Chapter 94
Chapter 94
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 94
Chapter Title: Even a Treacherous Subject Has His Uses
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Just the Emperor's personality, so reminiscent of Felix von Neumel, ignited a competitive fire in his chest like a blazing flame. With such intense pressure being applied, Beonald was on the verge of trembling with excitement. Don't they say that mountaineers burn with more passion the higher and more difficult the mountain? Beonald also felt that the stronger Felix von Neumel appeared as a substitute to be defeated, the more his fighting spirit would blaze. 'If you think I'm only aiming for that, you're mistaken. Shall we start doing this properly, slowly~?' "What's got you so pleased?"
"Ah, it's nothing. It's just that I can't help but feel excited, Senior. I intend to claim victory and redeem myself."
And now, Beonald was riding a horse with Kedron, on his way back to the Valderian family mansion. Perhaps because they had grown more familiar with each other while training together, talking about the upcoming Sports Festival which was now not far off, they continued their conversation without any burden.
"I see. By the way… I have a favor to ask when we get back."
"A favor? Please, speak freely. I am in your debt; there's nothing to hesitate about."
"Well… it's… my immature younger siblings want to touch your griffin… sigh~" "Hahahaha! What's so difficult about that? However, as he is wary of strangers, I would appreciate it if you and a few soldiers could assist. It would be even more shameful for me if a member of the Valderian bloodline were to get hurt."
"Understood. I'd be happy to." 'On the contrary, it's something I should be grateful for.' Apart from becoming a retainer, increasing his friendship with the Valderian family members could only benefit Beonald, so he gladly allowed the family's children to touch and even ride Alterio. As soon as they returned to the Valderian estate, they went to see Alterio, who was sleeping in a separate pen. Piiiiiiiiiiit! Now fully grown into an adult, Alterio looked every bit the majestic griffin to anyone who saw him, except for his missing wing, making his appearance heart-pounding for all. Yet, he still acted like a young chick in front of Beonald, clinging to him.
"There, there, I haven't been able to play with you much lately, have I? You must have been lonely. Ah, please don't come any closer yet. He's excited right now… You can see his claws, right?"
"I'm aware."
"Wooow~" "So coooool~" "Brother, can we really ride that?"
The majestic face with white and brown fur and a yellow beak, combined with the sleek, well-built body of a feline beast. Although a monster of a dangerous species, thanks to its splendid appearance, the griffin is even used as a crest by some families. Seeing it move actively and act cute made the Valderian children's eyes sparkle with delight.
"By the way, you must have seen him when he was in the pen, isn't this excessive excitement? Young masters and ladies……."
"They probably haven't seen him move so actively before. Speaking of which, how about trying to ride him once?"
"That was the plan. Just a moment. Since we're going to ride him anyway, shouldn't we make it look splendid?"
Clank! Beonald took out the magic armor he had worn during the war with the Callermain Earldom and put it on Alterio. Even standing still, he was a majestic sight, but clad in imposing steel armor, while his wildness diminished slightly, it combined with the unique, armed dignity of a heavy cavalry mount, making Alterio appear even more majestic and imposing.
"And~ Hup~ Good, Alterio~ Calm down~ Calm down. Here, have some jerky~ Good."
"It's truly incredible even seeing it again. Did you take him to an actual battlefield with that?"
"Yes. I kept him hidden, and when enemy knights tried to flank and attack our rear, we charged from the side, reducing the speed and power of the enemy cavalry. As you know, griffins originally target horses and cattle on the ground from the sky, right? Being their natural predator, just hearing his sincere roar makes the enemy cavalry's horses panic and cause chaos."
"Anyway… If he's calmed down now, could you grant that favor? The kids are looking like they're about to die of anticipation."
"Understood, Senior. Now, slowly~ slowly~ Alterio~ slowly~ Soldiers, please stay alert so you can pull the young masters and ladies out at any moment, just in case. We can't afford any unforeseen incidents."
Beonald carefully gave the Valderian children the griffin experience while continuing to build friendships. Here, the social skills that had simmered noble families as Duke Beonald 500 years ago were shining. Not only did he give the Valderian children the griffin experience, but he also distributed special gifts to each of them.
"What's this? A feather?"
"It's a decoration made from Alterio's feathers. I made it so you young masters can attach it later when you acquire your own swords or armor. As you know, griffins are brave monsters that fight to protect their territory. I hope such bravery imbues you all as well."
"Wooow~" He had made these little by little since raising Alterio, between giving gifts to Selina, anticipating such an occasion. Excluding the fact that it was a griffin's feather, it was a crude object inferior to common trinkets sold on the street, but because it was a griffin's feather, its value skyrocketed overwhelmingly, and he won the hearts of the Valderian children at once.
"Or you can attach it to the clothes you're wearing now. You can remove it later and attach it to a sword or armor. Well then~ Senior, I'll go take this guy for a walk. If he goes in like this, he'll surely become a pig from lack of exercise. He needs to run around once more to relieve his stress too."
"Alright. And… it's embarrassing, but could I have one too? I'd like to put it on my sword. Ah, one more for my father's."
