The Reincarnated Martial God Brings Down the Heavens

Chapter 131 – Home (1)

“Where in the world have you been!?”

Prince Enzi exclaimed furiously at Duke Veder, who had just returned. His face was filled with anxiety and dissatisfaction.

‘……That shows how little he trusts me.’

Duke Veder couldn’t help but give a bitter smile.

Even if one feels anxious, they should maintain composure not to show it outwardly.

That’s how you handle people.

‘……Comparison, at the bare minimum, requires a few similarities. But compared to his much younger sibling, isn’t he far too childish?’

Concealing his disappointment, Duke Veder immediately bowed his head.

“I have no excuse.”

Naturally, his thoughts turned to his last conversation with Seventh Prince Andrew.

“There’s no need for an oath of loyalty just yet. For now, return and pretend to be on the Queen’s side. You can’t possibly serve two masters as a knight, can you?”

“……Your Highness doesn’t trust me, after all. Well, I suppose that’s my fault……”

“No, on the contrary. It’s because I trust you that I’m asking this.”

“Pardon? Then why Her Highness……?”

“Well, because the betrayal of someone you trust the most hurts the deepest.”

“Ah!”

“I’ll accept your oath of loyalty when the time comes.”

Despite his words, this must have been Prince Andrew’s way of showing consideration for Duke Veder.

‘If I swore loyalty there and had to act like I served another master, it would be uncomfortable in its own way.’

A faint smile tugged at his lips.

‘Prince Andrew truly excels at handling people.’

After one positive aspect stood out, everything else would start to seem impressive. It was no wonder the nobles of the Hart Kingdom flocked to him.

By contrast……

“Do you think I’m doing this just to get an apology? I’m asking you to explain why you suddenly disappeared.”

Duke Veder suppressed a sigh as he responded.

“I went for the sake of our future.”

“Our future?”

“As they say, even walls have ears. If there are any witnesses to what happened today, wouldn’t that be troublesome for us?”

“……!”

Prince Enzi’s eyes widened instantly.

“Judging by their use of masks, it seems they have no intention of making today’s events public. But if the situation comes to light through another witness, it would undoubtedly put Your Highness in a difficult position.”

“Ah! Truly meticulous. As expected of you, Your Grace!”

At last, Prince Enzi’s expression relaxed with relief. It seemed he had been fretting until now, worried that the duke might have had a change of heart.

‘……Yes, this is all for my future.’

As he half-listened to murmurs of apology for sending assassins without prior consultation, Duke Veder’s gaze was fixed on something else.

It was none other than the direction of his future.

***

Count Arsene hurriedly prepared for his first outing in a long while and ran outside the castle gates.

After all, the news had just arrived yesterday.

“Th-There they are!”

“……!”

It was the message that someone practically considered family, the honored guest of the household, was returning.

For some reason, hundreds of people were following Ancelot, but none of that mattered to Arsene.

“Are you hurt anywhere!?”

Count Arsene rushed up to Ancelot, scrutinizing him from head to toe.

“I-I heard you were mistreated by the Meeke Principality at the palace!”

“Ah! So the rumors have already reached here?”

“Not just here—it’s already spread across the entire nation!”

Ancelot gave a knowing look.

‘Well, from the Hart Kingdom’s perspective, they’d want to publicize the details as much as possible.’

Otherwise, baseless rumors might circulate, accusing them of unfairly driving out the Meeke Principality or oppressing a weaker nation.

“Phew…… In any case, I’m just glad to see that you’re okay.”

Hearing this voice filled with relief, a grin spread across Ancelot’s lips.

“Do I seem like the kind of person who’d let someone beat me up?”

“Well, true, but considering who we’re dealing with……”

At that moment, two individuals stepped forward behind Ancelot.

“……!”

Count Arsene’s eyes widened in shock.

“Marquis…… Foltaine……? A-And even Duke Serin!?”

His surprise was genuine. It was greater since Duke Serin rarely left the capital.

“I hope it’s not too much trouble, but could we impose on you for just one night?”

Count Arsene made a puzzled face at Ancelot’s question.

“One night……?”

“We’ll leave for Black Swan at dawn tomorrow. It’s officially become my territory now.”

“……!”

Of course, Count Arsene had already heard that news. His face instantly lit up with joy.

“That’s right! Congratulations! Hahaha! Should I start calling you Baron Ancelot now? I need to think of a proper gift……”

“For now, please accept my gift. The next time I visit, I’ll secure direct trading rights with the dwarves for you.”

A plan that would benefit both parties.

“Direct trading rights…… With the dwarves!?”

At this, Count Arsene’s eyes gleamed with excitement. As the head of his family, how could he not desire a way to restore its glory?

“We’re going to need substantial funds in the future. And in every way, I think you’re the perfect person for the job, Count Arsene. The dwarves already consider you one of their few friends.”

“Wh-What a bundle of good fortune.”

