Chapter 22
Chapter 22
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 22
Chapter Title: A Useful Tool
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The Callermain Earldom, reception room.
Around the time Beonald was enjoying his final peaceful moments, a meeting was being held at the Callermain Earldom as scheduled. Hosted by the acting family head, Rengel, key nobles were gathered to discuss providing the heir, Ralt, with a "Rival Horse Education."
The attendees included Baron Delmain and Baron Zelkerd, representatives of the factions under Count Callermain, as well as the territory's only High Knight and military commander, Sir Malderv, the 4th-class mage Selina dispatched from the Magic Tower, Head Butler Tellun, Head Maid Etrang, and even his second wife and current official consort, Lady Meira.
"So, what do you all think about the Rival Horse Education I proposed last time? Ralt will come of age next year. Judging by the rumors and recent incidents, it seems a stretch to say he possesses the level of knowledge, martial prowess, dignity, or etiquette suitable for an heir."
"Well, I have no disagreement with that statement. Isn't that right, My Lady?"
"Ahem... Yes."
Lady Meira had originally tried to scuttle the idea of the Rival Horse Education itself, but even Baron Delmain, a member of her faction, had to admit that the heir Ralt's condition was far from good.
Normally, for factions, having a ruler who was a talentless mediocrity or incompetent was a favorable situation for those being ruled. But Ralt had too many problems, far too many.
Shouldn't he at least maintain the face and rules among nobles? Stealing gifts brought by relatives for the Count, or still running around the mansion like it was a playground and acting rudely to people even though he'd be an adult next year—these were actions that truly crossed the line.
So, Baron Delmain had persuaded Lady Meira that education was absolutely necessary, at least for now.
"Surprising. I thought you'd surely oppose it."
"Not at all. We too had been thinking that Young Master Ralt's education needed more reinforcement."
"Is that so? Hahaha, well, anyway, my sister Callen's child seems perfect for the role. He's the same age as Ralt, and his skills are anything but ordinary. He possesses martial prowess enough to hunt bears or wolves alone in the mountains or even bring back a griffon chick, and his dignity and manners are so well-taught by Callen that even I was surprised."
"Bears and wolves at fourteen? Is that believable?"
"I thought it was unbelievable too, but there's actual evidence. And if you meet him in person, your mind will change. He looked nothing like a fourteen-year-old. Anyway, with such an outstanding blood relative by his side, Ralt will surely receive great stimulation."
At the acting family head Rengel's words, the other nobles wore expressions of doubt, but in truth, they had each already investigated and grasped Beonald's profile.
Even if they were to implement 'Rival Horse Education,' they usually wanted to recommend other talents or push someone from their own faction. But this time, it was utterly impossible.
'Where in the world does a fourteen-year-old like that exist? He's a monster in his own right.'
'As expected, even when rotten, one who carries Callermain blood... Damn it!'
"Well, I don't think anyone has objections. For Ralt to be stimulated, he needs to be overwhelmed to this degree. But there's one more problem: we need to raise that child's 'status' enough so Ralt doesn't look down on him... Otherwise, it'll just foster a one-sided inferiority complex. Since he's a blood relative anyway, I'd like to take him in as my adopted son, but..."
"I absolutely oppose that! I believe it's an impossible matter!"
As the acting family head Rengel had anticipated, Baron Delmain's faction thoroughly opposed making him an 'adopted son.'
Of course, they had no disagreement about the education part, but they clearly wanted to block a talent above average from entering the Callermain Earldom by any means necessary.
And Lady Meira was naturally worried that the heir position might be snatched away by that boy named Beonald if things went wrong.
"Then what should we do? At the very least, their 'rank' should match for Ralt to be stimulated, no? Isn't that the easiest and fastest method?"
"There's also the method of arranging a marriage with another noble family, isn't there?"
"Of course, that's also an option. But although he's our blood relative, half his blood is that of a lowly mercenary. Who would give him their daughter? Except for someone like Callen, that is. Since he's our blood relative, us adopting him is the cleanest method, I believe?"
"Ugh..."
The acting family head Rengel's words were extremely rational and a standard method.
By turning the point about mixed lowly mercenary blood against them, Baron Delmain's faction instantly lost their words.
So, he glanced towards Baron Zelkerd, but he avoided eye contact and ignored him.
Amidst this, one person suddenly raised a hand: Sir Malderv, the territory's only High Knight and military commander.
"May I say something? Acting Family Head."
"Sir Malderv? Please speak."
"I find myself interested in the child's martial talent. Also, I happen to have a daughter, and since I hold a baron's title as well, it seems his 'status' would be fitting."
Sir Malderv was the only High Knight in this territory. A knight possessing martial prowess transcending humanity, many places had attempted to recruit him using titles and wealth as bait.
However, he found his life's purpose in loyally serving only the Callermain Earldom. Though he received a baron's title and territory, he had gifted all the land to Count Callermain.
Thus, he satisfied both categories of knight and noble. Given the high value of a High Knight, it was an unparalleled match as a marriage partner.
"One cannot help but be interested in a youth of fourteen with such bravery. Hahaha. Moreover, isn't he one who carries Count Callermain's blood? So perhaps he might be a 'Natural Knight.'"
