Chapter 256: I’m Going Independent (2)
Chapter 256: I’m Going Independent (2)
“Wow…”
An exclamation of genuine awe escaped Patrick’s lips.
What drew such a reaction from him was the path of flowers stretching out before his eyes.
It wasn’t a metaphorical "flower path" signifying a smooth road to success; actual flowers covered the entire road, forming a literal carpet. And it wasn't just a small trail—it was a floral sea thick enough to fill the entire central highway leading to White Town.
“Young Master, is the road to the capital usually paved with flowers like this?”
“As if. Do you think money just falls from the sky? Paving a road with flowers costs a fortune. Every bit of that is gold.”
Patrick couldn't even begin to guess the budget required to carpet the highway leading to the capital, let alone the city itself.
Moreover, this was only the beginning.
After several hours of treading lightly over the floral path, Patrick and his men finally arrived at White Town. At that moment…
“To the heroes! Salute!”
“Loyalty!”
“Loyalty!”
Outside the city walls, elite troops clad in brilliantly polished armor stood in perfect formation, offering a military salute to welcome Patrick and his party.
And standing before them, in an unprecedented move, was the King himself, who had come out in his carriage to receive them.
“Hahaha! Welcome, my son-in-law.”
Patrick immediately dismounted and dropped to one knee. Then…
“Patrick Schneider greets the sole and legitimate ruler of the Atronia Kingdom.”
He offered his greetings with flawless etiquette.
Whoa… our Young Master actually knows how to do that?
If I didn't know better, I’d think he was a real noble.
He is a noble, you idiot.
I thought he was a demon?
Even as they watched Patrick pay his respects, the Double Dragon Knights just stood there, blinking and looking around awkwardly.
Patrick let out a silent sigh at the sight.
Those country bumpkins…
If they didn't know the etiquette, they should have at least had the sense to follow his lead. He could excuse the Orc warriors and Elves since they were different races, but these guys were supposed to be knights.
Fortunately, King Fiesto was currently in the best mood of his life, so he didn't care about minor breaches of protocol. If anything…
“Hahaha! So these are the Double Dragon Knights you raised yourself. Indeed, I can see that each one of them is a magnificent swordsman worth a hundred men.”
“Thank you for your kind words, Your Majesty.”
The King personally helped Patrick to his feet and shouted to the crowd.
“Praise the heroes of our great victory! Let the triumphal ceremony begin!”
And so, a magnificent triumphal ceremony commenced—one that would surely be etched into the history of the Atronia Kingdom.
First, the King took Patrick with him onto an open-topped golden carriage and entered the royal castle. As the golden carriage carrying the two men passed, cheers erupted from the citizens of White Town. The Royal Knight Order, acting as their escort, threw coins into the crowd, inciting even louder roars of excitement.
Following behind them with dazed expressions, the soldiers from the Schneider fief wondered what on earth was happening.
The crowning moment came when the golden carriage, leading the parade, passed through a massive triumphal arch.
Patrick wasn't sure when it had been built, but the arch standing in the middle of the central road leading to the castle was adorned with gold and jewels. As Patrick passed beneath it, the King shouted at the top of his lungs.
“Cry out for victory! Praise the heroes!”
“Woooooooah!”
“Long live Young Master Schneider!”
“Long live the Atronia Kingdom!”
“Long live His Majesty the King!”
It was truly a triumphal ceremony so grand it would be remembered for generations.
*
After the ceremony.
Patrick sat down for a private meeting with the King. He glanced at the King, who was grinning from ear to ear, and thought to himself:
He’s loving this.
Patrick had played along because he understood the general situation. The man was his future wife’s father, after all, and there was no harm in maintaining a political alliance.
But seeing him so genuinely happy…
It makes my stomach churn.
Well, a person’s nature doesn't change that easily.
Unaware of Patrick’s thoughts, the King spoke with a satisfied expression.
“You truly went through a lot. I was surprised when I heard you had suddenly jumped into the war in the Harbor Kingdom, but…”
Just surprised?
He’d probably spat out his tea through his nose.
But that was all in the past now.
“In the end, you’ve brought a great boon to the nation. Hohoho…”
The King chuckled heartily, acting as if he had believed in Patrick from the very beginning.
Patrick looked at him and said, “Well, things worked out in the end, but it was quite dangerous.”
“The result is what matters most.”
“I suppose so. Anyway…” Patrick stared directly at the King. “What do you plan to do now?”
“What do you mean?”
“Are you going to keep testing the waters? Even in this situation?”
“……”
The King subtly avoided his gaze. Patrick cut straight to the point.
