Three days later, in the Arne domain, the wedding of Kasim and Matilda was held
on a grand scale. It was not a lavish wedding, but many people attended. Since both of them were from this place,
most of the guests who gathered were also residents of Arne. The only outsiders
were the members of Kasim’s mercenary corps.
Kasim, dressed in a neat formal suit for the first time in a long while, greeted the guests with a smile. His wounds
had not yet healed, but he did not show the slightest sign of pain.
“Welcome, Uncle Alfred. Eek! Aunt Teresa, you came as well.”
The guests congratulated Kasim with smiling faces.
“Congratulations, Kasim.”
“So your love has finally come to fruition. I sincerely congratulate you.”
Because of the Arne residents who had come to celebrate the union of the two, the lord’s mansion was so packed
there was hardly room to set foot. It was enough to make one think every resident of Arne had gathered there. The members of Kasim’s
mercenary corps were also mingled among the residents, broad smiles on their faces.
“Now, then, we shall conduct the wedding ceremony.”
The priest, with a bandage wrapped around his head, read the congratulatory address with a frown. The priest, who had been struck down by the lich and lain unconscious
for two full days, had been made to officiate the wedding again immediately after waking. The bride was the same, but the groom had changed. Perhaps because he had heard
what had happened in the meantime, he looked at Kasim with an unusually gentle gaze.
“The groom is a brave and matchless warrior who, with indomitable spirit and valor, stood against the monsters of the Demon Realm and protected the bride.
If not he, who would dare claim the right to become Miss Matilda’s groom? Baron Florence.
Do you swear to take Miss Matilda of the House of Arne, to cherish and love her for the rest of your life?”
“I swear.”
Hearing the taciturn yet resolute answer, the priest nodded in satisfaction.
“Good. Then I shall ask the bride. Miss Matilda, do you promise to take Kasim of the House of Florence as your husband
and spend your life with him as his wife?”
“I gladly do.”
Hearing the bride’s willing answer, the priest proclaimed with a smile that the two had become husband and wife.
“Now the two of you have formed the bond of marriage. I trust that you will cherish and love one another, and care for each other
for the rest of your lives.”
As soon as the priest’s proclamation ended, the wedding hall seemed as if it would be swept away by the cheers of the people.
Waaaaah!
After that, the Arne domain was swept up in a festive atmosphere for ten full days. By order of the captain of the Guard Knights,
Lord Arne’s property had been frozen so that it could not be used, but there was no problem whatsoever
in holding a feast. That was because the residents of the domain voluntarily brought liquor and food with them.
Thanks to that, those who attended had to spend ten full days drowning in drink.
The members of Kasim’s mercenary corps were no exception. Even mercenaries who prided themselves on their drinking
were made to feel the limits of their stamina. With disheveled appearances, not yet sobered from the previous day’s liquor,
they once again accepted the cups offered by the residents and drank them down; their faces now wore expressions
as if they were sick to death of alcohol.
However, the one among the party who was enjoying himself the most was Catroy. The residents of the domain all had to stare wide-eyed
at Catroy’s drinking capacity, as he accepted everything offered to him without getting drunk. Not once did he refuse
a cup handed to him.
“Good heavens… To think there’s someone who can drink that much.”
Of course, they never dreamed that the one before them was not a human, but a dragon.
In this way, the feast held in the Arne domain continued for ten days. There were only two people who were not swept up
in it. Juliana, who did not come out of her room under the pretext of being ill,
and a Guard Knight of Pencelot who had been dispatched for surveillance. In front of the warehouse sealed with the captain’s seal,
the Guard Knight could do nothing but smack his lips.
“Ahh. If only I could have just one drink, I’d have no regrets.”
But he knew well that it had to remain only a thought. The military discipline of the Pencelot Guard Knights
was extremely strict, and drinking while on duty was something that could not even be imagined. Swallowing his saliva regretfully,
the Guard Knight corrected his posture.
