762nd Year, May
It had been nearly a month since I arrived at the duke’s residence.
The office was filled with the sound of scratching pens.
“Hey… Erich. When will this be finished?”
“…Your Grace. Please move your hands instead of your mouth. Otherwise, nothing will get done.”
I, along with Erich and a few other retAinzichers, was managing the duke’s territory.
There were numerous tasks to handle, from adjudicating disputes among residents to distributing food borrowed from trading companies. Instead of decreasing, it felt like the paperwork was only increasing.
As for Werner? He wasn’t foolish, but he was likely avoiding troublesome tasks and trAinziching with the old man. What a traitor.
All of this was due to the shortage of personnel resulting from the complete annihilation of my family and knights, except for Lady Leila. Who was responsible for this? Well, it was my father.
Knock, knock.
I heard a knock on the door. When I checked who it was, it turned out to be Lady Leila, so I allowed her to enter.
“Your Grace… I just received a letter from Count Weivarl.”
“Thank you, Lady Leila.”
I expressed my gratitude and received the letter.
At first, she wouldn’t even speak to me, but recently, she had begun to engage in conversation, even if just a little. It was a significant improvement. I’ll continue to win her over like in a dating sim! Well, I’ve never played a dating sim, though.
I opened the seal and read the letter.
It was an order from my father to join the army.
The contents specified that only I and a few knights should go, and we wouldn’t need to bring soldiers. It seemed that I was not being relied upon for military strength but rather for political performance.
I handed the finished letter to Erich.
“I’m sorry, but I’m going to slip away. The rest is up to you.”
Before Erich could say anything, I left the office in haste.
I called out to Werner and Helbert and began preparing for departure.
Just then, Lady Leila arrived with some portable food.
“…Good luck in your endeavors.”
I received the food from Lady Leila and expressed my gratitude.
“Thank you, Lady Leila.”
Well, I was just making an appearance anyway…
Accompanied by Helbert and Werner, I left everything concerning the territory to Erich and set off.
“Well then. Let’s go, old man and traitor.”
“Isn’t that a bit harsh, Ainzich-sama!?”
I laughed off Werner’s lament as we headed toward the Count’s territory.
At the designated rendezvous point, our faction’s army was already deployed, and the anti-Weivarl coalition forces were also arranged in the Siluria region. Well, while the anti-Weivarl coalition managed to hold up because of the Baltiar Duke’s house, now that the Baltiar family had withdrawn, they had become a mere rabble.
I was guided to a notably large tent, where it seemed my father and the prominent figures of our faction had gathered.
“The Duke of Baltiar has arrived.”
So it was announced, and I stepped into the tent.
My father sat at the front, flanked by knights and noblemen from affiliated families, all with stern expressions.
I knelt and introduced myself.
“By the command of Count Weivarl, I, Duke Baltiar, have arrived.”
“Ah, I am grateful for your arrival, Duke Baltiar.”
My father’s expression brightened at my introduction.
This was all a show to proclaim the subservience of the Baltiar family to the Weivarl family to those around us.
“Now, you must be tired from your journey. Please take a short rest. Baron Kerman, please show Duke Baltiar around.”
“Yes! Understood.”
With that, Baron Kerman stepped forward from the line and made eye contact with me.
Prompted by him, I followed and settled into the tent he guided me to.
“You seem tired, Your Grace.”
“Please stop it, Brother.”
Seeing my wry smile, my brother chuckled with amusement.
To reveal a secret, this Baron Kerman is the third son of Count Rumeir, who is three years older than me.
“I never thought my younger brother would surpass me in title.”
“I’m the most surprised here.”
“Ha, I suppose that’s true. Ainzich, you never know what you’ll do, so it’s surprising that Father entrusted the duke’s house to you.”
“Isn’t that a bit harsh coming from my actual brother, Baron Kerman?”
“Oh dear, my apologies. Please forgive me, Duke Baltiar.”
We shared a laugh over our theatrical pretense. Neither of us cared much for titles.
After a hearty laugh, I turned my gaze outside the tent.
“Will I get to see your magic today, Brother?”
“Ah, I’m scheduled to perform the opening shot. Since it’s been a while since you’ve seen it, I’ll make it a flashy one.”
“I love your magic; all of it is wonderful.”
Well, it’s partly because I lack any magical talent, which makes me envious…
In reality, my brother is a genius who can use intermediate-level magic at the young age of 19. Magic has always held an alluring charm that continues to resonate with me.
“Thank you, Ainzich. I’ll leave it to you. For now, take a moment to recover from your journey.”
With that, my brother left the tent.
I found myself alone in the tent and lay down for a bit.
Huh? Where did the old man and Werner go?
