Chapter 53
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 53
Chapter Title: Unexpected Things Keep Happening
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Suddenly, what the hell is this outrageous nonsense? Telling me right now to meet someone?
I must have misheard. Right? Yeah. No way he'd say something so ridiculous.
"Excellency. Um, what did you just say?"
"Meet my daughter for a bit."
Are you insane? The words nearly burst out before I barely reined them in. Whew, almost let that slip to someone on my father's level.
Marshal Excellency. I'll hold my tongue this once. This is a huge deal. You have no idea how much shit the guys under me give me about you.
"For the record, I'm not thrilled about this either. My daughter ought to be meeting a son of the sea, not some land dog. I already gave you that medal, so there's nothing to worry about, I told her."
"…."
Ah. So that's why you insisted on pinning that damn merit medal on me despite my refusals.
"But what can you do? Like her old man, she's got this stubborn streak about repaying favors. Can't talk her out of it."
"You've passed down a fine trait."
"Indeed. A fine trait."
Tried snarking at him with a nod to the merit medal, but it didn't even scratch him.
As expected, you don't become a marshal just like that. It's not only about achievements—you need that slippery charm too. In that sense, another round of respectful applause for my father.
"Excellency. Isn't there an option where I just... don't meet her?"
"Anyone listening would think I'm pushing a marriage. It's just a quick hello. Do you have to act so repulsed?"
"Of course I do. I'm currently fielding marriage proposals."
At that, Navy Marshal McRaven tilted his head with a puzzled "Huh?"
He muttered that he'd never heard anything about my proposals, but come on—you're the Navy Marshal. It's only natural you wouldn't care or know about army-side matchups, right?
If you did know, that would be the scary part. Even Mother doesn't have the full details.
"Mind if I ask which house has you entertaining proposals like this?"
"Clozen."
"...Huh?"
"Victory Duke Excellency's house."
"…."
Oh, I like that look. The face you make when you've run into an unbeatable rival.
Seeing the seal captain himself wearing it feels so satisfying. Heh heh heh!
Ah! My future father-in-law is pretty impressive! Even a marshal backs down before a duke!
"Clozen—so Victory Duke Excellency. Then perhaps..."
"Ariete Clozen. Victory Duke Excellency's youngest daughter. She's a first-year at the academy like me. Got isolated during the recent summer counteroffensive but still racked up military merit alongside me."
Even judged by her house alone, she's no ordinary girl—and now proposals are flying with someone who earned merits in battle.
In this situation, telling me to "chat with my daughter" is beyond rude, and Navy Marshal McRaven knows it full well. Give it up, seal captain. No navy matches for me!
"Hrm. Fair enough. That is awkward, as you say."
The power of the three dukes is mighty indeed. Seal captain admits defeat and tucks tail!
Victory Duke Excellency forever! I pledge my loyalty from here on out. Loyalty to Ar! Loyalty!
"...Still, she wants to meet you."
Three days later, Navy Marshal McRaven sought me out again, clutching his forehead.
That wasn't a man stubbornly insisting. It was the gesture of someone who'd tried to stop it but failed.
One thing was crystal clear now. This guy couldn't handle his own daughter either.
"It's not like she's asking to date you or anything. She just wants to thank her benefactor in person—even begged, adding that she's asking nicely."
"It's not impossible, but..."
"Does Miss Ariete hate the idea?"
"...Surprisingly, no."
In fact, I'd already told Ar everything. Blah blah blah, the seal captain's daughter wants to meet me.
Why tell her? I wanted Ar to snap, "What?!"—show some irritation, anger, or even jealousy. Then I could legitimately skip meeting the Navy Marshal's daughter, right?
But Ar just tilted her head like what's the problem? and said, "Go meet her. You saved her life anyway, and she wants to give thanks. What's the issue?"
I was the one left blinking in confusion with a "Huh?"
"But she's a seal. Ar, I hate seals..."
