Chapter 196: Zex, the Third Son of the Duke Mondo Household 

Let me once again explain the geographical position of the Astoria Empire.

The Empire lies at the southernmost tip of the continent, with all of its borders facing north.

To the northwest, it borders several small nations, including the former Marquisate of Cell (now imperial territory).

Directly north, needless to say, lies the Gran Federation, the fully neutral nation known as the “Heart of the Continent.”

And to the northeast… beyond a vast mountain range, it faces the coalition of duchies.

The coalition of Principalities is, above all else, fiercely aggressive. For hundreds of years, they have continuously sent massive armies against the Empire. In order to repel them, the Empire established a formation known as the Eastern Front on the far side of the mountain range, placing the Mondo ducal house in charge as its governor.

This front is known as the most brutal battlefield on the entire continent.

While part of that is due to the relentless persistence of the Principalities coalition, the truth is that they are not the most feared presence there.

The one truly feared is—

—the “King of the Mountain,” Duke Mondo, and his army.

What must not be misunderstood is this: the Eastern Front is not a joint effort of northeastern noble houses. It is composed solely of the Mondo ducal army.

In other words, for centuries, the Mondo house alone has continued to crush the coalition forces of the Principalities.

There is no need to explain just how extraordinary that is.

The vast mountain range, perpetually covered in ice and snow.

The Mondo house rules over that entire region.

On the eastern coast of their territory lies the Empire’s greatest trade port, ensuring a steady flow of supplies that are constantly sent to the front lines.

Thus, the head of the Mondo house has, for generations, been feared as the King of the Mountain. And the current duke, in particular, is said to possess unparalleled strength—enough that even Ryu held him in high regard and requested reinforcements from him.

Alongside the Grace Marquis house—the Empire’s breadbasket—they are counted among the two greatest noble houses of the Empire.

In fact, if one were to compare the strength of a single army, they might very well be the strongest on the entire continent.

…And it was as the third son of such an extraordinary house that Zex was born.

Several years ago—

“Zex-sama. It seems the Duke will be descending from the mountain today for the first time in a year.”

“I-Is that true?! Then I must be the one to greet him, no matter what!”

“Yes. Your elder brothers are away at the academy, so it would be most fitting for you to welcome him personally.”

Zex was renowned as the most handsome of the Mondo house, excelling equally in both academics and martial ability, and possessing a gentle and upright character.

Even when compared to his prodigious elder brothers, he did not fall short.

In particular, his popularity among women was astounding, and many had already begun to voice hopes that he would one day become the next King of the Mountain.

“Father!”

“…It has been a while, Zex. You’ve grown considerably this past year.”

“I have devoted myself to training every single day, so that I may become a king like you!”

“Hahaha. As expected of my son.”

“Father, I heard that another envoy has been dispatched to Hinomaru.”

“Indeed. This time, the envoy is the much-talked-about Baron Arden. What’s most surprising is his age… I hear he is turning fifteen this year. Her Majesty certainly has a flair for dramatic selections. Hahaha.”

“F-Fifteen?! That’s only three years older than me…!”

The duke then asked,

“What do you think, Zex?”

“…It will be difficult, I believe. Over the centuries, hundreds of envoys have been sent to Hinomaru—imperial magicians, members of the royal family, even past Kings of the Mountain. There are even records of the Emperor himself making the journey. Compared to them, this is merely a fifteen-year-old baron who has gained a bit of attention. With Hinomaru currently in turmoil, I doubt Baron Arden alone will be enough.”

It was a perfectly reasonable conclusion.

Many nobles had questioned the Empress’s choice this time.

The Duke, however, smiled faintly.

“…That’s what I thought as well. At least, until I saw Baron Arden with my own eyes.”

“…What? You’ve met him, Father? But weren’t you on the battlefield this entire past year…?”

“Indeed. But when I heard that the Baron would be passing through Mondo territory, I could not restrain myself. In the midst of battle, I climbed to the summit of the sacred peak… and measured him.”