“Judging by the situation, it doesn’t look like there’s any real need to keep watch, but a mission is still a mission…”
However, in the mind of the Guard Knight standing firm like an iron tower, thoughts were swelling of downing a drink
after completing his duty.
After holding a grand feast for ten days, Kasim and the other members of the mercenary corps set out on a long journey
together with Lord Arne. It was to go to Cordo and bring the champion duel to an end.
Through the convenient magic known as teleportation, they were able to arrive in Cordo
in the blink of an eye.
As planned, Mitchell took on the role of champion representing Arne. Kasim, who had obtained the qualifications by gaining a noble title,
had suggested resolving it himself, but because his wounds had still not healed,
it was ultimately decided that Mitchell would take on the important duty.
And so the champion duel began. The captain of the Guard Knights stepped forward and announced the start of the duel.
“Then let the champion duel begin.”
The two champions selected by Arne and Tudret began their duel
under the observation of the captain of the Guard Knights.
“It’s already over.”
At the sight of Tudret’s champion, whose legs were trembling incessantly, people were able to predict the result even before
the fight began. Just as they expected, the duel was decided in less than ten minutes
after it began.
Clang, clang, clang!
Hugo focused frantically on defending against Mitchell’s fierce consecutive attacks, but he could not endure for long.
When his longsword and shield were cut to pieces in turn, he raised both hands high with a horrified expression.
At the thought that his torso might be split in two, he did not hesitate in the slightest.
“I—I surrender.”
Because of his attachment to life, all sense of shame had already vanished completely from Hugo’s mind.
When the champion of the Tudret domain declared his surrender, the captain of the Guard Knights announced the end of the duel
without hesitation.
“At last, the victor has been decided.”
Even without the captain’s announcement, it was obvious which side had won.
“This cannot be…”
Needless to say, Count Tudret’s face had drained of all color because of the duel that had ended so emptily.
Beside him, Morser could also be seen standing in utter despair. Now he had found himself in a position
where he had to bid farewell to his three lovers. Duke Karsus, who had been watching them with a cold gaze, stepped forward.
“The champion duel has ended in victory for Lord Arne. By the terms of the agreement, I hereby declare that from today onward,
the Tudret domain officially belongs to Count Arne.”
Having finished the proclamation, the captain of the Guard Knights looked at Count Tudret with a solemn expression.
“You must leave the Tudret domain by midnight today, taking only enough belongings to fit on a single wagon.
From this moment onward, all authority over the Tudret domain
will pass to Count Arne.”
“U-understood.”
Count Tudret answered weakly and awkwardly rose to his feet. Now the only thing left to him
was the title of count. The glory he had enjoyed until now on the blood and sweat of the domain’s residents
had turned into bubbles overnight. Starting tomorrow, he would have to worry
about how to support his family.
‘I was mad. Why did I ever…’
He regretted the decision he had made fifteen days ago countless times, but it was already water spilled. After Count Tudret and his son
disappeared from the hall, the captain of the knights went to Lord Arne and spoke.
“As you know, Arne and Tudret are quite far apart. Thus, it would be convenient for you to appoint
an administrator to govern it.”
Though he had obtained a large domain, Lord Arne did not show any particular joy outwardly.
“Thank you for your consideration in so many matters.”
“Not at all… Since you are already a lord famed for benevolent governance, the residents of the Tudret domain will surely welcome you
with open arms.”
A faint smile appeared on Lord Arne’s face. There was no way he could feel displeased when a duke of the kingdom and the commander of the Guard Knights
was treating him with such sincerity and enthusiasm. Duke Karsus continued speaking with a smile.
“I understand that the residents’ resentment has been considerable due to Count Tudret’s tyranny.
It is my hope that you will please soothe and care for them well, my lord.”
“Need you even say it? I shall treat them no differently from the residents of Arne.”
“Do you have a suitable administrator? If you wish, I could recommend a few…”
Lord Arne shook his head with a smile.
