Chapter 37: Greeting the Rogueia Family (※)

A few days southeast from Valihart town and you enter Marquis Rogueia’s territory. In the gateway town of Zaltslinden, Kaito and the others took a room at an inn. Tomorrow a carriage from the marquis house would arrive. Embracing Elfina inside the marquis mansion itself took real guts. So tonight, while he still could, he planned to hold only Elfina.

“Hya… Ahn…”

When he thrust up from below, her beautifully shaped big breasts bounced with a tapun. He cupped both mounds in his hands and enjoyed the soft, squishy bounce. Her soaking-wet flower garden clamped down in perfect rhythm.

“Nn… Hiu…”

Elfina’s face flushed as she moved up and down in time with him. She gripped the hands kneading her breasts from above. Her once-inverted nipples stood painfully hard, demanding stronger stimulation.

(Is it really… this good? Aah… more… more…)

She rode him with wild abandon you’d never guess she had been a virgin just days ago. The hands that had been on her breasts slid smoothly down to her sides. He gripped her tightly cinched waist and drove even deeper. The pleasure of being pierced made Elfina arch her back. He sat up and latched onto her jutting, bountiful chest.

“Kaito… fuck me harder…”

She cradled his head and pressed her breasts into his face. Their joined lower bodies dripped honey from the connection point. He grabbed her soft white ass with both hands and devoured the meat that clamped down without a single gap.

“Aah… my ass…!”

He slipped his left middle finger into her other hole. Double penetration sent Elfina’s pleasure roaring sky-high. Kaito was nearing his limit too. He got to ravage the academy’s top beauty that every male classmate longed for, exactly as he pleased. The sheer conquest and superiority as a man almost made him cum on the spot.

“Hyaah… nooo… I’m cumming… I’m gonna cuuuuum!!”

Elfina kept climaxing nonstop; her words slurred with pleasure. Kaito hit his limit. Inside her hot, slick walls his throbbing cock twitched desperately.

“Elfina!”

“Come iiiiiinside!!”

His hips shook. Scorching heat poured into her deepest spot. Elfina reached an enormous peak. Her mind went white and her body trembled at the heat spreading through her womb. His cock pulsed throb throb, spurting thick white lava that filled her uterus completely. The two of them drowned in perfect satisfaction and their lips met. He pushed her down. In missionary he started moving his hips again.

“Aaah… nooo… I’m cumming again… I keep cumming!!”

“Cum as many times as you want. I’m gonna fuck you raw until dawn, Elfina.”

Her legs wrapped around his waist. Her huge soft breasts jiggled and spun with every thrust. Since he had already cum once he could savor it with leeway. The tightness stayed perfect, giving him the best pleasure. He moved the hands that had held her sides up to her swaying breasts. Sinking his fingers into the endlessly soft flesh, he devoured her carefully with each deep stroke.

(Goddess Velos’s blessing? Her breasts might have gotten a little bigger…)

He calmly thought that while adoring the magnificent body before him. Dawn was still far away. He could go a few more rounds. His cock that never knew how to go soft was already showing signs of a second eruption.

“Welcome back, my lady.”

An elderly man in crisp black attire with a bow tie stood ramrod straight beside the carriage.

“Gabriel, it’s been a while. I’m glad you came. Kaito, this is Gabriel, the Rogueia family steward. Gabriel, this is Kaito—my Hero Chevalier. And…”

Elfina introduced everyone. Gabriel offered each of them a polite greeting. They sat facing each other across the wide six-seater carriage. The driver took the reins and they started moving.

“So, how is Father?”

“He is well and eagerly awaiting you. Lady Elizabeth and young Master Michael as well…”

“Michael’s home too? He should be turning twelve this year, right?”

“Yes. Next year he graduates from the junior academy and enters Grant-Zechor.”

Grant-Zechor was the exclusive educational institution for royal and noble heirs. There they learned noble conduct and imperial studies, then returned to their territories to assist their fathers and eventually inherit.

