Humvee even now, we soon arrived at our destination.
The royal palace.
I approached a guard without using the megaphone and notified him with a demeanor that was polite yet not deferential, being confident and dignified.
"Countess Hildea Valkenhart wishes an audience with His Majesty the King. Please report inside."
"The report has already been delivered! Please enter! I shall guide you!"
"Thank you."
I felt the reward for shouting orders from the city entrance.
As expected, a VIP's steps must not be halted.
From afar, several mounted Royal Guard knights came out to greet us.
Upon reaching us, they dismounted and spoke respectfully.
"From here, we shall guide you, Sir Valkenhart."
Hildea merely gave a slight nod.
That weighty gesture gave off a sense of gravitas.
Those guys probably don't know.
That this woman goes googly-eyed and slaughters burgers in my arms every day....
Suddenly I want to feed her another burger.
'We certainly can't sleep together in the royal castle. And I won't get mana massages, right? Since there will be eyes watching....'
That's a little disappointing.
***
We were assigned a magnificent VIP guest room.
I expected to get the next room, but I was put in the same room as Hildea.
"What's the meaning of this?"
"I simply said we would use the same room. It's a matter of your security."
"People might think it's strange...."
"At worst, they'll assume we are betrothed. It is no great issue."
Why? How come?
Hildea inspected the magical water and sewage systems of the attached bathroom and seemed satisfied.
"Count Anbelrum Castle was impressive, but the royal castle is not inferior. Cleanliness will not be a problem."
"Our newly built new official residence is also quite excellent. I put some care into it."
"Carlton Marquis must be lonely all by herself."
"Let's just cut off Marquis Hapscorten's head, discipline the Noble Council, and head back up quickly."
Since it was quite a long journey, we each took a bath.
After washing up, Hildea climbed on top of me while wearing thin sleepwear and gave me a mana massage.
"But this is useless, you know. I'm worried you're just getting your hopes up for nothing and will be disappointed...."
"It's just something I want to do for you. Because achieving Mana Awakening would benefit your well-being."
As I received Hildea's full-body kneading, my muscles let out refreshing belches.
I also told Rebecca via shortwave communication that we had safely entered the royal castle.
-So you're just going to cut off that marquis brat's head and come straight back up? What if the Noble Council holds onto your ankles crying?
"Of course we'll kick them off and come up."
-Luna was super excited and bragging about how the Extinguishing Soul Torches burned the entire Elf Forest to ashes with flaming magical devices so powerful they made torches look like candles. I wanted to see it too.
"Shall we try it out when we march north later?"
-...Us marching north first against the Elf Forest. Just hearing it makes my heart flutter. I really hope that day comes.
"It will come. Definitely."
Once sufficient promotions are made, we plan to invade the Elf Forest first.
'That is, once we're capable of projecting enough firepower to lay down a full-scale carpet bombing.'
Right now, the Elf Forest is too vast to even dream of it.
Even emptying several months' budget entirely to make incendiary grenade packages would not be enough.
After finishing the communication, Hildea burrowed into my arms and settled in.
As I busily stacked Marshall Burgers and put them into her mouth, I asked.
"You seemed to have something you wanted to say to Rebecca-nim."
"I nearly slipped and boasted about the cake and ice cream. But I must hold back. I'm looking forward to seeing her reaction when she tries it for the first time completely unknowing."
After sufficiently feeding her Marshall Burgers, I fell asleep while receiving mana massage again.
Late at night.
While I was sleeping soundly, Hildea suddenly woke me.
"Colonel Piel, wake up."
"Hildea-nim...?"
"His Majesty summons us to the main hall."
"Do I have to go as well?"
"I am uneasy leaving you alone in this dangerous royal castle. You must always stay by my side."
The Noble Council, knowing me only as a lowly duty officer, wouldn't attempt assassination or the like....
'Wait? They might misunderstand us as betrothed? Then being alone could be dangerous.'
So we changed clothes and left the bedroom.
A servant carrying a lantern was waiting for us in the corridor.
We walked through the corridors of the deeply sleeping royal castle and arrived at our destination.
A dim, vast throne room.
The place where nobles normally gathered in droves to discuss state affairs was empty, and the old King sat upon the throne at the front.
"It has been a long time, Count Balckenhardt."
"I behold Your Majesty."
Hildea placed her hand on her chest, knelt on one knee, and bowed her head.
A crisp, perfectly aligned military salute.
It felt strangely alluring.
I stood behind her like a folding screen, placing my hand on my chest and merely bowing my head slightly.
"That handsome officer behind you, is he your husband, Count?"
"Not yet."
Hildea introduced me as we had previously arranged.
To bring a mere duty officer all the way to the throne room, you had to be at least that level of relationship to not be rude.
"Now that I think of it, you were always quite fond of beautiful and pretty things. He is a truly fitting match."
The King took no great interest in me.
He merely looked down at Hildea with a fatherly, warm gaze.
"Hearing that you not only safeguarded the Northern front unscathed but even completely subjugated the Elf Legions that infiltrated the central region, I cannot tell you how proud I was."
"It is an honor."
"I wish to bestow a reward. Is there anything you desire?"
"Your Majesty, before that, there is something I dare to confirm."
"Speak."
"Please issue any command to me, to prove my loyalty."
That last command from five years ago, to cherish only one's own territory.
The admonition that should a command violating this be given, her lord would no longer be his former self, and she should not follow it.
Any request for support would violate the command from five years ago.
Hildea was asking the King right now.
Are you the same liege lord as five years ago?
Or have you changed in the meantime?
The old King smiled and shook his head.
"I have no more commands, nor requests, to give you."
Hildea's profile gently relaxed, something I could see clearly even with my own eyes.
"So, speak without reserve of the reward you desire for the merits you have established."
"As I have achieved the rank of Daejang, please allow me to decide one general officer rank by my own authority."
In that instant, a thrill shot through my entire body.
Even at a moment like this, she still remembers to take care of me.
"Very well. I will consult well with the Noble Council and ensure your wish is realized."
I felt Hildea silently breathe a sigh of relief once her objective was achieved.
After that, a calm conversation ensued.
Leaving aside all the trivial details, it was small talk asking if she had been eating and living well.
"However, I do have one minor concern regarding the affairs of Ainshvan."
"Please ask, Your Majesty."
"The Noble Council claims to have drastically increased supplies, yet the combat power displayed by the Northern army is remarkably superior to expectations. The Noble Council has yet to notice, but it is my estimation that you have secured another large supply network."
Hildea flinched.
The King leaned his chin on his hand and continued.
"Do not explain anything. However, listen to my words, think for yourself, and judge."
"...Yes, Your Majesty."
"I surmise that some unknown wealthy faction is sponsoring you. Of course, how you secure an independent supply network is entirely your freedom, but...."
As my own business was being discussed, I unconsciously felt tension creep into my fingertips.
"If your sponsor uses the surname or given name 'Loosbel,' be sure to be on your guard."
My heart sank so hard I almost committed a breach of etiquette.
'Why is my mother's name coming up here?'
