Chapter 363

Translator: Nat

Aegir POV

FuaaahHaahu .

When I stretch my body a little, Sekrit yawns emphatically, which then triggers Celia to stifle a yawn .

Myla, who normally interjects with a comment about how lax I am, is quietly taking a drink of water from her canteen .

You cant really help loosening up .

Weve crossed the Goldonia border and been walking for a while now .

It is unthinkable for enemies to chase us this far and nobody within Goldonia will attack us .

Theres no reason to hurry so we return to the capital at an easy pace .

It has gone down, huh .

We started with close to 20 000 soldiers and are left with less than 10 000 .

The Seventh Division royal army especially has been reduced to a third of its original numbers .

Regardless of the injured we sent back home along the way, it is without doubt that we still suffered a tremendous amount of casualties .

It is enough to make the King and Erich angry .

Its not Aegir-samas fault! In that situation, nothing could be done without reinforcements! In fact, were able to come back with this much alive in large part because of Aegir-samas strength!

Celia is on my side as usual .

Ive compiled the loss report . Please use it when you inform the Military Commissioner .

As usual, Leopolt ruins the warm and fuzzy atmosphere .

I take Leopolts document and hand it off to Celia .

We still have some time before reaching the capital . Ill think of an excuse for Erich by then .

Ah .

Solana happened to be where my wandering eyes landed on .

Her cheeks turn red when she catches me watching .

How cute Ill gobble her up sometime soon .

She felt slightly unworthy of being the only one to escape, however she was relieved when she noticed the other refugees .

There was also some incidental drama between Solana and Suzy when they met .

Ah!

My eyes land on the bow cavalry girl this time .

As soon as I look at her, she blushes and starts breathing heavier .

Furthermore, her eyes become moist and she embraces her own body .

Aah, chief so lovely too dreamy

Apparently, she fell in love with me after I saved her from danger .

Fuuh .

I get caught up in the moment and make a striking expression .

Haau!?

Her face turns red like an apple and squirms restlessly .

Shes madly in love . If I said I wanted to see her body, she would certainly not hesitate to strip on the spot .

Oh right, there was something I wanted to say .

We lost a lot of bow cavalry this battle . Ill be meeting with the mountain nation leaders later so come with me .

Y-yes, of course

I give her ear a playful bite and blow softly into it .

Ah! Aaaah!!

She trembles and collapses to the ground, her face becoming slovenly .

L-let me go and change my underwear .

Cutie .

Hey now, doing obscenities in front of soldiers is not a very justice-like thing to do .

Jim appears with his loud voice .

Hes smiling so I dont think hes seriously rebuking me .

Is your wife alright?

She was a little shocked, but thats where a husband comes in .

Good .

Im glad it was worth the effort, since we went through some hardship and Pochi also injured its face .

As a bonus, Solana was saved too .

Ahem, may I interrupt?

Myla cuts into our conversation .

What is it?

When Jim allows it, Myla clears her throat once more before she speaks .

I have something I want to ask you again .

Did something happen?

If we cause trouble for Jim, then it would make our future interactions more difficult .

Everybody goes quiet, their attention focused on the two individuals .

We have different values than those who lived under a monarchy after all still, well be in your care from now on, so I will do my best to improve in the areas you are not pleased with . Say what you want!

Its nothing too big

Myla hesitates, then gathers courage to say what she has in mind .

You and your wife your voices at night are too loud!

I quickly support Celia before she falls off her horse .

Day after day, all the way until dawn! Im not telling you not to do it, but you could at least try to keep it down!

Myla, who is red from embarrassment, is pretty cute when she yells .

Now that I think about it, Mylas tent was close to Jims .

Be considerate of me who has to hear it every night! Whats with the Oh yes! or the Come on! Sweet heart!? Im not even able to be with Lord Hardlett due to his injury!

Myla hounds Jim for an answer .

Ill step away for a bit .

