Kays Translations

Chapter 62: Demi-god and Loyal Retainer

After collecting the Divine Soldiers and Natra, Lute returned to the Duke’s residence.

Without warning, he landed directly from the air in front of the mansion’s main entrance.

But despite such an abrupt return, Heinrich and his subordinates were neatly lined up there.

“…I am surprised. Should I say thank you for taking the time to meet me? I didn’t think you guys would have the auspiciousness to wait for your lord who may or may not return anytime soon.”

“That’s a terrible thing to say. But, your Excellency. With all due respect, but if you make such a racket in the city, I would at least stand by in case of an emergency. Of course, I have Liselotte sama’s permission.”

“Haha. That’s a good point. And you did good.”

Lute smiled amusingly when he was told that it wasn’t a welcome.

Although they are now in Lut’s private army, they are former military men. They are men who were the shield and sword of the nation. They are definitely not tame dogs waiting patiently for their master’s return.

The fact that they were lined up like this was simply because they were on alert in preparation for an emergency as one of the security forces that existed in Sanderica. They were just on the way there when they noticed Lute flying in the sky.

“Even so, it was quite a big event again. The ice blocks in the sky, and the air moves just now. It seems that His Excellency wanted to float something in the sky today.”

“What kind of emotion do you have? The ice block is just a signal. Air movement is just a matter of convenience.”

“Putting aside the signal, I don’t think I would normally even think about flying in the sky. It’s just the feeling of an old bone who doesn’t even know magic.”

“I’m sorry, but I don’t know about that either. Including whether others can do it. I just did it because it’s convenient and possible.”

“…… Well, it is useless to lecture your Excellency, a demi-god, on common sense.”

The range of “technically possible” is much wider than ordinary people, so it’s only natural that their ideas are different.

With that conviction, Heinrich speaks up for the main issue.

“Well, Your Excellency. I think it’s confidential, so I won’t ask for details. Is there no problem?”

“Yeah. The result is good.”

“Then, we will also be relieved of our guard. If there are no further orders, we will return to our posts.”

“No. I’m going to report to Liselotte from now on, so I’ll ask you to look after that. After a while, the military will come to collect it.”

“Hmm. I was worried about it from the beginning, but that’s the matter ……”

“That’s what I mean.”

A number of ice blocks rolling behind Lute. The contents are dimly visible even in the darkness.

There is no falsehood in the word excellent. The catch was so good that it was immediately recognizable as a big catch.

“… It’s disturbing.”

“I agree”

But I can’t be happy to let go. Heinrich also had the same concerns as Lute.

It is an eerie presence that anyone who can look at things from a certain perspective will sense.

Even if, due to their position as a private army, they have no intention of stepping into classified areas without their master’s permission.

Even Heinrich couldn’t ignore the discomfort of sitting that made his spine ache.

“Your Excellency. If there is anything you need, please contact me immediately. I will try to use my wisdom, though it may be of little help to you.”

“Of course. I don’t want to be the only one who has to work hard. You’ll work for me without mercy if you have to.”

”That is very good,”

Heinrich chuckled at the response.

Lute worked unusually hard the past few days, emitting a tense air that was not obvious to those around him.

Such a lazy nature that the master has not shown for a long time. It is not the same as before, mixed with a slight falsehood, but a word that seems to hate from the bottom of his heart.

The disturbing signs still exist, and it’s not a state where you can let your guard down. Heinrich also realized that the situation had calmed down enough for such an attitude to emerge.

“…… By the way, your Excellency. May I ask one thing?”

If it is, then. Any further in-depth exploration should be avoided under the current circumstances.

With this in mind, Heinrich decided to touch on a question that had been bothering him from the beginning, apart from the main topic.

“I haven’t seen Natra-dono at all, can you explain why? From what you have said so far, I understand that she is not in any danger.”

“Ah, that.”

Despite the fact that they went out together, one of them is currently missing. Then it is natural to wonder.

Lute answered this question by moving a single block of ice next to himself.

“…Why is Natra-dono facing the same fate as the prey of this hunt?”

“It’s a matter of security and safety. You can’t take a fragile damsel into the line of fire, can you?”

“I admit it’s reasonable, but not the way to treat a frail damsel.”

Heinrich returns the words with a bit of exasperation. As usual, he was still very much at odds with Natra, or rather with the sister and brother.

Even though they are not in harm’s way, the sister and brother are all on ice.

Even if there is a reason, I can’t help but wonder if a little more care could be taken.

“In the meantime, I’ll make a proper compromise. Especially this time, they’ve been pushed around too much.”

“… what did you do?”

“It’s the ugliest thing in the world, isn’t it, an attack by an escort on the target of the escort? I thought it would be a good trap to induce the other party to intervene.”

“No way…”

Heinrich felt his own cheeks twitch at what he was told.

I could imagine what he did, not to mention what his purpose was. My personal feelings were not inclined to believe it, but my military sensibilities allowed me to accept its validity.

A crisis of chastity for a commoner, even one of his relatives. The return that can be obtained is the possibility of detaining spies from other countries all at once.

There is no debate as to which way the scales will tip. And Lute wouldn’t hesitate to do that.

“Just for the record, I didn’t cross the line. I just held her down and groped her.”

“Your Excellency, ……. That’s about the difference between the worst of the worst and the best of the worst, isn’t it?”

“I understand”

As for the treatment of women and girls, it is lower than a failing grade.It goes without saying that attacking them with force is an evil that is beneath a man’s dignity.

That is why it is so tough. A dirty move made based on public interest, not private greed. It is synonymous with being repeated as often as necessary.

Most people act more emotionally than rationally. Lute and Liselotte who are politicians, Heinrich and others who are soldiers and Landvald are more like exceptions.

