The instant the bell sounded to signal the end of the match, I found myself leaping to my feet.
"Hell yeah! We won! Goal achieved!"
Yesterday had been mostly shock, but today was different. Our opponent in the second round had been House Belga, regular contenders in the military competition. And against them, my three hundred men had secured a decisive, hard-fought victory.
The tournament had begun with sixteen houses, and now only four remained.
"...This means we're guaranteed at least fourth place, right?"
"That's right... Advancing to the semifinals guarantees a top-four finish."
The moment I heard Clarice's reply, my joy soared even higher.
"Forget fifth place—we're one rank above that! Talk about a smashing success!"
I had dragged three hundred men all the way to the royal capital, spending gold on rations, wagons, and weapon repairs. I thought fifth place would be plenty, but we had already surpassed my original goal.
—Not bad at all, boys!
"I'm going down there for a bit! They won twice and are already in the top four! As someone who would've been satisfied with fifth, I've got to go give them some credit."
Leaving Clarice with those words, I headed down the stone steps leading from the noble viewing area to the soldiers' staging area. Along the way, the exit path merged with the route taken by the troops of House Belga as they withdrew from the grounds.
"...Whoa."
Up close, they looked in far worse shape than I had realized...
Some leaned heavily on their comrades' shoulders, while others were limping... Plenty were clutching their arms and shoulders. What caught my eye most, though, were their faces. Some had swollen cheeks, others walked with hands pressed over their mouths, and a few even had both cheeks bruised a bright red.
...They really had a brutal fight.
The moment that thought crossed my mind, a fresh wave of anxiety washed over me.
"Wait a second... If the other side is like this, didn't my guys take a beating too...?"
I hurried to check the staging area and saw the Razgrim soldiers still lined up in ranks. Headcounts were underway, and the wounded were having their conditions evaluated one by one.
—Still undergoing inspection? Going over now would just get in their way...
Left with no choice, I returned to the noble viewing area, where Clarice raised an eyebrow upon seeing my face.
"That was fast."
"They were still conducting inspections. More importantly, when I saw the Belga troops up close, they looked in terrible shape. Our guys didn't end up like that, did they...?"
"You were just rejoicing over the victory a moment ago, and now you're fretting over that...?"
"Of course I am! I don't want a mountain of casualties....It bleeds my purse dry, too."
"If not for that last sentence, you would have sounded like a master genuinely worried about his soldiers."
"I am worried about their injuries! I'm just also worried about the money!"
◇
Even after our match concluded, the second round was far from over.
Up next was the runner-up from the previous year, House Perkin. Even to someone like me with little military knowledge, the precision in their troops' movements was obvious. The instant a gap formed in the enemy line, they concentrated their numbers and shoved straight through.
"...Yeah, they're strong."
I'd really rather not face them if I can help it.
Next up was the reigning champion from the previous year, House Eldran. Their performance was utterly seamless. One moment it looked like a straight head-on clash, and the next, they had quietly flanked their opponents from both sides, herding them into a bottleneck.
The old man sitting beside me simply crossed his arms, snorting in dissatisfaction.
"Still a long way to go... If they'd swung around the right flank there, it would've been over much sooner."
"Uh, they're already dominating, aren't they...?"
"That's because I didn't give 'em any orders this time! If I were directing them, this much would've been a piece of cake."
On my other side, Alecia let out an exasperated chuckle.
"...The trouble with Duke Eldran saying that is it doesn't sound like a joke."
"Gwahaha! Naturally!"
...Yeah, it was definitely the right call keeping this old guy from entering the fray himself, wasn't it?
The final match was won by House Kamase, finalizing the top four.
The semifinals would take place in three days. Tomorrow and the day after would serve as rest days for the soldiers, meaning the military competition itself would be on pause. The Founding Festival would continue in the meantime. With two days to spare, I could spend tomorrow checking on the troops while taking care of domain business in the capital.
"By the way, Vain. You don't have any matches the day after tomorrow, correct?"
Alecia turned to look at me.
