With the capture of the traitor Fleming, the self-made rebellion came to an end.
　Rather than suppressing it, I was treated as having uncovered Fleming's plot, and I was told that I would have a formal audience with His Majesty, as well as a reward for my services.

　For this purpose, I came to the imperial capital with Angier and stayed at the residence of a man who is a friend of your father's.

Oh!　Bowes is the crown jewel of Carlisle?

　As we entered the mansion, a bearded, strong-looking man greeted us.
　He was muscular and loud as a gong.

　He's the kind of man everyone would think of as a hero.

　I bowed calmly and politely.

"It's a pleasure, Mr. Hossen Chohi. My name is Alexander Carlisle. This is my bride, Angelica.
"Ha, nice to meet you!　My name is Angelica!

　Angier tried to say hello as well, but he was still a child as he looked.
　He was so overwhelmed by the bearded maniac that he bit off the greeting.

Hahaha!　Don't be nervous, I ain't taking no bites. You can talk as you normally do.
"Yes, thank you.
"But I see. ......

　Horsen plucked his chin, bent down, and stared at me intently.

"Bowles is Carlisle's greatest treasure. Well, he's got a nice look on his face.
"Well, what's this 'Carlisle's Treasure' thing?
"Hmm?　Oh, I don't know Bowes. Every time Boz's dad comes over here, he brags to everyone that he's the best son in the world, so I just call him that.
"Ha, ha!

　What's your father doing!　And I was going to complain.
　My father would have done that. If your father did this to the Emperor--even to Eliza, how could he not do it to his noblemen?

"I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't use the Carlisle's treasure. I'm still a novice, so I'm ashamed to hear you call me that.
Oh, yeah. Well, that's just a way of teasing Carlisle, and it's the same as you'd use for Bowles.

　I know what you're trying to do, maybe to tease your father, but I'm not teasing you.

"I'm not a Carlisle treasure, I'm an Imperial treasure!

　I can see your father getting angry with you, saying, "I'm going to call you Bowles.

I'll just call you Bowles.
Thank you, Mr. Hossen.

　Ha-ha-ha, Hossen laughs and takes us to the guest room.
　There were maids and servants in the back, but Hossen led us to the room himself.

"Here, now, here's the best guest room in the house".
Thank you, it is a very nice room.
If there's something you're missing, just ask. But then again, I'll have a gift from His Majesty soon, so I don't need anything.

　Loud, but utterly carefree, and with a good sense of humor.
　He must be a simple man in the best sense of the word.

　Hossen Chohi, the most renowned warrior of the empire.
　Maybe he's as good as he looks.

By the way, Boz, is this a good idea?

　Hossen then gulped and tipped a finger loop around his mouth.
　It's a classic drinking gesture, not something you hear from a seven-year-old.

　That said, I'm an imperial baron, I do socialize.

Just a little. I hope to be able to drink like a man when I grow up.
"Yeah, yeah, a man should be. Bowes, go out with me for a minute!　I'll borrow your husband.
I'm sorry Angel, I'm just going to go.
"Yes, have a good day, Mr. Alec.

　Angel sent us off, smiling.
　She's intelligent and has the knowledge to study hard to be a good baroness.

　When the general invites the baron to go somewhere, he knows that the only right way is to send her off with a smile as a chaste wife, so he does it.

　I was accompanied by Hossen and came to the dining room of the mansion.

Wow, what a magnificent dining room.

　An honest impression came out of my mouth.
　The dining room of the Hossens' house was more than twice the size of the Carlisle house.
　The long and narrow table was only for one master on the side, but it was so long that more than fifty people could sit in a row.

Oh!　I'll have my guys over for a little party!
"I see.

　The scene was vividly imagined.
　The most famous warrior, strong personality, drinker.

　I'm sure it's going to be quite a mess, every time.

...... I took him out just like you asked.

　Suddenly, I overheard Hossen looking out of the dining room and muttering something to himself.

"What's the matter, Mr. Hossen?
"Hmm?　No, it's nothing. Hey, get me a drink.



　Hossen ordered, and within ten seconds the maids were bringing in the drinks and food, one after another.

　I noticed a maid with salt in her hand.

It's good salt. I feel like I could drink all night just from this.
"--Oh, oh, oh!

　Hossen peeled his eyes away and grabbed me by the shoulders and shook me.
　I've always thought you had a dynamic personality, but this is the most exciting thing I've seen since I met you.

　Did I say something bad about ......?

You know what I'm talking about. You know what I mean. Meat and delicacies just fool your tongue and ruin the drink. You know that, you're a child.

　I was a child at .......
　I was a child.
　I was a child of only seven years old. I usually think I know what I'm doing, but I just did it.

　I've been drinking and salting since I was an old man in a previous life, so I just blurted it out.

　Hossen stared at me.

What's wrong, Mr. Hossen?
I love it!
"Huh?
"I love it, Alec.

　Hosen said and patted my shoulder.
　Honestly, it hurts a little bit, but it's more than that.

Not many people can say that. Not many people can say that.
"...... eeeeee!

