Chapter 38
Chapter 38
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 38
Chapter Title: Battle of Esllon Plains (Conclusion)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Now that I thought everything was finally over, my mind relaxed, and all those little sounds I hadn't noticed in the morning started reaching my ears.
The chirping of sparrows and nightingales in the bushes, the wind rustling against the tent of my pavilion...
This rare moment of leisure felt so comfortable and sweet.
So, savoring it, I closed my eyes again and tuned my ears to the natural sounds around me.
After a short while, I felt a gentle tickling on my face, as if someone was softly caressing it.
When I opened my eyes, there was Ella, lying on my bed in her maid outfit—not a single thread less—reaching out to touch my face with her hand.
She had propped her left arm under her head beside me, wearing an expression of pure bliss as she carefully tickled my cheek with her right hand. She looked utterly adorable.
At the same time, the crude events from last night, fueled by drink, flashed vividly in my mind.
At least, seeing her smile so tenderly while touching my face, it didn't seem like she regretted what we'd done...
But after crossing that line with a girl I'd thought of like my own little sister until yesterday...
It felt so awkward. I had no idea what to say...
Figuring it'd somehow work itself out, I opened my eyes and stammered,
"Ella, sleep well?"
Hearing that, Ella pulled her right hand away from my face in surprise and said,
"M-Master? Oh, you're awake?"
"Woke up midway."
Her face flushed red as a ripe apple at my words.
Amused by the sight, I teased her playfully,
"So why were you touching my face? You were handling your master's face like it was some treasure..."
"Th-That was... Master..."
Ella hesitated, turning her face side to side, then whispered softly,
"When my mom and dad were alive... Mom said the happiest moments were touching my sleeping dad's face while he snored beside her... So Ella's always felt that way about Master too..."
Realizing how deeply Ella loved me, two conflicting emotions swirled in my heart.
One was relief that I hadn't forced her when she might not have wanted it.
The other was endless embarrassment from her such straightforward confession of love...
Ella continued, resolute as if accepting what had happened was inevitable,
"Even when the bailiff offered me as a plaything and I nearly became yours against my will... You said if I didn't want it, we didn't have to. You punished the bailiff who tormented me and Zack yourself, and even saved the villagers of Windheim suffering alongside me..."
Ella saw it that way, but what I'd done for her was just refusing when that bastard bailiff Mars offered her up.
Punishing the bailiff myself was a desperate move to avoid the academy, and improving life in Windheim was to build strength for independence from the count.
"And through it all, you always took care of Ella. When you went to the County of Nant, you bought expensive sweets that only nobles eat, thinking of me. In Windheim too, so I wouldn't feel lonely, you always ate meals with me. After inventing sugar, you remembered I liked sweets and baked them for me..."
Then, as if resolved, she swallowed hard, looked me straight in the eye, and said,
"To Ella, you're like the kind, handsome prince from the village bride's childhood stories."
I'd never imagined the things I did—thinking they were nothing special—meant so much to Ella watching from the side, becoming cherished memories and sources of happiness.
Even if that's how she saw it, I'd just done my duty and taken care of Ella, who always helped me, as best I could.
But why hadn't I realized our difference in status and circumstances was what made her feel this way?
Pushing down those thoughts, I gave a wry smile, gently stroked Ella's head beside me, and said,
"Yeah."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ With that short—yet somehow long—exchange ended, Ella came around behind me and quietly helped me into my armor.
As I finished donning it and was about to tell her she could step back, she whispered in my ear,
"Master, are your worries eased now? Actually, Sir Baldt said... if you seemed troubled from the war, comforting you with my body might help..."
"Ella, thank you. You've really put my mind at ease."
Saying that, I left my pavilion.
And to Baldt, who'd planted that idea in her, providing the spark for my drunken deed amid his merits and this bit of audacity...
I'd assign him a prosperous but management-heavy territory.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The soldiers and I withdrew from the battlefield right away, returning to the Kroitel Barony.
Going there, I'd ridden horseback to project lordly dignity marching to war, but with the battle won overwhelmingly...
No need for such hardship now, so I rode back in a carriage with Ella.
