The war or so it was called was over…. It hadn't even lasted a minute. As soon as the war commenced, Merlin had seen Rekka change a bit…. His usual air of kindness and springy attitude was gone. it wasn't like his killing intent just went haywire, but Merlin felt this feeling of not even taking a single step towards him carelessly.
Even Systy, the girl who had literally grown in front of Merlin had changed, even if only for a second…. They had shown a different side to him..
As Rekka had gone forward, it looked as if this wasn't even a battle, he stood in front of the Duke . In a blank voice he said to surrender. The voice was heavy with no kindness or sorrow in it…. Hitherto the Duke who had been able to do such a thing as organize a coup had been reduced to a husk of a man….
Not only Merlin but every person standing there on that battlefield realized one thing… this young man was….. Dangerous. The sheer pressure of death that followed him was so thick that Hitherto looked like an insect in comparison. In a way it felt as if a petty thief had been overwhelmed by a demon lord of the strongest caliber.
But before the people started to get panicked and feared the man like the devil himself. The air around him changed again. He turned around with a bright expression. The former devilish air was gone and in a mere second, he looked more like a hero incarnate.
"We have won!" he said with a cheerful but commanding voice. The situation changed again. The surrendered soldiers bowed towards the king in submission and the Royal knights who we had rescued from the castle and around the town started to cheer.
The soldiers that were captured looked to be in relief as Rekka changed yet again to a kind looking man with no blood lust to be seen. It was their boon that Rekka had no intent to draw blood in a war like this.
"Hail! To our New Hero!" As the cheering started, Rekka came towards us.
"What a great display! You did just like your Granny!" Melinda said as she looked at Rekka with pride. As powerful as she was, her many fights had ended even before it began. It was because she could literally end the fight with overwhelming power.
"It worked because of you guys! I can't believe the King's speech worked so well." Rekka said with a refreshed smile.
But I was sure if the soldiers had seen Rekka stepping forward with that air…. Not one of them would have been able to move from their spot… I hardly even think that Systy's restraint was even needed. The second he stepped on the battlefield was enough to stop everyone in their tracks.
No wonder… the survivor of the Edge of the world was no regular being.
Everyone of the Royal knights had already started to work. There were only 2 thousands of them but the display of this overwhelming victory was more motivation than they needed. They gathered the surrendered soldiers and started putting them in line to interrogate.
We had already thought that many of the nobles were dead. Probably because the Duke was controlling them all along. Without him, they eventually would die too.
"Rekka, you have saved this country. As the king, I show the utmost gratitude!" Claude the King of the Stein Kingdom said with a noble bow. He was grateful to Rekka for saving his Daughter, and him too, then to even save the country….
It was a dire situation. The 20 thousand army that was controlled by a cursed item holder was no joke, it was only Rekka himself who had made it look this easy to handle. Not only the king but even his knight commanders knew just what power the other party had. Which was why following the King they had bowed too in gratitude.
"Come on King Stein! I wasn't the only one who helped you know? Your speech was also great. Getting 10 thousand men to surrender is no easy task and Systy did most of the work. I just took care of the boss.." It was a modest Reply… Rekka hadn't even batted an eye to what he had done. The only thing to him was that it took less time than he thought which made him happy. Seeing this king Claude looked at Melinda.
"It's okay isn't it?" Melinda gave a simple Reply. Claude understood, this was just how Rekka was. He would scarcely say that it was his planning that had made such a result where very few were killed and war had a peaceful ending. Because of Rekka's overwhelming display,
the captured soldiers that were getting arrested were not even moving. It was easy to understand that they would rather be in jail than to fight Rekka.
"Well then, since you have done what you said… I would like to give you something as a reward.. Name anything you want, Rekka, you have done a work equal to any hero out there." said Claude.
Although the country had gotten into an undisciplined state since the capital was the only one that was damaged, the country itself was still holding strong.
Moreover since the Nobles would be dead and new nobles would be selected after this, the king had many things he could do now. The shackles on him were gone now.
The noble factions weakening meant the Royal faction would tower over the remaining ones. After this display, I suppose even the neutral nobles would come under Claude. Even if he allied with us, with Rekka's existence… I believe he could not only be a buffer to stop aggression but even be a threat to build amicable relations with us. of course the best outcome would be if Claude could get Rekka and Lana together, nobles believed in relationship through marriage, and that would be enough for Claude to never fear as a ruler again.
But hearing about the reward, Rekka got a wry smile as if this was the thing he was avoiding… Many of the Royal knights seeing this reaction looked at Rekka as if he was a true hero… modest in nature and without any ulterior motives to speak of…. Had they known that Rekka had a boatload of money and treasures surpassing any human nation… they might look at things differently though.
