Unlike other fiefdoms, Leopold's duchy had no festivals for its citizens to enjoy.
The only specialty product worth mentioning is Pura, but we can't hold a festival with it.
Even if a festival were held, no one would come all the way to this place located at the northernmost tip of the empire.
So, instead of holding festivals, the previous Dukes of Leopold held large events, such as inaugurations, in large squares so that the people of the domain could enjoy them as well.
Today was that day, and the usually bustling square was packed with people, leaving no room to stand.
“You shouldn’t go that way!”
“Everyone, please be quiet!”
The officials and knights who had to control such people were in a state of absolute despair.
As Perdes was trying to calm down the people who were acting like unbridled calves, excited by the rare event, he heard the sound of horse hooves.
People who turned their heads toward the sound split in unison to either side.
The knights were dumbfounded and clicked their tongues as they saw people who had not even listened to them move all at once.
That too for a moment.
He nodded, understanding the people's reactions as he saw Adele entering the square on a white horse with a lush mane.
Adele was that majestic and stately.
So much so that it was impossible to imagine anyone daring to stand in her way.
At the same time, she was as beautiful as a rose in full bloom, and not only the knights but also the people who came to watch the knighthood inauguration ceremony were mesmerized by her.
There are more people than I expected.
To exaggerate a little, it seemed as if all the inhabitants of the Duchy of Leopold had come.
Even though this wasn't my first time standing in front of so many people, I was nervous and shaking as if it were my first time.
I don't think I was this nervous even when I was given the title.
It was really strange.
I was nervous because if I made a mistake in a place like this, people would remember me as a bad Duke for the rest of my life.
I really hope you don't make that mistake.
I was clenching and unclenching my fists in anxiety and nervousness, and then someone gently grabbed my hand.
"It's okay."
It was Perdes.
Perdes, who was quietly following me, spoke in a low voice.
“Don’t worry, you can do it.”
Thanks to the affectionate words and the big, warm hands that seemed to embrace all my flaws, my once anxious heart was put at ease.
Thanks to that, I was able to proceed with my schedule without being too nervous.
The weather seemed to be trying to help me, as it was clear without a single cloud and the sunlight was just the right amount of warmth.
After safely completing my swordsmanship duel with Sir Aldor, I took a break in a makeshift rest area to wipe away the sweat and catch my breath.
“Drink.”
Perdes, who had come closer, offered me a bottle of water.
"Thank you."
Since I was already thirsty, I drank some water right away. As soon as I drank the cool water, my thirst disappeared like melting snow.
“Is it over if I just reveal my future aspirations in front of people and declare that I’ve become the Commander of the Knights?”
"Yes."
If my father were alive, he would have made the declaration for me, but since he passed away, I had to make the declaration myself.
No, if my father were alive, I wouldn’t be standing here in the first place.
I knew my father had special circumstances, but I still felt bitter.
I hid my bitter smile behind the water jug and was quenching my dry throat when Count Martina and the nobles came to see me.
Perdes gave his seat to me as soon as he could.
“That was a really great fight, Your Excellency.”
Count Martina said with a smile.
“I knew that Your Excellency’s swordsmanship was outstanding, but I didn’t know it was to this extent.”
“That’s right. My daughter saw you swing your sword, and she was so excited that she wanted to swing her sword too. I was sweating profusely trying to stop her...”
“Me too. Haha, this is it. It looks like there’s going to be a craze for knights in the empire for a while.”
The nobles who followed him also clapped their hands and vied with each other to praise me.
I didn't feel any particular emotion because I knew it was all just empty words to look good to me.
“Thank you for your kind words.”
Count Martina was one of the few nobles who truly cared about me, so I gladly accepted his compliments.
Now that I think about it, Count Martina has been close to my father since he was young.
Then, have you never seen my father and grandfather together even once?
If Count Martina had seen that, it would mean that my grandfather and father were not the same person, so I asked.
“Count Martina. Have you ever seen my father and grandfather together?”
“Yes. I have seen it.”
Have you seen it?
My eyes widened at the different answers from Harness.
“When will that be?”
“What I remember right now is before His Excellency the Duke entered the Knight Academy.”
