CH 47.3

“By the way, is it really okay for us to– I mean, are you sure you don’t mind our presence?” Havoc says, looking uncomfortable.

“Don’t worry about it. All of you were also of help to us during this incident. I wanted to thank you directly. Not just as this country’s princess, but on a personal level as well, so you can relax. You’re the only ones here, so there’s no need to be so tense,” Roseline says, expressing her gratitude. The sentiment came across, but if a normal person is personally thanked by the highest ranking authority in the country, it’s only natural for them to be confused and not know how to respond.

Even if she says this place is private and tells them to relax, it’s unreasonable to expect them to. If anything, it’d make them so conscious of it that they can’t relax.

In my case, it’s just easier for me to talk to Roseline than going outside and being surrounded by people. She’s a real princess, so I really shouldn’t be treating her like this. But since Roseline herself insists that I should treat her no different than before in private, I have no choice but to be this bold.

Right now, I’m in a room in the royal palace at a tea party that Roseline invited me to. It’s a very private event, so the only ones invited were me, Alexia, and Havoc’s group. Then, when the tea party started, Alexia offered to serve tea, which brings us to the present.

Drinking tea with everyone like this is so peaceful that it’s almost hard to believe that it was only just recently that vampires took over and a war broke out. But those things really did happen, and the damage was by no means small. Because of all that, I was able to realize that this world isn’t just a game.

“Chaos, many soldiers and civilians were saved thanks to you. So, there’s no need for you to worry.”

Is that really true, though? I returned to this world once more and tried to end the war, but in the end, it feels like it was all for nothing. Of course, I have no regrets about returning to this world, and it’s definitely a good thing that the war ended. But the reason I returned was just because I wanted to help Roseline and Alexia and stop them from fighting. I wanted to stop the war, but I didn’t have a plan for how to end it. So it was really thanks to Alexia that the war ended. I honestly don’t feel like I can take credit for it at all.

“We’re finally receiving reports from the north, and the damage caused by the vampires is coming to an end as well.”

“The north? We finally know what’s going on in the northeast?”

We were unable to contact the north since around the time we were retaking Clermont. For the northwest, it was because it was being attacked by the powerful Weichsel Empire located to the west, but for the northeast, the cause was unknown. We assumed it was probably because the vampires were keeping information from getting out.

“Yes, finally. As we expected, it seems that the vampires were involved. I’m not sure how they knew how things were going on our end, but as soon as the Clermont crisis passed, the blockade was lifted. They probably decided there was no point in it anymore. We’re having no difficulties contacting them now. I’m not sure what they’re plotting to do next since the girl who was the mastermind hasn’t been caught yet, so it’s not completely resolved.”

That’s good news. I am worried about what the escaped vampire is up to, but being able to contact all of the territories is a big deal.

“According to the report from Duke Numour’s messenger, the northeast was also attacked by vampires. It seems that, although Duke Numour fought back against them, his resistance failed and fled the territory temporarily. Then, his attempt to contact Clermont was unsuccessful, he fled the country.”

“Fled the country? It would have to be a country close to northeast Clermont, so does that mean he fled to the Castal Kingdom?”

The Castal Kingdom is the country to the east of the Allied Commune, after all.

“That’s right. Duke Numour, unable to contact the central government, requested aid from the Castal Kingdom, and an army was dispatched. Right now, they’re concentrating their efforts on wiping out the surviving vampires. Apparently, there were few casualties among the populace. It seems that the number of vampires is small compared to the northwest, so we have the upper hand in battle. We owe a great debt to the Castal Kingdom,” Roseline says with a wide smile.

Even if it’s an emergency, I feel like it could be a problem for a nobleman to get help from another country without the princess’s permission. But more than anything, the fact that the people were saved must make Roseline happy, since she cares deeply for her people.

Which is why the recent events must be an incredibly painful memory.

Not only did the vampires cause harm to her people, she also lost her parents, her uncle Duke Raoul du Mayenne, and many of the retainers in the castle. In addition, she’s also been criticized by some of her own people.

Even so, Roseline is acting no differently than before. She may just be putting on a brave face, but I can’t tell any difference from reading her expression.

“Then, we’re sending reinforcements?”

“Yes. The strength of Clermont’s defenses is growing scarce, but there’s no avoiding it. Lady Alexia, I would like to ask for the Weichsel Empire’s cooperation as well. Could you please inform His Majesty?”

