The Male S*ave of the Count Sianella Family

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The fury of Adelhaite turned towards the cultists, and soon their seeds withered away.

The cults, having lost the formidable force of Gluttony, could not withstand the enraged royal army.

At the very edge of the northern lands, the enemies gathered by the North Sea ultimately could not even buy themselves time to flee. They washed away their sins with death and soon spread the news of their victory in what might be the final battle from the Central Fortress.

“They said it was a winter war, claiming they would end it before spring comes.”

Indeed, the war finished before the snow melted and the buds could sprout.

Losing one master and numerous soldiers their lives, still, it was commendable to be able to shout victory against the dragon and demons so swiftly.

Especially those at the center of the whirlwind of battle, at Arael Fortress, truly deserved all respect as heroes.

The atmosphere at the fortress seemed a bit more toxic than before.

“The weather is nice. My stiff body can move well now; it’s time to go out.”

I had briefly met with our captains and others in the infirmary, yet due to long inactivity, my stiff body and lingering fatigue made it hard to move easily. Few had confirmed my well-being aside from them.

Having heard the news of victory, I felt it was better to move with the current rather than lying like a patient, and I rose from my seat.

“The weather truly is nice.”

On this refreshing morning, upon opening the window to inhale the cool morning air, I was instantly conquered by the brutal cold seeping into my skin.

As if to forget ventilation. I would be going out of this room today, so such tasks could wait until I wasn’t in it.

Immediately closing the window, Tania, who was perched and shaking her legs on my bed, spoke up.

“It’s so cold. Are you really going out today? Wouldn’t it be better to rest for a few more days?”

“I’m telling you, you don’t need to worry now. You confirmed I’m fine, didn’t you?”

“That’s true, but…”

“Moreover, my family is so worried about me. I should at least show my face to lighten their concern.”

Tania fell silent at my words, but unfortunately, she had a quiet supporting officer next to her.

“…Those people will just worry more if you go out and catch a cold.”

With Elvis’s remark meant for Tania, she smiled awkwardly.

While dashing around on the bed, I swiftly grabbed Cotton Puff, who had fallen over due to getting caught in the soft blanket.

“Orna, we might have to head back to the Great Forest.”

“Myaaa?”

“If that happens, I’ll definitely bring you back a Spirit Stone this time. Got it?”

“……!”

The little one, full of greed, sparkled her eyes at the mention of a Spirit Stone for herself. Our Cotton Puff, perhaps feeling good, repeatedly licked my hand to curry favor.

Putting the favor-seeking Orna into the coat draped over me, Tania and Elvis returned to the spirit realm saying it might burden their mana if they stayed out too long.

I then opened the door to my infirmary and stepped outside.

“The sunlight is at least somewhat warm.”

When facing the dragon and demons, an intense blizzard had swept through, making it impossible to see just a few inches ahead.

But Arael Fortress, now that the two greatest threats had vanished, was as peaceful as could be seen compared to then.

As I stepped out, my face illuminated, more and more people began to recognize me, blessing my recovery, soon after a familiar knight rushed toward me.

“Deputy Commander!”

“Oh, Captain.”

Thinking it would take longer to meet because the Count’s and Baron’s camps were not close together, it seemed Diolia had something to report since we bumped into each other right away.

Fortunately, the road was not dull.

“Seeing you outside brings me joy. I was running out of ways to tell our Special Mission Team that no news is good news.”

“Did I really have that many fans? If I had delayed even a little longer, I would have caught some scolding, I suppose.”

“Of course. They were ready to break down your infirmary door to get in; it was quite a hassle keeping those guys at bay.”

“…Is that so?”

“Of course! Our Special Mission Team is known for getting things done.”

Given the usual evaluations of the Special Mission Team knights stationed at the Count’s estate, I forced a smile to not take it lightly and asked, “By the way, Captain, are you alright? Did you get hurt while buying time to shoot your bow?”

“Didn’t I already tell you? I’m fine. I must not have seemed trustworthy enough to you. I only broke three ribs, after all.”

“……”

“I’m better off than you, who squeezed your mana to the limit. Broken ribs can be easily treated by a priest. Deputy Commander, why do you look so concerned?”

