Chapter 25
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 25
Chapter Title: Triumphal Entry (1)
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While Clay was locked in a fierce battle with the demon,
a calm conversation was unfolding in Duke Gail's tent at the Talua Kingdom's main camp.
"Indeed, so that's how Sir Banheart came to join the war."
"Yes."
During the time Mone stayed in the tent with him, Duke Gail was able to learn about several things that had piqued his curiosity through her.
"There were all sorts of rumors about Count Karn."
The fact that the Banheart Count family had fallen into ruin after Karn Banheart went mad was a famous story known throughout the kingdom.
Duke Gail remembered it as well, even though he hadn't wanted to hear it.
He knew that Karn Banheart had attempted several absurd endeavors, only to be thwarted time and again.
"...It's strange."
"Pardon?"
"I had my doubts upon hearing the rumors, but your story makes it seem even stranger. His actions were certainly incomprehensible by common sense."
Yet, when looking at the results, it wasn't so simple to dismiss.
"Still, some of the things he attempted ended in miraculously huge successes. Do you really think no one saw the potential?"
"What... do you mean by that?"
"Hmm."
Duke Gail rubbed his chin with his thumb, lost in thought.
It was still just a hypothesis, nothing to speak carelessly about.
'Perhaps someone was pulling the strings.'
He would need to investigate the people the count had contacted when he tried to launch those ventures.
Whether they had truly judged them impossible and withdrawn investment.
"But Your Grace, will the young master really be alright?"
"Sir Banheart is a capable man, so no need to worry."
"...The young master always finds a way to accomplish what he sets his mind to."
Seeing Mone speak in a gloomy tone, Gail reread the report on Clay.
'Finds a way...'
He certainly did.
Blocking his own poisoning, capturing Byan.
Stopping the monster of unknown origin.
Even when battered and broken, he found a way.
And that pattern had continued unwaveringly in the past.
'Managing the count family alone from a young age. He's no ordinary man. I'm glad to meet him through this war.'
The rumors about Karn Banheart's madness had spread about ten years ago.
That meant Clay had started supporting the family in his early to mid-teens.
Though the family's influence had declined, for it to end at that level was remarkable. There must have been plenty who eyed the Banheart territories.
Even as vassals left one by one, the territory's people's evaluations remained high.
Meaning he had cared for them adequately despite the hardships.
Duke Gail set the report down slowly on the desk after reading that far.
"Miss Mone."
"Yes, Your Grace."
Gail gave a wry smile to Mone, who answered with a tense expression.
"You probably hope Sir Banheart doesn't catch my eye."
"Th-that's not true."
"If he's by my side, dangerous matters will inevitably follow."
The assassination attempt, the raid operation.
And this detachment mission had only been possible with Duke Gail's tacit approval.
He couldn't bear to see a capable man idle.
But that must not sit well with this maid.
"You'd wish for your master to be safe, even if it means hardship and poverty. Unfortunately, I can't grant that wish."
Through this incident, Duke Gail had realized something.
Clay Banheart was not destined to end as the heir of a fallen count family.
"So first, my apologies."
The detachment mission was one thing.
By common sense, the greatest achievement a detachment leader could claim was capturing Prince Wolfran, the enemy commander-in-chief.
But Gail didn't think Clay would stop there.
And if Clay achieved even more, as he suspected...
"I intend to make him a hero."
The upcoming Founding Festival of the Asktalin Empire.
He planned to bring him to that gathering where the continent's finest talents converged.
* * *
A solemn silence descended upon the battlefield.
The Talua Kingdom army and the Kainzel Kingdom army halted their fighting, all eyes fixed on one spot.
They had sensed it instinctively.
That the war's outcome was decided.
And that it had been determined by a single knight.
"That was a demon, right? And not just any ordinary one..."
A monster that had moved through shadows, draining blood from countless knights and soldiers.
Even a high-level Sword Expert had struggled against it, so at minimum, a mid-level demon.
And he had severed its head with a single stroke.
"Sir Banheart...?"
Tedric, who had clashed with it directly, knew just how incredible that was.
Even a sword infused with sword aura could barely peel off a layer of its hide.
Yet Clay's blade had sliced through its muscles and bones in one go.
'He's become a Sword Expert.'
Tedric immediately realized Clay's level had leaped forward.
He had thought it would happen soon, but at a time like this!
'I've heard of people who grow in crises, but...'
It was truly astonishing.
"Urk!"
