In this Europa continent, a truly diverse array of races exists, as befits a medieval fantasy world.
From humans to elves, beastmen, dwarves, orcs, vampires, fairies, and more, all sorts of races lived, forming their own tribes or kingdoms.
Amidst this, the Empire initiated a war.
The feuding one-eyed beings began to resist the Empire, and the Empire, to create conflict, absorbed the one-eyed beings who had been persecuted by the mainstream races before the war.
For example, they incorporated dark elves, who were persecuted as fallen elves among the elves, or enticed the fishmen among the beastmen to attack the coast.
The Empire spared no means or methods for continental conquest, and each nation did its best to survive against such an Empire.
And in the process of that survival, I lent assistance to each nation.
While it’s partly because I was born in this Grates Kingdom, it’s not as if there are any restrictions or curses that would prevent me from maintaining my Grand Master powers unless I lived in this kingdom.
I can go wherever I please.
Therefore, this is a matter of choice.
The excuse is simply to state, “After the end of the war, I will survey each nation and examine the Empire’s insidious schemes,” so the important question is where to go.
“As expected, it would be best to go to the Elf Kingdom, where the World Tree is, first, wouldn’t it?”
First, the first destination.
The Elf Kingdom.
Fortunately, the elves of this world are not all muscle-bound archers, nor are they a nature-loving race that shuns human civilization, nor are they twisted elves shouting revolution with red headbands.
They are a forest race, close to the archetype of the most classic elves.
It’s a place filled with aesthetically pleasing elves, not with a Western-style sensibility, but with an Eastern-style sensibility.
“Master. Didn’t you dislike elves very much?”
“Me?”
“Yes. After all, elven adulthood begins at 200 years old.”
As is typical of elves in fantasy worlds, elves are a race that lives for about 1,000 years.
Because they live about ten times longer than humans, there’s a need to align the lives of humans and elves at a 1:10 ratio.
However—
“A 370-year-old elf is another matter.”
Humans and elves should not be viewed on the same level.
“Especially the guardians of the forest who ride unicorns.”
“Master…”
“Robert, you know what the Empire did to the elves during the war, don’t you? It’s not for nothing that there were many men among the Empire’s soldiers who attacked the Elf Kingdom.”
Elves are a significant object of desire for males.
While it’s a difficult part to mention carelessly, what the Empire did to the elves cannot be simply brushed off as dark fantasy.
The Empire was so brutal it would be considered extreme even in the content you see within Hitomi, and even now, elves may still be captured and held like slaves in places like the Empire’s black market.
Although separate negotiations took place regarding the liberation of captured slaves after the armistice, the Elf Queen showed reluctance in having those who became slaves of the Empire return to the forest.
Despite the complex internal issues of the elves, one thing is clear: if I go to the Elf Kingdom, they will welcome me with open arms.
There will be some among the elves who think, “The Grand Master is different,” so it would be entirely possible to enjoy the process of making half-elves with him.
Though I won’t actually do it right away.
“The problem is that the Elf Kingdom isn’t a very good place for the entire Wilhelm Count family to stay…”
“Are you thinking of taking all of us with you?”
“Of course. If I leave just you here in the Kingdom, the consequences are all too obvious.”
No matter where they seek exile, the entire Kingdom will ridicule those who work for the Wilhelm Count family.
Even if the fundamental reason for seeking exile lies with the royal family.
If exile is inevitable, then it’s only right for everyone at Wilhelm Mansion to relocate elsewhere.
“Then… how about going to the fallen Kingdom?”
“Fallen Kingdom?”
“Yes. Although it is now a dominion, there are those who wish for the restoration of the kingdom destroyed by the Empire. We can also find the bloodline of that ruined kingdom if needed.”
“I don’t want that.”
Robert’s suggestion is quite good, but it has one premise.
“I am a retiree. I worked hard until now to enjoy my freedom receiving my pension. Restoring a fallen kingdom? If I were to do something like that, I’d have to work until the day I die.”
If I were to work diligently for the revival of a nation.
And I’m someone who’s good with a sword, not someone exceptionally talented politically who can make a country great again.
“Robert, if I keep working, you’ll have to work until you die too, but is that alright?”
“I intend to serve you my entire life.”
“Thank you for your words, but you don’t want your workload to triple from what it is now, do you?”
