Chapter 44
Chapter 44
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 44
Chapter Title: The Usefulness of a Traitor
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"Good heavens! That's truly astonishing. How can one possess such skill at that age? When you were young, did the baron perhaps feed you something special or take some magical measures?"
"...Ah, no. I... only practiced basic mana breathing and training, and it just turned out like this."
"Truly? But how could the baron send someone with this level of skill to me? It doesn't make sense. This is almost... the capability of an intermediate knight?"
"Well, that's because I... I was... intentionally hiding it. My... father taught me mana breathing techniques and weapon skills, but my older brothers... and younger brothers weren't pleased about me becoming stronger. So I acted... deliberately pretending to be a beginner, a clumsy oaf who was just big..."
At first glance, it seemed Baron Zelkard recognized her talent, equipped her with armor, and was raising her as a knight, but he had clearly set limits.
If she possessed outstanding talent, he should have made corresponding investments, but he only taught her the basic level of mana breathing.
'All that talk about a rough diamond and whatnot... was it just empty flattery in the end? No, considering the martial family's traditions and the situation, perhaps this was also a groundbreaking measure?'
In other words, Baron Zelkard ultimately found it a waste to just leave her, a daughter too awkward to marry off, so he did this much to put her to some use. That was all.
Moreover, even though it had improved somewhat due to the chaotic times, there were undoubtedly those within the traditional martial house of Zelkard who would be displeased by a woman like her attempting to enter the domain of knighthood, which had been the exclusive preserve of men.
"Even if I showed I was stronger... the disapproving looks directed at me would only increase, and if it was discovered I was too strong, I didn't think Father would be pleased either..."
"I see. I can't speak carelessly about your family, but I think I roughly understand the circumstances. And... thank you for showing me that talent so frankly."
"Not at all. It's just... I, for myself, but also seeing how you respect Ms. Sain, the maid, I thought I could trust you, young master. And... and... that..."
"You needn't say more. Talent of this caliber. The surrounding circumstances are irrelevant."
Outwardly, he appeared this way, but Beonald was struggling to manage his expression as he looked at Heidi, whose talent exceeded his calculations.
He was so incredibly happy and joyful that he had to restrain himself from showing it, and suppressing joy was also a rather difficult task.
During his past life as Duke Neumel, who held the empire's power, managing and fostering camaraderie among subordinate organizations, including the Imperial Knight Order, was essential, as he wielded the imperial authority to commit his own acts of tyranny.
Furthermore, to acquire the mana breathing techniques and swordsmanship the Neumel family desired, and to protect their power from the constant challenges of other nobles, he needed to recruit individuals with extraordinary martial prowess. Thus, he had cultivated an eye for martial knowledge and people through martial families and the Imperial Knight Order.
'Good grief! I wasn't even expecting it, but to hit such a jackpot! With this, she's at least general material for the empire!'
"Young... master?"
"Ah, I was just lost in thought for a moment. It's... I didn't know the talent would be to this extent, so I was too surprised... I suppose you could say I was admiring the... beauty?"
"...Beauty? It's just... a rough appearance..."
"Rough my foot! Ah! You said you only learned the basics of that mana breathing technique, right? And you haven't learned any other martial arts? Anyway, by any chance... do you have the intention to entrust everything to me? If so, I will surely make that brilliant talent shine... No, wait! I haven't shown you anything yet, so this proposal is hasty. Then behold! The worth of what I can give you!"
Beonald calmed his excitement, stepped back, took up his sword, and assumed a stance.
Then, drawing up his aura, he performed the most difficult and spectacular swordsmanship he could display: the 'Imperial Knight Order Derivative Neumel Style Tenth Form—Twin-Headed Serpent.'
Originally, it should be performed at a faster speed, but he deliberately slowed it down slightly to show the slashes, considering Heidi who was watching.
"What is... this? Ah!"
Since he had even slowed the speed on purpose, to the naked eye, it merely looked like he swung his sword once before her. At first, she was puzzled, but a very brief moment later, she realized the warmth felt on both cheeks and the simultaneous trickle of blood, startling her.