“Of course, Your Highness.”

“Roseline, are you also going over to Duke Numour?”

“I plan to.”

Roseline is going to war. Maybe what happened to Duke Mayenne is still weighing on her mind. Then, I’ll go with her.

But, will I be able to fight vampires? Vampires, who have the appearance of humans?

Ever since I realized that this really is another world, I haven’t fought any monsters yet. I’m a little worried about that.

“Chaos, I have a favor to ask of you,” Roseline says with a meek-looking expression.

Is she going to ask me to come with her, just like I thought?

“Could you please leave Clermont for a while?”

“Do you want me to come with you?”

“No, that’s not it. It would be better for you to leave Commune for the time being.”

“You don’t want me to be here?”

“Your Highness, are you saying that Teacher’s presence is causing problems for you?”

“Chaos, Lady Alexia, please don’t get the wrong idea. Personally, I would like for Chaos to stay, However, if Chaos stays in Clermont right now, there will be problems.”

Roseline lets out an anxious sigh.

“Chaos, do you have any intention to become a noble of Commune?” Roseline says suddenly, with no clear connection. Dumbfounded, I contemplate her words.

Become a noble? She’s joking, right?

I shake my head in response.

“I thought so. You don’t seem well suited to being a noble.”

I have no idea what it means to be well suited to being a noble and I don’t know what sort of obligations and privileges that would give me, but from watching Roseline, the noble who I’m closest to, and seeing the government work she always does, I doubt I’d be the least bit qualified to fulfill a noble’s duties.

“By any chance, is there talk of making Chaos a noble?”

“Yes, that’s exactly right. There’s been talk of granting Chaos the rank of a noble. What’s more, they also plan to confer a title onto him.”

“A title?! You mean, he’ll have a territory?!” Havoc interjects, having been silently listening.

“He’s just going to be a landholder all of a sudden? That’s ridiculous!” Liam says.

Is it really that shocking? I don’t understand why they’re so surprised until Emilia gives me an explanation.

“Chaos is a foreigner and Nel has little connection to this country, so you two might not know much about its system of government, but to put it simply, the nobles of this country are divided into those with a title and those without. Usually, after becoming a noble, it’s normal to gain a title from accumulating many achievements, and you can’t suddenly gain a title without a great achievement.”

From a modern perspective, I guess it would be like suddenly going from an average employee to the company president. That certainly would be unusual.

“Ah, if it takes a great achievement, Chaos would fit the requirements, huh?” Liam says in understanding, having calmed down.

“Well, congratulations, Teacher,” Alexia cheerfully congratulates me.

“‘Great achievement’ is exaggerating.”

“You’re the only one who thinks it’s an exaggeration. You saved a country’s princess, assisted in eradicating the vampires, and made great efforts in reconciling with the Weichsel Empire, didn’t you? What would you call that, if not an achievement? I doubt there’s anyone who’s achieved anywhere near as much as you in this series of incidents,” Roseline argues with an astonished expression.

“But that’s the problem,” she continues. “Many nobles assisted in retaking and defending Clermont. If Chaos, a foreigner, achieves the most out of all of them and is given no reward, what then? If others are given a reward, they will be criticized by those around them if they accept it, so they’ll have no choice but to refuse it. Both rewards and punishments must be properly given.”

“So, as a reward for this, you’re granting Teacher a title.”

“That’s right. But I can’t exactly give Chaos a reward that he himself doesn’t want. And if he suddenly becomes a landholder, it’s obvious that both the lord and the people will be unhappy with this.”

“You mean, because Teacher doesn’t have the skills to govern a territory?” Alexia says, some harshness mixed into her tone.

“Yes. Restoration of the territory planned to be given to Chaos takes priority.”

“Is it, perhaps, a place that was attacked by vampires?”

Roseline nods. “Among the candidates was a region in northwest Commune. The locals hold a deep resentment against the Commune government. That’s why it was thought that Chaos, a foreigner, may lessen those negative feelings to an extent,” Roseline says with an expression of disgust as if she’s spitting the words.

Judging from her unenthusiastic expression, I doubt it was her who came up with this plan. However, the fact that she asked me directly if I want to become a noble probably means that, although she opposes the idea, she decided that it was worth considering.