Ch.249249. Do I Have to Feed You with a Spoon?

“Son-in-law.”

“….Yes.”

“My son-in-law.”

“Please speak.”

With all the Holy Knights having withdrawn from the reception room,

Emperor Malius opens his mouth with what appears to be an excited expression.

“Haha, my son-in-law?”

“….What is it?”

“I never imagined I would be calling someone my son-in-law.”

“I-Is that so?”

Emperor Malius, seemingly having recovered quite a bit, adjusts his posture comfortably as he continues speaking.

“I recall you once seemed like you’d rather die than become my son-in-law, but now that there’s fire at your feet, your attitude has completely changed.”

“Well…. this was all for Your Imperial Majesty’s sake.”

“How so?”

“Doesn’t this situation allow Your Imperial Majesty to bring Saint Claudia from the temple to the imperial palace without burden?”

“….Are you suggesting I felt burdened?”

“You might have felt uncomfortable issuing direct orders due to the sanctity of the temple.”

Emperor Malius smiles at the corner of his mouth, apparently finding my words interesting.

“You’re right. I too needed a justification.”

“That’s why I provided you with one.”

“Are you saying I could have overcome this difficulty without any effort on my part?”

If I had truly feared the temple, would I have kidnapped Saint Claudia in the first place?

Honestly, I wasn’t afraid.

If the temple had pressured my family over Lionel’s matter, I was confident I could reduce the Lukius territory to ruins.

However.

That would have caused a commotion.

Even if handled quietly, I wouldn’t easily escape suspicion.

That’s why I used His Imperial Majesty.

After all, it was a win-win situation for both of us.

I continued speaking with a relaxed smile.

“Of course, but since things turned out this way, I thought it would be good to resolve the issues between Your Imperial Majesty and the temple as well.”

“I won’t deny it. Thanks to you, I’ll be able to see Saint Claudia frequently.”

“I’m glad everything worked out well.”

“So what will you do now?”

“I should return to Lake territory.”

“What about the marriage matter?”

“Didn’t you say I would proceed with marriage to whichever princess—Princess Etherian or Princess Sirin—doesn’t take the queen’s position? Has it been decided?”

At that, Emperor Malius hesitates and shakes his head.

“Not yet.”

“Since Your Imperial Majesty is getting healthier, I think we can proceed slowly.”

“….Why have you suddenly become so relaxed about this?”

“Either way, I’ll still have to marry one of the princesses, so nothing has changed.”

“Have you given up?”

“Haha, given up? There are so many men across the Eastern Continent who would love to marry a princess—they’d be disappointed to hear such talk.”

Emperor Malius leans back comfortably on the sofa.

“I’m curious about something. May I ask?”

“Please do.”

“Why aren’t you interested in power? When others hear about marrying a princess, they immediately calculate what they’ll gain, but you don’t.”

What more could I possibly need?

I’ve fulfilled my financial needs, and I’m confident in my strength against anyone.

Why should I desire power on top of that?

It might feel good at first.

There would be nothing to fear anymore.

But.

The higher the position, the greater the burden.

More enemies would emerge, and I’d have to live each day on edge to keep them in check.

That’s why I chose to live quietly.

After all, isn’t a life without lack the same regardless?

“Your Imperial Majesty seems to underestimate Princess Etherian and Princess Sirin.”

“….What?”

“Marrying either Princess Etherian or Princess Sirin would be heaven-sent fortune—why would I need mere power?”

Having helped him today, I threw in a bit of flattery, causing Emperor Malius’s lips to twitch uncontrollably.

Then, as if embarrassed, he clears his throat.

“My thinking was shortsighted.”

“Not at all. As a father with daughters, you might reasonably think they’re insufficient. However, I hope you recognize that Princess Etherian and Princess Sirin are more than worthy of anyone.”

My mouth was sailing smoothly today, like it had a sail attached.

Emperor Malius rose to his feet.

Then, with a benevolent expression, he spoke.

“Ahem! Then I’ll see you soon.”

*

“….What should I do now?”

