“Your Majesty. This is the slaying of the demon Agares, who was plotting in the capital.”
“Oooh, this is…”
The Emperor stared blankly at the grotesquely distorted head of Agares, then lifted it high over his own head and shouted.
“My good people! My loyal knight has brought the head of the great demon!”
“Waaaaaah!”
“Long live the Emperor!”
“Long live Baron Quartz!”
No one doubted that I had captured the demon.
Of course, it was only natural, as a power emanated from Agares’ head that was enough to make anyone’s skin tingle. If this was what it looked like dead, it would not have been strange if people had panicked collectively if they had seen it alive.
“Now I shall promote you to Count! From this moment onward, I shall elevate Baron Quartz’s title to Count!”
Huh?
Ah, so he’s saying he’ll promote me. There were plenty of nobles around, but none opposed it. Going against me here would mean cutting ties, and what’s the use of cutting ties with someone who just brought back the head of a great demon?
I thought it was quite a good haul just to have chased away Agares, but bringing back the head gave me more crumbs than I expected.
“Long live Count Quartz!”
“A blessing for the new hero of the Empire!”
I didn’t need the blessing, though—couldn’t I just get a reward? How much delicious stuff is in the Imperial Treasury? I could at least take one, right? I thought this to myself while half-listening to the Emperor’s lengthy speech.
After all, he was just rambling about how the Empire’s crisis had passed.
Honestly, demons weren’t the real concern now; it was the outsiders who were set to invade this land and the dragon who for some reason was reviving a year early that were the real issues.
My prediction is that the dragon is likely to awaken by this fall or winter. I have to somehow take down the dragon before the outsiders start rampaging.
This thing is supposedly the final boss of the original story, and it’s obviously incredibly powerful. I absolutely must not let the situation escalate to the point where we have to deal with both the outsiders and the dragon at the same time. Since our available resources are limited, the outsiders would easily invade while we’re preoccupied with the dragon.
So, I must somehow deal with the dragon.
Reinforcing the seal would… be possible, but it’s just a temporary measure. There’s no need to exhaust our strength doing something that’ll only end up being a patchwork solution. If something were to break that reinforced seal, we would have to face both the dragon and the outsiders simultaneously.
I will definitely take down the dragon.
That is the best we can do.
Fortunately, I had a strategy for tackling the dragon, so using that would significantly increase my chances of success. Still, it’s definitely not an easy opponent… after all, the name “final boss of one route” is not a trivial thing.
“Count Quartz, do you desire something?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. There is something I wish from you.”
“Oooh, what is it? Speak!”
“The threat looming over the Empire is not over yet. Your Majesty, have you heard of the dragon?”
“The dragon… isn’t that a being mentioned briefly in history books? Could it be?”
Indeed, quick witted as always. I felt the atmosphere darken for a moment and continued speaking.
“Grand Sorcerer Merlin reported around six months ago that the state of the volcano where the dragon is sealed is suspicious. We must prepare in advance, as it could wake up at any time.”
“The dragon, I see.”
“However, Your Majesty, the matter of the dragon’s revival…”
“Olive, the Minister of Finance. A demon that appeared in history has shown up, what’s strange about a dragon’s revival? Gather the budget to prepare for the dragon’s revival. Don’t worry about going overboard. Cough…”
“I will obey!”
“Minister of the Military, select the elite troops and establish a garrison at the volcano!”
“I’ll prepare it at once!”
Indeed, it seems that slaying a demon twice creates an unexpected trust. I pondered whether to like this or not, but decided to let it slide. After all, becoming too famous can be troublesome, but there’s no need to worry about that now.
Whether I fail to catch the dragon or can’t repel the outsiders, it doesn’t change the fact that I’ll be in deep trouble if I can’t do either.
“Your Majesty. May I take away the head of Agares?”
“Are you saying you want to take the head?”
“Indeed.”
“Do you have a reason?”
I’ve got plenty of reasons.
“There is information I need to uncover using Agares’ head.
Besides, leaving a demon’s head in the Imperial Palace doesn’t seem like a good idea. As you can see, it’s too dangerous to keep as a display piece, and you never know how a demon would negatively affect the place.
As you know, our third prince seemed to be enchanted by a demon.”
“Ah…”
The Emperor, who had been pondering whether to display it in the palace or hand it over to me, ultimately conceded to my request.