Diolia laughed heartily, as if breaking three ribs was nothing at all.

Upon arriving at the Count’s camp, everyone began to bless my recovery.

“The Deputy Commander of the Special Mission Team has arrived!”

“What the hell are you doing sharpening your blades at a time like this? Come out and welcome him right away!”

Perhaps the fact that they had erased the ominous blizzard had filled the spirits; those cheering had mentioned witnessing the magic that changed the natural disasters brought by the dragon.

Whether Ainel had praised me for saving her or not, there were even those crying out in gratitude for saving their lord.

As I moved forward taking in a scene I could never have imagined before, I spotted Ainel, clutching her sword at her waist while surveying the soldiers and subtly raising the corners of her mouth from a distance.

“Deputy Commander, it seems the lord wants to speak with you. I’ll slip away from here.”

“Thank you for keeping me company on the way.”

“Don’t mention it. You still haven’t introduced that man you promised, so you should show your face.”

After sending Diolia off, I met Ainel.

I could vaguely assess her condition once more.

‘So, the vessel has broken down completely, huh.’

Unlike me, who had dramatically recovered, she seemed to be struggling quite a bit with the backlash.

Without mana, she lacked the strength to drive away the cold, resulting in her skin turning red due to the icy wind hitting her. She frequently coughed lightly, with her aide frantically pacing back and forth in worry.

It seemed Ainel had insisted on checking on the patients herself.

What could she accomplish when she was in such a state, worse off than I?

“Count, you’re here tending to the patients.”

“Of course. While I couldn’t accompany them in the extermination operation, I should at least check the situation and provide support.”

“That’s also one of the ways a lord shows as an example. But this time I brought a topic for conversation, so… how about having a chat inside a warm room for a bit?”

“Oh, you mean that topic you mentioned last time. I heard the first to visit you was my daughter.”

“Haha….”

“Let’s head to my office, then.”

As Ainel happily walked, she turned back, and her aide, relieved that I was alive, bowed her head.

‘No need to thank me for that.’

Having served as Shione’s attendant before, I understood how nerve-wracking those moments were.

Thus, as soon as I entered Ainel’s office, her attendant swiftly prepared the conversation.

As the attendant left, Ainel sipped on her warm tea, the chill in her body seemed to dissipate, and she returned with a more relaxed expression as our discussion began.

“You said the first thing you would do upon leaving the sickbed is come to me. So, what brings you here this time?”

“As I mentioned, I have good news to share, and there’s something I’d like to ask. Which would you like to hear first, Baron?”

“Let’s hear the request first.”

Following her lead, I took a sip of tea and broached one of the main topics of my visit.

“I am the Deputy Commander of the Count’s Special Mission Team and also the lord of the Baron’s House. Thus, I have something to request. Once the victory declaration resonates through the world, I would like to act not as a Deputy Commander for a while but rather as a lord.”

“Oh? What do you mean by that?”

“When I traveled North, I departed from the Count’s House, but on the way back, I wish to head to the Baron’s House.”

Ainel nodded at my words.

“The reason being for the soldiers who rose to the North for the Baron and their families, right?”

“Indeed. The damage the Baron has suffered from the war isn’t negligible, so I think it is right for me to personally honor those who survived the Baron’s rule and mourn the souls buried in the blizzard.”

“A lord who inherits a feudal title needs to incite the ongoing loyalty of the vassals for future generations. It’s a good choice.”

“Is that so?”

“The relationship between a Deputy Commander and a Count, I believe, would benefit both more than they would apart. Under such circumstances, the Baron made a decision befitting a lord over a knight. Naturally, I must welcome that.”

Ainel’s passionate gaze seemed to convey this message.

“Diolia and I will take care of the void left by the Deputy Commander. Furthermore, as the Special Mission Team returns to their house, they will have ample time for restructuring and rest, so don’t worry.”

After all, marrying Shione would be one of the beneficial tidings for the Count from my stable Baron family.

“May I now hear the good news?”

Hence, since Ainel’s expression suggested she was somewhat looking forward to the engagement with Shione, I felt the pressure to broach that topic as well.

Unfortunately, I had prepared a different tale instead and cautiously began.

