“Good morning, world. Wait, no, that’s not right. ‘Good morning’ is what you say after waking up. So what do you call it when you’ve been up all night without a wink of sleep?”

Did you think it was morning wood?

Sorry to disappoint—it’s an all-nighter boner.

My rationality’s dead, but I managed to drag my instincts down with it too. It resurrected about three times, though.

Like a damn zombie. Young libido is a scary thing.

I had to hit the bathroom midway for some mental focus—er, wise man mode—and cycle through that a few times to barely scrape by in this dire situation.

“Good morning… I slept so well. Weird, huh? I just feel so safe next to you, Kenya.”

(Yeah, well, I didn’t sleep a wink.)

Reina looked like she’d slept soundly, all peaceful. Her bedhead was adorable.

Plus, it was dark last night, but now with the morning sun hitting her sheer negligee, her underwear was on full display underneath.

Kenya thought to himself.

Hot damn.

How is she so slim yet stacked like that?

What’s even in there? Dreams and hope? Mind if I give it a quick check-up?

But Reina got up and headed out of the room.

“Well, I’ll head back to my room then.”

“Wait, those boobs…”

“Did you say something?”

“N-No! Nothing at all!”

And with that, Reina slipped away back to reality.

She showered, threw on her military uniform all crisp and proper, and whipped up breakfast for the morning.

Kenya hurried through his own prep and pitched in to help.

“Reina… wanna sleep together again sometime?”

“Huh? …Was it bad? Yeah, I guess so… Sorry.”

“Nah, not at all! I’d love to do it again tonight!”

Kenya replied with an upbeat tone.

Screw sleep—Reina’s smile is way more important!

Humans can go two or three days without rest, no problem. The real worry is how long my self-control will hold out.

They finished breakfast and lounged around the living room nice and easy.

Kenya crashed out hard, but hey, no helping it.

Then, right around noon, the ride they’d been told to expect showed up.

“A limo, huh? Isn’t it a bit… long?”

“First time riding in one?”

“This is that thing where party animals pop champagne inside and turn it into an orgy, right?”

“No idea… Is that what it’s for?”

“Nah, just a stereotype.”

Kenya and Reina hopped in.

The driver was your classic Sebastian-type butler dude.

The interior matched his mental image perfectly—like it was built for sandwiching gyaru chicks and going ‘wheee!’

“One day, gyaru on both arms, wheee… Nah, not my vibe. But Kaguya and Reina… now that would be peak.”

“Gyaru?”

“Does this world even have gyaru…? Nah, forget it.”

Pity—no otaku-friendly gyaru around here. Not that there are gyaru at all.

Before long, they pulled up to Valhalla Castle’s rotary.

High-end blacked-out luxury cars lined up everywhere, enough to make a yakuza summit blush.

A sea of luxury rides as far as the eye could see.

Probably all nobles’. Word was every noble in the Earthguard Empire was showing up today.

They took the VIP entrance through the back way.

Guess the guest of honor doesn’t stroll in with the crowd.

Makes sense—meeting the man of the hour beforehand might kill the vibe.

“Have a great time out there.”

The driver dropped Kenya and Reina off at the rear entrance.

They followed the guided path.

“I’ll be waiting in the venue, big bro.”

“Yeah, catch you later.”

Kenya got shuttled off to a separate waiting room.

In the meantime, he got a quick rundown on protocol: just kneel and say the oath.

The final line being in English had thrown him for a sec, but traditions gonna tradition.

◇ Yesterday’s chat with Road. ◇

“Basics are ‘I swear,’ and then cap it with ‘Yes, Your Highness’ at the end.”

“‘Yes, Your Highness’? What’s that about?”

“Formal lingo for official events. Means ‘Understood’ or like ‘Yes, milord.’ Highness refers to royalty.”

“Huh. Like ‘Yes, sir!’?”

“Exactly. For the Emperor, it’s Majesty, but you won’t need that.”

◇

He recalled that exchange right away.

It rang a bell from anime back home, but whatever—it’s official protocol, so no biggie.

After chilling in the waiting room a bit, it was go-time, and Kenya got the call.

Blessing trumpets blared a fanfare as the massive doors swung open, ushering Kenya into the venue.

At the end of the red carpet stood Road, surrounded by nobles and cameras.

And right next to Reina, waving at him…

(Zeke! He made it!)

The Military God Zeke.

No way he’d miss his son’s big day.

…

The Imperial Broadcast was airing the Earthguard Empire-wide relay of Road’s ceremony.

A caster, announcer-style, broadcast from the venue in front of the cameras.

(…

Ugh, I suck at this spotlight crap…)

Billions across the Earthguard Empire focused on Kenya.

The throne at the far end sat empty.

To its right: Odin Earthguard and Osiris Halberd.

To the left: Road Earthguard, with the spot next to him vacant.

Kenya locked eyes with Road.

Damn it, he felt relieved despite himself.

Grinning at Kenya just like always.

Wait, is he mocking me? Laughing at how tense I am?

Irritation snapped Kenya out of his nerves, posture straightening on instinct.

Unaware it was Road’s ploy to loosen him up.

He strode straight down the red carpet, knelt before Road, drew his sword from his hip, and offered it up.

As their eyes met and he handed it over, they whispered, low enough for only them.

“Quit laughing.”

“Shh. They’ll hear. Heh, doesn’t suit you.”

Road chuckled at the kneeling Kenya.

Road took the sword, laid its flat against both of Kenya’s shoulders.

The venue’s murmurs died instantly, silence blanketing as they awaited Road’s words.

Road proclaimed the oath.

His strong, resonant voice filled the hall.

“Sword Silfield, do you swear here to uphold the knight’s oath and fight as my knight?”

“I swear.”

“Do you swear your loyalty eternal, to become my sword and shield in service of great justice?”

“I swear.”

“Then, in the name of Road Earthguard, I recognize you, Sword Silfield, as my knight. And I command you: aid me. My knight, Sword Silfield.”

He pointed the sword at Kenya.

Kenya kissed the blade lightly and looked up at Road.

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Adding the words of respect for royalty.

He took the sword back from Road, rose, and sheathed it at his hip.

The investiture was complete.

Clap clap clap.

Dry applause echoed out.

The first clappers? The silver-haired girl, of course. And her dad.

It spread like wildfire from there.

“With this, Sword Silfield is my knight! Let any who oppose him know it opposes me as well!”

The Earthguard Empire celebrated, acknowledging Kenya.

On this day, Kenya officially became Road’s knight. Their half-year scheme reached fruition.

And then.

“And today, I have an announcement for you all!”

A massive screen was wheeled in.

Like something for a live feed.

(Hm? What’s that…?)

Odin hadn’t been briefed. No one here had.

And then the screen lit up with…

“Everyone… it’s been a while. I have something to tell you all.”

Orgord Earthguard, bedridden.

The pinnacle of this world spoke.

Of the fate that would decide the world’s destiny.