Rumours

"Hwaap!"

Haaaa!

When I swung the gavel with all my might, an ear-piercing roar rang out. Just before Feltron completely disappeared, I succeeded in delivering an effective hit. Soon, a groan full of pain hit my mind.

―Quaaa! This son of a bitch... …!

I smiled, savoring his fading voice.

'It's starting to come together a little bit now.'

Able Carriers, who was famous in the North, stopped his activities at some point. It was after my parents passed away.

As a result, a rumor circulated in the world. It is said that the Berserker ability of the Duke's family has been sealed now.

It was absurd, but Able didn't bother to explain it. He just quietly returned home and took a breath.

'Because he was so heartbroken.'

Since he was a rare filial son, the psychological blow must have been great.

Anyway, it seems that Feltron also conveniently sent an assassin. If the Berserker had lost his power, he might have thought it was worth a try.

'By the way, he's not dead yet?'

Feltron was a legendary being who united the northern peoples. The reason it is not referred to as a person here is because it is not a person.

Didn't he control people with strange abilities that weren't even magic?

"If he has time for that, just recover, and the next time you appear in front of me, you will be dead for sure."

Feltron was cruelly broken by Able at the height of his activity. His entire body was torn to pieces, but surprisingly he was alive. It seemed like it was because he was not a human being. According to one theory, he is a god who exists on earth.

'That's bullshit. He's probably just an odd guy.'

What kind of god would get beaten up by a mere human?

But if I thought about it another way, it seemed like it could be possible.

'Loki also got hit by the Hulk. Oh, maybe it's because it's a movie.'

"What should I do with this anyway?"

I stopped thinking and looked around at the mess around me.

First of all, I felt like I had to wake up the coachman first. Stop the carriage that had fallen over.

'But I can't expect compensation from these guys, right?'

The raiders were sound asleep. It probably wasn't intentional.

Because they were controlled by a strange power.

Still, I couldn't leave them on the street like this, so I stuffed them into the wagon.

"Ugh! What kind of trouble is this?"

I clenched my fists lightly, remembering Feltron's face.

If I ever have to go to the north someday, I'll have to give him a hard time. So that he can never be resurrected again.

* * *

Knock. Knock. Knock.

As I was spending a long morning lying in bed, I suddenly heard a knock on the door.

"Come on in."

"Hello? Your Majesty."

The visitor was Deacon Miller Xavier. However, his face looked very gaunt.

Hadn't he always walked around looking neat? It was clear something was up.

"What's wrong with your complexion?"

"Nothing is wrong with me, Your Majesty. I have a report. Can we start right away?"

"Hmm, okay."

"Hmm! First of all, there are very scary rumors going around."

"I guess it's natural. The royal family was attacked in the capital."

"It's not like that."

"Then what is it?"

"The story about His Highness Carriers going around breaking people's heads with a gavel."

"Haaaa!"

I couldn't help but burst into laughter. Originally, rumors were bound to be distorted. It only happened once, but it has already become a rumor and is going around.

It was definitely a mistake.

As I was making a bewildered expression, the butler added an explanation.

"Most of them come from noble families. But the public opinion of the general public is different."

"How?"

"I went out and summarized what I heard."

A report unfolds before my eyes. I read the text quickly.

- The ones who attacked His Highness Carriers. Wasn't it sent by the Siere noble faction?

- It is clear that he was retaliating out of spite for the unfavorable ruling.

- Well, what kind of crazy robber would try to rob the royal family?

- Still, I heard he escaped the crisis. By swinging the gavel with style.

Actually, it's because of an old grudge with Feltron, but there's no way the public would know that.

Anyway, it was quite satisfying content. Because my popularity has become clear.

Now, it would be perfect if the relationship with the Siere noble faction could improve.

'When the opportunity comes. I know. Who wants to commit a crime?'

While I was just thinking about that, the butler continued.

"You know the six people we caught yesterday?"

"What about them?"

"They asked if they could live here."

"Eh?"

I wondered what this was all about. Aren't they originally nomadic people riding horses? It wouldn't be easy to adapt to the Empire, but it was truly strange.

But after hearing the following story, I immediately understood.

"It looks like they watched the workers live."

"I guess they liked the treatment?"

"After all, the North is barren."

"Well, not bad. Wait. It's pretty good, isn't it?"

"There may be friction with the existing workers. Because the culture is very different."

"They just have to gradually adjust to things like that. I mean, it will be useful."

"Aren't northern peoples bad at farming?"

"I will use them as soldiers. They fight a bit."

Of course, they fainted from one blow from the gavel, but that's because the opponent was me. As long as they were equipped with the appropriate equipment, they could be excellent guards. Since they are very good at riding horses, it will be easy to handle fence patrols.

However, Deacon Miller Xavier did not seem to like it.

"I'm worried that they might cause trouble."

"That's okay. This is what happens if you don't listen."

"…"

As I waved the steel gavel in front of his eyes, the butler's expression became distant. The workers treated him well, but he seemed to be asking them why they were doing that.

"That's because you have to distinguish between workers and soldiers. For a soldier, top-down is life."

"As expected, you have lived in the north for a long time, so you know the military well. Then I will take action like that."

I waved my hand roughly. This meant that if he was done, he should leave quickly.

I was planning on lounging around for a few days. I also tried to trace Able's memories. Because there may be another enemy like Feltron's.

But I felt like I couldn't rest. Deacon Xavier's words hit me in the back.

"Finally, Your Highness."

"Yes, yes. What else?"

"His Majesty has issued an instruction to enter the palace."

"Is it so. Let's solve that problem quickly and take a break… Yesssssss."

It didn't really matter that it was a profane remark that came out inadvertently.

Anyway, there is no one else but Deacon Xavier.

What was important was the content.

'Why is he calling me all of a sudden? Is he really mad that I sold his name?'

Man, this damn place. He's going to hit me right away. Probably not. Because the emperor appointed me.

As time went on, my mind became more and more complicated.