As soon as I returned, I was solely focused on healing Acella.
It seems that being away for three months left me with quite a number of matters to deal with.
After pushing through the urgent ones and handing the rest over to Chloe to deal with casually, I came across a new issue I hadn’t considered.
“The Emperor is apparently awarding me a medal of honor.”
Tanya scratched her head and said it in a plain, everyday tone, like she just mentioned how last night’s dinner was bland.
“He’s doing it personally? Not in the palace but awarding it to the commander directly?”
“Yes.”
“What’s the reason?”
“It’s a commemorative medal for reaching the level of Swordmaster.”
Now that I think about it, everyone in Heike’s knight order witnessed when Tanya unleashed her Sword Aura.
They were shocked and it caused quite the commotion, but I was too out of it back then to remember.
There’s no way that report didn’t get submitted.
“C-C-Congratulations! Isn’t a personal honor like that a huge privilege?!”
Chloe clapped her hands in surprise.
“While it’s common for the palace or knight order to display trophies, it’s rare for an individual to wear one on their chest. It’s definitely a huge honor. But Chloe, do you talk well with Tanya?”
“Ugh.”
Chloe seemed to recall her forgotten role and shrank back, falling over the cluttered chart.
“I sometimes go out with the head nurse to drink at the bar at night.”
“When did you two get that close?”
“It’s rare for anyone in the Inner Palace not to be close with Princess Tanya.”
Hugo passed by holding a box of medicines and chimed in.
Was I the only one out of the loop?
If Acella had a true best friend, it would be Tanya. Despite being quiet, she has a surprisingly social side.
I suppose that’s why she did so well as commander even in a noble house.
“Wait, hold on. You drink, Chloe?”
“Ugh, w-well, I usually drink alone at home on my days off, but… After I mentioned that, Tanya took me to a place she knows…”
Imagining Chloe, dressed up and ordering liqueur at a bar, hmm.
I just can’t picture it.
She’s always seemed so heavy-hearted; she’d probably find a bar more comfortable than a table.
“Um… It’s a place in the plaza in front of the palace… There’s a bartender lady at the counter who mixes drinks well and listens to you… She knows a lot of different things…”
“The head nurse is older than you?”
“R-Really?! Ah, ahhhh… I kept calling her ‘sister’…”
“There are hardly any seats, just standing tables. People roam freely and talk to first-time visitors.”
Tanya explained to me. Just from the description, it sounded quite fun.
From what I’ve gathered, there seems to be more enjoyment in these institutions than I realized. Have I been missing out?
I felt a little cheated.
“What does the commander do there?”
“Talk.”
Tanya whispered to me in a soft voice.
“Many people, regardless of gender, approach the head nurse, so interesting things happen.”
“Chloe was bait then?”
“Well, not exactly. The head nurse is amusing herself.”
“Hey, what if she develops strange habits?”
“That’s why I suggested keeping a bartender as a protective gear.”
“Hmm.”
My two inner selves were clashing at this point.
I turned to Hugo, who was passing by again.
“Hugo, would I look like a grumpy old man if I scolded a healer for being drunk all night while I should be caring for patients?”
“Yes.”
“Then I want in.”
“Sir?”
Tanya looked surprised by my response.
“Haven’t you quit drinking since being in the noble house?”
I don’t usually drink, but I’ve actually never had a chance to, and that feels unfair.
“I still don’t drink and don’t plan to. I can’t treat patients while drunk. The commander recommended it because I want to enjoy the atmosphere. Nothing has changed for me since becoming an adult.”
“Being an adult doesn’t bring about great change. And even if you go, you should go with the royal princess.”
“For Acella to become an adult, we still have to wait for her birthday, which is two years away.”
“Please wait.”
“Why am I the only one being strict about this?”
“I recommend that to people who are betrothed. If they can’t control themselves until they reach adulthood, issues usually follow.”
Lau had said something similar.
Right, Tanya and Chloe’s area seems to be a women’s domain.
I should probably create my own space later.
Bruno knows how to have fun when he wants to, so I’ll take him along.
“Anyway, getting back to the topic, congrats, Commander.”
“Thank you.”
“It seems that what you learned from Sigmund has been quite helpful.”
“Yes. I grasped the aura through sparring with him.”
No matter how skilled a knight is, achieving that level requires extensive training.
Tanya must have already gone through that training and just needed the occasion to unleash it.
If we’re talking purely about talent with the sword, Acella’s magic might not even compare.
“Excuse me. I’m not too familiar with swords, but why is a medal awarded just for reaching this level?”
Hugo asked a question.
“Becoming a Swordmaster is a tremendous achievement. There are only two Swordmasters left in the continent. They were referred to as the ‘Three Swords’, but one fell in the last war.”
“It sounds extremely difficult.”
“It is. Tanya will be taking one of the vacant spots of the Three Swords. Historically, she would likely be the youngest ever.”
“Hmm, now that I hear that, I remember the rudeness I displayed towards Lady Tanya.”
Hugo leaned back a bit nervously. Tanya shrugged her shoulders as if to say it’s no big deal.
“Isn’t the head nurse considered the best in her field?”
“It’s just that there’s no competition.”
“This is the Inner Palace of the Empire, after all. Naturally, only the best should be gathered.”
I tapped the table lightly.
“The medal has a lot of political significance. It serves as a clear declaration to foreign nations that a newly appointed Swordmaster belongs to the Empire. During the award ceremony, the commander will inevitably have to pledge loyalty to the Emperor.”
“I see. To be honest, I don’t care much for the Emperor or the Empire.”
