Chapter 204 - 202 Windam's Flight
Due to Windam's abnormal behavior and words, the term "congenital abnormality" was whispered everywhere, and those involved were troubled.
"Even if you tell me this now..."
The people surrounding the Imperial Family couldn't hide their confusion.
But it wasn't that they didn't know. The cause was prioritizing political considerations, wanting to strengthen blood ties as a family, rather than ethics.
(In the past, there were similar examples among royalty in Europe too.)
The Habsburg family had a similar past.
The common people learned of this story and found it amusing.
"My cousin married my other cousin. Maybe that's bad?"
"Well, it's probably better than the Emperor's family, right?"
"Yeah. I can't say this loudly, but that guy Windam who was the Minister of Military Affairs, he was apparently completely crazy, you know? Both his wife and mother are of the Emperor's bloodline, right?"
Such rumors were flying around town.
The 'Shinobi' men and 'Kunoichi' women who came to the imperial capital with me.
The 'Shinobi' men were anxious about having to repay their gambling debts.
The 'Kunoichi' women were anxious about getting pregnant with my seed.
(I wonder if there's a good method...)
For the time being, I decided to have them work as employees at the Wizard Hotel along with Nadja.
"You should learn various things at a first-class hotel!"
The 'Shinobi' men became interested in the casino. The 'Kunoichi' women were desperate to learn the secrets of seduction at the club. Nadja would learn cooking at the restaurant.
"Let me give you one piece of advice. Observe all people carefully."
Both the 'Shinobi' men and the 'Kunoichi' women looked puzzled.
"Do you remember when I recruited companions at the Adventurer Guild? At that moment when I said I'd make them companions, Alpha's face showed 'Now it'll be easier to assassinate him!'"
At that, he was met with a storm of criticism from the other four.
"That's why you lose the most at mahjong!"
Beta said this and kicked him.
"You guys lose too, don't you?!"
"But Alpha is the worst by far. It's because he has no consideration that he doesn't understand..."
Gamma said this, and when Alpha got depressed, the 'Kunoichi' women burst out laughing.
So I also warned the 'Kunoichi' women.
"You can't laugh at others either. You didn't notice from the ceiling space, did you? A situation where you could have been so easily poisoned was right in front of you. But you left without any suspicion, without even confirming my dead body. That makes you second-rate as assassins, you know?"
Hearing this, the five turned pale.
"You guys did something you can't laugh at us about either!"
When Delta teased them, Due retorted, "Anne was the only one who noticed."
"That's right... she said it was too convenient..."
When Trois said this as if reflecting, Cinq apologized, saying, "I said it was probably my imagination too... sorry!"
"I was just happy I didn't have to marry that old man! But I was surprised when I saw the old man's dead body. And I remember being terrified of Lord Shivans, who didn't die even from poison..."
Sank seemed to recall.
"Is Lord Shivans human? Is he really actually an Angel-sama?"
"Sigma, would you really believe it if I said I'm actually an angel?"
When I chuckled, he laughed weakly, saying, "Fifty-fifty..."
"There are things you can understand if you observe carefully—expressions, gestures, breathing irregularities. I'll give you a month's chance, but how much results can you show? For now, it seems the 'Kunoichi' women are more capable, though?" When I said this, the 'Kunoichi' women were overjoyed.
"We can't lose, my minions!"
"You're the one who loses the most!"
When Alpha shouted, he was beaten up by the four.
When I went to the Academy, my best friend appeared in a dash.
"Shivans! I missed you!"
He seems quite shaken.
I understood it was because Windam was missing and various things were being said.
"So I really was sick too... because of the blood..."
"Who diagnosed you, Lord Aristo? So, will you be hospitalized?"
"Who... everyone! But... I don't want to be hospitalized!"
As expected of Aristo.
He's easily swayed by what people say.
"For my best friend to listen to people's idle gossip and become weak-hearted. That's a bit pathetic, you know. How many people in the world do you think there are who are lower in ability, have worse environments, and poorer health than you, Lord Aristo? Do those people act as pathetically as you?"
He looked startled and raised his face.
"There must be tons of people more unfortunate than me. I'm in a blessed environment, and I'm healthy. I was indeed being weak-hearted. Thank you, Shivans! I'm always saved by your words."
He finally smiled.
"Even if Lord Windam does something, it has nothing to do with you, Lord Aristo. Rather, you should make society acknowledge and shut them up by showing that 'The father was a failure, but the son is amazing!' After all, you, Lord Aristo, are my only best friend and rival!"
He shuddered as if an electric current ran through him.
"That's right! I still have to do my best! This is no time to be weak-hearted! Martial arts, physical strength, magical power, intelligence! I still have to do my best! Alright! I'll do it!"
Aristo became bright and energetic.
Kate and Aria were watching this and laughing.
