Org.

I'm back.

　Having managed to fight off the hordes of Orcs, I came to the office to report to the lord.

　We haven't even finished cleaning up the orcs scattered outside the town and we still have to report to them, it's hard work for the managers.

　It's a pain in the ass, but I, as the highest-ranking person involved, still have no choice but to report to them.
　Oh dear, I didn't know being a knight is such a troublesome thing.
　I thought it would be an easy job.

"Oh, well come back...

　When I entered the office, I was greeted by my lord and Lady Celia with a smile.......

Ogg-sama!

''Oooh!''

　Without even having time to greet my lord first, the young lady jumped into my chest.

''It's good!　I'm so glad Master Aug is safe!

　The young lady was happy that I was back, with tears smeared across her beautiful face.
　Uh, yeah, I don't feel bad about being greeted by a beautiful girl who's worried about me.

　But yikes. At a time like this, a proper knight would lend a handkerchief to the young lady, but unfortunately, I don't have anything so thoughtful.
　After all, we're common people........

Wipe the tears from your eyes, Master Aug, for now, miss.

Whoa!　Hi. Hi.

　I was at a loss as to what to do, when John gently whispered advice in my ear while holding a handkerchief in my hand.
　I was scared out of my wits. I wish you would stop coming so close to me soundlessly.

　Anyway, I followed John's advice and gently wiped the young lady's tears away and gave her a smile.　

"Miss, I'm pinging like this!

　Then I showed the young lady my power hump to show her that I'm fine.
　

Master Aug....

　Thank goodness, the young lady laughed at me. As expected, I'd feel so guilty if I made such a pretty girl cry forever.

''Hmph!　Hmm!　I'm glad you came back safely. It's the knight ogre.

　What a thing to do, the lord-sama's coughing echoed through the room.
　''Icky!　That was before my lord!

'Oh, ha!　Yes!

　 I turn to face my lord-sama.
　

As a lord, I can't thank you enough for your help.

No, no, not really.

　I manage to resume the conversation, but the awkwardness doesn't clear up as the young lady remains in my embrace.
　The lord-sama who can continue the conversation in this situation is amazing.

''But, well, now no one doubts your ability.

　The lord-sama uttered something strange.

''What?　What does that mean?

''Knight Aug, you are a capable man. Since you are a former A-ranked adventurer, you know the world as well as your sword skills. That's why the people trust you. I even think that you are more reliable than a lowly aristocrat's children.

'No, hahaha. That's probably too much of a compliment.

　Hahaha, my lord is lifting it up too much, isn't he?
　Well, I'm sure I'm the guy you can count on!

'That's not all. When he went on a reconnaissance mission, he neglected to let his men go and brought back information. And not only that, he even defeated a giant monster orc lying outside the city. That's truly an achievement worthy of being called a hero!

No, no, I'm embarrassed to be lifted so high.

　I don't feel bad about being praised that highly, but I'm not the only one who was able to take down those monster orcs, so I feel a little guilty about it.
　Yeah, let's make a proper correction here.......I have a feeling it's going to be bad if it's not.
　My gut feeling, a former A-ranked adventurer, tells me that.

"My mansion-sama, I'm not the only one who defeated those monster orcs.

I know, I know, I know.

　And my lord controls my words with his hand.

'Are you saying that you can't be the only one to get credit for this?　You know that. Those who fought with you will also be given their due recognition and reward. They were willing to lay down their lives for this town and its people.

　Oh!　That's my lord!　You're getting my point across!

'That's why it's great!　Your humble demeanor is truly that of a knight!　And I also do justice to a heart that is overwhelmingly powerful, but doesn't dwell on it and act with integrity!

　No!　I can't feel it!
　Rather, that's what I wanted him to get across the most!

　I can't........my former A-ranked adventurer's intuition warns me that this is not good if it continues.
　For example, I have a feeling that they've mistaken me for a great hero, and if anything troublesome happens, they'll pin it on me!
　The trouble is, these bad feelings really do hit you!
　It's the only reason I've survived until today.

'No, no, no, no, it's really not!　It was only because of this equipment that we were able to defeat that monster orc!　In fact, I've been falsely telling my subordinates that this is a magic tool I got in the dungeon, but it's actually a new piece of equipment made by that master craftsman, Goldoff!　I've been able to fight more than an even match because of this guy!　The amazing thing is this weapon and the materials they used!　Anyone can play a big role with this thing, even if it's not me!