“Very well. And what happened to that demon?”
“I dealt with the demon along with dealing with Agares.”
Of course, I didn’t kill it. I had it locked up in my mansion. I was planning to take it with me when I returned to Yeomyeong-gwan to make use of it here and there. If it didn’t want to die, it would have to cooperate. If it resisted, I’d put it to use by brainwashing it with Rue.
It had much more knowledge from hell than I expected, so there were quite a few things to glean.
“Thank goodness. Count Quartz, do you not wish to work under me?”
“I vowed to protect the Saint from threats for all my life.”
Why would I work for the Empire? It’s clear that they’d work me to death if I did.
Fortunately, the Emperor accepted my polite refusal without further resistance. Perhaps it was because I had become too significant a presence to be pressured by power.
Honestly, trying to do anything to me through power is one of the dumbest things you could do. The entire Empire finds itself in a situation where they need to win my favor.
Somehow, I had ended up in a position to choose the next Emperor, which felt quite rewarding. Having reached such a position means I now possess the power to rein in the Emperor’s recklessness.
If it comes to that, making him a mere puppet wouldn’t be out of the question, but I have too much to do for that.
I’d rather delegate the annoying tasks to the Empire and proceed comfortably.
That’s why I was building up to this.
“No matter how busy I am, I cannot end the banquet! I shall hold a banquet in celebration of our victory over the demons!”
Huh?
Wait a moment.
——————
One, two, three, four.
One, two, three, four.
“You’ve gotten used to it now.”
“Of course. I’ve danced it to death.”
“You’ve worked hard.”
“You worked hard too, Karina.”
“Hehe, compared to Johan, it’s nothing. By the way, I’m worried that Johan is getting too popular.”
“To be honest, it’s a hassle.”
Thanks to Karina, the women didn’t cling to me, but having men approach me felt a bit odd.
While it was fine for the knights to surround me, seeing all kinds of nobles rubbing their palms while flattering me was a sight for sore eyes.
Of course, it’s understandable that they want to get close to me since I’ve ended up in a position to decide the next Emperor…
“I guess after the party ends, I should wash up immediately. I feel a bit uneasy since I just attended right after the banquet.”
“Want to wash together? I’ll wash you.”
“Karina, your jokes are getting too much.”
“If it were Johan, it’d be fine, don’t you think?”
Karina placed her hand on my chest with a meaningful smile. It was such an explicit temptation that I began to doubt whether this was the Karina I knew.
“Honestly, I can’t say I don’t feel tempted, but I’ll hold back for now. Once it starts… I’m not sure I can handle it.”
Once spilled, water can’t be collected again.
Perhaps sensing my meaning, Karina seemed a bit disappointed but still snuggled into my embrace.
“I understand your position, so I can wait. But… it has to be me for the first time, okay?”
“Of course.”
I ran my hand through Karina’s silky, soft hair. We stood for a while like that, savoring the sweet atmosphere.
Until Renny appeared behind me.
“Johan, Lady Karina. No matter how much it is, don’t you think it’s a bit much to keep doing that?”
“Ah…”
“I’m sorry.”
“No, you didn’t need to apologize… I just feel like I’m becoming a hindrance.”
Renny’s words startled me, and her face wore a bittersweet smile.
“Aren’t you part of our family too?”
“Now that you say it, it’s a bit embarrassing…”
“Is there any need to feel embarrassed? Renny has always been my family.”
“And me? What about me?!”
“Ah, Millia. Of course, you’re included as well.”
“I’m…?”
“You’re certainly… surrounded here too.”
“No, Uncle. If we stand around hugging for 30 minutes, anyone will notice us!”
Ah, is that so?
I scratched my head, trying to look away from Viola, who was dressed in a more feminine outfit than usual.
Ah, I don’t know.
“…Who’s the next dancer?”
“The next dance is mine!”
“Got it, but don’t get too excited.”
If I lose my head, there would be chaos.
I smiled watching Millia, who looked like a child overjoyed.
It’s a garden party enjoyed with partners after a banquet full of bothersome people.
At least it’s nice that the end is enjoyable.
I presented my left hand behind my back, extending my right hand to Millia.
“Ahem. Millia. Would you accept my dance request?”
“…Yes!”
Millia smiled brightly and took my hand.
After everything was over, it was a peaceful scene of a garden party.
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