Suddenly, cheers erupted from all around.
“Long live Lord Victor!!”
“Long live Baron Victor!!”
“The savior of Ludin village!!”
“Long live!!”
“Long live!!!”
The villagers were raising both hands in welcome, celebrating me.
What can I say? It doesn’t feel bad—this feeling.
Since being summoned to this world, I’ve only been criticized for my incompetence.
This was the first time I felt recognized.
“Uhh, do you think it’s alright, though? Even if I become a noble? So… officially, I’d be a baron in the Kingdom of Grimoire, right?”
“Yes.”
Scarlett crossed her arms and spoke.
“Since I’m the one appointing you, there’s no mistake. You’ll officially become a vassal of our family. I’ll notify my sister, and we’ll get official permission from the central government, so you’ll be a certified baron of the Kingdom of Grimoire.”
“Haha. A noble, huh.”
Back in Korea, I was just an ordinary office worker with a degree in history.
But here, I’m a noble.
Somehow, I’m starting to like this place more and more.
I calmed my excited heart and spoke to everyone.
“I thank the villagers for their kindness. First, I’d like to appoint a new village chief to replace the late Chief Kyle, who was burned at the stake.”
“Not a bad idea.”
Scarlett agreed.
“Do you have anyone in mind?”
“Of course.”
I called out the person’s name.
“Roge.”
“Eh?!”
Roge, whose name was called, screamed out in shock from the crowd.
“Eh? Me? No way! How could I…!!”
“No, it’s you, Roge. In the past few days, you’ve been the only one to properly understand the situation. I think you’d be the right fit.”
“But I’m still young…”
“That’s exactly why you’d be able to serve the village for a long time. So, what do you think, Roge? Will you do it?”
“…Well…”
Roge looked around, gauging the reactions of the people.
Then, a young man next to her placed his hand on her shoulder and, with a cheerful voice, encouraged her.
“Go for it, Roge! It’s your chance!”
The people around them started supporting her as well.
“Yeah! Roge! You can do it!”
“Chief Roge!”
“Please become the chief, Roge!”
“You’re already better than Kyle!”
“Yay!!!”
Seeing everyone’s positive reactions, Roge finally mustered up the courage.
“Everyone… if you really think so… I’ll give it a try… Chief.”
“Yoo-hoo!!”
“That’s great! So great!”
“Now the era of peace is starting!”
“Good things are coming!”
“Hahaha!!!”
The mood was growing more and more festive.
So this is what a festival atmosphere feels like?
I suddenly felt pressured, like I had to start giving a speech.
“Everyone! I’m Baron Evans, now a vassal of the new Count family.”
Introducing myself as a baron felt a little awkward, but I didn’t mind too much.
“Since I’ve officially joined this estate, I plan to stay in Ludin village and work toward its prosperity. Let’s all create an era of peace together!”
A thunderous cheer was about to erupt when a woman in silver armor cut in with an angry voice.
“That’s not possible!”
“Huh?”
So… this person is…
“What was your name again? Ari?”
“Erry! Erry Rimaeri!”
Ah, that was it.
I had forgotten because I had so many things to deal with.
“Now that I think about it, what brings you here?”
“I told you already! By order of Princess Irene, I’ve come to take you back! Please return to the Empire! Her Highness is waiting for you!”
“Irene?”
Princess Irene was quite famous, wasn’t she?
In a way, she was even more well-known than the emperor.
Anyone who mastered magic could become a great wizard, and anyone who joined the military could become a general.
She was such a person.
I had exchanged greetings with her a few times during her hero days, but we weren’t particularly close.
Why would such a person be looking for me? Well, my answer was already decided.
“No, no. There’s no way I’m going back to the Empire that kicked me out. I have no good memories there.”
“?! Didn’t you hear me? I said it’s Princess Irene’s order!”
“I’m not really one of her subordinates, though.”
“Y-you’re defying the Princess’s order…?”
It seemed that Rimaeri was quite shocked by that.
She lowered her head and, after a long pause, finally pulled herself together to speak.
“Even so, the Princess’s orders are absolute. I must carry out her commands.”
