The Musings of the Soleil Knights’ Commander
◇ Commander Owain’s Perspective ◇
The fight against the demon lord had been teetering on the precipice of disaster, but overall, our strategy had won the day. The Hero of Light, Sir Sakurai, had gained much for Highland with his victory over Zagan.
Yet, I still had one concern: the Hero of Roses, Makoto Takatsuki.
I’d received a mass of orders and requests from nobles—all were instructing me to bring him over to Highland. After all, he had defeated the Undead King in Springrogue and contributed heavily to the fight against Zagan. No one had influenced the fight more than he had, and the greedy Highland aristocrats would never overlook that. Their plans would see him joining the Soleil Knights and wedding some noble girls.
There was a large problem with that plan though.
Makoto Takatsuki was already engaged to Princess Sophia of Roses, and trying to court the Hero of Roses out from under her would almost certainly invite her displeasure. As things stood, there was already a wide disparity between our two nations. Our military support of Roses would make it possible to annul the betrothal...but that wasn’t my job.
And regardless of anything else, Lady Noelle was close with Princess Sophia, and she was against it.
The same nobles then clamored about using the country’s vast wealth to lure him to us. However, Makoto Takatsuki was currently the State-Authorized Hero of Roses. While State-Authorized Heroes were supported in various ways by their countries, the prevailing view was that Roses—being smaller—could not offer as much support as the larger countries could. I had tasked my subordinates with investigating what compensation the Hero of Rose received.
“So?”
“Their support...is almost nonexistent.”
“What?” I asked, not completely understanding.
“While the Roses royal family is paying for his accommodation, the Hero of Roses rarely ever uses the house. He makes no use of expensive weapons or armor, nor has he ever made a request to the Roses royal family for aid. Tempting him financially is likely to be difficult...”
“I see.”
I sighed. If he were a particularly avaricious person, then it might’ve been possible to get him to Highland, but that did not seem to be the case.
“Was there any useful information?”
“Well, there is something he’s mentioned time and again...”
I perked up in interest. “Oh! Out with it!” Perhaps this might be the thing to win him over...
“The Hero of Roses wants to clear the final dungeon, the Seafloor Temple.”
“I...see.” I gave another sigh, this time in despair.
There were three so-called “final dungeons” where mankind had yet to tread. The Seafloor Temple was the harshest. It was exceedingly difficult to stay alive within its walls...or so the stories said.
I was curious about why he wanted to beat it...however, with our efforts focused on the Great Demon Lord, we could not spare the forces to aid him.
So there’s no way...
But then, more concerns arrived.
“Oh? What’s wrong, Commander? You look troubled.”
“G-Grandsage?! What brings you here?”
Out of nowhere, the strongest person in the country had teleported into the room.
“I have heard some odd rumors,” she stated. “There seem to be plans to bring the elementalist into Highland by any means necessary. Are they true?”
“There are...many who wish for that.”
She scoffed. “I wouldn’t bother. It would be a waste of time.”
“What do you mean? Are you against it?”
“No.” She paused for a moment, then grinned. “Well, you’ll understand soon enough.”
And with that ominous sentiment, she popped away just as quickly as she had appeared.
The Grandsage was awfully fond of him, and yet she was not giving ridiculous orders for me to poach him. What was she thinking...? My headache was growing more and more pronounced.
“Commander, we have news,” one of my subordinates announced as he entered the room.
“What is it now?! If it isn’t urgent, then come back at a later—”
“The Hero of Roses is heading for the Seafloor Temple! I thought I should report—”
“What?!” I demanded, shooting up with a clatter.
“That’s an issue, right?”
“Of course it is! Keep him in the capital until the award ceremony is complete!” I ordered hurriedly.
It seems I can’t predict him at all...
I let out a deep sigh.
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