How a Realist Hero Rebuilt The Kingdom

Book 13: Chapter SS2

A Certain Father and Daughters Reunion

Father! Its been too long!

Carla! It has!

On this day, Castor and Carla were seeing each other again for the first time since the day they were tried for treason. With the decision to dispatch the fleet to the Nine-Headed Dragon Archipelago Union made, Castor would be departing for the archipelago. He had been called to Parnam to prepare, and been allowed to visit his daughter Carla, who worked as a servant in the palace.

Overcome with emotion, Carla threw herself into her fathers arms.

Im just... so glad to see you alive and well.

Im the one who should be saying that, Castor said as he hugged Carla. Id heard from Accela that you were doing well, but Im still relieved now that I can see so for myself. I got you caught up in my stubborn foolishness... Im so sorry.

No... I was also blinded by my own stubbornness.

Carla drew away from Castor, taking a close look at him. Today he was dressed in his naval officers uniform.

That Navy uniform really suits you.

Ha ha ha, thanks. That, um... servant outfit looks surprisingly good on you, too.

Ah ha ha... Thanks.

Carla, meanwhile, was wearing her usual frilly maid dress. She had gotten pretty used to it by this point, but wearing it in front of her own father was still embarrassing. Blushing, she squirmed and fidgeted with the hem of her skirt.

Castor smiled at his daughter, then, suddenly shook his head.

But why was I suddenly allowed to see you, I wonder?

His Majesty and Liscia must have arranged it, Carla said with a wry smile. Now that Duke Carmines daughter Mio returned and the truth behind his rebellion was made public, its created sympathy for you since you only participated out of loyalty to your friendship with him. In fact, His Majesty even told me, Taking the circumstances into consideration, theres room for me to liberate you from your status as a slave now.

He did? Then you can come back to the House of Vargas?

No, I refused.

Huh?! Why?!

I know he said hed liberate me, but Im not being treated like a slave to begin with, and what I did hasnt changed. In order to repay his kindness, I want to continue serving the royal family a little longer. Ive gotten quite used to my duties as a servant, too.

...I see. Well, if thats what you want, then the decision is yours to make.

Right!

Sensing his daughters determination, Castor decided to respect her choice.

Besides, the twins Liscia gave birth tothats Prince Cian and Princess Kazuhatheyre absolutely adorable. They look at me with cherubic smiles, and reach out with their little hands...

Uh... huh?

I could just stare at the little darlings all day.

Seeing the goofy grin on his daughters face, Castor wondered, Could it be that she rejected freedom because she doesnt want to be separated from the royal twins? But, well, if she was happy with her situation, he wasnt going to press the issue.

Anyway, thats enough about me, Carla said, coming back to her senses. Youre going to the Nine-Headed Dragon Archipelago, right?

Yeah, as Captain of the carrier Hiryuu.

...Im a servant now, so I dont get told about military things, but I can tell from the looks on everyones faces that its going to be a difficult battle.

Yeah. Id say so...

Castor could feel it in the air as well. The island-type carrier Hiryuu with its ability to deploy Dratroopers was a revolutionary new weapon that would change everything people thought they knew about naval warfare. If the conflict were limited to battles at sea, Castor believed the Kingdoms fleet was now stronger than any other countrys. And yet, for this engagement, Souma and the higher-ups were being beyond cautious with how they prepared. That likely meant they anticipated a difficult battle.

But... we wont lose.

Father?

I believe in my ship and in my crew. Ive seen the shipbuilders who worked on the Hiryuu, the crew that mans her, and the Dratroopers training to deploy from the ship. Effort doesnt always pay off, I know, but if theres one thing that helps bring victory at the end of the day, I believe its that.

...Yes, sir! Carla gave Castor a military-style salute. Good luck out there.

Castor returned the salute.

Ill be back.