“Michael is my little brother. He’s a clever, good boy. Though he’s a bit of a siscon…”

“Young Master Michael adores Lady Elfina very much.”

“I see. So I might be pretty hated by Michael then.”

Kaito gave a bitter smile. But he couldn’t avoid this. For a commoner like him, House Rogueia was a massive backer. He needed a friendly relationship with the heir, Michael Rogueia.

They passed through a wide grand gate that appeared in the forest. True to a marquis house, the Rogueia estate grounds were enormous. A fountain stood in the center of the garden; lawns, flowerbeds, and hedges were meticulously kept.

The carriage stopped in front of the mansion and servants lined up on both sides. Gabriel stepped down, followed by Kaito and the others.

“Sister!”

A golden-haired boy ran over and hugged Elfina. He was about fifteen centimeters shorter than Kaito and so beautiful he could be mistaken for a girl at first glance. He buried his face in Elfina’s chest and shook his head side to side.

“Sister, sister~ I missed you so mu— Ow!”

Elfina gripped the boy’s head from both sides with her fists and ground her knuckles in. She smiled, but her eyes weren’t smiling at all.

“Michael… How many times have I told you? Behave properly in front of guests…”

While he let out a strangled scream, Marquis William Rogueia and his wife Lady Elizabeth appeared. Ignoring her brother being punished, Elfina let him go. Kaito stepped forward and dropped to one knee. The four girls followed suit at the same time. Michael pouted and looked away, but his father gave a wry smile and his mother laughed with an “oh my.”

“Please rise, Kaito. On the contrary, I am grateful. Without your actions General Phalanx might have lost his life. If that had happened I wouldn’t have been able to see my daughter at all. I would have been racing around defending Valihart Grand Fortress. Today’s peace exists thanks to you. Well done.”

Kaito and the others stood. William introduced his family. A glamorous lady with the same luxurious golden hair as Elfina bowed.

“My wife Elizabeth and my son Michael. They are my family and now yours as well.”

“I am Kaito, first-year Hero Chevalier candidate at the Royal Knight Academy. Pleased to make your acquaintance…”

“I am Elizabeth. Thank you so much for taking care of our daughter. I have been looking forward to meeting you today. She told me everything. You are the strongest Hero Chevalier in history, surpassing even Lord Wackenheim…”

“That is too high praise. I do not know if I am the strongest, but I intend to become a Hero Chevalier my Holy Knight Paladins can be proud of.”

Elizabeth nodded with a graceful smile. Between his parents stood an eleven-year-old boy with the same golden hair and eye color as Elfina. He was so pretty he could be mistaken for a girl. His gaze was a little sharp. With a reluctant expression he introduced himself.

“I am Michael Rogueia…”

That was all. He folded his arms and turned away. Anger flashed in Elfina’s eyes. But Kaito simply bowed politely without minding.

“I am Kaito. Nice to meet you…”

Then Michael glanced sideways at Kaito while still looking away.

“…Kaito is such a plain name.”

“Michael!”

His father scolded in a low voice. But Kaito smiled, crouched down, and met the eyes of Michael, who was two heads shorter.

“I actually like that it’s plain. A cool name would make me feel like I was living up to it…”

“You have pretty low self-esteem for someone who saved Great General Phalanx…”

“I try to do my best in every moment. But even then things don’t always work out. I’ve made mistakes that can’t be taken back. That’s why I don’t brag.”

“Hmm…”

Michael stared at Kaito as if appraising him. His mother clapped her hands and changed the mood.

“Come now, you must be tired from the long journey. Please come inside.”

“Yes, indeed. Kaito and everyone, come in. We have prepared a special dinner.”

Guided by the marquis couple, Kaito and the others entered the main Rogueia residence.

