I won. ............
Seriously: "Seriously: ......
...... and ten straight wins.
"Half-assed. ......

　As Seven was shaking hands with General Nato Shaman, Seven's subordinates, the Prince's Kingsguard knights, who were Seven's subordinates, felt their brains tingling and numb from too much shock.

''After all, Seven-sama wasn't the kind of person to stay on as a knight-in-chief, was he?
'You will rise to the occasion. Eventually a general, or perhaps a vizier, or maybe even a vizier: ......
Yeah, maybe not a dream.

　The three men, who first learned of Seven's abnormality when they were summoned to the Prime Minister's office, are predicting each other as to what will happen to Seven. In their minds, it seems to be already confirmed that Seven will become a general in the near future.

'You see, boys? That's our Knight Commander. We're going to follow behind that man from now on.
...... I couldn't be prouder, you know.
Yeah, I think so.

　The man who had tried to frame Seven with the former Knight Captain and the young man who had knocked Seven's booklet off of her and the young man who had knocked it off of her stared at Seven and talked about such things without looking at each other.

　It has been about two years since the emperor stopped promoting meritocracy in the empire, but even so, the idea still persists among those who live in the empire. Hence, the mere fact that they "overwhelmed that Nato Shaman" was enough for them to readily admit to Seven from the bottom of their hearts.

　That's how strong the general Nato Shaman, the Knight Commander of the Imperial Guard, was to them.


'Swordsmanship, spearmanship, and physical skills!　Shieldcraft, sorcery, and thread manipulation were all very good, but!　Most of all, that bowmanship!　I'd slap all my money on it if I could learn it!　I've seen a tremendous thing!

　On the other hand, an elite man who had learned the Dragon King Archery Technique all night long, completely dispelled his sleepiness and opened his mouth as if his excitement had not subsided. No, you could call it an all-night tension. His eyes were bloodshot.

It was amazing from the very first game!　Perhaps if we can't duck that first attack of infantry archery, we will no longer have any room for resistance.
I'll just duck.
There's no doubt about it. You can't help but notice the arm flickering and an arrow is already flying in front of you.
After that, the transition from shielding to bodywork was terrifyingly fast.
That said, the link to the yarn manipulation felt horrible to me.
'Yeah. Kicked up high, falling, and struck once on the ground, right after being restrained ...... that kind of thing would be unbearable.

　The all-night knights who were in the same situation as him were also in the same situation, and they were very excited, praising Seven's skills in a circle.

'I can understand your desire to learn, I can understand that. I'm going to take the plunge and ask him about it when Knight Captain Seven doesn't seem to be busy.
Isn't that kind of rude, though?
'No, Knight Commander Seven is a big man. Besides, he's ...... our (...) Knight Commander.
'Well, yeah, ...... haha, look at that, I got goosebumps.'
I'm so glad to be a Knight of the Kingsguard with His Royal Highness.
We may be witnessing something awesome right now.

　To them, Seven was a drama queen who, despite being ignored, spread the methods of skill acquisition around, leading their rivals, the Imperial Guard, to victory in a team fight and a crushing victory in a showdown with the Knight Commander, a man who was a drama queen.

　In other words, he was their hero.

　An existence that would elevate their abilities, improve their status, and lead them to greater heights in the future.

　It's impossible not to adore him now.

'I can't wait to be taught a lesson.
Yeah, I'm looking forward to it.

　However, they do not yet know.

　They don't know that Prime Minister Cigarone's recommendation will soon send Seven to the battlefield as a commander.



　　* * * *



　After the match with Nato, I took a break from the game and was eating dinner with Light.


''It's quintessentially delicious,''

'What the hell, you said, "Quicksilver". Did you eat so much good food at your aunt's place?

No, I just thought the prince was eating something different.

Hm. You can thank me for that, and you can thank me for Seven.

Okay.


"...... Totally, just remember your place. I am the prince and you are the captain of the Kingsguard. I don't ask you to be respectful at all times, but don't treat me like I'm a bother.

'Well, first of all, stop that condescending tone. What, you want a pat on the back?

No, no!　But it's true!　It was me!

Thank you, Mr. Light, I'm eating my first meal thanks to you.

'You're kidding me!　Enough!


　As usual, Wright is still pecking away. However, he seems to have softened up a bit. At least he no longer says "I'm firing you".


