56 Episode 56 "Hegemony Gathers Haye and Lays Down" (1/2)

A castle near the border...

After leaving the Zanshin Demon Castle, we returned to the castle ruled by General Hulka.

In order to prepare for the invasion of the Ten Wise Men, we are gathering our own weapons.

I must warn you, the people of the House of Kittle are proud.

Of course.

”Even though you are the great King of the Frontier, there is no guarantee that the people will respond to your call to arms.

I nodded at the general's words.

I had noticed that the people of the Kitoru territory were proud when I first met Princess Sylvia's messenger.

At first, they looked down on the subhumans from the frontier. Princess Sylvia's men, too.

But if you talk to them, they'll understand. That's another thing I know for sure.

I won't turn my anger against my people just because they refuse.

I believe you.

General Hulka nodded, his face hidden by his mask.

Then he clicked his sword on his hip.

”You have destroyed the demons of the Tower of Lingering Evil. I am grateful to you for that. We had to keep a constant watch to prevent the demons in that tower from coming out. It's great that we don't have to allocate troops for that anymore.

We're not completely safe yet.

I know. King of the Frontier. I promise you will not enter that tower until my lord returns.

Thank you.

Didn't I tell you?　I'm thanking you.

With that, General Hurka removed his helmet.

Blue eyes and white skin. His golden hair was revealed.

So this is what the beautiful General Hulka looks like.

From her tone of voice, I imagined her to be an older beauty, but she is surprisingly young. She is a little older than Lisette. She's more of a beautiful girl than a beautiful woman.

”Oh!　”Oh! Hulka's taken off her helmet!

You've never even shown your face to us!

...... Oh, it's a pity it's from behind. No, we have not yet achieved enough to see his face. This is only allowed to the 'King of the Frontier' .......

”Hey. It's not that big of a deal. You'll be laughed at by the King of the Frontier.

”No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no!

”No, no, no!

Seeing this, General Hulka quickly put his helmet back on.

The fact that I have shown my true face is a sign of my trust in you.

”It's not that big of a deal.

In fact, all I did was fly to the top of the tower, slay a demon, and activate the magic circle. I'm also going to remove the wards from this place after I get rid of the enemy army. I don't want any trouble with the neighbors when Patriarch Kittle returns. I don't want any trouble in the neighborhood.

But I do appreciate the general's hospitality. You've shown me a good thing.

”At the risk of sounding immodest, I feel a kind of friendship for you. I wish you were a general of this land instead of a king. Really.

”Unfortunately, I already have a family in the middle of nowhere.

I put my hand on Yukino's head.

”Mmm. Don't treat me like a child. Shoma, my king.

Yukino's cheeks puffed up, but she ended up laying her own hand on mine.

Yukino and I are a year apart in age now, but we're like childhood friends. I'm sure you'll be able to understand why I'm so excited about this.

...... I'm the one who infected Yukino with chuunibyou. You can't help it.

So, I want to make preparations to protect the frontier and the peace of this land.

All right. King of the Frontier. I suggest you start recruiting.

May I ask you to follow me?　If I'm the only stranger in the castle, the people might be wary.

I intend to do just that.

The general nodded.

I pulled the reins of my black horse, Zanku Kokuyou, and started walking.

We mounted the horse and started to look around the houses in the castle.

The first house...

Are you sure you want to start at the end?

”Yes. Please.” ”Yes, please.

”The first house is here: ....... You're passing by.　The King of the Frontier?

I've seen it.

You say you've seen it, but don't you have to go to ...... and say hello?

There's no time. I'd like to call out one last time.

”...... I see. I see. So, what do you think of the house?

The gate is magnificent. The fence surrounding the house is quite impressive.

What are you looking at?

It's a potential asset.

There was a young man in the house, wasn't there? He looked healthy.

This house is no good. We can't take Hay. There was a sick man.

I saw him too. A little boy lying on the ground.

Yeah. That's why we can't take the hay from this house.

You don't take troops from a house with a sick man?

Because a draft is bad for you. It's not good for the sick.

...... to prevent drafts from blowing in the hearts of the families. ...... You think so much, 'King of the Frontier'?

”Let's go next.” ”Next.” ”Next.

This is the first time I've ever seen this kind of thing.

”The second house...

”There are ......3 brothers and sisters here. There are no sick people here and the father is fine. Do I need to speak to you?

I'm afraid I don't have the Hey I was hoping for, although I do have a hedge.

”...... hedge?　I'm sure you're aware that the two younger children are their mother's stepchildren,......, but are you aware that there is a barrier between biological children and stepchildren?　The king of the frontier!

I'm not sure what to say. Next.

The third house...

It's just a little triplets living with their mother. I don't think we can recruit enough men. ......

No, it's a lot of layers, and they're all at the same height.

What?

The thicker the layer, the better the tenacity. If we're all the same height, we'll be able to form a cohesive team.

Would you like me to call out to them?　My king.

Of course.

Wait a minute!　Such young children!　Put your hands on the fence. ...... Oh, you're not going to call them?

I'll call them later. A stranger calling out to them might startle them.

”My king will not be coerced.

...... I don't think it's unreasonable to call out to a house full of young triplets.

”Next, next.

So me, Yukino and General Hulka hurriedly went from house to house in the castle.

We chose about two hundred houses, trying to form as harmonious a formation as possible.

It's enough for Hay.

”...... may I ask you a question? ”King of the Frontier.

I don't mind.

You say you want uniformity in your army, but you seem to have chosen them at random.

I've tried to give them strength, height and depth.

”To be honest, I don't think anyone will respond to a call for arms. Even if they do, I doubt they'll be able to fight. ......

You'll have to test yourself to see if you're up to the task.

Me?