Chapter 59
Chapter 59
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 59
Chapter Title: The Marriage Question
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Vmark asked me what I thought about marrying Livian.
In my previous life, I'd lived a life far removed from marriage, so I'd never given it any serious thought.
Back then, I was too busy scraping by on my own to have the spare time or energy to look after someone else.
Even with the girlfriends I did have—though I don't know if you'd call me a collector of junkyard cars or whatever—they all ended because of money issues or timing conflicts, leaving me with plenty of emotional scars that shattered any illusions I had about romance.
Because of all that, I tended to approach dating with a bit more caution than most people.
Anyway, the whole marriage thing felt a little bewildering to me.
"Um...."
I hadn't had many deep conversations with the princess, but from spending those three days glued to her side during her treatment...
Just like her good reputation suggested, she listened attentively even when she was sick, always tried to respond with a kind smile, and since we shared hobbies like novels, she came across as a good person to me.
Of course, she was impeccable in etiquette, and her looks were stunning.
I have to confess right here: among all the women I'd seen so far, she had the best figure, and hey, I'm a guy after all.
My eyes were naturally drawn to her, so she was undoubtedly a beautiful woman with sexual appeal to boot.
This is a tangent, but of course I have sexual desires like anyone else, and I do take care of them on the sly from time to time.
The reason I don't mess around with the easily accessible women around me, like the servants, boils down to my personal values.
I've seen plenty of relatives ruin their lives by sleeping around since I was a kid, and people who cycle through girlfriends nonstop get called sluts, don't they?
I have a strong aversion to that kind of behavior.
Even when opportunities arise, I restrain myself.
And my parents from my previous life were hopeless romantics who adored each other, so maybe I picked up a lot from them.
Love and sex should be with someone you truly like.
Every time I brought this up, my friends would tell me not to be such a pussy, and I'd fire back with a hearty "What do you want me to do about it?" laced with some choice curses.
My values haven't changed even now.
Anyway, getting back to the point, setting aside love or compatibility...
On purely material terms, a political marriage was unnecessary for someone like me who had no interest in climbing the social ladder.
Even if Livian was a great match in status, looks, and maturity... eh.
For a guy like me who wants to avoid hassles in life as much as possible, it would just be poison.
I'd confidently say marrying Nob AI would be more beneficial.
『(՞៸៸.ˬ.៸៸՞)』
『If that happens, I'll make sure you never have to lift a finger for the rest of your life.』
That's impossible.
No matter how good you are at housework, I'd still have to wash the dishes with my own body....
『...』
You should find an even better AI than me and be happy.
『(˚ ˃̣̣̥⌓˂̣̣̥ ) ‧º』
Anyway, while I unintentionally froze up and stayed silent...
"Marriage is not a decision to be made lightly, so I was too hasty in bringing it up to you before you've even had your coming-of-age ceremony."
Vmark smoothly lightened the mood and told me to see him at the banquet.
I bowed my head and left the audience chamber.
Whew, my heart was pounding so hard I thought I'd drop dead.
"Ah, that was exhausting...."
Still, it really felt like the end.
There had been countless twists and turns while fleeing my trash family and staying in the palace.
But in the end, none of them could block my path.
Now all that was left was the effortless dream life I'd always wanted—this was my sex and my life.
With the money from selling the Helltanks and the annual royalties settled with the Blue Magic Tower, I no longer had to work ever again.
You watching, Coin Bro? I've finally graduated from life too.
『Congratulations.』
Yeah.
It's all thanks to you, Nob AI.
You helped me out, so I want to help you in return—what can I do for you?
『Seeing you happy fills me with great joy too.』
『Please keep being happy for a long, long time.』
『That's the one and only thing I ask from you.』
『(˶˃⤙˂˶)』
Yeah. Got it.
I'll keep striving to live happily ever after.
I headed back to the guest quarters intending to lounge around all day, but then I suddenly remembered something I had to do.
Almost forgot about that.
I set off to find Dalpi.
Sure enough, I spotted her strolling in the garden right away.
"Young master. Has the audience ended?"
"Yeah, safely. Actually, I have a favor to ask...."
I jotted down the materials needed for construction on a piece of paper and told her to procure them.
I'd secured the land, but it was completely bare, and to turn it into a home, we'd need all sorts of preparations.
The capital was the kingdom's richest and most bustling city.
There were trading companies that specialized in these materials and dealt with architects, so gathering supplies shouldn't be hard.
I also planned to use golems instead of laborers—the ones that had been so useful in Erphus's workshop, but I'd make about fifty of them, much improved.
Way better performance.
"What are you planning to use all these materials for?"
"I'm going to build the sturdiest building in the world. You'll see when it's done."