"As expected, the specific medicine for Aristo is Shivans!"
"I think so too. Male friendship is nice, isn't it, Aria!"
"Oh my? Female friendship is nice too, isn't it, Kate?"
Thinking that tonight might become a threesome, I was called by the principal.
"Did something happen?"
"Hmm. There's an overwhelming demand from students to make summer vacation a summer training camp. Also, thanks to 'Prince's South Sea Island Love Story,' there are many requests saying 'We'll pay to participate in the summer training camp.' Probably, Jefferson-kun spread it. He seems to be frequently talking about it in various places, saying 'I want to go to the summer training camp soon! It'll be good survival training!'..."
Inquiries from the Officer Academy and adventurers seem to be flooding in.
"Well... even if we move it up, I'd need about a month of time. Besides, wouldn't it be tough for just the teachers to handle management and supervision?"
On my side, Shivans' Guard isn't here.
That puts more burden on the Marine Corps.
(And His Majesty and Klaus probably aren't in a state to deal with this either...)
Because rumors are spreading plausibly that Windam's disappearance might mean he'll "become a second Jason," the palace is wrapped in a tense atmosphere.
Jeff is basking in his glory days.
"I'm going to marry Lea! The blood defect has nothing to do with me! Wahaha!"
"Oh, Jeff♡ It seems like we'll have lots of babies♡"
They're a lovey-dovey couple, completely showing off their love.
That Jeff was worried about Aria.
"That blood thickness thing is a huge problem, isn't it! Are you okay? That guy is your husband, right?"
He pointed at Aristo.
"Ufufu! Just watch me! I'll show you I can give birth to a healthy baby! My training methods are different from yours! More importantly, how's your study of healing magic? You won't be able to save Lea in an emergency, you know?"
"O-Oh! Please train me! I'm more fired up for this summer training camp than anyone!"
Aria seems to have mastered the basics of healing magic without me noticing.
She's no longer interested in making babies with Aristo. Rather, she's been urging Limone and Carla, saying, "You absolutely must marry Aristo!"
"Are you really okay with that?"
"We'll discuss it with Aristo!"
Limone and Carla were completely game.
Meanwhile, among the Seven Idols, Misuzu was put off by a letter from her brother but was happy that her family had been restored. Arina was also confused after receiving letters about local specialties and her mother's high-spirited tone.
When I went to the research lab, two people were waiting for me.
"Thank you so much for helping my brother! Mother wrote that my brother is enthusiastic, and he himself seems fired up, saying 'Maybe I'm more suited for research and making things than business!'"
Misuzu, who had lamented that the Dorakuma Trading Company's reputation had fallen due to her father, was grateful that it was recovering thanks to amazake and lacquerware.
"I'll make you some coffee!"
She whispered while unbuttoning her chest.
"I'd love to have some!"
When I stood up, this time Arina came to my side.
"I never imagined peaches would be a specialty product! I thought they were something you could find anywhere. But I did think they were tastier than the ones here."
"Surprisingly, there are many things you don't realize when you're in your hometown."
"I think so too. I'm proud that they've become so popular!"
As I thought that was good, she started saying, "Also, Mother wrote in her letter that 'We might have a younger brother or sister next year.' I want to have a baby soon too!"
Thinking that I would be the father of that baby, the three of us had tea together.
Then Rinora, Ekaterina, and Valentina arrived.
"We heard about it! Please help my family too!"
When Rinora opened her front and pressed her boobs against my face to beg, Ekaterina took one of my hands and guided it to her own chest.
"My parents also want to meet Lord Shivans soon!"
Valentina guided my other hand into her panties and into her pussy.
"My family says it's okay for me to get pregnant with senpai's child now! A letter came saying to forget about my fiancé!"
She's already moaning wetly, isn't she!
So I made a proposal.
"This time there was a guard request, and I happened to be able to stop by Misuzu and Arina's hometowns. But it won't always work out. So, how about this: if you place in the top 10 in this summer training camp, I'll grant your wish?"
The three suddenly became motivated.
(I'll use this method!)
I also proposed it to the 'Shinobi' men and the 'Kunoichi' women.
"There's a summer training camp in a month. The students will learn to swim while studying in my territory, and of course there will be rankings. If you place in the top 10, I'll grant one of your wishes. But only within the scope of what I can do, okay?"
Everyone immediately said, "We want to participate!!" and were filled with motivation.
(Maybe I should propose this to Chris too!)
I returned to the Academy and looked for Chris, finding her quickly.
Chris now has friends and has become brighter.
"What is it, senpai? Did you want to hold me?"
She hugged me, showing off to her friends.
When I said this while kissing, her friends made a fuss, squealing.
"Should I lick your pussy?"
When I whispered, she whispered back, "I want to lick senpai's dick too♡"
When we entered the back room of the Student Council Room, Chris locked the door behind us.
