'I offer you a reward in gratitude for your help in exposing and solving the darkness of the Empire. As a reward, I grant Léonce Muldeen permission to be knighted and to hold the Order.

Oh, I'd appreciate that.

　I returned to the imperial capital anyway because school was starting, and as soon as I arrived I was called to the castle and given a reward without understanding the reason.
　Maybe it was a strategy to make sure I wouldn't refuse .......
　Well, that's fine, but ...... you could have at least explained it to me beforehand!
　I was currently in the emperor's room with that thought in my mind.

"So you're finally one of the highborn. Isn't this the first time someone became a teenage count?
　The emperor turned his head to Elise while saying that .

''Yes, I think it's definitely an unusual rise .

It's true.

He's just bad luck. I'm not happy about getting into trouble where I'm going.
　I mean, I don't need anything more!
　So let me get out of this trouble hell!

'Sure it is: ...... especially this time.'

That's right. It started with my assassination plan, the corruption in this country was exposed, a black market town was found underneath my territory where everything was illegal, I had to fight against an incredibly powerful demon race, and to top it off, I was surrounded by a large number of demons summoned from the demon world.

That's awesome ...... On the contrary, how did you stay alive?

I swear. I think I might have actually died at the end of the game. I don't know if I was lucky or unlucky.

'Well, you're lucky to be alive, aren't you?　Come to think of it, what has happened to the demon girl since then?

He'll be fine. He's a big fan of Sherry's. Lately, they've been sleeping together a lot.
　You were hugging Sherry again today when we said we were going to leave, and you looked really sad.
　Well, Elsie's here, so I think it'll be okay.
　We'll be home soon, too, since we have to transition.

"Okay. Good to be safe. But you're still going to have to stay alert, okay?

Yes. I know.
　The last time I went insane, I'm well aware of that.

Okay. Now, tell me what you've been up to in the last month or two, Leo.

Okay. This time, I have done many things to improve security in Myrddin's near worst neighborhoods. First, I have improved the poor working conditions of the military police and greatly increased their numbers. This was done after being pointed out to me by civilian officer Flare.

Oh, I see the civilian I sent over to see if he's been of any help.

Yes, sir. I'm working very fast and very helpful.

I think so. Elise would agree.

Yes. . her work rate is a good match for me, you know.
　Wow~ Elise is such an admirer.

That's great. Well, glad you could help. So, what did you do next?

"We have built a large orphanage. There are slums in Myrddin's territory, so the children who live there don't have to do anything bad to get by. Now they are playing happily, studying and practicing their magic.

Oh, that's great. Who's teaching the magic?

Taught by former illegal elves. I teach them sometimes, too. They're getting better and better at using magic.
　Yesterday, I went to teach them one last time and they were able to cast a spell on a solid target.

'The elves are teaching you magic?　That's an exciting prospect. Will you be joining your Order in the future, Leo?

That's not what I meant. I just want you all to be free to live your lives.

Yeah. You really are a good man, Leo, aren't you?

No, sir. I just thought I'd do it because I have too much money.
　Besides, it was in my own interest to do something about the slums.

That doesn't change the fact that I helped people. More importantly, what else did you do?

"The other thing I'm doing ...... is not so much doing it as it is doing it. We are working with the Hollant Chamber of Commerce to develop the underground city. This will require a lot of people, so the aim is to reduce the number of people without jobs. There are already so many people employed in the construction of the magic implement factory that the population of the slums is decreasing rapidly.

That's good to hear. That's what I'm talking about.



I hope so: ......
　Something else is bound to happen anyway.

We'll be fine. I'm looking forward to some more developments.

Yes. I'll do my best.

Oh, yeah. You forgot to explain your reward.

'Oh, yes!　What's your permission to hold the Order?
　I suppose it means I can have the Order, but I don't really know the details.

That's exactly what it means. Only a limited number of noblemen can have a regiment. Only the high lords and ladies, and only those families authorized by the emperor, can have one. Most of them are on the borders of other countries.

To keep them from revolting?

'Yes. . We allow them to at least hire guards, but we don't allow them to hire soldiers who are blatantly capable of waging war.
　Well, that's only natural .
　I mean, you've been building golem soldiers without a care in the world, but it would have been bad if they found out, wouldn't it?
　If you combine that with the guy in the bag, you could have a normal war. .......

'Nah, I see. So, why did you give me the green light this time?

