The city of Selva.
Deployed at a vantage point where the castle jutted out from the walls, I watched the main force—Rolfis's army.
The force had ballooned to twenty thousand, almost entirely mercenary bands. Originally, these were the companies that Zayin had hired when they were planning the invasion of Rolfis, but the moment they learned payment wouldn't be coming, they immediately defected to Rolfis.
Money makes the world go round, I thought as I gazed at the city of Selva under siege.
On our end, we were holding back—limiting ourselves to drawing the enemy's attention and providing some support to Rolfis's main force. After all, Zayin stood to gain almost nothing from this war.
The disputed border territories had already been agreed to go to Zayin from the start. But that was the extent of it.
If pushing hard would yield Zayin almost nothing, there was no motivation to try.
(My interests and Zayin's interests aren't the same, after all. I need to keep the attrition of the knights and soldiers entrusted to me as low as possible.)
I didn't want to be seen as passive, so I figured I'd at least play the role of drawing Selva's forces toward us.
It seemed to be working—they were diverting a reasonable number of troops in our direction.
Watching the movement inside the city, I could see that Selva was resisting desperately, even press-ganging civilians to withstand our assault.
When I unconsciously gripped the Jewel, May, who was standing beside me, spoke up.
This time, I hadn't asked May to do any reconnaissance.
Novem was in the rear treating the wounded. Clara and Miranda were supporting a separate detachment.
Aria and Eva were also providing support with another unit.
Shannon and Monica were using Porter to assist the rear units.
"Hey, doesn't Lyle need to be commanding?"
In the direction of May's gaze stood Mr. Crate. And Mr. Albano, wearing the equipment of the unit that had handled dirty work during the days of the Holy Knights, was also seated in a chair at the main camp, arms resting against the backrest.
The two of them were glaring at each other.
Mr. Crate.
"I declared that we're cooperating with Rolfis! So what are we going to do if we don't attack more aggressively!"
In the main camp tent, Mr. Crate slammed both hands on the long table, while Mr. Albano, cleaning his ear with his right pinky, looked at him with an exasperated expression.
"That's exactly why they call you a blockhead. We stand to gain almost nothing from this. And besides, if the other side goes all-out and we actually take the territory, that'd be a problem for them too. Just imagine if we were the first to ride in. What face would they have left? They've got nearly twice our forces — if we get there first, they'll lose all dignity. All we need to do is keep our distance and exchange magical fire."
Mr. Crate was too aggressive.
Mr. Albano was too passive.
The two of them clashed, and the vice-captain knight, Neui Baader, listened to both proposals.
"Um, then... we'll go with Lord Lyle's plan to attack aggressively and draw their attention, correct?"
When all eyes turned to me, Mr. Crate was nodding.
"Th-that's the only option?"
Mr. Albano said.
"And what exactly were you planning to do by charging in? Rolfis is already making moves to claim this area as his own. The young knights want to earn glory while they have the chance. Use your head for once."
Mr. Crate's face turned bright red, and he grabbed Mr. Albano by the collar.
"Albano, who do you think is the reason you're even here—"
"It's because of the Holy Knight, that's who. Did you think I'd say it was because of you?"
Whether it was battlefield nerves or something else, the two of them started throwing punches at each other. Receiving May's look that said "What are you going to do?", I stood up from my chair.
From within the Jewel, the Seventh Generation's exasperated voice could be heard.
"My my, they really haven't grown at all, have they?"
The Fourth Generation added:
"I don't think we can just leave things to those two. We should designate someone to put in charge. They're both capable, but they're bound to butt heads."
Both had their strengths, but their weaknesses were just as significant.
I...
"If you're going to do it here, then step outside. It's out of the question for a commander to be absent from the field, you know."
The two of them separated and sat down in chairs.
A messenger burst into the tent.
"Report! Rolfis's unit has reached the wall! They've breached the city gates and are pressing the attack!"
It had taken several days to get to this point, but it was faster than expected. The numerical advantage really had made all the difference.
Then Crate spoke up.
"We'll send reinforcements too! I'll personally lead the cavalry!"
Albano cut in.
"That's exactly why you shouldn't move. If you interfere with them, you'll only have yourself to blame later."
The two were at odds, but I offered no advice.
I would be leaving Zayin soon, and I'd wanted to let the two candidates for the next Commander gain some experience. But the two of them together were hopeless.
Then Noi let out a sigh.
"Let's support Rolfis as well. Keep the soldiers on the walls pinned down. Try to avoid assaulting the city itself as much as possible. Send a messenger to Rolfis for confirmation."
