Oukoku e Tsuzuku Michi

leave the house because it’s cold outside, so I said “suit yourself” and came to the capital without him.

Of course, a peerage will not be recognized if the person is absent from the ceremony, which is what Tristan is aiming for.
But I have an idea.
I’ll teach him that skipping out will be costly.

Celia also told me she didn’t want a title because she doesn’t want to serve anybody other than myself, even if it is just on paper, which I approved.
She’s cute, so I don’t have a problem with her choice.

「Setting aside the man who came from the Federation, isn’t Irijina from Arkland……」

「Do you have a problem?」

After I glared at the man who whispered behind me to silence him, the ceremony began with the rest of the knights nominated by the other feudal lords.

「Pledge your life-long loyalty to the king and the kingdom――」

The vows continue without a hitch.
I’m impressed how they can remember the words so accurately.
How was it for me? Didn’t I make a mistake when I did it?

Leopolt and Adolph easily managed, and while Irijina fumbled, Luna and even Yakov spoke smoothly.

The thing is though, before the oath, the three of them glanced at me as they took a knee and waited until I nodded to continue.
All nobles are technically serving under the king, but maybe they wanted to say they are in actuality my subordinates.
Cuties, except for Yakov.

「It seems one person is not here.」

I respond firmly to the king.

「This man named Tristan is suffering from a sexual illness caused by his promiscuity.
He tried to swallow an assortment of suspicious medicines to cure it and participate, but his penis swelled up to the size of a radish, preventing him from even walking, so he is staying home to recover while crying tears of regret!」

My voice resounds in the hall where the nobles from all over Goldonia are gathered.

Some cleared their throat to mask their laughter, others could not refrain from bursting out laughing.
The king also holds his head in his hand and smiles.

「If he is someone you appointed, I doubt he is a fool……but do tell him not to get carried away with his womanizing or his ignorance.
In any case, it can’t be helped if he has an illness.
Lord Hardlett, you will take responsibility and act as his substitute.」

「H-horrible.」

「He said it in front of all the nobles in the country.」

Celia and Myla pray for Tristan’s sake.

I smile, thinking that everything is over.

「Your Majesty.」

But then Leopolt, while still kneeling, slowly lifts his head.

「What is it, Viscount Fugenberg?」

The nominees, as well as Adolph and Yakov, are surprised.

Although it may be impolite for someone of viscount status to address the king, it is not completely out of the question.
However, it is unprecedented to call out to the king directly after the ceremony.

Even Kenneth and Erich can’t hide their shock.
And the guards waiting nearby visibly become nervous.

「I have a few words to add to my oath of loyalty.
May I have your attention?」

Sponsored Content

Many sigh in relief, though some are slightly disappointed.
He is trying to win the king’s favor by supplementing the oath with flowery language.
That’s how everyone must see it.

The king also thinks as much and reluctantly accepts with a look of annoyance.

「Speak.」

My nervousness heightens the most.
Leopolt is not someone who says flattering words after all.

「Goldonia has conquered the Central Plains.
However, there are still places within the region that are not under Your Majesty’s control.
I ask that you please allow me to lead the way in annexing those areas.」

「……are you referring to the group of city states?」

Leopolt nods, but the king shakes his head from side to side.

「I have no plan to do so in the slightest.
Some are also allies who have fought with us in war.
Those words of yours are rather thoughtless.」

The king’s reply is a natural one.
Even I would be troubled if he told me we will be fighting Aless tomorrow.
Gildress will be pleased to hear it, but that’s not the point.

「What a stupid thing to say.
That thoughtless remark got himself scolded for being too proud of his bravery.」

「A blunder so quickly after receiving peerage? Let this be a lesson to those who want to stand out.」

Scornful laughter mixed with malicious gossip comes from here and there.
But Leopolt is not proud.
He has no intention to stand out either.

「Then what about the Garland Empire to the south.
A nation that has suffered a major defeat is like a tower mounted on sand.
I have learned a respectable amount of military tactics, so if you entrust me with an army, I will carve out land several times the size of the Central Plains.」

The whole room goes silent.
Kenneth and Erich are frozen solid.

「――I know nothing of your prowess! I’m sure you know the extent of your capabilities seeing as you are recklessly talking about waging war against the Empire.
But look at the map! Look at our national strength! You think you can win my heart by talking big when the kingdom should be striving to rebuild!?」

The king is genuinely angry.

