Chapter 16
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 16
Chapter Title: Being Obsessed by the Pope's Daughter
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I decided to treat what happened at yesterday's banquet as just a dream.
Me, publicly humiliating the Ferris Duke in front of all those nobles and even throwing my arm around his shoulder?
Haha, no way.
-Ugh... I just can't believe it. That really happened at yesterday's banquet?
-I'm just as shocked. But what can you do when you saw it with your own eyes? You should've been there. Robertus Bilheim, that black viper, toying with Ferris Duke right in front of everyone with just a few clever words!
However, two nobles I ran into while strolling through the garden, basking pleasantly in the sunlight of this holy land, neatly shattered my little mental victory.
-What an astonishing turn of events. For the Bilheim family, who only knew how to fight, to produce someone with such political savvy... Oh!
They were chattering away in voices far too loud for a whisper when our eyes met, and they panicked, hurrying off in embarrassment.
"...Black viper?"
-Congratulations, Master! You've finally got your own nickname too? And just one day after your debut!
'...Keep scratching at me like that, and I might ship you back to the mansion.'
-N-No! I was genuinely complimenting you...
Something... something felt off about how things were unfolding.
Ever since the day I heard the news that my father and four brothers had died.
No one in the territory opposed a wastrel like me becoming Duke of the North.
The day before the succession ceremony, I ran into the Pope by sheer coincidence while trying to flee.
Dragged kicking and screaming to the succession ceremony by him, I was chosen by the Holy Sword.
Just when I thought I could finally catch my breath after the ceremony, I got summoned to the Holy Capital Assembly.
And at the banquet held during the eve of the assembly, without even realizing it, I'd become the bold newcomer who flattened the nose of a major socialite.
'Things keep spiraling out of control. It's like fate itself is manipulating everything around me to bend me to its will...'
-Exactly! Our meeting was fate!
'Will you shut up already?'
-Eek...
'...Sigh. Fine. It's not your fault.'
Ever since the Holy Sword chose me at the succession ceremony—or borrowing her words, since she and I became fundamentally linked.
Some kind of synchronization state, I suppose.
That's how we can converse like this through thoughts alone.
And we can even sense each other's status.
She's the only one who knows my true feelings right now—that I was forced into this role as Duke of the North against my will...
A person? A sword? Whatever she is.
Aurelion's a bit odd in personality and talks way too much, but she's a good kid at heart.
-That's right! No matter what kind of person you are, I'll always be on your side, Master.
'Yeah... thanks.'
-But Master, why are you trying so hard to deny what happened yesterday? You showed those nobles you're not an easy mark. Isn't that a good thing?
'My goal is to run the Northern Territory steadily, hand it off to a successor, and retire. Not to become some celebrity drawing everyone's attention in high society.'
-Celebrity?
'It's a thing.'
I'm playing a slightly intimidating character to avoid being looked down on, but that's all it is—a character.
My goals for this Holy Capital Assembly are just two.
1. Avoid causing any trouble as much as possible.
2. Secure connections that will help with running the Northern Territory.
Number one is already down the drain, so I need to at least nail number two...
But now that I've got this "black viper" nickname, I wonder if any nobles will even approach me without suspicion.
'What the hell is a black viper anyway... Couldn't it have been something cool like a wolf...'
I grumbled inwardly and turned to head back to my lodgings when—
"...Huh?"
A young noble who looked to be in his thirties was walking toward me from the opposite direction.
Our eyes met, but he didn't look away.
No, he even quickened his pace.
"...Is he here for me?"
As expected, he came right up to me.
"A pleasure to meet you, Duke Bilheim!"
He greeted me in a bright, hearty voice.
"...Likewise."
For now, I stuck to my character, lowering my voice as much as possible in response.
"Ooh! Impressive. Your voice alone exudes such dignity. As expected of the Northern Territory's black viper!"
...What the hell is this guy?
Master, should I bite him?
No. Hold back, my inner Aurelion.
-I didn't say anything?
"I've always wanted to meet you! The legendary prodigal son of the Bilheim family, who at just over twenty captivated the Pope and enchanted the Holy Sword!"
Noble speech patterns are so twisted, for a moment I wondered why this young noble was going on about the black viper...
But seeing him shower me with praise right off the bat, it seemed he meant it purely as a compliment.
"..."
Whether it's his habit of blurting out anything without filter or skipping basic etiquette like introducing himself before chatting...
Whoever he is, he's clearly clueless.
"...Thanks for the praise, but shouldn't we exchange names first?"
"Ah, aaah! My apologies."