"H-how did this happen? Young master? It... it was clearly just one swing..."
"How did it happen?~ It's swordsmanship, of course. Ah, and don't worry about the wounds. I'll heal them so no scars remain. Actually, experiencing it with your body is the fastest way to learn. Anyway, this time I deliberately slowed the speed to show you... but originally! Hmm!"
At that moment, only the afterimage of a violet aura remained in Heidi's eyes, and she felt another scar being etched onto each of her cheeks.
Along with the cold, searing pain of the sword, she realized the level of Beonald's swordsmanship was beyond her imagination. Purely impressed, she knelt and bowed her head.
Not only had she directly experienced swordsmanship on a different dimension, but Beonald's composed, lofty appearance had shaken her heart once more.
"Thank you so much for such consideration towards an ignorant person like me, young master! I, Heidi, entrust my body and heart—everything—to you."
"Good. The faith and loyalty you offer me, I shall reciprocate with grace. Even if there are hardships or sorrows, do not lose your faith in me. I will take responsibility for everything about you."
"Th-thank you, young master."
"Moreover, what I mean by 'everything' is not merely life as a knight. Truly radiant and beautiful Heidi, if your heart permits, I wish to become family with you and share all glory and happiness."
"Huh?"
At Beonald's sudden confession, Heidi turned red to her ears, not knowing what to do.
Though her face was sufficiently beautiful, her tall stature and large frame, which made it hard to see her as feminine, meant she had no resistance at all to such a direct hit and compliments. She hadn't even had any proper romantic talks.
Besides, she was seventeen this year, a maiden in the flower of her youth, wasn't she? Even if she didn't show it, it was an age where one naturally yearned for romance.
To such a girl, a confession from Beonald—who possessed a handsome appearance, a well-trained physique and strong martial prowess that were her ideal, and sensibilities as a noble rivaling her father's—was nothing short of a critical hit. The problem was that the stimulus was too intense, so she couldn't adapt.
"Th-that! That! That! Um! It's too... too sudden... that! I, I need to ask at home first too... that... I'm very grateful for your words, but... ugh..."
'Well, she's still a child after all. That part is cute, though~'
"Ughhhh..."
Overheating. Her brain couldn't keep up with the overly sudden situation.
In contrast, Beonald enjoyed her adorable reaction while managing his expression and gaze.
Since his past life as the family head count, he had worked hard to gain power and status, but he had also been very passionate about romance.
"Right. It was too hasty a topic, wasn't it? Finding a life partner isn't something to decide in a moment... Then let's put it on hold. I'll wait until your heart opens."
"Yes... Thank you."
'Well, if I pushed, I could probably take her to bed right here... but that's not my style. Damned Felix, that bastard.'
Even so, Beonald possessed consideration for women. The reason he chose this approach to romance and marriage was because of his father, the previous family head, Felix.
He had seen with his own eyes the devilish conduct of a man who viewed women merely as machines for producing heirs, even obsessed to the point of collecting one child from each woman in the territory as a tax.
Unwanted pregnancies. If they resisted, he would threaten them by killing their families or skinning them alive within the limits of his power, or even exile them from the territory, and so on. When Beonald thought that he was born through such vicious means, his loathing for his damned father arose.
'...I can understand other things as a noble, as a family, but this... this is utterly incomprehensible.'
Beonald was willing to acknowledge things to a certain extent, but he knew that if he emulated even this, he would be no different from the detestable Felix. Thus, regarding matters of romance, marriage, and producing heirs, he had chosen a path completely opposite to his.
'Anyway, this much should be sufficient for now. First, I must make this lovely lady's talent bloom.'
Beonald then began teaching Heidi in earnest the old Imperial Knight Order's mana breathing technique and the Imperial Knight Order's weapon arts that he knew.
The reason he taught her the Imperial Knight Order's arts, not the Neumel family's swordsmanship, was simple logic: the derivative Neumel family style had no spear techniques.