　Oh, come to think of it.


'Hey, was that thing you were saying about being fired, an imitation of Mr. Cigarone?

............ It's different.


　I knew it.


"You were trying to copy the best person in the Empire to do your job... don't be so cute!

That's why I said no!

You're blushing.

This is different!


　I don't know what the difference is.

　As I was smirking at his dismay, Light turned away and started eating his meal while ignoring me.

　I know what you mean. I understand the adolescent's tendency to imitate the tone of their favorite characters.

　Well, if you embarrass yourself while you're at it, the wound will be less severe.


But, you know, since Cigarrone became prime minister, which he didn't want to be, two years ago, he's become like that.　What's the point of imitating that? Imitate what you did when you were a general: ...... Oh, or were you a bad mouth since you were a general?

　But I was curious about one thing.

　According to Joe, the soldier I brainwashed, Mr. Cigarone wasn't like that two years ago. He was a little softer or something.

　Is it the recent Mr. Cigarone that Wright is imitating, or is it the Mr. Cigarone of two years ago?


'...... It wasn't as bad in the past as it is now, but it was still all sarcasm when he opened his mouth. It just wasn't as dirty spoken as it is now, I guess.

You always say, "You're fired.

Yes. ......

Ah, yes.

Don't laugh.

Sorry.


　I see, that's generally to be expected. I guess my personality has always been like that, but my current habit of saying "shit" is something I probably started two years ago.

　I mean, two years ago, I had to start saying shit for a reason. That was probably an act of "I've been appointed Prime Minister, which I don't want to be, but it's an order from His Majesty, and I'm obeying it in spite of the fact that it's rough.

　Cigarone, why would you do that ......?


Hey, what are you laughing at?　Is your maid-style insulting me?

Excuse me!　But,

You're fired. This isn't a quip. Good to hear about my firing. Come on, smile.

...... I'm very sorry, sir.


　While I was thinking about things, Light started bullying the serving maid.

　This kind of thing, he's still a little shitty kid.


''Didn't I say you're not imaginative enough?''

Huh?

"I don't think that maid was mocking you, you know. Right?

'Yes, sir!　I swear!


　It's normal to think about it, but ...... somehow, there's no room (...) for the lights.

　No, I guess that's not a good thing. My own father keeps acting like that, my sister and the general are moronic enemies, I'm not allowed to see my mother, and I don't have a single person I can trust in the castle - that's why I'm spiked in all directions.

　...... Oh, I think I know why the maid laughed.


It is the first time I've seen His Highness dining in such a lively manner, and I just had to ......

What--!


　In other words, he said it made him feel "relaxed". And that made him smile.

　The maid's vomit was just as I expected it to be for me. But for Light, it was unexpected, and as a result, it made Light even angrier.


'You!　You've embarrassed me!　I'll never forgive you!　I'll never forgive you!　Get out!　d*mn maids!

You can't hide your embarrassment like that, so just give up and be cool. Just like that night.

''~~~!

!


　Light turned red with an angry face and stared at me.

　And for some reason, I felt the maid's eyes seemed to glint.


''Well, I know. I know very well that if you get licked, you lose (・・・・・・・・). But if you're even hitting harmless people hard with it, you're just going to get less allies and more enemies. Right?

That's true, but come on.

'You're doing exactly what you asked me to do that night, and now you're doing it. Did you lie to me when you said you wanted to do something about that false habit?

No!

It's an opportunity, and it's happening now. The time to change is now. Ah, yes, I've beaten Nato and improved your position a bit. So consider it your reward for being nice to this maid. Huh?

......~~......


　Light gave a small snarl as he stared at me with tears in his eyes.

　Snarling means that he is distressed.

　Reward for me...... It seems that having a reason to do so made it a little easier for him emotionally.

　Haha, with a deep sigh, Light turns to the maid.


'...... That's why. You don't have to be fired.

We are very grateful for your generosity.

I had no choice. When people say this is a reward for the man who beat Nato Shaman, it's not like I had any choice.

Yes, you're on the left, yes?

'Hmm ...... I'll miss that smile, too. Huh, I can't help it, not at all.

Thank you, sir.

...... I'm sorry about that.

No, no!　Oh no!


　All right, all right, keep it up.

