Chapter 26
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 26
Chapter Title: Duke of the North Rolls as the Black Curtain (1)
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"Th... This...!"
Aselina struggled desperately to grab the golden choker around her neck and pry it off.
But the choker didn't budge an inch.
To think it could withstand the strength of that monster in human skin. Pretty solid craftsmanship.
"What is the meaning of this?! What the hell is this thing?!"
"Eltero's notarization."
"!"
"You've heard of it, right?"
This was a world where magic and faith truly existed.
Naturally, contracts weren't just casual promises. There were all sorts of supernatural means to force the other party to uphold them.
The mage community had developed and distributed every kind of contract magic for transactions, and the religions, led by the Radain Church, had their own guarantees for faithful compliance.
Among them, the most basic and reliable method was infusing the power of faith directly into the contract document itself.
I flipped the contract over to show her the back.
"Here. Take a good look. What's drawn here?"
"An inverted triangle with scales inside..."
"Right. The scales, symbol of the goddess of fairness, Eltero, drawn within the inverted triangle representing the Radain Church's Holy Trinity. When a priest personally draws this sigil and consecrates the document, it's called 'Eltero's notarization.' And its effect?"
"...It binds the signatories to strictly follow the contract's terms. This choker is the physical manifestation of that binding force."
"Exactly. +1 point for knowing what it is, but -1 for signing it so thoughtlessly despite that knowledge. Total: zero."
"How brazenly you spout such nonsense...! Take this off right now!"
"You know that's not possible. Eltero's notarization can't be undone until the contract term expires or both parties fulfill their conditions."
"Ugh... You! You set a trap! To keep me from becoming the Saintess...!"
"Sigh. Can't you see this?"
I pointed to the identical choker around my own neck.
"This is a contract under the goddess of fairness herself. Eltero's notarization doesn't allow unfair deals. In other words, I'm under similar constraints as you."
"...What do you mean?"
"For example: 'I do not support Aselina Radain as Saintess.'"
Crackle!
"Gah!"
In that instant, a sharp, electric jolt seared my neck from the choker.
"Kyaa! Y-You! Are you okay?!"
"...Hoo... That's what I mean. According to the contract, my duty is to 'support Aselina Radain as Saintess.' Violate it, and the choker punishes the offender directly."
"..."
Seeing me violate the contract and take the penalty firsthand seemed to work.
She looked a bit shocked and finally quieted down.
"...Good. Looks like you're finally open to talking. Eltero's notarization punishes those who break the contract. So, what exactly are the terms you and I must follow?"
I flipped the contract back to the front and reviewed the text.
"Let's go over it once more."
Aselina Radain's Obligations:
1. Support Robertus Bilheim favorably in negotiations regarding debts between Count Pelkites or Merhan Bank and the Northern Territories.
2. Obey instructions from Robertus Bilheim or his delegated educator deemed necessary for Aselina Radain to become Saintess.
Robertus Bilheim's Obligations:
1. Support Aselina Radain as Saintess and assist her to the best of his ability.
1-1. Specifically, based on Aselina's obligation 2, conduct education until the day of the Saintess election to make her suitable.
Mutual Clauses:
Neither party shall engage in physical or socially damaging actions against the other.
"...I skipped some details, but that's the gist. Understand?"
"So... you'll help me become Saintess, and I'll support you to gain an advantage in your debt negotiations?"
"You missed one. You must diligently follow the 'education' I provide."
"..."
Aselina's expression was complicated. She still hadn't fully accepted the situation.
"-Anyway, it's simple. Just stick to the promise we made earlier, and there won't be any issues. I get free from debt and breathe easy; you get my support and become Saintess."
"Why go to such lengths? I, Aselina Radain, proud Knight Commander of the Rose Knight Order and next Saintess candidate! I always keep my word without needing tricks like this!"
"Hmm."
She could talk a big game.
After deciding to ally with Aselina, I'd agonized over one key issue.
-How to control her?
I recalled the time before my succession ceremony when Henriotte and Eline crammed heir training into me at lightning speed.
