I Became the Tyrant of a Defense Game [EN]: Chapter 170

That’s how a romantic atmosphere almost developed. But, as usual, such things didn’t happen in my life. It was because, within ten minutes of starting dance practice, I had stepped on Serenade’s feet four times. “Ugh… Ugh…” At first, Serenade had said it was okay with a smile, but after her instep was stepped on four times, she ended up squatting down, tears welling up in her eyes. S-Sorry. Does it hurt a lot? “Are you perhaps doing this on purpose, my lord…?” Serenade looked up at me with reddened eyes. “You’re not tormenting me because you dislike me, are you…?” “It’s really not that. I don’t have such a twisted hobby.” Asking to be taught how to dance and then stepping on her feet repeatedly to torment her? It’s creative, but it’s too complicated of a way to torment someone. Looking down at Serenade’s reddened instep, I let out a small sigh. “I’m really sorry. I think I’m just clumsy.” Moving in sync with someone was much more difficult than I had thought. Even so, I didn’t expect to be stomping on my fiancée’s feet like this. “It reminds me of our engagement day. It’s already been ten years.” Serenade, who had gotten up with my help, murmured. “Looking back, you were really bad at dancing back then too.” “Did I step on your feet back then too?” “Did you only step on my feet? You got your foot caught in my skirt, and we both fell down together.” Serenade covered her mouth and chuckled. “It hurt, and it was embarrassing, but still, that was… the happiest moment of my life.” After muttering vaguely, Serenade shook her feet a few times and then nodded energetically. “Okay, the pain is gone! This time, I’ll teach you well from the beginning!” Serenade took a half-step towards me. “Okay, again. Starting with the hands.” My left hand and Serenade’s right hand met and clasped. Then, she took my right hand with her left hand and guided it to rest under her left armpit. “Place it here. Yes, like this.” And Serenade’s left hand came to rest on my shoulder. This was the basic posture for the waltz, a typical ballroom dance. Our bodies were so close that our breaths almost mingled. If you listened closely, you could probably hear each other’s heartbeats. “…Ugh.” Serenade, who had met my gaze, quickly lowered her eyes and took a breath. “Now, let’s try the steps. Until you get used to it, my lord, I’ll lead.” I carefully moved my feet as Serenade led, being careful not to step on her feet. “Okay, relax your body. Don’t be nervous, and slowly. Left foot forward. Right foot to the side. Bring them together, good. Right foot back, left foot to the side, bring them together. You’re doing well….” And so, time passed. “One, two, three. Good. One, two, three. That’s it.” Perhaps it was because the tension had eased and my body had warmed up, but after that, I was able to practice dancing without stepping on Serenade’s feet anymore. Serenade also seemed to have relaxed, and she smiled with a much more comfortable expression. “You’re learning quickly, my lord!” “…” “If you practice a little more, you’ll have no problems at official events.” I quietly gazed at her natural smile, which I was seeing for the first time. Serenade couldn’t hold my gaze for long and quickly lowered her eyes again. Her cheeks were red. After staring at her for a while, I slowly spoke. “Serenade.” “Yes, my lord.” “Your family will soon be destroyed.” The warm air froze. At my sudden words, Serenade’s shoulders stiffened. Her steps faltered and stopped. Serenade, looking at me with a stiff face, stammered. “…What? What do you mean…” “It’s as I said, Serenade. Your family will soon be destroyed.” I glanced towards the window. Our dancing in this hall would be visible from outside the building. “Keep dancing. There will be eyes watching us.” I began to lead the waltz as I had learned. Serenade followed my movements, looking bewildered. “Learning to dance was just an excuse. I came here to tell you this.” That was my original purpose, so that’s why a novice like me could ask a woman to teach me how to dance. Well, I do need to learn how to dance anyway. I whispered what I had heard into Serenade’s ear. The Emperor had long ago decided to use and discard the Winter Silver Merchant Guild. Once the road maintenance project was finished, the engagement between me and Serenade would be broken, and the Imperial Family would swallow up the Winter Silver Merchant Guild. And now, that time had come. I asked Serenade, whose face had turned pale. “Didn’t you feel any premonition?” “Well, during the past few years when you’ve been cold to me… I did think that I might be disowned.” Serenade shook her head slightly, trembling. “I never dreamed that they would try to crush our family itself…” The Imperial Family intended to swallow the Winter Silver Merchant Guild whole. In that process, there was no way they would leave the Winter Silver family, the owners, alone. The destruction of the family was as clear as day. “That’s why I came here, Serenade. To protect your family and your guild.” In the game, the Winter Silver Merchant Guild does not trade with Crossroads at all. Perhaps it’s because after the Winter Silver Merchant Guild is swallowed by the Imperial Family, it’s mobilized for other things within the Empire. There would be no reason to get involved with the border front lines. ‘Am I going to let that happen?’ The Winter Silver family must be preserved and made a strong supporter of Crossroads. If I could do that, it would be a great help in future strategies. Above all, I had decided to live as Ash. If that’s the case, then saving this young lady, who is Ash’s first love and fiancée, is something I must do. “In a few days, I plan to meet with Father and my brothers for a meeting.” The Guardian Council. At that meeting, I would be able to meet the Emperor and the princes and grasp their true intentions. And once I grasp those intentions, I would be able to clearly establish a plan to save Winter Silver. “Before that, we need to prepare ourselves.” I looked into Serenade’s trembling silver eyes. “Tell me, Serenade.” “Yes?” “What are the goods that your guild handles?” How could I save this small merchant family that was like a candle in the wind? The conclusion I came to after much thought was this. “Among those goods… is there ‘information’?” Serenade’s eyes widened. I continued. “The most expensive and deadly item that can be traded is information.” “I-I’m sorry, but our guild has only traded in physical goods…” “Then let’s establish a new item this time.” I slowly let go of Serenade’s hand and moved away from her. “From now until the party, I will come to learn to dance from you every day.” “…” “During this week, you must reorganize the entire guild so that you can buy and sell ‘information’ as a product.” It sounds grand, but it’s nothing special. It just needs to be able to deliver information quickly and safely. And for the Winter Silver Merchant Guild, which has a nationwide distribution network and has been involved in the national road project, it shouldn’t be too difficult. After the dance, the two people must bow to each other. Serenade and I bowed to each other. “It was a good time, my lord.” “I enjoyed it too, Serenade.” And so, today’s dance lesson ended. When we were close, it was okay, but when we separated and there was distance, I felt awkward for no reason. I scratched the back of my head awkwardly and prepared to leave. “Then, that’s it for today. I’ll be going now.” “…My lord.” Serenade stammered, calling out to my back as I turned around. “To be honest… I thought you disliked me and our guild.” “…” “I’m happy that you’re going this far for us, but is there a reason why your feelings have changed?” “Is a reason needed?” I smiled and turned to look at her. “We are betrothed, aren’t we?” “You don’t…” Serenade lowered her eyes and gasped. “You don’t dislike me, a lowly merchant family’s daughter, do you?” “I never have. Not once.” From Crossroads’ perspective, she was always someone I wanted to trade with. From Ash’s perspective… well, she was his first love, wasn’t she? I’ve lived a life far removed from such bittersweet words, so I don’t really know what it feels like. There’s no reason to dislike her. I just want her to be a good partner. Both in business and in ballroom dancing. “I’ll come again tomorrow.” Serenade bit her lip and looked at me with complicated eyes. I pointed to her instep with my fingertip. “Put some ointment on your instep.” *** After that, I went to Serenade every day to learn ballroom dancing and party manners. I could feel the gazes watching me from everywhere, but after that, Fernandes didn’t particularly stop me. I decided not to pay much attention and do as I pleased. Three days later. Morning. After dancing for several days in a row, I was dragging my low-stamina body to eat in the detached palace’s dining hall when I noticed that the atmosphere of the detached palace was more lively than usual. The faces of the passing servants were clearly excited. “Is there something going on today? There are still a few days left until the victory celebration?” When I asked Alberto, who was serving my meal, Alberto smiled kindly and answered. “News came in the early morning. Today, Prince Larc will be returning in triumph.” “… !” The First Prince, Larc, was returning from the Western Front. “A triumphal parade is being prepared at the West Gate of the Imperial City. It’s only natural that the citizens are happy.” Alberto, who had poured tea into my teacup, gestured outside. “How about it, Your Highness? Will you go to greet your brother?” “Of course!” As someone from the Land of the Rising Sun, I should definitely go to greet my brother who has returned from a long journey! I also want to see his face. And so, I went out to the West Gate of the Imperial City in a carriage with Alberto. As I heard the cheers echoing along the restricted western avenue, it seemed that the triumphal parade had already begun. The area around the avenue was already crowded with people, so Alberto parked my carriage a little away from the road. The soldiers lined up along the avenue chanted one by one as the triumphal parade approached. “The First Son of His Majesty the Emperor and Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Army, His Highness Larc ‘Avalanche’ Everblack, is returning in triumph!” Wowww-! The citizens who had gathered on both sides of the avenue cheered and threw flowers. It felt like fans welcoming an idol who had returned from overseas at the airport. Amidst the pouring bouquets, cheers, and applause, the First Prince Larc was riding his horse in triumph. He looked to be in his early 30s. He was wearing practical, drab metal armor, but the white cloak fluttering behind him was magnificent. His clean, slicked-back black hair had a dark blue aura. His deep-set eyes under thick eyebrows were also dark blue. That man was the commander of the entire Imperial military, the commander of the Western Front, and an undefeated knight. “Larc…” Wowww…! Even amidst the blessings and applause of all the citizens, Larc was expressionless. Even though it was a triumphal parade, it would have been nice if he had smiled at least once, but he just quietly rode his horse, his stern gaze fixed forward. “Brother, what’s wrong? Did something bad happen? Why does he look like that?” At my question, Alberto smiled wryly. “He’s always been like that. He’s not one for many facial expressions.” Ah, is that his personality? I guess he’s had that same marble statue-like face since he was born. That’s when it happened. Larc, who was returning in triumph, suddenly raised his head and looked around, then turned his head sharply towards this side. Huh? His dark blue eyes and my eyes clearly met. Uh…? Taat! Larc immediately spurred his horse and jumped over the citizens lining the avenue. The citizens screamed in unison, but without paying any attention, he began to approach my carriage. I swallowed hard without realizing it. What, what is it? What’s going on?