　I don't know why it makes me happy when you do things I couldn't do when I was a kid, back in the day.

　And I can't be a general if you don't get your act together.


'I'm proud of you for apologizing. Good on you.

'And I had no choice. And I'll tell you what, you're a great guy, ....... And you've been a great help to me, too: ......


　Light looks away from me and says something like that in a small voice.

　'I see, that's why you've softened.


'Hey, Seven. You know, about the reward, it's not like this, it's more...


Oh, Mr. Cigarone said to meet him in his office when I finish my meal.


"You're a f*cking idiot, you know that?　Every time, every turn!






'You're here. First of all, I'd like to thank you for wasting my time on a slow dinner because of you.

　Mr. Cigarone is the first to open up and say something sarcastic.

　You call her out and this is what she does, she's never shaken.

　But the prince and the prime minister, why is it that I am surrounded by such prickly people?


You're welcome.

...... tch.


　I replied sarcastically, and Mr. Cigarone clicked his tongue, the corners of his mouth rising.


'You've been telling me to look forward to the next three days,'

Yes, sir.

'Quite simply, it was boring. How do you take responsibility for it?

Another obvious lie.

　Obviously a lie. I'm sensitive when it comes to entertaining people at fights.


I'm not lying. It was boring to me. I said so, so it is. It's an irrefutable fact. And there is no way for you to confirm it.

Uh, sure.

　Even if he was lying, I can't confirm it.

　No, it's clearly a lie: .......


'Well, let's get to the point.

　Mr. Cigarone sipped his coffee, never admitting he was enjoying it, and pulled a piece of paper out of the drawer with a rustle.


'You are aware of the conflict with the Orangi Kingdom in the occupation of Cizon Minor, aren't you?

No, I don't know.

Oh, that reminds me, you're an idiot, by the way.

　Excuse me.


"Kamel Godland, now you call yourself the Republic of Dzat. Well, it's still a Godland. It's been devastated by the revolution, it's still uniting the country. In order to aim at that place, the Marvel Empire occupied the small country of Sizin, which is located between it and the God Country. Ostensibly to protect the small country that has lost the backing of the God State from the Orangi Kingdom.

　I see. As I recall, the Orangi Kingdom is located next to the Sizun Small Kingdom and the Kamel God State. In other words, Sizun Minor Country is an extremely important base of operations for the Empire, Kingdom and God State.

　Since it's being occupied without permission, the Orangi Kingdom can't keep quiet.

''The small kingdoms are at the mercy of the empire, but eventually the Orangi Kingdom will put pressure on us. There are already soldiers from the Orangi Kingdom stationed in some areas of the God Kingdom with the permission of the God Kingdom. However, the king of that country doesn't have the guts to occupy the divine Kingdom. It would still be safe ......, but the general over there could even invade it if he had the opportunity to do so. Therefore, the empire must be set up before that.

Set up?

''Specifically, we will be the first to invade the God State. Ideally, we will force the Empire to cede at least 30% of the God Kingdom's land to the Empire and put further pressure on the Orangi Kingdom. At the same time, we will also block trade to the Castal Kingdom and crush their complaints. Regardless of the three nations coming in a coalition, they are not enemies of the Empire.

　Hey, hey, hey.


What's the cause of the invasion?

No. If anything, it's a pain in the ass.

　There it is. This is the Marvel Empire as I know it. Power is righteousness, power is everything, a true meritocracy that has screwed everything over head-on in the game of force. It's the Marvel Empire of Mövius Online.

　We finally meet. Was that powerful Marvel Empire hiding in Cigarone-san's mind?


''What do I have to do?''


　So, what was it? I didn't listen well.

　What's my job, after all?


It's easy. You hit the Joker with the Joker. Once we get rid of that thing, the kingdom of Oranj is no match for us.


　Mr. Cigarone said, and handed me a piece of paper.

　It was an ostentatious piece of paper that was clearly an order from the emperor.

　It said that you are strong and should go to war, or something like that. The emperor seemed to be greatly impressed with today's match with Nato. It even says things like "I'm counting on you" that he would never say to his son.

　Then Mr. Cigarone grinned and continued his words.


'You will now lead your troops into the Kamel divine State and defeat the Orangi Kingdom Army General (・・・・) who will win there--'