She pushed back her short black hair as she issued her orders, blending elements from both proposals into a balanced compromise.
They turned to look at me, and I nodded.
The Fifth Generation's voice rang out.
*No wonder Alette couldn't bring them into the fold. They're far too extreme.*
The Third Generation then...
"If that's the case, then pushing either one of them for knight commander is completely out of the question. Even putting them on equal footing, they'd just fight."
I watched Noi-san from inside the tent as she received reports and issued orders. Since the founding of the Holy Knights, she had been, if anything, an unremarkable presence.
She was the type who preferred to support others from behind.
I sat down in my chair and rested my chin on my hand. While I was watching Noi-san, May leaned in to peer at my face.
"What are you thinking about?"
"Hm? Oh, just mulling a few things over."
(A former noble, fallen on hard times and now working as an adventurer, right? She's in her mid-twenties... She knows hardship, and more importantly, she was born into nobility and received a proper education. She's not the type to push herself forward, but when it comes to dealing with these two...)
I'd originally called her to the main camp thinking of her as the knight commander's adjutant, or possibly deputy commander, but the choice turned out better than I'd expected.
(Oh, this might actually work.)
I gripped the Jewel, and the Fifth Generation, who understood what I wanted to say—
"......For a compromise, wouldn't this be rather good?"
The Third Generation—
"Both of them have too much personality. A commander with no strong personal flair might actually provide the right balance."
The Fourth Generation—
"Not bad. Rather, with these two around, someone like this might actually be the better choice..."
The Seventh Generation, perhaps thinking her more suitable than Crate or Albano—
"If she's been through hard times, wouldn't that make her a good fit? She seems earnest enough. The real question is whether those two would accept her."
I nodded, then stood up and approached Noi-san, who was busy with her work. She looked up at me with a puzzled expression.
"Um, did I make some kind of mistake?"
She tensed up, thinking I'd come to point out an error.
I placed my left hand on Noi-san's shoulder and raised my right thumb.
"Congratulations. You're the next Commander of the Knights!"
"...Huh?"
The surroundings fell silent, and the tent went so quiet it was as if time had stopped—until the next messenger came rushing in.
The knights of Lyle Walt who had infiltrated the city of Selva arrived at the royal palace and restrained every member of the royal family.
By the time Alette rushed over, Dario, clad in golden armor, was surrounded by Lyle Walt's knights, collapsed on the floor.
Blood had spread across the floor, and Alette grimaced.
(...You made too many enemies, Prince Dario.)
Alette had come to report to the Knight Commander who had entered the palace. After confirming the Knight Commander's location, she walked briskly through the palace and found the room where he was.
In the unfamiliar palace, she had to call out to patrolling soldiers multiple times before finally reaching the room, where she delivered her report to the Knight Commander.
"Alette's squad has suppressed the Selva forces that were resisting at the western wall!"
In a minister-class office, the Knight Commander sat in his chair, nodded as he reviewed the report.
"Good work. Is that all?"
Inside the city, skirmishes had already ceased, and Lyle Walt's flags were being raised everywhere.
It was now the second day since the city's fall, and a knight was heading toward Lyle Walt's royal castle to report the victory.
Alette spoke to the Knight Commander, who wore a tired expression.
"No, there's more. It's more of a personal matter—a proposal, I suppose."
Having won, the Knight Commander was in a decent mood. He looked up from his documents and turned to Alette.
"A personal one, hm? What kind of proposal?"
And so, Alette—
Yes! Her Royal Highness Princess Annerine and the Commander of Zayin's Holy Knights—Lyle Walt's engagement!"
When Alette said that, the Knight Commander furrowed his brow.
"Are you tired?"
He replied.
But Alette was serious. She was making a genuine proposal. Lyle had his problems, being a womanizer, but his contribution this time was greater than anyone's.
He had thoroughly commanded Zayin's forces, demonstrating his high level of tactical ability.
"I am serious! His origins are from an earldom of the great Banseim Kingdom! Furthermore, the Walt family is a prestigious house, isn't it? There should be few problems regarding status as well. That way, Rolfis would gain a strong king!"
As Alette explained with eager intensity, the Knight Commander leaned back slightly.
"No, before we talk about status, if he's expelled, it's meaningless... Besides, I doubt Zayin would let him go. Wasn't he a Holy Knight? Doesn't he have a reputation as Zayin's Holy Maiden?"
The elf had traveled to Rolfis and sung her songs.
And the rumors had reached Rolfis too. The name of the brave hero, Lyle, had begun to spread.
"If we have him make a stop here and publicly announce the engagement before the official announcement is made, there should be no problem!"
The Knight Commander said in a low voice.
