Chapter 155

“…Excuse me, but have you perhaps lost your mind?”

At those words, Carmen laughed.

“My… you go too far with your words.”

“A Countdom. Does that not mean you intend to declare independence from the Empire?”

“To be precise, I desire to hold a status identical to the Kesala Principality. Outwardly a part of the Empire, but practically maintaining an independent status.”

“Do you truly believe the Empire will permit such a thing?”

“Ah, you do not need to worry about that. I have a card up my sleeve as well.”

The Count picked his words for a moment before speaking up once more.

“Who are those individuals who came with you? Every single one of them appears to be a monster rivaling your own caliber… Furthermore, what on earth is that bipedal lion monster wearing that strange armor? Just what kind of entity have you joined hands with?”

“That is none of your concern.”

“Ha… You have trampled upon my everything so utterly, yet you refuse to even let me know what defeated me? You demand my allegiance, yet you cannot even grant that sliver of mercy?”

“Oho… Then do you intend to refuse? If so, you and those loyal to you will end up vanishing as the dew of the execution grounds. This place will become a direct fief of my Countdom, just like the Viscounty of Iden. It might become a bit tedious, but… well, that might not be so bad in its own right.”

“…….”

“Do not misunderstand. I am not advising your allegiance; I am enforcing it. You possess no options whatsoever.”

“…You have changed, Carmen.”

“Hoh?”

“Previously, you felt like a mere puppet moving strictly according to the Count of Evas’s orders. But today is different. Does this perhaps have something to do with you turning the Marquisate upside down and thoroughly wiping out the Count’s family this time?”

“Well, I shall leave that point to your imagination. Later, once you prove your loyalty to me, perhaps an opportunity will arise to share the deeper details?”

Letting out a long, heavy sigh, the Count accepted the surrender document she held out.

“Sigh… Dammit.”

With a trembling hand, he finalized his signature and returned the parchment, prompting Carmen to flash a satisfied smile. She then softened her rigid tone slightly.

“Heh. A wise decision. As for the specific details, I shall dispatch a bureaucratic delegation, including a herald, at a later date, so coordinate with them. Ah, why don’t you bring your family back now? The battle is over, so what need is there to force them to live in a foreign land when they have their own home?”

“…I shall handle that matter on my own. More importantly, a Countdom… Is such a thing truly possible?”

“You appear quite anxious.”

“If one were not anxious, they would hardly be human! If things go awry, I could end up entangled in treason right alongside you!”

“Hmm… Very well. As a reward for your allegiance, I shall alleviate that anxiety of yours a little. Tell me, do you see that gentleman over there?”

“…Do you mean the black-haired man?”

“Indeed.”

“What about him?”

“Though it is not well known to the public… that gentleman happens to be this lady’s master.”

“…Your master? He looks like a ordinary human male to me?”

“It is a disguise. Even I do not know my master’s true race. However, since he has possessed that exact same appearance since this lady was a mere child… I can only guess that he is exceptionally ancient.”

“M-mm… I did think he was no ordinary man, but…”

“Furthermore, it was his will that stood behind this lady’s decision to establish a Countdom.”

“That is all well and good… but how does that serve as a guarantee for the success of this venture? If your master desires it, does the Emperor just happily approve of a Count’s domain seceding from the Empire? Is your master some kind of hypnotist?”

“He is not a hypnotist, but he is a Grand Master instead.”

“…….”

“…….”

Freezing in place for a brief second, the Count finally processed her words and widened his eyes.

“……W-what did you just say?”

“I said he is a Grand Master. My master, that is.”

“A Grand Master? Do you mean the kind of Grand Master of which there is only one to be found even if you thoroughly combed through the entire Baran Empire? The same as Duke Orléans of the Arch of Swords?”

At that question, she let out a flat scoff.

“The same as Duke Orléans? Heavens, no. A man of Duke Orléans’ caliber cannot dare to even match my master’s footsteps. Arch of Swords? Heh, how grandiose.”

“…Ha.”

“When I ascend to the Imperial Capital to have my title recognized this time, my master shall ascend alongside me. And he intends to promise ‘a sliver of assistance’ to the Emperor.”

“…If those words are true, then a mere Countdom will be child’s play. Ha, haha, hahaha… Goodness.”

“Do you feel a bit more at ease now?”

“Most certainly. Most certainly. No, wait, if a Grand Master is truly backing you, could we not aim for something even grander?”

“Well, even without you prompting it, I intend to annex a few more territories. Once that is done, we shall possess a force that does not need to envy the Kesala Principality.”

“Exactly! Ha, I was wondering why you suddenly brought up the notion of a Countdom, but you had a complete plan all along. A Grand Master, a Grand Master… Then there is absolutely nothing to fear. Indeed…!”

“And I happen to be quite fond of the first-come, first-served principle. Now, I trust you understand exactly what you ought to do at this moment.”

