The King's Summons

It wasn't long after the royal ritual ended in great success and we returned to the royal capital.

I was summoned by the king.

I came to the audience chamber fully expecting to be reprimanded.

"First of all, well done," King Zeurasia said, commending me. "I'm sorry for dragging the prince around so much," I apologized before he could say anything.

The king looked taken aback for a moment, then asked, "What are you talking about?"

"Well, I had him give a speech and dragged him onto the battlefield..." I answered, and the king broke into a broad smile.

"Is that what you were worried about? Come to think of it, I never did speak to you about that. It seems to have been a splendid first campaign for Zeland, and it added a fine touch to the ritual. I thank you, both as king and as his father."

Hearing that, I let out a relieved breath. Thank goodness. It didn't seem like I was in trouble.

"Well, that incident does have a great deal to do with why I summoned you. While we're at it, I thought I'd tell you how everything turned out."

"How everything turned out?" Something about that phrasing caught my attention. "While we're at it? What does he mean?"

"Indeed. Regarding the members of the Veloza family, we've confirmed that Sembria Veloza incited the bandits. So, just the other day, we arrested all the Veloza family's relatives—except for Sembria and Dentacrus Veloza."

"What happened to Sembria and Dentacrus?"

"By the time we arrived, they had taken their own lives. So we arrested everyone else."

King Zeurasia was still smiling, but the implication of his words—that the entire family had been arrested despite the key figures being dead—was grave.

"Does that mean... the Veloza family is being dissolved?"

"That doesn't quite cover it. We can't leave any seeds of future trouble..."

The whole family was being put to death. It was harsh, but given what they'd done, it couldn't be helped. If the king let an attempt on the prince's life go unpunished, other nobles might grow emboldened.

The timing was good for the king, too. Golbel had been weakened, and the Empire was lying low. With room to turn the knights' attention inward, no noble would dare start a major uprising, even if some grumbled.

Still...

"You seem to have something on your mind."

Just as the king said, something didn't sit right with me.

"A lot of things were poorly thought out."

"Go on."

"Sembria Veloza may have been in a desperate position, but if he hadn't tried to attack Prince Zeland, I don't think things would have ended this way. Am I wrong?"

"Perhaps not."

"Even so, he planned the attack and rushed into it without being properly prepared. Why?"

"Why do you think, Roa?"

"Someone must have egged him on. They must have promised him something that made him certain the plan would succeed."

"Then why did it fail?"

"I think whoever incited him never intended to keep their promise in the first place. To be honest, I can't imagine an attack succeeding, no matter how many of that motley rabble they gathered."

When I'd said that much, King Zeurasia gave a soft chuckle.

"Was there something strange about what I said?"

"No, forgive me. You said exactly the same thing as Raiz, and I couldn't help laughing. Your analysis is excellent, Roa. I heard the same from Raiz, and I, too, believe that possibility is quite likely."

"So the investigation is underway?"

"Indeed. However, the other members of the Veloza family seem to know nothing. And the Veloza father and son—the most important people—have taken their own lives. Though perhaps they were murdered. We don't know how far we'll get, but the investigation is proceeding."

The king's grim expression suggested they were already on the back foot. It would probably be difficult to identify the culprit. As I was thinking that, the king's expression changed. "Let's change the subject."

It seemed this was the main reason he'd summoned me.

"Roa, would you become one of Prince Zeland's retainers?"

The king asked without preamble.

"A retainer to the prince? Does that mean you want me to leave the Tenth Knight Order?" That would be a bit of a problem. I wasn't sure how to turn him down.

"No, your position will remain as it is. I have no intention of letting a commander who distinguished himself at Hakusha and Zetta sit idle in the rear. As things stand, you serve me and belong to the Tenth Knight Order. That applies not only to you, but to Raiz and nearly all the soldiers."

"So I'd be under Prince Zeland while still belonging to the Tenth Knight Order?"

"Indeed. Zeland has completed the royal ritual. From now on, he'll have more duties as a member of the royal family, and he'll need to build up his own personal retinue. Roa, Zeland trusts you. After returning from the ritual the other day, he talked more about the exploits of the Roa Unit than about the ritual itself. If you have no objections, I believe you'd be the right person to become Zeland's first direct retainer. Of course, I've already discussed this with Raiz. I hope that, in time, the two of you can build a relationship like the one Raiz and I share."

"That's... a generous offer, but is it all right for a commoner like me to be his first direct retainer? And I'm also concerned about how Prince Ural will react."

"There's no problem with Ural. He's calmed down a great deal since your mock battle. Besides, Ural is five years younger than Zeland. He's still very young. He'll understand in time."

...Prince Ural was five years younger than Prince Zeland, even though he was much bigger? That was the biggest surprise of the day. Wouldn't he grow into an incredible giant of a man?

"Your concern about Roa being a commoner is valid. Raiz had a great deal of trouble over that, too."

"What? Raiz-sama was a commoner?"

"Indeed. I ennobled him for his accomplishments against the Empire."

So that's how it was.

"I can't make you a noble right away, Roa. So, I'm sorry, but I'd like you to officially take the position of Prince Zeland's military instructor. I realize you may be dissatisfied..."

"No, I'm not dissatisfied at all. It's much better than drawing the attention of nobles for no good reason. If anything, I'd prefer to be his instructor." I meant every word. I really didn't have time to get caught up in unnecessary friction.

Still, if I wouldn't have to change my affiliation, becoming Prince Zeland's direct retainer wasn't a bad idea. It was best to secure a connection to the royal family in case something happened. Besides, Zeland and I got along just fine.

"Is that so? Then will you accept?"

"Yes. If you'll have me."

And so, I became Prince Zeland's very first direct retainer.