Dragon Knight Chronicles ~ From a mere mercenary, rise to success through tactics! A small harem with the princess and the lord's daughter!? I'll also develop my territory! ~ - Chapter 106

Chapter 106   Regent Clock

Mid-October, Year 567 of the Unified Calendar—

The harvest of Ishtar wheat was complete, and in the rural villages, the farmers had begun their second crop cycle with root vegetables like potatoes. In the fishing villages, it was the peak season, with markets overflowing with fish rich in fat.

“…Phew,” I sighed, soaking in the bath at Europa Castle. It was a proud bath, heated by magic stones.

At Rillburn Castle, the military officers, led by Moltke, were dispatched to aid Net Castle in the east, while the civil officers, including Viscount Monkton, were busy with the development around Castle Lebe.

Although Lebe Castle, the stronghold of the Rillburn family, had effectively fallen into the hands of former vassals, Europa Castle was now governed by Adelheid, while I, Baron Reister, had been appointed as the governor of the Gale region.

Though I had been practically driven out of my own castle, I found great happiness in the unwavering loyalty of my former vassals to Io and Opal. Even if I were to fall in battle, I was confident they would support Opal and manage things well.

“Sir, someone from the orphanage is here to see you,” Io informed me.

“Ah, I’m coming,” I replied, hurriedly dressing and making my way to the office.

There, waiting for me, was the elderly sister from the orphanage who had cared for me as a child.

“It has been a long time, Master Shinker. What happened to your face?”

“It’s nothing serious. Here is the usual donation. I’ll assign two guards to escort you back, so please be careful.”

“Thank you so much. Surely, the Lord is watching over you,” she said, accepting the leather pouch filled with gold coins.

The elderly sister was a cleric of the Norland faith. This religion, not only in the Owen United Kingdom but also in the surrounding nations, held deep and widespread devotion among the people.

The Norland faith operated orphanages throughout the land, and I was one of their former wards.

However, whether I truly believed in the Norland faith was another matter. This religion often engaged in armed conflicts with lords over various rights and privileges. Though I never spoke of it, I could never fully embrace the organization.

◇◇◇◇◇

Three days later, in the evening—

I was in the audience chamber of Europa Castle, meeting with a young boy. His name was Walt Percival, the son of Star Percival, a loyal messenger to Hardy Castle who had served with unwavering devotion.

“…I-It is an honor to meet you,” the boy stammered nervously as he approached me.

“Do not be afraid. Your father served the kingdom with great loyalty, and for that, I will raise you to be a knight of House Reister. Do your best!” I said.

“Huh? Uh, y-yes! I will do my utmost!” he responded, bowing deeply.

“Now, go and rest,” I instructed.

“Yes, sir!” the boy replied and quickly exited the room.

After he left, I muttered to myself, “What is the royal court doing? They have yet to employ the descendants of those who remained loyal to the kingdom and left them neglected…”

Nataraja, who had been standing nearby, responded, “However, my lord, the sages of the land caution that appointing people based solely on their lineage can be dangerous.”

“That may be, but finding someone willing to risk their life for their lord is rare. If we cannot reward such loyalty, what kind of lord are we?” I retorted.

“My apologies for speaking out of turn,” Nataraja replied.

“Also, Nataraja, see to it that the boy is trained to become a full-fledged dragon knight. I’m counting on you,” I commanded.

“As you wish,” Nataraja replied with a bow.

Leaving Nataraja in the audience chamber, I hurried to the room where Io and Opal were waiting.

◇◇◇◇◇

November, Year 567 of the Unified Calendar—

The leaves had begun to fall from the trees, signaling the arrival of winter.

While I was enjoying my time with Io and Opal, a major political upheaval was unfolding at the royal court.

“Lord Clock! Are you sure your health is fully restored?” someone asked.

“Yes, I’m fine now,” Lord Clock replied.

Thanks to the efforts of the kingdom’s healers, who had been working tirelessly, his wounds had mostly healed, allowing him to engage in light physical activity.

“What about Her Majesty the Queen?” he inquired.

“…W-Well, she has been bedridden, and it appears she cannot bear it any longer,” came the hesitant reply.

“I see,” Lord Clock responded.

Despite Lord Clock’s return to his duties, the Queen’s health did not improve. After numerous discussions among the royal family and the elder ministers, it was decided to appoint Lord Clock, the current Chancellor, as a Duke and, furthermore, as the Regent.

“Congratulations, my Lord!” exclaimed Count Sauer, addressing the newly appointed Regent as they walked through the palace corridor.

“Ah, it seems things have turned out just as you predicted,” Lord Clock acknowledged.

“Indeed, my Lord. I had been discreetly offering bribes to the elder courtiers for some time, and it appears to have paid off,” Count Sauer replied.

“Impressive. And what of the royal family?” Lord Clock asked.

“There was no opposition to your appointment as Regent this time, my Lord. It is a testament to your longstanding virtue and authority,” Count Sauer assured him.

“Good, good. Ha ha ha!” Lord Clock laughed heartily.

After escorting the cheerful Regent to his chamber, Count Sauer made his way to a place most unfitting for a noble—the dungeons beneath the royal palace.

“What is the meaning of this, Count Sauer?!”

“Yes, yes! We are noble members of the royal family! This treatment is intolerable!”

To their shock, the prisoners in the dungeon were none other than the royal family themselves. They had been imprisoned along with their wives, children, and daughters.

“My lords and ladies, what are you saying? Opposing Lord Clock’s appointment as Regent is a crime deserving of death. Perhaps you would prefer to work in the royal family’s secret mines from now on?”

Hearing this, the expressions on the royals’ faces changed dramatically. Just then, a group of rough and unruly thugs burst into the dungeon, and the royals turned pale, understanding the implications.

“No, please, forgive us, Count! We were wrong. We will do anything. Just spare us!”

“Yes, I will do anything as well. Just please, not the mines!”

The innocent royals desperately pleaded with Count Sauer, who controlled the thugs. The royal family’s secret mines were known to be unbearably harsh.

“…Very well, I shall release only those who are willing to sign this document,” Count Sauer said, presenting a piece of parchment to the royals.

The document was a declaration of support for the Queen’s abdication and a pledge to crown Duke Clock as the next king.