After Retirement, Living a Stud Life in Another World - 90
Chapter 90: Rewards for Meritorious Service
The finale of the victory events is the rewards ceremony. Soldiers receive rewards such as relief money and vacation time, while officers are given promotions and medals as rewards. This time, with compensation coming generously from both the empire and the principality, the rewards can be given generously as well.
For those who have shown remarkable achievements, awards are presented at the palace. This includes not only military commanders but also merchants who supported the supply lines of the sudden campaign without considering profit, and local priests who devoted themselves to treating the wounded. It reflects His Majesty’s personality, I think.
And… among them, those who have made special contributions are rewarded last. Unfortunately, I’ve been included in the final group. I tried to decline as discreetly as possible, but Beatrice wouldn’t allow it.
“You can’t escape this time. You should accept the reward gracefully.”
“But my achievements are nothing direct. It’s just to add prestige because I’m Beatrice’s husband. That’s not something I’m comfortable with.”
“Normal men would be pleased with that… but then again, Lutz is different. Yes, it’s true that the intention of these rewards is to elevate my spouse, but everyone in the royal family understands… that our victory in this war was thanks to Lutz’s power.”
Well, considering my blunders, it’s not unreasonable for His Majesty and Beatrice to evaluate me like that, but…
“Hilde’s power as a hero is certainly great. But this time’s victory couldn’t have been achieved with that alone. If Lutz hadn’t thought to use water and wood magic, which were said to be useless in battle, in such a situation, we would have lost. What the royal family praises is not Lutz’s direct power, but his ‘wisdom.'”
“It’s nice to hear that from Beatrice and His Majesty, but…”
“I see. So Lutz is saying he wouldn’t mind if I chose someone else as a spouse.”
“Huh?”
I’m taken aback by Beatrice’s sudden strange remark. The porcelain doll in front of me lowers her tone a bit and continues.
“Among the high-ranking nobles, there are many who insist that the king’s consort should be from the royal or ducal families, saying that noble bl00d should not be diluted… Because of the circumstances, Mother finds it difficult to refuse. However, if the spouse becomes a hero of victory, she has no choice but to step back. The intention of the royal family is to elevate Lutz with such a purpose… but if Lutz himself doesn’t care about someone like me, then there’s no helping it.”
Her tone is flat, but her large eyes are slightly narrowed, with a hint of sadness. When faced with those moist emerald eyes, even a sentimental guy like me can’t resist. I instinctively embrace her slender upper body… In the end, declining the reward was left unresolved. It seems I’ve been outmaneuvered by the negotiating-savvy Beatrice, and it doesn’t feel like it’s just my imagination.
So, in the end, here I am in the audience chamber of the palace, standing shoulder to shoulder with the top ten recipients of achievements. It goes without saying that the other nine are all women.
“Miss Annaliese von Freudenschtatt!”
“Yes!”
“For your outstanding achievements in defeating the Principality of Liège, and recognizing your precise control of magic, you will be appointed as the Supreme Commander of the Kingdom’s Magic Forces.”
“I humbly accept.”
A surprised murmur leaks from the civil and military officials on either side. To appoint someone who commands the kingdom’s main force of magic as the supreme commander is, in essence, to say that they are the top of the military. And that position is held by Miss Liese, who is only eighteen years old. While the high-ranking officials are surprised, there is no one who expresses dissatisfaction… The “Goddess of Water,” who unleashed tens of thousands of ice spears on the principality’s army, is already legendary within the military.
Miss Liese herself is quite composed now. She used to be… modest, but now she stands tall, so dignified and beautiful that it’s hard to imagine her as the shy girl she once was.
Having walked the fastest career path in the history of the kingdom, bearing the title of “Goddess of Water,” and possessing the transparent beauty inherent in her status as the next countess, Miss Liese has become an extremely valuable asset. Among the nobility, the question of whom she will choose as a partner will undoubtedly become the top concern. As her brother, I hope she finds a kind man who will truly make her happy, rather than rushing to choose a lifelong partner at such a young age… And the one recognized as having the greatest achievements was, as expected, Mother.
Well, of course. Certainly, at first, she didn’t seem useful at all, but there’s no doubt that Mother’s transcendent annihilation-type fire magic burned down thirty thousand out of the over fifty thousand Imperial troops and drove them out of the kingdom’s territory. No other mage can pull off such a feat… The kingdom’s unique, probably continent’s only SS-class magical power is no joke.
“Hero Hildegarde. Twenty-five years ago, and this time too, your magic saved Belzenbrück. No matter how much we thank you, it’s not enough, but as a token of our gratitude, let us appoint the Freudenschtatt family as dukes. And as for your treatment in the army, do you have any wishes? Shall I grant you the Marshal’s Baton?”
“I am extremely honored by the ennoblement. I have no interest in military positions… but if it’s permissible, I would like to work under Lady Anneliese’s command.”
“Working under your daughter? Aren’t you the one and only hero?”
“While I may indeed be the ultimate weapon in battle, I lack the ability to lead organizations or devise strategies myself. I wish to be of service to Your Majesty without shouldering responsibilities that I am not good at.”
In other words, he wants to leave the troublesome stuff to Miss Liese and live his life as a magic buffoon. Let his daughter command while he works as part of the operational force… It sounds absurd, but it’s certainly rational. Mother’s impatient and erratic nature doesn’t fit well with organizational management. If she were a boss, the middle managers would end up with mental breakdowns… Mother probably knows her own aptitude.
“Well, I thought you might say something like that.”
Queen Hildegarde shrugged with a bemused expression.