"Hm? Yeah, that's right..."
"Then spend that day accompanying me. It's the Founding Festival, after all—merely watching from the VIP stands the entire time is boring... Seeing the joy on the people's faces with one's own eyes is part of a monarch's duty, is it not?"
"Are you sure it's fine for the Queen to wander around like that?"
"I'll take escorts, of course. Besides, you are my future husband, so you have no right of refusal."
"Who's your future husband?!"
"I haven't given up, you know."
She said it so casually.
"...Well, I don't mind taking a look at the festival. But on one condition."
"Phrasing it like that gives me nothing but a bad feeling..."
I pointed a finger at Alecia.
"You pay for everything we spend that day."
"............What?"
It wasn't just Alecia. Clarice, the old man, and even Serena standing behind me all stared at me.
"What?"
"Do you... lack even a shred of male pride...?"
"If acting prideful put gold in my pockets, I'd put on as much pride as you want."
"That's not what I meant!"
"In the first place, whose royal decree forced me to bring three hundred men all the way to the capital for this military competition? Rations, wagons, weapons, travel expenses... I've paid more than enough. The least you can do is cover the festival."
"How does your logic even leap to that?!"
The old man stroked his beard.
"I've lived a long life... but this is the first time I've ever seen a duke demand the reigning queen open her purse so boldly..."
"Vain... you really are beyond help..."
Clarice pressed a hand to her forehead, while Serena quietly averted her gaze.
...Why is everyone looking at me like that?
While we were bickering, the semifinal matchups were announced.
The four remaining contenders were Razgrim, Perkin, Eldran, and Kamase.
...Please! House Kamase!
Judging by the name alone, you're the one I'd love to draw most. Sure, judging solely by a name isn't great. It isn't great, but... still, they look way more manageable than the other two I just watched.
Whatever happens, keep me away from Old Man Eldran's troops! Please, Kamase! Or Perkin, if I have to compromise...!
Just anyone but the old man's house...!
"First Match—House Eldran versus House Kamase!"
"............"
...Taken. My Kamase was taken from me.
"Second Match—House Razgrim versus House Perkin!"
"Yes! Not the old man's!"
The moment I pumped my fist, a booming voice came from right beside me.
"Hey now... Who celebrates like that right in front of the man himself? Were you really that terrified of facing me?!"
"Of course I was! What kind of idiot would be happy to draw last year's champions?!"
"You've got a mouth on you! In that case, make it to the finals. Don't come crying to me when my troops make you weep!"
Clarice wore an exasperated look.
"Aren't you getting a bit ahead of yourself? Vain's next opponent is last year's runner-up."
"I know that! But it's still better than facing the old man!"
Besides, fourth place was already locked in! There was zero reason to do anything reckless.
◇
The following day, I spent the entire morning taking care of capital business with Clarice.
Reviewing letters sent from the domain, confirming payments for our stay in the capital, and finally being shown the food provisions for three hundred men. Even on a day without any matches, the paperwork before me never seemed to dwindle.
"This is the last of it."
"I heard that yesterday too..."
"Yesterday's last is different from today's last... Come on, stamp it already."
"Aren't dukes supposed to just sit around looking important?"
"You sit around looking important while doing your work."
This is the absolute worst.
By the time afternoon rolled around, I was finally free and headed toward House Razgrim's encampment north of the Grand Drill Grounds. I hadn't been able to get a proper look yesterday while the inspections were underway.
The soldiers had taken off their armor, either wiping down their gear or resting. In one corner, an area had been set up to treat the wounded. I checked there first, but the number of injured was far lower than expected. There were bruises and scrapes, sure. But hardly anyone needed a shoulder to lean on like the Belga troops had. Their equipment bore dents, but nothing appeared broken beyond use.
"Don't force anyone to participate if they can't fight, alright? We've already secured fourth place. It'd be completely idiotic to go home broken from here on out..."
Just then, Raisa walked over, accompanied by Lydia.
"What brings you here, Boss? Figured Clarice would have you tied down all day."