Back home for the first time in a while, Elfina entered her room and sighed. It was about her little brother Michael. He was a spoiled siscon who clung to her. That had been fine when he was little, but next year Michael would graduate from the junior academy and grow into a young man. She couldn’t have him acting like a baby forever.

“He probably thinks Kaito stole me…”

There was no point thinking about it. She would have to talk with Father too. She left the luggage sorting to the maids. She had to show Sofia and the others around. First she wanted a bath to wash off the travel grime.

When she left her room laughter came from the living room. She went downstairs and found Michael completely absorbed in Kaito’s story. Kaito sat relaxed on a long sofa with his legs crossed, talking. His parents sat facing him with Michael between them. The topic seemed to be the Kabachi Plains battle. Kaito used both hands and slipped in funny voices here and there.

“…The second prince looked like he was about to cry inside. ‘I wasn’t told about thiiis~’… But as a prince he couldn’t show such an ugly side. So he desperately tried to look confident to hide his panic. The burning impatience, the rising terror. The moment his calm judgment failed, he made a fatal mistake. He screamed at the top of his lungs, ‘All troops chaaaaarge!!’…”

“What an idiot~ Total moron!!”

Michael clutched his stomach laughing. Normally a noble should scold a word like “moron,” but even his father William was laughing the same way.

Elfina entered with a puzzled look. Michael tried to hug her. While holding down her leaping brother’s head she asked her Hero Chevalier,

“You two seem to be having fun. What were you talking about?”

“Hm? Just the recent Kabachi Plains battle. The time the second prince got completely crushed by General Phalanx.”

“Sister, Kaito’s stories are so fun. It feels like I was really there.”

“Michael getting excited about battlefield stories… But did he actually yell ‘I wasn’t told about thiiis~’?”

“At least in his heart he definitely did. In military history class you learn what happened, but not what they were thinking. On a real battlefield, reading the enemy’s mind is extremely important I think.”

“That’s the same in noble social circles. True feelings are almost never spoken. So you have to read the situation, expressions, and the edges of words. Actually this is good study for you too, Michael. By the way Elfina, are the other guests all right?”

“Eh, yes. I was just about to take them for a bath. See you later…”

What kind of magic did he use? Her little brother seemed to have completely accepted her Hero Chevalier. Laughter rose again. Feeling a little relieved, Elfina went to fetch her friends.

Dinner was a luxurious spread centered on venison. The main topic at the table was academy life in the capital. Kaito deliberately avoided talking about the recent “defeat.” He would speak privately with Marquis Rogueia after the meal.

“By the way Kaito, what did you think when you saw my territory?”

“I am not in a position to comment, but…”

“It’s fine. Just dinner conversation. Speak freely.”

Urged by the lord William, Kaito spoke about what he had noticed in the last few days.

“I noticed three things. First, the water is delicious. Much cleaner than the well water in the capital. Bread baked with this water would surely be amazing.”

Hearing that, Sasha picked up the white bread on her plate. She took a small bite and nodded in satisfaction.

“Next, the clothing of the people. I was born a commoner. From that experience I can say clothes cost a fair amount. But the people here wore clean-looking garments. I think that’s proof of a prosperous life.”

“Oh, an interesting observation. Clothes, huh…”

“And finally, prices and shop stock. Compared to the capital, food in general is cheap. The selection is also excellent. That’s proof of good public order, well-maintained roads, and active distribution. From these points I formed two hypotheses.”

“Hm. Specifically?”

“One, Marquis Rogueia has extremely capable retainers in internal affairs. People strong in goods, logistics, and finance. And more than one…”

“Correct. House Rogueia stands on the strength of those excellent retainers. My own power is tiny in comparison.”

“You are too modest… The virtue that wins the loyalty of such people is exactly Your Lordship’s true strength. And the second hypothesis. House Rogueia has no ‘army.’ Or if it does, it is extremely small in scale.”

“………”

William stared at Kaito in silence. Normally nobles kept private troops. Great nobles could have over ten thousand. And armies were maintained by taxes from the people.

