Chapter 9
Chapter 9
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 9
Chapter Title: The War Hero Decides to Defect (2)
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Two days after the armistice.
In the capital of the Grates Kingdom, a group of noblemen had gathered at a high-end restaurant.
"For the armistice and the kingdom's eternal prosperity."
"""For that."""
The nobles raised their wine glasses with elegant poise, beaming broadly.
Before, they had to sip even a single glass of wine while fretting over whether it was poisoned, and during the war, they faced reprimands for daring to drink at all. But now, they could indulge freely.
Even if someone claimed the wine was poisoned, it would be a blatant violation of the armistice agreement, and a Grand Master would march straight into the Empire sword in hand.
"To the symbol of peace, Lord Wilhelm."
"For that."
They gracefully drained their glasses and reached for the forks and knives before them.
Just as with the wine, they no longer needed to use silver utensils to test their food for poison.
Of course, such habits wouldn't vanish overnight, so they still sipped their wine cautiously, like birds drinking from a stream, and their utensils were still made of silver.
Even so, just the fact of the armistice allowed them this carefree pleasure of eating and drinking—something they couldn't fathom how precious it was.
The Empire had a habit of assassinating those responsible for the war—mainly the nobles.
"Let's chat leisurely over our meal."
The middle-aged nobleman with orange hair seated at the head of the table, Marquis Chadwin, slowly opened his mouth.
"The reason we can enjoy our meal and wine so peacefully is because everyone fought valiantly in the war against the Empire, but especially thanks to Lord Wilhelm's aid."
"Yes, indeed."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
From the moment they'd offered a prayer of gratitude before the meal, they'd been thanking the kingdom's shield, whether aloud or in their hearts.
"It's truly regrettable that we of the 'Noble Faction' couldn't recruit such a Lord Wilhelm."
The Noble Faction.
Even before the 12-year war, the royal family and nobles had been at odds, and during the war, the nobles' alliance had faced all sorts of incidents and accidents against the Empire.
"Fortunately, the fools who got their heads blown off by the Empire's magic rifles over those 12 years are gone, leaving only true nobles worthy of the name. As nobles of the Grates Kingdom, it is our duty to lead this era of peace. In that vein..."
The nobles who had survived those incidents exchanged glances and nodded in unison.
"We of the Noble Faction condemn the royal family's unilateral decision on 'Lord Hans Wilhelm's marriage.' This is our faction's stance."
At Marquis Chadwin's words, everyone set down their utensils for a moment.
"If anyone has objections to this stance, please voice them freely."
Of course, asking for opinions right after everyone set down their knives made silence inevitable.
"None here."
"I agree as well. No objections."
"The royal family's decision was rash and not in the Grates Kingdom's best interest. I oppose those who oppose."
One by one, the nobles gathered for the meal voiced their agreement with the proposal.
"Lord Hans Wilhelm's marriage is his choice alone. Marrying out of pity for a spinster princess? Absolutely not."
"Agreed. We all know the Princess Knight's contributions, but public and private matters are separate. How dare they decide his bride so arbitrarily?"
"Everyone's skirting around it subtly, but..."
Marquis Chadwin smiled and swept his gaze over them all.
"As fathers with daughters of our own—some even adopting noble ladies from fallen kingdoms—there's no need to hide that you're all eyeing the position of 'father-in-law' to Count Wilhelm."
"Ahem."
"Well..."
"Same here. Let's be frank. After 12 years of weeding out the weak, as the surviving nobles of the Grates Kingdom."
Clap.
"When it comes to our daughters seducing Count Wilhelm and marrying him, we'll keep each other in check, but let's not cross the line—like the royals did."
"Mm."
"And Count Wilhelm is the sort who could outright declare he'd make us all his fathers-in-law. No reason to turn red-faced and bicker now. First father-in-law, second... even thirteenth is possible."
"Mm."
Despite the violent imagery of "thirteenth father-in-law," none of the nobles at the Noble Faction meeting showed discomfort or dissatisfaction.
Why?
"He's my lifesaver. Even if my daughter isn't chosen, if he takes our Noble Faction daughters as his wives, that's gratitude enough."
"He saved my family from ruin when we were branded traitors over Count Steven's issue. How could we not repay that? Contributing to his foundation's establishment isn't enough. Of course not."
"Even if he takes them as concubines or maids, who could object? It's not like he's forcing them by the hair."