''That's because it's a check on the Philibert family and because Leo's territory will always be in the path when they really do revolt. You don't want to be attacked when you're unprepared for anything, do you?
　Wow. We're gonna get in trouble again.
　I mean, we're definitely going to get into a war, yeah .

''I don't want to be attacked even if I'm prepared, but ...... okay . I'll try to build a knight.
　I don't want to die and I have to raise the Order with all my might.
　Ha, one thing after another.

Oh. Good luck. I mean, I really need Leo-kun to do his best.

Hmm?　That much?　Isn't the Philibert family very tired right now?
　I know that one day there is going to be a war, but why are you in such a hurry?

That's why ...... seems to be in league with the kingdom.

'Is it a kingdom: ....... Is the kingdom going to seriously go to war?　Maybe, but you can't win if the kingdom wages war on the Empire, can you?
　I've heard that kingdoms are declining in power because the royals are rushing into private interests?

Yes, but that was when the Philibert family was on our side. But that was when House Philibert was on our side. Normally, I would ask for reinforcements from other houses while House Philibert held off the kingdom near the border, but next time I won't be able to do that. They won't fight at the fort and will come towards the imperial capital before reinforcements from other houses arrive in time.

'I see. ....... Sure, that's a tough one. Okay. I'll give it some thought.
　Wow~ . Instead of being drawn into the war, we've been dragged into the heart of it.
　This is something we need to deal with sooner rather than later.

Yes, please.

So I'll just go ahead and see what I can do. I'm going to go home to meet my friends.

Yeah, Sherry told me. I heard it's a farewell party for exams.

Yes. I've been studying hard all year.

'I'm sure you will. I've already received your scores in my ears, Leo, and I think you can look forward to it.
　Oh, that's great news.

Really?　Thank you. Now, if you'll excuse me.

Yeah, I'll see you later.
　I bowed to the Emperor and then I moved into the house.

I'm home.

Welcome home!

Welcome home. You've made it to the Count at last. Congratulations.
　When I got home, I was greeted by Sherry and Leena.

"Thank you. Is everyone here already?

Yeah. Take a seat and I'll be waiting for you.

Copy that. It's been a long time since I've seen that guy.


　It's been almost two months.

Hey. How you been?

Oh, Leo. Long time.

'Master!　I've been fine!
　Good to see that Frank and Hermann are still the same guy from two months ago.

Yeah, it's good to see you both looking good. Well, let's have a good time and enjoy the farewell party.
　Then we took our seats and the food began to arrive.

　The first thing that came out was suddenly dragon food.
　They wanted us to eat it first, where our tongues weren't affected by any tastes.
Wow~. From the smell, it's absolutely delicious. Leo, is this the new dragon dish you were writing about?
　The dragon is like a steak.
　They spent two months researching grilling time and what sauce to use with the meat.

I've never seen it before and it looks really good. Well, let's eat.

"...
　They all took a bite and then continued to eat in silence.
　And in the blink of an eye, there were no more dragon steaks.

Yeah, it was really good. I'll have to thank Sam later.

You're the former sous-chef of the Forster family.

'It's even better than the last time you cooked a dragon.

''You're a master chef!
　They all loved the dragon dishes.
　I'm glad you liked it.

Thank you. So what did Frank and Hermann do over the holidays?　Are you back at home?

''No, if I was back at my parents' house, my vacation would be ruined just by moving around, so I was practicing my magic at the Teito's house.

I used to practice swordsmanship with my brother at Teito's house.
　Yeah, it's true that without a transference like I have, it takes a lot longer to get around.
　So let's just go home.

You two are so serious. Let's see how strong you've gotten.

'Look forward to it!　I beat my brother, who was my idol, for the first time last time.
　Was Herman's brother the one who joined the Order of the Empire?
　I heard that he's the only one besides Hermann who can do non-attribute magic among the brothers.

Hey, that's great. Can't wait for swordsmanship class.

Yes!

Really, you guys are so close. Speaking of which, is Hermann going to join the Order of Leo?

'What?　What is the Order?!
　Shelley's words were biting off a lot of steam from Hermann.

'Well, ...... that's going to be a long story, so we'll talk about it later. I'll explain it to you slowly in Frank's room after school starts.
　Let's just enjoy it now. You know, talking about the war makes the food no better.

Okay, sure. ......

Hey!　Why is this my room?!

Well, all right. Wouldn't you rather hear a story from my land?

Well, well, ......

I want to hear it!

Okay. Okay, I'll explain it to you then: ......
　Then, over dessert, we talked about my territory reform.
　Yeah, it's nice to have friends from school that I can talk to casually.