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Prince Leon.
I had heard from Sion that, unlike his mother Empress Isabel, he was at least a somewhat sensible and normal person.
Therefore.
'This bullshit is sensible... normal...?'
I immediately glared at Sion.
Even without saying it out loud, my message must have gotten through.
As proof of that.
"..."
Right now, her blue eyes were desperately looking away from me to avoid eye contact.
Because it was actually me, it ended with just a slight cut.
If it had been anyone else, they might have died right then and there.
'No, did he pull this stunt thinking it didn't matter as long as it wasn't instant death...?'
That probably was the case.
Although he had forgotten the words of the Goddess because of a woman.
The Saint-nim, whose divine power alone was outstanding, was present at this very venue.
As if proving that my deduction was correct.
'Saint-nim...!'
'Yes, Imperial Prince-nim!'
Leon and Yudia exchanged a brief glance, but they definitely locked eyes.
He must be scheming to naturally get Michael healed as well.
'They're really fucking around.'
Honestly, in my heart, I wanted to slice Leon's neck right then and there.
However, no matter how crazy I am, I can't just decapitate an Imperial Prince.
'Well, I could if I wanted to. I'd just have to overpower him with brute force.'
But the moment I do that.
I would become nothing more than a bastard like Freddie.
'Well, even if I don't, in the eyes of not just these bastards but many people, I probably already look like nothing more than a crazy bloodthirsty murderer anyway...'
It's a bit much to use a grand word like conviction.
'...Call it my own stubbornness.'
I wanted to get revenge on those bastards while adhering to minimal laws and procedures.
'So for now, I should endure it.'
Well, anyway.
Given the current situation.
'Ah... my bad. Your Majesty, I am sorry.'
"Ah... my bad. Has this crazy bastard lost his mind?"
I immediately bowed to Empel and apologized.
Wait a second.
Did my spoken words and inner thoughts just swap?
"...It is fine, Commander."
As expected of Your Majesty.
I knew all along that we shared a mutual understanding.
Empel didn't particularly take issue with my remark.
Anyway.
He massaged his forehead as if he had a terrible headache and continued speaking.
"The Commander is blameless. Even the Goddess couldn't have anticipated that my son would pull such an eccentric stunt."
"Ah, is that so? Then I won't be dismissed from the position of Commander for the crime of harming royalty."
"Indeed, the crime of insulting royalty will not apply either, so do not worry. You merely spoke on My behalf."
I guess my spoken words and inner thoughts really did swap earlier.
"You fucking...!"
Actually, I already knew since Leon had been glaring at me as if to kill me for a while.
Still, well, since Empel said it was fine, I could just ignore the Imperial Prince's gaze.
"...However, Commander. It seems we cannot decapitate the 'former' commander after all."
"If Your Majesty desires, it is possible for me to slash him without injuring Prince Leon-nim?"
"Hmm... It is a very tempting proposal, but regrettably, I have no choice but to reject it."
Empel stroked his chin with genuine regret.
"Because no matter if I am the Emperor, it is difficult to refuse a child's plea when he puts his own life on the line."
Empel wouldn't be unaware of it.
That what Leon did to protect Michael wasn't risking his life, but pulling a theatrical stunt.
'I let my guard down a little. If it were the usual me, there's no way Leon's neck would have gotten cut... Wait, hold on. Was it not letting my guard down?'
I think it's more accurate to say it was unpredictable.
After all, Leon is also one of the pink-haired lady's men.
He must have thought he couldn't lose to Michael.
Otherwise, why would he throw a tantrum in front of the Emperor, even putting on a self-harm show?
Well, anyway.
Whether I predicted it or not.
Just for this once.
'I have no choice but to step back a stride myself...'
Therefore.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
I bowed politely to Empel once again.
And then immediately, I—
Seogeok-!
Swung my sword lightly.
At this.
"AAAAAAARGH!!!"
Michael screamed.
Because his head was chopped off?
As if.
Then he wouldn't even be able to scream.
What I slashed was Michael's severed right arm from earlier.
Seureureuk...
Because I swung it infused with aura, the guy's severed arm scattered and vanished like dust.
With this, that guy will have no choice but to live as a one-armed man for the rest of his life.