「H-has he gone insane!? He provoked the king on the occasion of his promotion, which should be an honor of a lifetime!」

「He will never have a career or position again! Lord Hardlett, command your subordinate to stop at once! If this goes on, he will drag his descendants down with him!」

I have also stiffened up.
This is way too different to how he usually is.

「Then what about the Olga Federation?」

「The Federation is a friendly nation! How ignorant can you be if you don’t even know the blood ties the Goldonian royalty has with the Federation!!?」

Leopolt doesn’t falter.
He maintains the same mask-like expression.

「That is precisely why, 99% of the nation’s defenses are stationed on the west.
Once we control the river――」

「Enough.」

I grab Leopolt from behind by the collar, and throw him over my shoulder.
He flies several meters high and travels in a parabola before falling and crashing into Myla and Celia.

「I apologize that the person I recommended was so rude.」

I kneel down and bow deeply.

The king attempts to steady his breathing as I continue on.

「That man, he is a hotspur at heart despite his dull face.
In his excitement of this event, he blurted out things he shouldn’t have.
A few blows to his head should put an end to it, please forgive him……」

The king breathes deeply and regains his composure.

「Since it is the new year and a ceremonious occasion, I will spare you from punishment.
But tell that man to never show his face to me again.」

All the nobles let out a collective sigh.
Oh good job, you united the hearts of the new and traditional nobles.

「I was also a bit too passionate.
My intention was not to disrupt the celebrations.
There will be a brief interlude before the banquet, so you may all go and prepare.」

I grab Leopolt by the scruff of his neck and sling him over my shoulder, returning to the mansion as everyone whispers to themselves.
It’s like an example was set by him.

「I can’t forgive you for jeopardizing Aegir-sama’s position, even if it’s you, Leopolt-san.
Take this, and that」

「Why did you pointlessly anger people? Not to mention, one of them is His Majesty.
If not for Lord Hardlett stepping in to mediate, who knows what would have happened!」

Myla and Celia prod the dangling Leopolt with the scabbard of their ceremonial dagger.

After letting the two of them poke him, I send them back to the mansion and buy two dried up skewers from a food stall.

「What were you doing?」

「Are you angry?」

Not really.
I just don’t understand the purpose of doing that.

「You weren’t acting like your usual self.
What were you trying to do?」

If he answers with, “that was the real me” I will develop a distrust of human beings.

「His Majesty has become the sole ruler of the Central Plains.」

「Well yes, I guess so.」

This skewer is really hard and tastes pretty bad.

「I needed to make sure of something.」

「And what is that?」

The middle isn’t cooked.
If this is a scam, I’m flipping over that stand.

「I wanted to see if His Majesty still had ambition.」

My hand stops moving and I throw the skewer to the ground.

「The result is as you witnessed.
He has no desire to take the friendly land to the north, the land of a formidable enemy to the south, or even the land within his own nation.」

「That’s because you……proposing to wage war against an ally and an opponent we can’t win against is foolish.」

I hit Leopolt in the head once and tell him that we’re going back home.

Sponsored Content

「Obviously, I will not suggest fighting a battle we can’t win.
But if Lord Hardlett was in His Majesty’s position, what would you do?」

There’s no point in attacking the Empire, and even though Aless is overly familiar, I wouldn’t want to fight them.
As for the Federation, regardless if they are defenseless in the east, we have no chance of winning if they turn their millions of soldiers on us.
Seizing control of the river like Leopolt said is not so easy.

But then what am I going to do about the promise to Nonna?
Not only did I turn the Dual Crater into something monstrous, if I don’t fulfill what I promised, I would look really uncool.

「I won’t wage a war we can’t win or a meaningless war.
However.
if the flames of your ambition have not disappeared, I will deliberate on it.」

Don’t inch close to me little by little like that.

「The king did not get angry because we have no chance of winning.
He didn’t even consider the possibility.
The king’s ambitions have come to an end.」

He changed the way he addresses the king.

「I don’t want to fight for a while too.
I’m tired from the drawn-out battles.」

I turn my back on Leopolt, thinking our conversation is done.

Leopolt doesn’t chase after me.

「What if peace continues for eternity?」

He asks suddenly.

「Isn’t that fine?」

My status is margrave, the highest title for a noble.

I have the dwarven gold mine and an expanding amount of arable land.
My territory is bountiful year after year and I live without any inconveniences.

The wives and lovers I have, beginning with Nonna, are all wonderful, young or old.