"You, that's why you never..."
"What was that?"
Alette pretended not to hear and pressed further towards the Knight Commander. She placed both hands on his desk, bringing her face even closer.
"Th-this is too close, too close! H-hypothetically, let's say. Hypothetically, okay? Even if you successfully get her away, for the Princess, the Holy Knight is an enemy she despises. To such a person... no, wait."
The Knight Commander placed a hand over his mouth and fell into thought.
Alette watched his reaction.
"That Princess, you know. She might have forgotten her hatred along with the matter of Dario. Besides, if we succeed, our standing with Zayin will be even higher. I heard your position as Knight Commander is temporary, isn't it? In other words, if you're considering leaving Zayin now..."
Alette knew that Lyle was serving as Zayin's Knight Commander on a temporary basis. The Knight Commander was the same.
Taking his hand away from his mouth, the Knight Commander spoke.
"A noble marriage... it's common for the wishes of the individuals involved to be secondary. However, Lady Anneline did like heroes."
Alette nodded.
"And her appearance isn't bad. Moreover, her bloodline is from a prestigious house... with Dario gone, this is the perfect opportunity, isn't it!"
The Knight Commander leaned back against his chair.
"...I'll propose it to Lord Lombolt in the city. I'll send a fast messenger. You, go speak with Lyle."
"Yes!"
Alette rushed out of the room as if to fly, and hurried to the location where Zayin's troops were encamped--.
Having invaded Selva and thought everything was done, I was somehow invited to Rolfis's royal castle.
I had been summoned by Alette, told she wanted to offer a formal apology for the past for the sake of future friendship.
My work was mostly finished; all that remained was to formally hand over the Knight Commander position to Noi in Zayin and it would be over.
Crate was opposed, but Albano was accepting. When I confirmed with Crate whether he could handle paperwork, he reluctantly agreed with a difficult expression.
Albano had quit being an adventurer to become a knight of Zayin. It seemed he intended to dump the work on Noi, saying he couldn't do paperwork from the start.
(No, wait, I also need to go back to Zayin and take over the handover, don't I?)
The audience hall in the royal castle had its gaudy decorations removed.
The Fourth Generation said.
*'Ah, so this is what it was originally like. I like this more subdued feeling.'*
The Fifth Generation added.
*'Before, it was decorated gaudily because of the fiancée's taste. But now, speaking of which, I'm curious about the princess's eyes in front of us, aren't you?'*
Last time, I'd made a truly awful impression at the audience, and I'd felt genuinely sorry about it. So I came today with the intention of making amends.
That was the plan, but—
"Um, what are Lord Lyle's hobbies?"
The Third Generation said, in an exasperated voice.
*'This isn't really an apology, is it? Wait — are you blushing? What's going on? Lyle, did you do something? Could it be you're already in one of those "before-you-know-it" situations?'*
Growth hadn't arrived yet. If it had, I would have refused this audience with everything I had. It was obvious the outcome would only bring harm to both sides.
With Princess Annerine nervously fidgeting with her purple hair before me, I had no idea what to do.
I felt some indescribable dread, and an odd sweat broke out on me.
*(No, wait — you literally called me a stalker last time, didn't you?)*
"H-hobby? Ah, um... What exactly do you mean by that?"
"Kyah!" she squealed, pressing both hands to her cheeks as her body squirmed. What is this? This is terrifying.
Lord Lombolt, who was standing beside Her Highness.
"Come to think of it, you have quite a number of beautiful companions, Lyle. With only one man among them, it must be rather difficult, yes? How about choosing a wife here? Besides, living as adventurers forever must be quite the hardship, wouldn't you say?"
In the audience hall, all of my companions had been invited as well. Lord Lombolt's gaze was directed toward them. But his gaze wasn't one of admiring beautiful women.
*(What the hell is this guy talking about?)*
As I was thinking that, the Seventh Generation seemed to grasp the situation and spoke to me.
*'Lyle, this is your chance! This princess has apparently fallen for you! I don't know why, and I don't want to know, but if you play this right, you'll get Rolfis!'*
The Third Generation as well.
*'Oh, not bad. There was that big problem we had to deal with, so securing a country around here wouldn't be the worst move. We'd have Rolfis's military forces at our disposal.'*
The Fifth Generation.
*'...I don't know about that. Well, it is necessary, but how should I put it... Isn't that a bad idea?'*
The Fourth Generation shut down the Fifth Generation's opinion.
*'Let's set aside minor problems for now. Lyle, make a statement that keeps them interested and see how they react. Got it? This is for the sake of winning! It's something we need in order to beat Ceres! Be ruthless, Lyle!'*
When Lombolt told me it was for the sake of beating Ceres, I couldn't help but feel a little scared of him.
