Chapter 45
Chapter 45
Chapter 45
Grey Bellatrix (1)
One way or another, the alliance between Rudian and Sitri had huge repercussions.
"Asmodeus! Are you in your right mind? How dare you proceed with matters on your own without my and Marbas's consent!"
Baron Rigos Bargo.
In reality, Rigos, one of the demon lords of the demon realm, was spewing volcanic-like anger at Sitri's unilateral action.
He was originally not a very patient being, and he had justification for spewing his anger.
But Sitri's response was cold.
"Shut up, Rigos."
"Wh-what?"
"Don't you understand that a plan that took over 50 years of effort could collapse in an instant? They knew everything we were planning!"
"Wh-what are you saying?"
Her expression was tinged with irritation.
"They even pinpointed the exact time when the Demon Gate would open. If that's the case, we should assume they also know about the 'Core' we discovered earlier."
In fact, it wasn't "exactly" but roughly correct, but for Sitri, who was under the misconception that Rudian knew everything, there was little difference.
"They knew exactly not only about you and me but also Marbas's identity. Everything, including Rohans crossing over with the advance party!"
"...Wh-what?"
Rigos was shocked.
At that level, it meant the opponent knew virtually everything about them.
"At least they didn't seem interested in plotting against this world. They appeared to be enjoying some amusement among humans."
"Could it be Dragons?"
"I don't know. Those lizards might have been interested in how things unfold, even if they have no interest in the human continent..."
Sitri continued with a frown behind the curtain.
"But considering I couldn't sense any dragon battle aura, they're likely not dragons. He was just an ordinary human aura user at best."
"You could only read that much...?"
"Either way, our opponent's power is real."
In fact, Sitri's assessment of Rudian's ability was spot on, but her thoughts had already become so biased that she couldn't even consider that possibility.
Rigos let out a groan at Sitri's words.
"An alien species, or perhaps a divine race."
"I think so too."
"Only those two types could possibly know our circumstances to this extent."
GRIND!
Rigos ground his teeth and emitted killing intent.
"So we're just going to sit still like this?"
"Rigos, what kind of trouble are you planning to cause?"
"Whatever their identity is, my pride won't allow us to be led around like this!"
"Are you crazy? Do you really intend to ruin the grand plan?"
CRACK!
The armrest of the chair Sitri was sitting on shattered.
But even so, Rigos's attitude didn't change.
"Anyway, since they know so much about our situation, who knows when they might stab us in the back! Rather than that, it's better to take the risk and eliminate their forces!"
"You're going to cause trouble without knowing how large their forces might be?"
"Hmph! There's a possibility it's actually just a bluff!"
That was correct.
"I don't cower like you just because I've created a few vassals. You made the promise in your name, right? Then if I interfere, it wouldn't violate the pact!"
"This... Madman!"
Of course, the names signed on the non-aggression treaty were Demon Lord Asmodeus and Rudian.
If Rigos were to act, he naturally wouldn't face any backlash, but such matters couldn't be resolved that simply!
"You reckless fool...! Fine, but I have two conditions."
"Conditions?"
"First, absolutely no fighting inside the capital. If you fight here, everything will be ruined whether you win or lose. And if you lose, I'll discuss with Marbas and cut you off."
Expulsion!
Rigos's power was certainly strong.
In terms of hierarchy among demon lords, he was much higher than Asmodeus.
But that didn't mean his reckless behavior could be tolerated.
"What did you just say...!"
"This is a matter of a completely different dimension from what you've been doing on your own. If you can't accept this, I'll tell Marbas and seal you until the Demon Gate opens."
In reality, just staying still would have been helpful.
But Rigos's pride wouldn't allow it.
Until now, he had been obediently following orders under the pretext of the "grand plan," but this time, Rigos had his own justification.
"Fine, I accept your proposal."
"Damn it, do as you please!"
Rigos had basic intelligence, but once heat entered his head, control became extremely difficult.
Sitri seriously began to contemplate how such a person had risen to become a demon lord.