"Of course. But for yours and the Family Head's, I'll make proper ones using more gems and metal. Please give me a little more time."
"Understood. I'll gladly wait."
While power struggles and territory management were also Beonald's forte, the true strength that allowed Beonald, backed by the Emperor, to stand at the pinnacle of the Unified Empire's power was precisely this aspect. Appropriate gifts and treatment that satisfied the other party, and occasionally the ability to receive and fulfill requests, then using the connections gained to adjust power and build his own faction. Especially the fact that he could utilize a specialized skill called alchemy in all sorts of ways was remarkable.
"What is this?"
"It's something I made as repayment for freeloading as a guest. It's one step better than that beauty soap sold by the Shanam merchant guild these days."
"This?"
"You'll know once you try it. I have some expertise in alchemy, you see, Madam. And one more extra. This is called shampoo, a soap for hair. Think of it like the perfumed oil you use when washing hair. Use a little, lather it up, then apply it to your hair as if smoothing it down, and your hair texture will improve."
The soap recipe given to Deren was just the tip of the iceberg. To maintain his power as a High Noble, Beonald had constantly researched methods to produce not only common potions but all sorts of products needed for beauty through alchemical techniques. 'People… are ultimately no different now than they were 500 years ago. No, they probably won't change even after millennia. Since I'm doing something I've done before, it's much easier.' Although the head of a noble family was the male patriarch, the masters of the night, the bed, and the heirs were mostly women. By monopolizing the items that captured their hearts, Beonald was no different from an absolute power holder. 'And… this also served as an excuse to contact that bastard Deren, for which I was very grateful. To the point of singing to ask for the recipe, it felt real… No, that was probably sincere.' However, to produce these items, he had to visit Deren's soap factory again, but this too was a good way to deceive the Emperor's eyes. He could disguise his purpose for meeting Deren with this. 'It's a perfect smokescreen. Now then, Mr. Watcher, shall we play a little headache-inducing game?' 'Damn it…!' The Imperial Intelligence agent, currently observing Beonald, was stressed to the point of breaking due to the sheer number of talents and abilities the boy possessed. He had thought Beonald was simply aiming to win the Sports Festival. He knew the boy had been kicked out of the Callermain family, but he was far more adept at winning the favor of noble families than expected.
"What the hell kind of person is he? Is this really a teenager?"
It was already astonishing that a boy in his late teens possessed all these talents, skills, and knowledge. Even the Valderian family, where he was currently taking refuge, already treated him almost like a member of the family, getting along very well. Not only that, but since the Valderian family was now a proper noble family, they would have opportunities to show off items obtained from Beonald at events like balls or social gatherings where they met other noble families. 'Other things aside… this isn't something we can handle.' This realm of social interaction among nobles was not something that could be resolved through espionage. Of course, there were methods like sabotaging the business, or kidnapping and assassination, but the kid was currently under the Valderian family's protection, and furthermore, the soap business was bringing immense profits to the Imperial treasury. 'Should I tell the Imperial Family to… seize the business? No, that's difficult too. Since he's paying tribute to other High Nobles as much as to the Imperial Family….' Deren, being thoughtful, did not distribute bribes solely to the Imperial Family. To ensure that if one side pointed a sword, he could call upon others for restraint, he very wisely spread money to other nobles, including the Valderian family, and was even prepared to seek their protection if necessary. 'Ah, I don't know. Ultimately, it's something for His Majesty the Emperor to decide. Ugh~ This is definitely not something a mere spy like me can judge. I'll just report it.' In the end, the spy gave up thinking as events unfolded beyond his level of intervention and decided to report everything he had seen and heard as is. However, he still hadn't noticed Beonald's true trump card.
A few days later.
Even under surveillance, Beonald spent his time doing what he wanted to do, and meanwhile, the day of the Sports Festival arrived.
As it was a fairly large event in the Imperial capital, the Academy, which commoners normally couldn't enter, was open today, drawing huge crowds.
Commoners came to watch the competitions held in the Commoner Faculty or to engage in various trades, while nobles gathered to see their family's honor and the performances of their majors.
Nobles from families who had sent their children here all gathered for the competitions of the Noble Faculty. A massive crowd had taken their seats to watch the grand battle between the two clubs and factions within the Knight major: the 'Garden of Swords' and the 'Sword and Shield' clubs.
The Emperor of the Kalleum Empire, unable to miss this event where the heirs of noble families who would lead the nation's future were all mobilized, had also come to the Academy. He sat with the Empress, his other consorts, and his children, waiting for the soon-to-begin contest. However, one seat remained empty.
Precisely, the seat of Princess Zelci Kalleum.
'…I wonder how surprised he'll be when he sees this seat. Hehe.'
Based on the continuous reports from the intelligence agent, the Emperor, unsure of what might happen, had long since sent Zelci to the territory of Baron Vani.
Though he found Beonald's efforts through various means and methods impressive, it was all for naught as long as Princess Zelci wasn't here. Whatever the boy tried would be useless.
Thinking of Beonald realizing his efforts were in vain and falling into despair, the Emperor watched as the Knight major contestants from the Noble Faculty entered the arena.