With that, the Count… cast a brief glance toward the black-haired male she claimed to be her master, before promptly dropping to his knees and pressing his lips against the back of her hand.

“I am the first, Your Royal Highness.”

Carmen smiled meaningfully as she rested her spear lightly upon his shoulder.

“I hope you strive your utmost not to be pushed to the back, Count.”

Having successfully obtained the desired surrender document in a single evening, the party returned to the mansion via Sodin and Talos’s teleportation.

And I, deliberately averting my eyes from the women who had already changed into exceptionally comfortable attire (it looked a bit excessively comfortable) to relax, crooked my finger to summon Carmen, who had just stripped off her armor.

Beckon, beckon.

“Come here a sec.”

“Ah, my Lord… You truly went through a great deal of trouble for the sake of this humble subordinate today.”

“Trouble or whatever, what on earth was all that talk out there today?”

At that, her expression faltered slightly, and she let out an awkward laugh.

“W-what talk do you mean?”

“The nonsense you babbled about me being your master or whatever.”

“Ah… but is it not a fact that you are my master, my Lord?”

“I’ve never taught you a single thing.”

“Crossing blades with this humble entity utilizing that lofty realm of yours is a magnificent lesson in its own right.”

“…Even if I concede a hundred times over and grant you that, what about the rest of the story? All that stuff about me ascending to the Imperial Capital with you, and me meeting the Emperor alongside you. You even said I’m going to promise something to the Emperor?”

“Ah, that… those were merely words I improvised on the spot. Since I had to persuade the Count of Harpun right then and there, nothing else quite came to mind, you see.”

“Ah, is that so? You don’t actually intend to drag me in front of the Emperor or anything like that, right?”

“Goodness, no. How could I possibly ignore your desires, my Lord, and commit such an act?”

“Hmm. Well, fair enough. If I say no, that’s the end of it anyway.”

“O-Of course. That goes without saying.”

As a point of reference, a few hours prior.

While the mansion’s female residents formed a deep, collective consensus regarding Carmen’s ‘Operation: Make the Sword God an Emperor,’ Sodin questioned Carmen once more.

“That is all well and good… but how exactly do you plan to make Sword God an emperor? Do you possess some kind of preestablished plan?”

“Ah, as for that…”

When she laid out the plan to establish a Countdom—which she had originally learned from the Sword God and customized in her own way—the expressions of the listening women turned slightly peculiar.

“This… somehow feels quite similar to that scheme we used to sketch out just for fun in the past…”

“Indeed. I suppose people’s thoughts tend to run along similar lines regardless of where they are?”

“Hmm, it isn’t bad… but wouldn’t there be a slightly superior method?”

“Mages are bound to have brains that operate far more efficiently than a bunch of boneheaded spear-wielders anyway… so let us add a few supplements to this.”

“Boneheaded? You lewd mage over there. Are you trying to pick a fight with me right now?”

“Ah, sorry, sorry. But truth hurts, and a reality check is still a form of violence.”

“Oh, come on! Unnies! Please, don’t try to start a fight literally every single chance you get!”

It was then that Ailet cautiously raised her hand, requesting the floor.

“Excuse me for a moment.”

“Hmm? What is it?”

“Establishing a Countdom, expanding our forces, swallowing up Kesala, assassinating the Emperor and the princes to plunge the Empire into chaos… That is all well and good. But isn’t the most critical thing right now to first obtain official recognition for the Countdom’s existence from the Emperor?”

“Well, naturally. That is why, just as I explained a moment ago… we shall make a massive, grand show of swearing our allegiance. We shall strongly appeal to the Emperor by utilizing his uncomfortable feelings toward Kesala, positioning ourselves as the perfect blade to strike them down…”

“No. No. What I mean is, why are you taking such a difficult, roundabout way?”

Carmen showed a flash of interest at her words.

“Hmm? You non-lewd mage over there. Do you perhaps possess some kind of superior idea?”

“Superior idea or not, wouldn’t it be simplest to just sell out Sword God?”

“…What?”

“In a place like the Baran Empire, Duke Orléans of the Arch of Swords is the only Grand Master around, right? From what I’ve gathered, that old man does nothing but shut himself away in his own fief 365 days a year to train. Yet, for the sole reason that he is a Grand Master, the Emperor completely bends over backward for him. He’s constantly terrified that the Duke might end up defecting to another nation.”

Sodin then nodded her head in agreement.

“…Well, naturally. He is essentially an asymmetrical power, after all.”

“Exactly. Furthermore, Sword God’s absolute baseline is a Grand Master. In terms of actual skill, he’s bound to be several times more powerful than that Orléans fellow… So why aren’t we utilizing that?”

