Volume 2, Chapter 1, Prologue
I remembered the nostalgic catchphrase of the witch in Kiki's Delivery Service.
I've been feeling down, but I'm all alone.
I think the catchphrase was something like this.
"I'm not sure what I'm doing, but I know it's right."
Several months have passed since then, and while I thought the atmosphere around me might have improved a little, the rumors have only gotten worse.
According to what Murasaki learned while worrying about me, the military is spreading various rumors and bad reputations about me.
There are four main reasons for this, apparently.
Firstly, there is resentment from the families of the soldiers who died along with Duke Croda, who were enraged by my betrayal and attacked and defeated me.
- From my perspective, I think it's reverse resentment because the one who betrayed was worse, but apparently when family members die, they can't help feeling that way.
Secondly, there is jealousy over the fact that the substantial credit for winning the war lies with me alone.
- As for credit, I'm just a NEET who ended up quitting the army.
Thirdly, there are rumors that anyone could have done it if they had the Thunderous Roar or that we won because the Holy Tree treated me specially.
- Well, if that's the case, I should not have received the Thunderous Roar in the first place.
Fourthly, there are rumors circulating that I am shameless and lack chivalry due to allegedly using cowardly lies and deceit to destroy my opponent.
- Should I have done nothing at all?
I am extremely dissatisfied.
I don't want to go out into the city because I'm afraid of being spoken badly about, so I buy food and ingredients in the city and cook and eat them with Murasaki's help.
In reality, I have a fairly large pension from the king, but I have nowhere to use it.
So I borrow several books from the royal palace library every day and live my life by staying at home and reading them.
There's really nothing else to do with my time.
It would be great if I had a computer, but I don't have one.
Today, I borrowed several books from the royal palace library and was on my way back to my room, trying to avoid meeting anyone, when I ran into some generals who had come for a meeting.
I'm really unlucky.
There was Fujihara Marquis, who had risen to the position of the Western General following Duke Kuroda of the West General, Duke Saito of the Imperial Guards, and Duke Ijuin, the central commanding general, each accompanied by their own knights.
Normally, one cannot become the West General without being a Duke. However, due to a large number of aristocrats with titles who had died on the western side of Yamato during the current war, and because the Kuroda family had been dissolved, Fujihara Marquis, who was unable to participate in the war due to illness, was appointed as the West General in a hurry.
When Duke Ijuin and Duke Saito looked in my direction and lightly nodded, I returned the gesture, but Fujihara Marquis glared at me.
"Well, well, isn't it Lord Yuuki, who's living off of charity?" Fujihara Marquis made a face that seemed to belittle me.
Duke Ijuin and Duke Saito looked troubled. "I apologize that we couldn't help you."
Fujihara Marquis had a petty expression on his face as he continued to torment me. "It seems like you don't feel ashamed of what you've done."
He looked at me hatefully. Major Yoshiaki tried to calm Fujihara Marquis down, but then I saw it. Major Yoshiaki's rank insignia...
"Huh? Why is he a lieutenant colonel? Huh? How did he become a lieutenant colonel?"
Major Yoshiaki had been promoted two ranks.
I hadn't received any promotions myself.
When Major Yoshiaki looked embarrassed, Lieutenant Kunihito, who was standing behind Duke Saito, panicked and hid his own rank insignia with his hand.
I approached Lieutenant Kunihito and forcibly looked at his rank insignia by pressing his thumb, which was hiding it.
"What? You're a major? Major Kunihito?" My voice trembled.
"Wait, did a war happen while I was being a NEET? Did I not know about it?"
"N-no, well, this is..."
Lieutenant Kunihito looked embarrassed.
"Oh, actually. Um..."
Colonel Yoshiaki looked thoroughly troubled.
"Of course! They made great achievements in the Battle of Alexia!" Marquis Fujihara shouted.
Duke Ijuin and Duke Saito had extremely worried expressions.
"Well, I mean, Colonel Yoshiaki actually did something, and didn't Lieutenant Kunihito just run away with me while being carried?"
Colonel Yoshiaki and Lieutenant Kunihito looked uneasy and tense.
"Why? If you get promoted by running away, then I should have been promoted too, right? Why was I the only one who wasn't promoted?"
"Hah, don't you understand that either? Do you think a shameful man who only tells lies and deceives others with his words can be promoted? Know your shame!"
Duke Ijuin and Duke Saito covered their faces with one hand in disbelief.
"Besides, you only achieved what even a fool could do, thanks to receiving the Gouten from the Holy Tree. Don't boast about your achievements, you trash!"
Marquis Fujihara sneered at me.
--I became expressionless.
Colonel Yoshiaki and Lieutenant Kunihito turned pale in an instant.
Everyone present there began to feel scared.
"Marquess Fujiwara. You're being too much. Apologize."
Duke Ijuuin looked at Marquess Fujiwara in a fluster.
"Understood. It's because I am a liar."
I said expressionlessly, and even though he had been arrogant, Marquess Fujiwara trembled slightly.
"Ah, yes."
Trembling, Marquess Fujiwara asserted.
Duke Saitou grabbed Marquess Fujiwara's right shoulder, as if to restrain him.
"Understood. I will make sure not to lie."
I answered expressionlessly.
"That's good then."
Marquess Fujiwara nodded importantly, even as he trembled.
"So, in order to correct my mistakes, I will apologize to the Dragon King Gouou right away, saying that I am actually a Yamato person."
"What?!"
Everyone turned pale and trembled.
"As expected of Marquess Fujiwara. Lying is definitely not good. From now on, I will tell the truth. First, I must tell the truth and apologize to the Dragon King Gouou."
I smiled and nodded at everyone.
Even I think my smile was angelic.
Everyone's faces looked really terrible.
Surely the Dragon King Gouou, who would know that he had been deceived, would fly into a rage and come to Yamato.
I don't know what will happen after that.
My Skill Great Escape has evolved into Skill High-Speed Escape, so once I apologize, I'll run away as fast as possible.
Even if it's the Dragon King Gouou, I won't be caught, since I couldn't be caught even with my previous Skill.
I will just apologize properly as Marquess Fujiwara said.
Since I will honestly reflect on my actions and tell the truth, there should be no complaints.
I really don't know what will happen next.
Anyway, whether something good or bad happens, I'll still be alone.
Marquess Fujiwara turned pale like a goldfish and opened and closed his mouth.
Dukes Ijuuin and Saitou displayed tight, forced smiles to Marquess Fujiwara that betrayed their underlying fear.
"Anyway, first thing's first, let's have him kneel in apology."
"Let's go all the way and prostrate ourselves."
The smiles of Dukes Ijuuin and Saitou were clearly expressions of terror.