"Y-Yes. Well, it is tough being the only man there, though."
Then Miranda spoke up.
"My, how cruel. And here we've been so considerate about everything. More to the point, could you please just tell us plainly? Why did you call Lyle here in the first place?"
The people around shot slightly stern glances at the confrontational Miranda. But she didn't flinch.
Lombolt said:
"...I had intended to discuss this afterward, but—"
It seemed the princess had gone off-script. The plan had been for both sides to exchange apologies here, and then he'd call me aside privately afterward.
"Rolfis holds Lord Lyle's recent accomplishments in the highest regard. So, what do you say? Would you like to take the next crown into your hands, Holy Knight?"
Inside the Jewel.
The Fourth Generation was ecstatic.
*'Yes! We've got him! Now we've got Rolfis on our side! If we use this as a foothold to secure Zayin and dominate the surrounding area—'*
But it was then that the smiling Novem spoke up.
"That won't be possible."
"Huh?"
Even I involuntarily turned around. As all eyes gathered, the visibly displeased princess declared at Novem:
"Why not?! Are you dissatisfied with me? Absorbing the blood of an unparalleled hero—that is the duty of the royal family!"
The Fifth Generation inside the Jewel.
"No, I don't think that's it. You should be looking at the more important parts of this."
The Seventh Generation too.
"...Novem is opposing us? She can't possibly not understand what it means to secure Rolfis here! Lyle, convince Novem!"
Novem, who had been smiling sweetly, wiped the grin off her face and looked the princess straight in the eye with a serious expression. The princess opened and closed her mouth, unable to get a single word out to Novem.
"Lord Lyle and Princess Annerine are of different standing. Moreover, Lord Lyle has a far greater purpose. I don't believe a marriage between him and your Highness would benefit either party."
Then, Lord Rombolt spoke up.
"A greater purpose, you say?"
Novem nodded, and—
"Furthermore, House Walt has a family precept—one observed by all successive heads. I cannot disclose it here, but agreeing to this marriage would mean breaking that precept. I'm afraid we cannot permit this union."
Voices of "How insolent!" echoed from the crowd, but there were also nobles who nodded along—perhaps because many had never wanted someone like me to sit on the throne in the first place.
Lord Rombolt, sensing the mood around them—
"...Is that so. I'm personally quite interested in this purpose of yours. Rolfis owes a great debt to Lord Lyle. If there is any way I can assist, I will."
The princess sat in her chair, downcast, her gaze lowered with her hands resting on her knees.
(I do feel sorry for her, but... honestly, I can't deny the relief I feel.)
I decided to believe that she would find a good match eventually.
We offered our apologies for the earlier audience, and both sides agreed to settle the matter.
Once the audience ended and we were on our way to Zayin—
Sitting atop the porter, I turned to Novem, who had been assigned to keep watch alongside me.
The sky was blue, the clouds were white, and the sun was shining. As the piercing sunlight beat down on us, I looked to Novem.
"Hey, why did you reject that proposal back then? If you'd accepted, you'd have gotten Rolfis."
Upon hearing this, Novem gave me a blank look, as if what she said was only natural.
"Wh-what? Well, it... it didn't align with the family precept of House Walt. Even if she is a princess, she's not a match for Lyle-sama's stature."
I thrust my palm out in front of Novem's face, telling her to wait a moment.
"Huh, so you really turned it down just because of the family precept?"
Novem smiled.
"Yes. She wasn't a suitable match for Lyle-sama."
It was a really beautiful smile.
And with that smile, Novem declared that the princess was not good enough for me.
Deep down, though.
(The First Generation who made that family precept was just shooting his mouth off at a drinking party... but saying that wouldn't really convince anyone, would it?)
Feeling deflated, I said to Novem.
"The sun's gotten pretty strong, so why don't you go inside?"
"I'm fine. I can use magic to reduce the sunlight. I also need to protect Lyle-sama's skin."
"O-oh."
I'd forgotten, but Novem really was overprotective toward me. Inside the Jewel, the voices of successive heads could be heard.
Starting from the Third Generation.
"If Novem-chan says so, I guess there's no helping it."
"Think about it calmly—looking after that woman while also governing the territory would be pretty tough."
These guys sure change their tune fast.
"But what shall we do? There is a serious, pressing problem we need to address, isn't there? We must find a way to resolve it."
A serious and pressing problem was right in front of us.
It was—
(Sigh, I spent all our money on this war, but what do we do now...)
—a matter of money.