"I thank you for the excessive praise, but I cannot guarantee the child is a 'Natural Knight.' I haven't observed him for long either. Anyway, that's good news I hear. A marriage alliance with Sir Malderv's household... This is something I should be even happier about..."
"W-wait! Hold on! You! If it's such a good marriage match, shouldn't our Ralt be connected first, rather than that low-born thing?"
Just as the acting family head was delighted by the sudden good proposal, Lady Meira abruptly poured cold water on it.
A marriage alliance leading to a High Knight was a great benefit for this earldom, but giving such a good position to a child from a rootless family was too wasteful, hence her objection.
"No, Ralt is the heir, so we must find him an even better match. Isn't that right, Lady?"
"That's correct, My Lady. Isn't Young Master Ralt the one who must sit in the seat of the next Count? Then shouldn't we find him a match from at least an earldom or above? Though it would be an honor for me as well, of course."
"Ah... That..."
Lady Meira couldn't refute the words of her calmly responding husband and Sir Malderv.
She had momentarily flared up and spoken out, but as they said, a marriage arranged to establish the 'status' for a 'Rival Horse Education' and the marriage of the child who would become the family heir were stories on different levels.
Having become overly sensitive due to the potential rival heir issue, she had carelessly interfered.
'That stupid woman, if she'd just stayed quiet, things would have been manageable... Anyway, this is good. Adopting him has become a much safer choice, hasn't it?'
No matter that they were on the same side, Baron Delmain thought such foolish actions were utterly pathetic.
He also felt he understood a little why Young Master Ralt was the way he was.
Now, they had to block the blood ties with the High Knight instead.
If that monster, who could hunt bears and wolves at fourteen, happened to catch the favor of this 'Sir Malderv' and learned mana breathing techniques and swordsmanship, the earldom's power would inevitably grow stronger.
"Ahem! But that child is not yet of age, Acting Family Head. And you should consider the child's happiness too, Sir Malderv. It seems too hasty when we don't even know their own intentions."
"Then will the Baron find a good match for him?"
"I wish there were such a position within my connections... but unfortunately, there isn't. Therefore, I believe the adoption matter is the most reasonable."
'...Always opposing when it's time to oppose, what a cunning fellow!'
'He lost face, but for now, this is the best course.'
Outwardly, they smiled calmly, but inwardly, Acting Family Head Rengel and Baron Delmain felt mutual discomfort towards each other's existence.
But still, Baron Delmain was a noble leading a considerable faction and had power, so he had to be respected. And so, the matter of the Rival Horse Education was ultimately concluded with adopting Beonald.
Of course, just because this process was decided didn't mean it would proceed overnight.
The news reached Beonald's parents a full month later.
They were initially surprised to hear that the earldom wanted to adopt their son, but soon thought it was because he had stood out when they went to the Count's birthday celebration.
"What should we do? Brother... I mean, the Acting Family Head says he wants to adopt you?"
"Hmm... Well, isn't that a common occurrence in noble families?"
"It is common, but aren't you being too calm about it?"
"Whether adopted or not, my parents won't change. And anyway, this proposal... we can't refuse it, can we?"
"Beonald..."
The acting family head's order was essentially no different from the Count's command.
With the power of this rural, minor territory, even the thought of resistance was impossible. They had to quietly send Beonald off for adoption.
"I'm so worried about you. You, who've only lived in this countryside... whether you can survive in that cruel, terrifying noble household. It's not a place where just having strong martial power is enough... It's like a den of snakes..."
'That... In my past life, I was the ruler of that den of snakes.'
The ruler of the Neumel Family, which used the Hydra Crest and had the cunning 'snake' as its symbol.
For Beonald, who had raised the Neumel Family's title from Count all the way to Duke, that den of snakes was no different from his original home.
"Anyway, don't worry too much. If things go wrong, I'll run away. Living as an adventurer wouldn't be bad either. I have Alterio, after all."
"Ah, that griffon? By the way, isn't it dangerous?"
"That's why when I'm not managing him, I keep him muzzled and tied up well. The problem is he sometimes struggles with his one remaining wing. Anyway, don't worry too much, Mother."
"Alright. Still, since your siblings are here... I suppose I'll manage somehow. But the people of the territory will likely feel sad."
If the hero of this small rural territory—who provided free medical treatment, made medicine, developed herb cultivation methods, and effortlessly hunted large game like bears—were to leave, no one would fail to grieve.
But Beonald was instead feeling excited.
'Finally leaving this rural territory!'
Although it was his reborn place and not a bad vacation spot, Beonald, whose nature was that of a noble from the start, felt great joy at finally returning to his homeland (?).
But of course, he couldn't go knowing nothing. He asked his mother to explain the key figures and political landscape of the Callermain Earldom to the best of her knowledge.
"...This is the current situation as I know it. Keep in mind there might be slight differences."
"No. Since you've been to the Callermain territory recently, there's no reason to doubt it, Mother. Then I'll go feed Alterio. I have a lot to do in the remaining time."
"Go ahead."
After the conversation ended, Beonald left his mother's office to feed Alterio.
But even as he did, the abacus in his mind was diligently turning, based on the information he had obtained about the earldom.
Now, all that remained was to wait for the earldom to come and fetch him.