Marquis Foltaine, who had been quietly observing, let out a chuckle.

“You just voiced your inner thoughts aloud, Count.”

“Ah……”

Count Arsene shut his mouth, looking sheepish.

“Ahem……”

Even Marquis Foltaine, realizing the situation, awkwardly cleared his throat. His comment, meant to ease the tension, only served to highlight his presence.

Right.

The atmosphere between the two was still tense. At that moment, Ancelot stepped in.

“Also, since traders need suppliers, why not leave that to Marquis Foltaine, the finest merchant in the Hart Kingdom?”

“……!”

The completely unsuspecting Marquis Foltaine exclaimed in surprise.

“Wh-What are you saying?”

Even his voice trembled with unease. An apology wouldn’t erase the past.

In the past, Marquis Foltaine had tried to destroy Count Arsene’s household. Such an event could create a lifetime of tension.

But avoiding the issue just because it was uncomfortable wouldn’t lead to progress.

‘If I’m determined to bring them both along, this lingering unease won’t benefit anyone.’

Ancelot hoped that through this opportunity, the two of them could resolve a fraction of their feelings.

Of course, he had no intention of forcing it.

It wasn’t his place to do so, either.

While both of them were precious to him, it wouldn’t have been surprising if they still regarded each other as enemies.

‘All I want is to give them the chance to reconcile, even a little.’

Perhaps he sensed Ancelot’s earnest intentions?

“……Would you like to share a drink?”

Count Arsene quietly proposed.

“Count……”

Marquis Foltaine, who had been stiff and silent, gave a faint, bittersweet smile.

“……I sincerely appreciate the consideration.”

At last, the awkward tension eased slightly.

Then—

“Ancelot!”

At just the right moment, a group of children ran toward them.

“Maasssttteeerrr!”

Harun was the first to leap forward, wrapping his arms around Ancelot.

“I’m so glad you’re alright, honored guest.”

Next to him, Kirian wore a radiant smile.

“I’ve heard all the rumors, you monster……”

Jan sighed in mock exasperation, shaking his head.

“Good work.”

And lastly, Winley murmured her welcome quietly. But even amid their joy, a hint of dissatisfaction lingered on their faces.

“……Have you been keeping up with your training?”

“Of course!”

“Oh? Then I can test you, right?”

“……!”

At the mention of a ‘test’, Harun and Kirian’s faces turned pale.

“For the record, the testing grounds will be Black Swan.”

“……!”

But their initial reaction didn’t last long. Their expressions soon brightened.

“Yeah! Test us as much as you want!”

Winley quickly responded, in case he changed his mind. They had spent days worrying, being shocked, and feeling awed by the circulating rumors.

‘I don’t want to experience that again.’

‘I’ll be by his side. No matter what!’

‘To not be a burden…… I have to grow stronger.’

‘I can do it, too.’

In their hearts, they were all united.

The forces accompanying Ancelot to Black Swan this time were more formidable than before.

Two elite knight orders from Duke Herman’s household.

An entourage that included not one, but two, Masters.

As such, reaching the inner areas of Black Swan was much smoother than before. The trouble began only after their arrival.

“We haven’t even started digging yet?”

“That…… I have no excuse.”

With Trevor nowhere in sight, Krong stepped forward, scratching his head.

My land remained a barren expanse.

Considering the dwarves’ capabilities, the foundation should have been well underway by now.

“It’s those cursed pointy-eared pests!”

Just then came a thunderous voice. It was Bolt, the leader of the dwarves.

“Every time we try to level the ground for construction, spells rain down on us from all directions. Thankfully, they’re only low-tier magic, one or two circles at most, so the damage isn’t severe…… However, we can’t catch them even if we want to—they’re too quick. Captain Trevor is out dealing with it now.”

Krong quickly added an explanation.

“Those pointy-eared bastards also have eyes and ears. I’m sure they already know we’re working with you.”

“Why is that a problem?”

“Because of what they did to us! They’re probably thinking we’re allying with humans for revenge. Those damn pointy-eared bastards!”

“Oh?”

A sly grin spread across Ancelot’s face.

“So, to summarize, those big-eared pests are interfering with my city’s construction?”

“Exactly!”

“I didn’t expect to get the perfect justification like this……”

“Huh? Justification……?”

Bolt tilted his head.

Yes.

War, after all, is about justification. With proper justification, extracting reparations later becomes much easier.

“Well, sitting around complaining after being attacked doesn’t seem very manly, does it?”

“……!”

Bolt’s eyes widened.

“Hahaha! Well said! Sitting still after taking a hit? That’s no way for a man to act!”

“Then, shall we go? Go and give those pointy-eared pests a beating.”

“Beating? Hahaha! The more I see of you, the more I like you!”

A faint smile played on Ancelot’s lips.

As a commander, one of his tasks had already been accomplished. It was none other than raising the morale of his forces.

‘The morale on this side is already at an all-time high.’

* * *