Kays Translations

Chapter 63: The Villainous Aristocrat Becomes a Viscount

Several days have passed since the attack on the imperial capital.

Exhausted and sleeping in the heart of the capital, I was recovered by the returning Juggernaut and transported to the healing institute in the royal capital.

Huh? How did the Juggernaut come back when Hagane can't defy orders? Because...

...Felsy and Wendy hijacked it.

No, really. My adorable sister and younger sister can be quite terrifying.

To return to the imperial capital, she made Hagane faint and, despite not knowing how to handle it, piloted the Juggernaut back.

According to Ayano and Katia,

"Oh, yes. I now understand how careful Kunou-san and Hagane-kun's driving usually is."

"...I felt a sense of danger to my life."

Well, in any case, everyone was safe. If there were any problems...

It might be that Freya called me out.

“Nice to see you, Kunou!!”

Freya calls my name with great enthusiasm. Her expression seemed to be plotting something.

"What is it, Your Majesty? As you can see, I'm going through quite a tough time without my arms and legs."

"Despite that, you're walking around as if nothing happened. Well, I was thinking of giving you a reward for this incident."

"Huh?"

Freya declares loudly.

"Kunou von Draussen, I grant you the title of Viscount!!"

"...No, um, this time..."

This time, I haven't done anything overt. 

I have no position related to it at all, and there's no reason for me to receive any reward.

I try to politely decline the reward.

"This is also for your sake, you know?"

Freya says nonchalantly.

Thinking there might be some other circumstances, I decide to listen to what she has to say.

"First of all, keeping this incident confidential is extremely difficult."

"Why is that?"

"Think about it logically. Running around the battlefield with something like that and attacking the capital of an enemy country—there's no way we can keep it a secret."

"Eh... we can't?"

"No, we can't. I've put a gag order on the officials and the intelligence department, but it's tough. Some members of the intelligence department seem to hold a grudge against Kunou."

"I apologize for that."

I thought Freya could handle it somehow, but it seems I was expecting too much.

Now, what to do...

"Let's change our approach. Instead, let's spread information about you widely, including the weapons you've created."

"Eh, is that okay?"

It's a bit awkward to say this about myself, but the Juggernaut is a weapon that's centuries ahead of its time. 

It's scary to have that information spread so openly.

Well, I guess I shouldn't complain since I both created and used it.

Understanding my concerns, Freya nodded as she spoke.

"I understand your concerns, but there's no fool who would mess with someone possessing a superweapon that can end a war in a day. Even if there were, those kinds of people would likely think the Juggernaut's existence is just a battlefield legend and wouldn't believe it. They would see you as a decoration used to glorify their cause."

"...So, it won't be a significant problem either way?"

"Yes. There might be individuals who try to mass-produce it, but they might think it's using a generous amount of enchantment and shaping magic, right?"

"Oh, yes. That's true."

"In that case, what you need to be cautious about is that it might expose those around you to danger."

Hmm. Well, I did anticipate that to some extent.

"So, I have a proposal."

"...A proposal?"

"I suggest we protect your family under my name. It used to be impossible, but now our country has become the largest on the continent."

Ah, yes.

Currently, it seems that the name of the Gardanakia Kingdom is on the verge of changing.

Essentially, the upper echelons of the Atralta Empire were wiped out, leaving no one to rule. With the only surviving prince being beyond reach, the empire merged with the kingdom.

Thus, the birth of the Gardalta Federation, a federal state between Gardanakia and Atralta.

There seem to be some who oppose changing the name of the country...

However, no one actively opposes it, as they are pleased to have absorbed the empire, which had long been a hypothetical enemy.

As for that prince, they plan to grant him a ducal title and let him become an independent noble.

It seems they want to incorporate the surviving imperial family and even integrate the people of the empire.

Things can't possibly go that smoothly, and it's not without its challenges.

"Between us, we owe a certain gratitude to the demon race. The kingdom has increased its national power, and the anger of the former imperial citizens is directed at the demon race."

Yes, the anger of the former imperial citizens is entirely directed at the demon race.

Or rather, Freya likely orchestrated it to be that way.

It seems there's an intense movement against the demon race happening in various places.

"So, in the current kingdom, I mean federation, it would be easy to protect your family. Of course, not only in other countries but also domestically, no one would dare to touch them under my name. However, for that, it's best to have Karina and the others stay in the capital. I'll arrange for a mansion in the capital."

"...Well, that makes sense."

It wouldn't be good if my family in the countryside were taken hostage.

"As a reward, I'll grant you a title. I'll make you a viscount and give you the Dorana territory as your fief. We need someone to manage it, after all."

"I see."

Well, yeah. I can accept that.

Protecting Lord Aslan and his wife Karina, who are the rulers of the Dorana territory, in the capital and merging their territory with my Draussen territory—it seems to make sense.

However, if that happens, the originally vast Draussen territory will become even larger...

Can I handle the management?

"Well, I don't really understand the complicated details, so I'll leave that to you. As long as my family is safe, that's good enough for me."

"Very well."

"Oh, by the way, if anything were to happen to my family, be prepared. I'll be furious even if it's in my homeland."

"Uh, yes, I understand. Don't say scary things."

"Hahaha, I'm just joking."

However, relying entirely on Freya might not be ideal.

"Can I modify that mansion?"

"M-Modify?"

"Yes, for security measures like traps against intruders."

"W-Well, um, I guess that's fine. ...Just don't go overboard, okay?"

Oh well, I'll just make some traps that are about 90% effective against intruders.

Freya clears her throat.

"Now then, let me rephrase. Kunou von Draussen, I grant you the title of Viscount!! This is your reward for this time!"

"...I graciously accept it..."

And thus, I became a viscount.

"Oh, I almost forgot to mention."

"Is there something else?"

"Yes. Your arms and legs, they will be treated by the Saintess!!"

"Eh?"

The Saintess. Saintess Nakia.

A dangerously devoted individual. Honestly, not someone I particularly want to get involved with.

"Hmm, you don't seem too thrilled. Your arms and legs will be healed, you know?"

"N-No, I'm happy, really."

"Well, that's good. I felt a bit sorry for your injuries."

Oh dear, oh dear. Freya is considerate.

No matter how questionable the Saintess might be, and no matter how much I've modified my prosthetic limbs to shoot rocket punches, rocket kicks, or bullets from my fingertips, it would be ungrateful to decline now.

After all, only the healing magic of the Saintess can regenerate limbs.

If the missing parts had been recovered, regular healing magic might have sufficed...

But thanks to me wreaking havoc in the imperial capital, my limbs are nowhere to be found.

It can't be helped.

"Originally, I wanted to invite you to the kingdom, but it hasn't been long since the martial arts tournament. It's not feasible to call you over repeatedly."

"So, I'll be visiting the Holy Theocracy then?"

"Yes. The theocracy is arranging to welcome you."

Ugh, that means I can't use the magic tank.

Well, it's not too bad to occasionally travel leisurely in a carriage.

"I don't mind if some of your attendants accompany you. The holy city of the theocracy is a sanctuary that only a limited few can enter. It's not something you can easily tour. ...Well, that's assuming you have the leisure for sightseeing."

Huh? What does that mean?

My question goes unanswered, and on a later day, I was greeted by an envoy from the Holy Theocracy to take me to the holy city.

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