"Oh, come on! Don't be so childish! Just the other day, you called officers and knights bickering over nothing idiotic. This is exactly the same!"
"So I should meet her?"
"Your advice saved my life. I'm fine with you getting a thank-you. So go already!"
Not even married yet—just getting to know each other bit by bit—and already getting scolded.
I don't want to end up henpecked... I want to wield head-of-house authority with pride... I can see my future...
Is this why Brother's avoiding marriage—he saw this coming?!
Whatever. Fine! I'll meet her. She's asking so earnestly—can't keep turning her down.
I started the whole special-meal ice cream idea in the first place. Shouldn't I take responsibility for the fallout?
But let's be clear on this. If she's even a little rude—just the tiniest bit—and dares spew nonsense in my presence while reeking of brine...
In the name of Reinhardt, I'll smash a pot over her head...
"Pleased to meet you, Richi Reinhardt."
"...Pleased to meet you."
No smashing required. Wait, is this girl really navy? A navy officer?
Every last one of them—men and women alike—is crazy, rude, and arrogant as hell. Right?
Not just my opinion. Grab anyone else and ask—they'll say the same.
Tell them not to do anything weird on the ship, and they go, "Sure thing! Our ship can't look tacky!" while pulling all sorts of stunts. That's the navy for you!
They get so smashed and cause so much chaos that imperial edicts come down telling them to lay off the booze!
And yet, the blue-haired navy officer before me right now...
"First off, thank you from the bottom of my heart for indulging my stubborn request."
"Ah, uh... sure."
"I know it's rude, but in that moment between life and death, you gave me a reason to live. And the soldiers who worked to save me—their efforts too. I wanted to express my gratitude to the origin of it all."
The Navy Marshal's daughter was bowing ninety degrees to the Army Marshal's son.
There wasn't a shred of hesitation in the gesture. She faced me as if I were some exalted lord.
And she's an active navy officer, so you'd expect massive pride from that alone... Amazing.
Is this really the seal captain's daughter? That stubborn, childish, petty type who pouts like a kid and gets timid revenge? Navy Marshal McRaven's daughter?! Is she adopted or something?!
"Oh, right—my introduction's overdue. I'm Freesia McRaven."
Freesia McRaven. Fourth daughter of our dear Ernest McRaven, Navy Marshal.
For reference, the Navy Marshal has two sons and five daughters—all from one wife. Were they aiming for a soccer team with the kids? How the hell do you raise seven?
"Richi Reinhardt. I heard you suggested the special meal through the Marshal Excellency."
"Yes. I just proposed it—the decision to implement was all Navy Marshal Excellency..."
"What matters is that you presented the possibility. Thanks to that one sweet bite before deployment, I had a lingering memory on those vast, endless seas—a tiny reason to survive and return. Trivial, I'm sure. But that small wish to come back and eat that ice cream one more time... it kept me going until the end."
"…."
Whoa... Am I really talking to a person? How does someone speak so evenly, like some AI? My body's tensing up without me realizing.
"Not just me—the soldiers who found me held that little thing as their goal too, refusing to give up. It didn't end with me or them. Countless others felt a moment of peace in that fleeting sweetness and chill. It became the spark that let them fight their hardest."
"I see... I'm truly glad I made that suggestion."
"It's a blessing the empire has someone like you. Be it army, navy, or outside the military altogether. Wherever you are, there are people clinging to life thanks to your help."
So this wasn't just her personal thanks—it stood for them all.
Freesia bowed ninety degrees once more, thanking me again.
"…."
Something feels off. Strange. Thanks? Gratitude?
Did I really do something worth thanking? Soldiers died because of me.
My head throbs. Scenes I'd tried hard to forget bubble up. Damn it.
"If you truly want to thank me..."
I didn't have many words to offer.
"Do your utmost wherever you are, Miss Freesia. That will be enough. So... so that even more people can make it home alive."
Yeah. That would do it. More productive than thanks—a proper request.