Everyone here had received direct or indirect aid from that hero at least once.
"So, everyone. We..."
"Pardon the interruption, Marquis."
The restaurant manager suddenly opened the door and entered.
"What is it? Dessert hasn't..."
"I have urgent news to relay."
"Urgent?"
"The Wilhelm County has placed an order for packed lunches at our restaurant."
"What."
At the word "packed lunches," Marquis Chadwin and several nobles nearly shot up from their chairs.
"Suddenly? What kind of packed lunches!"
"...Packed lunches enchanted with preservation magic for a long journey. Enough for about 30 people to eat for at least five days."
"!!"
"And."
The manager continued very cautiously.
"They didn't seem to hide their destination. At the very least... outside the kingdom."
"!!"
Crash.
Marquis Chadwin slammed both hands on the table and stood, toppling his chair backward.
"Outside the kingdom?! Ridiculous!"
"N-No, could it be because of what the royals did...?"
Those gathered here were the Grates Kingdom's Noble Faction.
They operated within the Grates framework, but they all knew others in other kingdoms or nations thought the same.
Especially since some of their adopted daughters hailed from nations destroyed by the Empire.
Wouldn't those women, marrying the Continental Shield, have begged him at least once to "revive our kingdom"?
"Those damned royals!"
"Argh, just when peace has arrived, the king's blunder causes this mess...!"
"This is no time! Let's draft a petition immediately!"
Blasphemy against the royals flew freely, but the nobles couldn't even finish their meals as they donned their cloaks.
"The Noble Faction's unified stance is one!"
"Lord Wilhelm's royal marriage..."
"""Is invalid!!"""
The reason they cried "invalid" was simple.
They didn't care who he married.
Even a commoner, or a stunning slave—they'd attend as guests and applaud sincerely.
If she became a concubine or second wife, the Noble Faction would breathe relief and offer thanks just for the blood tie to the count's family.
But that was within the Grates Kingdom.
"If Count Wilhelm defects to another kingdom because of the royals, what a national loss that would be!!"
The Noble Faction.
They were the nobles of the Grates Kingdom who had survived the Empire's temptations and assassinations over 12 years of war.
"We must stop Lord Wilhelm from going to another country!!"
"Master. Where will you go?"
"No idea. We'll discuss it now."
After chasing out Princess Sylvia, I'd had Robert deliberately leak the situation to spread rumors.
"The Noble Faction's at that restaurant, right? That's certain?"
"Yes. Even if the Noble Faction didn't notice, those surveilling the mansion will report the lunch order to Prime Minister Winchester."
"Lunch quantity?"
"Ordered generously, prepared for waste. Enough to reach the northernmost point of the Alliance Kingdoms."
"Well done. It might torment other kingdoms and factions with false hope, but unavoidable. Robert, unroll the map."
"Yes, Master."
Shhrrk.
Robert manipulated the magic crystal orb, and a large map unfurled beneath my room.
A vast continent reminiscent of Europe.
The continent was named 'Europa' from the start.
And in the western expanse of this Europa continent, only one color dominated—that was the Empire.
In real-world terms, a massive empire encompassing Britain, France, Portugal, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, and more.
Sharing a border with such an empire on the front lines, positioned around Germany, was the Grates Kingdom.
To the south, north, and east—excluding the west—lay various minor kingdoms. That was the current state of the Europa continent.
"Robert."
"Yes, Master."
"Where should I defect to?"
"...Defection is decided, then?"
"Yeah. Staying here feels like I'll get blackmailed into a forced marriage."
I flicked my finger over the map on the floor.
Weeeing.
Mana flowed out, forming a cluster of light, and illusions began glowing over lands near the Grates Kingdom.
"Robert. In your opinion, which country would be best for me to defect to?"
"Obviously."
Robert spread his arms wide, as if asking what kind of obvious question that was.
"Somewhere with lots of beauties."
"You know it."
Robert, as expected.
"Only..."
"Only?"
"A matter of taste."
And this was a crucial issue for me.
"Elves, beastmen, fairies, sirens, vampires..."
The 12-year war.
The human minor kingdoms bordering the Empire had already been wiped out, and nations on par with the Grates Kingdom were mostly non-human.
"Ha."
This was trouble.
"Too many options laid out—it's overwhelming."
Beauties abounded wherever one went.