Epilogue

The aftermath of the war had finally settled down. Ryuu’s mother had made a full recovery, and the management of the Baron’s territory had entered a period of stability.

His mother and her subordinates were making steady progress with the large-scale plantation project from the other day, so there was no longer any need for Ryuu to intervene.

On this morning as well, his mother equipped her hands with some menacing-looking brass knuckles and headed off to the farm in high spirits.

Now that Ryuu’s schedule had some breathing room, it was probably time to embark on a new business venture.

...That being said.

Our territory is famous for having absolutely nothing. If I had to pick a feature, it would be that the Baron Ardren territory faces the sea. Well, even if I want to utilize the sea, I’d have to clear a vast forest filled with monsters first, just like with the farm.

Although the Ardren territory was technically located in a coastal region, a large forest lay between the town and the sea. If they wanted to harvest marine resources, they would have to develop the forest, which was teeming with monsters, for several kilometers.

Apparently, a head of the family from several generations ago had made a similar plan, but the Baron territory’s funds and military strength had been insufficient, and they had been forced to abandon it with tears in their eyes.

In short, fishing and maritime trade were actually the long-cherished dreams of the Ardren family.

"Hmm, what should I do?"

A massive undertaking that would likely take more than ten years with the strength of the Ardren family alone. If asked whether they should start now, the answer was undoubtedly no. However, Ryuu couldn't get it out of his head.

I really want to let everyone in Ardren eat delicious fish...

Ryuu leaned back deeply in his chair with his hands behind his head. At that moment, someone knocked on the window. He turned his gaze toward the sound.

There stood one of his trusted subordinates.

"Dylan. You can come in."

"Excuse me."

"Why do you always come in through the window? It’s not like there’s a problem with using the front door."

"The window just feels... more spy-like, you know?"

"Hmm, I guess that’s how it is."

"Yes, that’s just how it is. Hahaha."

Just between us, the former assassin Dylan simply didn't have the courage to walk through the front door in broad daylight.

"What is it today?"

"I’ve come across some interesting information. It’s not exactly a state secret, so I’m sure it would reach your ears eventually, Master Ryuu, but I thought I’d come tell you just in case."

If Dylan was going this far, it must be something quite intriguing.

"It seems the Garcia Kingdom, the powerhouse of the northern continent, has actually summoned a Hero."

Ryuu doubted his ears for a moment at the report that exceeded his imagination.

"A Hero...? You mean the hero from another world who defeated the Demon King a thousand years ago?"

"Yes, that’s the Hero I’m talking about."

Going back in time—about a thousand years. The continent of Bale-land. had been beset by a disaster.

That disaster was... a massive invasion by the Demonkin. Quite far from this continent lay a land dominated by the Demonkin called the Demon Continent. The monsters living on the Demon Continent were so ferocious they were in a league of their own, and the entire continent was known as one of the world’s most dangerous regions.

Of course, at the same time, the combat ability of the Demonkin who had ruled that land since ancient times was said to be superior to any other race.

At one point, a Demon with special power was born among the Demonkin. That Demon quickly rose to the top of the race and came to be known as the 'Demon King.' Even after achieving the unification of the Demon Continent, the Demon King's ambitions were not satisfied, and he immediately pointed his spear toward this continent.

It was only a matter of time before the shadow of the Demon King reached Beyland. Therefore, the countries of Beyland, which usually squabbled with one another, joined forces this time and developed a magic capable of opposing the Demon King.

—That was Hero Summoning.

As evidenced by the fact that the continent was not currently ruled by the Demonkin, the Hero at that time defeated the Demon King and brought peace to Beyland... no, to the entire world.

"Has the Demon King been resurrected?"

"No, that doesn't seem to have been confirmed."

"Then there’s a high possibility they just brought in a Hero as a military force for the country."

"Yes. Recently, the Garcia Kingdom had declined to a level unworthy of being called one of the Four Great Powers."

