The enthusiastic parade continued all the way to the plaza.

Since we’d won a war against Burgundy of all places, the joy of Beren’s people was immense. Though it was large for a local conflict, the duchy government seemed to have propagandized it as though we’d won a major war. I enjoyed the parade majestically with Hilda seated in front of me and arrived at the plaza.

Waiting for us was a long speech by the archbishop from Breisburg Cathedral about how victory in war was possible thanks to the Lord’s grace. We’d been able to win the war thanks to my contributions and the duchy army’s strong performance, but what did the Lord have to do with it?

The most absurd part is that it’s customary to donate part of the rewards gained through war to the church as offerings. Because divine grace kept you alive and granted you victory—something along those lines is the reasoning. The church has all kinds of ways to extract money. The problem is that most medieval people take this for granted.

"In the name of God, we have won a holy war, but we must pray to be forgiven for the sin of taking lives. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us. Amen."

The spectacle of everyone gathered in the plaza offering prayers and chorusing "Amen" was impressive, but honestly, I just wanted to go home, spend time with Hilda, and rest. Perhaps sensing my mood, Hilda secretly caressed my cheek with her palm. A priest nearby who noticed this coughed awkwardly.

Hilda smiled mischievously and turned her attention back to prayer. But seriously, when was this going to end? Though I’d been playing the role of St. Peter’s knight, I’m fundamentally non-religious. I pretend to be a believer so the Church won’t find fault with me, but honestly, that long speech was mind-numbing.

Even during liturgical services, I had a hard time holding back yawns because they drone on in Latin, and the fatigue accumulated from war, marching, and Scouter overuse made it hard to keep my eyelids open. It wasn’t just me—most of the officers and soldiers seemed to feel the same way.

Hmm, the cavalry commander was openly dozing off, but nobody was stopping him.

That man couldn’t be reined in by anyone except my father-in-law or the Grand Duke.

After finishing the two-hour welcome event (religious torture), I went home, thanks to my father-in-law and the Crown Prince dismissing us early. The higher-ups still had plenty left to do, but that was their burden. That’s why they’re the higher-ups.

However, I had to attend tomorrow’s merit awards ceremony and victory banquet without fail. Though I no longer needed to attend banquets for the sake of finding a match, I was a mandatory participant, so I had no choice even if I didn’t want to go. Returning to my home filled with the scent of roses, the accumulated fatigue seemed to melt away.

"It really feels good to come home."

"Hehe, how was life in the barracks?"

"Not bad, but I missed the soft bed and you so much, Hilda."

"Me too. I was longing for you while lying in your bed."

Hilda’s eyes met mine with a tenderness she didn’t bother to hide. Her wine-colored bob had grown a bit longer, reaching her shoulders. Honestly, I prefer long hair over bobs. After kissing Hilda, I exchanged greetings with my retainers one by one, starting with Hans.

"Hans, have you been keeping watch well?"

"I’ve been keeping watch so well that nobody could come near."

"Your eyes look steadier—you’ve become reliable."

"D-do I look that way? Hehe."

Was it thanks to Priscilla? Hans’s naive demeanor seemed to have improved a bit. Scratching his head with a goofy expression was still very Hans-like. Sabine wiped away tears with glistening eyes, saying she was glad I was safe, and Daniel had become a bit more spirited. They were no longer just kids I looked after.

"Master, something big happened in the slums while you were gone."

"Yeah? Report later. It’s not an urgent matter, is it?"

"Of course not. The idiots just increased from one to two."

After Schlange and Rafel, who’d ruled the slums, fell, I’d thought Treppen, the slum vigilante group, would take control, but it seemed another force had appeared. That’s how that neighborhood is. When I praised Bodo for his hard work, he puffed up his chest proudly. Praise is the best medicine for Bodo.

The retainers patted Ted and Oscar on the shoulders, saying they’d worked hard serving the master. Those two were the retainers who’d suffered the most. Though they weren’t conspicuous, they had escorted me and guarded the barracks and garrison, performing their duties diligently. On top of that, they’d accomplished the feat of protecting the archers from enemy cavalry.

I was planning to reward them generously, combining not just campaign pay but also recognition for their achievements.

The Rosenheim soldiers who’d served alongside us were demobilized and returned home. Gustav seemed the most regretful, having grown quite attached to Oscar and Ted. If I become lord of Rosenheim, Gustav will be the key figure connecting our retainer group and the local people.

Besides that, I distributed the gifts I’d bought in Euz.

I gave Sabine, who enjoys needlework, a sewing set and fabric, and gave Priscilla jewelry. I gifted Hans the finest sword from among the enemy spoils, and gave Daniel books and a quill pen. Daniel’s expression shifting to disappointment was amusing, but the message was clear: study hard.

For Bodo, who goes out often, I gifted a fine surcoat and comfortable boots. Bodo was happy to receive a gift for the first time in his life but took it as a directive to run around diligently wearing them. That was partly the intention. In any case, they were all happy that their master had prepared gifts for them.

This is how much I care for you all.

After savoring the reunion with my retainers, I introduced the new members.

"This is Anton from Euz. This child is Maria, who’s become my niece."

"Anton is hired as a cavalryman, and Maria is a pitiful child who lost her parents during battle and became an orphan. I’ve taken her in, so please take good care of her."

"An orphan? Oh my! Then may I look after her?"

Sabine was the most eager to step forward. Having lost her own parents to an epidemic, she must have felt a deep kinship with Maria. Maria, who’d been clinging nervously to Anton, was a bit shy when Sabine approached but soon settled into her arms. I’m glad Sabine is such a good person.

Anton seemed relieved too.

Next, Winter introduced himself awkwardly.

"I’m the stable master. I’m from Rosenheim. Well, nice to meet you."

"A stable master? Oh, Lord! Freedom from stable cleaning at last!"

"An expert has finally appeared! Now we don’t have to make and sell horse manure fertilizer!"

Hans and Daniel had been managing the stable, struggling with Schatten’s tremendous appetite and the resulting waste. Since neither of them had any training as stable hands, I’d brought in a ranch manager to teach them, but their skills were still noticeably lacking. In this situation, Winter’s arrival was a lifeline neither of them had expected.

Winter was bewildered by the enthusiastic welcome.

But it was too early to celebrate.

It would be difficult for Winter alone to manage 10 horses.

Consequently, Hans and Daniel would still have to help him.

Finally, I introduced August.

"August von Einbeck. I consider it an honor to become the first knight of the Streit family. I thought I’d never come to Rosengarden again, so this brings back memories." 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

"Huh? A knight?"

Everyone’s eyes widened at the news that someone of knight rank was joining as the first vassal of the Streit family. When I first started, I was a poor duchy knight, but now I’d grown enough to have vassals of my own. August was from a provincial noble family in Feuzen and was an easygoing person.

So he was able to build friendships while chatting with the retainers.

Because they’d now become one family.

Of course, the vassalage ceremony for August still remained.

However, I was currently just a duchy knight without any official position. Since I couldn’t formally take him as a vassal due to my status, only once the merit awards were fully settled would I be able to accept lower knights as vassals. With the achievement of capturing the enemy supreme commander alive, I could expect to obtain a position of centurion or higher.