Chapter 424 Secret Meeting II
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
(Shinji’s POV)
”Well, let’s wait for Van──Elberhardt and Milia to arrive before getting to the main topic.”
I savored the aroma of the wine poured by Carla.
”How’s this wine?”
”It’s prepared by the innkeeper, Ms. Della.”
Carla responded while pouring wine for Bone, the Viscount, and even the line Raincrist.
(Della… once again, a good wine)
Probably because of the commercial event called ‘Grand Market,’ Della must have brought one of the finest wines from the Romuna Kingdom.
”Oh, this is quite nice.”
The Viscount was impressed.
”So, what’s going on in the Royal Capital?”
Bone finished off his wine and turned to the Viscount.
”Yes. The opinion to ‘revoke the Baron’s lands’ is increasing.”
(Is that what I heard from Van…?)
”So, they’re saying to reassign Count Foreltun’s lands, right? That’s what pushed Van to snap and resign as Minister of War…”
”Yes, that’s it. With the recent ‘illegitimate child’ fuss of Baron O’Brian, those who read the support from the public for you are getting noisy.”
Bone answered that, looking at me while laughing.
(Well, if they’re laughing… it means it’s not a huge disaster.)
”That was a masterpiece. Rather than losing support, the public was thrilled, saying, ‘That’s our Sir Shinji! It’s how it should be!’”
Hearing Raincrist’s words, I couldn’t help but smile.
”Support from women must have dropped significantly, though.”
”No, no! The way those women are happy is incredible. It seems many are thinking, ‘I might have a chance too♡’.”
Oh.
It seems I’m still holding my ground against Hiroya.
”What about that girl? Is it healthy? “
The Viscount smirked, clearly teasing.
Surely, he has heard the story from Van.
”She is part of my son’s clan and works as an adventurer. She’s a magician and has achieved the rank of B-class adventurer. As for her, I’ve left everything to Hiroya.”
”If it’s known that she’s the princess of Gaeltheus, she’ll undoubtedly be used as a diplomatic bargaining chip. And if they offer a good deal… she’ll be handed over to Fackler IV.”
Raincrist, acting scared, made a gesture of fear.
”Sir Raincrist, if by any chance the secret is revealed and the royal family decides to take such an action… I will take up arms against the Romuna Kingdom for her sake. She is already… Karin Gaeltheus is my beloved daughter, Karina O’Brian.”
”Of course. We have no intention of revealing the secret, and if you were to turn against the kingdom… I’d join your side. But…”
Raincrist’s playful expression suddenly turned serious.
His eyes seemed a little sad.
”Call me ‘Rain’ like before. Just because I received a noble title doesn’t mean we have to be so formal. It’s hard for me to see you so distant.”
Yes.
He was a fellow party member in our journey to defeat the Demon King.
Van, myself, Megumi, Milia, Bone, and Rain, we traveled together as a group of 6.
”I couldn’t participate in the final battle either… it must have been even harder for you.”
Bone offered Carla an empty wine glass, and she patted his hand.
He couldn’t afford to let Van and Milia see him drunk.
”It was ridiculous when they said, ‘As the heir to the throne, you must return to the Royal Capital.’ What about Bro Bone then?”
”I’m a troublemaker, after all.”
Bone replied, rubbing the hand that Carla had patted, his voice filled with resentment.
* * *
Even before we defeated the Demon King, the king and his advisors had been concerned about our future.
As a result,
”Let’s give them a title and keep them as pets in the kingdom.”
That was the plan.
They wanted to capture the popularity from the people towards Van and me.
”I have no intention of being tied to the kingdom.”
All 4 of us firmly refused, but persuaded by the Viscount, I received the title of Baron, Van became Minister of War, and Milia took the role of court magician.
”Let me be clear. The current king is a tyrant.”
The Viscount who came to persuade us said that right off the bat.
”Soon, there will be movements to envy your popularity and try to bring you down… no, to eliminate you. It would be wise to strengthen your power by then.”
So the Viscount persuaded me, and I accepted the title and territory.
I requested the eastern border territory.
Once, Milia had said she felt a surge of magical power in the Raetia Mountains, so I expected there would be a decent-sized labyrinth yet to be discovered.
The existence of the ‘Goblin Forest’ was also one reason for acquiring this land.
It would be used for ‘training young adventurers.’ It would surely help us when we confront the kingdom.
Then there was the ‘fertile land’ spreading to the north.
I intended to develop it, even if it meant dealing with the Snow Wolves.
* * *
(Thanks to Hiroya, Kazumi, and the members of the clan ‘Famière,’ the territory is developing smoothly and without issues)
The future that Van and I envisioned was already taking shape.
”So, the center of the movement to expel me is… Count Foreltun?”
”Indeed. And also… Bernard Bausnerun Marquis. They have already brought in the first prince.”
(Marquis Bausnerun──the man rumored to be the ‘Prince Killer’…)
After the Demon King was defeated, he was the king’s brother who met an untimely death the night he advised the king to eliminate us.
As the first in line for succession, his wise death is truly regrettable now.
Now, the king’s son, the dull-witted eldest brother, is seen as the next successor.
”I don’t want to be eliminated either. That’s why I’m still continuing my adventures to show that I’m not interested in the throne.”
Third in line for succession… no, he became second after the death of the king’s brother.
Carla pours wine into the glass offered by that line with a smile.
While glaring at Carla from the side, Bone opened his mouth.
”Even so, trying to lift me up is pointless, you know? I’m not interested in the throne more than you are.”
”Please bend that a bit. Bone, you are seen as a Troublemaker, so it’s hard to attract the ambitious.”
The Viscount is unusually bowing his head to Bone.
”What do you mean by sending Carla as my watcher…”
”Even as a Troublemaker, I can’t let the misunderstanding spread further among the people and lower Bone’s popularity. I attached Carla to prevent any more reckless actions. ──Well, it seems to have had more effect than expected.”
The Viscount said this with a grin, looking at Bone and Carla.
”Well… there’s nothing I can do about falling in love…”
Bone muttered in a small voice.
”Anyway, I want to move forward with that discussion after Van and Milia arrive.”
Just as the Viscount said this, there was a knock on the room’s door.
”Sir Elberhardt, Lady Milia has arrived.”
Della’s voice came from beyond the door.
”Understood. Please guide her to the room.”
It seems the actors have finally gathered.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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