　Okay, I said it!　I told you so!
　I don't know if my reputation would be ruined if people knew that I won thanks to my tools, but I've become a knight, I want to live a life of leisure!
　I don't want to live in a life where I'm overrated and forced to take a pile of yucky projects if I'm wrong!

""Because of the equipment...?"

　Not only does my lordly lord roll his eyes at my confession, but also the lady and Mr. John.
　Well, that's right. It's only natural to be disappointed if they tell you that you're actually stronger thanks to your equipment.
　Nah, it's okay, it's my ability that made me an A-ranked adventurer, so I won't get fired for this.
　I had prepared myself for this, but....

Hahahahahaha!

　For some reason, the lords started laughing in a funny way.

''Eh?　You know what?

''Hahahahahaha, Knight Aug is a good joke too. I didn't expect to be given that excuse.

What?

Yes. And I may be naive, but I am not fooled by the fact that you were able to take down that terrible orc because of your weapon.

'What?　Huh?

　No, no, it's true.

''Haha, it's true. If they said it was a legendary holy sword or a magic sword found deep in the labyrinth, I would understand, but even if they said that they were able to win thanks to a sword made by an ordinary blacksmith, no matter how skilled he was, it would be a joke.

"Mm-hm,

　
　If you ask me, that's true. I wouldn't believe you if you said the same thing to me.
　Yes, I made a mistake in my explanation...!

'No, no, you made me laugh. Now, let's get back to the topic at hand.

　Assuming my explanation to be a complete joke, the Lord-Lord slowly gets up from his chair and comes in front of me.

'Whatever your feelings are, what you've accomplished is that of a hero. The people around me definitely agree. Therefore, as a lord, I have to do you justice and make sure that someone else doesn't take it away from you.

'Deprived?　Me?

　Huh?　What?　What do you mean?　Does that mean I'm going to get kidnapped like a princess?

When the word gets out, or at least it will. After all, you can't let people talk. Even more so if it is a heroic story. The people will spread the word of your exploits in good faith.

　Don't spread it out!　Seriously, stop it!

'And as word gets out about your exploits, many of the powers that be will invite you to join their ranks.

No, no, no, no...

It will happen. I'm a nobleman, I can assure you that.

　My lord looks at me with conviction as he declares, ''Of course, I promise you further prosperity to repay your efforts.

''Of course I promise to reward you for your activities with further glory. A position that will allow you to demonstrate your abilities. ........But that's not enough, is it?

Do you want more...?

　They evaluated me, gave me a job, and what more could they possibly give me...?
　Honestly, I think that's more than enough, don't you?

'Knight Aug, what you lack is authority. You could call it bloodline.

'Authority?　Bloodline?

You have made a name for yourself as a hero. You are a hero. You need your blood. But you are a commoner. You cannot find in your blood the value of a nobleman. Then what should I do?　It's easy. All you have to do is mix your descendants with the blood of a nobleman.

"My descendants have noble blood in their veins?

　What?　Huh?　Huh?　What does that mean?

It means that if you take a noblewoman to wife, your children will be considered part of the nobility.

''Oh, I'm going to marry a nobleman?

　The lord's outrageous statement caused me to scream in astonishment.
　No, no, no, no, no, no, no, there's no way I'm marrying a noblewoman!　Because I'm a commoner!

Of course, it doesn't matter who it is. In order for you to serve me for a long time, the woman to be my wife must be from my family. And when it comes to a partner worthy of a hero like you, we can't leave it to a minor branch of the family at the end. No, it can't be!

　So the master clenches his fist and looks complicated.

'Therefore, I have decided to make the daughter of the main family your betrothed!

Oh, you're the family's daughter?

''Father, could it be...?

　The young lady reacts strongly to the lord's words.

''It's Celia. As a nobleman, I must bind my capable men to this land. It is my duty as the head of the family to use them, even if they are my beloved daughter, to do so. Will you forgive me for making such a ruthless decision?''

　When the lord-sama asks with a serious expression, the young lady moves away from me and looks at the lord-sama.

''Of course!　I'm ready to give myself to the clan, as a member of the nobility, for the sake of the family!

　

　I mean, I don't think this trend is....well, no matter how much you think it's going to be...it can't be, right?

But then, what about the issue of succession?

　The young lady looked worried, but the lord told her everything was fine.

''Don't worry about that. As a matter of fact I might have a brother for you.''

　While blushing with a pop, the lord-sama reveals a look of shame.
　No, I don't want to see an old man's embarrassed face.

''Well!　Is that true!

　However, the young lady was unfazed by the lord's appearance and sounded happy.

