Victory Parade (2)
"That's enough. Would you stand up straight now?"
After a short while, I took on a suitable posture at the sharp words of the maid.
The maids, who had been circling
and checking my clothes, finally nodded as if satisfied.
"Still, your posture is good—your appearance really stands out."
I nodded awkwardly, managing a clumsy smile at the senior maid's words.
Honestly, I couldn't think straight.
'I'm supposed to stand beside the Duke?'
It was fortunate that I received recognition for my achievents as intended, but I never imagined I'd have an audience with His Majesty the King.
I felt more bewildered than happy.
"Are you nervous? There's no need to worry so much."
Seemingly finished with preparations, Duke Gale pointed his finger at the carriage parked off to the side.
"We'll be leaving imdiately, so I recomnd you relax your facial muscles."
Relax my facial muscles?
Looking at Duke Gale with a puzzled expression, he boarded the carriage first and gestured for
to follow.
'What about Monet?'
The thought crossed my mind and I looked around. Monet was boarding another carriage with the other maids.
"Miss Monet will travel with the maids, so don't worry."
At Duke Gale's lightly amused tone, I composed myself and climbed into the carriage.
A quiet stillness settled inside, and before long, the sound of hooves echoed as the carriage began to move.
"... Your Grace, I honestly don't know what you're thinking."
"What do you an? I simply wish to introduce you, who achieved great rit in this war, to His Majesty."
I didn't take those words at face value.
It was true that I'd achieved conspicuous accomplishnts—defeating an interdiate-rank demonkin in the end and even capturing the enemy's commander-in-chief.
But surely that couldn't be the only reason.
There was, after all, sothing Monet had already told .
Hesitating whether to speak up or not, I carefully opened my mouth.
"Is it to make
a hero?"
"Did Miss Monet ntion that? Well, that's part of it."
Duke Gale smiled lightly and continued.
"I heard your goal was to restore your house. Nothing about this will harm you, so there's no need to worry."
It was certainly true.
If, by this opportunity, I could attract the King's attention, I'd be closer to my goal than ever before.
But still...
'What's his motive, then?'
At any rate, as long as I could revive my house as I intended, it didn't matter.
But what if Duke Gale's intent ended up working against ?
As long as I couldn't read his thoughts clearly, I could only feel uneasy.
'Besides, this is all so rushed.'
[Rushed?]
'If he wanted to make
a hero, there are plenty of other ways that wouldn't be so excessive.'
[That's true enough.]
If I beca a war hero in front of everyone, I could quickly raise my profile and be called a hero.
But it also risked backlash. Especially from those who knew my true skills.
Surely, Duke Gale couldn't have failed to anticipate that...
[Maybe he's pressed for ti?]
'There's no way there'd be such a sudden reason to make
a hero...'
As I halfheartedly replied to Grancesia, sothing suddenly occurred to .
'No way... Could it be?'
I felt my lips go dry.
Certainly, there wasn't much ti left before 'that' happened.
But surely the participants were already decided?
"Your Grace, may I ask a question?"
"If it's about the victory parade, I said there's no need to worry."
"No, that's not it. What I want to ask is..."
At first, I was half in doubt.
But the mont I saw Duke Gale smiling gently at , I couldn't help but be sure.
"... Is it really true?"
"Your guess is likely correct."
"You an, you want
to enter the Imperial Founding Festival...?"
The Imperial Founding Festival.
It's one of the biggest events on the continent, hosted by the Asktalin Empire, the continent's ruling power.
And what draws the most attention at the festival is the "Imperial Tournant
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