“Ah, I answered right away without thinking… But recently, the one laundry kiln I’ve had from the beginning is no longer enough.

Also, I’ve been thinking it’s not right to mix my white T-shirts with Liena and the others’ underwear. They don’t complain, but they probably don’t like it.

That’s why I want another one.”

It suddenly went silent.

The king tilts his head, and everyone around seems to have their mouths open in astonishment.

“Oops, maybe asking for a laundry kiln was too much. It’s true; a new one is quite expensive. I should have asked for five new white T-shirts instead…”

“Hmm? What’s a ‘laundry kiln’? Liena, do you know?”

“Father, it’s a magical tool used for washing clothes. Hehe, it’s so like Baldo-sama.”

“I see. If that’s all you want, I’ll give you about 10.”

Wha―――!? Te-te-te-ten!?

Seriously!?

Ten brand new ones… Does he understand?

“But, I can’t think this is enough to show my sincerity. Come on, Baldo. Try asking for something even more amazing.”

Seriously!?

Is there anyone in this world who’d be greedier than this?

Is there something even more incredible than ten laundry kilns?

―――Wait, there is.

The most significant and most impressive thing…

Gulp…

Given the flow of the conversation, there might be a chance… The older man decided to speak out.

“Then…! Please grant me an annual discount passport for the FukuFuku Bun Shop in the Royal Capital!”

He blurted it out… And the king, seemingly taken aback, stayed silent with a slightly astonished expression. The atmosphere hinted at a substantial withdrawal from the king’s side. The surrounding people looked stunned, their eyes wide with surprise.

Groan… Maybe asking for an annual discount passport was pushing it too far. That place is a very famous shop… He might have stepped over the line. When humans become too greedy, nothing good happens. But then, just the ten laundry kilns would have been reward enough. He should gracefully withdraw now.

“Your Majesty, the ten laundry kilns are more than enough for me…”

“―――Very well!”

Huh? What does he mean?

“But merely an annual discount passport would tarnish the king’s name!”

What… is he saying?

“I grant you access to all the bun shops in the Kingdom of Natol!”

What… All of them?

“An eternal discount passport!”

Wha-wha-wha-whaaaaat!?

Is he serious!?

“The amount saved by the discount will be covered by the kingdom and paid directly to the bun shops. So, you can indulge in buns from all over the country without restraint! How does that sound?”

“Oh, I’m eternally grateful…”

He bowed deeper than he ever had in his life. Probably the most significant show of gratitude in his history.

This is going to be fun.

“Hmm, with that, the reward ceremony is concluded! A feast has been prepared in the central hall. Everyone, please enjoy to your heart’s content.”

As the number of figures in the audience hall began to dwindle, the king whispered to him while standing close by.

“Baldo, stay behind for a moment.”

This isn’t good… Did he find out that I hung Liena’s panties to dry? Just the fact that an older man like me handled the princess’s underwear could be grounds for execution.

Should I act preemptively and apologize immediately?

As I panicked, the audience hall was soon left with only the king and me.

“Baldo, there’s something I’ve wanted to ask for a while…”

“Your Majesty! Regarding the panties, I sincerely apologize! I swear, I harbor no ill intentions towards Princess Liena! I was merely washing them to manage the employee’s clothes…”

“Panties? What are you talking about? More importantly, did you participate in the ‘Blood Battle’ five years ago?”

Huh? It’s not about the panties… Crap, I blurted out something unnecessary.

“Uh, yes, I participated as a foot soldier of the Fridania Kingdom.”

The “Blood Battle” is the most significant battle five years ago between the continent’s most powerful force, the Empire, and the Fridania Kingdom, which expelled me and its allied nations. Naturally, Natol, as an allied nation, should have also participated. Thanks to the outstanding efforts of my three disciples in this decisive battle, the Empire suffered a massive defeat. Since then, the Empire hasn’t invaded Fridania.

“Hmm, and Baldo, which unit were you assigned to?”

“Let’s see… It was something like a special-something unit, a long name like that. I apologize. It’s a past matter… I fought as a mere foot soldier against the monster unit.”

“What did you say!? Special forces!?”

Suddenly, the king rose from his throne and approached me, breathing heavily.

Huh? What’s the matter? There’s nothing to dig into there. I’ve nearly forgotten about it.

“Hehe, the monsters you fought against, were they dragons?”

“Dragons? You must be joking. I don’t have the power to defeat a dragon.”

What is he talking about? There’s no way an ordinary soldier like me could defeat a dragon. I remember fighting a unit that employed lizard-like monsters at that time. A battle of that caliber wouldn’t have significantly impacted the war’s outcome.

“Hmm, either you have reasons to hide it… or you’re unaware of it…”

I couldn’t quite grasp the situation, but the king kept mumbling to himself, nodding in agreement.

Well, the “Blood Battle” was a large-scale war involving the Empire, the Fridania Kingdom, and its allied nations. Information from various sources was confusing.

The king didn’t ask any more questions and dismissed me.

Phew~ I’m relieved~ I didn’t get beheaded because of the princess’s panties incident.

For now, I should head back to the inn quickly. I shouldn’t overburden Sera with too much work on her own.

◇King Natol’s POV◇

“As I suspected… that guy…”

I muttered quietly in the now-empty audience chamber.

Five years ago, I had participated in the “Blood Battle” as part of the Natol army and on Fridania’s side. The ones who turned the tide of the battle, initially in favor of the Empire, were undoubtedly the Sword Saint, the Holy Maiden, and the Grand Magician – the three beings referred to as the “Three Deities” in Fridania. They were also Baldo’s disciples.

Their contributions undoubtedly led the “Blood Battle” to a significant victory for the Fridania faction.

However, I’m aware of a particular rumor.

Besides the three deities, an older man worked behind the scenes and made significant contributions.

This older man singlehandedly obliterated the Empire’s strongest Dragon Corps.

An anonymous old man who, while exclaiming “Sei!” instilled terror and crushed the Empire’s most elite unit.

Yes, he’s the so-called “Sei!” Demon Old Man.

The “Blood Battle” was a historic large-scale war that involved many powers. Due to the vast scale, accurate information got tangled, and nobody could grasp the whole picture.

I’ve always wondered.

Why did the Empire’s most elite unit disappear without any record of fighting against the three deities?

If the elite unit was intact and operated efficiently, the tide of the battle could have turned.

The answer was the older man who just left.

Even if I initially found this rumor hard to believe, Baldo’s recent performance made it clear…

Yes, it was the older man who wiped them out.

With a “Sei!” he took down the Dragon Corps.

Is he not even more extraordinary than the Three Deities?

One must never provoke that older man’s wrath…

But that Baldo doesn’t show interest in noble titles or honors.

He probably didn’t correctly accept the rewards for his contributions in the “Blood Battle” five years ago. It’s clear to see after today’s encounter.

I’ll continue to have my daughter Liena observe him.

However, my beloved Liena has been talking only about Baldo lately and not paying any attention to me, which is quite irritating.