Chapter 126
Chapter 126
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 126
Chapter Title: The Use of a Treacherous Subject
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"...If you have summoned me, then you should state your business, Your Majesty."
"I am giving you the chance to speak first, am I not?"
"What is it you wish to hear?"
"Do you truly not know?"
"...Hoo~"
They had finally opened their mouths, and on the surface, they were exchanging calm words, but each phrase carried a sharp, blade-like exchange of thrusts and parries.
By the time the highest-grade tea delivered to the imperial palace had grown completely cold, Duke Kmel downed his cup in one go and set it down.
Though he possessed the capabilities of a family head, at his core, he was a warrior. Prolonged, indecisive psychological warfare like this did not suit his temperament.
"Then let's cut to the chase, Your Majesty. A 'contract' is something made in good faith, with mutual exchange. No matter how regrettable it may be, once made, it should be honored. Is that not the way?"
His words were polite, but a simpler interpretation would be: 'You bastard, why did you pull a trick after giving it?'
"Hahaha, that may be human morality. But I am the Emperor. My duty is to protect and prosper the Empire to pass on to the next generation."
"By that logic, I am also the head of the Kmel family. My duty is to protect and prosper my family to pass on to the next generation, Your Majesty. However, this goes too far."
"I understand. But what can be done? If you were in my position, could you have done otherwise? For instance~ what if a Unified Empire-era ruin were discovered in the territory of the Börn Marquisate?"
"......"
Duke Kmel had no retort to the Emperor's rebuttal.
If he were in the Emperor's position, he would have done exactly the same.
The Emperor's words ultimately meant that they had both simply done what they had to do.
However, that didn't mean letting this matter slide now was a viable option.
"So, in the end, we both did what we had to do."
"That is so."
Though the words were calm, they carried another meaning: there would be no negotiation or apology.
For such high and noble individuals, rather than pointlessly raising their voices and arguing, it was cleaner to simply exchange words and confirm their positions, after which there was nothing more to say.
They both knew well that the aggrieved party would eventually have more to say, sooner or later.
It was just that neither side was in a truly aggrieved position.
"I understand. Then I shall also do what I must. I will not support the religious order's proposal to designate the ruin as a 'Holy Site.'"
"That doesn't sound bad."
As neither side had any intention of cooperation or negotiation from the start, it was ultimately decided to leave the Haldeon ruin to the religious order to be sealed.
The Emperor did not want to dredge something up from that ruin that would cause violent upheaval, and Duke Kmel's calculations showed that resisting the Emperor now would not yield good results, so he stepped back.
'...Damn old man! After all those years of loyalty, and without our family, the northern border would be breached, and this is how you treat us? Do you think I'll just back down quietly?'
'It's probably better for that ruin to be sealed as a Holy Site. But judging by that look, he still intends to continue the excavation. Otherwise... he would have backed down with weak words much earlier.'
Both men believed that even if sealed as a Holy Site, there would be ways to dig in through other openings. Duke Kmel, knowing from the survivor's account that the ruin was vast, planned to search for other entrances and continue the excavation. The Emperor saw right through that thought.
'Then I must continue to obstruct the work through the Imperial Knight Order. Of course, he will resist again, but...'
'Of course, he will undoubtedly interfere again, just like this time.'
A typhoon does not strike suddenly in an instant. It grows from a small wind, gradually increasing in scale until it becomes an uncontrollable typhoon. The small crack created by this incident. That crack would now become a grudge between them, growing until it reached an irreversible situation.
Even if they tried to suspect, both had already concluded, 'If it's the other, they'd do something like that.' Unaware that they were being played by a third party's scheme, they began devising yet another plan to block each other.
***
Beonald had finally recovered some of his desired inheritance, so he boldly wanted to have dinner at the most luxurious hotel in the capital through Deren, but there was the problem of Saine, the maid, not being able to dine with them, and even if Princess Besia went in disguise, high-ranking individuals might recognize her. In the end, they decided to dine on the rooftop of the company building.