''Uh, what do you mean by brothers?''

Our mistress is not well and is resting in her residence in King's Landing. And since the mansion is in love with her, he goes to the capital periodically. So that's what it means.

Yeah, I see.

　With John-san's explanation in my ear, I understand the situation of the Viscount family.
　That means the couple is very close!

　

'That's why it's Celia!　My father has given up a lot of things!　So do what you want!　But your power is important to me, so stay in your territory!　Because I'm going to trick myself into letting you do what you want because what you want is going to benefit the territory in many ways, too!

　Why is it that every word of my lord's words seem to be filled with a resigned sound.......

'Thank you, Father!　I will be happy with Master Aug, and I want a home for the two of us to live in.　Master Aug will never let me out of his territory!

'Mmm!　I'm counting on you, Celia!

Well, um, what does that mean?

　With the mention of my name, an expectation I didn't think was possible became a reality.
　No, no, no, no, I'm a good old man!　You're not going to do that, are you?　You don't have one, do you?

Congratulations, Mr. Aug.

What do you mean by that?

　Mr. John congratulates me as he rubs his hands and tells me to congratulate him.
　Why does he have a nice smile on his face too?

''Hahaha, of course, to the consummation of your engagement to Miss Celia, sir.

"Oh, I see, the lady and I are engaged to be married!

　You're not really going to marry me?

"If the mistress had a child, then the young lady would not have to be the only child of the master's family to take over. And considering the young lady's situation, it's more convenient for the lord to marry her off to a vassal than to marry her off to a nobleman from another family.

What's the reason for that?

　As my lord said, what are the reasons for this?
　Is it so important for you to marry off your daughter to a man like me?

"Master Aug.

'What?　Ah, yes. Yes, miss?

　Miss Celia looks at me with a blush on her face as she stares at me with a bewildered look.
　This doesn't mean she doesn't want to.......right?

I don't mean to sound like a complete stranger but it's nice to meet you, Mr. Org!

Take care of my daughter, Mr. Aug.

　At the same time, my lord-sama also smiles at me as she grips my shoulder firmly and asks for the young lady.
　Sunmusen, my shoulder hurts terribly........

Yes, yes I'd be happy to.

　And so, in the middle of the day, when I didn't even know what I was doing, I ended up getting engaged to the Celia lady.
　........how did this happen?

　Viscount Grimoire.

　The engagement of my daughter Celia to the knight Aug has been decided.
　Some of my vassals naturally raised objections, but I ignored them and pushed the matter forward.
　To those who still raised their voices, I immediately shut up as soon as I told them if you guys could defeat that monster orc that is still being dismantled outside the city by a single person.

　In any case, their goal is to marry Celia to their own son and take over the main house.
　It's a conspiracy story that often happens when the lord's children have only daughters born to them.
　After all, this Viscount Grimoire family has greatly increased its power in a short period of time due to the power of Celia's divination.
　The heads of other noble families want to know how this family has grown so much.

　They didn't think that Celia, which they thought of as a way to infiltrate the family, was the family's very secret.
　Fortunately, thanks to the fact that my wife has conceived a second child, the issue of succession is on the verge of being resolved.

　However, even so, if Celia's fiancé's seat was still vacant, something bad could forcefully settle into Celia's fiancé's seat and try to take the lord's position from the child to be born.

　Hence, I have decided to choose a man who has no connection to such schemes as Celia's partner.
　Fortunately, that candidate was already in my possession, and Celia was favored by the man, so I would have to say that he was lucky to be a father.

''When I missed out on the talented man who defeated the dragon, I scouted him with the intention of compromising... but I didn't expect him to do so well.

　An unexpected find.
　There are some things you just don't see everywhere, aren't there?

The girl with her gift of divination and the hero who saved the city will either be the gospel of my land or the source of all the turmoil... I wonder.

　Maybe my decision will cause more turmoil in this territory.
　But more than that, the various incidents that have occurred both at home and abroad over the past few years definitely feel like a harbinger of some great disaster.

''In order to protect this territory, we need to gather a lot of good people...''

　That's my role as a politician.

"But hey.........my daughter is getting married....

　Ugh, how will I explain to my wife that for the sake of the safety of the realm, you've turned my daughter into the betrothed of an old vassal?
　No, it's true, but Celia wanted to and she accepted it, so....

No!　My wife's fists are flying before I can properly explain!　Woohoo!　How can I explain it to you in a mild manner!

　My difficulties as a lord, or rather as a father, were only just beginning....