I flashed a grin.
What I had in mind wasn't some flashy mansion like Tristy Manor, but a futuristic design.
Using reinforced concrete to make a house tougher than the palace itself.
With ondol heating using mithril alloy for heating and cooling control, it wouldn't be inferior to Hannam The Hill—I could complete the ultimate home.
According to Nob AI's estimate, with enough materials, the foundation work could be done in three days.
Including curing time for the concrete, about three weeks to complete the building safely—not a long wait.
"Understood."
Dalpi took the paper and sauntered off.
Alright, then—time to knock out those tinderbox novels before the banquet starts.
I returned to the guest quarters with lighter steps.
***
This polar anomaly and plague had been an unprecedented crisis that nearly shook the kingdom's very foundations.
However, thanks to the exploits of various talents, the kingdom overcame it without massive casualties.
Delighted by this, Vmark sent invitations to a star-studded array of high-ranking kingdom officials as a celebration and token of gratitude.
From borderland earls to dukes, magic tower lords, knight order captains, high officials—names anyone living in the kingdom would recognize at least once—began gathering at the palace.
"Long time no see, Earl Richter. I'm truly relieved you made it through this anomaly unscathed."
"The Red Magic Tower Lord's contributions were huge. The Helltanks mowed down demons like wheat. And ours was the only territory in the east with no plague damage...."
The banquet hall buzzed.
The orchestra invited for the occasion played refined, classical music to delight the guests' ears, while the palace servants bustled about with precise movements, serving drinks and food to the tables.
Guests in crisp formal attire approached familiar faces, exchanging greetings and blooming conversations.
"The Helltank's reputation is apparently tremendous. Every lord I meet praises it endlessly."
"Don't remind me. When I first saw it—juvenile metaphor aside—it looked just like a hero's holy sword forged to save the nation."
Etila watched her father, Wyatt, chatting with Earl Richter of the nobility.
The Badford family she was born into had held the earl title for centuries, a prestigious house in no way inferior to others.
The Badfords had naturally been invited to the banquet.
Wyatt had brought Etila, who was researching Cross Blend at the academy, to attend.
"This must be the famous genius Etila."
"Haha, yes. She's the only student at Tristy Academy on a full scholarship. Not just smart, but exceptionally gifted in magic too. Our family's pride. Etila, greet Earl Richter."
Hearing her father, Etila offered a soft smile and bowed politely.
"The daughter of House Badford greets Earl Richter."
Earl Richter smiled and showered her with praise, from her appearance onward.
And why not? Among all the magic towers, she was the sole recognized magic genius—aside from one person.
Wyatt's face was wreathed in smiles that wouldn't quit.
Nothing cheers up a father more than praise for his child.
"It was a pleasure talking after so long. I should mingle with others now, so I'll take my leave."
"The pleasure was mine. Enjoy the banquet."
Once Earl Richter departed, Etila turned to Wyatt with a pouty, petulant expression.
"This is why you dragged me here, huh."
"Of course. Thanks to my daughter, I can walk anywhere with my shoulders back proudly."
Her father's daughter-boasting was always over the top.
To the point where even Etila, standing right there, blushed at the nonstop "once-in-a-generation genius" hype.
Etila sighed.
"Stop bragging about me. It's embarrassing not just for others, but for me too."
"No way. Dad's gonna keep boasting about Etila until he's sick of it."
"Ugh, seriously...."
Unlike some dysfunctional households in the eastern reaches of the kingdom, the Etila family home was harmonious.
She was an only child, and her parents knew how to love and cherish their daughter.
"If I'd known it'd be like this, I wouldn't have come...."
"Too late for regrets now. Though I am a bit surprised you agreed so readily. Didn't you hate these kinds of events, my girl?"
Since entering the academy, her father had tried dragging her to socials and mixers of all sorts, but she'd always refused, citing busyness.
Unlike other noble ladies, she had no interest in dressing up or being fawned over—only magic mattered to her.
"And you've dolled yourself up so much... Got a guy you want to impress?"
Etila flinched.
She'd heard Ester Tristy would attend this banquet.
That's why she'd set down her pen and notes to rush here.
'Of course, purely to debate magical knowledge...!'
The reason she'd dressed up so carefully wasn't to look good for him—it was just fitting attire for a formal occasion, that's all.
"I don't know what kind of bonehead he is, but over my dead body will my daughter..."
"Ugh, Dad, seriously...!"
The father-daughter duo, forever talking past each other, bickered affectionately until they both turned their heads at once.
The noisy banquet hall fell silent in an instant as everyone stared at a single boy entering.
Ester Tristy.
The star of tonight's banquet.