“Are you trying to drag me away by force?”
“Princess Irene has ordered that I treat you politely. I cannot use such means.”
“Then what are you planning to do?”
Thud!
Rimaeri slapped her chest with the palm of her hand and spoke.
“If you come with me, I’ll give you anything you want! Please, come back to the Empire! I’m begging you!”
“Uh… is that a bit misleading?”
“Please, Victor-nim! If you want me to give my body, I’ll offer it! Please!”
“Ah, no, I’m not that kind of scoundrel… wait, what?”
As I flailed my hands, trying to deny it, someone pulled me back.
It was Scarlett.
Her face was bright red as she furiously spoke.
“What nonsense are you spouting since earlier?! Victor is my vassal! He’s mine! Where do you think you’re taking him?!”
“No. Victor-nim is Princess Irene’s guest. He’s not yours.”
“I already bestowed him a title!”
“If Princess Irene desires, she could grant him a title higher than a baron.”
“It’s first come, first served!”
“There’s no such thing. Princess Irene is an unparalleled existence. She stands at the pinnacle of this world, incomparable to someone like you. So, stop messing around and hand Victor-nim over as ordered by Princess Irene.”
“No, I’ll never hand him over! Ludin Village can’t survive without Victor! I need him!”
“Are you defying Princess Irene’s orders?”
“I’m part of the Kingdom of Grimoire, not the Empire!”
“Hmm… it seems you need to be taught a lesson. While I’ve been ordered not to be rude to Victor-nim, you haven’t been so respectful yourself. As a mere baron of the kingdom, if you oppose the Imperial Princess, you’ll have to face the appropriate punishment.”
“Hey, try it!”
Electricity crackled between the two women.
I squeezed between them, trying to stop the fight.
“Okay, stop it both of you. Uhm… Rimaeri, right?”
“Yes.”
“I’m really not planning to go back for now. Can you pass on my apologies to Princess Irene?”
“I can’t. Disobeying Princess Irene’s orders is a grave crime. She is always perfect, and so are her words.”
“Then what do you plan to do?”
“I will definitely take you back to the Empire.”
“Hoo… you’re stubborn. It’s just like dealing with Teresha.”
“Teresha?”
“Uh… there was a saint in our party back in the day.”
“Hmm… was there a saint in your party, Victor-nim? I thought it was only mages, elves, and knights.”
“She was a saint, but she was dismissed for embezzlement.”
“That’s quite a funny person.”
“Now that so much time has passed, I kind of miss her. Anyway… think from my perspective, Rimaeri. The Empire exiled me. Do you really think I want to go back to that country? And I don’t even know why Princess Irene wants me.”
“I don’t know the exact reason either. I just received an order to bring you back.”
“See? Even more reason not to want to meet her. Ugh.”
“…Victor-nim, weren’t you once a hero? Heroes are supported by the Empire.”
“And I became the target of their resentment after receiving that support.”
“Still, please think of your ties with the Empire and return to us. If you don’t…”
“Or what? What will you do?”
“I’ll keep following you and bothering you.”
“…”
“…Do as you wish.”
It seemed that Rimaeri had been ordered by Princess Irene to treat me with respect.
Even though she could easily kidnap me with force, she didn’t do that.
But from my perspective, no matter how kindly she spoke, I had no intention of returning to the Empire.
I just wanted to quietly enjoy noble life in Ludin Village, where people liked me.
I didn’t want to go back to the Empire and face whatever troubles awaited me there.
“No, just find a new hero and let them live happily. I’ll be fine.”
“A new hero?”
“Yeah. Some guy named Raul became the new hero. Since he’s there, I won’t be needed.”
“…Haven’t you heard the news?”
“What news?”
“The news about the new hero party.”
“Ah, no. I haven’t heard anything. Since I was exiled, I haven’t heard any rumors about the hero party.”
“Oh… if that’s the case, let me tell you. After you were exiled, something happened to the new hero party. I’ll tell you everything I know.”
This was quite an interesting story.
I wondered what was happening with the hero party that succeeded me.
What were they doing now?
To be continued…