Chapter 20
Chapter 20
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 20
Chapter Title: The Usefulness of a Treacherous Subject
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"I'm truly sorry my son is being so obstinate. It's all my fault for failing to educate him properly."
"Not at all. Please raise your head, Acting Family Head. This is far too excessive a courtesy for a rootless country bumpkin like myself."
"Nonsense. If you are Callen's child, then you are our family. Precisely because you are family, we must be even more thorough."
'That's right. I know that very well.'
Beonald was inwardly very satisfied with Rengel Callermain's actions.
This was the proper response of someone acting as the family head. Even if one wielded power within the family and fought with blood relatives, the family head must still strive for the unity and governance of all bloodline members.
Because for any powerful family, the most terrifying thing is collapse from within.
'Even I... *sigh*... collapsed from within. Anyway, it's a good response. Look at that bastard's face. Seeing his father, the Acting Family Head, not only apologize but bow at a 90-degree angle to a rootless country noble must feel like the sky is falling.'
"You should apologize for your rudeness as well, Ralt."
"Th... that is... I'm sorry."
With his father, the Acting Head of the Earldom, bowing, Ralt could no longer use his prestige and authority as a shield.
He too bowed beside his father in apology, and Beonald, feeling satisfied, waved his hand and responded with proper etiquette himself.
"There's no need to go this far, Acting Family Head. It's merely a child's stubbornness, isn't it? Haha."
"A child's...? If I recall correctly, you're the same age as my son, aren't you? *Sigh*... I'm truly ashamed. What a pathetic fool...!"
Acting Family Head Rengel looked at his son with a cold gaze, not hiding his disappointment.
Simultaneously, envy surged within him as he looked at Beonald before him.
The same age, yet possessing impeccable manners, common sense, and dignified bearing. On top of that, a sculpted appearance with jet-black hair resembling his half-sister and clear blue eyes, still bearing a hint of youth. Plus, a tall stature and sturdy build. It was only natural he felt the overwhelming difference compared to his own son.
'Just looking at him, this child is a treasure. A tremendous treasure at that. It's fortunate I discovered him before others did.'
To manage a family, relations among blood relatives were important, but that was still backed by the guarantee of trust. More important was capable talent.
A noble family head must gather and utilize talented individuals regardless of martial or civil arts. Each outstanding soldier, each outstanding administrator, accumulates to form the strength of the territory.
Moreover, this child undeniably shares the family's blood! It's practically a premium addition.
Of course, if it's excessive, it could disrupt the succession structure, so it's not unconditionally good. However, currently, the only male blood relative on the paternal side is that Ralt fellow over there, making him an even more precious resource.
"Anyway, I'll have all the gifts Ralt took from you, Count, returned. They were originally from your household, weren't they? Ah, right. I'd like to talk more in detail. Could you spare a moment?"
"If it is the Acting Family Head's command, I will gladly comply."
"Good, follow me. And Ralt, you return to your room and don't come out today. I'll have Sir Maya guard you, so don't try any tricks."
Acting Family Head Rengel Callermain punished his son by confining him to his room, summoned Beonald to his office, had the butler bring tea, and met with him alone.
Creating such a meeting on the very eve of the Count's birthday was itself proof of how highly Rengel Callermain valued Beonald.
"How is the tea?"
"As a country bumpkin, I don't know much... Hmm~ The initial aroma is rich. And it finishes with a feeling of uplifted spirits and a slight refreshment... It's good."
"I'm glad you like it."
'Hmm, this taste and aroma... similar to what I remember. Probably~ a leaf called Fialit from the southern continent. We used to gather it in bulk, concentrate it, and use it as a stimulant ingredient... To think they drink this as tea in this era, it's astonishing.'
'How on earth did Callen educate his son? Even the way he holds the teacup exudes dignity. That Ralt brat threw a fit saying he didn't want to learn manners and such...'
Silence continued as they each had different thoughts.
Beonald began calculating how Acting Family Head Rengel Callermain viewed him, while Rengel Callermain was continuously admiring Beonald, who looked impressive even in the way he drank tea.
After finishing their brief thoughts, it was Count Callermain who spoke first again.
"It's truly unbelievable."
"What do you mean?"
"That you're fourteen. You look like an adult, no, you possess a mature dignity everywhere. To an enviable degree."
"I was just a bit early. Surely Young Master Ralt can also... no, surpass me."
While modestly packaging himself, Beonald naturally thought it was impossible for that twisted brat Ralt.
Of course, if they changed the educational policy even now, there might be a sliver of possibility. But since he's already become so arrogant and self-righteous, it would take tremendous effort to fix him.
'But it's strange. This Acting Family Head seems quite a decent person... Did he not intervene in the education?'