I can party with good people, seduce new women, make love to them and impregnate them with my seed.

I don’t have anything to complain about.

The one thing I can’t do is meet Lucy.

My promise to Lucy is to become king.
The highest rank as a noble is not good enough.

That promise clashes with the smiles and happiness of all the other women.

「What are you thinking about?」

「Are you the devil?」

I shove the other skewer into the mouth of Leopolt, who approached me as I was lost in thought.
He did the same move as the devil in the play I watched with Nonna.

No, there is no devil that chokes on the juice of half-roasted meat.

「We’re really going back now.
I’m going to lose my mind if I talk to you any further.」

「Yessir.」

This matter is on hold.
I can’t believe Leopolt got himself banned from seeing the king right after attaining peerage, but then again, he still has his title, so I guess it’s fine.

「Did you hear about the baronet under Hardlett-sama?」
「It swelled up like a radish!?」
「He was absent from the ceremony with that kind of illness…… how much of a playboy is he?」

Unlike the serious fiasco involving Leopolt, the hilarious rumor about Tristan is spreading rapidly among the citizens.

I have no problem with it, although I might have gone too far.
Let me buy him some high quality tea and dirty books.

Protagonist: Aegir Hardlett.
26 years old+.
Winter.
Status: Goldonia Kingdom Margrave.
Great Feudal Lord of Eastern Area.
Mountain Legend.
Friend of the Dwarves.
Friend of the King of Aless.
Dragon Slayer Hero.
Elf Mediator.
Sex King of White City.
Mad Demon God.
Poison Resistance (strong).
Counselor (temporary).

Main characters in the present story:
Celia (quarrel) ⇔ Myla (quarrel)
Leopolt (viscount, banned from visiting), Adolph (baron, thin), Tristan (ham actor baronet)

Family:
Nonna (hangover), Carla (hangover), Mireille (hangover), Mel (concubine), Kuu (king of dirty jokes), Pipi (at peace)
Melissa (meet after a long time) ⇔ Maria (love), Miti (concubine), Sally (convalescent), Maruru (convalescent), Catherine (talking about the past), Gretel (dog concubine), Sofia (lover), Leah (lover), Ruu (lover), Mireille (lover), Casie (ghost), Rita (head maid), Yoguri (naked), Alice (lover)
Mother: Marceline (parent and child), Daughters: Eldest – Stephanie (the forbidden), Second – Bridget (lapse from virtue), Youngest – Felicie (lily garden), Claudia (new year mountain climbing), Clara (crying)
Adela (flowing out), Annette (fountain), Benel (slight reaction), Dorothea (side story)

Subordinates:
Irijina (knight), Sekrit (winner), Felteris (celebratory nudity),
Natia (mixing failure), Marta (going too far with spinning the dog), Baroness Rukino Escaote (governor), Rukue (her daughter), Seika (her son?), T-99 (house-sitting), Head-helmina (house-sitting)
Polte (staying at home for new year’s), Yularen (new year’s holiday), Ijaris (new year’s holiday), Luna (knight), Rafaella (lonely)
Altair (new year event), Remia (new year event), Guigue (new year drinking), Sebastian (butler), Kroll (new year woman)
Yakov (knight, laughing), Mack (knight escort), Christoph (eating mandarins in front of a fireplace), Zillia (eating mandarins in front of a fireplace)

Others:
Ivanna (revealing), Cedric (sisterly love), Martory (tribute), Mistry (tribute)
Piris (stable period), Busco (low-life), Gildress (new year man), Andrei (lolicon)
Celestina (has a request), Monica (messenger), Jim (determined participation), Dingus, Rinuga (direct appeal)

Non-humans:
Schwartz (free), Lammy (nothing), Mirumi (lots of eggs), Alraune (luxuriant growth), Brynhildr (going to the capital)
Smoothie (parenting), Pochi (giant lizard), Child lizard (meditation)

Territory Population
Total: 365 000
Rafen: 47 000, Lintbloom: 8 000
Richemott (former Libatis): 34 000, Zwei Elfie: 2900

Army
Personnel: Infantry: 1000, Cavalry: 500, Escort: 30
Armaments: Cannons: 30, Large Cannons: 15, Dwarven Cannons: 15, Field Artillery: 10, Chariots: 30

Assets: -240 500 gold (gold ore extra large +30 000), (ceremony attendance expense + party -500)
Sexual Partners: 818
Children who have been born: 71 + 567 (++)
Current Location: Capital