Ryuunie nodded slowly. “When you put it that way, you have a point. Most of the people who helped my uncle build up Doneiks are former soldiers or bandits. They’re all wonderful people, but they don’t have much to do in these peaceful times. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to give them new tasks.” But then Ryuunie frowned and asked, “However...won’t relations with Rolmund worsen if I become Demon Lord? Should we go to war again, I’d just be a hindrance since I’ve never fought in a battle.”
“The only people who have in either country are all old now, aren’t they? If everyone’s just as inexperienced, you don’t have to worry. I’d never been on a battlefield either, so I probably couldn’t fight as well as my dad. Sure, I took some military courses, but those aren’t the same thing.”
“We’re all part of a generation that hasn’t fought in a war. I don’t want to kill people, and I’d really rather not invade or be invaded. But I’m not sure the older folk understand that, which is why we need younger people in charge.”
“The old soldiers from Rolmund love talking about how many people they killed on the battlefield. I suppose, as someone who witnessed the wars they fought in but is still young enough to hate war, I’d be the perfect bridge.”
I could tell from Ryuunie’s scent that he’d steeled his resolve.
He looked me in the eyes and said, “I think I understand why everyone has such high hopes for me now. But there’s something I need to ask you.”
“What is it?” I nervously straightened my back as Ryuunie turned back to the covered plant.
“You understood why I feel guilty about the circumstances of my birth. Is that because you have some misgivings about your own station as well?” he asked.
“I mean, everyone calls me the Black Werewolf King’s daughter and all...”
“It’s certainly hard when your parents are such famous people.”
I scratched my head awkwardly and said, “There’s that too, but I feel the same way as you, Ryuunie. If I hadn’t been born the Black Werewolf King’s daughter, I wouldn’t have accomplished any of the things I have.”
“That’s...probably true.” It was because I had Dad’s werewolf blood that I was so strong, and it was because Mom was the head of the Aindorf family that I could easily gain positions of power.
“If I’d been born a serf in Rolmund, I’d probably be tending the wheat fields with serf Ryuunie right about now.”
“You could say that’s true of everyone though, couldn’t you?” I asked.
“I guess you— Oh!”
As I nodded, I suddenly realized something. Ryuunie seemed to have realized it too.
“Ah, so that’s how it is,” he said with a smile. “In the end, no one is born a hero.”
“Pretty much. I can’t believe we were worried about this for so long,” I said, blushing. “Even if I don’t think I’m a hero now, as long as I keep working hard, I’ll eventually become one.”
“Exactly. I’m sure all the people we consider heroes today were thinking the same things when they were our age.” We turned to each other and chuckled.
“Even dad says he wouldn’t have been able to accomplish so much on the battlefield if he hadn’t been born a werewolf.”
“And Uncle Woroy told me that if he hadn’t been born into the Doneiks family, he would never have accomplished anything. At least now I understand why the two of them always try to act so humble.”
“A person’s birth and environment shape them.” I turned to look at the flowers in the greenhouse. “If you’re born into a family of knights, you’ll learn military tactics and horsemanship. If you’re born into a merchant family, you’ll get to learn mathematics and negotiation skills. None of those are things you earned on your own merit, so they’re nothing to be proud of. But...”
Ryuunie nodded and finished my thought. “...But they’re also not things you should feel guilty about. What’s important is using what you’re given to accomplish your goals in life. That’s how you can create things you can truly be proud of from the bottom of your heart.”
“You should use that line in a speech,” I said jokingly, mostly to hide my embarrassment. Hesitantly, I asked, “So, are you willing to become the Demon Lord, then?”
“I suppose so. At least, if someone as understanding as you is willing to help me out. You’ll be bringing your cadre of advisers along too, right?”
I gave Ryuunie a confused look and asked, “My...cadre of advisers?”
“I’m referring to Shirin, Yuhette, and your other friends. They can stay in their current roles, but we’ll need their strength and wisdom from time to time. Oh, and their connections too.”
“Err, I’ll ask. They’ll probably say yes though,” I replied. I probably shouldn’t have agreed so easily, but dad does it all the time, so I guess it’s fine.
Ryuunie looked up at the sunlight pouring through the glass wall. “I think about Rolmund whenever I come in here. There’s a large greenhouse in the imperial palace too. It used to hold Ashley’s medicinal herb garden. Well, I guess this greenhouse was designed by Ashley as well, so it makes sense that it looks the same.”
“Does it feel nostalgic?”
“Not really. Most of the plants Ashley was cultivating were poisonous, so you had to be careful around them. I was still young and wasn’t even allowed in. There’s more freedom in Meraldia than there is in Rolmund.” Ryuunie smiled and added, “You know, I actually came here today intending to tell you I wouldn’t become the next Demon Lord since I didn’t think an average guy like me was fit for the position.”
Wow, that was close. Oh, that’s why he was avoiding the subject when he first walked in here. Ryuunie was kind, so he was probably trying to find a way to let me down gently.
“Sorry for conning you into becoming the Demon Lord in the end,” I said apologetically.
“It’s fine. I feel like I’m finally thinking clearly for the first time in a while. Thank you, Friede.” Ryuunie grinned and added, “I’ll be counting on you, Vice-Commander.”
“I-I’ll do my best,” I asserted. Guess there’s even more work waiting for me. I’ll just have to take things one step at a time.