Published: January 12, 2026
Before I knew it, we had reached the town closest to Scudetto, despite my protests.
Given the recent defeat, I figured it would take some time for the army to regroup, including reinforcements.
Upon arriving in town, I immediately noticed many knights and mercenaries around. But surprisingly, their numbers were fewer than I expected. Could it be that they had already gone to the counterattack?
“Maybe I just couldn’t see it clearly, but what if the city walls are badly damaged? If that’s the case, they’d want to launch the counterattack before the enemy repairs the walls, right?”
I muttered this, and Dee crossed his arms, pondering.
“Hmm… I can understand wanting to make up for a failure like that, but I wonder…”
“The defenders lost utterly. They’ll probably want to prepare thoroughly before challenging again.”
“If I were in their shoes, I’d bring in reinforcements and make preparations to capture the fortress city. A long siege is usually expected.”
As we talked like this in the town, footsteps approached us. The distinct clanging of metal armor echoed.
When I turned around, I saw an astonishing figure standing there. Well, I had anticipated it, but I wasn’t quite ready.
“Long time no see, Father.”
I bowed my head, and my daddy, Marquis Jharpa Blu Ati Fertio, whom I hadn’t seen in a year, looked down at me.
He seemed slightly thinner than before, but his stern gaze hadn’t changed. Around him stood knights wearing black armor decorated with gold—the royal guards loyal to Father.
Because of Father’s extreme meritocracy, the marquis family’s knight order was full of burly warriors.
Surrounded by those powerful knights, Father looked down at me with an irritated expression and spoke.
“…So you’ve become a baron.”
“Ah, yes. I haven’t changed the family name, so I still go by Baron Van.”
“…I heard you slayed a dragon.”
“Oh, well, technically, it was a forest dragon.”
I replied casually, but Father furrowed his brows deeply.
“How did you do it? Even I can’t take down a dragon of that class alone. Our entire knight order would have to muster all their strength to face one.”
He said this, then looked at me inquisitively.
“…Umm, with a ballista.”
I answered, and Father let out a breathy laugh.
“A ballista? Impossible. Did you fire a mithril spear or something? That can’t be.”
He said it mockingly, and I sighed. Even if I told the truth, I doubt he’d believe me.
“…Marquis Jarpa, could you give me an extra sword or shield, something I don’t need?”
I asked. Father blinked for a moment, then his expression darkened. He was clearly angry.
Yet, for reasons unknown, he suppressed his anger and ordered a nearby knight.
“Bring out the spare weapon.”
“Yes, sir!”
The knight swiftly handed over a straight sword about seventy centimeters long.
I took it and lifted the sheathed sword parallel to the ground.
“Kamushin, try cutting it.”
I murmured this, and without a word, Kamushin drew his beloved blade and swung it down from above.
A sharp metallic sound echoed briefly, leaving Father and the knights bewildered.
“W-What are you doing…?”
Just as the sword’s owner spoke, the sheathed sword was cleaved clean in two from the middle, falling to the ground blade-first.
Father and the others were stunned by the unbelievable sharpness—and the fact that the one who did it was a child of about ten years old.
Hmm. Next time we get Kamushin a new sword, I’ll name it “steel-cutting sword.”
While I was thinking that, Father looked at me as if seeing something unbelievable and asked,
“What was that… exactly…?”
Just as I was about to answer, a voice called from the opposite direction.
“Baron Van!”
I turned toward the familiar voice and saw a stunning beauty approaching—her figure perfectly embodying the American dream.
“Viscount Panamera. Long time no see.”
Panamera was dressed in light armor of white and silver—perhaps a large battle armor for combat. It looked more beautiful and elegant than the last time I saw her.