Chapter 43 - Chapter 43: Risking Our Lives
The next morning
When I went to pick up Kate, I was surrounded by third-year male and female students, so I greeted them cheerfully and brightly, "Good morning! It's nice weather today, senpai-tachi!" but they ignored me and hurled threatening words. It seemed they were relying on their numbers and planning to attack me.
"Don't get cocky just because you beat a prince!"
They probably planned to surround me in a large group and beat me up.
The female students watching from a distance were frightened, thinking I was about to be attacked.
They tried to attack all at once, but the senpai-tachi became unable to move. The moment I applied Intimidation, no one could move, so I bound their legs with rope and hung them up completely naked, regardless of gender.
For the men, I shaved off all their hair and set up a large sign beside them.
'Even after living 18 years, they cannot even greet others. They are foolish sons and daughters of nobles whose only merit is bullying the weak. Therefore, they are hung here and wish to reflect.'
I cast 'Silent' on them, and they couldn't even argue when they saw the sign, just crying their eyes out. By the way, I burned their uniforms and underwear right in front of them. Is there a problem?
The student council passed by.
"So tiny! Your dick is smaller than my little brother's! Keep the smallness to just your head! You women over there won't be able to get married either."
"Julia-san. These people don't care when others get hurt, but they're lame jerks who cry immediately when they themselves get hurt! Ohohoho!"
I caught a glimpse of Karina's darkness. It seems she had taken Kate out while I was dealing with the trouble.
"Still, you really did a flashy job! You sure make an interesting friend, huh?"
When Julia said that to Aristo, who had appeared, he made a puzzled face.
"I was taught by his father's butler, the steward, and his childhood friend to 'blow away anyone you don't like.' I think he is also following his family precepts and blowing away people who bully others."
"There's a family precept like that? What an interesting house?"
Julia clutched her stomach laughing.
(That's wrong, Aristo. We don't have a family precept like that... And everyone, don't just accept that!)
Aristo was abducted by the female students again, and when I said I was going to the lab, the four women seemed to be having girl talk. As soon as we entered the student council room, they immediately got excited about yesterday's conversation.
Karina started saying she was envious of the woman from yesterday.
"My marriage to Narcy was decided before I was old enough to understand, and everyone around me married in the same way. My marriage was decided to be after I graduate from here. Yesterday, I was made to realize that I, too, am a tool... Without ever knowing love like this..."
Julia said that was still better off.
"When I was a child, I was told at a party that I'd be a concubine, and I didn't understand what it meant. As soon as I came here, Narcy told me, 'You are my concubine,' and I lost my virginity. Last year, that pig gorilla orc threatened me, saying, 'Without my family's backing, your old man will be in trouble,' and raped me. Both of them did it and then immediately said 'boring' and threw me away."
Then, Kate said the two of them still had it better.
"As for me... the man who was to be my husband killed my parents. I was called a stupid woman, bullied here, and though Shivans-kun saved me, he teased me, saying, 'If you die in such lame panties, everyone will see and it'll be embarrassing,' you know?"
When she said that, Julia also said, "I was told something similar, and I was so frustrated that I looked for panties, but they weren't much different from what I'm wearing now." Then Aria puffed out her small chest and said, "Shall I show you mine?" and flipped up her skirt.
"Ooh!"
When Julia and Karina took the bait, Kate said, "Actually, I too..." and showed hers as well.
"Oooh!"
Furthermore, when Julia and Karina took the bait again, Aria passionately insisted that underwear is important.
"Grandmother Marino and Mother-in-law both wear even more extreme underwear. The kind where your pussy is completely visible. That's why both of them get pregnant every year. I think they're pregnant now too. Fufufu. Aristo is a mama's boy, right? So, I can't lose to Mother-in-law Aqua! And besides, that Aristo, while doing a dogeza, gets his back of the head stepped on by me, and while rejoicing, he sneaks glances at my panties and gets an erection!"
The three wondered if the Grand Duke's grandson had such a fetish, but Julia and Karina were more concerned about the underwear and asked the two, "Where can you get those?" but Aria said, "That alone isn't enough!"
