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 129

Chapter 129   Ear Cutting Punishment

In the early days of December, Unified Calendar Year 568—

I returned in triumph to the city of Ram, leading the forces of Cade.

Count Paulo had fled to the southernmost castle in the Neville region, Barcy Castle, but with winter deepening, I prioritized sending my troops back to their homeland.

“Long live Cade!” “Hail to Fie-sama!”

I was greeted with cheers by the citizens, celebrating my return as the victorious general. For the people of Cade, the outcome of war was of great concern.

Even children, with serious expressions, would say, “We don’t need a leader who can’t win a battle!” It was terrifying in a way—truly the mentality of a mercenary nation.

“Everyone, rest now. Your service is appreciated!”

I ordered the soldiers to disband and headed to the lord’s manor to report the victory to Princess Fie.

“My lady, I have returned.”

“Well done.”

“Your words are a great honor.”

“I continue to rely on you, Sir Reister. Tomorrow, I will officially appoint you as chancellor and, in recognition of your accomplishments, elevate you to the rank of viscount.”

“Thank you, my lady.”

Afterward, the princess gestured with her hand, signaling the servants to leave. Once they had gone, she beckoned me closer with a wave of her hand.

“Come closer.”

“Yes, my lady.”

Then, the princess requested that I let her rest her head on my lap, and I complied.

“I was raised harshly, like a man, in my youth. And as I grew older, I fell ill. I do not have much time left. Please, in the time I have remaining, allow me to indulge like a common town girl.”

“As you wish.”

With the princess resting comfortably on my lap, I wondered what I could do for her. I sang a simple lullaby, the kind you would sing to a small child. Having spent so many years on the battlefield, I knew no refined songs.

“Hehehe… Ahaha!”

The princess, who had been quietly listening for a while, suddenly burst into laughter as if she couldn’t hold it in any longer.

“You really are useless at everything except war, aren’t you?”

“I apologize.”

“It’s fine. I don’t know how to please men either. Continue singing that song. It will eventually become soothing…”

At her request, I continued to sing the lullaby, though somewhat embarrassed. Surprisingly, I knew quite a few lullabies from my travels as a mercenary, and by the time I had sung them all, the princess had fallen asleep.

I gently draped a blanket over her and was about to leave the room when her favorite attendant stopped me.

“The princess is finally beginning to escape her loneliness. Please stay the night, at least for tonight.”

“…Uh, yes. I understand.”

I had hoped to celebrate the victory with some fine wine in town, but it seemed that wouldn’t be happening. As I pondered this, the servant discreetly handed me a glass of wine.

…This princess is more loved by her people than I expected.

I wondered if I could ever become someone as beloved as her in my role as chancellor.

With a small laugh at my own jealousy, I allowed myself to relax and enjoy the wine.

◇◇◇◇◇

Three days later—

A victory feast was held at the lord’s manor. With all the generals assembled, Princess Fie took her seat of honor at the head of the table.

“Everyone, well done. Cheers!”

“Cheers!”

The start of the feast was formal and solemn, but midway through, it became a lively, uninhibited affair.

My seat was next to the head, the highest position among the vassals. As I sat there, the drunken Baron Ham approached and poured me a drink.

“Thank you,” I said, accepting the cup and drinking it in one go. Just as I was about to return the favor—

“I don’t need it! You, filthy pimp of a chancellor!”

“…Haha,” I chuckled, momentarily irritated but choosing to laugh it off, as this was a celebration. However, the mood in the room instantly froze.

Princess Fie had drawn her sword.

“To insult the chancellor is to insult me! Ham, stand where you are! I’ll cut you down!”

“No, please spare my life!” Baron Ham’s face turned deathly pale as he begged the princess for mercy, realizing it was futile, and he turned to me for help.

“Chancellor, I was wrong. Please, I beg you… My children are still young. I cannot die.”

Baron Ham prostrated himself on the floor, rubbing his face against the ground as he begged for forgiveness.

“Your Highness, please forgive him,” I pleaded.

“I will not!”

Even my attempts to mediate couldn’t calm the princess’s fury. Just as I was wondering what to do, a certain official approached, holding open a law book. He showed me a passage stating that anyone who insults the chancellor would be punished by having their ears cut off.

“Your Highness!”

“Very well. We shall follow the law!”

With that, Baron Ham was dragged outside, and shortly after, a scream echoed through the air.

“Haha, that was a brilliant judgment,” said Viscount Alvin as he poured me a drink.

“No, no, the credit goes to that scribe,” I replied, looking around for the scribe from earlier, but he was nowhere to be found.

Instead, Pokorina and Kumama, holding bundles of dirty parchment, scratched their heads awkwardly.

…Was that transformation magic!?

It seemed that the princess, now back in her seat of honor, hadn’t noticed the deception.

“As expected of the chancellor chosen by the princess—he possesses true virtue,” said one noble.

“Indeed. To think he’d quickly find a way to save someone who insulted him. Remarkable!” added another.

…No, you’re mistaken. That was all the work of a tanuki and a bear acting on their own.

After the feast ended, I made my way to the kitchen, where the manor’s head chef worked.

“Oh, Chancellor! Is there something you need?”

“The food was excellent,” I said.

“Thank you very much.”

“…Now, I’d like you to prepare two lavish children’s meals, outside of your usual duties. Will this cover the cost?” I handed the chef a gold coin I’d brought from the land of Gale.

“Y-yes, I’ll prepare them with all my heart.”

That day, needless to say, Pokorina and Kumama ended up overeating.