Ooh, so you overheard our love voices Im pretty sure Goldonia allows loving sex though . Aegir is pretty loud too, no?

Stupid, dont say anything unnecessary .

Eh? I have to refrain from doing anything until Lord Hardletts injury heals thats why I also

Hahaha, he was making love and rocking the carriage quite a bit during the day . Such a grand display of love was enough to make me dumbfounded .

Irijina couldnt read the mood and tempted me, so I went along .

Then Sekrit overheard and made it a three-way .

Both of them have strong bodies and were pent up, meaning the sex would naturally be rough enough to shake the carriage .

Lord Hardlett

Myla stares daggers at me .

I put some distance between us .

After I told you so much not to do it!

Celia goes around and cuts in .

I cant say I support what youre doing with Pipi-dono and Marta-dono though . Theyre so tiny that your sex feels like something a pervert would do .

Eei, this guy really doesnt know when to shut up .

Thats how you pay me back for saving you? Dont make me steal your wife .

Even Pipi and Marta we were listening to the doctors instructions and holding back this whole time .

Uuuuu

Celia and Myla press me .

Kohokoho

Dont lie! You can speak properly!

Tonight I no, youre not allowed any women until your injury heals!

In the end, I was forbidden from embracing women until I completely recover .

hm? Whats that?

Dont try to change the topic .

I see some smoke rising in the distance .

I think thats around the mansion of some noble where we got supplies from on the way to Libatis . Was there a fire or something?

One Week Later . Capital Goldonia .

Alright, we will return to the garrison!

Commander Keith salutes and leaves .

Sorry, I forgot you were even here .

Him and his army look somewhat unhappy .

Well of course they would .

Despite escaping with their lives, it doesnt get rid of the taste of countless defeats .

I take a rough look and see that the number of soldiers who have their complete set of equipment can be counted . Most of them are missing helmets, have torn their arm guards, and picked up swords from the enemy after losing their own .

They were complaining about how Goldonia didnt send reinforcements the whole way back, saying how they would have won if more troops came .

My squad ultimately didnt collapse once .

Nobody felt like they would lose irrespective of how many allies fell around them .

I should give my excuse to Erich and the king .

Dont say it to His Majesty .

First is Erich .

I enter Erichs office, bow so slightly it was almost unnoticeable, and then give my report .

My posture is straight and my expression is as unhappy as possible .

The silence lasts for a while .

Leopolt is staring at Erich just like I am .

Is he waiting until I say something?

Fufufu, I purposely had Celia wait outside the room .

Without anything pretty to look at, Erich must find it tough .

If I were him, Id get annoyed after thirty seconds .

Erich flips through the report documents quietly, sighs and opens up his arms .

I understand what you want to say . Ill explain so please take a seat having you two stare makes me uneasy .

After I sit down, a small smile emerges on Erichs face .

Im sorry . You did well to come back . I was prepared to lose the seventh division . Most importantly, Im glad youre safe .

Erich and I exchange a handshake .

This should be fine, Ill get Celia to come back in and balance out Leopolts presence .

Lets get right to the issue at hand . To keep it simple, His Majesty has commanded for all the kingdoms armies to mobilize .

Looking closer, I see Erich is extremely fatigued and is running on fumes .

Did something happen?

An attempted assassination on His Majesty .

Wow, that kind of thing happened?

The king doesnt have it easy either .

that is whats being told in public, but the reality is different . His Majestys beloved Rosario was targeted apparently she was hurt quite badly . The king went mad with anger and intends to kill everyone related to the incident .

What!?

I slam the desk and stand up abruptly .

Im fine with the king being targeted . I cant forgive anybody who would hurt a woman .

All the cowardly assassins need to be massacred .

Other people would normally say why go so far for a mere lover you really are something different .

Erich smiles wryly and continues .

Well, Im a man too . Besides, I have no intentions of protecting scum who would kill a woman to get to His Majesty . I have no qualms if those involved in the attack were all killed .

