Cruel said he refused the fief like that, so in the end, the position was given to an unheard-of collateral bastard like that.
'There was a collateral system. If I, a direct relative, didn't know, I would almost be like a stranger.'
You've managed to become the head of the family.
Well, it wasn't unexpected at all. They say that the Hardt family was 'extinct', but since there were two direct descendants bearing the Hardt family name alive, they were not left out of the noble lineage, and 'at that time', all the vassals were not dead, so they were in a state where they could make a comeback.
... Can this really be called a 'resurgence'?
I laughed. My facial expression right now was probably one corner of my mouth turned up. I couldn't even see the sidekick stammering about how dare you laugh at me, building up your pride.
I just closed my eyes, smiled, and spoke sincerely.
"That's right."
"..."
"Congratulations."
Even if they did not have titles, the official heroes of the Empire were respected. It cannot be compared to a specific title because the area was completely different, but if the Emperor cared about it, cared for it, and even gave it a maintenance fee on a regular basis, then everything was said.
Treating a hero like that so rudely? Needless to say, he was an idiot.
There's no way this idiot could have sat down as the head of the family on his own, and it's probably because the greedy vassals of the Hardt family broke the idiot who was easy to get hold of and manipulate.
So I laughed.
The Hardt family collapses like this.
I was so happy.
***
"Why is an Honorary Count called 'Count'... Tsk."
When those words were heard, the nobles quietly took a breath. They didn't know why he bothered to argue with him. Did that man even know that he was bringing on his own anger?
Why was 'Honorary Count Hart' called 'Count Hart'? Wasn't it a sign of respect?
This was the second time that the title 'Honorary Count' has been so long. Deon Hardt was a hero of the Empire, the Emperor's beloved sword, and a margrave with territory bordering the border.
That was enough of a reason.
The nobles, who did not want to offend a man with various scary nicknames by calling him an 'Honorary Count', called Deon Hardt 'the Count' without any complaints.
"Who is that man?"
"This is a guy I see often in social circles these days... but I'm not really interested in him, so I'm not sure."
"Well... looking at his behavior, I don't really want to be interested in him because he's so shallow. Could he be a noble from a distant region?"
"Well. I don't know who he is, but he's stupid. Does he really want to see blood?"
The opponent was the Vampire Count, the master of the Murderous Knights.
The nobles' attention was focused on the small commotion.
Deon Hardt, who was quietly looking at the arrogant man who was not shaken by the sudden argument, asked a question softly. When asked about his identity, the identity of the man no one was interested in was revealed.
'The 'real' Count Hardt.'
Only then were the nobles able to find out what was going on.
Since the direct descendants of the Count Hardt family, Cruel Hardt and Deon Hardt, were not interested in the family, a collateral line took their place.
'Well...'
'The fact that that foolish man became the head of the family means that the vassals are also in the same boat.'
'Even if that man who trusts his precious position and runs wild is annoyed and wants to take it back, it is too late to do so now...'
It would be quite a hardship.
There was interest in their eyes.
How will that cruel hero react? Is he getting angry? Or will he go further and claim to have suffered a hardship and try to take that position away? Either that or he might draw his sword.
However, contrary to expectations, Deon Hardt was not angry. He spoke with a bright smile, even folding his eyes as if it was just ridiculous.
"That's right."
"..."
"Congratulations."
It was an attitude of blatant disregard.
The 'real' Count Hardt's face turned bright red. He was approaching with great strides, as if he would explode with anger at any moment, but then he saw something, became astonished, and retreated.
"You... that..."
"...?"
The nobles who were watching the situation exchanged puzzled looks.
Deon Hardt didn't seem to have done anything yet, but the finger pointing at him was trembling.
The foolish nobleman's spirit, which had been soaring high in the sky, died. His eyes fluttered endlessly, but the moment Deon Hardt took a step closer, he turned around and disappeared.
There was a dull silence.
"... What is it?"
"Couldn't Honorary Count Hardt have done something?"
"But he didn't do anything."
"Perhaps... he was overcome by momentum? There is something called the spirit of a hero who stirs up the battlefield."
"Oh, I guess that's right. To chase the opponent away with just momentum..."
They were so absorbed in their own speculations that they had pushed Deon Hardt out of their field of vision and didn't even see him.
Deon Hardt was shaking a bug off his shoulder. And shuddering and muttering something.
***
"Ugh, that's gross. What kind of bug is this big?"
Thanks to my war experience, I was immune to bugs, but I was not so immune that I would wear something like this on my shoulder.
I expressed my gratitude to the guy who was arguing with me and shook my shoulders again.
'Anyway, it looks like he also wanted to participate in the hunting competition... Is that possible?'
With that mentality?
A face that was contemplative of a bug came to mind.
It looks like he grew up quite well, but he wants to hunt monsters?
Even though they were initially cleaned up and were weak enough to be pushed out from the demon realm to the human world, they were still monsters. There was no way a guy like that could easily catch them.
'... Well, I don't need to worry about it. If you die, you die.'