At this, Leon, who had been healed by Yudia, shouted with veins bulging on his neck.
"Count!!!"
"Ah, Prince Leon-nim. Is your neck alright? Even if Saint-nim healed you, you must be careful just in case."
I gave him advice with genuine sincerity in my own way.
Unfortunately, however.
Leon did not accept my heartfelt concern.
"Ha...! What, careful!? Did you forget who caused this wound in the first place!?"
"That is... obviously because of Prince Leon-nim, is it not?"
"You bastard, how brazen! You intend to play word games with me until the end! Do you really not know what you've done just now?!"
"Huh? I merely erased the arm that dared draw a sword without Your Majesty's permission. Is there some problem with that?"
"Of course it's a problem...!"
"...is what there shouldn't be. Or, don't tell me! Were you intending to make the absurd request of asking Saint-nim to reattach his arm!?"
"You damned...!!!"
Leon crumpled his face menacingly and reached out violently to grab me by the collar.
However.
"Stop."
Empel raised a hand and restrained him.
"That is enough, Leon. Act recklessly no further."
"Y-Your Majesty...! The one acting recklessly isn't me, but this Count here...!"
"No, it is indeed you who are acting recklessly. I have already given up counting how many times I have been disappointed in you today."
Empel raised his hand higher as if he had no intention of continuing the conversation any further, and declared:
"Prince Leon. Effective today, you are sentenced to house arrest for three months."
"Pardon...?"
Leon blinked with a dazed expression.
"I'm..."
His face showed he utterly couldn't believe it.
"H-House arrest...?"
It seemed he hadn't dreamed in his wildest nightmares that he would be punished.
Well, that made sense.
Since he must have lived doing whatever he pleased all this time thanks to the Empress.
"N-No...!"
What do you mean 'no'?
Honestly, isn't it a bit much to even call this a punishment?
'Doesn't a house arrest order just mean resting comfortably in your room?'
Since the scope would probably be inside the Prince's Palace.
He'd even be able to take walks to some extent freely.
I don't know what the problem is.
"B-Bathory...!"
...Unbelievable.
Even in the middle of this, he's thinking of that woman?
'Right, not just one or two months, but a whole three months...'
More than being banned from official public activities or political pursuits.
He was despondent over not being able to meet the pink-haired lady.
'If this bastard becomes the Emperor, the Empire is going to be genuinely fucked...'
For now, let's put aside worries about the future of the Empire.
Just thinking about it feels like I'll lose my mind.
Well, anyway.
Since the Empress happened to have left and was not present here.
"I will accept no objections. If you do not wish to extend the duration, return to your palace immediately. And considering Leon's stance, I will not punish the 'former' commander any further here."
Empel got up from his seat after concluding his words.
"This is exhausting. I shall head back, so the rest of you may continue to enjoy the banquet."
Our poor Emperor's face looked truly exhausted.
Well, physically I'm not so sure, but...
Because of the disgraceful state of his son who mutters the name of some pink-haired lady despite being punished to self-reflect.
He must be mentally drained and having a tough time.
Yeah, that's understandable.
His so-called only son.
Hasn't done a single thing to please him from start to finish.
'Even a child wouldn't throw a tantrum like that...'
As someone who was abandoned by parents, it feels a bit odd for me to say this, but the thought naturally crossed my mind that raising a child must be no easy task.
Anyway.
As Empel departed, I was also about to follow right behind him.
However.
"Ah, Commander. Today is your first day, so enjoy the banquet. After all, this event was held for the heroes of the expedition, including yourself."
His Majesty immediately ordered me to clock off.
"Sir Einschwert, thank you for doing my job for me. I look forward to working with you. Ah, I am Kay Bedivere."
Since there was already a separate person assigned to escort duties like this, I stopped in my tracks.
The Emperor's bodyguard knight, Kay Bedivere.
I think I heard he was of commoner origin, just like me.
'Both the Emperor and his bodyguard knight are Swordmasters...'
With plenty of combat prowess, and since he said it was fine.
There seemed to be no need for me to follow.
"Yes, Your Majesty. Please rest comfortably. Sir Bedivere, I look forward to working with you as well."
I bowed politely to the two of them and saw them off.