Thats when Erich expresses his dilemma .

However, His Majesty is going far beyond what is normal . here is the list of people who conspired in the plan and who His Majesty personally ordered to be subdued . Dont leak this to anybody outside the room .

I flip through the pages so that Celia can see .

Leopolt also shifts his position to get a better look .

So many ah, this name belongs to somebody we met at a dinner party once . She argued with Nonna-san about something .

From individuals with important positions in the capital to lords of certain regions to underlings like tax collecting officials and royal guards, such a wide variety of people are listed . You can see why reinforcements couldnt be sent, right?

The king cant only rely on the royal guards to catch all these people and actually the name of the royal guard captain is also listed here .

Many of them are influential and powerful people, so it isnt wrong to ready the army .

There is one thing bothering me though .

Isnt it impossible for this number of people to have conspired in the plan? No matter how you look at it, this is too many .

If all of them were conspiring, this would be more like an insurrection than a mere assassination .

How large was the scale of attack?

It was a group of ten people, some who were clearly veteran mercenaries .

No, no, no, its not what youre thinking .

Celias voice overlaps with mine .

This list of individuals is capable of hiring thousands of people . Its hard to believe they came up with just ten .

Celia nods enthusiastically .

Erich also nods .

I agree . If all of them were accomplices then His Majesty would not be alive . dont leak this either .

Erich stares at us, making sure we absolutely wont say anything before he clears his throat and continues .

99% of everyone written here are innocent . They have no relation to this case whatsoever .

I dont get it . Whats the point of killing people who arent related?

I told you, His Majestys anger is making him act irrationally . His Majesty intends to execute not only the attackers, but also their family, friends, acquaintances, and anybody he considers even a little bit suspicious . Thats where this huge list comes from .

Thats ridiculous . Is there anything that can be done?

Killing those who hurt a woman is justified, killing those not connected is pointless .

Erich simply shakes his head .

Its no use . His Majesty is no longer willing to listen . Youll understand when you see him .

Erich declared that quite clearly .

Which means, there probably isnt anything we can do .

Hey .

No, our names, the names of Myla-sans family, and the names of Count Binbo and his friends arent there .

I feel relieved after hearing that from Celia .

So Im sorry about what happened this time . Im obviously going to praise you for return with the army . Regarding the losses, dont worry . I dont intend to speak on it . I know youve probably lost plenty of soldiers in your army too, but nothing will be done until this matter is finished .

Umumu, if Im not getting anything then how can I reward the mountain nation?

I have to think about a solution .

Oh yeah, I have to tell Erich about South Yuguria .

I want to speak about the South Yuguria army

Borrowing help from Leopolt and Celia, I explain how the South Yuguria army uses power and clever schemes to precisely fulfill its ambition of expanding its territory .

Erich occasionally asks questions and listens earnestly .

I understand that South Yuguria is a bigger threat than expected . Its just right now we are in no position to prepare for them the king is giving orders day and night after all .

Erich smiles bitterly when Celia slumps in disappointment .

You have made me aware of their use of wagons to move swiftly and their formidability . Simply having that knowledge will make a difference in how I deal with them . Good work .

Erich retrieves an expensive-looking bag of cookies which emanates a fruity fragrance from within his desk .

A smile immediately returns to Celias face, although she quickly suppresses it .

I-Im not a child, cookies are not a big deal .

Erich and I smile at the same time .

Ill take them, our journey home will be a long one and sweets will help .

This is for you .

A key? What is this a key to?

Erich whispers to me in a way Celia cant hear .

Its the key to the house of one of my lovers . Shes someone with a high sex drive and cant live without a man, you see . Shes willing to pull any man willing to entertain her . Its normally my responsibility to attend to her needs, but as you can see I have my hands full .

Is he saying what I think he is?

You were extremely interested when I brought it up before if you like, please help yourself .