“What are you going to do about the occupied territories in the Harbor Kingdom? Since I’m the one who won that land, can I keep it?”
“Ahem… Patrick, the only land I officially recognized was the territory you gained while pioneering the Great Forest.”
“And?”
“Shouldn't land gained through war naturally belong to the state?”
“So, the Royal Family did absolutely nothing, but you want to just swallow that massive territory whole?”
“Hohoho, that is how it works.”
“I even heard that thanks to me, the royal authority has been bolstered immensely during this war. Didn't you squeeze a ton of money out of the nobles using this flashy triumphal ceremony as an excuse?”
“Hohoho, it is a great blessing for the Royal Family.”
This old man…
He was trying to get a free ride. He was treating Patrick Schneider like a performing bear and trying to take everything for himself.
As Patrick’s eyes narrowed, the King spoke up.
“Hohoho. Are we not family? Son-in-law.”
“The Schneider family motto is that transactions between family members must be even more transparent.”
“Really?”
“No, I’m lying.”
“……”
“But once I become the head of the family, I’ll make sure it becomes the rule. Especially when it comes to my father—I’m never letting him touch the money. Never! Not ever!”
The sheer conviction in Patrick’s voice as he declared he wouldn't trust Baron Schneider with money was palpable.
“Mmm… what is it you want?” the King finally asked with a sigh.
Honestly, taking that vast land for free was impossible. To put it bluntly, what could he do if Patrick refused to hand it over? Try to take it by force? Against him?
I’d rather just give up.
One does not touch a rabid dog’s food bowl.
Patrick flashed a subtle smile at the King.
“Well, to be honest, that land is way too far from our Schneider fief.”
“Exactly. One is on the eastern end and the other is on the western end. There’s even a sea in between. It wouldn't be easy to manage.”
“But just handing it over feels wrong. You know how it is, right? Even if someone doesn't really need something, it’s human nature to feel it’s a waste to just give it to someone else.”
“……”
Is that really human nature?
“Your Majesty?”
“Ahem, yes, quite. So, what do you want to do?”
“Buy it from me.”
“Buy it?”
“Yes. That keeps things nice and clean, don't you think?”
“……”
He was right.
To be honest, if he could settle things cleanly with this kid using money, it would be for the best. He had to grant rewards for his military achievements anyway. However…
“How much are we talking about?”
“Considering the size of the land, the soil quality, and its future value… honestly, can you even afford this with just money?”
“……”
It was a difficult question.
Truthfully, if he tried to pay for it in cash, it might empty the entire royal treasury.
As the King hesitated, Patrick spoke again.
“Fortunately, there’s no law saying that accounts can only be settled with money.”
“Indeed. In fact, I was planning to elevate your house to a Marquisate. There might be some opposition since it hasn't been long since you became a Count, but don't worry. I’ll push it through personally.”
King Fiesto thumped his chest confidently.
Watching him, Patrick wore a somewhat mysterious smile. He took a sip of his tea—something he rarely did—and spoke.
“Ahem. Your Majesty. As you know, quite some time has passed since I got engaged to Isabella—I mean, the Princess.”
“…That’s true.”
The flow of the conversation had suddenly shifted. But the King went along with it. It wasn't a conversation he could avoid, and it was something that needed to be discussed eventually.
“So, I’m thinking of getting married once I return home.”
“Ah, ah… I see. Yes… that’s good. Mmm, a very good thing.”
Though he was a bit taken aback, there was no reason for the King to refuse this marriage. Politically speaking, a marriage between Patrick and Isabella at this point would be a massive boon to the Royal Family. It was a marriage that had to happen sooner or later anyway.
“Yes. Good. So, where do you plan to hold the ceremony? If you wish, we can hold it in the Royal Hall.”
“Well, the ceremony can be anywhere. It’s going to be a joint wedding, so…”
“Joint?”
“Yes. With the Elven princess, and a girl I’ve known since I was a kid… well, that’s not the important part…”
“No, I think that’s very important.”
“Let’s just move on. It’s not important.”
“……”
“What’s more important is where I’ll live after I get married.”
“Ah…”
“Compared to that, whether I have three brides or seven is a very trivial matter.”
“Right. That is… seven?”
“I told you to move on.”
“……”
Seven was a very unsettling number to just "move on" from, but putting that aside…
Yes, this is important.
Where would Patrick live after marriage?
This was more important than one might imagine. If he moved his residence to the capital, White Town, it would be like a massive storm hitting the central political scene. Even if he did nothing, Patrick’s mere presence would allow him to form a massive faction.