"Deren, did you prepare what I asked for?"
"Of course. A freshly caught lamb and various vegetables, spices, and alcohol are all neatly prepared on the rooftop. As for the cost...?"
While preparing for the meal, Beonald had commissioned Deren in advance to procure the necessary ingredients. Indeed, for a joyous feast, nothing beat alcohol and meat.
"I'll pay with this."
Koo-woong!
Beonald pulled something out of his incomplete subspace backpack and handed it to Deren.
It was a golden snake-shaped statue about one meter long, with eyes, nose, and mouth expressed with diamonds and other gemstones. The moment Deren saw it, his eyes widened, and his gaze became one of rapture.
It was natural for a merchant to admire treasure, but this was something he had never seen in his entire life—an overwhelmingly magnificent object, so he couldn't help but be astonished beyond admiration.
"Th-th-th-th-this? Wh-where did this come from? A-a-a-a-and is it pure gold all the way through?"
"Excavated from a ruin. And it should be pure gold. If you doubt it, melt it or cut it as you wish. You can sell it except for the gems. It's yours now."
It was a decoration roughly torn from a failed golem, an item with no magical tool abilities, made solely of gold and gems.
It was the most suitable item for Deren, a merchant, and also a way to show him that he was an outsider beyond the garden.
Of course, the man himself was currently marveling at the brilliant treasure, and his eyes were spinning at the words 'your own' rather than 'sell it.'
"Mine? This is mine? Good heavens! Goddess! Hahahaha! No, what on earth do you want from me to give me something like this? I-I'd rather you tell me to sell it and pay off the debt... Th-this is too immense, I don't think I can handle it. What is this, really?"
"This is the generosity of a noble. Anyway, if you're going to eat, come up too."
"Yes! Understood! B-b-but first, I-I-I-I'll put this in a safe place and come right away."
With that, Deren swiftly covered the golden snake statue Beonald had given him with his clothes, his hands still trembling, and hurried off.
And Beonald went up to the rooftop.
A fire for cooking was already lit, and a table and tools for cooking were prepared, with Saine already in the midst of preparing.
"Saine, return to your seat. Today's cooking is my job."
"Huh? But..."
"If you really want to help, assist me together with Besia."
"Ah, yes."
Beonald, who had charismatically taken Saine's spot, immediately began cooking.
Cooking, in a sense, was also like alchemy. Moreover, since he had perfectly prepared the ingredients through Deren today, he wanted to present them with a Unified Empire-era dish from 500 years ago in Benofis.
"...I heard you could cook, but I didn't know you were this skilled."
"We're seeing it for the first time too. He cooked occasionally when we lived on the outskirts of the capital, but to this extent..."
"Wouldn't it be better to ask what he can't do?"
"Hahaha..."
Murmur murmur.
While Beonald focused on cooking, the women who had already sat at the table whispered as they watched him.
They had spent time together while Beonald was away, so they had exchanged many stories and had become quite close.
Since they were all in the same boat with Beonald, and if things went awry, they needed to plan to leave the capital together, they had plenty of time to become friendly.
"I'll set the aperitif as I see fit. Is there anything you'd like?"
"Whatever you want~!"
"I-I'm fine with anything Lord Beonald gives me!"
"Me too~"
"Ah, beer for me, please. Cold beer is the best after working up a sweat."
'Besia... no, Princess Zelcy has completely become a commoner.'
Now, in stark contrast to her elegant posture in the imperial palace where she dined without a single flaw, she was sitting slouched, one arm on the back of the chair and one leg crossed over the other thigh.
It was amazing how a person could change so easily, something Beonald found fascinating no matter how many times he saw it.
"Speaking of which, what do you think of Besia, Saine? As a maid, can you tolerate her just sitting there like that? I didn't think you'd just leave her be."
"Huh? Ah~ I have my wits about me too, Lord Beonald. If Lady Selina and Lady Heidi don't say anything, I can't be rude and speak up. Besides, her origins are... noble. Even if she's like that now..."