Baltazar, who immediately followed me and Jawil Wilson to the inn to pack my belongings.

His eyes looked pitiful, as if he had lost his way.

“What do you mean?”

“What do I mean…. Haven’t I been moving according to your wishes all this time, Lord Selden Alphonse?”

I sighed briefly while packing my belongings.

“Do I need to spoon-feed you everything?”

“….Pardon?”

“Think about it. You’re the Holy Knight Captain now, aren’t you?”

At that, Baltazar speaks with a tearful expression.

“H-How can I be the Holy Knight Captain?”

“The Emperor has already acknowledged it, and the Holy Knights themselves answered that you are their captain, didn’t they?”

“That’s true, but….”

“So from now on, you lead the Holy Knights.”

“….I understand.”

Baltazar’s eyes looked somewhat pitiful.

I adjusted my posture and continued.

“Where are the Holy Knights?”

“Of the Holy Knights who were in Lumestia territory, I sent half back to Lukius territory.”

“Why?”

“I didn’t think we needed so many people to remain. Besides, there weren’t enough Holy Knights to guard the temple.”

“Not bad.”

“….Pardon?”

“I said not bad. If I were you, I would have also sent half of the Holy Knights in Lumestia back to the temple as quickly as possible.”

Perhaps due to the praise, Baltazar’s hunched shoulders seemed to straighten a bit.

“….Thank you, but will the temple recognize me as the Holy Knight Captain?”

“They will. There must be people among the Holy Knights who communicate with high-ranking officials at the temple, so they’ll be informed of the current situation.”

“Still, my skills are lacking.”

I took a step toward Baltazar and tilted my chin.

“Skills? Isn’t it time you realized how strong you’ve become?”

“That may be true, but am I really good enough to be the best among the Holy Knights?”

I sighed briefly and placed my hand on Baltazar’s shoulder.

“Did you think all the training we did was a joke?”

“N-No, absolutely not.”

“If anyone tries to challenge your position through force, confidently accept the duel. You definitely won’t lose.”

“….How can you be so certain of something I myself am not sure of?”

“Because you’re my creation.”

“….Pardon?”

I curled up the corners of my mouth toward the puzzled Baltazar.

“Do you think it was mere coincidence that I trained you and cut off Lionel’s head?”

“You don’t mean…. you planned this?”

“Yes. Including you becoming the Holy Knight Captain. Of course, the plan progressed faster than expected, but….”

“….May I ask why you went to such lengths?”

“Lionel had some skill, but he wasn’t suited for the captain position. You can tell just by how he brought all the Holy Knights to Lumestia territory just because of Saint Claudia.”

Baltazar makes a bitter expression.

“I can’t deny that. From what I heard from the Holy Knights, Lionel brought everyone despite opposition from the temple.”

“From the temple’s perspective, the news of Lionel’s death must have felt like having a bad tooth pulled out.”

“Come to think of it, that’s true. Anyway, you’re amazing. To have planned and executed all of this….”

“The temple will appoint you as Holy Knight Captain regardless of the reason. What’s important is what comes next.”

At that, Baltazar swallows hard.

“….What should I do from now on?”

“Go to the temple and establish your position so you don’t get eaten alive by others.”

“I don’t quite understand. Could you explain in more detail?”

“Figure it out yourself. If I tell you more, it might actually harm you.”

Baltazar, who had been nodding silently, suddenly brightens his eyes.

“C-Could I visit Lake territory once?”

“When?”

“After I establish my position at the temple.”

“Is there really a need for you to come?”

“I still have much to learn.”

“So you want more training?”

Baltazar hesitates momentarily, then nods resolutely.

“If I’m lacking as Holy Knight Captain, I’ll train whenever necessary.”

“Oh, that’s a good attitude.”

Just as I was about to continue the conversation, Jawil Wilson, who had been quietly packing behind us, spoke up.

“Young master, I believe we’re ready to depart.”

“Understood.”

I picked up the luggage Jawil Wilson had already packed with one hand and grinned at Baltazar.

“Sure, come anytime.”