My pleasure!

I accept the key with both hands and clutch Erichs hand tightly .

Im quite fond of this one so dont completely take her for yourself . Keep things casual .

Yes, yes, of course!

I just received a wonderful reward .

Ill keep a secret from Celia and Myla .

Alright, go for your audience . I warn you though that the king is not how he used to be . Pay careful attention and choose your words wisely or your head will fly in one breath . and do something about the bulge in your pants .

I guess I cant make the same excuse to the king .

Audience .

Hardlett, youre back!

As soon as I stepped into the room, the king welcomes me with a loud shout .

His clear and piercing voice has no trace of gloominess .

He doesnt appear to have lost his senses like Erich described .

Yes Your Majesty, Ive just returned .

A man hands him the report with Erichs notes on it .

The king might have been partially responsible for various things, but the fact remains that the seventh division suffered major casualties and achieved nothing for it .

I was prepared for the king to say something regarding that, however he only took a quick glance at the document before putting it aside .

Somehow this kind of treatment doesnt satisfy me, similar to how I feel when Im nagged persistently about a certain topic .

The king, not particularly interested in the report, looks into my eyes .

By the way, do you know anything about the attack on Rosario?

Being asked so suddenly confused me a little .

I didnt get any words of gratitude and it was like the Libatis war didnt exist in his mind, which irritated me slightly .

Yet I cant throw a tantrum like a child in this setting .

Lord Radhalde provided me with a summary

The king immediately shakes his head and cuts me off .

I dont mean that . Im asking whether you know anybody who conspired or cooperated with the attackers or anybody acting suspiciously . Or perhaps you planned this yourselfI want to know .

What is the king saying?

I interpret it as a joke, but I would be smart to listen to Erichs warning and answer seriously .

Besides, Im getting a bad feeling .

I apologize, I do not know anything . I have been abroad fighting as reinforcements for Libatis and as such I have not heard anything aside from passing remarks .

The king stares into my eyes for a few seconds .

He didnt seem to be briefly frightened or doubtful .

Rather, he looked stern and intellectual, reminiscent of how he initially was when he first became king .

While Im not into men staring at me, I dont have a guilty conscience, so it really doesnt bother me .

Its possible that I looked suspicious .

Umu, I guess thats true . You wouldnt know anything .

The king stands up after slapping his knee .

That gesture was done boldly and his voice was booming .

Everything reminded me of the king from before who was overflowing with energy .

No, something is off .

Despite his eyes, his voice and his gestures being grand, the aura hes giving off is strange .

I believe you should know after hearing it from Lord Radhalde that Goldonia is currently rampant with conspirator scum who injured my precious woman . Youre a womanizer as well, so you must be familiar with this feeling that churns your stomach, no?

He is smiling even though he should be angry .

Yes Your Majesty, there is no merit to leaving cowards who target helpless women alive .

Those are my true feelings .

Exactly! All the dirty criminals who are lower than livestock must be given cruel deaths beyond imagination . Of course that goes for their parents, siblings, and friends!

The king places his hand on the sword at his hip, catches himself doing something unbecoming in the next moment, and then returns to his seat on the throne .

Hmm . Dismembering the criminals alive is fine, but killing those unrelated is of no use .

I hold you in high regard . Thats why I want you to, after returning to Rafen, comply with my wishes and use your military prowess to exterminate all the traitors . After all, I am short-handed with so many of them running around .

Yes Your Majesty, at anytime .

An eerie smile emerges on the kings face and then he proceeds to go off on a tangent .

In the past, the meat of that black beast you sent was a true delicacy . Rosario and I both enjoyed that steak

The king stops himself .

Thats right I remember now . Chef Bolbord he ignored how Rosario wanted steak for dinner and served stew instead he must have hated Rosario so he plotted to attack her

In an instant, the kings smile transformed into an angry frown .

Bolbord is a traitor! Seize him right away!