The Four Great Powers Dylan referred to were the Garcia Kingdom in the north, the El Dorado Empire in the west, the Moule Duchy in the east, and the Astoria Empire in the south—the four superpowers that dominated the continent. Additionally, in the center of the continent, there was a completely neutral nation called the Gran Federation, but we’ll leave that aside for now.

With a sigh, Ryuu asked, "Is it just me, or does this seem like a stupid military reinforcement policy thought up by a stupid royal family?"

"Hahaha, I think so too. This era’s King of Garcia is a real dud."

'The next Hero Summoning shall only be when a Demon King is born.'

Since then, no matter how fierce the wars had been, every superpower had strictly adhered to this pact. It was highly likely that the King of Garcia had used this forbidden magic for the first time in a thousand years under the pretext of his country's military reinforcement.

Among historians, some stated that the Demon King and the Hero were opposite sides of the same coin. In other words, in response to the Hero, the Demon King might be resurrected.

Among sociologists, some said that if one country broke this rule, others would follow suit. In short, no one knew what was going to happen from here on out.

"The first thing to watch is how the other three powers, including the Empire, react to the Garcia Kingdom’s folly."

"If the Empire and the Duchy move to summon their own Heroes in response, do you think Her Majesty the Empress will follow suit?"

"Who knows. First of all, there’s a massive question as to whether the strength of a thousand years ago will even work in the modern era, and besides, we have the Imperial Mages, the ultimate guardians."

During the conversation with Dylan, the Dragon King’s voice echoed in Ryuu’s mind.

(Kukuku... Finally, a country has resorted to Hero Summoning for such shallow reasons.)

For someone who usually calls people worms and whatnot, you’re quite well-informed about human society.

(Kh...!! Silence, brat!!)

Regardless of the Ardren family's circumstances, Beyland was about to enter a turbulent era for the first time in a thousand years.

◇ ◇ ◇

A considerable amount of time had passed without Ryuu coming up with a new business venture.

Today, a peaceful breeze blew through Ardren. The scent of wheat carried from the neighboring territory tickled his nose. If we clear the forest and lay down a road to the sea, maybe the sea breeze will reach this manor too, Ryuu thought as he let his pen glide across the paper.

Glancing at the garden, he saw Axel stuffing his face with grasses from the Poaceae family, much to the delight of the gardener.

As Ryuu sipped his tea while watching the scene, Sebas burst into the study without so much as a knock.

"Lord Ryuu, we have a problem!!"

Ryuu spat out a mouthful of tea in a spectacular spray.

"Wh-What is it? What happened?"

"A carriage carrying royalty reportedly passed the checkpoint between Grace and Ardren just moments ago!!"

The speed of this information relay was likely thanks to Dylan. He truly was an excellent subordinate.

Ryuu was dressed casually, so he hurriedly changed into formal attire and headed for the manor's main gate.

(I have a pretty good idea which member of the imperial family would want to come here...)

A luxurious carriage arrived at the manor. One look at the Imperial Knights surrounding it and the imperial flag fluttering proudly told anyone everything they needed to know—this belonged to the royalty.

The person who stepped out of the carriage was, of course—

"Lord Ryuuaaa!!"

It was the first princess of the Empire, Elina Astoria.

"Whoa."

Thinking to himself that this was a familiar sight, Ryuu caught Elina as she lunged at him with incredible momentum.

"Elina-sama, that’s dangerous."

"Ehehe. I believed you would catch me, Lord Ryuu."

Normally, Elina gave off a cold, somewhat prickly impression, but right now, she was wrapped in a soft, gentle aura.

"Also, it’s a bit late to ask, but could you stop calling me 'Lord Ryuu' and just call me 'Ryuu'? And it would help if you spoke to me casually instead of using formal language."

"Eh? Why is that?"

"If the First Princess calls a mere baron’s son from a rural territory '-sama,' people might get the wrong idea... For instance, rumors might fly that I'm holding something over you, or other such nonsense."

"I suppose you're right... Then, I shall call you Ryuu from now on."

"That helps."

Elina whispered the name again as if savoring it.

"Ryuu... It makes me happy, like we're fiances or something. I wish you'd call me Elina, too..."

