Chapter 43: Negotiation with Flora Fairchild (*)

“Fairchild Ducal House is one of the kingdom’s two great ducal houses, right up there with Javall Ducal House. I knew their eldest daughter Flora Fairchild was in the administrative officer course, but I never thought she’d actually reach out to you…”

“Old man Randolph was the ambitious one—he monopolized the salt trade rights and built the Iris Trading Company into a massive merchant empire. But the current head, Elcure, is indecisive. That’s why they’re getting pushed around by Javall Ducal House lately.”

Kaito listened to the intel from Elfina Rogueia and Sasha as they walked toward the conference room for the meeting with Flora Fairchild. He’d heard the Fairchild name before, but knew almost nothing about the daughter herself. All he had was that she was the same age as him, top of her administrative class, and a beauty with golden-brown hair.

(So basically a sharp young lady. Her wording was polite in the letter, so she probably won’t come off arrogant.)

He knocked on the conference room door. A voice answered from inside, so he stepped in. A long table faced them. To his surprise, Flora and the officer cadets were seated on the near side of the door—the “lower seat.”

“Sorry to keep you waiting. Please, take a seat.”

The courtesy was almost too polite for a noble. Kaito’s opinion of Flora rose immediately—and so did his wariness.

“I’m a commoner, so I might mess up the etiquette. I’d like my Saint Knight Paladin to sit in too. Is that okay?”

“Not a problem. And please, drop the formal speech. We’re in the same year even if our courses differ. Speak to me normally.”

Elfina Rogueia, Sofia Volfort, Elsa Phalanx, and Sasha filed in behind Kaito. The four officer cadets seated around Flora tensed up, cheeks faintly flushed. They looked spellbound by the four beauties.

Sofia and Elsa took the seats to Kaito’s left, Elfina Rogueia and Sasha to his right. Directly across from him sat Flora—like an omiai matchmaking session. Only Elsa remained standing. She bowed deeply to Flora.

“I heard from Father. Fairchild Ducal House stepped in and supported his position… As his daughter, I thank you.”

Kaito had only caught the edges of that story. He didn’t know the exact political maneuvering. Flora smiled and nodded.

“Think nothing of it. As a ducal house sworn to His Majesty and the kingdom, it was only natural. Who else but General Phalanx could protect the north? We simply paved the road to where things needed to settle.”

(I see. That clever disposal was thanks to Fairchild interference. Can’t underestimate the kingdom’s top nobles…)

“I’ll thank you too. Elsa looks tough, but she’s actually a total daddy’s girl—she was crying at night from the stress.”

“Wha— Kaito!!”

Elsa turned beet red and shouted. Sofia quickly calmed her. Flora let out a soft giggle. The joke loosened the air in the room, making it easier to talk.

“So, what’s your business with me?”

With the mood relaxed, Kaito cut to the point. Flora straightened her posture and looked him straight in the eye.

“The Fairchild Ducal House wishes to offer our support to the hero Chevalier Kaito.”

Kaito’s eyebrow twitched.

“Heroes and Saint Knights receive a decent sum from the kingdom. It’s different from regular officer or soldier pay—it’s closer to a sponsorship fund.”

Heroes and Saint Knights belonged to the military, but their status was special. It came down to the state religion, the Velos Faith. Those blessed by the goddess were symbols of “life and fertility,” so they carried a religious weight. Formally, the kingdom “lent” them money as support and “borrowed” their power in return.

In reality, of course, they were treated as living weapons. Plenty of heroes accepted that and devolved into nothing more than “stud horses” who just relayed orders to their Saint Knights. Walter Wackenheim was the rare exception…

“Fairchild Ducal House controls the kingdom’s seas. Javall Ducal House has handled the land side. That worked fine until now, but this incident made us want a land connection too. So we thought—why not support the one area Javall still hasn’t touched? The heroes and Saint Knights.”

“I see…”

Kaito glanced sideways at Elfina Rogueia. She stared hard at the administrative cadet across from her.

“I appreciate the offer, but the Rogueia Marquis House is already backing me. What exactly would Fairchild support look like?”

“Money and information, of course, plus political influence. Naturally we won’t step on Rogueia’s toes. We know Marquis Rogueia is planning something. We have no intention of interfering.”

“You’re already interfering. The eldest daughter of Fairchild Ducal House making contact? That alone draws attention and spreads unnecessary rumors.”

Elfina Rogueia’s voice rose, irritation clear. Flora answered with perfect composure.

