Volgraf

My name was Volgraf.

I was the heir apparent of the House of Viscount Gofril, a noble family within the Demon Kingdom. Not to boast, but I was the next head of the family. And while I was not one to brag, it wouldn’t have been an exaggeration to say that I was the one currently holding the Gofril household together.

My father was not incompetent; he was simply too kind. I was the one who compensated for that particular flaw. I was the family’s Officer of Discipline.

That said, I was still the heir. There were certain meetings and parties I simply could not avoid attending. Consequently, it had become my daily routine to caution my father before such events to ensure he didn't make any foolish promises.

My father had mentioned his desire to pass the headship of the house to me, but he was still in the prime of his health. Truthfully, the idea made me a bit hesitant. It wasn’t that I lacked the ambition; I simply didn't want to let him slip away into an easy retirement just yet. After all, I was the one in charge of the family’s strictness.

One day, my father returned home in an exceptionally good mood. His schedule for the day had been a dinner with Count Chrome. Apparently, the meal had been spectacular. Rather than discussing the details of his meeting with the Count, he prattled on endlessly about how this dish was delicious and that dish was divine.

I understood his joy, of course, but I began to worry whether he had actually conducted proper business with Lord Beezel. Fortunately, he had taken notes. I checked them immediately.

...The results weren't particularly disadvantageous for the Gofril family. I breathed a sigh of relief. However, there was one line in the notes that I could not ignore.

"Father, what is this?"

"Oh, that? They were quite insistent about it. I managed to avoid giving a definitive answer for now... but it seems we’ll have to accept."

"Ngh."

I was troubled. The topic was a marriage interview. Specifically, a proposal suggesting a certain girl as a potential match for me.

This wasn't exactly a rare occurrence; there had been several such offers in the past, though nothing had ever come of them. This time, however, the situation was precarious. The other party was the younger sister of Lord Randan, one of the Four Heavenly Kings of the Demon Kingdom.

Lord Randan was a hero who, despite his commoner origins, had attained his rank through sheer merit. One could say he was the very pillar of the Demon Kingdom’s internal affairs. And this was his sister. If we agreed to the interview, we wouldn't be able to refuse the match from our side. To decline would require a truly compelling reason.

Could I argue that she wasn't a noble? No, that wouldn't work. I had publicly declared long ago that I didn't care about such trivialities. Besides, while Lord Randan was a commoner, the position of a Heavenly King carried the status of a Duke. Even if he retired, he would still be treated as a Marquis. The "commoner" excuse simply wouldn't fly.

What about our ages? She was three years older than me. That was also a dead end. I had previously gone on record saying I didn't mind older women.

Curse it all.

"What is it, maid?"

"Why don't you just marry her?"

"Don't talk nonsense! I already have someone I’ve set my heart on!"

Yes, the woman of my dreams—Lady Fraurem, the daughter of Count Chrome. She was the embodiment of beauty, brains, and martial prowess; the idol of every man in my generation. She had suddenly left the Academy to take a post in some place I’d never heard of, and though there were rumors of her marriage... I refused to believe them! One day, Lady Fraurem and I would...!

For the time being, I fled. If I wasn't there to attend the interview, there was nothing they could do. I decided to enjoy a leisurely stay in Shashato City for a while.

A martial arts tournament was conveniently scheduled to take place there. If I entered a few of my subordinates, it would serve as the perfect pretext for my stay.

"What now, maid? Why are you looking at me as if I’m something rotten?"

"You're just buying time?"

"You're only putting off the inevitable?"

Hahaha. I shall leave you with these words: "If the present is good, then all is right with the world!"

Shashato City had developed remarkably over the last few years, largely because the Goroun Company had been flooding it with investment. I was envious. I wondered if they might consider investing in the towns within our own territory. Even a tenth of the investment this city received would be a godsend.

...Ahem. Envy wouldn't get me anywhere. Besides, I had no connection to the Goroun Company. Still, I was interested in the goods they handled. There were even rumors that Lady Fraurem was involved with them somehow.

Well, there was no need to rush. I looked for an inn, only to find that all the affordable ones were fully booked. It was the tournament’s fault.

It couldn't be helped. The House of Gofril was not poor, but we were by no means wealthy. My expenses for this trip were coming entirely out of my own allowance. I couldn't afford to be wasteful, but an inn was a necessity. Even if it was expensive... ugh.

At these prices, I couldn't afford rooms for my maids and servants. I couldn't exactly make them sleep in the stables, though.

"What? You have a relative's house nearby? The others do as well?"

Apparently, they had curated this traveling party with that very fact in mind. Clever. But what about the subordinates entering the match? It turned out the tournament provided a dedicated inn for participants at a very low rate. What a thoughtful arrangement. That was a huge relief.

However, I couldn't very well stay there myself. And with the servants staying with relatives, I would be all alone at the inn.

"I-I’ll be fine! I can manage on my own!"

...I couldn't manage at all. I had never even folded my own clothes. The servants and maids were available during the day, but they were gone at night. It was incredibly inconvenient. Still, I would prove I could endure such a trial. I was fine. I could... I could sleep alone.

When asked where I would take my meals, I opted for the dining hall. Having food brought to the room incurred an extra charge, and I needed to be frugal. While I hoped my subordinates might win some prize money, it wasn't a guarantee.

Don't mistake me for a petty man who would steal his subordinates' winnings. I provided for their food, clothing, and equipment, and I even paid for their weapons and armor. Our contract—duly discussed and agreed upon—simply stated that I would receive half of any prize money. There was no issue at all.