"That’s asking a bit too much... Please, spare me."

Ryuu could only offer a wry smile at the outrageous request.

Afterward, he guided the princess's party to the guest room. Incidentally, his mother and sister were currently out.

"What brings you here today?"

"Actually, I've brought a sealed letter from my mother... I mean, from Her Majesty."

Elina pulled a letter from her breast pocket. It was stamped with the Emperor's private wax seal.

Ryuu opened it without hesitation and immediately checked the contents.

'I am Emperor Iris Astoria. I shall skip the tedious pleasantries. You are aware that the Northern Kingdom has summoned a Hero, are you not? In response, the Western Empire and the Eastern Principality have also moved to summon their own Heroes. Unfortunately, our Empire lost the art of Hero Summoning hundreds of years ago, so we can do nothing but watch from the sidelines.'

'Should this information leak, some of our allies will likely defect to the other three powers. That is how special a Hero's existence is. Therefore, I want you to work with Elina and move the Grace Frontier Army. You haven't forgotten about the bill at the restaurant, have you?'

'I believe in you, my friend—'

Ryuu furrowed his brows.

(That Empress... digging up the restaurant incident... Well, fine. I can't back down now. First, regarding the Grace Frontier Army...)

The current Marquis Grace was known for not being particularly close to the central government. Should a war break out, the Empire didn't want him hesitating to deploy his troops, so they likely wanted Ryuu—his neighbor—to bring him into the fold.

The Empire had its mages, and there were other powerful armies besides Grace's, so they could likely handle most situations with their current strength. However, if the enemy was a great power led by a Hero, that was a different story.

In the letter, the Empress had written, 'Our Empire lost the art of Hero Summoning hundreds of years ago.' The fact that she would casually relay such high-level state secrets to Ryuu showed how much she truly expected of him.

(Being burdened with such expectations as a low-ranking rural noble makes me want to live up to them, whether I like it or not... As usual, Her Majesty is a master of manipulation.)

Of course, the Empress had revealed state secrets precisely because it was the promising Ryuu. In truth, the fact that Ryuu was the benefactor who had saved her beloved daughter's life made destiny seem like a truly mysterious thing.

Seeing Ryuu's brow furrow for a moment, Elina spoke up awkwardly.

"Um... I'm really sorry, but we haven't actually polished the plan for what comes after this. I kind of just came here on impulse this time... My apologies."

"No, no, don't worry about it. I've already decided on the plan."

"Eh? It hasn't even been a minute since you opened the letter..."

Elina's eyes went wide at his sheer speed.

Later, after hearing Ryuu's plan, she looked like she couldn't shut her mouth.

It would be quite the sight to see exactly what kind of strategy Ryuu had devised.

"Ah, by the way, where will you be staying tonight, Elina-sama?"

Elina smiled brightly.

"At the Ardren manor, of course. I know it's rude to just show up and demand to stay, but..."

"I think it’s unavoidable this time. Given how things were before, coming here without notice to deliver the letter was a wise decision to keep the information suppressed."

"I'm glad you see it that way."

"There's still quite a bit of time until dinner. What would you like to do in the meantime? Ideally, I'd like to introduce you to my mother and sister, but neither of them has returned yet. Shall I show you to the guest quarters first?"

"Yes, please. After that, I'd like you to show me that manor over there."

"Eh... That dilapidated villa? I don't mind, but it’s just a run-down old house, you know?"

"But that’s the nostalgic manor where you used to live, right, Ryuu?"

"...You're well-informed."

"Ufufufu. I've used every means at my disposal to research everything about Ardren."

Ryuu first showed her the room where she would be staying. The room was meticulously maintained, kept cleaner than any other room in the manor. Incidentally, the princess's luggage had already been carried in by the servants.

"It’s so well-kept~. As expected of Ardren."

"I have the servants clean it every day so it's ready no matter who comes."

The Imperial Knights had seemed anxious about the princess staying in a dirty room, but seeing the pristine quarters, they let out sighs of relief.

