Chapter 31
Chapter 31
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 31
Chapter Title: The Use of a Treacherous Subject
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After that, not long after the year turned, Beonald and Ralt celebrated their coming-of-age ceremony at fifteen.
It was an important milestone, marking the transition from being protected as a child to becoming a full-fledged member of the family.
Beonald and Ralt were permitted to become adults simultaneously in the same place, receiving the sword and pen—symbols of one who works for the territory.
Then, discussions proceeded about what duties each would take on. As planned, both were to assist the acting head of the Lengel family and receive heir training, and it was publicly declared that the two were rivals.
"I'll... absolutely never lose."
'...Well, the medicine still seems to be working.'
Ralt glared at Beonald with burning hostility. But Beonald ignored him with an attitude of 'where is that dog barking from?'
He had no interest in the power of this territory; as long as his own affairs weren't disturbed, that was enough.
Having completed their coming-of-age ceremony, the two headed to the acting head's office to formally receive their assigned duties.
"Becoming an adult is something to be congratulated, but that doesn't mean only good things await. You must fulfill your responsibilities as an individual and carry out your duties. Understood? Beonald. And Ralt, the same goes for you."
"Of course, I understand!"
"From now on, you will work as heirs to the earldom. Your tasks will range from small matters like processing documents here to major ones like taking up a sword and fighting directly. To commemorate your adulthood, your first task has been personally assigned by the Count."
The acting head of the Lengel family took sealed letters from his breast pocket and handed them to Beonald and Ralt.
The two then opened them to check the duties assigned to them.
First, Ralt's task, perhaps because he was the Count's beloved grandson, was not very difficult: to participate in a merchant gathering and grasp the main products of their own territory, the surrounding territories they primarily traded with, and the Empire.
"This... what is this?"
Of course, from the Count's perspective who assigned the task, it was naturally a duty an heir and future lord should perform. But for Ralt, who hadn't received proper education until now, it made him break into a cold sweat. Still, it was a task he had no choice but to do.
'...They're giving this to an heir candidate?'
On the other hand, Beonald read the letter and couldn't believe it, so he read it again.
The contents of the letter didn't change or differ, and Beonald read it once more, grasping the reality.
Beonald Callermain is to clean up the illegal organizations in the Teal slums within the city within one week. However, he must not mobilize the territory's military forces.
'They tell me to clean up the slums but forbid using troops? Is it some kind of test to see if I have the courage to refuse? This isn't a task to give to a 15-year-old.'
Cleaning up the slums. Easy to say, but not something easily accomplished.
The gathering place for losers that exists in every city, from thief guilds to local thugs and criminal organization dens, vagrants, those who came to the city seeking work and failed... assigning a boy who just turned 15 to clean up this lawless area was absurd.
'What are they thinking?'
Beonald began pondering deeply to understand the hidden intent behind the task assigned to him.
First, this was a task assigned by the Count, so he must have some thoughts behind it.
And interpreting this from the perspective of an extremely ordinary(?) noble, he could immediately guess that it was to check a rootless hybrid threatening the position of the beloved direct bloodline.
'Right, of course. Bloodline and tradition are important indeed. Absolutely.'
Since it was a very easy reason to empathize with, Beonald nodded in understanding regarding the task assigned to him.
However, that wasn't a reason to not perform this task.
Of course, he could give up and refuse, claiming it was too much for him. But this was, nominally, the first task personally assigned by the Count. If he openly refused, it was obvious what impression would be stamped on the Count.
'I guess they gave me this from the start because I can't refuse.'
"Beonald, what's the matter? Is the task not easy? Ralt has already left to carry out his duty."
"It's nothing. I was just thinking a bit. But this task... it seems it will take some time. Is that alright?"
"Let me see... Good heavens?"
The acting head of the Lengel family couldn't help but be startled when he saw the note Beonald showed him.
A 15-year-old alone, without soldiers, cleaning up the slums. The opponents were lawless individuals where authority didn't work and law and order had vanished.
No matter how much of a hunter he was, it was impossible for Beonald alone to do that.
"This seems like an overly unreasonable task. What on earth is Father thinking? This is utterly......"
"I'll do it."
"What did you say?"
"This clearly seems like a test. It's the first commemorative task the Count assigned to me as an adult. He probably wants to see my attitude and will. How I respond to an unreasonable, nearly impossible task. I'm just worried if there's a time limit."
"Hmm... It's not specifically written, so it seems until you give up on your own. Don't push yourself too hard. Even I see this as far too unreasonable."
"Still, I'll try it until I do."
Nodding, Beonald left the acting head's office in earnest to carry out the task assigned by the Count.
Truthfully, as the acting head said, refusing this task wasn't a bad method either.
After all, the Count was already an old man waiting to die. Since the one with real authority was the acting head, if he said it was unreasonable, it could have been passed over. But Beonald had diligently packaged it and simply accepted it.
'It's an unreasonable task, but not as bad as I thought.'
The pretext of it being the first task personally assigned by the Count was worth putting aside other matters and focusing on this. Also, under the justification of solving the 'slum' problem, he could leave the mansion anytime without it being strange.