“How can I not follow you when you think of your retainers like this? I am truly grateful.”
Those at Wilhelm Mansion also do not wish for their workload to increase.
“Robert, then, if we were to publicly declare our intention to seek exile, which nation would be most eager to recruit us?”
“It would be the Empire.”
“…Excluding the Empire.”
“Then, next would be the Beastman Kingdom, or rather, the Alliance of Tribes.”
To put it simply, setting aside complex political issues, I personally refer to the Beastman tribal alliance as the “Furry Kingdom.”
This Furry Kingdom had been trying to draw me into their tribe even before the war with the Empire, and that is still likely the case.
And it is also a nation that can actively provide me with what I desire most.
Beastmen have an estrus period, and I happen to have the ability to resolve that estrus period at will.
The problem—
“The beastmen will undoubtedly try to have children from me, won’t they?”
“Yes.”
“Just having casual physical relations out of romantic feelings between men and women won’t work, will it?”
“For them, there’s no concept like what you occasionally call a ‘one-night stand.'”
For beastmen, a relationship is a concept that absolutely presupposes reproduction.
A nation without the concept of contraception.
While they are the most sexually open among various nations, that openness is coupled with the responsibility of descendant prosperity.
Even the concept of a single night is for the purpose of bearing children through intercourse with a male possessing superior genes, not a one-night stand that truly exchanges emotional connection between men and women in the form of physical relations.
“What would happen if I used contraception magic?”
“Wouldn’t they immediately try to remove the contraception magic, or refuse physical relations if it’s not removed?”
“Wouldn’t they?”
“Absolutely.”
Beastman Kingdom.
Whether it’s lycans, nekomata, or other forms of beastmen, if I settle here, it’s inevitable that children bearing my blood will be born.
Unless I were to be utterly shameless and say, “They were born, but they aren’t truly my children,” it’s difficult for me, as a human, to do that.
“Then, what about other nations…”
“There’s also the Mage Tower, which offers stability rather than sexual advantages. And there will likely be several human kingdoms proposing marriage to you, as well. Each place has its own pros and cons.”
“That’s right. Actually, the best would have been the Grates Kingdom…”
“Had the royal family not forcefully brought up marriage, you would be looking into this now.”
Robert took out a booklet. The booklet, created through the information guild, was filled with portraits and personal information of unmarried beauties between 20 and 25 years old from each noble family who had no prior relationships.
“Ha. That’s regrettable. I just want to enjoy happiness as I am now.”
“Or there is another way…”
“Another way?”
“Yes. It’s a somewhat extreme method, so it’s difficult to mention casually, and considering your disposition, it’s a very difficult method.”
“Don’t beat around the bush. What is it?”
“Regime change.”
What.
“Are you suggesting a rebellion now?”
“It’s a matter of possibility.”
“…Isn’t that a bit much?”
Rebellion.
“Even though the royal family made a huge mistake regarding me, overthrowing the kingdom’s system for this reason…”
“You’re too good by nature, that’s your problem.”
Robert chuckled wryly with a pained expression.
“When facing enemies, you make decisive judgments, but before they become enemies, you consider their good intentions and show consideration. That’s why everyone sees you as a hero.”
“Ahem. It’s not to that extent. I was just a young man who disliked unnecessary bloodshed and wanted to live each day enjoyably.”
Responsibility or managing the Count family was mostly left to servants like Robert.
“Still, you will seek exile, won’t you?”
“That is true.”
Leaving is inevitable.
Incontrovertibly—
“Hey, Robert.”
“Yes, Master.”
“How about going missing under the guise of exile?”
As an individual free from political entanglements.
“If I disappear, will the Empire immediately burn the armistice agreement and start a war?”
“…In that case.”
Robert suggested cautiously.
“How about selectively leaking information to the Empire?”
“Only to the Empire?”
“Yes. And Master…”
Robert rubbed his fingertips together.
“You will become a traveling swordsman who roams the entire continent as an individual, freely taking the ladies you desire. Concealing your identity.”
“……”
“You will have to let go of what you’ve built as Sir Wilhelm, but—”
“That’s quite a…”
A good idea.
“It’s much better than those gold diggers trying to latch onto a war hero.”
Because I find the interaction with women who genuinely love me, rather than those whose eyes gleam with desires for power and wealth, more thrilling.
“The war is over, so I should start looking for romance too.”