Of course, I'd used every trick to escape, and they'd dragged me back with brute force each time.
But Aselina?
What if that monster suddenly changed her mind, threw a tantrum refusing education, and ignored my advice?
Pathetically, even if I had dozens of me, my power level couldn't handle one Aselina.
After much deliberation, I concluded: use Eltero's notarization.
However, this powerful tool that forces compliance wasn't easy to obtain.
The Church strictly controlled the export of consecrated contracts.
So how did I get one?
Connections, obviously.
I urgently messaged the Pope: 'Approve use of Eltero's notarization without questions.' And I got the contract that same day.
Life really is all about who you know.
Anyway, time to wrap this up.
Wasting time bickering was a luxury. On to the next phase.
"Sorry for the sudden move. I apologize for the rudeness. But you know what Eltero's notarization is. No unfairness allowed under her watch. As you saw, I'm bound too. The moment I betray it, punishment hits me."
Can't just use the stick.
After pushing her this far, it was time to ease up and soothe.
"As the terms show, this isn't a trap. It's a mutually beneficial deal. The notarization just adds certainty."
I knelt on one knee, meeting her eyes.
"Please believe in my sincerity."
"..."
Aselina stared blankly.
"...Fine. No turning back now... Your terms aren't bad for me either."
Her face still looked displeased, but she'd finally accepted it.
"Thanks for understanding."
"But! I won't forget you pulling this stunt. Until when is the notarization valid?"
"Until the Saintess election day, naturally. No reason for me to stay bound longer."
"Perfect. Once the contract ends and I become Saintess, I'll hold you accountable. Be ready."
"Scary."
Of course, I had a countermeasure for revenge.
...Hide behind the Pope the second the election ends.
"Good. Our future Saintess Aselina Radain is finally ready for 'Saintess training.' Let's start right away."
"...Speaking of, what even is this training? If you use it as an excuse for something weird..."
"Forgot the terms already? Don't worry. I cut all the fluff and prepared a tight curriculum of essentials to give you Saintess-level poise and grace in six days."
"Oh ho..."
"Eline."
"...Yes, Family Head."
Eline, who had stepped back and waited quietly with eyes closed.
She pulled a few sheets from her bag and handed them to Aselina.
"What's this?"
Aselina squinted suspiciously and scanned the paper.
"First question... Read the following conversation between Marchioness A and Bishop B, and choose the proper, etiquette-correct response A should give from the options."
Then she looked up at me blankly.
"?"
A face screaming, What is this?
"Saintess qualification exam. I stayed up all night making it myself. First, let's gauge your exact level."
"Ugh..."
Left hand cradling her head, the quill in her right wandered lost between answers.
Her pondering expression felt so familiar.
'...No different from a test-taker. I was like that once...'
As I reminisced fondly on my bittersweet senior year of high school, watching her solve problems, Eline whispered cautiously.
"Um, Family Head. Is the curriculum you mentioned yesterday really okay?"
"Yes. It's the method already proven when I went through heir training."
"True, but... Will Aselina really comply quietly...?"
Eline looked worried.
Well, my curriculum was a bit coercive.
And the subject was Aselina, no less.
Pope's adopted daughter, Knight Commander, potential Saintess.
She was fretting about the backlash.
"Don't worry. With the notarization in effect, she'll have to obey our instructions. Trust me. I'll handle any fallout."
"...If you say so, Family Head."
"That's the spirit. ...Oh, time's up already. Gotta go. Eline, watch her closely while I'm gone. No cheating."
"W-Where are you going?"
"Meeting with Aselina faction nobles."
"Pardon!?"
"No point wasting time here while she tests. Every minute counts."
I patted Eline's shoulder and headed for the Knight Commander room door.
"Lord Robertus, where are you going?"
Aselina noticed and asked.
"Got something to handle. I'll be back by exam end. Focus on the questions."
While our Saintess candidate diligently takes her test...
Time for me to whip her sycophants into shape as the black curtain.