"You have to properly take care of the hair too!"
"Th-that's right! I was also very bushy and embarrassed, but I had it cleaned up. But, strangely, it wasn't that embarrassing."
From Kate's words, they seemed to have guessed who did it for her.
"It was just like receiving medical treatment! He made my hair and face beautiful too..."
At Kate's words, Karina said, "Now that you mention it, you have become beautiful," and Julia said, "I thought so too."
When Kate got angry and said don't say it like an afterthought, Aria said she remembered something about the treatment.
"There was a time when my father, His Majesty, almost died. It's a very famous story that the boy Grandfather Klaus brought with him at the time cured him when the court physicians could do nothing! I heard he also cured Grandfather Klaus and Grandmother Marino when they were near death, and maybe it was Shivans. So, I think what Kate-senpai says is correct!"
He cured His Majesty? The three were surprised.
"Heh. Even though the students here think of Shivans as something like a demon or devil. Isn't that unexpected?"
I wanted to say something to Julia. Devil is there, but demon... shouldn't be.
"But, some students praise him as an 'ally of justice.' The teachers also pretend not to see, right!"
So there were core fans like that... I have to treasure them. Then, Julia spoke up as if she had just remembered.
"Hey, me! Even if Shivans asked me 'what kind of sex do you want?' I've only had two disgusting rapes... I want to do the kind of thing I saw yesterday! Hey, can I watch just one more time?"
Kate showed the key and said, "Be quiet!" and the four of them went out excitedly.
Around that time, at the palace, Klaus and His Majesty, who had received the report from the academy, were laughing uproariously.
"Well, it seems that academy has become strange since our 6th son. They say what's wrong with nobles taking pride in being nobles. We must put a stop to it with the 24th son!"
His Majesty spoke with a smile, but what did His Majesty mean by 'put a stop'? Klaus thought it probably meant purging the 6th through 24th sons.
"Klaus. We must also punish our foolish sons. That Shivans! Enjoying himself alone! I want to say let me join in too!"
Then, Klaus said, "Once the rebellion is over, it will be His Majesty's turn! Especially, the nobles on the west side of this country will be thrown into a panic! Ahahaha!" and the two of them laughed. Klaus himself was also a noble from the west side. That was precisely why it was easy to contact the surrounding nobles. His second son, who was in the territory, had a headache, thinking, "Father and His Majesty are scheming again..."
As usual, I was pulling out enemy soldiers and stealing food, and today I was setting up traps in the tunnel. I kidnapped the guard soldiers stationed at the entrance of the Kingdom of Rhodesia and scattered monster blood. I did the same at the enemy's fort near the border. With this, if they were attacked by monsters, supplying food and soldiers would become impossible, and they should be isolated and without aid.
(Even though I'm kidnapping them, their numbers aren't decreasing... they're serious too. Well, it is war after all...)
The soldiers were being reinforced one after another, and a large army of tens of thousands was being sent as reinforcements, so I decided to seal off the tunnel.
At night, I went to Kruger's castle as usual.
David was completely hooked and had become the general's property. I was the one who trapped the general, but David fell into it himself.
Levy, having come to be embraced by me, began to seek me more greedily, and kept saying, "Because I love you." She was serious enough to worry about the age difference.
She said she was 33 now, but she had come to look like she was in her mid-twenties. And she loved my big dick, drooling as she held it in her mouth.
"A woman becomes beautiful by being loved, you know♡ So, I'll become more bewitchingly lewd and devote myself to the one I love♡ I want this pussy to be desired more♡"
Levy was drowning in it, forgetting she was a former princess, the wife of a margrave, and Kate's mother.
The next morning
Finally, word came flying in that Ivan had made his move. In response, reports came in that Namibia and Auris had also moved.
Ivan had no choice but to move. Letters had been coming from General Strong almost daily, driving him to neurosis, saying, "Attack quickly. If you don't, I'll expose the amount you received and the plot to assassinate His Majesty and everything!"