The old saying 'there are no unworthy sons under a worthy father' didn't come out of nowhere. The Rengel Acting Head before him was a proper person, rational and even knowing when to boldly bow his head according to the situation.
Yet, it was slightly puzzling how such a son came from such a person.
'Even if he's the second wife's son, normally a man would manage things...'
"That Ralt brat, like you? *Sigh*... If I had managed him from birth, perhaps. Unfortunately, shortly after that child was born, I was summoned by His Majesty the Emperor's decree and led our territory's army to participate in the war."
'Ah... it was the war?'
"Originally, that Ralt wasn't an only son but a third son. The first wife had two more sons, and since they were of age, they participated as knight squires."
"I see."
"And then, unluckily, in the war of all places... They were all swept away by an enemy knight order's lance charge. I survived thanks to the sacrifice of our knights, but the boys were all pierced by enemy spears and died. After that, the first wife died from the shock. So that Ralt became the only remaining son. Of course, this isn't the whole story. *Sigh*..."
Acting Head Rengel poured out all the family matters he hadn't been able to confide in to Beonald.
"I was often called to the imperial capital or elsewhere, representing my father who remained in the territory. And in the meantime, I did what I could for the family."
"What kind of...?"
"Isn't it obvious? Increasing the bloodline."
"Ahh~"
In the end, the second wife became the legal wife, and having only one male descendant was also unstable, so he continued to bring in third and fourth wives afterwards, striving to produce descendants. But then another strange thing happened.
"The problem is, except for Ralt, strangely, the male children born afterwards kept dying off. Illness, accidents, etc... All sorts of things. *Sigh*..."
"Good heavens, did you just let that pass?"
"How could I just let it pass? I investigated thoroughly and employed various means, but ultimately couldn't catch the tail. However..."
"You have a place you suspect is behind it, right? You must have a feeling about who benefits most if you, Acting Family Head, have no more sons."
"Oh... Your insight is truly extraordinary."
'This much is easy... It's clearly the second wife.'
The second wife, who possesses the only son.
Surely, when the first wife's two grown sons were established, she must have hidden her ambitions tightly. But after the variable of war killed both sons and the first wife, and her own child became the leading successor candidate for the Callermain Earldom, the ambition in her heart must have blossomed.
'A common story.'
"Then, do you know why I told you this story, which is normally not shared externally?"
"Hmm... With my lacking insight, I'll only venture a guess. Acting Family Head, are you perhaps thinking of adopting me?"
"Exactly that!"
*Clap!*
At Beonald's answer, which read his thoughts in one go, Rengel clapped his hands and sprang up.
The more he looked, the more he thought he was the perfect talent.
The only regret was why such a talented child had to come from the maternal side, not the main family, and from a household married off to a rootless mercenary. But now was not the time to be picky.
"Ralt's situation, as you know, is serious. Currently, as the Acting Head and de facto next family head, I'm somehow managing. But if something happens to my father or me, he will become our family's head as he is."
"That's right."
"In his current state, it's the end. So I need you, both to stimulate him."
"Hmm... But the retainers' opposition will be significant, won't it?"
"Don't worry. I plan to disguise it under the pretext of a 'rival horse' for Ralt's education."
'A common method.'
The act of bringing a smart child from the bloodline, adopting them, and making them a successor candidate to stimulate and whip a successor who has grown lazy in too stable a position. One of the many know-hows of noble families.
Certainly, Ralt's current state, even in Beonald's eyes, was serious. So the retainers wouldn't have much grounds to oppose using him as a target for 'rival horse education'.
Since he comes of age next year, if Ralt's condition isn't fixed, it's a crisis for the family. So, no matter how much mixed blood of a rootless mercenary he has, they would likely see it as using any means necessary.
"Of course, I promise sufficient compensation and support. Moreover, if Ralt truly proves unqualified, I will ensure you can succeed our family."
"That's groundbreaking."
"As a family head, prioritizing the family is natural. If there were no alternative, I would have prepared other measures and given Ralt the successor position. But if I've found a more outstanding blood relative, even to the point of incurring the second wife's hatred, the meaning is different. So, what do you say?"
"Please give me a moment to think."
Beonald immediately began calculating.
This adoption proposal—on one hand, an opportunity; on the other, a perilous path of jumping into a pit of fire.
Firstly, he has no independent power. He must trust solely in the support of Acting Head Rengel here and handle everything, which ultimately means he'll have to deal with many things directly. Especially Ralt's mother, the second lady, won't leave him alone.
'But it's too good an opportunity to pass up.'
Conversely, it's a chance to leave the rural territory.
And since the Acting Head personally proposed it, the likelihood of receiving a certain level of funds, facilities, equipment, personnel, or encountering other opportunities increases.
Whichever choice he makes, both merits and demerits exist. Beonald diligently calculated, rolling the abacus, and finally made his decision.