In addition to combat duties, the Imperial Knights had to keep an eye on all aspects of the royalty's well-being. Ryuu was impressed by how they worked stoically without changing their expressions, despite it being a constant, high-pressure job.

After the guest room tour, they headed to the villa Elina had requested.

It had been a while since Ryuu had been here, so he paused for a moment before entering, looking up at the building.

(I definitely can't tell her I killed five assassins right in front of this entrance...)

"Hmm? What's wrong, Ryuu?"

"I was just lost in a bit of sentimentality."

Ryuu busily unlocked the door and held it open so the princess could enter easily.

"My, how attentive of you."

"Not at all. You two should come in as well," he said to the knights.

The two knights bowed and entered the house. Since the servants never missed a day of cleaning the villa, there was no dust flying about, and the princess’s dress wouldn't get sooted.

There was the bedroom where he had supported his mother during her illness, and the room where he had often played with Rena when they were small. The kitchen where Sebas would occasionally make sweets, and the bath that was surprisingly comfortable despite its small size.

He guided them through, explaining each room carefully.

Elina nodded along, while the knights remained constantly vigilant of their surroundings.

"Well, finally, we'll head to the room I lived in for several years, but please don't expect much. It's truly nothing but a run-down room."

"Yes, yes. I get it, so just hurry up and take me there."

Elina laughed as she pushed Ryuu forward.

With a resigned sigh, Ryuu headed for the room in question.

"This is it."

When he opened the door, inside was an old bed, a faded desk and chair, a wardrobe full of holes, and windows covered in cracks. It was the kind of room one would expect for a slave or a prisoner.

Elina didn't look down on him; instead, she turned toward Ryuu.

"Why were you living in a room like this?"

"Because I wanted my mother, my sister, and Sebas to live in nice rooms."

"I know you're kind and prioritize your family, but Sebas is a servant, right? Not to be rude, but you gave a mere servant a better room than your own?"

"Yes. Well, Sebas was quite hesitant at first, but I forced him to live in a nice room."

"Hmm, you're quite the oddity."

(As always, he's unbelievably kind...!!)

"Hahaha, I get that a lot."

He had the strength to freely manipulate lightning magic and skillfully handle a katana. Not to mention his looks and intellect.

If any other noble son possessed those traits, they would boast loudly and act more arrogant than any great noble in high society.

But what about this man, Ryuu Ardren?

He didn't even tell his family about his achievement of rescuing the princess from a foreign organization—an act worthy of a decoration—simply because it was 'too much trouble.' Despite having such power, he wasn't arrogant in the slightest.

One moment he was traveling all the way to the capital to buy medicine for his mother, and the next, it turns out he lived in a slave-like room for years for the sake of a servant. These were just the stories Elina knew. If she dug deeper, he likely had many more hero-class achievements.

(To him, his inner circle is everything, and he has no interest in anything else.)

—If only I could be included in that inner circle.

With that wistful thought in her heart, Elina gazed at Ryuu's profile as he looked around the room with nostalgia.

Ryuu spotted his mother and sister rushing through the gate from the window.

"It looks like the two of them are back. Shall we return to the main manor?"

"Yes, I understand. Thank you for indulging my selfishness."

Ryuu and Elina met up with the two in the guest room.

This was the first time both his mother and sister had met royalty directly.

"E-E-E-E-Elina-sama, I-I-I-I-I am Rena."

Rena was adorably flustered, while—

"I am Airisu. Thank you for coming all this way to such a remote region. It is a pleasure to meet you."

His mother showed a level of composure that could only be described as impressive.

"The pleasure is mine, Airisu, Rena. Ufufufu."

A composed lady and a panicking young girl. It was a common sight at tea parties, and Elina’s cheeks softened.

(This is it, this. I don't want nobles with weirdly high pride; I want innocent nobles who are inexperienced and awkward. I knew they'd be like this since they're Ryuu's family, but they really are good people.)

Elina shifted her gaze to Ryuu.

"Now then, we're going to start some special girls-only talk, so could you step out for a bit?"

"Special talk... you say?"

"Geez, girls need that kind of time! Come on, out you go!!"