Naturally, the report that they had sortied should have also reached the fort on the border between the Kaoz and Kruger territories. However, contact was lost.
That was because I had been interfering along the way.
"Young master. Leaving the territory unattended and making me come all the way out here. Please pay me a good salary. The dogs are happy, though..."
I had Vel and his subordinates take care of all the couriers and such along the way.
"Of course. Don't let a single person through! I'll pay 100,000 per person. But if even one gets through, it's nothing. Instead, if you're certain they're a spy, agent, or courier, I'll give 10,000 for each one captured. How about it?"
Everyone was fired up by these words. Even off the road, the dogs tracked down the enemy with their extraordinary sense of smell. In the end, he kept writing letters over and over, "When will you sortie? Tell me the date and time once you do!" Ivan also sent a letter just once saying, "We will now sortie," and that was the last of it.
The people monitoring the characteristics of the people who left the fort immediately informed Vel. Once it was known which direction, what kind of clothes, age, and other characteristics, I would send the information via a tamed pigeon. Also, if they were found to be heading for the fort, they were disposed of regardless of appearance, so no information got through at all.
'The Namibia faction—Namibia, Kaoz, Auris—have raised their banners in rebellion against His Majesty.'
At the academy, it was such an uproar from top to bottom that there was no time for classes. Even in the student council, Karina and Julia were trembling.
"Why? Grandfather and Father, drawing their bows against His Majesty! Then why did they make me get engaged to Prince Narcy? I am not a tool! I am alive!"
Karina's cry from the soul would not reach them.
It was because they lost to their own desires and raised an army.
"Why, you shitty old man! Do I, and does my shitty old man, have no choice but to obey that pig gorilla orc and his son? Dammit!"
As for Julia, maybe something could be done. As I was thinking that, Kate clung to me, Aristo, and Aria.
"Hey! I'm begging you too! Your parents might not be saved, but Karina-senpai and Julia-senpai are still only 18 years old, you know? They shouldn't die because of something like this."
Kate sobbed violently as she implored us.
Aristo calmly said, "I will also ask my father and grandfather... but this might be impossible... sorry." Then Aria also said, "I don't think they'll listen even if I ask. I'll try saying it, but..." and both Aristo and Aria looked at me.
Kate also raised a cry from her soul: "Even when I was being bullied, the senpai-tachi always helped me! Why is this! Women and children become sacrifices because of men's conflicts! This world is wrong and insane! Shivans-kun! You are the only man in this world who can save women! You are the only one we can rely on!"
"Please, Shivans-kun... I don't want to die as a criminal! Do I have to go up on that execution platform? Why do I have to go through this!"
Karina clung to my leg, crying. And Julia too.
"There is one method, though it's not without its issues. I may not be able to save Karina-senpai's family. However, if it's just Karina-senpai, something might be done. Of course, Julia-senpai as well."
At my words, Aristo expressed concern.
"That doesn't mean hiding them in your territory, does it?"
"No. Even if I did that, they wouldn't be safe for long. Even if they fled somewhere, it would be impossible within the country. It's a method other than that."
When I said I wanted to talk with only Karina and Julia, the three of them went outside.
"You two are, fortunately, engaged to Narcy."
They made faces as if to say, so what? It's hard to say, but I want to believe that if the two of them became pregnant, even His Majesty couldn't treat them coldly. After all, his grandchild would be in their bellies. But Narcy is hospitalized. However, if they have sex with someone now and get pregnant, everyone would think it was just Narcy being quick as usual.
"That guy is an idiot who doesn't even remember who he had sex with, so you just need to create a fait accompli. If it goes well, maybe even up to your mothers might be saved."
Karina said, "That's... it sounds like a gamble," so I said, "To be honest, it is half a gamble. Because it's a strategy appealing to His Majesty's compassion." Then Julia asked, "What are the terms of this gamble?"
"The problem is who you sleep with. If you have someone you like, that's best. But if you're usually flirting with that person, the Imperial Family will be suspicious. A man who treats you with the same attitude as usual is desirable."