***
The fact that Rudian was recognized as the official heir of the Belstad family went straight to the ears of the imperial family.
News reaching the imperial family meant it also reached the Third Prince, and for the Third Prince who was eyeing the Seoris Union Trading Company, it was thunderbolt news.
"Y-Your Highness! You must not do this!"
The main house of the Delphione family fell into confusion due to the sudden appearance of the Third Prince.
"Quiet! Tell Luciella to come out right now!"
Even as a prince, when visiting a duke's house, coordination of prior schedules was necessary by custom.
But the Third Prince, consumed by anger, completely ignored such customs and was causing havoc in the duke's mansion.
"That's far enough, Third Prince Roho."
"Duke Vincent!"
As soldiers and employees were overwhelmed, even knights had come out to restrain the prince.
"Duke, this time you've clearly crossed the line! I came to firmly question you about this, and to be met with such rudeness!"
"......"
Vincent looked at the Third Prince with an expression of disbelief.
Not only barging into someone else's house and causing trouble, but such insolence!
Of course, it was true that they had interfered with the Third Prince's affairs, but strictly speaking, the cause of this situation lay with the Third Prince.
"Please come in for now."
Being a prince and the fiancé of the ducal princess, he couldn't issue a command to leave here.
Vincent personally guided the Third Prince to the reception room and disappeared down another corridor with the words, "Do your best."
"...What?"
The Third Prince wore a slightly confused expression as Duke Vincent, whom he had expected to be his conversation partner, suddenly disappeared.
But when he saw the red-haired woman sitting in one corner of the reception room, the Third Prince realized Duke Vincent's intention.
"...Luciella."
At the end of the Third Prince's gaze, Luciella was sitting quietly enjoying the aroma of tea.
And behind her stood a well-groomed young man quietly, but the Third Prince, crazed with anger, had no leisure to pay attention to such a minor figure.
"Welcome, Your Highness. This way."
Luciella rose from her seat and seated the Third Prince opposite her.
The Third Prince plopped down with a huff and immediately got to the point, glaring at the opposite side.
"What kind of joke is this?"
"What joke?"
"About the Belstad family!"
The Third Prince had received a report just yesterday from Sitri Belstad that she had transferred ownership of the Belstad family to Rudian Belstad.
Although the Third Prince sincerely loved Sitri, this matter was separate from that.
Taking over the Belstad family would give him a significant advantage in the future competition for crown prince.
No matter how much he coaxed and cajoled her, Sitri only repeated, "I'm sorry, Your Highness," remaining immovable.
Having been pestered so much, Sitri even unintentionally showed signs of irritation, an emotion she had never displayed to the Third Prince before.
"What kind of threats did you make to her!"
"I don't recall ever meeting Sitri Belstad."
"Don't be ridiculous! She went out saying she would meet this guy Rudian, and suddenly declared she would give up all her rights! Do you think something like that would happen if you hadn't interfered?"
From the Third Prince's perspective, that was common sense.
Before meeting Rudian, Sitri had been purely following the Third Prince, and the elders of the Seoris Union Trading Company were also cooperating obediently without any particular resistance.
"......"
Luciella quietly sighed.
Then she spoke to Rudian, who was standing behind her.
"Lord Rudian."
"Yes, Princess."
"Please explain to His Highness."
"......!"
The Third Prince had not expected at all that the young man behind Luciella was actually the person involved in this matter.
Rudian slowly bowed his head to the Third Prince.
"I am Rudian Belstad, Your Highness."
The Third Prince glared at Rudian, grinding his teeth.
"...How brazen."
"What do you mean?"
"I said your attitude is brazen! Not only daring to interfere in imperial affairs, but a mere commoner acting so stiffly towards me, the Third Prince. Do you want to die?"
'What is wrong with this idiot?'
Rudian was freshly shocked by the Third Prince's blunt approach.
Of course, the position of Third Prince gives him the right to speak like this.
But right now, he is in a tremendous political crisis after the Delphione ducal family has turned its back on him.
Even if he had come in humility and focused all his efforts on restoring relations with Luciella, it wouldn't be enough, yet he's causing such trouble?