As a King who was just beginning to establish a powerful absolute monarchy, Fiesto wasn't exactly thrilled by the prospect.
If he helps me by my side, he’d be a great power, but he’s far too difficult to control.
What one needs to maintain absolute power is a sharp, sturdy sword—not a bomb with a lit fuse.
That’s the kind of thing you use only when you’re ready for everyone to die together.
No matter how he thought about it, having Patrick stay in White Town wasn't ideal.
Seeing the King’s hesitant expression, Patrick said, “Don't worry. I have no intention of living in White Town.”
“Ah, is that so… well, it’s not that I’d dislike it, so don't misunderstand.”
“Why would I want to live here with my father-in-law watching my every move? I’m not interested in being a live-in son-in-law.”
“Hahaha! Right, of course.”
“So, about that. I’m planning to branch out on my own.”
“Branching out is good. Bran… branching out?”
Something felt off.
Branching out? If he just wanted to live separately, he could stay in the Schneider fief like he was doing now. Why use the term "branching out"?
As a chill ran down the King’s spine, Patrick unfolded a document.
“I’m going independent.”
At the very top of the document was a sentence the King had never heard in his entire life: Permit for the Independence of the Schneider Grand Duchy.
*
“Brother Patrick!”
A girl who was more "adorable" than "beautiful" came running toward Patrick, her footsteps practically making a pitter-patter sound effect.
“It’s been a while. How have you been?”
“Yes! You’ve been well too, right, Brother?”
The girl’s name was Jeila. She was the daughter of the merchant leader Aaron and the younger sister of Patrick’s friend, Matthew. Now eighteen, she was one of the few people who could treat Patrick with such familiarity.
After greeting Patrick, she looked at her own brother standing behind him.
“Hi, Oppa. You’re not hurt anywhere, right?”
“Took you long enough to ask.”
“Hehehe.”
The girl just stuck her tongue out at Matthew’s grumbling. Then, she looked around restlessly before getting to her point.
“But… where is Brother Ace?”
Seeing her blushing like an apple and fidgeting, Patrick subtly avoided her gaze.
“About Ace…”
Matthew also looked away, speaking vaguely.
“He’s at the Schneider fief right now. Or rather, should I say he no longer exists in this world?”
Jeila’s expression immediately turned grave. “What does that mean?”
Seeing her serious face, the two men exchanged glances.
Should we just tell her?
She needs to know eventually.
Won't she be shocked?
It can't be helped. At this rate, my sister will never get married. Will you take responsibility for her then?
Ah… no, I can't do that.
Finally, Matthew approached Jeila with a heavy expression.
“Sister. I shall tell you the painful truth.”
“Oppa, why are you being like this? You’re scaring me… Did something happen to Brother Ace during the war? Is that it?”
“Steel yourself before you listen.”
“What is it? I’m scared, Oppa.”
A moment later…
“NOOOOOOOOOOO!”
Jeila’s scream echoed through the mansion.
Listening to the shriek of a young girl’s first love shattering into a thousand pieces, Patrick spoke quietly.
“The truth is always cruel.”
Sitting across from Patrick as he said this was a middle-aged man with dark brown hair.
“Did things go well with what you went to do?”
“I guess? At least I said everything I wanted to say.”
“Then things will work out. Eventually.”
“Will they? You weren't there to see it, but my royal father-in-law was practically foaming at the mouth.”
“It will still work out. In the end, he has no choice but to accept it.”
The man before Patrick, Alexander Krupa, spoke in a calm voice. He was the former Duke of the Harbor Kingdom, now a vassal of the Schneider family thanks to Patrick.
And the very first thing he had said to Patrick was this:
[First, you must solidify your position.]
Patrick had understood immediately what he meant. Status and standing.
Currently, Patrick was a figure whose fame shook the entire continent, a man who had emerged as the eye of the storm alongside the Overlord. But unlike Sierion, who had established himself as a monarch, Patrick’s status was still merely that of a noble heir.
To make matters worse, he was still technically an academy student.
[Until now, you have forced things through with raw power, but as the scale of your operations grows, that will no longer suffice. To gather everyone’s strength and unite them as one, you need a legitimate justification.]
In other words, he needed a proper title.
Patrick had nodded in understanding.
[Aside from my father’s title, if I ask the King, I can probably get a title of my own. Will that do?]
Alexander Krupa had shaken his head.
[That is nowhere near enough. If what you told me is true, you need a status that allows you to manipulate things on a national scale, at the very least.]
Wait, so that means…
[Secede from the Atronia Kingdom and become a King.]
That was the first strategy Alexander Krupa had presented to Patrick.