"I don't know… Well I did ask to build a good connection to our country… shouldn't that be enough as my demand?" Rekka said as if brushing off the topic.
"That is unthinkable Sir Rekka… if we don't reward you, our country would surely receive much scrutiny from others…. I think even the citizens would mind because of it…." said the Knight commander, he was a crafty man. Not only Strong but also had a fine skill in leadership and strategy.
His name was Lude Britstein. He was the one who led the remaining Royal nights while the king was absent. Until he had seen his king dead, he hadn't even dreamt of surrendering, his unyielding will to resist was what was able to make Hitherto stop only at the capital.
"That's right, we can't just say that we will make a good relationship between our countries. Moreover, it will just benefit us. Where is your reward then?" he said as a matter of fact.
Seeing this, Rekka looked troubled… he didn't want any land since it would only be more troublesome for him to deal with and he already had money compared to a small nation, anymore would just put the economy in even more dire state. Moreover, this mess was his own fault, so taking something for fixing his own mistake left him with a bad aftertaste. I know this was just the thing he was thinking now.
As if seeing his troubled face, King Claude became sure of what he must give and looked at Rekka with a resolute eye.
"Since it has come to this, there is only one thing I can give you." Hearing such a serious way of talking, Rekka looked more worried as if the thing he last wanted would come straight at him….
Everyone was waiting for the King's decision.
"Rekka for what you have done… I propose you take my Daughter Leilana Von Stein!" The King's proposal made the surrounding fall silent, the Royal knights all looked on and suddenly from somewhere a cheer sounded off.
"Hail the new Hero Rekka Wolford!"
....
"W-Wait! Wait.. what do you mean? I have 3 fiancées already!" Rekka was panicking but it looked like the crowd wouldn't see it since the chorus was still going on.
"Master should be more cheerful! You just got 1 more princess!" Systy who was all about being a hero since she was of course among the ones who looked up to Merlin and Melinda said with a cheerful but proud way.
To think she could stand at a stage only heroes of humanity were supposed to stand at. It was a keen reminder of the hard training she had been through.
"No.. no wait, think about the girl, shouldn't she have a say? I mean she is still young, you know?" Rekka said as if finding the last way out of this situation. For him getting any more girls would surely make him seem like an over sexed male.
He already had close to 50 different girls falling all over him. He wasn't dense, he knew that everyone would do anything he wished and then there was Leila and Alice, Systy, his first underling who he had started to love since some time ago there was Ridge too… moreover Lana was young. She was 13 to mostly 14 years old. On earth he would go to jail just thinking about marrying Lana.
As the final saying went to Lana who had already become small as if hiding from everyone's view, she looked up at King Stein.
"What do you say Lana? I did say that I would like this marriage to happen, but if you don't want to, I will cancel it." the king said, looking at his daughter. He had never forced anything on Lana, not even now.
Seeing this, Rekka looked as if he had gotten out of the mess. The other girls stared at him as if he was as dense as a rock. All this time Rekka never considered Lana as a romantic interest; it was because she was more like a little sister to him, moreover Lana's nature made him feel as if he wanted to protect this girl…
Now since this was the case, his blessings didn't affect him or Lana, and right now Rekka thought Lana would never consider marriage between them. Since he already had 3 fiancée's he was sure no other girl would actually pursue him… but sadly if only he knew to what extent a girl could go for the love of her life...
Lana got red but even in such embarrassment she remembered the words that Rekka had said last night. Just because it's impossible doesn't mean we shouldn't try.
A single line was all it took to give her enough strength to act like a princess for the first time in her life, she would speak out…..
Even if they are so much better than me. I will try.
Lana thought to herself. Everyone around Rekka was an extraordinary person. In her view she knew that she couldn't compare to any one of them.
"You know Lana, Rekka will always answer people's true feelings….." Leila had suddenly said that some time ago… Lana didn't know if Leila had figured out that she had feelings like that for Rekka, but Lana still remembered it.
She went forward and stood in front of Rekka. He looked normal but Lana could see that Rekka was also nervous…
In her mind Lana had thought that Rekka would be someone who didn't fret over normal stuff like these but seeing Rekka like this, Lana naturally smiled a bit…
Lana's smile which was natural without any of her worries made Rekka become even more nervous. Even if he didn't have any feelings for her now, there would always be some chance that Rekka Viewed Lana as a potential Romantic partner. Lana took that chance and
"I want to be your bride. I love you" It was a straightforward proposal and confession. Lana said it with so much emotion that it was apparent that she had fallen head over heels for Rekka, even if Rekka didn't have the Blessing of the goddess of love, Rekka still would have been able to sense the feelings that Lana had towards him.
Since the first time she laid her eyes on Rekka, The feeling she had put on hold never shown to anyone had been briefly shown by these two straight forward lines. Gradually after saying so she started to turn red from ear to ear.