Both of them had until recently thought they would become Narcy's wives, so they seemed to feel that being suddenly told to find someone they liked was impossible. So I said, "As for you, Julia-san, let's go meet your father now and persuade him." She said, "It's impossible... at this point..."
"Duke Namibia can no longer be stopped. The same goes for Kaoz. However, Excellency Auris is only participating out of necessity. If we don't do what we can, we'll have regrets, right? I'll go too, so let's stop him!"
Karina smiled at Julia and said, "You absolutely should go. I think he's right. I think my father, grandfather, and uncles planned this long ago. But I also think your father is different. And if you don't go now, I think you'll regret it forever."
So, taking Julia with me, I used Instant Movement to head to where Auris was, whom I had found with 'Hawk Eye.'
"You... Julia? Who's that?"
"I am pleased to make your acquaintance for the first time, Excellency Auris. My name is Shivans O'Brien. Please remember me."
I knelt and bowed politely.
"Hmph! The butler's brat? Did you seduce Julia?"
"You shitty old man! There's no way that's true!"
The conversation wasn't progressing, so I brought up the main topic.
"This war will end in a crushing defeat for your side. Moreover, it should be settled before you even reach the Imperial Capital."
When I said something like a prophet, everyone was surprised.
"All of your movements are completely known to His Majesty and Excellency Klaus. Furthermore, Kaoz's Ivan received a large sum of money from the Kingdom of Rhodesia and sold out this country. What great cause is there in such a war? If you lose here, you lose everything!"
I asked if he intended to make his family, soldiers, and people of the domain all bear the stigma of rebels, but Auris answered nothing.
"Excellency Auris! When Julia-san is on the execution platform, what do you intend to say to her?"
Everyone began to be swayed by what I said.
Julia glared at Auris and said, "You'll just end it with a single 'Sorry,' right?" He said, "It's not... decided that we'll lose yet," but those around him shook their heads.
The Knight Commander stepped forward.
"Excellency. I agree with what he says. Even if we draw our bows against His Majesty and win, if we are then trampled by Rhodesia behind us, our descendants will be laughingstocks forever. I hate that."
"Indeed. The Commander is right!"
The knights and soldiers also agreed, so I pressed the point.
"Lord Auris has not yet left his territory. Please write a letter now showing your allegiance to His Majesty. Write: 'We were indebted to Duke Kaoz and were unavoidably ordered to dispatch troops, which we could not refuse. However, we owe His Majesty a great debt of gratitude and have not been able to cast aside our feelings of loyalty. Therefore, we shall confine ourselves until we receive whatever punishment is due.'"
Surprisingly, he obediently wrote it smoothly and pressed something like a seal on it.
"Is this good?"
"Thank you very much!"
Then he asked me to let him ask one thing, so I listened.
"Why did you risk your life to stop us like this? Are you on good terms with Julia?"
I waved my hand and said that wasn't it. When I asked Auris if he had friends, he waved his hand.
"I thought so. Noble society is troublesome. There are only people pretending to be enemies or allies and watching how things go, right? But, Julia-senpai is different! Her mouth is bad, but her feelings are straightforward, and she has a strong sense of justice! She's my best friend! When a friend is in trouble, helping them is what a man does, right?"
When I said that, the soldiers came over and praised me, saying, "You! You're a good man! The young lady certainly has a bad mouth! But her character is pure! You saw it well!"
"Fufufu. Noble society is certainly like that. Deceiving and threatening each other to make the other submit. Fighting until they surrender with money or power. There are no friends."
Auris laughed sadly and spoke to Julia.
"Julia! It's what you'd call base suspicion. I'm sorry. You've gained a good friend. Treasure him."
And this time he turned to me and thanked me.
"Thank you for coming to a place like this risking your life, Sir Shivans O'Brien! I am grateful!"
I waved my hand and said that was wrong. "What is?" Auris asked curiously.
"The real life-risking part starts from here. As I stated earlier, His Majesty and Excellency Klaus know everything. They are not so naive that a single letter like this will be enough to deceive them."
Tension ran through everyone.