“Oh? What rumors? I am second-year top of the administrative course. Kaito is second-year top of the hero course… Two class presidents from the same academy just having tea. That’s all we need to say to busybodies.”

“Elfina…”

Kaito stroked the head of the woman beside him, then cupped her cheek.

“You’re my woman. Tonight I’ll remind you exactly why. So stop sulking.”

Elfina Rogueia’s cheeks flushed pink. She had finally realized the source of her frustration—jealousy. A girl her own age, higher nobility, discussing politics with Kaito in a field she wasn’t strong in.

“S-sorry…”

The golden-haired beauty looked down. But she wasn’t the only one blushing. The couple in front of them had gone red too. They must have never seen lovers talk like that before. Flora cleared her throat, cheeks faintly pink, and returned to business.

“There is only one thing Fairchild Ducal House asks in return. Cooperation in manufacturing the Cannon. That’s all.”

“…So Fairchild Ducal House intends to build Cannons.”

Kaito narrowed his eyes, a sharp grin spreading across his face.

“Your Highness, now that the Cannon has been leaked, I recommend we completely rework the operation.”

Partina Sircury, chief of staff to Austro Tolmakia, looked up from the war-game table and advised her lord. They had run attack-and-defense drills over and over, yet they still couldn’t take Valihart Grand Fortress. The biggest reason: the enemy now knew the Cannon’s specs.

“To breach fortress walls with cannons, we must close to within five hundred meters. The enemy already knows that. Every drill ends the same—the walls stay standing while their Saint Knights break through our lines. At this rate…”

Austro nodded. Cannon improvements were already underway, but even if the decisive battle came in two years there was no guarantee they’d be ready in time. If the current model couldn’t win, they would have to abandon the plan.

But Austro showed no panic. A new strategy had already formed in his mind.

“Don’t worry. There is a way to win using the Cannons we already have. And even if the kingdom figures it out, they have no counter.”

“What is it?”

“Cannons aren’t limited to land battles, are they?”

“When I heard General Phalanx’s report, a chill ran down my spine. The place where Cannons shine brightest is the sea. Naval battles are ship ramming ship, then slaughter on deck. But with Cannons we can destroy enemy vessels from afar with zero risk. When the ship sinks, the soldiers go down with it. Total annihilation without a single scratch.”

“I see. The empire won’t limit the fight to Kabachi Plains. In the Atlas Ocean the kingdom and empire are locked in a standoff. What if that balance breaks?”

“If I were the empire, I would think exactly that. Wipe out the kingdom’s navy, seize the naval port of Rhoda as a beachhead, then swing around behind Valihart Grand Fortress. Or march straight on the capital. Valihart would have to be abandoned. The empire takes the fortress without firing a shot.”

Kaito hummed in admiration. With just that sliver of information she had grasped the Cannon’s true potential and the danger it posed. The Royal Knight Academy focused on land warfare. Naval training happened at Rhoda, so Kaito knew little about sea battles. But national wars didn’t care about land or sea. He admitted his own narrow view.

“I never thought of that application. You’re right—Cannons would dominate naval combat. But if we’ve realized it, the empire has too. Even if they start developing now, will they finish in time?”

“They will. Fairchild Ducal House employs top-tier smiths. They can…”

For a house that ruled the kingdom’s seas, enemy ships armed with Cannons were an existential threat. The self-interest made the offer credible. And gaining Fairchild political muscle was a huge plus for Kaito. With Rogueia as primary backer and Fairchild as public supporter, his goal of organizing the heroes and Saint Knights would leap forward.

“Understood. I’ll cooperate as much as I can. I’ll leave the concrete plans to you. We’ll need more detailed blueprints first. And we should start gathering gunpowder ingredients.”

“Thank you. That is very reassuring.”

Flora took Kaito’s offered hand in both of hers and gripped it firmly.

“You can make as many Saint Knight Paladins as you want!! But not her!!”

Golden hair whipping, powerful thighs driving her body up and down. Elfina Rogueia slammed both hands onto the chiseled abs of the man piercing her from below, squeezing his throbbing shaft with perfect pressure while she cried out.

“Jealous again, Elfina…”

Kaito smirked, cupping her heavy breasts from underneath and enjoying their weight. Her normally inverted nipples had flushed and popped out, begging for attention. He pinched them between index and middle fingers, rolling the tips. Elfina Rogueia’s back arched, her face twisting into the pure expression of a bitch in heat.

“Nngh… so good… deeper…!”

Kaito sat up, arms wrapping her slim waist. He latched onto one stiff peak and thrust upward. Her delighted scream filled the room while he savored the taste of perfect flesh.

