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 128

Chapter 128   Princess Fie’s Decision

The next day—

Cade’s retainers were astonished by a particular sight.

A makeshift fortress had been constructed out of unstable soil.

“Sir Reister, how was this made?”

“Well, after piling up the soil, we repeatedly poured saltwater over it, creating an ice fortification overnight.”

“…Salt?”

It was indeed known that salt could strengthen the compacting process, but this was a mountainous region. They were curious as to where the salt had come from.

“We got it from Duke Rillburn’s retreating forces. They had a surplus, so we borrowed some.”

The Rillburn family were coastal nobles, and salt was their specialty.

Cade’s elders looked enviously, which was somewhat amusing.

In any case, with the help of Cade’s men, a makeshift fortress made of ice-bound wood and gravel was completed.

Inside, a pavilion was set up, forming a relatively safe resting place for Princess Fie’s recovery.

◇◇◇◇◇

The next day—

The princess gathered her retainers.

“As I’ve mentioned before, Sir Reister is not only the benefactor of our former leader’s life but has many other achievements. I would like to appoint him as the interim Chancellor.”

The moment the princess spoke, the elder retainers’ expressions drastically changed. A barrage of indignant responses followed.

“This cannot be! Sir Reister is indeed capable, but he’s an outsider. He is neither of our lineage nor one of the long-standing retainers.”

“Exactly! Although Cade has long been a weak domain, we cannot entrust the position of Chancellor to a newcomer.”

“Hmm… Indeed, I am not in the best of health and wish to appoint someone as Chancellor, but is there anyone more suitable?”

“What about Viscount Alvin?”

The elders proposed Viscount Alvin, an old resident of the Ram Basin, as the next Chancellor.

“No, I am not fit for the role of Chancellor. While I may not be adept in governance, it is clear from this ice fortress that Sir Reister excels in military matters. I, like the princess, support Sir Reister as Chancellor.”

Viscount Alvin’s family, known as the moderates of Cade, was led by a man in his mid-thirties. He may have been a progressive thinker for his time.

“Hmm, then we shall support you through our council.”

“Indeed, indeed!”

The elderly retainers who were currently serving Princess Fie were certainly overflowing with loyalty. However, that loyalty also made their thinking conservative and inflexible.

“I understand. But my days are numbered. We must also think of a successor, so I ask for your wisdom!”

“Understood. Please, take your time here and focus on recovering. Leave the battlefield to us!”

“…Very well.”

Princess Fie was dissatisfied with the opinions of the old retainers. Her own condition was unstable, and it was obvious to everyone that she needed support. Furthermore, no one could say how long she would live.

Incidentally, women who contracted “Withering Flower Disease” could not bear children. This was also a factor in Count Paulo’s rebellion.

◇◇◇◇◇

That night—

I had finished the paperwork I disliked and extinguished the light of the candlestick. Just as I was about to wrap myself in bedding, I sensed the presence of an intruder.

“Who’s there!?”

I reached for my beloved sword at the bedside, preparing for any danger. However, the intruder was a woman draped only in a sheer, translucent silk robe.

“I have come to serve you for the night.”

“…!?”

To be honest, stories of starving peasant girls spending a night with nobles to feed their families were not uncommon. But the one who entered my tent had silver hair and the pointed ears of an elf. It was Princess Fie.

“Princess, please return to your quarters.”

“No, I will not retreat. If you tell me to leave, I will bite my tongue and die right here.”

“…”

“I have heard that you were bestowed with the Sword of Odin by my father. There is an ancient legend that whoever wields that sword becomes the ruler of the Ram Basin. I do not believe my father’s decision was wrong.”

“…Understood.”

I invited Princess Fie into my bed. She removed the cloth that she had been wearing and embraced me in her arms.

◇◇◇◇◇

The next morning—

All the retainers were invited to Princess Fie’s tent under the pretense of a banquet. However, when the retainers arrived, they were all shocked.

It was because I was sitting next to Princess Fie, occupying the seat of honor above the other retainers.

“Insolent! Lord Reister, why are you seated beside the princess!?”

As the elder retainers raised their voices in protest, the princess responded sharply.

“Lord Reister is my husband as of today! I will not tolerate any disrespect!”

“!? ”

The elder retainers were stunned by her words.

“Haha, it seems Her Highness has outwitted us all,” Viscount Alvin laughed heartily. “Indeed, if they are married, Lord Reister is now family. There’s no longer any obstacle to making him Chancellor.”

“Listen well, Lord Reister will be Chancellor, and Sapphire, the granddaughter of the loyal Ove, will be the next leader. Scribe, record this!”

“Y-yes, right away.”

When the monarch issues a decree, opposing it is treason. The princess signed the parchment written by the scribe.

“Now then, Chancellor Reister, I entrust the battle to you!”

“Understood.”

With those words, Princess Fie returned to the Ram Basin.

“Now, everyone, I imagine some of you have your objections, but these are the royal orders!”

“Y-yes, Your Excellency!”

To my surprise, all of Cade’s retainers bowed in submission. This meant that, at this moment, I had officially taken command as the supreme leader. Only the princess had a sly grin on her face…

“Charge!”

“Yes, sir!”

The disciplined soldiers of Cade fought valiantly. After constructing more ice forts as additional outposts, we relentlessly attacked Agatlam Castle. Though Count Paulo managed to escape, we conquered the heavily fortified castle in just three days.