“I do not think that will be necessary. The butler of our house is quite capable at handling affairs,
so I believe I can entrust this important duty to him.”
Having finished speaking, the lord turned his head. There stood an elderly man in his sixties, his back held straight.
He was the butler of the lord’s family, an experienced administrator who had handled the great and small affairs of the House of Arne
since the time of the lord’s father. Lord Arne looked at the butler with gentle eyes.
“It seems I must ask you, Butler, to take charge of the Tudret domain.”
“M-me?”
The butler was startled. The Tudret domain was a territory almost equal in scale to Arne.
Yet he was suddenly being told to take charge of and govern such a large domain, so it was only natural that the butler
would be bewildered. However, Lord Arne had already firmly made up his mind.
“If not an experienced butler, then who else could take it on? So please accept it. You need only manage it
the same way you have managed Arne.”
Since the lord had asked him to that extent, there was no longer any way for him to refuse, and in the end,
the butler nodded.
“Understood. I shall do my best.”
“You must.”
Lord Arne nodded as if reassured. Among his vassals, the butler was the most free of greed and the most honest,
so he could entrust the domain to him with confidence. After looking at the butler’s face for a moment,
Lord Arne gave several instructions.
“As soon as you arrive, lower the residents’ tenant rents. Their lives must be greatly impoverished
from the former lord’s tyranny, so it would be best to lower the rent to around twenty percent. There is no immediate need
for money, after all.”
The butler was startled by Lord Arne’s words.
“Is twenty percent not too low?”
“It will only need to be maintained for one or two years. After the residents have recovered some measure of leisure,
we can raise it to thirty percent, the same level as Arne. Also, among the goods in the warehouses,
distribute everything that is not needed for administering the domain to the residents. Do you understand?”
“I shall carry it out as you say.”
The butler bowed his head in acknowledgment. Duke Karsus, who had been watching this, could instinctively tell
that the Tudret domain would stabilize before long.
‘What a relief. The many petitions that used to come up from the Tudret domain will now disappear entirely.
Tudret has met an excellent lord indeed, yes.’
Realizing that time had been delayed, Duke Karsus approached Count Arne.
“I have stationed a court mage so that you may use the teleportation magic circle when you return.
Since it is a long distance, it would be better to use the magic circle for safety’s sake.”
Lord Arne bowed respectfully.
“For you to be so considerate, I truly do not know how to repay you.”
“Not at all… And I will also dispatch a separate force for the transfer of the domain.
If your administrator accompanies them, he should be able to take over the Tudret domain without much difficulty.
Then I shall take my leave now. I have so much to do…”
“Go safely.”
After watching Duke Karsus disappear with the Guard Knights in tow, Lord Arne turned his head.
There stood his newly welcomed son-in-law, gently holding his daughter’s hand. A smile lingered
on Lord Arne’s face.
“You will have to learn a great deal from me from now on. Managing a domain may look easy at first glance,
but in truth it is quite a troublesome task… There are many things to worry about as well.”
A smile also appeared on Kasim’s face.
“Well, can I not simply do as you have done, Father-in-law? Nothing more, nothing less,
I will do exactly the same.”
“If you do it my way, there should be no particular problems. That aside…”
Lord Arne’s expression suddenly hardened. He had finally thought of Kasim’s position. He was
the leader of Kasim’s Mercenary Corps, whose main purpose was dragon hunting.
“What do you intend to do from now on? Will you go with them?”
At the lord’s words, Kasim nodded as if there was nothing to think about.
“I am sorry, Father-in-law. I have already sworn to act together with my men until we complete our mission.”
“I-is that so?”
“I have a duty to lead my men. However, I promise that after completing the mission,
I will definitely return to Arne.”
The lord nodded silently.
“Of course. Indeed. An oath is something of utmost importance.”
However, contrary to his words, Lord Arne’s mind was filled with worry.