......…...
It was a cute sight. In Front of me, I could see Lana blushing furiously. She was starting to shake just a little. I understood that I was totally off the mark! Lana somehow had fallen in love with me!
I don't know how it happened! I really controlled myself! I never eyed her like that I swear! but if there is a girl who loves you, don't think about anything just love her back!
[love her back, love her back, love her back...]
apart from Amanori monologuing my thoughts, As if the Line had been drilled into me by someone, it was like a curse wanting me to grab this chance to get another girl. I moved forward and took a hold of Lana's shoulders. She shivered a bit but I looked at her straight. She was looking down.
All around me the surroundings had become quiet. Still I knew there was quite a crowd out there…
"Yes. If you want me as your partner I will gladly love you too.." I didn't say any extra lines. After I said so, I could see that Lana looked like she had a bit too much of her feelings come out…
I mean she was on the verge of tears… I guess it was because of me… since I didn't want anyone to see this I hugged her close to me hiding her face from the crowd.
Everyone had turned silent. But seeing this scene develop they cheered on again.
I really thought more people would show grumpy faces for taking their Idol… but I guess this world's people are a bit different…
At that time I didn't realize but since I was handsome and had a background that was solid as rock nobody could ever refuse or even protest if I wanted something. At Least in the human realm, I had the highest status one could have dreamt of. top of the food chain.... really the world really was rotten...
...…
We moved to the royal castle. It was sort of like a diplomatic meeting place for now. With my portal, I have been able to get the remaining Lords here. They had already been told what would happen today, so they were waiting at the Capital of Treastein.
Seeing this atmosphere where People from two rival countries were chatting like normal people was a bit puzzling to me.
Shouldn't they be like cats and dogs?
[Hmm something is really different, I can't sense any malice in them.]
That was true, even though they were all state rulers, King Stein's current temporary government is filled with understanding and good people. But then something odd happened.
"Father!" Said a voice. It was like any other adult's voice and he was wearing a Royal knight's armor too.
"Dan! I heard you were injured!" Seeing the guy, King Claude went to him and said so.
"Yes Father, but some random adventurer saved me! I don't know where he went.. Before I could learn his name, I had already fainted. Still father, I was near deaths door I can't believe not only could I see you and Lana safe but our country too!" the guy said with excitement.
He kinda looks familiar… [isn't he just some extra?] maybe soo...
Though I thought that, since I was savoring the foods of Stein, I didn't put too much mind to it.
"Master, it seems the prince is alright too." Seeing that I was confused over who the guy was, Mai told me from the side.. What a perceptive maid.
"I see, that's good, so there was a prince here!" if I had found him sooner, I could have just taken him with me and snatched the crown and drop him on the throne that would have been way easier... but then again, I did find Lana after going through the hassle. man... she was cute, I can't wait to marry all of them!
"Master, what would you do after this?" Mai asked. She looks oddly excited.
"Why? you want to do something?"
"Yes master, since we were here, I want to check the maids guilds and see the maids around here. U heard, Stein's maid receive extensive training on taking care of rooms after their master does the deed." I don't know what she would do checking the place but I guess it's okay. at least that would have been what I would have thoughts, but her words made me shiver in fear.... just... just what kinda reason was that?
"So if you want to go there, then you should go." I said barley keeping my thoughts from blurting out since I could see that I will be staying here for quite some time. if I strongly protest, Mai might just do something I can't deny.
"Master can come with me too! Don't you want to see different maids from other countries?" Mai said so while feeling pumped up.
After that I tried to avoid the subject… it was better this way, Mai was already dangerous enough. Getting more maids like her would just spell for more trouble. and after doing the deed? I can't even sleep easily on a bed when more than 2 girls are sleeping with me, how can I push through and make love? at least for now, I don't have the guts to have sex while another girl is there on the bed waiting her turn....
"Son, he's Rekka, he saved not only me but this country too not to mention he saved Lana too." King Stein said so, bringing his son over here. The guy was pretty average really…. I don't think people can remember him too much. His aura was so faint it was a wonder how he was supposed to be a royal. but his face was at least above average, but he looked so peaceful it seems anyone who stays around him would feel at peace too.
"Hello My name is Dan von Stein. Thank you for what you have done for our country….." The prince named Dan said looking at me with gratitude but he also seemed to look at me as if he couldn't remember something.
"Hello, I am Rekka Woford and don't think much about it, I am glad that there wasn't much damage to our countries." I said while shaking his hand.
"It's.. Really you!" Suddenly the Prince said with an excited face. He had been looking at me for a while now.
"What?" I asked.
"You..You're the one who saved me back when I was going to fall victim!" The prince said while looking at me with unbelievable eyes.
…...