As those thoughts raced through his mind, Clay staggered and dropped to one knee.
Tedric rushed over and supported him. His body was unnaturally cold.
"Sir Banheart, are you alright?!"
Clay nodded faintly at the question, then shakily pushed himself upright.
He took a couple of deep breaths to steady himself, then slowly raised his right arm.
Standing must have been agony.
Yet Clay didn't utter a single weak word, raising his right arm high.
Pointing the blood-red sword that had beheaded the demon toward the sky, for all to see.
"Ah."
He was signaling the end of the war.
Even though he lacked the strength to declare it himself.
Only then did Tedric realize his own duty.
"...We won."
To proclaim this war's victory with all his might, in Clay's stead.
That was Tedric Eaton's role.
"We won! Victory for the Talua Kingdom army!"
Though the final shout was his, everyone on this battlefield would know.
Who the true protagonist of this war was.
That Clay Banheart, heir to a fallen count family, had brought it to a close.
"Victory is ours!"
With one knight's cry echoing across the silent battlefield.
Thus, a small war came to an end.
* * *
The war's conclusion proceeded swiftly.
Talua Kingdom secured Rakmes Ridge, where Kainzel had been holding out, and extracted massive reparations.
Kainzel attempted faint resistance, but news of their collusion with demons drew continental condemnation.
With an investigation from the Altair Supreme God's temple, Kainzel Kingdom's future was practically doomed.
[So, where are we headed now?]
'Probably the kingdom's capital. There's a triumphal entry, after all.'
I lay in a carriage half-modified into a bed, chatting with Gransesia.
Thanks to Michel, my external wounds were mostly healed, but I'd lost too much blood and still couldn't move properly.
'Good thing I left Mone with Duke Gail. Lucky break.'
[...Do you really believe that works?]
'Nothing's ever gone wrong when I've trusted Mone.'
[Maybe that's just how you feel.]
This saintess sure lacks faith.
Well, truth be told, it was half in jest.
But I should verify Mone's luck properly later.
'If I know how it triggers, the applications are endless.'
I wondered if I could acquire it via plausibility, but the conditions were ridiculous, so I gave up.
It would take years of effort, and even then, only with luck.
"Young master! Close your eyes properly and rest. Your body isn't fully recovered yet."
Just then, nagging came from Mone, who was riding in the carriage with me.
She had been half-unconscious when I returned covered in blood, but as soon as I recovered, the lectures began.
It was the longest she'd ever nagged me in my life.
[Don't throw your life away for merits, or something like that. Not wrong. You'll die like that.]
'...Don't jinx it. I thought I could pull it off.'
[Even I was shocked when you charged the demon. If you die, I'm in big trouble too?]
No denying that. If I'd used just a bit more blood for Blood Blade, it would've been dangerous.
'More than that, being stuck in this carriage, I have no idea what's happening outside. Frustrating.'
I thought declaring victory would firmly imprint my image on the troops.
So I expected the fallen Banheart family's honor restored, praises, etc...
But it stayed quiet.
We traveled like that, me obediently lying in the carriage for days.
[You sure you're not being ostracized?]
'No way. After all the merits I earned...'
I said that, but I was a bit anxious.
They weren't just going to use me and discard me, right?
After all this visibility, planning to let it slide quietly?
"We've arrived!"
Then the coachman's shout rang out.
Simultaneously, the carriage door burst open.
"Huh?"
I flinched in surprise.
Bursting in were maids in luxurious attire.
"Hurry and prepare. Please remove your clothes!"
"Wh-what?"
Wondering what was going on, I glanced at Mone, who was flailing her hands at the other maids in her own panic.
"I-I'll help the young master prepare! P-please explain what's happening."
"You'll have an audience with His Majesty the King soon! Can you prepare properly on your own?"
"H-His Majesty?!"
These weren't maids—courtesans?
"Heh heh heh."
Half-dragged out of the carriage by them, Duke Gail stood there with a benevolent smile.
"Your Grace, what is the meaning of this?"
A massive tent had been set up nearby, prepared who-knows-when.
Duke Gail rubbed his chin with his thumb and grinned.
"You're to greet His Majesty as the army's representative at the triumphal entry. I pulled some strings for you, since you wanted to stand out."
"Surely the audience is for the commander-in-chief, Your Grace..."
"Naturally, I'll stand beside you, so no worries."
I couldn't even retort to the nonchalant duke, managing only an awkward smile.