Volume 2 Chapter 3 Secret Talk
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
I am now sitting on the sofa in Uncle Arbalest’s private room.
I was called early in the morning, and when I arrived at the castle, I was guided to his private room.
I honestly felt a bit confused because I thought I would be called to the office.
This is because Uncle Arbalest has never invited me to his private room before.
”It’s the first time, isn’t it, that you invite me to your private room, Uncle?”
At my words, Uncle Arbalest, who had been standing by the window with his back to me, turned to face me.
”Yeah, it’s because we’re discussing something that can’t be done in the office, so I invited you here.”
His words made me feel tense.
Was it because of the leak of information to the Dorman family yesterday? Or was it because of the report I gave afterward?
”Uncle Arbalest, is today’s call related to the matter of the concubine from the Dorman family, and the fact that information about Kent was leaked to them?”
Uncle Arbalest looked troubled at my question.
”Yeah, that’s one reason I called you, but the more important reason is about Kent.”
”About Kent?”
”Yeah, Kent is currently in a very precarious position.”
Uncle Arbalest crossed his arms and looked up at the ceiling, avoiding eye contact with me.
I started to panic, wondering what it meant for Kent to be in a precarious position.
”W-why is Kent in danger, Uncle Arbalest?!”
”Milly, I’ve told you many times to keep some political awareness in mind since you’re a noble, even if just a little.”
Uncle Arbalest sighed.
”Is it bad that Kent is becoming my owner (master)?”
Uncle Arbalest shook his head at my words.
”Listen, Milly. I’m going to explain Kent’s situation to you in detail. First of all, he has you, the owner of the Dream Demon’s Black Dagger and a ‘former candidate for the Demon Lord’s bride,’ as his fiancée. Secondly, he has connections to the Dorman family, which is a powerful family in the magic Guild, with both daughters as potential concubines, creating a blood tie. Thirdly, he is a rare Majin with a [red] trait, which means he has a short lifespan but grows in his job at an incredibly fast rate. Lastly, and this surprised me when I looked into it, Kent has a unique skill set that can captivate women. These are the 4 points that define Kent.”
Hearing Uncle Arbalest’s words reaffirmed Kent’s greatness.
Since he always has a gentle demeanor, it’s easy to forget that he has the potential to become a Demon Lord if he wanted to.
”Are you saying that Kent has the potential to become a Demon Lord, Uncle Arbalest?”
”That answer doesn’t cut it. Let me be clear. A man who is a Majin with a [red] trait and fast growth, who possesses the Dream Demon’s Black Dagger, the bride of the Demon Lord, and has ties to a powerful family in the magic Guild, and can also captivate women──if that becomes public knowledge, the Majin clan, who have never produced a Demon Lord and have been unfortunate, would eagerly plot for Kent to become the Demon Lord. The Rakshasa clan, including the Dorman family, would join in that plot, and the Dream Demon clan would definitely participate. To put it more bluntly, he could even attract the wives and daughters of influential people.”
I understood Uncle Arbalest’s words.
In other words, Kent has a high chance of becoming a political symbol to overthrow the Demon Lord.
I felt my blood run cold.
”N-No, Kent doesn’t want to become a Demon Lord. He just wants to live a normal life here (in Grimoire)!”
”Milly, that won’t hold up in political dynamics. The environment surrounding Kent is leaning towards killing him.”
”Well, but even in the kingdom, it’s rare to have a [red] holder.”
I asked Uncle Arbalest with a desperate feeling.
”The True Demon Kingdom is currently at peace for the most part, despite battles with monsters and otherworldly beings. The current Demon Lord isn’t so naive as to keep someone who could spark internal conflict, even if they are a [red] holder.”
”But, Sir Clayd and the Black Dragon King Sir Fabulanova are still alive!”
I pointed out that other [red] holders hadn’t been killed.
”The other 2 are away from politics and breeding. Plus, Sir Clayd is too strong to be killed, and the Black Dragon King Sir Fabulanova has significant power in the kingdom. So even if they wanted to, they can’t kill them. But Kent is different now! No matter how much Milly is around, Kent himself doesn’t have overwhelming power, and his current political base is almost nonexistent. What happens if someone like that gets close to politics and is eager to breed? For His Majesty, the only option would be to kill him.”
”Well, if we could just bring him into his own ranks…”
”That would be like sleeping with a sword hanging over His Majesty’s head. It would be nerve-wracking, never knowing when he might be betrayed. It would be easier to just pretend he doesn’t exist.”
I was shocked by what my uncle said.
”But, Sir Shifa…”
”Also, there are quite a few clans that feel resentment towards the current Demon Lord’s obvious favoritism towards Asura. If Kent’s card color becomes public, the possibility of a rebellion igniting can’t be dismissed.”
So that’s why Uncle Arbalest had issued a gag order about Kent’s card color.
It seems my careless actions have tightened the noose around Kent’s neck even more.
What should I do? How can I fix this?
My thoughts were in chaos, and I couldn’t come up with a good solution.
”Uncle Arbalest! I can’t stand the thought of Kent dying! What should I do? Maybe I should just take Sir Shifa’s life instead!”
”Wait! If we assassinate Demon Lord now, it will only complicate things further. Don’t worry, I’ve altered Kent’s card color and reported it as [blue]. Thanks to that, my brother Gwain (Milly’s father) is apparently furious. He’s considering disowning you since you declined the Demon Lord’s bride and now have some unknown [blue] Majin as your master.”