"She had me cornered all morning, yeah... More importantly, I came to check on the wounded. Belga's troops were in terrible shape yesterday... Some even had swollen faces, you know? Must've been an intensely brutal fight, huh?"
"Ah... their side, yeah..."
For some reason, Raisa looked away. Even Lydia averted her eyes just a fraction.
"...What's with that reaction?"
"No... it was a competitive match, so, well... some participants grew a bit overly passionate..."
"Why are you being so evasive too?"
Neither of them answered.
Suspicious... But if our casualties were light, that was good enough for now.
Looking around the camp once more, a wave of satisfaction welled up inside me. I had only watched from the stands yesterday, but these guys really had won two matches in a row.
"You guys did great!"
Carried by the momentum, I heartily slapped the back of a nearby soldier.
"Gwah?!"
"Ah!...My bad! Were you injured there?!"
Looking closely, a cloth was wrapped around his back.
"Sorry! You're... Gash, right?...You alright?"
"I-I'm fine, sir! This is nothing at all!"
Despite having winced in pain, his face morphed into a look of sheer bliss halfway through.
"...Lord Vain patted my back. I'm never washing this spot again for the rest of my life..."
"No, you absolutely wash it! You're gonna stink!"
A soldier next to him burst out laughing.
"Are you trying to turn your back into a family heirloom?! Taking it to your grave, are you?"
"Damn right it's a family heirloom! It's my back, of course I can take it with me!"
"You're an idiot... But man, I'm kinda jealous. If it were me... yeah, I probably wouldn't wash it either."
"You too?! That's disgusting!"
Laughter erupted from the surrounding troops.
...What is with these guys?
Without me realizing it, my private soldiers seemed to have developed in a rather bizarre direction. A short distance away, Raisa was clutching her stomach, howling with laughter.
Well, as long as they're in high spirits, I suppose...
I looked around at the soldiers.
"At any rate, you did an outstanding job! I would've been perfectly content with fifth place, but you won two matches and secured a spot in the top four! You've completely surpassed my expectations....Thank you. It's all thanks to you guys."
The soldiers who had been laughing just moments ago turned to look at me, their expressions turning serious. There were those who fought on the front lines, those who held the rear, and those sitting down with injuries. We won as a complete unit. Even I could understand that much.
Then, the soldier whose back I had just slapped raised his fist.
"Lord Vain! After hearing you say all that, we've got no choice but to win the next one too! You said fifth place was enough, but we surprised you by taking fourth! So let's keep surprising you all the way to the end!"
A stir rippled through the surrounding men at those words.
"Hell yeah! Our next opponent is last year's runner-up, right? If we beat them, we're in the finals! Let's make Lord Vain say 'well done' one more time!"
"Whoa, hold on a second! I'm telling you fourth place is plenty! Stop raising the goal on your own!"
It was too late. Soldiers from the distant tents caught wind of the commotion and began shouting, "We're winning the next one too!" The men exchanged looks, clenching their fists with dead-serious expressions.
Glancing to the side, I saw Raisa still grinning.
"Hahaha! Boss, you really lit a fire under them, didn't you? After praising them looking that happy and even thanking them, of course these guys are gonna want to make you smile again."
"I was just praising them! How does that jump to winning the whole championship?!"
"We're winning the next one toooo!"
"YEAAAHHHH!!"
"Cut it out! Listen to what I'm saying!!"
None of them were listening to my voice anymore. The three hundred soldiers were already swept up in roaring excitement over their next victory. It didn't matter that their opponent was last year's runner-up, nor who was waiting beyond that.
I keep telling them fourth place is more than enough.
It's an outcome beyond satisfactory. From here on out, there's no reason to push ourselves to our limits just to grasp for more.
...And yet.
Watching these idiots grinning before me, chanting about winning the next match, I couldn't find it in myself to shut them down too harshly... Good grief, what a troublesome bunch.
All I did was offer a little praise... but apparently, my soldiers are genuinely aiming for the very top.