The Villainous Aristocrat's Efforts Led to a Genuine Harem - Episode 19

Episode 19

(Zangell’s Perspective)

After finishing the mock battle and training time, I had returned to my room.

When I looked outside, it was already completely dark. And a chilly night breeze was blowing in through the open window.

…If only tomorrow would come quickly, I thought for just a moment.

I was slightly surprised at myself for thinking that. The corners of my mouth naturally loosened.

Lord Reis and Lady Reem. Ever since I started training the two of them, I had come to think that way.

Their growth far exceeded my imagination. Especially in the case of Lord Reis—each and every day, he was like a different person.

…That’s why I’m looking forward to tomorrow again.

As I was thinking such things, there was a knock at the door. I then called out.

“It’s open. You may come in.”

“Excuse me, Zangell-san.”

Garing said that as he entered the room.

“Garing, what is it?”

“There are various things to report, but… before that, may I ask just one thing?”

From Garing’s expression, I immediately understood what it was about.

…We’ve known each other since our days in the knight order, after all.

“Is it sword instruction?”

“…How did you know?”

He asked with wide, surprised eyes. But it was just too obvious to me.

“Considering your personality. You’re bothered about losing to Lord Reis, aren’t you?”

“…Not really. I’m not bothered.”

He puffed out his cheeks, looked sullen, and turned his gaze toward the window.

…That blatantly obvious reaction made me unintentionally chuckle.

Because of that, I felt like teasing him a little.

“If that’s the case, then there’s no need to worry. Considering Lord Reis’ talent and his daily training, the fact that you managed to keep up with him to that extent is already good enough.”

“…It’s not about keeping up or not. …Ahh, geez! I just hate losing! You know that about me, right?”

At my words, Garing shouted in embarrassment.

Well, that reaction was expected.

He’s always been a sore loser.

Back when I was in the Royal Knights, before I became vice-captain and was just a squad leader—when Garing joined the order and got assigned to my squad… Garing challenged me to a duel.

He seemed very confident in his sword skills and challenged me to a match for the position of squad leader.

The result… was my victory. Back then too, Garing had the same frustrated look on his face as he does now.

“I don’t mind giving you sword instruction. But both of us are usually busy training the soldiers.”

Especially recently, we had received instructions from Lord Reis to “provide careful, one-on-one instruction.”

Until now, we mostly conducted group training. And only Lord Reis had received one-on-one instruction.

…In terms of time efficiency, it’s not ideal. But the results were clear.

Not to the same level as Lord Reis, but the soldiers we trained also showed remarkable growth.

Now, both Garing and I give individual instruction—only for a few dozen minutes each—but still one by one.

Because of that, we do almost nothing but personal instruction from morning to night. So by the time we finish our work for the day, it’s usually already nighttime.

“…That’s true, but I also… don’t want to lose again. So please teach me when you have time.”

Seeing Garing’s earnest eyes, I thought I should stop teasing him. I then let out a breath.

“Alright, alright. In that case, let’s train before dinner at night. But of course, that doesn’t mean we’re reducing our actual working hours, okay?”

“Of course! Thank you very much.”

Looking into Garing’s eyes, I could feel a motivation I hadn’t seen in him recently.

Although there’s quite an age difference for them to be considered rivals, having Lord Reis as a clear goal must have caused something to change within him.

…It’s nice, seeing the youth.

Watching his growth might become a new joy for me too.

“So? That’s not the only thing you came to talk about, is it?”

“Yes, of course. It’s about the matter of monsters overflowing from the ‘Forest of Rebellion’ again.”

“That was the task I entrusted to you. How was it?”

“Yes. Together with the soldiers I brought, we easily exterminated the Goblins that had overflowed.”

“I see.”

“…However, this time, along with the Goblins, we also confirmed the appearance of a Goblin Leader. …We somehow managed to defeat it. But if there had been more—”

“Then… it might have been difficult for just us to handle.”

Garing nodded gravely.

That might also be part of the reason he wanted to retrain his swordsmanship.

The Validor Knight Corps has gathered people of considerable ability.

…At least, compared to the Royal Knights that are full of nepotism hires, our average level is higher… but we have few truly exceptional individuals.

Recently, the frequency of monster overflows has increased. And that is also a problem.

“Yes. And the increasing frequency is also concerning… I can’t help but wonder if a stampede might eventually occur…”

“Frequency… huh. That’s true…”

“Thanks to recent training, the soldiers were able to handle the Goblins without issue… but to be honest, we don’t know if they can handle the monsters deeper in the forest.”

“I see. …So the switch to individual instruction paid off.”

“Yes. However, there’s still the overwhelming issue of lacking enough fighting force.”

“That… can’t be helped. The Validor family has been cutting the military budget.”

Even if we wanted to hire more soldiers, paying their salaries would be difficult.

Still, it was good to know that we’d successfully raised the overall strength.

Previously, even dealing with Goblins would have been difficult without me or Garing present.

…We really have been saved thanks to Lord Reis.

“Understood. Regarding the ‘Forest of Rebellion’… I’ll speak to the lord again.”

“…Yes. Do you think we could get an opinion from Lord Reis?”

“…Heh.”

Hearing those words from Garing, I couldn’t help but smile.

Seeing my smile, Garing raised his voice as if trying to cover it up.

“W-What is it, all of a sudden?”

“…Well, I just never imagined that a day would come when you—who used to hate everyone in the Validor family—would suggest asking Lord Reis for his opinion.”

…Garing was originally opposed to me serving the Validor family.

Even so, I had a debt of gratitude to the previous head and accepted the role of captain of the Validor Knight Corps.

Garing had followed me. He said he still wanted my guidance.

…Though, if I’m being honest, looking at the results, I feel bad for putting him through that.

“…Lord Reis is different. The soldiers say so too. That Lord Reis… has changed, and that he’s unlike the other members of the Validor family.”

“…Even the servants have been saying that a lot lately. That he not only greets them, but also thanks them when they do something…”

“Yes… that’s right. …That’s why I thought it might be a good idea to hear Lord Reis’ thoughts, but—”

“You understand Lord Reis’ position, don’t you? …Even if he is the lord’s son, his inheritance rank is third. …And with how much his parents despise him, if we consult him carelessly, it would only trouble him.”

“……………That’s true. If only he were the rightful heir, how great that would be…”

Hearing Garing mutter that, I gave him a sharp look.

“Don’t say such things carelessly. You never know who might be listening.”

“…I’m sorry.”

That’s one of the ways Garing is still young.

Even if we have thoughts, we who are hired soldiers must swallow them—it’s a sad fate.

“Well, I’ve thought the same thing many times myself. Don’t worry about it so much.”

“Then don’t glare at me like that.”

In response to my grumble, Garing smiled.

But well, sometimes, you really do want to vent.

…The rest of the Validor family—excluding Lord Reis—are still the same as ever.

When I see them mistreating Lord Reis, I honestly want to punch them.

But… if you did that to a noble, the one who’d be arrested would be us.

…If we want to change the current situation, we can’t just stay silent.

If we want to change the top, then those below must move too.

We don’t know what the result will be, but… if we do nothing, the Validor family will slowly fall into ruin.