“Rather than calling it good news, it would be more accurate to say I’ve found hope.”

“Hope, you say.”

“There may be a healing potion for the Count’s condition at the Great Forest. Thus, it wouldn’t be bad for Shione and me to revisit the Great Forest, if possible. What do you think about that?”

“…Baron, sometimes the very act of holding onto hope can be toxic.”

And as expected, Ainel’s demeanor became significantly more serious compared to before.

“However—”

Crossing her legs and folding her arms, Ainel took a moment to sip her tea, pausing before continuing.

“A Baron wouldn’t speak of such uncertain hope without good reason, let alone insist on taking our Shione to the Great Forest for that purpose.”

She seemed to be asking for further elaboration.

“I heard a demon appeared that dealt with corpses.”

Thus, I answered her question.

The connection with the Great Forest had reached through agreements with my ancestors.

Furthermore, if we were to make a blood pact this time, it would not only help the Count’s house thrive but also provide an excellent opportunity for preparing against future adversaries.

And Ainel’s response was.

“…It certainly seems promising. The elves are extremely closed off, so it will definitely be more effective for their heroes to converse rather than sending an envoy. The potion would be a mere excuse for that conversation, so to speak.”

That was relatively successful.

“However, wouldn’t having just one hero be enough? It’s obvious you want your companion to come along too.”

Other than losing her mana and filling the void, Ainel had a mischievousness about her.

“Baron, I have no intention of treating you with any bias merely because you were a commoner. Rather, it’s precisely because of that that I hold you in higher regard.”

Thus, to accommodate my potential future mother-in-law, I merely accepted her mischief gracefully.

“Well, I’ll send a letter from the Baron’s House to the Count’s House soon.”

“Finally, we can communicate!”

*

After my meeting with Ainel concluded, I headed straight to our Karpel Baron family’s camp.

The response from the Baron’s House was just as enthusiastic as the welcome I received from the Count’s House.

“Myaaa!”

As Cotton Puff, who had briefly dozed off in my pocket, rubbed its eyes awake, the soldiers erupted in cheers at the sight of the spirit that had protected them.

Thanks to that, Orna, who was still waking up from her dreams, proudly puffed up her fur and showed off.

“Alive! She’s alive!”

“Hey, you clueless little brat! What kind of greeting is that for the lord…! Or did you want to say I should have died instead?”

“N-no, that’s not what I meant…! Ah, crap!”

The response of the soldiers rejoicing to the point of losing their language abilities was quite amusing.

With each soldier I encountered, there was so much enthusiasm that even our three captains hurriedly dashed over to me.

“Lord…! Are you feeling alright?”

At first the most prickly, now Teia, who had just danced close to life and death, showed the most loyalty among the captains.

I welcomed her back with a smile.

“Of course, since you all risked your lives to bring me back, it would be only natural for me to be well.”

That was heartfelt.

It had been said that many soldiers from the Baron’s House had fallen to demons while trying to stick close to me.

As I slept, they had risked their lives to prevent me from meeting an untimely end. If I were to fall ill, it would defy their expectation.

“By the way, Captain Teia, may I receive a list of those who died among the Assault Unit later?”

“…The list of casualties?”

“The names of the heroes of the family who died in this war and for whom I must bear responsibility in conducting their future funereal rites.”

“Ah.”

Teia’s face suddenly filled with emotion, and she answered without hesitation.

“I will prepare a simple funeral ceremony.”

“A simple one? We must give proper respect to those who have passed.”

At my words, Teia looked momentarily puzzled.

“The funeral should naturally be held in their hometown, the Baron’s territory. So, where shall we hold it? You seem to think I would be returning to the Count’s House.”

“Well, do you mean—”

“The victory ceremony and the funeral rites for the heroes will all be conducted in the Baron’s territory, and I plan to lead them myself.”

Soon, her face revealed a resolution.

“Do I look like a lord who would irresponsibly leave such matters to someone else?”

“That would seem to be the cleverest approach. After all, you are none other than the lord who ran the greatest risks alongside the assault unit.”

Teia’s reply confirmed that.

“I do not think so at all.”

Now I was no longer a mere figurehead.

To them, I was their true lord and comrade.