After that.
"B-Bathory..."
Leon returned to his palace with a despondent face.
'Roy Einschwert... I will never forgive you...!'
Michael glared at me a few times with the same eyes as Bathory before leaving the banquet hall.
Besides them.
'......Crazy bastard.'
'Crazy lunatic...'
'There is no way the Goddess would ever tolerate such a lunatic...'
There were a few more distinguished gentlemen giving me burning gazes, but.
'I have no intention of competing with the pink-haired lady.'
I am strictly heterosexual and I like women.
So I decided to ignore the glares of those dudes and enjoy the banquet.
'Hmm... But enjoy it...'
Is that even possible?
Although the servants cleaned up diligently, the center of the banquet hall was still deeply cratered because of me.
'They're definitely going to deduct this from my salary, right? No, wait, I'm the Commander of the Imperial Knight Order in name and deed—wouldn't there at least be that level of welfare benefits?'
While various concerns crossed my mind.
For now, let's obey the boss's order to enjoy the banquet.
Because for some reason, I was really craving alcohol right now.
'Even though I don't really like booze.'
Is it not booze, but just that I'm thirsty?
'Still, well... Although it's just the beginning, should I have a toast to celebrate my successful revenge...?'
Thinking so, I naturally walked toward the table where the wine was placed.
Just then.
"E-Excuse me...!"
An unexpected person handed me a glass.
"Please take this!"
It was the young lady who had first ordered me to deliver wine.
"Oh, thank you, Young Lady. Ah, you told me not to call you Young Lady, right?"
"P-Please forget those words. I'm sorry about earlier."
"Pardon...?"
"I mistook you for a real waiter!"
"Ah, yes. I see..."
Is this unexpected?
Setting aside the fact that I looked like a waiter...
"Ines! What are you doing!?"
"We're heading back, so come here right now!"
The fact that despite the nobles who seemed to be her family holding her back, she apologized and even handed me drinks.
However, it didn't end there.
"I-I am Ines Heloise. S-So next time, please call me Ines!"
Ines not only introduced herself, but even bade me farewell while looking forward to next time.
Because her family kept urging her, she turned around immediately and left the banquet hall.
"Hmm..."
Swirling the wine glass she gave me, I thought to myself.
'As expected, it's quite surprising...'
Since I didn't just kill Freddie, but also severed Michael's right arm.
The emotion most people feel toward me ought to be disgust or terror.
'Yet she said next time...'
Thinking that, I took a sip of the wine.
"Mmm?"
Is booze given by a woman really different after all?
"This isn't bad...?"
For some reason, the alcohol tasted sweet, so just as I was bringing the glass back to my lips for another sip.
Saaa...
"!?"
Feeling a chill run down my spine, I immediately turned around.
"...Roy, you seem to be in a good mood."
"Ah, Princess Sion-nim. Well, how could I not be?"
Because I finally took the first step toward the revenge I had desired so desperately.
However.
"..."
Unlike me, Sion's expression did not look very good.
Her eyes were directed at the glass held in my hand.
Therefore, I immediately understood.
"Ah, don't tell me this is jealou—"
"...Is this a time for jokes?"
"It's not a joke, I was merely expressing Your Highness's thoughts... Ah, I am sorry. I will shut my mouth."
I tried to fool around with Sion a bit more, but because her foot had already landed on top of my instep, I had no choice but to apologize immediately.
At this, Sion let out a deep sigh.
"Haa..."
"..."
"Roy. I clearly told you to hide your skills a bit."
Ah, so that's why she looked like she was in a bad mood.
'It's because I didn't listen to her.'
As I mentioned before.
Sion had advised me to control my power.
Though hiding it completely would obviously be impossible, wouldn't using just enough power of a Swordmaster be sufficient?
'Yeah, those words are right.'
Unlike the rumors of that so-called prestigious third son of Sirius.
'Freddie. I literally wondered if that dead dumbass was actually a Swordmaster at all.'
Despite stuffing himself with plenty of good elixirs provided by his family.
It was painfully obvious that he hadn't done any real combat training and just lazily swung his sword around.
'Well, still, thanks to that, his endurance was pretty sturdy.'
