Chapter 19 - 19 Commemoration Ceremony
Next morning
When I told Klaus that there was something I wanted to request of him, he said, "What is it? You may say anything. Go ahead," so I reported to him honestly.
"Actually, it is regarding the dogs we received from Windam-sama. Currently, those who have become my subordinates are training them. I was thinking that they might be able to serve as guards for His Majesty's commemoration ceremony. If Klaus-exclency and Windam-sama could see the situation and be satisfied with it..."
As I was speaking, Windam panicked. "Wait, wait, Shivans-kun! Dogs as His Majesty's guards? You must be joking!"
"But, Father, do you know how Shivans has trained them? Regarding yesterday's eel? Are they being viewed with prejudice, just like the Eel?"
When Aristo offered his opinion, the Madam and Aqua joined in as well.
"That's true. It sounds interesting! Well then, let's all go see!"
Even a reluctant Windam was forced into the carriage.
For some reason, even Tima and Noah were there.
When we arrived at the military camp, Vel and Yaris were already training them.
"It is said that dogs have an extremely keen sense of smell. It is said their sense of smell is a hundred million times that of a human. They can even sense the pheromones of a female in heat from kilometers away."
There, I borrowed one of Aristo's belongings and hid it in a box so the dogs couldn't see it.
"I have hidden it in this box. Is this alright?"
The five of them nodded deeply.
Then, we approached the dogs and let them sniff Aristo's scent; the dog that Vel had tethered with a chain approached the box while sniffing the ground. After sniffing each one, upon the third, it barked, "Woof!" and the Klaus family applauded, shouting, "How interesting!"
"However, with this, they won't be able to serve as His Majesty's guards, will they?"
"Next is this, Excellency!"
Three armed soldiers, heavily guarded in armor, appeared.
"They are soldiers of the Imperial Army here."
Then, a slightly large dog was brought out, growling "Grrr" to intimidate the soldiers. When Yaris commanded, "Go!", they attacked the soldiers all at once. The three soldiers were defeated in an instant. One tried to flee, but was immediately caught and screamed, "Agyaa!"
I cast [Heal] on the soldiers who had been attacked in the legs and neck. The one who had taken off his full-face helmet and looked like he was about to cry was none other than Noah's husband.
"Oh my!"
Noah said this while laughing loudly.
"I-I see! Dogs are unexpectedly clever, aren't they?"
"And is it instinct? They were properly aiming for the opponent's vital points!"
Windam and Aqua were impressed.
"For example, it would become possible for a dog to sniff out a criminal's clues and track their traces, wouldn't it? Grandfather, dogs are unexpectedly amazing!"
As Aristo grew excited, Klaus also nodded deeply, agreeing that it was indeed so.
"But Shivans-kun? Why dogs?"
The Madam asked curiously.
"It is a fact that I thought it would be pitiful to abandon them or have them put down. As the Madam knows, I have been poor, living a life that can hardly be called that of a noble. Great nature is my teacher. Arrogant humans do not know the phrase 'coexistence and mutual prosperity'."
When I said there are surprisingly many people who believe humans stand at the top of the natural world, the Madam also agreed, saying, "That is certainly true."
"However, in the natural world, there are many creatures superior to humans. I have learned their respective characteristics and personalities. Thanks to that, I have been able to survive until this day."
When I said that, Aristo applauded, saying, "As expected of my friend!"
"Hiring soldiers costs money, and training takes time. If it's dogs, they can be finished to a certain extent in a short period. You thought of that and had this inspiration for the current operation. Isn't that right, Shivans?"
What is this guy talking about? It's not that great. I can't say that it only turned out this way because I tested my Tamer ability just a little bit.
"Fufu. I cannot hide anything from Aristo-sama, can I?"
"Of course not! I see through everything about you! Including how you are always trying to obtain maximum effect with minimum effort!"
Aristo puffed out his chest as if to say, "Exactly."
Then, a person appeared with applause. I wondered who it was, and it was His Majesty the Emperor.
"This morning, I received word from Klaus that there was an interesting story, so I was told to come to the military. It is indeed interesting! You said your name was Shivans? Guard me! Understood?"
There, Aristo was also ordered to attend the commemoration ceremony.
"Aria also wishes to see you. Make sure to escort her properly."
Then, Aqua softly informed me.
"Aristo is engaged to Aria, a girl of the same age. They might be in the same class at the Imperial Academy. You mustn't make a move, okay? Aria is head over heels for Aristo!"
When I replied, "I have no interest in children. The only one I love is Aqua," she nodded with satisfaction and a beaming smile.
"Then I shall look forward to the day after tomorrow! Shivans. I shall treat you to lunch!"
