I had been so preoccupied with everyone else that I forgot to check on Claire.
I figured I should apologize with a full dogeza.
After all, Claire was the only one who hadn't been marriage hunting or networking. Mind you, it wasn't as if she was already my wife... that whole situation had been put on the back burner.
Realizing things were looking bad, I went to see her. First, I knocked on her door.
"Um, Claire... about your future path."
"Come in."
"O-Oh."
"Here."
As soon as I entered, she dumped a thick stack of files into my arms.
"What's this?"
"A list of collaborators."
"Eh?"
"A vision for everyone to work together. I anticipated things would turn out like this, so I gathered planet lords, companies, and non-profit organizations we can trade with, primarily centered around the military."
"This... did Wifey make this?"
"We made it together. Since we’re just students, we thought we should cooperate. Our supermarket is on there, too. Since we handle direct farm sales."
Our territories were roughly one planet per person. They were all prime locations previously governed by Dukes. We had been allowed to have some of our requests and changes heard.
Those from discriminated races, like Ren, planned to use the territories they received for the sake of their own people. Among them, some had even purposely requested planets that were harsh for normal humans. Those were the boys who had undergone Chlorella Treatment.
Ren was the same, receiving a planet that served as a Duke's private villa area and had no residents. If we did things too openly, we would end up inciting jealousy. Resource mining planets abandoned during development or a Duke's villa would protect us from that. After all, we could just brush it off to the outside world by saying, "It’s a very inconvenient planet."
Kevin’s policy was to gather the Humanoid Zorks who had been released from brainwashing. Therefore, he requested a colony where a permanent garrison could monitor them to ensure no rebellions occurred. However, because Wifey said, "Planets have lower running costs," he was granted a planet that was average for the Duke Rank. It was decided that a Zork Research Institute would be built there.
Then, the people who were confirmed innocent would be moved there. Additionally, it became the place for Prince Walter—who had broken down from the shock—to undergo a change of air for medical treatment.
Yeah, everyone was thinking about the future. Compared to them, there was me, just drifting along without a single thought in my head...
God, Claire's sense of competence was overwhelming compared to mine!
"So, um... what about Claire-san's own future path?"
"Are you going to make me say it?"
"...Fair enough."
Right, I’ll say it properly!
"Please become my wife... to be honest, I've been interested in you for a while."
Even before I woke up, she had been looking at me with incredibly erotic eyes. She had been giving off a real 'I’m my man's woman' vibe! As expected, she had been restraining herself since I became my current self.
That kind of Yankee (Virgin) behavior... is unsightly. I’ve graduated from that and class-changed into a Pervert (Virgin). I wonder if that part in the parentheses will disappear soon...
Claire answered me with a smile.
"Yeah, the old Leo was an unpleasant guy, but... you changed after that first attack. You became so natural! Yes, if it's the current Leo... I like you. I will become your wife. ...But, make sure you report it properly to Veronica-chan, okay?"
"Yes, ma'am."
Suddenly, the door to Claire's room swung open.
"There is no need for a report. I was on edge over here wondering if you would actually confess."
It was Wifey. I knew it—she had been monitoring us.
"Listen here, I intended to make Claire a wife from the start. And yet, the Lord Groom was being far too considerate of the dense Claire... you both kept putting it off. I was getting fretful just watching you two airheads!"
My wife, who devoted herself to being the audience for her own husband's bittersweet youth. I don't even know what to say to that!
"With this, everyone is happy! Ka-ha-ha-ha!!!"
For some reason, she was acting triumphant. Just being an official mistress recognized by the wife was abnormal enough, but to begin with, the state wanting my descendants was a crazy development in itself. Becoming an adult is tough...
Yeah, I should just give up!
After that, I thought, "Now, time to finally enjoy the vacation."
But then, a massive crate of documents arrived.
"Everyone! These are the dossiers for retainer candidates!"
These were relatives of the Ducal Houses whose heads were subject to punishment for the armed uprising, but who themselves were not ideologically opposed. Or knights of the Ducal Houses who weren't involved in the uprising but had relatives who were punished. Other servants who were subject to dismissal but had no ideological problems and wanted employment were also included.
They were recommended to everyone's territories as new hires. They were a bunch of elites who had graduated from the Imperial Military University or the Imperial Capital's universities. However, the territories were too vast, and the numbers were unnaturally large. Therefore, we decided to review the territories.
Furthermore, we would divide among everyone the planets owned by the Empire or those that Ren's house or my territory couldn't fully manage. At this point, Big Brother Cyrus—also known as Former Baron Shiramber—joined in for a Lord & Human Resources Draft Meeting.
We further revised the latest plan, which included the Empire's territory designations, Wifey's proposals, and the opinions of Kevin and the others.
To be blunt, the territories were too vast. Because the territories were too vast, the bureaucratic organizations rotted, which is why things like armed uprisings happened in the first place.
For that reason, we held a meeting including Big Brother Cyrus about the planets that couldn't be managed... or so I thought, but notices went out all over, and it turned into a giant summit with everyone involved.
Ultimately, it resulted in a surplus of planets, though my own territory was slimmed down. Now, if it were said that I had divided the territories among my comrades, dissatisfaction would arise, so they were grouped as 'Kamishiro Main House and Pleasant Companions,' and it was decided that I would be appointed as a Grand Duke. In short, it was made clear that my house was the one responsible. I'm going to die from the paperwork.
It's practically a small nation... the Duke Association. I wonder why it was overlooked until now. I want to avoid becoming a new Duke Association, but... I don't know what will happen hundreds of years from now. For the time being, we finished by dividing the territories of the Duke Association among a large number of Count-class lords.
Now, when things reached this point, naturally, people started talking: "Isn't it dangerous for the 'Kamishiro Main House and Pleasant Companions' to be in a single unit?"
I thought so too. If we were wiped out before the system stabilized, it would turn into a Warring States period. Because of that, a massive number of soldiers were transferred in. It was already at a division level.
And then, doubts arose from all over: "Is it really okay for His Excellency the Grand Duke to be a Captain?"
You made sure those doubts would arise, didn't you, Wifey?!
Consequently, I finally ended up being promoted to Major. I resisted, too. I pleaded with Major Raymond and various related parties and managed to secure a three-year grace period before becoming a Colonel.
I'm going to die. Also, they assigned me civil officials, secretaries, and specialized administrative staff.
What healed my heart as I stood on the brink was the sight of my subordinates, who had suddenly become middle management themselves. They were doing paperwork in the Duke House estate while crying!
Serves you right!
Know my suffering!
Vacation? What the hell is that?
Fuhahahahahahahaha!
The misfortune of others tastes like honey... eh? More work was added to me too? Seriously?
Thus, the evil known as the Grand Duke was destroyed.
Waaaaaaaah!
Wifey, give me a lap pillow! Heal me!
Ah, after I finish my work? Right...
The heroic tale of the Hound Squad would later be recorded as a historical rise to power. In that record, the sight of the heroes fighting their greatest enemy—paperwork—with faces like they were about to die was not recorded at all. Not by a hair. Not even as much as a stray leg hair that somehow ended up rolling on the floor...