This wasn't just for my comfort, of course.
To boost morale, we needed swift rewards and punishments, and I couldn't handle 'paperwork' from horseback.
Thus, the seven-day march back was productively used to sort 'soldiers and officers for punishment,' 'those for rewards or promotions,' and assign fitting honors.
In this medieval era, rewarding and punishing my army was entirely my prerogative, so this allowed immediate post-return ceremonies.
Better than waiting days after arrival—quicker rewards best foster morale and loyalty.
Like getting paid and bonuses fast.
Thanks to that, on arrival day, I ordered a day's rest for soldiers and knights, then held the ceremony the next.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Polished wooden floors waxed to a shine, a red carpet from the entrance to the Baron of Kroitel's seat, portraits of past Kroitel barons lining both walls—this was the audience chamber.
Most present were knights or nobles like ensigns, lieutenants, captains. For regular soldiers, 'squad leaders' holding reward documents I'd authorized would announce them...
Except one soldier I'd specially summoned, standing awkwardly in the corner, his discomfort plain.
En route to the ceremony, I clapped that soldier's shoulder.
He looked honored, knelt both knees, and bowed his head to me.
I raised the soldier—no, Private Mark, the infantry's star— and said,
"Mark, of Ensign Frost's squad... Private Mark. Chest out. Without you, more soldiers would have died in this war."
Mark snapped to perfect attention at my words.
I smiled warmly, then sat in my chair at the chamber's end to begin.
I raised my hand, and all nobles and officers knelt on one knee in respect.
Then my appointed herald unrolled a scroll and began reading,
"Commencing rewards for merit. First, to Sir Jack Frost, greatest contributor: 50 gold coins and four villages around Blueport, in exchange for prior holdings. To Sir Baldt, overall infantry commander: 40 gold coins and two Blueport-area villages. To Sir Helmut: 50 mas in the same region. To Sir Minderheim, for capturing two knights alive: 100 gold coins and 20 mas. To Sir Oril: 10 gold coins and 10 mas..."
After the long knight rewards, the herald unfurled a lesser scroll and declared,
"Captain Vice, for past merits, wounds sustained, and assaulting the enemy HQ, is promoted to knight. Lieutenant Schwartz receives captaincy and 4 gold coins..."
The herald, weary from the lengthy reading, took a sip from his attendant's cup and continued,
"...Ensign Frost, for leading his squad to victory in infantry melee, by His Excellency's special order: 20 gold coins and promotion to lieutenant. Private Mark, for daring strikes exploiting phalanx gaps: promotion to sergeant major and 5 gold coins. Rewards concluded."
The herald bowed slightly to the knights, then knelt to me in respect.
Post-ceremony, all were thrilled beyond expectations, suppressing smiles amid the solemnity.
Baldt and Helmut pinched their unarmored thighs to stifle grins.
They probably couldn't wait to brag to families and retainers.
To indulge them, I raised my hand and said,
"I sincerely thank you all for your valor! I've rewarded as best I could, though humbly. If insufficient, speak up! Otherwise, dismissed!"
Knights and officers hurried out—briskly, but not rowdily.
Mark, however, remained kneeling.
I patted his shoulder passing by and said,
"Without your merit, I'd have lost more brave souls like you. I called you to express thanks and show soldiers I reward such courage and devotion. Go— if you want family, tell your squad leader I've approved leave."
Overwhelmed, Mark sobbed uncontrollably, speechless.
For a mere commoner, such attention from a noble like me must mean the world...
Unable to contain his joy.
I left quietly, letting him savor it.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Soon after, the Duke of Maxburg's messenger arrived.
He delivered the 5,000 gold reparations I'd demanded, plus deeds stamped with the duke's seal transferring Blueport and the salt mine ownership to me.
Grateful, I considered a feast, but he glared irritably and left promptly.
Saving feast costs lifted my spirits immensely—then Count Schwein's untouched messenger arrived, saying,
"Baron Kroitel, His Excellency the Count is furious you dared negotiate peace without his approval. Considering merits, however, remit 3,000 gold from reparations to atone—hand it over now."
He's crossed the line...