After His Majesty departed, I called Yaris and Vel over.
"Vel, how many usable soldiers are there?"
"Let's see. About 300. Currently, they are being led by Regias and are already searching suspicious locations. My subordinates are 100 men right now, helping with the dog training."
That many is sufficient.
"Yaris, do not leave my side. I have the ability for reconnaissance. I can tell in which direction and how many enemies there are. Give instructions to Regias and Vel regarding the optimal number of people to deal with them!"
When she nodded in understanding, she looked at me with eyes full of respect.
"That's why you were able to catch my arrows too!"
Since Vel was also watching, he said, "Was that at the Guild's training ground? It certainly was amazing. I was thrilled. You defended against arrows while fighting Regias. I was surprised then, but reconnaissance ability? That's awesome!"
While Vel was being moved, Yaris clung to me closely.
"But, Shivans-sama told me not to leave..."
Vel pulled her away and began to ask me to look after Yaris.
"She became that coarse because she was raised by Regias, but she's a good girl. Though it's also partly because her mother and lover ran away, and her father was a drunkard, creating a distorted environment."
Vel might be an unexpectedly good guy.
"Vel, aren't you getting married?"
"I'm going to achieve great deeds under the Young Master and build a harem! It's a man's romance!"
He's an idiot, but I don't hate it.
After That, Vel, Yaris, and I held a meeting.
Regias is searching thoroughly around the roads, and Passo is likely already crossing the bridge, commanding the road maintenance. There, looking at the map, Vel said that there might be bandits or mountain bandits in the surrounding mountains.
"But it's impossible for just us... The Imperial Army is there too, right?"
"They have zero motivation, you know? Yaris, you saw how they look down on the Young Master, right?"
When told that, I nodded, thinking that was true.
"There are cases where fallen nobles might attack out of resentment toward His Majesty. They will probably come using horses. In that case, I will make the horses sleep with magic."
The two were surprised to hear that. After that, I told them to take them alive. I also asked them to have Vel's subordinates search for their hideout, take whatever can be taken, and if there are captured women or similar, to release them and, if possible, send them back to where they lived.
"So you're going to fleece the bandits? You're an interesting Young Master!"
"Give that to the victims as compensation. If we do that, our reputation will improve, won't it?"
To Vel, who was disappointed, wondering if it wasn't going into our pockets, Yaris explained, "You idiot. If you think about the future, it's the right answer! The reputation that Shivans-sama is a good noble will rise! By extension, our reputation will rise too! That the Imperial Army is crap!"
"I-I knew that... that much..."
Vel said in a small voice.
And then, the early morning of the day of the event. The Palace echoed with the neighing of warhorses even before dawn.
It seemed 100 Imperial Guard Knights would serve as His Majesty's guards. In front of them followed the Klaus family's carriage and 50 guards. Running at the front were Yaris and I. At the very rear was Vel.
The unit with the dogs is inside the carriage. It seems Regias and his subordinates are keeping watch, disguised as farmers, in locations with good visibility.
Yaris and I were clad in Black Knight armor, and Yaris, looking in a mirror, was moved, saying, "I... am so cool!" From the roadside, cheers were sent out like "Black Knight-sama!", and Yaris waved with a full smile. She looks incredibly happy.
When I explained the rules we had decided here...
I, at the front, would signal with my sword toward the direction where the enemy is. For example, if I point my sword to the front right and hold up three fingers, it means "There are three enemies in the two o'clock direction." Upon seeing that, instructions would fly to Vel's unit to attack the enemy.
This was in case it was too noisy to hear voices. However... most of the time, they were just stray Goblins or wolves...
On the roads with good visibility, nothing happened, but upon arriving at the severalth rest point, Regias, disguised as a farmer, arrived.
"I get a suspicious feeling about something 20km ahead, Young Master."
"Understood. Do not neglect your vigilance."
He seemed to be able to use Body Enhancement magic, as he departed quickly.
"It's finally time. I'll leave the command to Yaris. Do it properly! It's your first battle!"
She nodded deeply at my words.
And finally, the enemy appeared. It was visible to everyone that about 70 people, centered around cavalry, were charging up with clouds of dust.
They were probably former soldiers or former knights. They were well-organized.
"Enemy attack!!"
The knights also dismounted, raising their shields to prepare for the enemy.<
"Protect His Majesty!"
""Ooh!!""
Yaris took a command baton and stood ready. Even if the enemy released countless arrows, she did not waver. When I shot down all the arrows that seemed likely to reach us, cheers of "Ooh!" rose and applause could be heard from inside the carriage.