Elina pushed Ryuu's back and forced him out of the room.

Seeing how close the two seemed, Rena might have pouted, but when the opponent was the First Princess, her awe far outweighed her jealousy.

"Eh... well, fine. I'm bored, so I'll go pet Axel."

It was unclear what the three women discussed after that.

After Ryuu returned to the main manor, the three of them seemed to have bonded significantly; they enjoyed dinner together and, surprisingly, even bathed together. From their expressions, it was clear the talk hadn't been about anything bad.

He guided her back to her room before lights out.

"D-Don't come crawling into my bed at night, okay?! W-Well, if it's Ryuu... mumble mumble..."

"I won't... Just what do you think I am...?"

With an exchange like a sweet and sour, innocent couple, the day came to an end.

No, since Ryuu had to fight the Dragon King night after night, one could say the night was just beginning, but for now, the day had ended safely.

"Sigh. After dealing with the Princess, I have to deal with some stupid lizard?"

"Heh heh heh... Let us begin tonight as well—our battle of souls."

◇　◇　◇　

The following day. Ryuu and Elina stepped down from the carriage.

Before them loomed a manor so massive that the Ardren manor paled in comparison.

Waiting there to welcome them was Marquis Grace.

—Needless to say, he was a man of great caliber.

"I have been expecting you, First Princess... and Baron Ardren."

"It’s been a while, Marquis. I look forward to today."

"It is an honor to meet you, Marquis Grace."

"Fufu. Please, come this way."

(I'm relieved to see he has at least a modicum of manners.)

Just now, Ryuu had addressed Marquis Grace as "Marquis." In the Empire, the rank of a Margrave (Margrave) was equal to that of a Marquis, so calling him "Count Grace" would have been disrespectful. Since there were more than a few foolish nobles who didn't understand that—or rather, didn't even think about it—the Marquis was impressed by Ryuu from the start.

One could say it was a decent start.

Feeling the Marquis's intense aura, Ryuu followed behind him with Elina.

The Grace family held the surrounding plains as their main territory and owned vast tracts of farmland, producing various agricultural products besides wheat. These were transported throughout the Empire via the guild, supporting the dinner tables of many noble territories. To put it bluntly, many nobles were dependent on Grace.

Simply put, there were almost no nobles who could stand up to the man before him.

The fact that Grace didn't place much importance on his connection with the central government was also related to the fact that he had established such an unshakeable position.

Contrary to his gentle tone, his gaze was as sharp as the Empress's.

Captivating such a man would be a Herculean task. Any ordinary noble would surely fail.

—If they were an ordinary noble, that is.

Led to the guest room, the two sat on the sofa as prompted.

The Marquis opened by apologizing for putting Elina in danger previously, then shifted his gaze to Ryuu.

"I've wanted to talk to you once, Baron Ardren."

"Likewise. Despite living as neighbors for years, I had never even caught sight of you, Marquis. It is an honor to be sitting here today."

"Heeh~, you're unexpectedly humble. Even though you led your territory to victory in the recent war."

"The victory was entirely thanks to the hard work of the soldiers. I was just cheering them on from the back."

"Any other noble son would have turned that into a heroic tale to be passed down to his grandchildren..."

(Is he truly just humble, or is he simply uninterested in such a level of achievement? Well, either way, I'm glad he's not a bad kid. This looks like it'll be a lively conversation.)

However, the Marquis had not yet been told the reason for this visit. He was a busy man, but upon hearing that the princess he had previously inconvenienced was coming, he had no choice but to make time.

"...So. What kind of interesting story have you brought me today, Princess Elina?"

"I'll let Ryuu explain that."

Elina glanced at Ryuu.

"Today, I have a business proposal I'd like to offer Marquis Grace."

"Mm-hm. Go ahead, tell me."

The Marquis seemed unable to wait to see what words would come out of Ryuu's mouth.

"First, regarding the recent agricultural situation in the Grace Frontier territory. Within the past few years, the production of your specialty, Grace wheat, has increased significantly, hasn't it?"

In an instant, the Marquis's eyes became as sharp as knives.