Without delay, royal guards answer the kings angry shout and runs off to carry out his order .

No, thats overkill no matter how you look at it .

The chef just made a small mistake and even if he hated Rosario, he wouldnt transition to assassinating her so quickly .

Still, the ministers and close aides around him are simply looking down without saying a word .

Sorry Hardlett! I must ascertain the capture of traitors, so we shall leave things here for now!

A smile once again decorates the kings face, one that has no trace of sadness .

I see what Erich means now .

This isnt good . He is worse than before at listening to others advice .

Before parting, I ask the king one question .

Your Majesty, do you have many people whom you suspect are traitors?

I receive a prompt answer from the king .

Hahaha, I am not full of doubt and mistrust like I was before . I do not suspect anyone anymore .

What a surprising response .

If I think an individual is wrong, then that individual is a traitor, if not then that individual is innocent . The word suspect no longer exists .

Aah, so thats the point he has gotten to .

No further words come out of my mouth and the audience ends with a final bow from me .

Something with wheels follows behind the king .

It is a pedestal with four steel walls forming a box and has around a hundred soldiers guarding it .

That is a strange object to see beside a king no, it would be a strange sight anywhere .

Evening .

I leave a residential building with an indescribable feeling .

Wait please, more do it until I break

I gently shake free from the woman tangled around my leg and kiss her .

Im happy she enjoyed herself, but the intense sex we had made her hips give out and her pussy swollen .

Doing anymore will certainly break her .

If that happened, I wouldnt know how to apologize to Erich .

Ill be waiting, so come whenever you want really, anytime is fine . Whether its in the middle of the night or at dawn, Ill be waiting

When I exit the house, there is a black-painted carriage is waiting outside .

It clearly seems shady . Are assassins going to come out from it?

I put my hand on my Dual Crater just in case .

Lord Hardlett, I will explain the situation to you later . For now, please get in .

Oh sure .

A young female appeared from inside the carriage .

I get in even though I dont know whats going on .

youre not going to have any kind of doubt?

Well, youre beautiful .

The woman looks puzzled, though it doesnt seem like he has bad intentions .

I have no idea where were going, but Ill come along if I can touch that ass for the whole trip .

Hello .

Ooh, its Rebecca .

I was taken to an ordinary house which is actually a disguise for a secret information officer base .

You came without realizing? Well, I did use that girl to ensure that wouldnt happen .

How sad, Rebecca doesnt show me a smile after such a long reunion .

Her face is tense and she doesnt seem to be very relaxed in general .

You are aware of the situation that His Majesty is in, right?

Yeah .

That was enough for me to have a good grasp .

His Majesty has lost his mind after Rosario got hurt . On His Majestys orders, I have already captured, interrogated and executed hundreds of people regardless of their proven innocence .

Thats

Before I could say anything more, Rebecca goes on .

This incident has made the king lose much of his trust in me . it cant be considered absolute trust anymore . If I hesitate to follow his orders, the next person to be executed as a traitor will probably be me . Several information officers have already been executed for just that .

Thats crazy

Yes, its quite crazy . Thats why I want to warn you to be extremely careful, as well as inform you of a certain conspiracy .

Consulting me on conspiracies?

Is this a good idea? I have serious doubts .

At this rate, Goldonia will truly become a mess . We must end this turmoil as quickly as possible . The thing is, His Majesty doesnt listen to anybody the ringleaders have all been executed long ago .

So the culprits were already captured .

The name of the ringleaders group is the nationalist faction and theyre actually nothing more than an insignificant underground organization, except that worked against them . They were too small of an organization .

According to Rebecca, those guys were made up of tax officials and low-grade military commanders .

His Majesty couldnt accept that . He figured there must be a more powerful mastermind pulling the strings .

Is that how it is?

From the way the king was speaking, I thought it was something different it felt like a defiant presence .

Im sure Rebecca is much more knowledgeable in conspiracies, so Ill keep the thought to myself .