"I want senpai to undress me♡"
She begged with a lustful face, then said, "I'll undress senpai!"
"Okay? Don't think I'm a girl who loves sex with just anyone! I have no interest in any man other than senpai anymore!"
"Wearing underwear like this! You're so lewd and cute!"
"I want to become senpai's type! Teach me lots♡"
She accepted 69 without resistance.
"You're already this wet?"
"Yan♡ Because when I think I'm about to suck a dick, I get excited!"
'Slurp Slurp Splash Splash'
As the lewd sounds echoed, Chris let out a cry of joy.
"Where do you want me to cum?"
"Oh my! Such a perverted senpai♡ Fill Chris's lewd pussy lots♡ I'm definitely going to pee... I'm already being made into a woman! I'm cumming... Aahn... Ah ah aah... I'm cumming♡"
Making a gushing sound, trembling convulsively, she asked with an ecstatic expression, "Senpai... why? Why does it feel so good...!"
I hugged her, kissed her, and said, "Maybe it's because there's love?" and she peed with joy again.
"Oh my! Make me happy! Are you trying to make me even more lewd? I'll probably become that way though♡"
She confessed with a red face and performed cleaning fellatio.
"I... don't want to lose to Aria-senpai! Make me more lewd♡"
"Then will you also beg for my ass?"
She thought for a moment, then made up her mind.
"Fine! I'll do anything! If senpai wants it, I've become a woman who will even beg for it♡ I'll say anything!"
I thought she was competitive.
And then...
"Aaah... Aahn... Ah ah aah... I'm cumming from my ass! Chris belongs only to senpai now! I've become a woman who cums from her ass! Do you like this kind of woman?"
"I love you, Chris!"
"If you say that now, I'll cum! I love you too♡ I love senpai!"
She was squirting and couldn't stop. I proposed to Chris, who was happily licking and sucking my dick with a lewd face.
"Will you participate in the next summer training camp?"
"Well... my friends are saying they'll go, but?"
When I proposed the top 10 condition, her eyes sparkled.
"If... I said I wanted to become senpai's wife, would you grant it?"
"What about your fiancé? Won't His Highness be angry?"
"Engagement?! I'll break that off! I don't care about my father! Besides, I got scared this time."
"What are you scared of?"
Traditional nobles all have the Emperor's blood in some form.
Society is making a fuss that Windam and Aristo are showing the effects of the blood defect, and while it's not as bad as Aristo, nobles with congenital abnormalities appear occasionally.
(There are certainly strange nobles, but I don't know if it's all of them. But Aria did say she wanted to avoid it too.)
When I nodded, she said, "I'll go apply right away! I will definitely become senpai's wife! You want to get lewd Chris pregnant, right♡" and quickly changed clothes and left.
(Jeff was fired up this time too. He said he'd become number one for Lea's sake.)
Hidden contenders are coming one after another, but what will happen? It's getting interesting.
This time, Aristo was fired up saying "I'll definitely take first place!" in swimming too, but if he was still depressed, it would be tough.
Meanwhile, the Klaus family, the cause of Aristo's depression, was in a terrible situation.
Klaus had already given up on Windam and intended to summon Kaoz, but Marino, who was pregnant, was opposed.
"They are both my children. But I can't accept kicking Aqua and Aristo out! Besides, Aqua is my niece and Aristo is my grandson! Dear... please reconsider!"
She also couldn't bear the idea of kicking out the concubines and mistresses.
"I've thought about it over and over again! Please understand, Marino!"
"I don't understand! Abandoning family to serve the country..."
There's no one to take in the concubines and mistresses, now around 30.
Some can't even return to their families, and I can imagine there's no place for them even if they return.
"Windam... did something he wouldn't be saved from even if he's found... please understand."
"Windam is fine! That child was stupid, and he's an adult! Let him take responsibility for his own actions. But it's wrong for other people with no sin to be kicked out of here! I can't accept it!"
Where did that Windam go?
No one knew.
(I must consider the worst. If he's taken in by the Duchy of Walujava, being stupid, he might not even realize he's betraying us. If they put a slave mark on him and take him hostage, that would be troublesome... Where did I go wrong? Society says it's the blood defect, but there's nothing I can do about it now!)
Klaus was tormented.
(Maybe I should have Butler take in all the women as his mistresses? That guy only has Leen...)
He thought that now, with money and status, it might be possible.
He thought that even if Marino didn't agree, she might understand, so he considered sounding out Butler.
Aqua was smiling while touching her large belly.
(I don't mind leaving, you know. My true husband will surely help me!)
Aqua was thinking such things, grateful to Marino for protecting her.
That Night
I honestly told Aria and Kate about the promise I made with Chris.
