Chapter 18

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Translator: MadScientist

Chapter: 18

Chapter Title: I Became the Mastermind Controlling the Pope's Daughter (1)

-----------------------------------------------------------------

"Lord Robertus?"

"..."

"Surely... you won't refuse my proposal twice, will you?"

"......"

"I may be exceedingly merciful and generous... but even my patience has its limits, you know?"

Shut up.

Can't you see I'm racking my brain over how to shake off this blockheaded saintess candidate right in front of me?

Let's think this through.

I don't want to get tangled up with Aselina.

But flat-out rejecting her and earning her grudge is off the table too.

Things are tough enough as it is; I can't afford to make more enemies.

And if she actually becomes the Saintess—with heavyweights like the Ferris Duke in her corner—and starts wielding real power in central politics...

It could spell serious trouble for me, or even the entire Northern Territories.

So how can I slip out of this without taking her hand, but without any backlash?

Asking the Pope for help? Out of the question.

Running to him every time things get dicey, whining 'She's bullying me!'—that's not the act of a ruthless Northern Duke, is it?

Do that, and not only would my favor with the Pope tank, but the carefully built image of the merciless Northern Duke could crumble in an instant.

So, begging the Pope is reserved for when things are truly desperate.

'Which means I have to handle this myself...'

First off, what cards do I have to play against Aselina?

Money. None.

With my father leaving the Northern Territories in such a mess, the finances are shot.

Connections. None.

Father. And the rest is history.

Martial prowess.

Aselina's the Knight Commander.

Not just any commander, but the youngest ever to lead the Papal Knights—a one-of-a-kind figure.

In simple terms, she's a character who's dumped every last stat point into combat, like Lu Bu on steroids.

Even if I struck first with the holy sword's power, could I even win? Or land a scratch?

Even Aurelion, who always boasts she'll protect me, is stammering in tension. She must think our odds are slim too.

'Thanks. But right now... shh. I'm thinking.'

So, in conclusion, the only move I have against Aselina is...

...

'In the end, it's gotta be talking my way out.'

The obvious answer nearly drew a hollow laugh from me.

Yeah, that's me alright.

The man who charmed the Pope with his words (unintentionally) and captivated the holy sword.

That's Robertus Bilheim, right here.

Time to freestyle this one too.

"Hoo..."

"Oh my? Is the great Lord Robertus actually nervous? Well, I suppose it's understandable—none other than I, Aselina Radain, have come to make you an offer in person..."

"Don't flatter yourself."

"?"

"That sigh I just let out? It was because you're so utterly pathetic."

"..."

Aselina's expression hardened instantly.

"What... do you mean by that?"

Her voice, once haughty and seductive, dropped low in an instant.

"Choose your next words carefully."

As if I'd be intimidated.

"No need to choose. I meant exactly what I said."

"Pathetic? Me?"

"Yes. Pathetic."

At this point, I tilt my head up.

There's already a height difference between us, and now it looks like I'm completely looking down on her.

As if I'm scorning her.

"Because Aselina Radain, you are not worth my alliance."

"...? ...!"

It took Aselina a moment to process my words and flare up in rage.

"How dare you insult me like that...!"

She looked ready to draw her sword and charge right then.

"Do you even realize what you're saying!? I, the Pope's daughter, Knight Commander, and future Saintess, am 'not worth it'?"

"Yes."

"Where do you get off saying that!"

Phase one: success.

From what I've seen, Aselina is fiercely proud and emotional.

I figured she'd bite at the provocation, and she did.

"Right here, right now, present your evidence! If you can't, then I challenge you to a duel..."

"First."

I cut her off with a low, stern voice.

"Your approach to convincing me was flawed from the start."

"What?"

"Think back to everything you've done to recruit me so far."

"Well, I came to meet you personally right after you arrived in the Holy Capital."

"Right. You showed up unannounced and blustered about retaliation if I didn't cooperate."

"That was just a figure of speech! And I wasn't wrong, was I? To refuse Aselina Radain's offer..."

"Quiet."

"Eek."

"I'm not done."

I glared at her sharply, and she flinched.

"...Then the next day, you pulled some petty scheme, and that night you summoned me here."

Step by step.

"Now then."

I advance slowly, but my gaze remains fixed on her.

"Let's review these events from my perspective."

"What are you...?"

"I arrive at the Holy Capital, and some woman I've never seen shows up, demanding I join her faction—with threats if I don't take her hand."

"But that was..."

"Then the next morning, rumors spread among the nobles that I've already allied with that woman. Obviously her doing. And that evening, she summons me."

"..."

"I show up annoyed at the meeting spot, and she suddenly shows up in armor, prattling about propriety, claiming now's the time to join hands, acting all high and mighty."

"Ugh..."

"Ha."

I stand right in front of her, curling one corner of my mouth in a sneer.

"If that's not insulting me, then what is?"

Phase two: facts straight to the face.

I dissect her actions point by point, making her feel the shame.

"W-Well, you could see it that way. But I never actually harmed you, right? It was just minor..."