“You haven’t seen him since then?”
"Well..."
Count Martina stroked his chin as if recalling a memory, then shook his head.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen the two of you together since then.”
"Is it so?"
Was it just my guess that my father and grandfather might be the same person?
Although it bothered me that I had never seen my father and grandfather together as adults, my doubts were somewhat relieved when I heard that he had seen my father when he was young.
Count Martina glanced around and asked in a voice so small that only I could hear.
“Has His Highness the Third Prince come to the Duke’s territory?”
“Yes. He's not here... Why are you suddenly asking that?”
“That’s because my aide saw His Highness the Third Prince at the Martina train station three days ago.”
The 3rd Prince...at Martina train station?
“I thought he was going to attend Your Excellency the Duke’s inauguration ceremony as the Commander of the Knights, but I guess I was mistaken. Haha.”
Count Martina laughed it off as if it was nothing, but I couldn't do that.
It was suspicious that Ian had been at the Martina train station, but what was most concerning was that three days ago, that was the time when Lady Abigail left the Duchy of Leopold and arrived at the Martina estate.
I think there's something there.
“Your Excelle, it is time for you to leave.”
"...I get it."
After a moment of worry, I straightened my disheveled clothes and stood in front of the dragon statue in the center of the square after hearing the manager's report.
This statue was made in the image of the red dragon that protects this land. It bows its head slightly in greeting and then draws its sword.
Thump thump-
Then the sword shook in my hand as if it was clutching my heart.
What is this?
It was a strange and uneasy sensation that I felt for the first time since I was born.
I had an ominous feeling that something terrible was going to happen.
“Why is that, Your Excellency?”
As I stood still, holding my sword, Sir Aldor, who was standing right behind me, asked.
“Sir Aldor, the sword....”
Just when I was about to say that the sword was strange.
Kwak-
A loud noise filled the square as if lightning had struck.
I looked in surprise toward the direction of the loud noise.
Then, a puff of pitch-black smoke appeared, covering the clear sky.
The source of the smoke was the volcano right behind Duke Leopold's residence.
“Oh, the volcano is erupting!”
Someone shouted so loudly that the veins in their neck stood out.
People who had been staring blankly at the volcano spewing out smoke only then came to their senses and began to run away.
“Hey, run away quickly!”
“Ugh! Help me!”
The nobles also threw away their pride and began to run away in a panic.
It looked like a battlefield, with people pushing each other and running to survive somehow.
Boom, boom!
The screams of the people grew louder as red flames flew around the volcano, accompanied by a deafening roar.
Sir Aldor, who was a few steps away, hurriedly approached me and grabbed my arm.
“You must run away immediately, Your Excellency!”
Only then did I come to my senses and look back at Sir Aldor, then back at the volcano.
According to the history book of Duke Leopold's family, a red dragon sleeps in that volcano.
It was written that the Red Dragon would remain dormant as long as the bloodline of Duke Leopold did not displease him and that the volcano would not erupt.
But the volcano just erupted... does that mean I provoked the Red Dragon?
Could it be that the Red Dragon is resentful of me becoming the Commander of the Knights, of Duke Leopold?
Like my father did?
Bang!
My clouded mind suddenly snapped back into focus with the shock of another loud noise that struck my ears.
“Hey, save me!”
“Get out of the way, get out of the way!”
“Mom, Mom! Where are you!”
The screams and cries coming from all directions woke up every last bit of reason.
I don't know if I really offended the Red Dragon, but one thing was certain.
“...Sir Aldor. Tell the knights to evacuate the people to safety.”
We need to protect people from volcanic eruptions.
“Your Excellency, you must evacuate first...!”
“No. Evacuating the people of the duchy is a priority over me.”
No matter what anyone says, I was Duke Leopold and Lord of the Duchy of Leopold.
A lord who must protect the people of the territory and take responsibility for their safety.
It was impossible to escape before them.
“If you go to the south of the territory, there is a shelter that has been built in case of an emergency. If you go there, you will be safe.”
"But..."
“Don’t worry about me, just take care of the safety of the people of the duchy.”
As I spoke stubbornly, Sir Aldor looked at me with wavering eyes and soon lowered his head.