“Don’t say that at the award ceremony.”
“I’m not a fool.”
Tanya snorted.
“When you receive the medal, you’ll have to bear the obligation of being a citizen of the Empire for life, but a Swordmaster will receive enough privilege to be able to choose their future freely after that. It’s an advantageous position.”
Sigmund has been rolling around in the Emperor’s guard for life. The work isn’t too taxing, so he enjoys the privileges of nobility and lives leisurely.
“Actually, there’s something I want to tell you about.”
Tanya rummaged through her back pocket and pulled out several envelopes.
“All of these are scouting opportunities?”
“Yes.”
“Of course, Heike sent one, and what about the Western Duke, the Shupre Consortium, and the Royal Family of the Kingdom?”
“The conditions seemed good.”
Rumors spread quickly. While I wasn’t paying attention for a moment, hyenas were already eyeing Tanya.
“Do any offers pique your interest?”
I casually threw the question out first.
This could be considered a negotiation for a re-signing with Tanya.
I checked the Status Window.
―――――――――――
…
No. 005: Demon King’s Army Victory 58%
No. 006: Demon Deity Descendant 26%
…
―――――――――――
Even with two of the Four Heavenly Kings neutralized, there still remained the simplest task: the Hero must defeat the Demon King.
‘A warrior who was originally part of the Hero party was too rough.’
His name is Lark. He was a friend who constantly clashed with the Hero due to his personality.
‘If instead of him, Tanya were to join the Hero party and take the front line…’
The chances of winning would undoubtedly increase.
Since the Hero party comprises the intertwined interests of several nations, there are portions I can’t freely adjust, but I want to keep as many possibilities open as I can to minimize the chances of a bad ending.
People who have never even seen Tanya want to snatch her just because she’s a Swordmaster.
I can’t let that happen.
“What do you think, Commander?”
“Hmm.”
Tanya showed hesitation at my question.
“The reason I reached this level is that I trained my sword every single day without fail.”
“Well, I know that well.”
“But if I had continued to swing it alone in the North, it would have been impossible. I met strong individuals at the palace and gained various experiences.”
Tanya looked directly at me.
“If you hadn’t brought me along, it would have been impossible.”
“That’s a bit of an exaggeration.”
“If you could make the decision, it would be appreciated.”
I understood Tanya’s thoughts well.
I nodded and placed my hand on her shoulder.
“Let’s talk for a moment.”
I led Tanya into my office and thud closed the door.
“Is it a conversation that shouldn’t leak out?”
“Exactly. It’s a bit of a dangerous topic.”
“Understood.”
Since Tanya has come to listen to me, I should actively take advantage of that.
“We talked before about the Curse of the Death Dragon, and the blood that tainted the snowman we saw this time.”
“Yes. I don’t know much about it.”
“The snowman was tainted with the Demon’s Blood. It’s a Great Demon that lives in the Void Dimension. However, I discovered a commonality with the Death Dragon.”
“A commonality?”
“I figured it out while analyzing, but both were amplified by powerful Magic. It’s complicated to explain, but I’m certain.”
“Powerful Magic… perhaps.”
I paused dramatically before providing my answer.
“The Demon King has descended.”
“…Hmm.”
Of course, the analysis part was a lie. I don’t have such expertise.
Magic is the Mana of the Demon Race. When we dealt with the Death Dragon, it wasn’t a Four Heavenly King yet, so there wouldn’t be any connection with the Demon’s Blood.
But now that a Demon King exists in the Demon Realm, my statement isn’t wrong.
Tanya had a serious expression for once.
“A war will arise.”
“If this gets out, the populace will go into a panic. The economy will slow down, and the demand for knights and healers will increase.”
“I’ll keep it thoroughly confidential.”
“But it won’t remain hidden for long. Once the Demon King appears, it’s inevitable.”
“The Hero will also appear.”
Tanya immediately understood.
“So, what you want to say is?”
“When war breaks out between the Demon King’s army and us, the powerful Empire must lead the purge to protect the human realm. We’re likely to gain the initiative in the Hero party.”
“I see.”
“However, historically, Heroes have not been chosen for their accomplishments. They were picked based on who had the most potential to grow. The so-called individuals who change the fate of the continent.”
“Hmm.”
I continued to keep my hand on Tanya’s shoulder.
“If a current Swordmaster of the Empire exists, wouldn’t it be necessary for that Hero to receive sword instruction from them?”
Tanya nodded.
“I understand. I always think that you’re different from those who only chase after immediate benefits in front of them.”
Tanya put the letter back into her pocket.
“You’ve been a great help. Will you be able to attend the award ceremony?”
“Of course. I have to go. Whose business is this, after all?”
I fist-bumped with Tanya.
Two days later, the award ceremony.
It was even grander than I had anticipated. All the key figures of the Imperial Family attended, and the knights lined up in formation for a spectacular proceeding.
Tanya stood proud and composed before the Emperor.
“Swordmaster Tanya. Where will your sword be residing from now on? There’s a path with the Glorious Sword of the Three Swords in my personal guard.”
To the Emperor’s question, Tanya answered immediately.
“My sword will be with Gothberg.”
Tanya instantly rejected the Emperor’s subtle invitation to join his personal guard. There was a stir among the attendees.
Upon hearing my name, the Emperor nodded in understanding.
“Gothberg, is it? Are you sure?”
“Absolutely.”
“What is your reason?”
Tanya replied gracefully.
“Because I have been presented with an unparalleled experience that no one else can offer.”
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