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 77

Chapter 77   The Cold Stone Dungeon

In the year 566 of the Unified Calendar, September—

The Owen Alliance Kingdom held a grand ceremony in the capital city of Shampur, celebrating the recent military victory alongside the autumn harvest festival.

I received an invitation and attended the event. Since Io was still recovering, I decided to bring Adelheid with me.

The day before the ceremony, we stayed at Lager’s inn.

Morning arrived. The pleasant sunlight filtered through the gap in the curtains, making the day feel promising.

“Marshal, it’s morning!”

“…Ah, I want to sleep a bit longer.”

I opened one eye and saw Adelheid dressed in formal attire. Despite her wild antics in bed last night, she was full of energy.

“We’ll be late for the ceremony! Get up!”

“…Alright.”

Reluctantly, I got up.

“I’ve worked hard this year with the domestic improvements and the expedition. Can’t I spend the rest of the year sleeping every day?”

“Don’t be ridiculous! Hurry up and get dressed!”

I tried complaining to Adelheid, but she sternly scolded me. A maid entered as Adelheid left, helping me change into my formal attire.

Although I could wear armor on my own, I was hopeless at dressing in this overly complicated formal wear. Shamefully, I always needed someone’s help.

“Let’s go!”

We left the inn and boarded a luxurious four-horse carriage. Outside the carriage window, the streets were lined with people celebrating the victory.

“Marshal Rillburn, hurrah!”

“Marquis, thank you!”

I was hailed as a hero who aided Her Majesty in the recent campaign. It was probably some clever propaganda by the palace advisors…

…But, for every general who achieves glory, countless soldiers perish. The true heroes are the nameless soldiers who gave their lives for the country.

Moreover, this battle took place far from what could be considered national defense. Their mothers are surely weeping. So, I couldn’t bring myself to genuinely celebrate.

“Come on, Marshal, smile and wave! This is for the good of the house, too.”

“…Yes.”

Adelheid has become even more intimidating lately. Following her urging, I forced a smile and waved to the crowd.

The carriage arrived at the palace’s main gate, and we were guided by the guards into the ceremony venue.

◇◇◇◇◇

At the Ceremony Venue—

As the civil and military officials assembled,

“Her Majesty the Queen is arriving!”

With the Queen seated on the throne, the ceremony began. A band adorned in glittering attire performed.

For me, it was a tedious affair. The speeches eventually ended, and the time came for the military honors.

“Marquis Rillburn!”

“Yes!”

Called upon, I stepped forward to face Her Majesty. Though she was on a raised platform, quite some distance away.

“Marquis Rillburn, your remarkable achievements in the recent battle are truly commendable. I hereby bestow upon you the title of Duke of the Owen Alliance Kingdom and appoint you as Chancellor! Additionally, you are awarded the Grand Silver Dragon Medal. Continue to serve me well!”

“Thank you, Your Majesty!”

…A duke!? I had hoped for land, but the kingdom likely has no surplus territories. This must be in place of that.

“Oh!”

“As expected of Lord Rillburn!”

“A duke! There’s no record of such a title being granted since the reign of the king two generations ago!”

The assembled nobles buzzed with excitement over my appointment as duke. It seems the previous king had eliminated the dukes to consolidate power within the court.

…But then, just as I received the medal, something happened.

“Don’t move!”

Armed soldiers suddenly poured in from every entrance of the hall. Spearmen, archers, heavily armored infantry, and even mages.

“Move and you’ll face no mercy!”

The soldiers’ weapons were even pointed at Her Majesty the Queen. Not just I, but all the nobles were armed only with ceremonial swords—hardly suitable for a fight.

“Who are you people!?”

The former Chancellor, Count Fischer, a veteran of the court, demanded loudly. The one who appeared fully armored was none other than Marquis Clock.

“You were supposed to be stationed far to the west! What happened to that?”

“Silence! Capturing the treacherous Shinker who is corrupting the state takes precedence!”

The one who approached me and said this was Count Sauer, a young noble known as a prodigy within Marquis Clock’s faction.

It was likely these men who orchestrated the plan. The mild and kind Marquis Clock would never conceive of something so audacious. Then again, his very gentleness and mediocrity were the sources of his popularity…

“What are the charges?”

I asked. Looking around the hall, I saw that many nobles had their wives taken hostage. Resisting would clearly be a foolish move.

“…Heh, take a look at this!”

On Count Sauer’s signal, guards brought forth a large number of parchment scrolls. I glanced at one, and it was filled with records of the minor offenses I had committed during my mercenary days, all meticulously documented.

“Such idle fools! Do you despise me so much that you’d go to these lengths to ruin me!?”

“Hahaha! Say what you will, you filthy ex-mercenary. Throw this traitor into the dungeon!”

“Yes, sir.”

“Lord Rillburn!”

Her Majesty the Queen cried out, but before she could say more, Count Fischer and others silenced her by covering her mouth.

I was then tightly bound with ropes and thrown to the ground, with Count Sauer even going so far as to step on my head.

“How satisfying, isn’t it? You fake hero. The cold, dark dungeon is your reward!”

They wrapped me further in chains made of mithril silver, intended to suppress my magic. They were certainly being thorough… How diligent of them.

“Move it! This way!”

The guards dragged me away and threw me into the cold, stone dungeon reserved for political prisoners beneath the palace.