Moreover, since the use of military force was prohibited, an excuse to move alone without guards was created, so Beonald was actually pleased with this task.
'And the best thing about this task is, of course~ it smells of money.'
Whatever illegal organization guys in the slums do to earn money, ultimately, money is needed to maintain an organization, and illegal income exists, which is why slums form.
Especially since Beonald's specialty, alchemy, required an enormous amount of money, he didn't refuse this task that smelled of 'money.'
"Well then, let's go take a look~"
Like a fish to water, Beonald burned with enthusiasm and immediately prepared to go out.
The first thing to do was to get dirty before leaving the mansion, to eliminate the obvious scent and fragrance of this young master.
To do that, Beonald decided to first go into the mountains with Alterio and camp out.
"Sein, I won't be returning to the mansion for a few days due to a task assigned by the Count. I've already told Eresol, so don't worry."
"Understood, Young Master. But could you tell me where you're going?"
"Hmm~ First, I'm going to the mountains. I plan to get a bit dirty while hunting."
"Understood, Young Master."
"And~ if you're not feeling well, don't push yourself too hard; you can rest for a day or two and come out later. Since I'm hunting in the mountains, my nose is a bit sensitive~ Should I say I can smell blood? You know those days? Haha."
"Young Master!"
Leaving behind Sein's voice, shouting as if embarrassed, her face red, Beonald quickly slipped out of the mansion with Alterio.
As he left, Beonald thought pointing out a woman's that(?) day might not have been good, but it was also important to mention it in advance so she could be considerate.
'Last time, she seemed unwell and staggered. Her expression wasn't good either. I couldn't say anything then, so it's better to say it now.'
Hoping Sein would take good care of herself, Beonald headed for the mountains with Alterio.
After Beonald left, Sein immediately went to Madam Meira and informed her that he had left to carry out a task given by the Count.
Hearing that, Madam Meira rested her chin on her hand and began to laugh sharply, seeming genuinely pleased.
"Ohohohohoh! That hybrid finally left to do that task?"
"Yes, Madam. He said he's going to the mountains first to get dirty."
"Hohohohoh! He thinks he's being clever. But that 'Teal slum' isn't a place that can be easily cleaned up like that."
"Huh? So you mean Young Master Beonald is now going to the Teal... slum? That place is too dangerous, Madam!"
Even Sein was startled, as the 'Teal slum' was a truly dangerous place.
A realm of violence and lawlessness, it was no exaggeration to say it was where all the villains of this city gathered.
The previous Count and the acting head of the Lengel family had attempted to subdue it several times, but like parasites, they kept surviving, only increasing casualties and losses. In the end, they left it alone in exchange for tribute from the established organizations.
There, former mercenaries and knights, escaped warlords, had formed various organizations and were waging power struggles against each other.
Illegal trade, prostitution, slave business, drug trafficking, etc... All sorts of crimes occurred, and in that lawless zone where even now, at this very moment, they were killing each other among themselves, it was unimaginable what would happen if a naive young master from the countryside went there.
"That's precisely the aim. Hehehe, since he's been given a task that can never succeed, failure is guaranteed, so his reputation will naturally be tarnished. Moreover, if he's lucky, he might get seriously injured while recklessly challenging it."
"Besides... it's not something that can be done overnight, right?"
"Exactly! That's also part of the aim! As expected, when Father steps in, things become easy. Hehehe, anyway, while that fool is busy with an impossible, reckless task, our Ralt can steadily carry out his work and accumulate points."
Madam Meira repeatedly marveled at the Count Callermain's divine move.
Not only did it perfectly balance the tilted heir situation, but while Beonald was engaged in a nearly impossible task, Ralt would steadily perform tasks suited to his ability, earning points to not only overtake him but also gain the retainers' reputation.
"Ah~ If I had known it would be like this, I should have consulted with Father earlier. Ohohohohoh!"
"But if Young Master Beonald dies... wouldn't it be troublesome?"
"That would be better! If it weren't for that damned hybrid, I wouldn't have tasted such humiliation! More than that, Sein, you seem to be defending that hybrid bastard since earlier. Have you grown attached to him?"
"Ah, no, Madam. I was just thinking of you......"
"Well, you're a hybrid too, so you can't help but be drawn to a hybrid. What a perfectly matched pair you'd make. Ohohohohohoh! Anyway, I want to maintain this good mood today, so get lost."
Enduring Madam Meira's abusive words, Sein was relieved that she wasn't hit and left the room safely today.
Hybrid. That's right. Like Beonald, Sein was also a blood relative of Madam Meira's main family, but because her mother's status was that of a slave, she couldn't become mainstream, and becoming a maid was her limit.
Her father, a 'knight' of the family's bloodline, had irresponsibly poured only pleasure into her mother and considered them non-existent. In the end, since her only family, her mother, still belonged to Madam Meira's main family as a slave, she too was in a position like a family possession.
'Young Master Beonald, please be safe......'
Because of this background, thinking she would easily understand his psychology, she was able to enter as Beonald's exclusive maid under Madam Meira's scheme. She held admiration and amazement for Beonald, who had a similar background but was completely different.
And now, drawn to his considerate and dignified appearance, she returned to her duties, praying for his safety.