The thought stopped there. I fixed my head on the podium when I heard a call from His Majesty the Crown Prince to say something.
While the nobles bowed their heads, the Crown Prince walked gracefully and climbed onto the stage. Finally, the word was given to us to raise our heads.
...
Don't you want the competition to start sooner?
I scanned the scene unfolding in front of me with rotten eyes. A pink, passionate atmosphere was coming from all directions.
"Sir Lien."
"Yes, my lord."
"I'm going to a competition and I don't get a handkerchief?"
"Yes. I have no doubt that my lord will win even without any of those things."
Oh yeah…
The words 'even if you don't have any of those things' pierced my heart... but I'm still thankful...
"Mad dogs... what about the knights?"
"Do we have such a thing?"
"Even if I have it, I can't give it to you. I don't want to cause unnecessary misunderstandings."
Shit. Everything went out.
I motioned for the knights to go and leaned against a wall in a corner out of sight. Are there 8 minutes left until the competition starts? I think it will be the longest eight minutes in the world.
The Crown Prince's speech, which seemed like it would be a long speech, as usual for those in power, ended short. I hope he can enjoy it without any major injuries, I think he meant something like that.
'Maybe it's because you're young, but you have good sense. The shorter the speech, the better.'
The problem was next.
10 minutes to give a ribbon or handkerchief to your lover, family member, or close friend!
A high-pitched laugh was heard, like a lark chirping. You could also hear the sound of a brief kiss being exchanged. How are they? Did they just kiss and fall asleep?
'Fuck.'
Give a ribbon to someone you love as a lover, and a handkerchief to someone who simply prays for their safe return without any such emotions.
Since the opponents were nobles of the Empire who were trained under the tyrant Emperor, hunting monsters was inherently dangerous and involved risking one's life.
Therefore, even though it was a hunting competition, there was no sense of discomfort when handkerchiefs were passed around just like when going out to the battlefield.
Of course, I didn't receive the handkerchief that everyone else received.
"I want to go home..."
"No."
I know, I know. I've heard enough. His Majesty is coming, so I can't leave in the middle of it. So I'm trying to go home.
Meeting with the Emperor. The interview that followed there.
And the drifting clouds of war.
'...'
I rolled my eyes.
I could predict to some extent what the Emperor will say when he meets me face to face. That it would be an order that would cause me trouble.
It was not a war with another kingdom, but a war between the human world... no, a war between the Empire and the demon realm.
'Knowing everything.'
I clicked my tongue lowly.
"As expected, I'm resigning..."
"Yes?! Are you saying you're going to resign because you didn't get a handkerchief?!"
"No. It's not like that, so speak softly."
I hate war. I don't even want to participate in the war.
Especially since this war was a war against the demon realm.
... No, let's leave out the word 'especially'.
'I don't like it because I'm afraid I'll explode in a whale fight, so it's just an excuse.'[1]
I just haven't escaped the nightmare of war yet.
I became conscious of the weight of the bag slung over my shoulder. I lifted my gaze from the floor and faced Lien.
"Sir Lien."
"Yes, my lord."
"Did you... participate in the Eight Year War?"
"Yes?"
Perhaps it was an unexpected question, but the puzzled voice returned for a moment and said,
"No. My brother fought in the Eight Year War."
"Okay. Then, if another big war broke out, would Sir Lien's brother be involved in the war as well?"
Sir Lien, a knight, participated in the war separately with her family?
The Emperor would be very pleased…
"No. Never."
"?"
Lien's face was stiff as she said that.
"At that time, I was not a knight, so I had no choice, but not anymore."
"..."
"My brother will never have to go to war again."
"What..."
I quickly stopped what I was about to ask if there was something going on. This is my first time experiencing a situation like this.
Have I ever had an interest in Lien Reiner outside of work? To me, she was a capable paratrooper sent directly by the Emperor, a trainer of mad dogs, and a knight with a spirit of chivalry that was rigid and inflexible, bordering on standard.
Thinking was fast.
'Let's not ask questions.'
I happened to have a relationship between a lord and a knight, but I can't afford to pay attention to others when I can't even take care of myself.
There was no need to ask questions and find out about her private life...
"My brother is weak."
"Uh..."
You don't have to say it.
"Originally, I wanted to fight in the Eight Year War, but my parents cared so much for me that my brother went to war instead. I am better at using a sword and have better physical strength, so why should my brother, who has a weak body..."
"..."
"That's why I became a knight. If I become a knight, my parents won't be able to object."
Because the things that were put forward as reasons for opposition will be torn to pieces.
"So my brother will not participate in the war. Because I am there."
"... This sounds very similar to someone I know."
Although the ending was different.
I turned my head. I saw people carefully checking their weapons and getting on their horses. I also got on the horse that Dan was leading.
The rest time was over. Now it was time for the hunting competition.
[1] Referring to the proverb "a shrimp in a fight between whales" meaning someone weak in between other strong people. He's calling himself the shrimp in this case.