Volume 4 Chapter 19 (1/2)

Chapter 4 Episode 19

Editor:Starbuck11, Kev

”You accomplished such a difficult task very well. Thank you for your hard work, Kevin. Has everyone come out okay?”

Mikos.h.i.+ba Ryouma addressed the five people who kneeled down in front of him, while showing dignity as much as possible.

Still, he could not suppress his worry toward the well-being of the five people.

Ryouma basically wanted a more friendly interaction, but Lione told him to be more dignified around soldiers.

Several months had pa.s.sed since then. Although he was slightly awkward, he had become considerably accustomed to the n.o.bility behavior.

Although Ryouma was someone who hated the behavior of flaunting power, in this world, n.o.bility was part of social structure, it seemed like he would get despised by the surrounding n.o.bles and knights if he showed too much of a friendly att.i.tude toward commoners.

(Though I think this kind of behavior is annoying...)

Despite having those kind of thoughts, he also understood the necessity of a working structure within society.

Being arrogant and haughty won't earn him trust from the soldiers, but on the other hand, the soldiers won't be able to properly work without a clear chain of command within the military.

”Your words are too generous for us. Milord.”

Following Kevin's words, the other four who kneeled one step behind also honored Ryouma by lowering their head deeply.

Milord was the honorific t.i.tle Kevin and the other soldiers use to call Ryouma.

Although Ryouma himself didn't like it because it gave too much of an aristocratic feeling, it was also somewhat better than when they called him young master or sir feudal lord.

It was not like the soldiers could call him 'boy' like Lione did either, thus they all settled down and use Milord to call him, similar to how Iga’s clansmen called him.

Actually, Ryouma lived in a house built in the middle of the city, thus it was never wrong to call him any of that.

”Somehow we managed to survive without using our trump card.”

Ryouma nodded silently while listening to Kevin's report who also moved his hand to the small bottle they hung behind their back.

The small bottle was one of the trump cards Ryouma had prepared for the battle, but they had managed to end everything without using it.

Right now, a satisfied smile could be seen on Lione's face who was standing behind Ryouma.

For her, they were soldiers whom she had raised from nothing.

For Lione and the member of the Red Lion mercenary group, these soldiers were their little babies.

That was why they felt satisfied looking at Kevin and the others’ growth.

”Good, if you used that, obtaining the victory itself would be an easy task but, at the same time it would cause us to have a troublesome relations.h.i.+p with the Zalda Kingdom as well.”

In addition to magic arts and team collaboration, Ryouma had also given Kevin and the others a trump card.

That was why Ryouma was convinced that even in a worst-case scenario they would still obtain victory.

By using it, it would be easy for Kevin and the others to win.

However, that trump card was a double-edged sword.

In the middle of a battlefield aside, since officially this fight was a match, if they use 'that', people might call them cowards.

Since it was a bit different compared to hiding one's ability to surprise the enemy.

(Well, I did choose these five because I knew they could win the battle without using it.)

Having their body forged by training in the wortenia peninsula every day, and magic arts acquired after harsh training. In addition to that, Kevin also had strong solidarity toward his friends who crawled up from the bottom together, and he also had respect toward the living.

Although they still have room to grow since they were still young, they had already reached a good standard as soldiers, and as knights.

”Sir, on that point, we've already received a warning from Laura-sama beforehand.... She said we should only use it when we don't have any other way to win...”

Following Kevin's words, the other four behind him nodded their head.

Ryouma could see a sharp light glint in their eyes. It showed their determination to win no matter what the cost.

And also a proof that they understood the role they had been given.

They wouldn't be able to have such att.i.tudes if Ryouma had ordered them around high-handedly since the beginning.

(I guess I'm not wrong. The best result was a draw without anyone winning...  These guys also seem to understand that. And that old man as well...)

Ryouma remembered the face of Julia.n.u.s while he was looking at the back of the five people leaving the tent.

Naturally, Ryouma could not allow his men to lose, but winning was never the best option.

For Mikos.h.i.+ba Ryouma, if he wanted to raise his status, he could just won the battle, but the best way in this situation was to end the match after the spectator acknowledged Ryouma's power and before the battle truly ended.

Ryouma had planned to propose to end the battle before the victor could be decided while looking at the timing, but it was a pleasant surprise for him that the King, Julia.n.u.s the First, also had the same thought as him and made his decision.

To be honest, Ryouma initially didn't expect Julia.n.u.s to have such ability since there was a rumor that he was a mediocre king, but Ryouma’s evaluation regarding the king had changed little by little since the time he met him during the audience.

The king was sensitive in regard to the victory and defeat, and managed to choose the option that didn't hurt him the most.

To do that might sound simple, but to be able to do something like that, the person needed to have a strong self-control as to their own desires.

”Up until here, everything is according to plan, no?”

Sara asked Ryouma who was sitting in his chair.

”Right, somehow I guess... Like this, we won't be ignored when we give an opinion during the war council tomorrow I guess...”

Ryouma gulped the wine in his gla.s.s in one breath and then exhaled his breath to relax.

”Besides, it was fortunate for us that his majesty the king was a better person than I thought.”

”Ah, I can understand that. Ryouma-sama, as expected, the reason why his majesty ended the match at that time was...”

Lione nodded her head in response to Laura's remark.

”I guess he understands the trouble that would come if he loses the match. Not only that, instead of stopping the match by ordering the referee, he directed Grahart to enter the match and interfere. Since he managed to see through everything, I guess I have no complaints...”

Julia.n.u.s declared the match had ended without prior consultation simply because he had realized Ryouma's true intentions.

”In addition to that, he managed to bring out the parasites within his own people. That old man was really formidable.”

Following Lione's remark, Ryouma smacked his tongue.