The food at the inn was undeniably delicious. I had never tasted anything like it. Not long ago, I would have said that food was fine as long as it filled the stomach, but after a group of chefs took offense to that remark and served me nothing but rock-hard bread for a week, I had learned my lesson. Food was important. I ate my meal properly, minding my manners.

"Hm?"

Someone at the next table was pestering a man for something. How unsightly. Wait... I recognized him. He was the son of a Baron. His family was lower in rank than mine, but vastly wealthier. Even so, the person at the neighboring table didn't seem to be an acquaintance.

It was a beastman dressed in casual clothes. Was he a spectator? No, such a person wouldn't be staying at an inn like this. A participant, then? If he was looking for a master to serve, he wouldn't be able to refuse a noble.

I supposed I should intervene and stop the harassment. If the beastman was competent, I might even consider hiring him for my own house.

...I changed my mind. The beastman was eating an incredibly high-end meal—likely the most expensive thing on the menu. I couldn't even afford that. Damn it.

The martial arts tournament in Shashato City began, but I had made a grave miscalculation. This year’s event was a special annual tournament that had even drawn the Demon King’s attention. Consequently, Lord Randan was in attendance.

This was bad. If he saw me, the marriage interview would be the first thing he brought up. I’d be trapped. Should I run? No, I couldn't do anything until I recovered my inn fees and expenses.

I had three subordinates in the competition. If just one of them reached the semi-finals, I could make ends meet. However, winning would be a problem. The winner would receive their prizes directly from Lord Randan.

"An excellent warrior like yourself... how would you like to serve me?"

If he asked that, my subordinates would have no choice but to reply: "I already serve the House of Gofril. In fact, my master’s son is currently in the city..."

My cover would be blown. He would demand to know why I hadn't come to pay my respects. What should I do? It would be cruel to ask my men to lose on purpose.

As it turned out, I needn't have worried. Every one of my subordinates was defeated almost immediately. It was staggering. These were some of the strongest men in the Gofril household, and I hadn't doubted their chances. It was a humbling reminder that the world was a vast place filled with people far stronger than I imagined.

One man in particular caught my eye. He was handling the powerhouses who had crushed my men as if he were dealing with mere children, and he was doing it with a wooden sword. He wasn't even wearing armor. He looked less like a fighter and more like someone who had just strolled in for a walk.

He would dodge an attack and then land a single, precise blow on his opponent’s armor. That was all it took. By specifically targeting the armored areas, he was likely trying to avoid causing serious injury. The opponents were probably weeping over their shattered, expensive gear, but the man won the tournament with that same effortless style.

It was the beastman from the inn—the one who had been eating the luxury meal. If only I had that kind of strength, Lady Fraurem would surely...

I grew careless. Lord Randan spotted me. There was no escape. I had been too distracted watching the winner.

Lord Randan approached me, accompanied by the champion. They seemed to be on friendly terms; were they acquaintances? As I feared, the topic of the marriage interview came up immediately. It was settled; I would have to attend. My only hope was that the girl would find me intolerable.

"I’ll have the finest food prepared for the interview," Randan said. "Galf, you have some soy sauce, miso, and mayonnaise, don't you? Give me half."

"Hey, now..."

"I’m a high-ranking official of the Demon Kingdom. Are you really going to refuse me?"

"You could just get some from Michael, couldn't you?"

"He’s back-ordered with reservations for months. Just a third, then. Come on, have some sympathy for a brother who only wants his sister to be happy."

"Ugh... Fine. A quarter, and that's it."

"You have my gratitude. Is a gold coin sufficient payment?"

"I don't need your money. I got the stuff for free anyway."

I watched this negotiation unfold in front of me. Did this champion possess some kind of legendary ingredients? My interest was piqued. Food was a serious matter, after all. Though I was dreading the interview, at least I had something to look forward to.

Some time later, my marriage was officially decided.

The moment I tasted the food served at the marriage interview, I was completely overwhelmed. I hadn't known such delicious flavors existed in this world. I ate with such single-minded focus that by the time I looked up, the arrangements had been finalized.

When I returned home after the interview, I collapsed to my knees. I had always known my love for Lady Fraurem was likely a pipe dream, but I had wanted to hold onto the dream just a little longer.

However, what was done was done. And honestly... to think that such divine food had been prepared by Lord Randan’s sister herself... was it possible she was actually too good for me?

No, it would be fine. I would become a great man! I would become a husband worthy of her! I would give it my all.

The wedding would have to wait until after I graduated from the Academy, which was still five years away. My name was Volgraf Gofril. I was twelve years old, the Officer of Discipline for the Gofril family, and a man who would carry the future of the Demon Kingdom on his shoulders.

Extra

"No prize money... and my entire allowance is gone..."

"Oh? You didn't place a bet, Master?"

"What are you talking about? Of course I bet. That's why I'm broke."

"Wait, you didn't bet on Mr. Galf? Did I not mention it to you?"

"I didn't hear a word."

"Is that so? My apologies. Please, forget I said anything."

"Hold on. What were you supposed to tell me?"

"Ahaha... Well, the winner, Mr. Galf, was actually the Goroun Company's recommended entrant. The President of the company mentioned that he was the absolute favorite to win, so if I were going to bet, I should put it all on him."

"How in the world did you get that kind of information?"

"My brother works for the Goroun Company."

"He does?"

"Yes. He’s working hard at the Head Office. If you ever need to use their services, let me know. I can get you a small discount."

"I’ll remember that. By the way... did you bet? That smile of yours... ugh, I’m so jealous."

"Ahaha. Don't worry, Master. I’ll pay for your snacks for a while."