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 71 Award for Distinguished Conduct

In May of the Unified Calendar 566, the mountains were covered in green, and the weather remained peaceful.

The government building of Net Castle was enormous, symbolizing the richness of the Atago Plains. The audience hall within the castle was adorned with marble, its grandeur far surpassing that of Lebe Castle. Seated on the throne in this opulent room, I prepared to receive the captive.

“Damn you! Cursed rogue, Shinker! How disgraceful…!”

“Insolent wretch!”

The captured General Treiber spat his defiance at me, but my deputy, Adelheid, quickly reprimanded him.

“…Now, what to do with you?”

As I muttered this, voices of resentment rose from the local nobles seated below.

“Because of him, we’ve suffered terribly!”

“Indeed! How much have we endured under heavy taxation!”

“Marquis Rillburn! Please, hang him for us!”

It seemed he was despised by all. Now, what should be done?

“You damned rogue, Shinker! Why don’t you hurry up and kill me?”

“Silence, you wretch!”

Adelheid’s anger spared me the trouble of responding. At that moment, the Margrave Collins, seated nearby, spoke up.

“We have all betrayed the Republic. If only the General here is executed, it would leave me uneasy… I humbly ask for your mercy.”

His words caused a stir, but as the leading figure in this region, the Margrave’s opinion was enough to bring order to the room. Besides, I had no desire to kill a General who, even now, did not beg for his life.

“Very well, I shall spare your life. Imprison him!”

“Yes, sir!”

This time, the expenses for the negotiations were considerable. He would likely become a valuable ransom asset.

“…And now, this castle holds the Republic’s massive treasury. I intend to share the immense wealth stored here among the gathered lords!”

“Huh? We will also receive a share?”

One of the local nobles timidly asked.

“Of course! It was thanks to the efforts of the lords that this castle fell!”

“Oh!”

“As expected of Marquis Rillburn!”

“We made the right choice siding with the Kingdom!”

The local nobles were overjoyed by this distribution plan. If I were in their position, I would be pleased as well.

“First, the most splendid item in the treasury, the famed sword Hubelion, will be awarded to the person with the greatest achievements in this campaign!”

As I made this announcement, the lords exchanged glances, wondering who it would be.

“The top achiever, Adelheid! Step forward!”

“What? …Yes?”

Adelheid, visibly surprised and a bit bewildered, clearly did not expect it to be her. However, as she was enveloped in thunderous applause, she shyly stepped forward to stand before me.

“Adelheid, during this campaign, not only did you distinguish yourself on the front lines, but you also excelled in managing the logistics in the rear. I am counting on you in the future as well!”

“Thank you!”

Such a ceremony might not hold much value for someone like me, who rose from being a mercenary, but for a noble family, it was the highest honor, something that would be passed down through generations. To express my gratitude, I chose to honor Adelheid in this grand ceremony.

By the way, the second-highest commendation went to Momiji, who captured the General of the Defeated Forces. The third-highest went to Stallon, who quietly but diligently handled logistics in the rear.

After that, I held a grand victory celebration.

The finest delicacies from the mountains and seas of the Atago Plains were laid out, and many beautiful dancing girls were brought in. Well, I hardly had a chance to eat, as I was bombarded with greetings from the local nobles…

◇◇◇◇◇

The Lord’s Chamber—

Only a small candlestick on the desk illuminated the room.

After the banquet had concluded, I summoned Margrave Collins.

“Margrave, I deeply appreciate your assistance in this matter.”

“…No, no, I am eternally grateful for your magnanimous treatment.”

“I would like you to continue governing this castle and lead the surrounding lords.”

“…Are you serious?”

Indeed, I had promised the local nobles that their lands would be secured. However, Margrave Collins had only recently surrendered. Naturally, he had expected some form of punishment.

“I will speak on your behalf to Her Majesty the Queen, so I will be counting on you!”

“Yes! I will never forget this kindness, even to the end of my days!”

As a gesture of gratitude, the Margrave promised monthly gifts. After sharing some wine and pleasant conversation, we parted ways.

◇◇◇◇◇

After the Margrave left, I collapsed onto the desk in exhaustion. The only one left in the room was Adelheid.

Nataraja had gone to patrol the town below. Everyone is so diligent…

“You can leave and rest now, Adelheid!”

I lazily said this while picking my nose. The formal ceremonies and the banquet had completely drained me.

I could do without being a stiff commander… Lately, I’ve even found myself wishing I could return to the carefree life of a common soldier.

“Marshal… I have yet to receive my reward.”

“Huh? Didn’t I give you that famous sword or whatever?”

I whined like a child. Hearing this, she began to massage my tired shoulders and whispered softly in my ear.