Episode 103: Surprise Attack
It all happened so suddenly.
“Lord Baumgarten! Is Lord Baumgarten present?!”
It was early in the morning, before even breakfast. A loud, clear male voice echoed through the house at a time when the servants would have been at their busiest.
I couldn’t help but be reminded of Huebner’s messenger. In these situations, nothing good ever comes of it. What kind of person could it be this time?
“This is unacceptable.”
“Hmph, out of my way!”
Ignoring the servant’s attempts to stop him, heavy footsteps approached.
“Oh! Lord Baumgarten, so you were here! Why don’t you answer?!”
I was wondering what kind of rude person had arrived, but the one who threw open the dining room door with a bang was General Altmeier. Still a muscle-bound macho man, as always. Just looking at him makes me feel hot and bothered.
“General Altmeier, what brings you here so early in the morning? If you’d like, how about joining me for breakfast?”
It’s still a time when Cornelia and Lily aren’t even awake yet, you know? It seems they slept together last night and stayed up late. They’ll likely wake up late today.
“I appreciate the thought! However, we’re in a hurry today, you see? As they say, ‘speed is paramount in warfare,’ right?”
Though, I’m not one of your soldiers…
“Well then, shall we go?”
“Eh?”
Go? Go where?
And just like that, I was whisked away by General Altmeier with nothing but the clothes on my back, as if I were being kidnapped.
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“So, where are we going? At the very least, I’d like to change my clothes…”
Inside the carriage General Altmeier had brought me to. Feeling cramped, I asked General Altmeier, and he flashed a bright, refreshing smile.
“Don’t you worry about a thing. Clothes have already been prepared!”
That’s some amazing efficiency. Is this a premeditated crime?
“More importantly, do you remember, Lord Baumgarten? I believe I promised to give you a reward, did I not?”
“Of course, I remember.”
I’m the type to accept whatever I can get without hesitation.
“Then there’s no need to worry. It took quite some time because His Majesty’s permission was delayed, but I want you, Lord Baumgarten, to receive our family’s most prized Secret Treasure!”
“Ooh!”
A look of delight unintentionally escaped me. After all, House Altmeier is an influential family in this country with a long history. For General Altmeier, the former head of such a marquis house, to go as far as to negotiate with the royal family to present a Secret Treasure… Could this perhaps be a treasure on the level of a national treasure or something similar?
I could feel my expectations rising. I know it’s a long shot, but could it be something like the Holy Sword that was missing even in the game?
“We’ve arrived. Let’s go!”
“Yes!”
Following General Altmeier, I alighted from the carriage.
“A church…?”
The carriage had stopped at the largest Grand Cathedral in the royal capital.
Why a church? Could it be that a national treasure is enshrined here? Or perhaps, it’s not a Holy Sword but a Demon Sword in its current state. Demon Swords have a powerful miasma, after all. I can sort of understand wanting to keep it safe in a church.
“Let’s go, Lord Baumgarten! Show me what you’re made of!”
“Yes!”
Just as I thought. “Show me what you’re made of” must mean there’s some kind of trial. I felt like he was implicitly telling me to dispel the curse on a Demon Sword and claim it.
◇
“Hmm?”
I was led to a room in the Grand Cathedral and made to change clothes there. It was a pure white, incredibly ornate outfit.
I understand the white color because it’s a church, but it doesn’t need to be this gaudy, does it? Or perhaps, since I’m receiving a national treasure, I have to dress appropriately?
“Oh! You look quite dashing, Lord Baumgarten!”
When I turned around, General Altmeier was there, also in formal attire.
“It seems your parents have passed away. Normally, your Guardian should do this, but your relationship with Huebner-san is hostile. This time, I shall fulfill the role of a father for you.”
Does this mean General Altmeier will act as my guardian?
Or should I see him more as a supervisor than a guardian?
“Yes, please.”
“Mm. Well then, shall we go?”
Led by General Altmeier, I entered the Grand Cathedral.
The moment the large doors opened, loud cheers echoed in my ears.
“Congratulations!”
“Congratulations!”
“Congratulations, Lord Baumgarten!”
“Congratulations!”
Inside the Grand Cathedral, despite it being so early in the morning, there were many people. And one after another, they offered me words of blessing.
I was quite surprised. What? Who are all these people?
Is that it? Are these people who gathered to catch a glimpse of the national treasure?
At the end of the path laid with a red carpet, the Pontiff I had seen once before stood with a gentle smile.
“The main parties have assembled. Well then, let us now commence the wedding ceremony.”
“Eh…?”
What did he just…?
Marriage? Who and who?
“The bride and groom, enter!”
“What’s wrong? Let’s go, Lord Baumgarten?”
“Eh? Eh?”
“You look surprised, don’t you?”
General Altmeier wore an expression like a child whose prank had succeeded.
Of course I’m surprised. Or rather, I have no idea what’s going on. What is the meaning of this?
“I kept it from you, but I desperately wanted you to marry my granddaughter. So, I employed a little stratagem.”
“Huh?”
Marry his granddaughter? Me? Or rather, is this wedding ceremony my wedding ceremony?!
“Eeeeh!?”
My bewildered voice was drowned out by thunderous applause.
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