“…And what was your conclusion?”

Zex swallowed nervously.

The duke’s answer—

“I could not tell.”

“…Could not tell…? Do you mean he was far more insignificant than expected?”

The duke slowly shook his head.

“…Don’t tell me… even you could not measure him…?”

“That’s right. He’s extraordinary. I can well understand why both Her Majesty and Marquis Grace favor him so greatly.”

“…!”

(This… this father of mine praised someone else? A mere young baron from the frontier? And… I’ve never seen that expression on his face before…)

At that moment, the duke’s eyes held an almost boyish glimmer—an innocent excitement rarely seen.

“Ryu Arden.”

“Ryu… Arden…?”

“The name of the imperial envoy who will likely open relations with Hinomaru. Remember it well.”

“…………”

“If you are curious, mobilize Mondo’s shadow forces and gather information. I, too, have taken a considerable interest in him—how Ryu Arden will move the world from here on.”

—That was the day.

The day Zex, who had previously cared for nothing beyond Mondo, turned his gaze beyond the mountains.

(Hmm… so he rebuilt a crumbling territory and crushed the Mantester baronial army…)

(What? He’s begun port trade with the Grace Marquis house recently?)

(He mobilized the immovable Grace army and defeated three Heroes on the Western Front?!)

(All of this… at only fifteen years old???)

Several months later—

“Amazing… just as Father said, he truly succeeded in establishing relations with Hinomaru. Not only that—after quelling internal strife, he predicted an attack from the duchies, requested aid from Mondo’s grand fleet, and launched a counter-ambush, effortlessly saving Hinomaru from crisis. While it’s true he borrowed Father’s strength, Baron Arden’s foresight is simply extraordinary. What a brilliant move.”

The deployment of Mondo’s grand fleet was not merely about military strength—it was to show the people of Hinomaru, with absolute clarity, that the Imperial forces had come to their aid.

In their moment of despair, the Imperial navy appeared like a gale, striking down the duchy fleet from the side. How reassuring that sight must have been to the people of Hinomaru.

And afterward, when the vast fleet of Mondo ships lined the port of Edo—how immense, how overwhelming they must have seemed.

After such a dramatic rescue, there was no way the Tokugawa shogunate would refuse an alliance.

“I see… so this is Ryu Arden.”

From then on, Zex gathered every piece of information he could about Ryu.

(He went to the capital on his own two feet to buy an elixir for his mother… what beautiful familial devotion…)

(He received a marquis-level estate from Her Majesty as a promotion gift… well, of course. I should visit it someday.)

(What? He serves as a part-time instructor at the Imperial Academy?! …I—I must go!)

(He married that famed pharmacist and his own younger sister, Lena-sama…? How magnificent!)

—And so, in the year he turned fourteen—

“Father, please allow me to attend the Imperial Academy.”

“I see… you too have been captivated by that remarkable man.”

“Yes. That is my only reason.”

“But our family has always attended the northeastern academy.”

“I refuse. If necessary, I will escape and enroll in the Imperial Academy on my own.”

“Hahaha! That is indeed the spirit of a king’s son. We do have a residence in the capital. Take the necessary servants and funds, and enjoy your three years at the academy. …And if the opportunity arises, deepen our ties with the Arden viscount house.”

“Understood! Leave it to me!”

And thus, a fervent devotee of Ryu was born.

◇◇◇

The third day after the Imperial Academy’s opening ceremony.

Today, Class 1-A had a room change.

Zex was currently walking down the corridor with his entourage.

(That large lecture hall belongs to the pharmacology department…! Which means there’s a chance Lady Estelle, the genius pharmacist—and Lord Ryu’s wife—is inside…!)

As he passed by, he stole a glance through the door’s window at the podium.

(The legendary loli-elf…? What beauty and charm…)

In that instant—

Zex’s eyes flew wide open.

(Which means… could it be… those two share that kind of height difference…?!)

And so, Zex’s peaceful academy life continued.