For me, who got to beat him up a lot, it was great.
Anyway.
I should apologize to Sion, who gave me thoughtful advice in her own way.
"Ah, I am sorry. Honestly, I intended to follow Your Highness's advice, but..."
However, I was a little.
No, I felt deeply wronged.
I couldn't possibly have anticipated it.
Looks like an empty head.
Whose brain structure is utterly incomprehensible.
Spouting bullshit until the very end.
Failing to keep her own word.
Even throwing all these modifiers together wouldn't be enough...
How could I have imagined that such a pink-haired woman would exist?
'Even the Lich King's dark magic wasn't this bad...'
If I had to go back to the past and pick one bastard to face off against.
I would choose the Lich King without a moment's hesitation.
It's already unbearable dealing with the enemy right in front of me...
_—Revenge yields nothing! Please extinguish your anger!
_
— If you forgive, your heart will be at peace!__Let's all be happy!
'Control my power in front of a brat spouting this kind of bullshit...?'
That desire to protect her family.
That, I obviously understand.
No matter how great a crime he committed, even if everyone in the world condemns him.
One's family is precious.
'Even those hypocritical words she failed to keep herself...'
Though from my standpoint and perspective I could never understand it.
Since everyone is different, let's say it could somehow be that way.
However...
_—Please endure it for my sake!
_
— Count-nim, you have me!
'Who the hell are you anyway?'
I couldn't understand at all why she kept emphasizing herself like that.
That's why even if I went back to the past again.
I had zero confidence that I would be able to control my power.
Did my sense of unfairness get conveyed to her?
"...Right, the situation was indeed bad."
It seems Sion also recalled that pink-haired woman.
At this.
"Haa..."
She massaged her forehead as if she had a headache and let out a deep sigh.
"As expected of Your Highness. I believed you would understand."
"Indeed. But you see..."
"..."
"Is it alright for you to be drinking alcohol like this? Even though you don't even like booze that much."
"Mmm... What wouldn't be alright? Besides, if not on a day like today, when would I drink?"
Asking so, I was about to bring the glass to my lips.
Just then.
"Roy."
This time, Duke Philos, who was following behind Sion, called out to me.
"Her Highness is speaking out of genuine concern. No matter how extraordinary you are, things will be tough from now on."
Of course I know it well.
Though I became the Emperor's direct Knight Commander, this does not mean I gained power.
Rather, it would be more accurate to say I have become the target of everyone's restraint and envy.
Besides, it was obvious without even looking how hard Empel would work me.
There was no reason for the Emperor, who had endured for a long time, not to wield the sword that is me.
Didn't he even name me Einschwert (Single Sword)?
Perhaps right now at this moment.
Is the first and last leisurely time for me.
Therefore.
I should thoroughly enjoy this moment.
However.
Before that, there is something I must briefly do.
And that is...
"Thank you both so much for everything up until now. From now on, I will manage well on my own, so please do not worry."
Gratitude.
Being able to come this far was thanks to the two of them.
Therefore.
I bowed deeply with genuine sincerity to pay my respects.
However.
"..."
Sion furrowed her brow without saying a word.
Hwik-!
She turned right around and walked away.
"..."
I tilted my head in confusion.
Because I couldn't understand why she was acting like that all of a sudden.
"It seems you really don't get it."
Philos looked at me with a pathetic gaze.
"Pardon...?"
I had no choice but to tilt my head again.
Because I also didn't understand why this old guy was being like this.
"What do you mean by that...? No, more importantly, don't you dislike alcohol too, Duke? Why do you have two glasses..."
"Hmm. Didn't you just say you'd manage well on your own? Figure it out carefully by yourself. Well then, I shall take my leave."
Hwik-!
Philos also turned around and walked away just like that.
"?????"
Why are these people being like this?
Leaving immediately as soon as a person says thank you.
"...Hmm, I don't get it."
I gave it some deep thought, but no answer came out.
If so, my only option was to choose a swift surrender.
'Let's just drink alcohol.'
Thinking so, I brought the glass back to my lips.
However.
"Ugh...?"
The taste of the wine was completely different from a moment ago.
"...Bitter."
Naturally, the thought struck me that alcohol really doesn't suit my taste.