"...How do you know that? That's our internal confidential information."

"I can tell just by looking from next door. Every year, the warehouses for storing wheat and the number of workers increase, so I can make a rough guess. Incidentally, I haven't sent a single spy, and Ardren doesn't have the resources for that anyway, so please rest assured."

"Ah~, I guess it's obvious, huh? I was worried about that."

As if conceding, the Marquis leaned back in his chair.

Elina, who had heard everything beforehand, had a smug expression.

Ryuu continued without minding.

"Currently, most of the wheat consumed in the Empire is from Grace, so at this rate, the domestic self-sufficiency rate will exceed 100%, and in proportion to that, the price will gradually drop, won't it?"

"Exactly. That is the future of oversupply."

"Since that would diminish the effect of your monopoly on the market, I thought that once it hits 100%, we could temporarily fix the distribution volume and price of Grace wheat in the imperial market, and sell the surplus as a luxury brand wheat to allied nations at a high price."

"Of course, I've thought of the same thing. Since our wheat's quality is top-tier even domestically, we could probably get a decent price for it even if it’s low-quality. But when exporting to other countries, the transport costs from the frontier and the customs duties mean there isn't much profit. I tried asking the Merchant Guild, but they turned me down. After all, Grace is in the deepest part of the continent's southern frontier."

The Marquis gave a dry laugh, self-deprecatingly.

But this was well within Ryuu's expectations.

"Of course, I’m making this proposal with all that in mind."

"...What are you—"

Ryuu cut off the Marquis's words and continued. He felt instinctively that he had to.

"There is a large forest in the southwestern part of the Ardren territory, and beyond that is the coast, right?"

"Y-Yeah, there is, but..."

"Why don't we cooperate with Ardren and build a trade port town there?"

"!!???!?!"

(I knew the Ardren family had long desired to use the sea, but is this young Baron trying to accomplish it right now by involving Grace?!)

"Hah-hah-hah-hah! What an interesting boy you are!"

The Marquis laughed heartily, then thought for a while.

(Given the previous relationship between our two territories, it would have been an impossible feat. But now that the heads of the families have hit it off, it's a possible plan, provided several conditions are met. But...)

"The conditions are too heavy, aren't they?"

"Could you stop reading my mind...?"

"It’s more like it was written on your face."

"Stop with the backtalk too."

The Marquis cleared his throat to reset the flow.

"First, how do you plan to clear the forest?"

"Actually, Ardren has a group of expert hunters who are very familiar with the forest. When I asked them, they said the forest is divided into dangerous and non-dangerous areas. If we weave through the latter, they say we can lay a road relatively safely. Of course, we'd need to temporarily evacuate at night when monsters are active."

"Hooh... Assuming that’s possible, let’s say we start building the port town. With Grace's technical skills, we could build a port, but what about the essential merchant ships? We don't have any shipwrights, and Ardren is the same, right?"

At that, Elina smiled sweetly. The Marquis seemed to notice something.

"Hah! No way!"

"Ufufufu. The imperial family will dispatch top-class shipwrights for you."

Ryuu immediately followed up.

"Since the tribute from imperial nobles is proportional, an increase in the Margrave's income is synonymous with enriching the imperial family's coffers. Furthermore, given the current situation, Her Majesty the Empress must be looking for a new chain to prevent allied nations from defecting to other powers. Since wheat is the staple food of the continent, making them dependent on us will provide peace of mind later. After all, if they break the alliance, a great famine will occur."

The Marquis looked down for a moment, then looked up.

"Phew... Just who are you? Ryuu Ardren."

"Just a lowly young Baron from a backwater territory."

"Well, I'll take that for now."

Ryuu still wasn't finished.

"Ah, by the way, the imperial family will not only arrange for shipwrights but also cooperate in securing suppliers for building materials and the production of monster-repelling magic tools to be installed along the road."

"Isn't that quite the generous offer...!!"

"Fufu. This is a small price to pay."

