Published: September 10, 2025
It's a short one.
“Father, is that a potted—vegetable?”
“No, Solna. This is called a bonsai, a culture from the honorable hero’s homeland.”
In the family living room of Muno Castle, I was trimming a bonsai sent by the Echigoya Trading Company.
As a gentlemanly pastime from the hero’s world, bonsai is truly elegant and profound.
To make it easier for Solna to see, I placed the bonsai on the table.
While gazing at the bonsai, I enjoyed a rare moment of family togetherness with my daughter.
Suddenly, heavy footsteps burst into the calm room.
“This is serious!”
It was Nina, the steward, rushing in.
—Unusual.
She rarely shows such a panicked expression.
I could easily guess what had happened.
“Did Satou achieve some kind of feat again?”
“A feat? It’s not some mild accomplishment.”
—Oh?
He had defeated the lord of the layer in the Selbira Labyrinth and liberated a city under the control of powerful monsters in Count Muno’s Domain in just half a day.
For Nina, who knows about him, to be this shaken, I was excited even before hearing the details.
“What kind of feat was it?”
I was mentally prepared.
No matter what I heard now, I could listen without surprise.
“Satou and his companions defeated the Demon King.”
T-The Demon King?
Defeated? The Demon King?
Demon King, demon king, demon king… Demon King?!
“W-What did you say?!”
I screamed from the depths of my heart.
Solna rubbed my back and the maid gave me cold water, and only then did I regain consciousness.
Even though I thought I was prepared, I couldn’t help but be shocked.
To think he had accomplished something worthy of world history—
“W-What should we do, Nina?”
“C-Calm down.”
Nina also seemed unable to hide her agitation, just like me.
“Satou’s letter said he was going to pay a battlefield visit to the honorable hero, but didn’t he defeat the hero?”
“We don’t have that detailed information. The royal capital sent a notification to all City Core terminal holders. Haven’t you seen it?”
“Sorry, I must have missed it.”
Now that I think about it, something rang while I was pruning the bonsai.
By the way, Solna only gave a small “oh” of surprise.
She might be the most composed in the family.
◇ Nina’s point of view ◇
Count Muno had just checked his City Core terminal when he said something unbelievable.
“—A summons from His Majesty?”
“Yes. It seems His Majesty wants to commend Satou for his great achievement.”
I felt a headache from the smile on Count Muno’s face, clearly not grasping the severity of the situation.
“Do you understand what this means?”
“Ah, it’s a very honorable thing.”
No, it isn’t.
“It’s His Majesty’s intention.”
“Intention?”
I sighed at Count Muno’s parroting.
Really, this family is bad at reading between the lines.
“His Majesty’s message is that he’ll promote you from Count to Marquis, but only if you send Satou to become a direct vassal of the king.”
“W-What?!”
The Count voiced surprise at my prediction.
It’s sad, but considering Satou’s advancement, that’s probably for the best.
“C-Can’t we refuse this, Nina?”
What’s this good-for-nothing saying?
“B-But I promised to protect Satou and his family when I granted him the noble title.”
Hey, are you planning to defy the king for Satou’s sake?
No matter what, the opponent is too strong.
“If you refuse, the promotion to Marquis won’t happen in your generation. Probably, it would only be considered in your grandchildren’s time.”
If Orion is competent, maybe even in that child’s generation, but since he’s bad at socializing, it’s unlikely.
“Still, I don’t mind. Even the current title of Count is thanks to Satou’s efforts.”
The Count said with a noble expression.
Indeed, normally it would take about ten years, and even by my calculations, only by the next generation could we hope to petition for promotion to Count at best.
“Well, the decision is yours.”
All I can do is advise and carry out whatever Count Muno decides.