My name was Guiscard.
Guiscard Clockhock.
I prided myself on being a reasonably well-known figure, one of the generals serving the Demon Kingdom.
I had just finished seeing off the Village Head and his party as they departed through the main gate. Once I was certain their figures had vanished from sight, I turned to the subordinates waiting behind me.
"Well?" I asked. "What did you think?"
"We’re out of practice," one replied.
"With a bit more time, I think we could form the human letters more fluidly," said another.
"It’s a good thing the Village Head has such high reading comprehension."
"The horses really gave it their all."
"No, that’s not what I’m asking," I sighed. "Didn’t you all tell me beforehand that you wanted to gauge the Village Head’s true strength?"
"Eh? Did we say that?"
"I wonder..."
"I thought we said fighting achieves nothing? That peace is the most important thing, or something like that?"
"That’s the one!"
"It most certainly is not!" I snapped. "I have no memory of hearing anything of the sort! All you ever do is clamor for a fight! And you were all talking so big before they arrived, weren't you?"
"I don't recall that at all."
"When exactly was this?"
"Is there a record of this conversation?"
"General Guiscard must be exhausted."
"Line up, all of you," I growled. "I’m going to knock some sense into you. Hey! Don’t you dare run!"
Night had fallen.
In a room within the commander’s mansion in the fortress's rear town, I stripped off my armor and collapsed onto the sofa. Before the visit, not only Marquis Buritoa and Count Chrome, but the Lord Demon King himself had come to warn me. They had made it clear that if I chose to antagonize the Village Head, they would offer me no protection. In short, the best course of action was to remain uninvolved.
And yet, because my subordinates had insisted on seeing the man just once, I had arranged for a formal greeting.
"But you wanted to see him too, didn't you, General?"
My adjutant had come to keep me company. She hadn't been at the gate; even knowing no enemy was imminent, the fortress commander couldn't leave his post entirely unattended, so I had left her in charge.
"So," she asked, "how was the Village Head?"
"He seemed like a gentle man," I replied.
"Ah, so that’s why there wasn't a scene. I was certain there would be trouble."
"I can't blame you. I brought along every single person I thought might start something. Count Chrome realized it immediately. He was furious. I feel bad for upsetting him."
However, I hadn't intended to cause a riot, nor did I harbor any ill will toward the Village Head. I simply wanted to show him to the troublemakers to discourage them from causing future incidents. While the Lord Demon King’s declaration of victory had been welcomed by many, a segment of the military was dissatisfied. They wanted to fight more. If it were just the rank-and-file, it would be a reliable trait, but it was dangerous when commanders felt that way.
That was why I utilized the visit. This was the man the Lord Demon King, Marquis Buritoa, and Count Chrome all treated with extreme deference. My plan had been to request a sparring match and have him demonstrate his power to silence the agitators. And if they still didn't listen? I would have beaten them down myself.
But everything turned out fine. Marquis Buritoa had told me the Village Head’s wives were from the Age of Gods Dragon Race. I remembered thinking it sounded like a fairy tale, but when I’d asked the Lord Demon King and Count Chrome, they’d only laughed and confirmed it. Apparently, he had two dragon wives. If that were true, I had to consider my own survival. I was prepared to risk my life for a spar until I went to meet him and saw the Vampire Princess Lulushi and the Annihilation Angel Tia.
I found out later they were his wives too. Switching from the sparring match request to a petition was a stroke of genius, if I do say so myself. I didn't think I could win a duel against the Vampire Princess or the Annihilation Angel even if I led an entire army. And the Village Head had both as wives. No wonder the Lord Demon King was so cautious.
The troublemakers I brought along were surprisingly adaptable. Despite their previous bravado, they did a complete about-face. I was impressed by how well they conveyed our requests without any prior rehearsal. Especially the horses. They were incredible. I don't think they gauged his power exactly, but they must have sensed something there. The few low-level soldiers who lacked that intuition tried to pick a fight and were promptly crushed by his guards.
"I heard the God of War, Galf, was among the escorts," my adjutant noted.
"Yes. He was every bit as strong as the rumors suggested. Along with him was Daga, a powerhouse who seemed his equal, if not his superior. And then there was Reginleiv of the Angel Race. Calling them 'escorts' was an understatement—the security force was overkill."
"The Village Head might be out of reach, but could we scout the others for our army?"
"Doubtful. Besides, who would you have them fight?"
"Ah... good point. We don't really have an opponent for people like that."
"Furthermore, as you might have guessed, the military is going to be downsized. Reducing our numbers here is the first step."
"So they'll be dispatched elsewhere and just left there?"
"We won't just abandon them. Some can only function in the military. The reduction will be slow and steady."
"Should I start looking for a second career?" she asked.
"You and I aren't allowed to quit. That's already been decided."
"I see. Well, the army is more comfortable than my family home, so that’s a relief. Oh, what did you actually petition the Village Head for?"
"The installation of a teleportation gate between here and the Royal Capital. I also mentioned wanting a branch of the Village Five shops here."
"Will it work?"
"Hard to say. I angered Count Chrome, so I can't expect him to push for it. I'll have to ask Marquis Buritoa for support."
"If it falls through, I’m applying for long-term leave," she said firmly. "Unlike you, General, I haven't been back to the capital once since being stationed here."
"I’m always here too! The only time I went to the capital was when Marquis Buritoa called me for a duel. I wasn't even invited to last year’s parade. I only heard how great it was."
"Now that you mention it, when you went for that duel, it ended quickly, but you didn't come back for a long time."
"That couldn't be helped! Count Chrome teleported me there in an instant, but he wouldn't give me a ride back!"
"He wouldn't? Didn't you turn down his offer?"
I went silent.
"And didn't you refuse the horses and carriage too?"
"Er... as I recall, I apologized for that and the matter was settled."
"Yes, you apologized. But then you said it would be my turn to go next... and I’m still waiting."
"Ah... haha. Well, all the more reason to hope for that teleportation gate. Let’s pray the petition goes through."
"If it doesn't, you owe me six months of vacation. At least."
"If you're gone for six months, this place will fall apart. Please, anything but that."
"Then you'd better plead our case to Marquis Buritoa."
"I'll... I'll do my best."
My name was Guiscard, a general of the Demon Kingdom. People might talk us up, but there were limits to what a general could do alone. My adjutant was a lifesaver.
Marquis Buritoa! Please! Help me! I have a favor to ask!
Guiscard: "Please help me."
Gratz: "Even if you say that, I'm already causing the Village Head enough trouble as it is..."