“Ah…”

“If Sword God simply accompanies you directly, Carmen, and informs the Emperor that he’ll fulfill a favor or two as long as it isn’t an excessively burdensome request, while demanding full cooperation in establishing the Countdom in exchange… it’ll basically be game over right then and there.”

“Ah…”

“The moment the Emperor realizes a Grand Master stands behind the Countdom, he will have no choice but to be exceptionally considerate toward it from then on. Instead of merely turning a blind eye to a reasonable amount of disturbance, wouldn’t he rather actively take our side?”

“She’s right…?”

“They say it’s always darkest right under the lamp…”

“…Why on earth did we fail to make such an easy deduction?”

Ailet then let out a click of her tongue.

“Well, that’s because to all of you, Sword God represents some kind of sacred, inviolable existence. How should I put it… the very notion of ‘utilizing’ Sword God simply doesn’t enter your equations from the start, does it?”

“…….”

“…….”

“And what about you?”

“As for me, while I certainly hold a fair amount of goodwill toward Sword God, I haven’t quite fallen to the level of being completely infatuated or worshipping him like a deity the way all of you do. Seeing how the individuals with higher ranks completely dedicate themselves to Sword God, perhaps there truly is something visible only to those who have ascended to great heights.”

At those words, the faces of the ‘high-ranked’ members flushed slightly red.

“At any rate… it seems the correct answer has presented itself.”

“Yeah. Indeed. If we include Orabeoni as a card we can play… just as Ailet said, the story becomes incredibly easy.”

“Y-yeah. Let us go with that then…”

Kelly then raised her hand, requesting permission to speak.

“Wait. But… will Orabeoni actually move according to our whims? If Orabeoni says he doesn’t want to do it, isn’t that the end of it?”

“Wow… you bitch, the title Orabeoni rolls right off your tongue now, doesn’t it?”

“Oh, for fuck’s sake. Don’t start a petty argument over something like that at a time like this. So? Is there a way?”

“…….”

The women fell into silence once again. Unable to bear it any longer, Shia stepped forward right on cue.

“Well, you may leave that matter to this lady as well. This lady shall handle it on her own.”

Carmen then nodded her head.

“Mmm… Then, regarding that dilemma as well, Shia… Your Highness? I shall place my trust entirely in you.”

“Indeed. All of you simply focus on the tasks you can achieve. As long as it promises entertainment, this lady shall take care of the rest.”

And one week later.

“My Lord. I shall now depart for the Imperial Capital.”

Carmen, whose visits had become needlessly frequent due to the newly installed gate, bowed her head deeply to report to me.

“You don’t really need to report to me every single time, you know. At any rate, I get it. Have a safe trip. Don’t be too disappointed even if you fail.”

But it was at that exact moment.

Shia crawled onto my chest as I lay reclined on a beach chair, taking in the rolling waves of the sea as usual.

“Sword God~.”

“Hmm? Shia? What’s up?”

“I~ want to visit the Imperial Capital of the Baran Empire just once~.”

“Uh, r-right now?”

Shia looked up at me from my chest, flashing a bright, beaming smile.

“Mmhmm. Is that… not okay~?”

Clutching my wildly throbbing heart, I bolted upright from the chair.

“Of course it’s okay! Let’s go. Let’s go right this instant. The Imperial Capital? Visiting a place like that is child’s play. Ah, Carmen? Wait a moment. We’ll get ready and accompany you.”

“Uh, ah… Yes. I shall await you, my Lord.”

“Hmm? Why do you have such a thoroughly lukewarm expression on your face?”

“Ah, it is nothing.”

And just like that, three days after arriving at the Imperial Capital via the gate.

“His Imperial Majesty has granted you an audience.”

Expressing her etiquette to the attendant who had emerged from the imperial court, Carmen bowed deeply toward me.

“Then, I shall now attend the audience.”

“Yeah. Do a good job out there. The rest of us will be looking around here and there, checking out the sights. Don’t get too tense.”

“Yes, yes. Thank you for your concern…”

But it was at that exact moment.

“Sword God~.”

“Uh? Huh? Shia.”

“I~ want to take a look at the Emperor’s face… and I want to tour the Imperial Palace just once too~.”

“Uh, oh… Is that so?”

“Is that… not okay~?”

Clutching my racing heart, I bolted upright from my seat.

“Of course it’s okay! Let’s go! A mere thing like the Emperor’s face! I’ll show it to you a million times over! Ah, Carmen. Let’s go inside together. They said up to two companions are permitted, right?”

“…Goodness. My word. Is this hypnotism?”

“Huh? Goodness? Hypnotism?”

“Ah, it is nothing. I shall await you until you refine your attire.”

And… another three hours later.

“Are you… truly, truly… a genuine Grand Master?”

Faced with the Emperor’s question, I scratched the back of my head, tilting it in utter confusion.

“Well… that is indeed the case, but…”

Hmm… how strange. Why exactly am I standing here right now?