Thats why a scapegoat is needed . A fabricated story will pin the title of mastermind on someone, then using the capture of that traitor, the entire group of traitors will be cleaned up, successfully closing the curtains on this incident .

A pretty malicious plan .

Although it isnt the most pleasant thing to hear, Im a little curious as to who the sacrifice is .

Military Commissioner Marquess Radhalde

You cant .

I grab Rebecca by her shoulders .

Erich isnt one of my women, however I owe him and more importantly hes a nice guy .

Framing him for a crime he didnt commit is something I wont allow even if its Rebecca .

Now that Ive heard it, Im obligated to stop it .

If she isnt willing to abandon the plan, Ill push her down right now and fuck her until she says shell stop .

If I have to, I dont mind being villified as a rapist .

fuh, you pass .

Hm?

Right when I was about to loosen Rebeccas belt, she gives me a small smile .

Then she also pinches my hand hard .

It isnt Lord Radhalde were going to be setting up . Moreover, I dont want to give you anymore information . Itll get leaked .

Wow, she trusts me so little . Im so sad .

Please tell Lord Radhalde of this . Not too long from now, suspicion will be placed on someone important, and while that individual might be innocent, this is all for the sake of the kingdom so I dont want him to interfere . Lord Radhalde wont go along if he hears it from an untrustworthy source or from me, but its different with you .

Fumu, if thats how it is Ill gladly do it .

Wouldnt it be better if I told him a name to go along with the information?

Lord Hardhalde is wise . He will understand even without the name . besides, would it not ruin your mood if you know the name of a person who will be killed for a false charge?

I guess thats true .

I nod to show her I understand .

This is a secret . Dont tell anybody before or after it happens no matter what . Not to your wife, your subordinates or even that Celia-san .

Celia is a part of me

Celia betraying me is like my own hand betraying me, thats how ridiculous the thought of it is .

Your bottom half always betrays you! Anyways, dont tell anybody aside from Lord Radhalde . Im trusting you!

I understand .

Fine, it cant be helped . I promised, so I wont tell anyone .

In exchange, I will give you a reward if the plan goes smoothly . What would you like

Your body . That goes for your vagina obviously and everything else from the depths of your womb to your ass .

In the end, she pinches my nose hard and I turn to leave the room while sniffling .

Oh right . I forgot .

What is it?

I forgot to tell the king about Jim and the others .

I brought back members of congress and soldiers from Libatis as refugees . Letting them stay in the capital looks impossible so I plan to take them to Rafen with me, thats why please make something up if they are likely to be discovered .

I dont think I forgot anything .

Lets go home .

I think I hear Rebecca screaming .

Argh, dropping such a bomb at the last moment!! Gosh!!

Third Person POV

Side Story: Christophs Struggles 1

Christophs anguished cries echo in a gloomy underground room .

and then, it became like that .

Pfft! You are a real idiot, you know?

Being crammed in a room where the sun doesnt shine, Christophs degree of exhaustion grows .

Ah, that looks tasty . Yes, that, speaking of tasty, you know cookies~

Hm, if you want it, eat all you want . ahahahaha! Why cookies of all things!?

The interrogation has already lasted several hours and Christophs stamina is reaching its limits .

Fumufumu, and then?

That acquaintance did this~

The snacks and tea left on the table emphasized the cruelty of the interrogation even more .

Nu, is it that time already? Thats it for today .

Aah, Im so thirsty .

Christophs cup is empty, but the torturer shows no mercy .

Tea was poured from a porcelain pot into the cup and the liquid was mercilessly poured into Christophs throat .

That was when the sound of tapping as someone descends the stairs can be heard .

Not good, its time for the guy next door to be interrogated . Christoph, let out some screams .

The female torturer grabs a whip and viciously lashes it at the floor several times .

Uwaaaaah! Uwaaaaah!

Christoph yells after every