“Shin Aldor, I will follow your command.”
The only specialty product worth mentioning is Pura, but we can't hold a festival with it.
Even if a festival were held, no one would come all the way to this place located at the northernmost tip of the empire.
So, instead of holding festivals, the previous Dukes of Leopold held large events, such as inaugurations, in large squares so that the people of the domain could enjoy them as well.
Today was that day, and the usually bustling square was packed with people, leaving no room to stand.
“You shouldn’t go that way!”
“Everyone, please be quiet!”
The officials and knights who had to control such people were in a state of absolute despair.
As Perdes was trying to calm down the people who were acting like unbridled calves, excited by the rare event, he heard the sound of horse hooves.
People who turned their heads toward the sound split in unison to either side.
The knights were dumbfounded and clicked their tongues as they saw people who had not even listened to them move all at once.
That too for a moment.
He nodded, understanding the people's reactions as he saw Adele entering the square on a white horse with a lush mane.
Adele was that majestic and stately.
So much so that it was impossible to imagine anyone daring to stand in her way.
At the same time, she was as beautiful as a rose in full bloom, and not only the knights but also the people who came to watch the knighthood inauguration ceremony were mesmerized by her.
***
There are more people than I expected.
To exaggerate a little, it seemed as if all the inhabitants of the Duchy of Leopold had come.
Even though this wasn't my first time standing in front of so many people, I was nervous and shaking as if it were my first time.
I don't think I was this nervous even when I was given the title.
It was really strange.
I was nervous because if I made a mistake in a place like this, people would remember me as a bad Duke for the rest of my life.
I really hope you don't make that mistake.
I was clenching and unclenching my fists in anxiety and nervousness, and then someone gently grabbed my hand.
"It's okay."
It was Perdes.
Perdes, who was quietly following me, spoke in a low voice.
“Don’t worry, you can do it.”
Thanks to the affectionate words and the big, warm hands that seemed to embrace all my flaws, my once anxious heart was put at ease.
Thanks to that, I was able to proceed with my schedule without being too nervous.
The weather seemed to be trying to help me, as it was clear without a single cloud and the sunlight was just the right amount of warmth.
After safely completing my swordsmanship duel with Sir Aldor, I took a break in a makeshift rest area to wipe away the sweat and catch my breath.
“Drink.”
Perdes, who had come closer, offered me a bottle of water.
"Thank you."
Since I was already thirsty, I drank some water right away. As soon as I drank the cool water, my thirst disappeared like melting snow.
“Is it over if I just reveal my future aspirations in front of people and declare that I’ve become the Commander of the Knights?”
"Yes."
If my father were alive, he would have made the declaration for me, but since he passed away, I had to make the declaration myself.
No, if my father were alive, I wouldn’t be standing here in the first place.
I knew my father had special circumstances, but I still felt bitter.
I hid my bitter smile behind the water jug and was quenching my dry throat when Count Martina and the nobles came to see me.
Perdes gave his seat to me as soon as he could.
“That was a really great fight, Your Excellency.”
Count Martina said with a smile.
“I knew that Your Excellency’s swordsmanship was outstanding, but I didn’t know it was to this extent.”
“That’s right. My daughter saw you swing your sword, and she was so excited that she wanted to swing her sword too. I was sweating profusely trying to stop her...”
“Me too. Haha, this is it. It looks like there’s going to be a craze for knights in the empire for a while.”
The nobles who followed him also clapped their hands and vied with each other to praise me.
I didn't feel any particular emotion because I knew it was all just empty words to look good to me.
“Thank you for your kind words.”
Count Martina was one of the few nobles who truly cared about me, so I gladly accepted his compliments.
Now that I think about it, Count Martina has been close to my father since he was young.
Then, have you never seen my father and grandfather together even once?
If Count Martina had seen that, it would mean that my grandfather and father were not the same person, so I asked.
“Count Martina. Have you ever seen my father and grandfather together?”
“Yes. I have seen it.”
Have you seen it?
My eyes widened at the different answers from Harness.
“When will that be?”
“What I remember right now is before His Excellency the Duke entered the Knight Academy.”
“You haven’t seen him since then?”
"Well..."