"Then why did you have me write it?"
He seems dissatisfied that he wrote it for nothing.
"This letter? Well, it will only serve as an excuse, but it does give a reason to have an audience with His Majesty and have him hear your plea for allegiance. My true life-risking battle starts from here! Staking everyone's lives and honor!"
When I said that, everyone bowed their heads and said, "We are deeply sorry."
"It's fine. A person's worth or way of life is ultimately judged by others, right? There's no meaning in assigning value to oneself. How will future generations ultimately evaluate us? Can you be proud of your way of life? That depends on what comes next."
When I waved to everyone and tried to leave, the Knight Commander stepped forward, saying, "I am moved!"
"Sir Shivans! ...I have caused you trouble. If you should happen to die, I will surely follow you! I will not let you die in vain alone!"
What a passionate Knight Commander... he's stifling. Even if he cries, it's troublesome for me...
"Knight Commander. Please do not do such a thing, and support Excellency Auris!"
We shook hands firmly, and I said goodbye to everyone.
I took Julia back to the academy, and this time I took Karina too and headed to the palace. When I requested an audience with His Majesty, tension ran through Karina and Julia as well.
"Today, I have come to humbly make a request. First, this."
I prostrated myself and handed over Auris's letter. Karina and Julia also prostrated themselves behind me.
His Majesty only glanced at Auris's letter.
"Hmph! And who are these two?"
I introduced them as Karina and Julia and pleaded that they were unrelated to this rebellion. Therefore, I asked for them to be forgiven. And I requested that the guilt-by-association system be stopped and that punishment be limited to the individuals themselves.
"If you will grant this, I will also return my title of nobility! I don't mind being a commoner, so please, for these two... so that no resentment remains and a chain of revenge does not occur! So that the guilt-by-association system is not adopted! I prostrate myself and humbly implore you!"
"A title? What if I said I want your head instead of something like that?"
When His Majesty showed anger, the surroundings froze solid. Everyone held their breath and watched, thinking this boy would be killed to save the two. Karina and Julia also thought Shivans would be killed because of them, but they couldn't voice it.
"If the two of them are saved, please go ahead. If I alone can save two people, it is my dearest wish!"
The surroundings whispered, "He's going to be killed..." and the two wanted to say that was not okay. But overwhelmed by the atmosphere, they couldn't raise their voices at all.
Then, His Majesty let out a sigh and asked.
"Did Narcy lay his hands on these two?"
Being asked that, I hesitated a little before answering, "Yes."
"Honestly! Who does he take after... it's troubling, isn't it, Klaus?"
"Indeed... truly, who does he take after? Does His Majesty not know?"
When His Majesty and Klaus laughed, the tension dissolved.
I also slumped down, thinking I might die.
"You two are forgiven, out of consideration for you!"
The two were relieved at His Majesty's words.
It was promised that even among family, those who would be held responsible would be carefully selected.
"Shivans. Your title remains as is. Don't casually return something I once gave to me! Also, only that pig gorilla orc you named will be subject to guilt by association. Understood?"
I burst out laughing and replied, "Yes," and the two behind me also had their shoulders shaking. Then, he spoke gently, as if to himself.
"Shivans, you are called a devil at the academy, aren't you? From the perspective of villains... fufufu... well, I suppose you are a devil. The villains have done whatever they pleased until now and no one ever blamed them. It's a good lesson for my foolish sons too! Also, hanging them completely naked, limit that to just the men! The girls won't be able to get married, you know?"
"I will be careful from now on. However, I doubt anyone will come at me head-on anymore."
He laughed and told me not to overdo it. When we left the palace, both of them seemed to have lost the strength in their legs. Julia asked in a sulking tone, "Hey? Why... would you go this far for people like us, risking your life?"
"I told you that pregnancy alone was fifty-fifty. I wanted certainty."
When I said that, she said that wasn't it and hugged me.
"You... you were ready to die for us, weren't you! Idiot!"
"That's right! Honestly! I almost cried when you said you would take our place!"
Julia and Karina clung to me and wailed loudly.