(Flora, huh… She’s a different type from the Saint Knight candidates. If I’m building an organization, someone like her might be necessary. Pretty face, decent body too.)

slurp slurp

He sucked greedily while his mind wandered to dirty thoughts. Both hands gripped her ass; his left middle finger slid into her tight rear hole. Elfina Rogueia’s scream sharpened, her inner walls growing even hotter. Kaito stopped thinking. Right now he would focus on devouring the supreme female in front of him.

“Cumming, Elfina!”

“Come on!! Fill me… flood me!!”

The pair who knew each other’s bodies perfectly synchronized their breathing and climaxed together. Thick, molten cum erupted in heavy pulses, flooding her womb. Scorched by the burning seed, Elfina Rogueia drowned in ecstasy so deep she nearly blacked out.

“…You’re really making her a Saint Knight too?”

A little later Elfina Rogueia came back to herself. Still joined, she kissed him and whispered in his ear.

“Might need her. The era where you just fight on the battlefield is ending soon. We’ll need people who can handle organization and rear support. And ideally the leader should be a Saint Knight too.”

Elfina Rogueia pinched his thigh hard. Saint Knight strength made it hurt like she might rip the muscle off.

“When you absolutely have to, talk to all of us first. No adding girls on your own.”

“Yeah. I know. I promise.”

He kissed her again. Elfina Rogueia pulled back. splurt Thick white cum poured from her pussy. She dropped to all fours, ass presented, swaying the plump, perfectly curved cheeks glistening with oil.

“Kaito… my ass too…”

Drooling, Kaito grabbed the soft flesh. He pressed his still-hard cock against her other hole and pushed in slowly. Elfina Rogueia arched her toned back and let out a needy moan.

shove

He buried himself to the hilt, savoring the silky grip. Her slutty cries fueled his lust as he claimed a flavor no ordinary man could ever taste. Elfina Rogueia’s back shuddered again and again. Kaito grabbed both her arms and yanked. Her upper body lifted, letting him drive even deeper.

“Aaahhh!! Too deep!!”

Drool spilling, Elfina Rogueia moaned in delight. He pounded her with her arms pinned back. Each thrust made her massive tits swing wildly. She screamed in sweet agony, completely melted by the pleasure of being devoured. After thoroughly enjoying her ass, Kaito slammed home one final time and exploded.

“Hiiiii… I’m breakingggg!!”

Her rectum burned with cum. Elfina Rogueia convulsed, back bowed, tears at the corners of her eyes, drool running from the corner of her mouth. Half her eyes rolled back as meaningless sounds poured out. When he finally finished pumping, Kaito gently lowered her arms. He covered her prone body, then slowly pulled out.

“Nnnn…”

glorp glorp

Thick cum gushed from her loosened asshole. The obscene sensation of it flowing out made Elfina Rogueia shudder with twisted pleasure.

“That was the best, Elfina…”

Whispered in her ear, the words made her nod in pure satisfaction.

Flora Fairchild sat alone in her room at her desk. She was writing her daily journal—her usual habit. The face of a certain man from that afternoon floated in her mind.

<Kaito is far more than I expected. He does not fit the old image of a “hero who is merely strong in vitality.” Even without becoming a hero, he could easily serve as a general or staff officer. And that man already has four Saint Knights. I cannot even imagine how much he will accomplish on the battlefield.>

She stopped writing and pondered.

<What does he really want? If heroes and Saint Knights band together into one organization with real influence inside the kingdom, the person who leads it would possess terrifying power. The royal family and nobles would never allow it. Such a movement would be crushed sooner or later. That is exactly why he is seeking Fairchild political power. True, organizing heroes would lower their casualty rate. Spreading authority among multiple leaders would also reduce the risk of runaway ambition. He has probably already thought that far. He will balance Rogueia and Fairchild, distributing rights evenly.>

<That organization… let’s call it the “Hero Chevalier Guild” for now. Not a bad name on the spur of the moment. Still, if such a guild is born, the Velos Great Theocracy will not stay silent. They will surely try to absorb it…>

She murmured the words and then froze. A new possibility had just occurred to her.

(The Velos Great Theocracy will move… Is he waiting for exactly that? For what purpose? Joining the Church is not like him. Confronting the Church feels far more natural. But why confront them?)

It was still pure speculation, so she forced herself to stop. Either way, the Fairchild Ducal House had invited a kind of monster into their midst. Flora realized it and felt a vague unease about the future.