Count Martina stroked his chin as if recalling a memory, then shook his head.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen the two of you together since then.”
"Is it so?"
Was it just my guess that my father and grandfather might be the same person?
Although it bothered me that I had never seen my father and grandfather together as adults, my doubts were somewhat relieved when I heard that he had seen my father when he was young.
Count Martina glanced around and asked in a voice so small that only I could hear.
“Has His Highness the Third Prince come to the Duke’s territory?”
“Yes. He's not here... Why are you suddenly asking that?”
“That’s because my aide saw His Highness the Third Prince at the Martina train station three days ago.”
The 3rd Prince...at Martina train station?
“I thought he was going to attend Your Excellency the Duke’s inauguration ceremony as the Commander of the Knights, but I guess I was mistaken. Haha.”
Count Martina laughed it off as if it was nothing, but I couldn't do that.
It was suspicious that Ian had been at the Martina train station, but what was most concerning was that three days ago, that was the time when Lady Abigail left the Duchy of Leopold and arrived at the Martina estate.
I think there's something there.
“Your Excelle, it is time for you to leave.”
"...I get it."
After a moment of worry, I straightened my disheveled clothes and stood in front of the dragon statue in the center of the square after hearing the manager's report.
This statue was made in the image of the red dragon that protects this land. It bows its head slightly in greeting and then draws its sword.
Thump thump-
Then the sword shook in my hand as if it was clutching my heart.
What is this?
It was a strange and uneasy sensation that I felt for the first time since I was born.
I had an ominous feeling that something terrible was going to happen.
“Why is that, Your Excellency?”
As I stood still, holding my sword, Sir Aldor, who was standing right behind me, asked.
“Sir Aldor, the sword....”
Just when I was about to say that the sword was strange.
Kwak-
A loud noise filled the square as if lightning had struck.
I looked in surprise toward the direction of the loud noise.
Then, a puff of pitch-black smoke appeared, covering the clear sky.
The source of the smoke was the volcano right behind Duke Leopold's residence.
“Oh, the volcano is erupting!”
Someone shouted so loudly that the veins in their neck stood out.
People who had been staring blankly at the volcano spewing out smoke only then came to their senses and began to run away.
“Hey, run away quickly!”
“Ugh! Help me!”
The nobles also threw away their pride and began to run away in a panic.
It looked like a battlefield, with people pushing each other and running to survive somehow.
Boom, boom!
The screams of the people grew louder as red flames flew around the volcano, accompanied by a deafening roar.
Sir Aldor, who was a few steps away, hurriedly approached me and grabbed my arm.
“You must run away immediately, Your Excellency!”
Only then did I come to my senses and look back at Sir Aldor, then back at the volcano.
According to the history book of Duke Leopold's family, a red dragon sleeps in that volcano.
It was written that the Red Dragon would remain dormant as long as the bloodline of Duke Leopold did not displease him and that the volcano would not erupt.
But the volcano just erupted... does that mean I provoked the Red Dragon?
Could it be that the Red Dragon is resentful of me becoming the Commander of the Knights, of Duke Leopold?
Like my father did?
Bang!
My clouded mind suddenly snapped back into focus with the shock of another loud noise that struck my ears.
“Hey, save me!”
“Get out of the way, get out of the way!”
“Mom, Mom! Where are you!”
The screams and cries coming from all directions woke up every last bit of reason.
I don't know if I really offended the Red Dragon, but one thing was certain.
“...Sir Aldor. Tell the knights to evacuate the people to safety.”
We need to protect people from volcanic eruptions.
“Your Excellency, you must evacuate first...!”
“No. Evacuating the people of the duchy is a priority over me.”
No matter what anyone says, I was Duke Leopold and Lord of the Duchy of Leopold.
A lord who must protect the people of the territory and take responsibility for their safety.
It was impossible to escape before them.
“If you go to the south of the territory, there is a shelter that has been built in case of an emergency. If you go there, you will be safe.”
"But..."
“Don’t worry about me, just take care of the safety of the people of the duchy.”
As I spoke stubbornly, Sir Aldor looked at me with wavering eyes and soon lowered his head.
“Shin Aldor, I will follow your command.”
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