But inside Marquis Rogueia’s territory each town and village cooperated to maintain roads and public order. In this historically peaceful land with good lord-subject relations, a specialized combat force had never been necessary. The existence of Valihart Grand Fortress as a defensive wall was another reason.

“Indeed, there is no army inside my territory. No dangerous beasts or bandits appear either. I only keep five hundred guards for my personal protection and patrols. Considering the size of the territory, several thousand troops would be normal, but…”

“An army produces nothing. It only consumes. The smaller the army, the lower the expenditure, the more stable the finances, and the lower the tax rate. Retainers and people can live prosperously and talented individuals gather.”

The marquis nodded at Kaito’s words. Kaito did not say more. This peace rested on the existence of Valihart Grand Fortress. If the fortress fell to the empire this land would be the first target of invasion.

William Rogueia understood that reality perfectly, but it was not dinner conversation. Kaito changed the topic.

“Michael, is there anything you want to ask me? Earlier we talked about the Kabachi Plains battle…”

“Yeah. There is. Kaito, have you already slept with my sister?”

A pfft sound came from across the table. Elfina sitting beside her brother turned bright red. Sofia and Elsa blushed too, but Sasha kept a cool face.

“M-Michael… You little…”

“Manners violation. Just because you’re a child doesn’t mean you ask that directly.”

Told off by the girl sitting across from him, Michael tilted his head.

“Child…? Aren’t you about the same age?”

“Muu… I’m sixteen—way older than you.”

Sasha puffed her cheeks and argued. Michael opened his mouth to say “liar” after hearing sixteen, but his sister’s fist dropped on his head. His father William sighed and apologized.

“Sorry about that. He’s an honest boy, but it seems we raised him too freely.”

“I don’t mind. Better than an arrogant noble with a superiority complex…”

“Sasha, that’s rude.”

Sofia scolded. Kaito laughed and spoke to Michael.

“That topic’s a little early for you. I’ll teach you properly in a few years. Right. For now, the capital’s prosti—”

“Kaito, don’t corrupt Michael.”

“Exactly. Kaito might be the kingdom’s top expert on that subject, but it’s pure poison for an innocent boy.”

Stopped by Elfina and Elsa, Kaito shrugged.

After dinner Elfina and the others chatted with their mother. Kaito had been called to William’s study.

“So, what do you think will happen in the north from now on? Let me hear your prediction.”

Sipping wine, William brought up the main topic. Kaito took a sip of the tea a maid had brought and chose his words carefully as he began.

“It should be fine for a while longer. The empire’s new weapon has several flaws in operation. They took the northern half of the Kabachi Plains, but Valihart Grand Fortress won’t fall anytime soon.”

“If you were in the empire’s position, how would you take Valihart Grand Fortress?”

“Let’s see. That fortress has deep moats and high walls. Trying to take it with only cavalry and infantry would require hundreds of thousands of troops. Depending on the empire’s mobilization it’s nearly impossible with numbers alone. I would send a small number of agents to infiltrate, cause chaos from inside, and open the gates.”

“General Phalanx is wary of that too. For the past ten years he has barely accepted any refugees from the north. But that makes the new weapon you mentioned all the more concerning.”

“Yes. It depends on how far the weapon called cannons is improved. The fortress walls are stone and brick. If hit with high-speed steel balls the walls would crumble. They will reinforce them, but there is a limit.”

“Indeed. If they attack using those cannons, when do you predict it will happen?”

“Right now General Phalanx is invading the northern Kabachi Plains to keep the empire from advancing. To prevent them from building a bridgehead fortress. But unlike his brother, Austro Tolmakia seems to be an excellent general. The fortress will be completed eventually. It is currently August. They will finish the bridgehead by winter and focus on improving the cannons during the cold months. I predict the attack will come in one year… July, when there is less rain.”

“One more year… huh…”

Marquis Rogueia folded his arms with a heavy expression.