In the back, Vel was shouting, "Alright! You dogs! Attack the enemy! Go, go!"
"Do not target the horses. Target only the people... Fire!"
With Yaris's resonating voice, 300 people disguised as farmers released crossbows. When the enemies were knocked from their horses, the horses would go wild, but they immediately became quiet and fell asleep due to my magic.
The arrows were coated with numbing medicine, so even if they weren't fatal, the targets could not move. One person mounted a horse, knocked away the arrows, and charged. Everyone was saying that he seemed quite skilled.
"His Majesty's life! I shall take it!"
Since he was charging while shouting, I said, "That's impossible. Because I am here," and stood in his way, casting [Sleep] on the horse.
"Do you want to die, brat!"
These were the man's final words.
[One-Stroke Severance]
Because the horse had fallen asleep, the man leaned forward and flew toward me. And while flying, he was cleanly split in two.
It must have been a shocking sight for the people who witnessed it.
Our own people also seemed surprised.<
"Fueee... as expected, the Young Master is scary, man! Alright, from here on, it's our turn! Let's make the captured ones spit out the location of their hideout!"
Vel was in high spirits. Even though they had been attacked by the dogs, we interrogated the bandits who had survived.
"Hey? Where is the hideout?"
One of the bandits said with a displeased face, "I ain't telling a bastard like you anything!" as if spitting the words out. Vel said with a smile, "Who asked you to tell us?" while repeatedly stabbing that bandit's legs and arms with a knife.
"If the others talk, you'll become useless. If that happens, since no one will help you, just get eaten alive by wolves."
When told that by Vel, his attitude changed instantly.
"It's halfway up that mountain. My companions are there. Five are keeping watch. There are 12 women we kidnapped inside. Please... help us..."
Upon confirming, it seemed there were still more than 20 companions. Naturally, they were left tied up without being treated.
We let the dogs sniff the bandits' scent and headed toward the hideout.<
"I'll leave the rest of the command to you. Please depart ahead of us."
When I told Yaris, she said, "Understood," and departed along with Regias's unit. The horses the bandits were riding were used as they were once awakened. The unit with the dogs, myself, and Vel's unit headed toward the mountain where the hideout was.
At the hideout, the bandits, who never expected to be the ones raided, were first thrown into great chaos by the sudden attack of the dogs. Then, suppression was completed in an instant.
"What? You said there were 12 captured women, but there are 25 of them! Is he an idiot? Can't he even count?"
Vel muttered complaints while untying the women's ropes.
"Um... who are you all?"
"I am the lord ahead, Shivans O'Brien. We suffered an attack by bandits but repelled them, and came to help after hearing about the hideout. You are safe now."
And Vel, who dreams of building a harem in the future, also appealed earnestly. However, both the subordinates and the women were repulsed by such a Vel.
When the food and money in the hideout were all distributed among the 25 people, they worshipped him, saying, "It's like a God!" There were also several boxes containing weapons and ores such as gold and silver, so I took those.
When we treated the injured and the sick, they said, "We will surely come to thank you someday!" and each was sent to a neighboring village.
As a side note, I also placed Slave Marks on the captured bandits to make them work seriously. When we checked with the villages if they needed former bandits, they said, "They became slaves? If so, we want them!" and we distributed them.
By the time His Majesty and the others arrived at the bridge, we were also able to join them. When the Master Craftsman saw that I could meet Passo and him, he looked happy and dashed toward me upon finding me.
"Tell me! How did you do that tunnel? It's bright even during the day! And it's clean and wide! Hey? How can you dig such an amazing tunnel?"
There, the knights also arrived, saying things like "How did you defend against the arrows?" or "Was splitting a person in two a direct teaching from Butler-sama? If you'd like, I'll give my daughter as a bride, so please teach me!"
"Young... Master, you're quite popular, aren't you?"
"Yeah... your daughter too, though?"
Two middle-aged Old Men were feeling melancholy.
Yaris was also being wooed by knights, saying things like "It was magnificent! Your first battle? I see! Tonight, let's talk all night long!" and she was running away.<
The commemoration ceremony preparations were already complete, and someone like a priest was coming out.<
(I wonder if they're doing something like a prayer for traffic safety?)
Amidst the watching merchants and local residents, it seemed to be proceeding with a solemn atmosphere. The Master Craftsman and Passo also appeared to be praying with solemn expressions, joining their hands.
(Is there something like a tutelary deity? I'll ask Aristo about it later, maybe?)
When I asked Yaris and the others to go catch some eel, I heard a report saying, "There were plenty of river shrimp, too." Thinking I couldn't miss that, I peeked into the river. Since quite huge shrimp were jumping about, I immediately had Yaris, Vel, and the others catch them.
