Anyway, since I already got provoked, I turned my gaze to Major Serena right away for some backup.
Hey, how should I deal with this guy?
That’s what my gaze implied. Major Serena’s cheek twitched as she cleared her throat and turned toward the young nobleman with swords strapped to his waist who was glaring at me with a vein throbbing on his forehead.
“Baron Crias. Could you please leave it at that? He is a mercenary who is neither a nobleman of this empire nor its subject. In a sense, he is simply a visitor to this country, albeit an honored one. Thus, it would be unreasonable for us to expect one of his standing to express the same fealty to the imperial family as the subjects of our empire.”
“I think I did show a proper amount of respect though.”
Major Serena turned back toward me with an irritated glare after I made my comment. It looks like she wants me to shut my trap. Fine, fine. As you wish, milady.
“However, this man has already received the Silver Sword Wings Assault medal and the First-class Star Cross medal. He’s already received such utmost favor! Therefore, I cannot condone his rudeness no matter what!”
It was your empire who gave me these awards without consulting me first though. You expect me to feel gratitude because of these? The heck! Is that how this galactic empire rolls? Un, how grand. Un.
But this is bad though. It seems Major Serena can’t offer an appropriate rebuttal this time. I wish she’d try harder though. That’s why I call you troublesome, my dear major.
“Forgive me for interrupting, Baron Crias. I am ultimately a mercenary. A mercenary acts for rewards, and not for gratitude and honor. In fact, I do not know any mercenary who acts for gratitude, sentiments, or honor at all. Unlike imperial aristocrats such as yourself who can make a living off of tax revenues from your territories, we mercenaries depend on the rewards after every successful job to put food on the table. In other words, without rewards, we will not be able to make a living at all.”
“Wha–……!?”
Baron Crias turned speechless after I said my piece. In fact, it wasn’t only him who got shut up. All the surrounding nobles and guests became quiet as well.
“In the first place, what exactly are you expecting from a mercenary like me, lord baron? I am merely a lucky mercenary who was able to capitalize on opportunities in order to achieve some merit and was awarded for them. That’s all. I’m sure no one here would actually believe a petty man such as me would suddenly awaken my patriotic spirit for the empire after receiving these medals, right?”
“Mrrgh……”
Baron Crias continued to be speechless as he gnashed his teeth. Nice. Let’s push some more then.
“As long as you evaluate me fairly, I will most likely continue to offer my utmost services to the empire. You can see this as a mercenary’s own code of honor. This is what I meant by my earlier statements. The wise Princess Luciada was able to understand where I was coming from and that’s why she did not treat my earlier conduct with reproach.”
“Nuuh……”
It’s true that Princess Luciada didn’t call me out for my behavior earlier, so this prickly nobleman couldn’t offer any retort. Or rather, ain’t I supposed to be treated the same as a viscount when I got awarded this shiny, new Gold Star medal? Why the heck did this baron still decide to make a fuss then?
“That should be enough, Baron Crias.”
A dignified and solemn voice resounded all across the hall, and the man who was the source of the voice walked to the front. He was quite tall and fairly well-built. His full head of silver-gray hair streaked with black was quite conspicuous. His eyes were as sharp as a hawk’s, and on his waist hung two noble-issued swords that looked similar to mine.
“Ugeh.”
“You seem to be doing quite well, Captain Hiro.”
“A-Ahaha…… I’m delighted to see you again, Earl Dareinwald.”
The one who appeared from the crowd was Chris’ grandfather, Earl Abraham Dareinwald. I really couldn’t seem to calm down in the presence of this guy for some reason. He was basically the silent-type, and he had this stifling aura about him due to his ever-present scowl.
“I applaud you for your steadfast show of loyalty as a fellow noble of this empire, but since Princess Luciada has already permitted such conduct from our honored guest, it would be best for you to let things go as well. Do you not think so?”
“Are you implying my actions are against the will of Her Highness, Earl Dareinwald?”
“It is a fact that Her Imperial Highness did not rebuke Captain Hiro for his conduct. That is all I’m trying to say.”
Earl Dareinwald gave his statement while glaring daggers at Baron Crias. In the middle of such a tense atmosphere, a third, no, a fourth person interjected.
“I’m sorry to interrupt, but His Imperial Majesty, the Emperor, wishes to see Captain Hiro and his crew.”
It was Elma’s dad, Viscount Eldmoore Willrose, who barged into the scene. Why was he the one who got assigned to call on us? Did the emperor find out about Elma’s situation when he had us investigated and appointed Elma’s dad as his representative due to that? A mercenary like me has totally no idea about the political workings within the imperial court after all. He’s apparently working for the Internal Affairs Bureau, so that might have played a part.
“Wha…… His Imperial Majesty!?”
“You don’t mind if I bring them away, right?”
“……Of course.”
For an ardent fan of the emperor and the imperial family like Baron Crias, there was no choice but to yield. Earl Dareinwald also backed down as well.
“Captain Hiro.”
“Yes.”
“Chris has been wanting to meet you again. Please come to our residence in the imperial capital once you have the time.”
“Yes.”
“Umu.”
Earl Dareinwald crisply nodded and left the hall with dignified steps. He’s as frank and direct to the point as ever. …… But maybe that rigid character of his was actually one of the reasons why he failed to put a stop to the conflict between his own sons.
“That’s how it is, Major.”
“Fine. Off you go……”
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