And since he knew she had innate martial talent unlike himself, there was no need to teach her something weaker; he could teach her the proper thing.
"Now, then, slowly try the mana breathing technique I just taught you. I'll watch over you, so don't worry. And of course... you know you mustn't carelessly tell others, right?"
"Yes! I'll keep it in mind."
Watching Heidi sit and practice the mana breathing technique, Beonald fell into thought for a moment.
Humans are truly strange; the memories one wishes most to forget, the ones that were painful to the point of agony, always resurface precisely at such moments.
To avoid following in Felix's footsteps, Beonald had decided to be as considerate as possible towards women regarding romance and marriage, just as he was with Heidi. However, exceptions exist in all worldly affairs, and one such exception remained a stain on Beonald's life.
'Hoo~ I tried not to recall it if possible, but it comes up anyway... that... woman.'
The legal wife, the first spouse. This position could elevate the family's honor and grant greater status and power depending on the partner, so it had to be judged solely on political, power-related aspects.
The value and merit were too great to ignore, so despite his distaste, Beonald had entered a marriage that disregarded affection, love, and contract for the sake of family and power.
Exactly one woman. They became husband and wife, but he treated her not as a spouse but merely as a ladder for the family. A woman with no notable talent, charm, or ability, married solely for her family of origin.
A woman treated like a decorative flower, to whom he gave no heart. If only she had resented or raged at him, he might have felt less guilt, but she never resented him, even until her dying moment.
Perhaps that's why the memory remained so vividly, even after death.
'This time... I must never do such a thing again.'
"Yo-young master! Something! This is amazing! It's on a completely different level from the mana breathing technique I've been practicing until now."
The difference between the common mana breathing technique she had learned and the one used by the Imperial Knight Order that had conquered the continent was like the difference between the high heavens and the underground depths. It was only natural for Heidi to be astonished upon feeling it.
Anyway, awakened from his thoughts by her voice, Beonald instructed her to continue focusing, anticipating Heidi being forged into his powerful spear.
And for several months, the earldom maintained a temporary state of peace.
The seemingly impossible task of the Teal slums had been entrusted to him, and what returned was superficially a failure, but it was not a failure; it only increased the political influence over the earldom's subordinate factions. Thus, Count Callermain and Lady Meira had agreed to refrain from doing anything to Beonald for the time being.
Thanks to that, Beonald's daily life became drastically idle. Apart from occasional tasks assigned by the acting head of the Lengel family, he spent his time lazing around the mansion, training with Heidi, and conducting research to satisfy Selina's thirst for knowledge.
The reason was simple. If Beonald were entrusted with any work and achieved merits or accomplishments that Ralt could never surpass, the succession structure of the territory would be completely finished.
"It's perfect that they're ignoring me. Moreover, being able to live without working... it's truly a life commoners would envy."
"Is it really alright to continue like this?"
While having a brief teatime with Selina in the hideout at Sir Maldrov's private estate, after a long discussion about magic and alchemy, Beonald shrugged at her sudden question and answered nonchalantly.
"Hmm? What's the problem? It's not like I'm truly lazing around; I'm thoroughly training my skills and conducting research. And~ that Young Master Ralt is also working very hard."
Unlike Beonald, who was utterly at ease, Ralt, the earldom's heir, was buried under various territory duties and studies, striving alongside the count, Lady Meira, and her family's retainers to suppress the fame and achievements Beonald had rapidly gained due to the Teal slums incident.
In truth, it was the natural consequence of paying the price for spending about 15 years as the earldom's heir without receiving proper education and just fooling around.
According to the whispers among the mansion's maids and butlers, Young Master Ralt had recently been living a harsh daily routine: waking at 6 a.m. every day, working, training, and studying until 2-3 a.m., then sleeping.
"What's concerning is actually young master's safety. It's quiet now, but it's a situation where Lady Meira or the count could strike at any time."
The two were not the type to leave alone the existence that destabilized the earldom's succession structure, so Selina's concern was persuasive. However, Beonald seemed completely unperturbed, merely continuing to sip his tea and smile elegantly.