Thick antique pillars lined up perfectly without even the slightest deviation, and through them extended a carpet that paved the way red to the throne. Walking on that carpet was a young man with red hair, reddish brown eyes, and a stature two heads taller than the average man.
His body was wrapped in supple muscles, and an air of nobility radiated from him. The affectionate smile he wore charmed everyone, but what made him truly dazzle were his achievements.
Conquering the Oceanic Kingdom of Yarma was supposed to be impossible. And yet not only did he do just that, he even kept the casualties to a minimum. With such achievements, it was no wonder that the people have started calling him ‘hero’.
To the masses, the sight of him returning to the castle amidst thunderous applause was like the light of hope itself shining down upon them.
Hope that the blood shed during the civil war would not be for naught, hope that his rise would open this stagnant era, and hope that he would be able to deal with the threat approaching from the west.
The king was in the latter half of his fifties and was already exhausted, so he was more than happy to give the throne to him. In fact, he was resolved to do so. He also had a beautiful daughter whose beauty resounded even in the neighboring countries and whose heart was just as gentle.
No man was a better fit for her than this gallant, young man.
It didn’t take the king long to make his mind.
The nobles would have protested, but when they saw how firm the king was in his decision, they chose to acquiesce instead.
When the man was finally before the king, he greeted him. Normally he would have been called out for his lack of manners, but when it was him who was doing it, no one could even find it in themselves to get mad. If anything, he was so elegant that the people around him couldn’t help but be charmed.
But then again, perhaps it simply couldn’t be helped, after all, every one of his actions appeared perfectly refined even to them, who were said to be the rulers of the oldest human kingdom. To some extent, the nobles here actually believed that they were the noblest of them all.
“I’m glad you could make it.”
The king said, and the hero nodded with a smile.
“Before anything else, allow me to congratulate you for conquering the Oceanic Kingdom of Yarma. To think you would actually be able to accomplish such a feat so easily. You are a hero, indeed.”
“Your Majesty, it was only possible because of all the help the everyone gave me.”
If one were to look around, one would surely see that there were several among the audience, who were trembling in glee.
“It would do me well to learn from your humility, I believe. Well, I’m thinking of giving you my daughter, Estrina. What do you think of that?”
“It would be my honor, Your Majesty, but would her royal highness be fine with that?”
“You think she’d refuse? Her heart has long been stolen by you.”
The king wryly smiled, and the hero nodded with a smile.
“I understand. If that is Your Majesty’s will, then it is my honor to accept.”
“Good! Very good! Now my reign will finally be secure, and I will no longer have to worry.”
The king nodded in satisfaction. He was truly relieved from the bottom of his heart.
“Your Majesty, if I may suggest one thing…”
“Hmm? What is it? Tell me!”
“There is a horde of monsters threatening to overwhelm us from the west. To address this threat, we need to strengthen our military well.”
“Of course.”
“I’ve heard there are wyverns living in the valley northwest. If we could tame those, we could create an order of wyvern knights. What do you think, Your Majesty?”
The moment the young man said that, all the people present found themselves looking at each other. The wyverns lived in a large canyon at the foot of the mountain range, and the hero wanted to tame them, but…
“Indeed, such an order would certainly be promising, but…”
The wyverns were ruthless and violent. It would be no easy task to tame them.
“…Fine, if you say it’s possible, then I’m sure it is. You are the hero, after all.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
A day later, the hero left for the Wyvern Valley northwest.
◆◇◆
After the Goblin King’s return, the attacks of the Kingdom of the Black Sun (Alrodena Kingdom) became even more intense. Of the minor nations spreading from the center of the continent toward the east, already 10 have fallen.
Gi Ga Rax’s Tiger and Spear Army (Aransain) claimed three.
Gi Gu Verbena’s Axe and Sword Army (Felduk) claimed another three.
Gi Gi Orudo’s Twin-Headed Beast and Axe Army (Zeilduk) claimed two.
And then the mixed army, consisting of the vassal armies, the allied armies, Gi Jii Yubu’s army (Regiol) and Gi Zu Ruo’s Thousand-Demon Army (Sazanorga), claimed two.
Alrodena had successfully conquered most of the Ranserg Region, where the minor nations were crowded together, but afterwards, their march slowed. This was due to military and political problems.
For one, the Oceanic Kingdom of Yarma was suddenly conquered by the former Holy Kingdom of Alsas, currently known as the Sacred Kingdom of Altigand, a new foe that Pale the Tactician was intuitively wary of.
From her experiences so far, she knew that there was no such thing as being too cautious when it came to the gods sticking their nose where it didn’t belong when least expected. She had allowed the armies to move freely against the minor nations, but with the appearance of this new enemy, Altigand, it seemed such a policy would no longer work.
Now that the Goblin King has returned, it might be necessary to bring the armies back together to conquer Altigand swiftly. The Goblin King, who now also had the cooperation of the ryuu, agreed with Pale.
Moreover, communication was also starting to become a problem, as the distance from the capital, Revea Su, and the frontlines increased. Perhaps it was about time for Alrodena to bring its focus back on governance now that new territories have been claimed.
But even if it did, Pale believed it wouldn’t take long.
Alrodena’s government was in a much better shape compared to when they were just starting out. Even just on the aspect of human resources, they had the Governor-General of the Western Capital, Yoshu Fagarmia, the prime minister of Elrain Kingdom, Elbert Noen, the Silent Beauty (Milfet), Helen Meer, the Genius with a Rubbish Mouth (Mardigas), and Ganon Latosh.
Pale believed that even with just their civil officials, it was possible to govern the new territories, and indeed, she was right.
In the three months between the summer and autumn of the fourth year of the King’s Calendar when Alrodena’s attack had settled down, the management of the new territories showed favorable results.
As the saying went, ‘it was easier to rule than to conquer’, and indeed, the goblins had struggled to rule their territories, whether it was the late Germion Kingdom or the Merchant Country of Pena. That’s why the smooth progress they had with the new territories was nothing short of bewildering.
Be that as it may, however, the excessive aggression of Alrodena did not fail to rouse the humans to resist. A resistance best exemplified in the alliance treaty of the three nations east of Ranserg Region that was signed in the middle of summer, year four of the king’s calendar.