　What are you talking about, brother-in-law?

　There's an age difference between me, who is seven years old, and you can call him grandfather.
　And he's your brother-in-law.

It's just a joke, Mr. Horsen.
No, I'm serious. If you don't like your brother-in-law, then marry your daughter--or your granddaughter.
"Ehhhhh!

　I scream again.

Carlisle's stingy. You're such a good son, why don't you just introduce me?

　.......
　.............
　...................

　I caught a glimpse of your father.
　It seems that he rather seriously liked me.
　There's going to be another one like him.

　I had a feeling that there would be another one like him.

　　　　　☆

　While Alec and Hossen are about to make a pact of brotherhood in the dining room, a girl comes to visit Angier, who was waiting in his room.

"Hey, Your Majesty!

　As soon as the girl entered the room, Angel rose with a start and stretched upright and immobile.

　The person who comes in is Elisabeth C. Forsize, the Imperial Emperor himself.
　But as before, she's dressed in civilian clothes and is Eliza.

"Don't be afraid, it's just the same as before.
"Yes, yes. Well then ...... Eliza?
"Yeah. I'm sorry to bother you. I came to talk to you.
"Okay, I'll get Mr. Alec right away--
No, not him, but Angela. That's why I asked Hossen to take Alec out.
"Really? ......

　Wide-eyed and amazed Angel .
　The bright head wondered what the emperor could do for him ...... and the bright head wondered.

You are his wife-to-be, aren't you?
"Yes!　I love you, Mr. Alec.

　Eliza flinched for a moment at Angier's carefree smile.

...... I'm going to ask you honestly. What would you think if a woman came along and said she liked him?
I'm so happy!

　Angel to answer immediately. Again, a momentary flinch, Eliza.

"Happy?
"Yes!　I would like to get to know that person. I would like to get to know him and talk about the wonderful things about Alec with him.
"Really . . any jealousy?
"Jealous?　Hmmm, I'm not sure. The more I get to know you, Alec, the more I love you so much that I can't think of anything else. It's making me neglect my studies.



　Angier looked a little dejected, "I don't think I feel jealous.

"I don't think I'm jealous.
So ...... the more you know, the more you like it, the more you can't think of anything else.

　Eliza looks a little pensive and thoughtful.
　A few seconds later, she looks up. She's back to her normal, positive, girlly expression.

Thank you, it was nice to hear that.
"Yes.
I'm going home for the day. Don't tell Alec that I'm here.
Should I not tell you?
Yes, I want to surprise him. I want to make him happy.
"I get it!　Never say never.
Thank you. See you later.
"Yes!

　　　　　*

　It's been a few days since Hossen pushed me into a desperate struggle to become his brother-in-law.
　He took a great liking to me, and it was a feast and a feast.

　Sometimes it was his men, sometimes it was his acquaintances, the nobles in the imperial capital.
　Every day he would invite different people to the banquet and introduce me.

　It was like having another father figure like Hossen, no joke, preaching to me.

　I'm a little relieved that we didn't have that today.

　Audience day for the emperor.
　As expected, even Hossen couldn't throw a banquet that day.
　I would have been nervous to have an audience with the emperor, but I was so relieved that I didn't feel nervous.

　I walked into the palace and came to the audience room, dressed in the formal attire of a baron.

　On the throne was Eliza.
　Unlike before, she is clothed in the clothes of an emperor.
　She exudes an aura of dignity that is almost as strong as the aura of the emperor.

　The red carpet leading to the throne, flanked by nobles and ministers on both sides.
　I followed the etiquette and had an audience with the emperor.

This was a great work.
"Grateful happiness
I will make sure you are rewarded for your work. Whatever you want.
"As Your Majesty wills.

　It's also part of the etiquette.
　Don't be foolish enough to express your wishes just because the emperor tells you that he will do everything.
　It is rude to give an opinion to the emperor.

　So I reworded "anything" into aristocratic language and said it.

I said, "Okay. Now Alexander Carlyle.
"Ha!
"I confer upon you the rank of vice-emperor.
"A full stop?

　I cocked my head at the unfamiliar words.
　There was a buzz around me, a momentary delayed groan.

　What the hell does that mean?　And I sought knowledge in the Philosopher's Stone, which I carry close to my skin.
　Knowledge that knows the language immediately came back to me.

　Vice-Emperor.
　Vice-Emperor.
　It is one rank above the Prime Minister, the highest position one can give to a non-royal person.

Whoa!　That's my brother-in-law!

　One of the ministers, Hossen, rejoiced so loudly that the audience room echoed.
　People around me were even more buzzed and looked at me with envious eyes.

"For my sake and for the empire. Work harder and harder.
"Grateful happiness

　I bowed and looked up.
　Your Majesty--Eliza was looking at me with passionate eyes.

　No, the surprise was greater than that.

　No way, Vice-Emperor.
　Gold and treasure and one promotion from baron to viscount.
　I had all kinds of expectations, and I was wrong.

　I thought we've been blessed enough.
　But there was more to life in the SSS ranks than I could have ever imagined.