Chapter 87

The reason Eleonor made Leon's heart sink by requesting a private meeting was, in fact, due to one thing.

─Why doesn't Leon try to become a monarch (a king)?

It was the exact same question that Fasa's new mayor, Emilio, had harbored.

The only difference between Eleonor and Emilio was their proactiveness.

While Emilio was wondering if he should ask, Eleonor went to find him directly.

Of course, that was also possible because Eleonor belonged to the coffee─overtime cartel.

To Leon, Emilio was just his employer's son, but Eleonor was a driving force that brightly lit up the company headquarters alongside him.

That's why Eleonor could ask the question without reservation during the meeting.

“Lord Gryph has now become the de facto hegemon of the south. At this rate, it would even be possible to establish your own dynasty. But to do nothing and let it pass? That doesn't make sense.”

Leon just grinned instead of answering.

Eleonor found that smile incredibly annoying.

***

Lately, she was being treated by the people of Fasa as ‘the neighborhood fool of a lady who always has coffee to her lips and is worn out from fatigue,’ but Eleonor was strictly a formal knight belonging to the Phoenix Knights.

And the condition for joining the Phoenix Knights was codified as being a high noble of Aquitaine.

This was both the reason why the Phoenix Knights were treated as a social club of the Aquitaine court rather than a military organization, and the reason why people were surprised when Eleonor appeared in Fasa.

Originally, Eleonor was of a status that the mayor himself should have gone out to greet and entertain.

Being of such a class, Eleonor could easily deduce the political influence and consequences of this war.

This war left serious scars on everyone.

Fasa, Urdino, Pescara, Messina, and even the pirates—there was no place that wasn't battered.

But where there are losers, there are also winners.

Only one person, Leon Gryph, the company commander of Fasa, gained from it.

Company commander Leon Gryph swept away the opposition within Fasa, eradicated the pirates who were a long-standing headache of the Golden Sea, and disabled most of the surrounding hostile nations.

Messina and Pescara even begged Leon to become their ruler, if only in name, so they could surrender to him.

Putting aside their despicable inner thoughts of avoiding the wrath of Duke Cavaldi of Urdino.

It was clearly a golden opportunity for Leon to advance.

It is very rare for a mere company commander to rise to the rank of a duke or marquis.

It's a tale of legend even if one only obtains a knighthood.

So Leon could have become a living myth in the industry.

But Leon refused that opportunity and remained just a company commander.

Eleonor could not understand that decision at all.

What is incomprehensible cannot be trusted.

Perhaps she had misjudged the man.

To confirm this, Eleonor sought out Leon.

***

“Isn't it a waste? A crown is something many people yearn for their entire lives but can never even touch. When the opportunity to grasp it came, why did you just let it go? I am curious about that reason.”

“My own kingdom. What a wonderful dream. Did Dame Eleonor dream of a crown in the past? I will cheer for you.”

“Lord Gryph. This is not about me. It is about you. Are you going to speak as if it's someone else's business?”

Eleonor's expression as she looked at me was quite serious.

It seemed that changing the subject would not work here.

Numerous thoughts flashed through my mind.

The reason for the political consideration needed to hand over the next mayor's seat to the Signori family.

The fact that the company's loyalty is not based on national or ethnic consciousness but follows a monetary contract.

The secret of the bloodline I was hiding.

But bringing up such answers at length now would only be pathetic.

I said something that Eleonor would find convincing.

“Just because it's possible doesn't mean I pursue unrealistic things.”

“Unrealistic?”

“I mean this land is not a good location to establish a kingdom.”

At the meaningful words, Eleonor's eyebrows shot up.

Right.

I had just made it clear that I was ‘not without ambition.’

“In this land where numerous countries, governments, and communities exist, what would happen if I, an outsider, were to establish a kingdom?”

“?”

“They would look at me with suspicion rather than accepting me as a benevolent neighbor. I would eventually face danger.”

“……”

“Especially in a situation like now, where the foundation is not solid.”

Eleonor quickly understood the meaning of my words.

It was a situation where we almost got into big trouble after mismanaging our aggro once.

We managed to get through it with schemes this time, but there was no guarantee that it would be possible next time.

Probably next time, the powers that had been silent would also join in and attack.

Especially, it was clear that Levona would be sharpening its knives.

So now was the time to keep a low profile without attracting attention.

For that, it was better to have the position of a company commander rather than a throne.

But that wasn't the only problem.

“Let's say we somehow manage to establish a kingdom. But would people easily acknowledge the rise of a mere company commander? Countless rebellions would occur, and all the years would pass by in pursuit of governmental stability.”

“Probably, yes.”

“Even if we somehow find stability, there is a limit to maintaining a power with personal leadership.”

The effective period of charisma is the same as one's lifespan.

Even if the predecessor's halo is passed on, the same power is not passed down to the next generation.

Numerous nations that attempted to strengthen royal authority fail for that reason.

As soon as the monarch dies, many of the things he achieved crumble like a sandcastle hit by a wave, and the dynasty collapses.

But who knows how much longer I will live?

It's impossible to predict one's lifespan.

Thus, I concluded the conversation.

“Eleonor. I am not interested in establishing a dynasty that will not last long. I would rather lay the foundation of a kingdom that will last for a thousand years.”

There, is that good enough now?

Hurry up and tell me the Descendant of a Demon or whatever bloodline trait has been activated.

This kind of conversation is too awkward for me.