Then, having waited for the right moment, Ryuu said:

"Besides, even without the benefits I just mentioned for the imperial family, I believe Her Majesty would naturally lend a hand if the Marquis requested it. After all, you are—the chief official of the Empire's granary, which dominates the world's agricultural industry."

"How should I put it, you really are..."

Afterward, the three of them discussed and meticulously confirmed all other conditions in detail.

"What else should we export besides wheat?"

"First, agricultural products with high preservability. Other than that..."

"How about Grace sweets? They're pre-packaged, so their shelf life is excellent. Well, the story will change depending on how large a transport ship we can build, so the two of you can decide that later."

"What about the labor force?"

"There are quite a few people who lost their jobs in the war, so I plan to mobilize them. Similarly, if we combine them with the citizens of the former Baron Manntester territory who are looking for work, it should be enough."

"It might be interesting to add a bonus to the wages of people who move to the port town later."

"What about protection when clearing the forest?"

"Let's have both knight orders cooperate. It'll be good training. Of course, leave the garrison to Ardren. As for the Imperial Knights..."

"The Imperial Knights are for protecting royalty, so I'm sorry, but I can't lend them."

Bit by bit, the outline of the plan was steadily solidified.

Since it was noon, the three of them took a break to eat.

"Wow~, how many years has it been since I've had such a meaningful meeting?"

"This is the first time I've had such a heart-pounding discussion, too."

Marquis Grace put down his fork for a moment and asked Ryuu.

"By the way, I got information from the guards that you headed to the capital recently. What did you go all that way for?"

"I went to buy an Elixir to cure my mother's illness."

"For your mother, the head of the family personally went to the capital... along with post-war processing, it must have been tough, right?"

"No. Everyone in Ardren is working harder than me."

"You're a good boy..."

Ryuu had completely captured Marquis Grace's heart.

Also, since Marquis Grace had also inherited the position of family head at the young age of nineteen, he felt a sense of kinship with Ryuu, who had also become a family head in his teens.

"Say, Baron Ardren. Don't you think we're alike in some ways?"

"You're being far too kind. The Marquis is a presence feared even by other countries."

"Hahaha, you have a silver tongue. Also, you're close in age to my daughter, so can I call you Ryuu-kun?"

"That’s fine, but... you're quite assertive."

"I have almost zero military power, but in return, I have confidence in my eye for people. I'd definitely like to stay on good terms with you, Ryuu-kun."

Like Elina, the Marquis seemed to have been affected by the mysterious magic of the person known as Ryuu.

Things were going well so far, but the true purpose wasn't building a port town.

...It was to get a commitment from the Marquis to move the Grace Frontier Army.

Ryuu finally stepped into the main issue.

"Marquis, there's one thing I'd like to ask."

"What is it?"

"You know about the Hero, right?"

"Yeah, of course. The matter of the Northern Kingdom going out of control."

"What would you do if an order to deploy was issued?"

"Hmm, I'd rather not participate, if possible. I turned down the last order, too."

"But what if, by chance, a war begins in the middle of our plan, and if you refuse the Empress's order to deploy, there's a high probability the plan will be canceled?"

"True. In the worst case, everything would go down the drain."

"The warhorses raised in the Great Plains of Grace are powerful, and of course, the Grace Knights who ride them possess some of the best skills in the Empire. The Hero has just been summoned and is still in training, so they won't participate as an enemy force. Therefore, I think you should face it with pride."

"That’s true, but... ah, I just thought of something good."

The Marquis took a breath and declared:

"If Ryuu-kun will fight with me as my deputy, I suppose I could participate in the war. You're very good at that sort of thing, right?"

"Eh... We won't be sending many troops from our side, but if that’s okay with you."

"That’s fine. What I want isn't Ardren's military strength, but Ryuu-kun's this."

The Marquis pointed to his own temple.

"Then, if a war breaks out, I look forward to working with you."

"The pleasure is mine! Man, how reassuring!"

Although the true goal had been achieved, Elina’s expression wasn't bright.

(No matter how great Ryuu's strength is, if a war breaks out, Ryuu will be taken to the battlefield... because of me...)

Ryuu placed his hand on Elina's shoulder and smiled gently.