“Your Excellency. We are military men, and your Excellency has the rank of a nobleman. It is certainly necessary to take vicious measures from time to time.”

“Oh”

“But it would be a bad idea to repeat it, much less to do it to the same person. Your Excellency has already threatened those two. After that, even though it was a matter of chance, he just treated them harshly. I won’t say that you haven’t been lenient, but it’s too aristocratic and very, very confusing for the inexperienced.”

“Ugh…”

That’s why Heinrich chose to reprimand his master on this occasion.

Even though he understands emotions, he thought that he should admonish Lute, who continues to choose the rational move.

“I’m not saying that you’re wrong. Your Excellency is right in the sense that you’re looking at the big picture. I won’t deny that either. In this case as well, it was a quick and effective choice.”

Definitely a plus in terms of profit. The result is in line with the national interest, and he is definitely fulfilling his role as a noble.

“But if we prioritize rationality, many people won’t be able to follow us. It’s different from when we were the only ones. After all, we’re not people who kill others for our own purposes. That’s why I welcome rationality. Those who are prepared to do so are soldiers.”

We will kill when it is necessary. We will rape women and children if we are ordered to do so. Because I am a soldier.

That is why I am not disgusted by Lute’s choice. It is precisely because they are aware that they are bastards that they can spit on ethics with their purpose as supreme.

“Liselotte-sama is probably the same as well. Although they are of a different species from beasts like us. The rulers understand that many lives depend on their instructions. That is why they judge things rationally. Otherwise, many lives will be threatened. This is so deeply ingrained in my mind that I can sympathize with your Excellency’s way of thinking.”

Politicians do not speak with emotion. No matter how sympathetic their speeches may be on the surface, behind the scenes, they speak in cold, hard-headed numbers.

Taking this case as an example, at the expense of one retainer’s feelings, Lute has detained eight Divine Soldiers and one Intelligence Officer as far as is currently known.

Liselotte would praise this result. She would smile at him without even the slightest hesitation, even if measures are taken in the process that make her dislike him as a maiden.

“So do the others. Most of us who work in this mansion do not reject your Excellency’s way of thinking. Whatever their inner thoughts, they understand and swallow them. That is what it means to serve the nobility. But there are exceptions.”

Most. Not all of them. The most representative of them is the Rick and Natra’s siblings.

“Natra-dono and her brother are citizens who are unfamiliar with this world. Even if it will be dyed someday, it is not now. It will be difficult to understand your Excellency’s way of thinking now.”

“… I guess.”

“The master considers his subjects. I know it’s an insane opinion, but let me dare to say it. Your Excellency should be considerate of those siblings.”

Clearly. Without mincing words, and prepared for punishment, Heinrich declared.

To flatter and fawn over the siblings. It is clear that this is not what he meant, but it is still a very caustic opinion.

“… Let’s hear the reason. Why did you come to such a conclusion?”

“This is the result of watching how you treat the siblings. Your Excellency has two extremes. You are a nobleman, a grand duke, rational and harsh. Or you hide your identity and are like a street thug in your everyday life. There are only these two. Your Excellency lacks the behavior of a gentle aristocrat who is kind to his people.”

“Oh, oh…”

You are immature. Even Lute flinched when he was told that straight out.

Heinrich, however, does not stop. He piles on the pressure without mercy.

“Even if you subtract the fact that you have the status of a demi-god, your Excellency is too extreme. Even if it is not a problem for the people far away, it would be a pain for those close to you. That sister and brother are a perfect example.”

“Hmm…”

“As long as you are the Grand Duke, it is highly unlikely that someone like those two who are unfamiliar with this world will serve you closely. Do you intend to make them shrivel up like the sister and brother every time that happens?”

“As expected, but…”

“Even if His Excellency doesn’t do it. And, by the way, there is a possibility that they will be punished for it, right? If that happens, it will hinder you in many ways.”

“… It’s certainly inefficient.”

After giving priority to rationality and moving, efficiency was dropped and the cart ended. Lute had no choice but to accept that.

“You should follow Liselotte-sama’s example. She tightens her belt when she has to, but she is basically a kind-hearted lady. She behaves in such a way that people around her think so. I can see this clearly when I help her.”

“I’m sure she is. She is a very good woman. She is ideal as a noble princess and as a lord.”

Lute agreed without reservation to the name of the person he was asked to learn from. Liselotte’s behavior was outstanding, even without the prejudice of being a fiancee.

In terms of her demeanor, Axia is no less inferior, or even superior, but in her case, the priority is placed on her demi-god status, which gives her a different impression from that of an aristocrat.

But that open-minded sun-like atmosphere. Although she is dignified, she also has a cheerful appearance, and unlike Lute, she probably won’t make the other person feel more intimidated than necessary.

“Your Excellency. I know this may sound harsh, but human beings are emotional creatures. Some can mask them with greater reason, but in essence they are intelligent beasts.”

“…”

“Emotions can sometimes bring about great fires. When they become hatred, they can sometimes divide and destroy nations. Therefore, please refrain from behaving in a manner that is hateful. Please take advantage of the sister and brother and learn to behave as a strict but kind nobleman. As an old man, I cannot help but hope so.”

Words are gentle, yet full of core.

Advice from a predecessor who lived longer than Lute, even though his position was different. Lute couldn’t help but listen to a direct admonition from Heinrich, who was his close aide.

“… I will take that advice seriously. Let’s do our best.”

“I am grateful and happy. Your Excellency.”

Heinrich lowers his head with a pleasant smile. Lute let out a sigh and smiled wryly at the strength of the fragment that lurked within.

──I see. It is true that I am still inexperienced.

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