Hurry up and tell me I succeeded in persuading Eleonor.

Unfortunately, this time, the notification that the trait had been activated did not appear.

But I did succeed in persuading Eleonor.

Though it seems to have worked in a not-so-good way.

“Indeed! So that was your thought. Lord Gryph, you were planning a thousand years ahead. To think you had such aspirations. It's truly amazing.”

What.

What are you talking about.

No, it’s because I'm not going to establish a kingdom and will return to the Empire later.

But Eleonor's eyes shone as if she had completely misunderstood.

“Yes, if that's the case, then your current actions are understandable. No wonder. Heroes are not ordinary. There's no way there's someone in the world who would refuse a kingdom.”

“Haha.”

“Actually, I was going to decide whether to leave Fasa or not depending on Lord Gryph's answer.”

“……”

I was shocked by Eleonor's confession.

That can't happen.

If Eleonor leaves now, all the company's work will come to a halt.

“But after hearing Lord Gryph's explanation, I realized it was a needless worry.”

“……That's a real relief.”

“I didn't know Lord Gryph was drawing such a big picture. As expected of Lord Gryph. I apologize for judging you rashly beforehand.”

“Not at all. The compliment…, thank you.”

Eleonor spoke with a completely unclouded attitude, but cold sweat trickled down my back.

I send my thanks to my past self for not rashly taking the crown.

I knew Eleonor was a 'my way' type in the game, but to think she'd be even more so in reality.

I must definitely keep the fact that I plan to return to the Empire once I've gathered enough troops a secret from Eleonor.

If I save it as a kind of final trump card, I might be able to stop Eleonor from trying to leave one more time.

***

Just when I thought the situation was settled, there was one more person who was surprised by the fact that I was not becoming a king.

I had momentarily forgotten, but besides Eleonor, she was not the only 'my way' person in the company.

“Lord Gryph, Duke Cavaldi has visited the company headquarters.”

“Cavali? Why that gentleman again? I'm busy as hell.”

“He insists on meeting you. Should I just send him back?”

I glanced at the pile of documents stacked high on my desk and let out a sigh.

From Urdino to Fasa is a five-day ride on horseback.

Although I had a lot of work, I couldn't coldly turn away someone who had come from so far away.

“Tell him to come in.”

“He's already here.”

“What?”

Before I could even answer, Cavaldi was already entering the office, leading a large group of attendants.

“Duke Cavaldi, it's been a while. You must be busy, how did you─”

“That's not important!”

Cavali cut me off.

He was in an agitated state, as if he had witnessed the world collapsing.

Theo, who was on guard duty, reflexively grabbed his axe.

Of course, Cavaldi didn't pay any attention.

I calmly asked back.

“Then what is important?”

“Building a kingdom, of course!”

“?”

“Leon Gryph, why aren't you becoming a kinggg!”

Cavali grabbed me by the collar and shouted.

After riding for five days on horseback, the first thing he says is why am I not becoming a king.

Are there only ghosts in Apennia who died because they couldn't become kings?

Or are they all suffering from megalomania?

I exchanged a look with Theo.

Theo also sent back a rather perplexed gaze.

‘It wouldn't be okay to hit him with an axe, right?’

‘Of course not. He's a duke, for crying out loud.’

We exchanged glances with roughly that meaning.

I don't know what logic led Cavaldi to think he had to come see me.

Cavali's mental world was a mystery even to me, who had attempted a quack psychological analysis.

But it was clear that Cavaldi was being a pain.

Because he was interrupting my work.

Ah, right.

Unfortunately, I didn't have any Heavenly Demon Divine Art to subdue Cavaldi.

Instead, I still had my authority as a company commander.

Although the war was over, the Urdino Regiment had not been officially disbanded and was still part of the company's organization.

So, for now, it was logically possible for a mere company commander to claim a duke of a country as a subordinate.

I decided to bet on that.

“Captain Cavaldi, show respect to your superior. This attitude is far too rude.”

“Hut. My apologies.”

Fortunately, the strategy of asserting authority worked on Cavaldi.

Cavali let go of my collar and stepped back in surprise.

Thank goodness he had some sanity left; if he had been in the ‘Cavali does whatever he wants’ state like during the Pescara siege, it would have been a disaster.

Confirming that the duke had come to his senses, I relaxed and spoke as usual.

“If you've come to visit, you should first state your business. What is all this commotion about?”

“I came to ask why you haven't claimed the throne!”

“You came all this way for five days just for that? You could have just sent a letter, couldn't you?”

“Then the reply would be too slowww!”

“Oh, my head.”

At the innocent answer, I was at a loss for words and looked at the duke's attendants with an expression that said 'can't you stop him'.

However, the attendants only shook their heads or looked away.

Damn it, I've seen the faces of those who looked away.

Just you wait.

But I could understand their reaction.

If it were me, and the person I served was acting like that, I would feel second-hand embarrassment and want to run away.

They proved their loyalty just by staying in their spots.

Regardless of what his subordinates did, Cavaldi was on the verge of wailing.

“I naturally thought you would build a kingdom in the south of Apennia and wear the crown! Why on earth? Why aren't you wearing the crown?”

“Then what's in it for Duke Cavaldi?”

“My name will be remembered as your helper! Now! Hurry up and become the king of Apennia, Leon Gryph! I will personally place the crown on your head!”

What on earth is this conversation.

I sighed and lowered my head.

Clear sunlight poured in through the window.

It was summer.