As if to say, 'I'll be fine.'

(Ryuu... you truly are...)

Having vaguely sensed the situation, the Marquis clapped his hands to change the mood.

"Then, shall we write the letter to Her Majesty?"

(Whoops~, I might have done something a bit cruel. But well, it's a normal duty for a noble family head, and anyway, Ryuu-kun won the war with Baron Manntester, and he doesn't seem to mind much himself, so I guess the Princess will just have to endure it. I just have to make sure I bring Ryuu-kun back safely. It’s as simple as that.)

The Marquis stood up and took a pen and blank paper from the wardrobe behind him.

He sat down again and let the pen glide across the paper, writing the letter of suggestion fluently.

After Grace and Ardren's signatures were inscribed—

"Finally, I'd like to have Princess Elina's signature as well, if that’s all right."

"Yes, of course. I'll take full responsibility as well."

The names Astoria, Grace, and Ardren were carved into the letter.

Setting aside Ardren, this was nothing less than a new pact between the Imperial Family and the Grace family, who had been estranged for years. Who could have predicted such a thing? For the Empire, which had no Hero summoning art, it was a stroke of luck in a bad situation.

In order to bring this letter back immediately, Ryuu and Elina boarded the carriage.

"Thank you for today, Princess Elina. And Ryuu-kun."

"The pleasure was mine. Thanks to the Marquis, I can bring back the best possible results. Thank you."

"Thank you, Marquis. I'll visit again when I get the chance."

The carriage passed through the gate of the first city and out into the golden wheat fields.

"I'll drop Ryuu off at the Baron's manor first. After that, I'll hurry back—"

"No, I'll get off here. Your luggage is already loaded, Princess, so please return directly to the Imperial Castle. A great deal of national interest is at stake in that letter."

"Eh? But it’s more than ten kilometers to Ardren."

"It's fine. I've already called my partner."

When Ryuu pointed out the window, a giant black horse could be seen running from the other side of the golden sea. Axel had come to meet his master. It was a feat possible only because of the master-familiar relationship.

The driver stopped the carriage, and Ryuu stepped out.

"Ryu-Ryuu... I wanted to talk to you more... I wanted to be with you more..."

"Me too, Princess. I wanted to spend more time with you."

"!!"

At Ryuu's first words of affection, Elina's cheeks flushed, and she caught her breath.

Ryuu patted Axel, who had arrived, and climbed onto his back.

His figure was like a prince on a black horse instead of a white one.

No more words were needed, but there was one thing Elina couldn't shake off within herself.

"Ryuu, I'm sorry. Because of me, you might have to go to war... If that happens, I..."

"Hahaha. For me, it's like a daily routine, so don't worry."

"But..."

Elina looked down sadly and apologetically.

With a resigned look, Ryuu sent her a gentle gaze.

(If I leave her like this, the Princess will be plagued by guilt until the next time we meet. Sigh, I have no choice.)

"Elina-sama, please look over there."

"...?"

A forest could be seen in the direction Ryuu pointed.

Ryuu raised his finger once and whispered as he slowly lowered it.

"Indra's Thunderbolt."

In an instant—a massive bolt of black lightning fell from the sky, and with a tremendous boom, a portion of the forest was obliterated.

Elina's eyes went wide, and she was speechless.

"Elina-sama, please don't let it bother you. No matter what enemy appears, I will never lose. I will definitely win with this magic."

"Ryuu..."

With those final words, the carriage started moving.

"Well, shall we go home to Ardren too, Axel?"

"Burururu."

Just as Axel was about to turn around, a voice could be heard from behind.

Elina was leaning out of the window, shouting something.

"Ryuuuu!! Next time I come, I'm bringing a marriage certificate, so be ready for it!!"

"Hahaha. She truly is a resilient Princess."

Ryuu waved his hand and set off for real this time.

His back looked somewhat happy as he departed.

A few months later, the Allied Forces of the Empire led by the Hero would invade the Empire, and Ryuu would head to the battlefield known as the Western Front, but he had no way of knowing that yet.