"I can understand that girl's feelings. I know! I'll participate in the summer training camp too! Make me your wife if I place in the top 10! I'll divorce Aristo!"
Aria says she's already negotiating with His Majesty behind the scenes.
She told me she's also laying the groundwork with Limone and Carla.
"I can become your wife unconditionally, right? Even though I can't have children..."
Kate asked while hugging me. Thinking I needed a souvenir for His Majesty to get the two of them to agree, I said, "I'll be away for a while again, but I need to accomplish something!" and when I said that, they understood, and Aria also hugged me, saying, "Then we won't let you sleep tonight!"
The Next Morning
I went to the palace and had an audience with His Majesty.
"What brings you here today?"
"I'm finally going to infiltrate enemy territory!"
His Majesty leaned forward with a surprised but pleased expression.
"Specifically? What are you going to do?"
I informed him that, based on information from the subordinates of the Priest who spread the influenza, I knew the location of the 'Church of Light's' hideout, and that I had left One and Two, who were subordinates, there to conduct intelligence activities.
"I'll cripple Prime Minister Shoben!"
"Do it to your heart's content! I'll prepare everything you need!"
We arrived at the former hideout location.
Plants have grown, and the terrain has changed with earth magic.
(With this, even if someone who knows this place comes, they probably won't recognize it.)
Next was the 'Church of Light,' but I searched for and freed the boys and girls who had been raised pitifully, like those on Shoben's side, or One, Two, Three, Four, Kuro, and Shiro.
"You're free now! You don't have to obey the devil's cult anymore!"
"Really? We... are free?"
"We don't have to kill people?"
I gave each of them money, and put slave marks on the captured cult executives.
"Now... there's something I want you to do."
The frightened cult executives and related people.
"What? It's simple!"
It was a plan to separate Shoben and the military.
I had the cult-related people spread rumors around town.
(It seems no one knows yet that Windam escaped the fort. I'd be a fool not to use this!)
I also had One, Two, and their subordinates help.
"Did you hear? About the Altmea Empire?"
A loud-voiced man in the center of the tavern started talking.
"What's this? What do you know?"
Again, the paid men asked with great interest.
"Apparently there's a Hero at the fort, but it turns out he was actually a Night Hero! He played around too much, got scolded by the Emperor, and apparently ran away from the fort!"
The paid men laughed loudly.
"But then why isn't the army going to war? They could just take the fort, right? Did a strong general move in?"
Then the first informant spoke while laughing.
"It seems to be a young woman. This country's military is too weak-kneed to fight without checking the Prime Minister's mood. That's probably why Altmea looks down on them! And they only have 5000 soldiers, which is hilarious!"
"A female general with 5000 soldiers. Well, I guess it can't be helped with the noble-born young lord generals. They seemed scared of the Night Hero too! Wahaha!"
This rumor spreads through the Duchy of Walujava in no time.
(Well, it would help if the military goes berserk. But I wonder?)
If I destroy the military with this, Shoben will have no moves left.
The church, which is the shadow corps, is also devastated. The intelligence agency is full of double agents and has no crucial information.
(I'll have the Lechaa Trading Company and Shilling Trading Company spread the news of 'Windam's Flight'! And I need to report to His Majesty!)
When I examined the enemy's weapons, there were cannons and gunpowder.
They were made of bronze and looked like they'd break easily.
(There aren't many iron ones. Is there an iron shortage?)
The large ships docked at the port had them mounted.
There were no guns, but there were things similar to flying fire spears.
(There is, or was, a reincarnator in this country too.)
At the port too, I spread rumors like "A cowardly young lord general scared of the Night Hero" or "An idiot who goes to war by currying favor with the Prime Minister."
I'd be grateful if the navy was simple-minded, but I wonder?
I reported to His Majesty immediately after returning.
"Wahaha! Excellent, Shivans! Immediately have the Lechaa Trading Company and Shilling Trading Company spread the information that 'The Night Hero Windam has fled!' Also, have Count Gran and Admiral Rose prepare for war!"
He then ordered another subordinate.
"Have Butler lead the army and annihilate the enemy! Deploy the Imperial Army around the fort. Have them take out every last one!"
I had birds placed on both the enemy's army and navy.
"When the report comes, we can deal with it immediately. Will you board the warship I built?"
"Of course! Let's have the depressed Klaus board it too!"
And so war preparations were steadily underway.
(That's right! I'll make a small boat too!)
The power source would be like a hovercraft with a giant fan attached.
If it could move quickly, it would be possible to surprise attack the enemy. I could strike and withdraw, attacking the enemy freely and without restraint!
Excited, I started production.
Instead of iron, I crushed and hardened bones collected from monsters, and made it with slime solution.
(While I'm at it, I'll improve the flaming arrow bombs too!)
Using magic stones imbued with fire magic and gunpowder, I managed to create something like a hand grenade.