"They're huge... are these really river shrimp? They're bigger than Kuruma shrimp!"
Immediately, to make these into fried shrimp, I peeled the skin and coated them in flour and breadcrumbs. Then, a cheeky maid approached.
"Hey, you there? Don't keep His Majesty and the Princess waiting, okay?"
"Then, you help too. You want to eat them quickly, don't you? You hungry woman."
The cooks of the Klaus family were cooking rice and skillfully preparing the eel. She had come to complain while I was grilling them with sauce. I thought she might be extra irritated because a savory, good aroma was drifting around, but I was irritated by the condescending young girl.
"I am a Princess's Maid! It's different from a common maid around here!"
"Fine, fine. It means you're a piece of trash who can't even cook!"
"That's not true! I can!"
Since she said it out of stubbornness, I told her to help with the preparation since I was making shrimp fry, but she just stood there without doing anything.<
"What's with that woman? Even though she can't cook, she's got quite the mouth, doesn't she?"
"She's just standing there blankly. She's probably just hungry and using the Princess's authority as a shield to say whatever she wants, right?"
Laughing at her, the knights and guards caused her to suffer a great embarrassment, and she tried to dash away.<
"Wait. You're going to run away without even apologizing?"
"Just for a mere cook! How arrogant! If it's not delicious, I'll have you fired!"
There, I proposed a bet.
"If it's delicious, you'll apologize to me here while completely naked. Since it seems like you're the only one who would say it's bad, if His Majesty and the Princess say it's delicious, I'll have you do it. What do you say? If you apologize for your previous verbal abuse, I'll forgive you."
She fell for the provocation perfectly.
"Very well! I shall accept!"
The clumsy maid left, and Yaris, Vel, and Vel's subordinates came to help.<
"Shivans-sama, please look after the eel! We can peel and fry the shrimp ourselves, so we'll do it!"
Since it was almost finished, I hurried the lunch preparations, albeit a little early. The Klaus family's guards were preparing by putting out tables and chairs.<
Freshly made eel bowls and shrimp fry were being prepared on the provided tables. There, His Majesty, the Princess, and the people of the Grand Duke family took their seats.<
"It looks delicious, just as Klaus said! Let's eat!"
His Majesty, in high spirits, picked up a spoon and began to eat. Aristo also sat beside the Princess and began to eat. Aqua and the Madam jumped on the shrimp fry first.
"It smells incredibly good. I can see why that maid was complaining."
"It's an appetizing smell. We want to eat too!"
The knights and guards were also waiting eagerly. When His Majesty and the Princess both praised it, saying, "It's delicious!", Klaus and Aristo looked toward me and waved.
After that, it was distributed to everyone, and we also served our people and the local residents. When the captured women also came and we served them, they were delighted.
"Beyond this bridge will be our territory. Please come visit anytime!"
I intended it as half social courtesy, but I thought the other party saying, "I will certainly go," was also social courtesy.
As the cleanup began, His Majesty and the others were about to board the carriage. When the maid who saw me tried to dash away, a knight stopped her.
"Hey! You there, maid! Didn't you make a promise to Baron Butler's son?"
She trembled at being called out in a loud voice.
"Butler-sama's son? Why is someone like that doing something lowly like being a cook?"
Aristo was terribly angered by those words.<
"Do you intend to insult my friend? No matter if you are Aria's maid, I will not permit it!"
As if they were about to come to blows, Lady Aria was also flustered. Then, when His Majesty asked, "What is this commotion?" and the situation was explained, Aria tried to apologize.
"It is not Lady Aria who should apologize. Furthermore, that girl's remarks insulting a cook, despite not knowing anything about cooking, are impermissible. For now, let her reflect until she makes a dish that satisfies Aristo-sama. How about that?"
In short, I was suggesting she be made to train as an apprentice cook.
"Shivans. Isn't that too soft?"
"Well, it would be too much to make her perform a Dogeza while naked, Aristo-sama."
"W-were you making such a promise?"
Aristo was surprised, and the maid glared at me resentfully. There, while maintaining a smile, I approached and whispered to the maid while applying Intimidation, "Shall I make you perform a Dogeza while naked? In front of all these people?" and she shook her head with a face looking like she was about to cry. It looked like she had already leaked something.
"Never act so arrogant again. If I find you next time, I'll strip you naked and make you run through the Imperial Capital."
When I threatened her in a low voice, she nodded repeatedly while crying and leaking.
Thus, the ceremony ended safely, and the Master Craftsman and Passo headed south to build roads and bridges. Regias, Vel, and Yaris the three of them came to be feared as 'Shivans' Guard'.