Hearing Uncle Arbalest’s words, I felt relieved; being disowned by my father was a trivial matter compared to Kent’s life.
”Thank you, Uncle Arbalest, but why go so far as to alter things to protect Kent? If the alteration is discovered, you’ll be punished too.”
Uncle Arbalest spoke with a serious expression.
”If I report Kent’s situation honestly and it becomes public, a rebellion will surely arise, and as the lord of Abyss Vena, where most residents are Majin and Rakshasa, my head will be the first target of the rebels. I value my life too. That’s why I made the alteration. Plus, I do have a fondness for Kent.”
”Uncle Arbalest…”
”However, I don’t know when this alteration will be discovered. Until then, I believe we must strengthen Kent, including his backing, so that His Majesty can’t interfere. If Kent wishes, I can even make him the commander of the garrison; I have that much power.”
Kent as a general… I imagined it, but it felt somehow unsuitable.
Still, if that would give Kent the strength to protect himself, I had no choice but to embrace it, and I thought Kent needed to grow stronger too.
However, even if it was to make Kent stronger, putting him in danger and having him die would be pointless.
Yet, there are limits to growth through training.
After all, real combat is the quickest way to become stronger, but it’s also dangerous.
As I got caught up in this contradiction, Uncle Arbalest made a suggestion.
”First, Milly should train Kent to be a Monster Hunter while also developing people to protect him. Hunting monsters is Milly’s specialty. Plus, if you form a hunting group and complete various quests, you can expand your connections and have a chance to bring in influential people.”
”But being a Monster Hunter is too dangerous…”
”Then, until it’s discovered and His Majesty sends assassins or an army, we can just live here with Kent. However, in that case, everyone involved with Kent will face execution or punishment.”
If that happens, I thought, not only Kent but everyone who has his bloodline would likely be executed.
If we don’t do that, there’s no point in killing Kent.
I have no idea when it will be discovered; we might live out our lives without anyone knowing, or one morning, we could suddenly be killed.
Being a Monster Hunter is also a job where you never know when you might die, but the stronger you get, the lower the chances of dying.
I have no choice but to decide…
To keep Kent from being killed and to live out our lives together, I decided to make Kent a Monster Hunter.
”Uncle Arbalest, I will create a hunting group and train Kent to be a Monster Hunter. Once he’s strong enough, I want to incorporate the whole group into the stationed army and make Kent the commander, giving him power.”
”Understood. Unlike my brother, I’ve been alone for a long time since my wife passed away. Milly, you’re like a daughter to me. If my brother disowns you, I plan to adopt you. It’s only natural to favor Kent, who would be your husband.”
Uncle Arbalest chuckled mischievously.
Even though it might mean rebelling against His Majesty, he laughed and agreed.
There’s too much in today’s conversation that I can’t tell Kent, so let’s keep it between me and my uncle.
”Thank you, Uncle… no, Step-father.”
”Not yet, stepfather is early. It’s because my brother disowned you. But the one who approves of the marriage with Kent is me, and I won’t give that up to anyone.”
Hearing about the marriage with Kent from Uncle Arbalest makes me happy, but I know that if I don’t make Kent stronger, that happiness won’t last long.
So, I need to come up with ways to make Kent stronger.
The first thing I can do is gather a reliable group to protect Kent.
Of course, it has to be all women.
If they are women that Kent likes, then with Kent’s own ability, there’s no need to fear betrayal.
Plus, they can also help with his duties (activating the Sexual Prowess skill), so it’s a win-win.
Next, I need to get him the best weapons and armor.
I have to prepare the highest quality items.
I need to hurry and get ready…
”Uncle Arbalest, I’m going to prepare a lot of things, so I’m heading home now.”
”Oh, okay. Just be careful in your actions. You can count on me if you get in trouble.”
”Yes, I appreciate your concern. Well, I’ll be on my way.”
I thanked Uncle Arbalest and left the castle.
* * *
After that, I didn’t go home but came to the Blacksmith on the outskirts of ‘Shopping Street.’.
”Hey, Little Lady Milly, long time no see. What brings you here today?”
A muscular, bald middle-aged man slowly came out from the forge.
”Hello, I came to ask the blacksmith Mr. Golerg for a favor. It’s a bit urgent.”
I pulled Golerg, who had just come out of the forge, into the shop.
He looked surprised but followed me to the counter.
”Hey, hey, why are you suddenly pulling me like this?”
”Actually, I want you to make some equipment, Mr. Golerg, the best blacksmith in Abyss Vena.”
Golerg turned his head away with a displeased look.
”When Little Lady Milly flatters me, it’s usually not a good request.”
”Well, don’t say that. I’ll pay well.”
”Alright, alright. So, what do you want me to make?”
Golerg plopped down heavily onto a chair near the counter.
”Remember when you showed me the armor that had magic tools embedded in it?”
”Oh, that one? It was the armor with ‘Search’ embedded, right?”
”Yeah, that’s the one. Can it have more tools embedded or different magic tools too?”
I asked Golerg about something I was curious about.
If that armor could have magic tools embedded, we might be able to create the strongest armor to protect Kent.
”Well, if money isn’t an issue, you can attach multiple tools, but you also have to consider the magic power supply.”
”Then, I have something I want you to make.”
I asked Golerg to create a special weapon for Kent, and we spent time discussing it until it was close to evening before I returned to the mansion.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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