"Shut your mouth."

"!"

Like a beast growling, I bare my teeth and glare down at her.

"Did you think I, Robertus Bilheim, ruler of the North, would just take such insults lying down?"

I top off this platter of facts with a dash of 'ruthless Northern Duke' persona.

"Th-That is... I mean..."

Aselina starts backing away slowly.

Perfect. She's completely deflated.

Now the conversation's under my control.

"You must have ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠something to say?"

"..."

Aselina, lips pressed tight, eyes closed in thought.

"...Fine. I admit it."

She forces the words out.

"You're right... My methods for convincing you were wrong."

She places her right hand over her chest.

"I, Aselina Radain, Commander of the Rose Knight Order, apologize here and now for insulting you, Duke Robertus Bilheim. Please accept my sincerest regrets."

"...Hmph. Very well. I accept."

At least she can admit fault and apologize honestly.

Phase two: success.

It'd be nice if I could bow out cleanly here, but...

"Then let me make a sincere proposal. I need you."

Yeah, no way it'd end there.

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

"I've already spoken of your abilities... And after talking with you here, I want you even more."

Ah, not for sale. I'm expensive, you know?

"The boldness to boldly rebuke another's faults, yet the magnanimity to accept an apology. You're not just some cunning schemer after all."

Again, with the hand.

I can't just chop it off.

"Let me apologize once more. And this time, I promise to treat you with the utmost respect due a noble of your stature."

"...I refuse."

"Why again?!"

And phase three. This is the key.

"You seem to grasp your mistakes. Good. But... that's not enough."

"What more are you talking about? What else..."

"I'm talking about your cronies."

"My cronies...? You mean the people supporting me? What's wrong with them?"

"I assert this: most of them are rotten to the core. And they're just waiting for a chance to betray you."

"What...? No way!"

She cries out in shock.

"They're ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠sincerely hoping I become Saintess and are helping me for real!"

"Evidence?"

"They swore it before the gods!"

"..."

This is insane.

"...Anyone can swear. Regardless of their true intentions."

"Anyway! It can't be. I trust them."

"Really? Then answer me. You must have consulted your supporters about the plan to win me over, right?"

"Yes."

"What did they say?"

"It was a brilliant plan. Even the Northern Duke would surely... come over to our side..."

Her voice trails off, and she clamps her mouth shut.

"Exactly. You've finally caught on. They weren't giving sincere advice for your sake—they egged on your mistakes just to flatter you."

"N-No way..."

It was easy to predict her circle is full of sycophants.

Her leader's blatantly fumbling around, yet no one stops her.

And her so-called patron even picks a public fight with the talent she's trying to recruit.

Aselina's barely leader material herself—what chance do her underlings have?

Here it comes. Time to wrap up.

Plant the wedge of doubt in her heart.

"Want to hear something even more interesting?"

"Wh-What now?"

"Traitors are hiding in your faction."

"...Pardon?"

Aselina's confused expression turns to horror.

"What do you...?"

"Exactly what I said. People waiting to stab you in the back and defect to your rival Loretta—at the drop of a hat. And they're organized, systematically."

"Wh-Who are they? How do you know this?"

"I have my own intelligence network. Don't underestimate me."

In truth, no network.

No evidence for the claim.

Just a shot in the dark.

Sure, some fence-sitters weighing Loretta vs. Aselina might exist,

But an organized traitor ring inside her faction?

How would I know?

"L-Look, let's make a deal! Give me the list of those traitors you uncovered..."

"Refused."

"Why?"

"Someone who can't even manage her own followers—how could she represent hundreds of thousands of priestesses as Saintess?"

"..."

Aselina could only stare at me blankly, utterly lost.

"For the same reason, no matter how much you tempt me, I won't join your side."

With that, I turn my back on her stunned figure.

"Well, if you root out the traitors and reorganize your group before the Assembly begins... then I'd hear you out."

I flash her a leisurely smile, then stride confidently out of the temple.

Phase one: Provoke Aselina to twist the conversation away from 'whether I'll accept her offer.'

Phase two: Use my silver tongue to crush her momentum and seize control.

Leading to the grand phase three.

Plant seeds of doubt in her.

Doubt that traitors lurk among her allies.

Then exit, leaving just enough wiggle room.

Aselina Radain won't bother me anymore.

Now she'll obsess over who those 'traitors' I mentioned are, suspecting and purging her faction members.

Recruiting me will fall to the wayside, naturally.

Even if she still wants me, it won't matter.

She flat-out won't have the time.

12 days until the Assembly.

Root out traitors, reorganize, and recruit me in that span?

If she can pull that off, she should be Pope instead.

While she's distracted chasing ghosts, I'll finish my business in the Holy Capital and saunter ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠back to the Northern Territories.

"Good luck."

With hunting traitors that may or may not exist.

And exactly three days later, Aselina came to me.

"I found them. The traitors. It was just as you said."

She said this, gazing at me cautiously.

In her eyes dwelt infinite admiration for me.