"Do I want to die... I don't think Your Highness can kill me."
"What...?"
"When exactly are you planning to grow up?"
"......!"
JUMP!
The Third Prince rose from his seat and glared at Rudian as if he wanted to kill him.
If there had been knights around, he would have immediately ordered them to kill Rudian with that momentum.
"You, what makes you so insolent!"
"I'm rather curious what makes Your Highness act so presumptuously."
"I, I'm presumptuous!"
The Third Prince's voice tone rose to its maximum.
Even Luciella, who had allowed this conversation, briefly thought, 'Isn't this going too far?' as Rudian's words and actions had crossed the line.
Rudian continued with a sigh.
"I'm amazed at your mental state, mentioning another woman repeatedly in front of your fiancée, but I also don't understand how you can act so recklessly even though your patron, the Delphione family, has turned its back on you."
Probably the moment this matter is settled, other princely factions will bite, tear, taste, and enjoy the Third Prince.
"Did you perhaps think you could replace Delphione just by getting your hands on the Seoris Union Trading Company?"
The Third Prince screamed in rage.
"How dare you prattle on as if you know anything! The political forces that Baron Gude Belstad gathered for me are beyond what you can imagine!"
"......"
"With their support alone, I don't need this unwanted engagement!"
"Your Highness...."
Luciella called out to the Third Prince with a pained expression, but there was no response.
Rudian was dumbfounded.
"...Ha."
Well... What should he say...
A prince destroying his own foundation by himself because he doesn't want to get married.
He seriously questioned whether such a person should really be matched with Luciella.
-I've checked again, but there are no traces of brainwashing.
Adi's words made him lose even his last bit of sympathy.
"So, do these forces support Your Highness?"
What bound those supporting forces together was likely not only the authority of the Third Prince but also the enormous wealth that Gude possessed.
However, the authority to wield that wealth now belongs to Rudian.
"Hand over the Belstad family head's seal obediently. Then I will no longer pay attention to you."
"And if I refuse?"
"The Delphione ducal family will turn against the imperial family!"
It seemed the Third Prince hadn't come charging in without any thought after all.
Indeed, the Third Prince was moving to bring the Seoris Union Trading Company under direct imperial control rather than his own command.
Since the Delphione ducal family had interfered with that, it would be difficult for the imperial family to view it positively.
"Hmm, so you did use your brain a bit."
A thick vein appeared on the Third Prince's forehead at Rudian's still disrespectful tone.
"No matter how much Delphione is one of the empire's three great families, they cannot go against the imperial family's will alone."
"Perhaps."
Indeed, Delphione alone cannot bend the will of the imperial family.
Only "alone."
Rudian sneered at the Third Prince with as unpleasant an expression as possible.
"Then what if two families conspire together?"
"...What?"
"Please come in."
Rudian turned his head and called out softly toward the opposite side of the reception room.
"......?"
The Third Prince mechanically turned his gaze to where Rudian was looking.
THUMP! THUMP!
And in response to Rudian's call, a boy of about 15 wearing a robe characteristic of magicians began to enter the reception room.
"Y-you, why are you here...!"
The Third Prince muttered in a trembling voice, as if he was acquainted with the boy.
A robe engraved with flame-like patterns unique to the Fire Magic Tower.
Light gray hair close to silver.
And a cynical and arrogant air evident from his expression.
The Third Prince shouted the boy's name in shock.
"Grey Bellatrix! Why are you here!"
"It's been a while, Third Prince."
The boy lifted his wide-brimmed magician's hat and greeted the Third Prince.
"I see you're still as clueless as ever."
The content of that greeting was quite disrespectful to be given to royalty.
But the Third Prince was too shocked to say anything.
Gray Bellatrix.
The minor head of the Bellatrix ducal family, one of the empire's three great ducal families, and the most promising candidate among the next generation of tower lords for the Fire Magic Tower.
And above all, he was the character responsible for ‘magic’ in the protagonist Abel's party, a figure who in the original work was called the "God of Magic."