He removed his stylish feathered hat, placed it over his chest, and bowed deeply to me.
"A pleasure to meet you, Duke Bilheim. I am Marquis Ranald Boel."
Boel family...
-The Boel family's territory is located in the southwest of the Holy Kingdom. The family head, Ranald Boel, is a young noble who recently inherited his title and is said to have a keen interest in the arts...
Thanks, Eline Wiki.
"Likewise. Robertus Bilheim, Duke of the Northern Territory."
I gave a slight nod, observing the proper etiquette toward a lower noble.
"Hahaha! To think I'd live to exchange names with Duke Bilheim like this. Honestly, since inheriting my marquisate, I've never once enjoyed this boring title... but now I see there's value in it after all, just for this moment in the holy capital. Oh, that reminds me—speaking of exchanging names, back when I was in Sir Thomas L. Adrian's territory..."
...Clueless, and he talks a ton too.
"Pardon the interruption, but did you seek me out just to tell old stories?"
"...Ah! Sorry. I got carried away from the excitement..."
Marquis Boel cleared his throat awkwardly.
"I heard some delightful news this morning while chatting with my comrades."
"...Comrades? Delightful news?"
"Hahaha! No need to play coy, Duke Bilheim! Aren't we comrades now, both supporting Lady Aselina's ascension to Saintess?"
"..."
"Where did you hear that?"
"Pardon?"
"I'm asking for your source."
"W-Wait a moment. C-Could you back up a bit? I won't clam up even if you don't glare at me like that..."
"...My apologies."
I snapped back to reality and realized I'd closed in on him, looming threateningly. I took a step back to regain my composure.
"Ahem. I don't know the origin myself. I just heard it from those comrades I mentioned."
"And where did they hear it?"
"They heard it secondhand as well. Apparently, the rumor started circulating among the nobles of Aselina's faction this morning out of nowhere..."
"..."
...Hah, that witch.
"W-What's wrong?"
"Nothing."
I turned my back to him.
"Something urgent has come up. I'll take my leave first. Forgive my rudeness."
"H-Hey? Wait! Before you go, how about we set a time to meet again...? Ah, he's gone."
Right after my encounter with Marquis Boel, I headed straight back to my lodgings.
"Eline. How many subordinate nobles are in our delegation this time?"
"Three earls and seven viscounts... Shall I list their names?"
"No need. Relay this to them: Have them reach out to the other nobles in the holy land and investigate the rumors currently circulating about my relationship with Aselina."
"...Understood."
Eline bowed and left my bedroom.
-Master, what's gotten into you all of a sudden? Sure, the rumor that you're supporting Aselina is baseless... but is it really that serious?
"It might become serious. If my hunch is right... she's pulling some petty scheme right now."
-?
Eline knocked on my bedroom door again that evening, just before nightfall.
"I just received the investigation results from our subordinate nobles."
"Tell me."
"...Things are taking a concerning turn."
Her report matched my expectations perfectly.
The rumor was rampant throughout the holy land: "Duke Bilheim has joined hands with Aselina, and he plans to publicly declare his support for her at this assembly."
"The source of the rumor is unclear. But circumstances suggest someone deliberately spread it around this morning."
"Yeah. That makes sense. It's unnatural for everyone to know about it in just half a day."
"...What should we do?"
"Heh. So that's how she wants to play it."
It had to be Aselina's camp behind this.
They spread the rumor wildly among the holy land's nobles, half-establishing it as fact, then planning to grab the hand I'd extend in resignation.
"Should we counter with our own maneuvers...?"
"No. It'll be pointless. We're outmatched in organization and connections."
I pressed my throbbing forehead with a cool hand to soothe it.
"Eline, leave me alone for a bit."
"...Understood. Call for me anytime if you need anything."
Alone in the bedroom after Eline left.
I flopped onto the sofa without even undressing properly.
-Master... are you okay? Is there anything I can do?
"No. I'm fine."
This is a pain.
I can see their obvious ploy plain as day, but I have no cards to play.
"..."
And so, lying on the sofa staring blankly at the ceiling,
I racked my brains over a problem with no solution in sight until my consciousness gradually faded.
"...Ah. I must've dozed off."
When I opened my eyes again, night had fully fallen, darkness blanketing everything.
"It's late, but maybe I should wash up now."
As I rose from the sofa and headed to the bathroom—
"..."
My eyes caught the round guest table.
A white envelope sat on it.
Obviously one I'd never seen before.
I opened the envelope and pulled out the letter.
It contained just one simple sentence.
Before the moon passes its zenith tonight, at the Temple of the Guardian Gods at the holy land's entrance.