"I was surprised by that too. Hahaha, anyway, bring the plates. I need to start cutting the parts that are almost done."
Relieved that Saine was handling Zelcy appropriately even without knowing her true identity, Beonald continued to focus on cooking.
Beonald's dishes were all recipes used by nobles or the imperial palace during the Unified Empire era, requiring considerable care and time, but for Beonald, who skillfully performed alchemy more complex than cooking, it was no problem at all.
"Wow, what's this?"
"What is it? It's an appetizer called 'Dnaufre's Shore.' Since the plate is blue, I tried making it. This pale yellow sauce part symbolizes the shore, and on the sea side, I placed lightly seasoned oysters, shrimp, and clams. The main point is the sauce; it's sparkling because I lightly grated pearls into it."
"...I asked you to cook, but are you creating a work of art? Wow..."
"Noble cuisine is supposed to be splendid. And since it's a special day, I put in the effort."
Everyone, including Selina, Heidi, Besia, and even Saine behind them, was amazed by Beonald's skill in presenting a beautiful work of art from the very first course.
For the main course, Beonald began slicing the roasted lamb he had been grilling, making steaks with sauce. This time too, the effort was no joke.
When he served the steak on the plate, the accompanying vegetables were carved into shapes like flowers or small animals using chopsticks and a knife after cooking.
"Whoa... Do you really need to put in this much effort? You don't have to go this far..."
"Of course, lamb steak is delicious even plain. But if it looks good, it tastes even better, and if sincerity yields better results, I don't spare the effort. Anyway, today is a good day, so just enjoy my sincerity."
"Oh! Smells great! Hoo~"
"Deren. Sit down quickly. I prepared your portion too, so eat and be amazed."
Watching the people admiring his skills, Beonald pretended to cook coolly on the outside but was immensely delighted inside.
In his previous life, he always enjoyed showing superiority over others, moving them, and surprising them.
That's why he deliberately researched flashy alchemy, or spent a fortune to perform alchemy like turning lead into silver as if it were a magic show, satisfying the audience... His desire for recognition from others was great.
"Hwaaah... I ate well."
"This is the first time I've ever had such a meal. I truly ate well! Lord Beonald."
"What... can't you do?"
"Hoo~ Seeing you all eat so satisfactorily makes me happy too. Now, then... shall we have the conversation we couldn't finish before? First, I'll tell you about the ruin. Listen while having dessert and coffee. Saine, after you've served everyone, sit down and listen too."
After finishing the splendid meal, and after serving dessert and coffee, Beonald began to talk in earnest about what he had done over the past two weeks.
Of course, he embellished details about his identity or the fact that he created the ruin, and omitted things they wouldn't understand, but within the limits of what he could reveal, he provided the information cleanly.
'Even if I tell them I'm a person from 500 years ago... they wouldn't be able to accept it.'
"It feels like... we've heard something tremendous. An ancient ruin..."
"And there were even magical tools. So that golden snake statue earlier was just a tiny part of the treasure? Good heavens!"
"So that's why Lord Beonald went to such a dangerous place alone."
"That's incredible. So next time... are you going to the ruin connected to that one?"
"Of course I must go, and then I'll go with you all. Of course, only volunteers. But that's not for now. The timing is... and I must keep my promise."
"A promise, you say?"
"The promise to decipher the Valderian family's artifact."
The Valderian family's artifact. Since it was a family that had been loyal to him during the Unified Empire era 500 years ago, their artifacts were inevitably connected to him.
The reason for going there first was partly because there were artifacts related to him, but also because he didn't know what might be in other ruins or the circumstances, so he wanted to start with the place where his own inheritance, whose location was confirmed, existed.
"And... one more thing. I'm quitting the Academy now."
And now that he had identified his inheritance, retrieving it took priority. The Academy, which would only provide a shabby signboard or a shallow foundation, was nothing but a waste of time, so Beonald cut it off decisively.