Chapter 62
Chapter 62
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 62
Chapter Title: Homecoming (3)
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"Is... is the young master back this time?"
"The young master is back?"
"Really?!"
"..."
Hermann barely suppressed a sigh that was about to burst out and gestured to the maids swarming around him.
It was a firm motion telling them to cut the chatter and get back to work.
As he watched them scatter while squealing among themselves, clutching his forehead, a voice laced with amusement came from beside him.
"The young master's influence runs this deep, huh. I wonder if you can handle it."
"He's been sharp since he was a kid, so I'm sure he'll manage just fine, Hanna."
"He was exceptional, that's true. But I didn't expect him to come back leading people like that."
Head maid Hanna continued, gazing at the carriages visible beyond the window.
"Kendrid Margrave and the Tristan Grand Duke, of all people. Did you report this to the baron?"
"Not yet, I suppose. I heard Goldic Viscount came to visit."
Hanna gave a wry smile of understanding at Hermann's weary tone.
"...It seems Chester Count has been taking an unusual interest in our territory lately. The baron must be having a tough time."
Ask anyone around here who the most powerful noble is, and all ten out of ten would name Chester Count.
Goldic Viscount was just one of his lackeys.
"It is strange."
"Pardon?"
"I've met Chester Count a few times before. He was greedy, but he knew the basic decorum. He never tried to seize someone else's land this aggressively."
"..."
"I have no idea what wind is blowing. Maybe something's happened inside his territory."
"Well, it's not like we're in a position to worry about other territories right now."
Hanna said that and looked out the window again.
"Especially when families with such renowned reputations show up, bringing their house carriages to someone else's territory at the same time... right? That's usually what it means."
Hermann let out a sigh he couldn't hold back this time, having perfectly read the implication between her lines.
"...It won't come to marriage talks."
"You're pretty confident about that?"
"Both houses are great nobles whose very presence can stir political storms with mere marriage discussions. If it were that serious, the family heads would have come themselves."
"..."
Hanna's wry smile deepened as she listened to Hermann.
For his part, Hermann wore an expression like a chill was running down his spine for some inexplicable reason.
"Have you read this? It just arrived from the Magic Academy telegraph."
With that, Hanna handed him a briefly written letter.
"These two houses might be more serious than we think."
Stamped on the envelope was a divine seal—one of the highest ranks, with a three-winged mark indicating authority possessed by only two people on the entire continent besides the Pontiff.
The high priest leading the Grand Temple. And the Saintess, representative of all the faithful.
And the content written there was...
"This isn't a forgery, is it?"
"Doesn't seem like a lie, Hermann. No one would impersonate the Saintess herself unless they were insane. We confirmed the divine seal is authentic too."
"..."
A dizzying sensation swept over him for a moment, but it didn't take long to regain his composure.
After all, both Hanna and he were veterans who'd spent decades in this line of work. Sudden unexpected situations were par for the course.
Though nothing had ever escalated quite this far.
"...Gather every available person. We need to prepare thoroughly."
If the contents of this letter were true...
The Saintess herself would be among those staying in this territory right now. That alone made it a major incident.
And the people following her were even more problematic.
Unlike the Saintess, who was highly valued for her 'symbolism,' these 'two' were among the handful on the continent with real power!
"Make sure to warn everyone strictly. At least for the next few days, no accidents in the territory—"
As he was about to give the order...
An explosion like a bomb going off erupted from the upstairs office.
Followed by the sound of someone getting hit.
Do you even know who I am? If you touch me, Chester Count won't let it slide, and so on.
Screams and pig-like squeals continued.
Then, at some point, it went quiet.
"..."
It was as if saying no accidents should happen had jinxed it. And in the one place where an incident was absolutely forbidden.
Right now, Goldic Viscount should be deep in conversation with Campbell Baron. Whichever side, they were the most precious guests in this territory at the moment!
Paling at the thought, Hermann started toward the stairs, but his body froze stiff again.
"...So this is what it feels like when fat makes a person this heavy. Your laziness is impressive at this level."
"Well, doesn't that mean I got to flog you a bit longer? You held up better than I thought."
Exchanging such words...
He spotted two women dragging a bloodied Goldic Viscount down the stairs.
"..."
"..."
As Hermann and Hanna fell silent together, Dawood descended next with a grim expression and approached them.
"Hermann. Prepare one carriage."
"...Pardon?"
"The fastest one. It won't take long to reach Goldic Viscounty, right?"
"Young master. I'd follow any order, but at least give me a minimal explanation. What on earth is...?"
"Just."
Dawood clutched his head.
"That territory might have a new owner soon."
"..."
"That's all you need to know."
It was an explanation that left no room for further questions.
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The lord's castle inside Goldic Viscounty was surrounded by security so tight it was hard to believe it was just a viscounty.
Of course, given the territory's mining-based economy, it was overflowing with sturdy men, making it easier to mobilize military resources than territories of similar size. But with a 'special guest' like this, the precautions were even stricter.
"The viscount went himself, so everything should be wrapped up by tonight. No need to worry."
Goldic Viscounty's administrator said this while sweating profusely.
Sitting across from him was Chester Count's chamberlain, lounging arrogantly.
Power was the ultimate bully.
They wouldn't dirty their own hands, so they forced nearby territories to do it, then acted like Goldic Viscount owed them a debt.
Of course, they didn't want rumors of the count's house rampaging directly.
Everyone knew the truth, but as long as those involved kept quiet, no one would step up to hold them accountable directly. Not unless a major noble intervened personally.
"He's just a baron with no notable connections. Chester Count can easily find the land he wants."
"It had better be that way."
Chester Count's chamberlain said lowly, his face impassive as stone.
"The count doesn't like waiting. If it's not settled by tonight, your territory will be reduced to ashes."
Behind the chamberlain, a massive knight in heavy armor breathed heavily with menace.
An automaton, the most popular unmanned weapon developed by the Magic Tower. The 'Drive Knight' type.
Even 'renting' one—not buying—required an astronomical sum, like a mountain of gold, but its proven overwhelming might was legendary.
It wasn't an exaggeration to say that Goldic Viscounty, whose proper armed forces were just trained militiamen, could be wiped out by one.
The reason Chester Count's house could bully neighbors without backlash was largely due to these weapons.
"Wh-why would we hesitate?"
As the administrator forced a smile in response, the drawing room door burst open.
The administrator, about to bellow at the rudeness during a guest reception, shut his mouth upon seeing the intruding soldier's state.
Even a battlefield survivor wouldn't look this shocked.
"...What the hell happened to you? What's going on?"
"The territory is under attack!"
"..."
The administrator and chamberlain's faces went blank simultaneously.
Under attack? What attack?
In this peaceful area without even bandits or thieves?
Barring that, no sane person would march on this backwater, and noble wars without declarations weren't tolerated by the imperial palace.
"What nonsense is that? An attack? Who's crazy enough to do that?"
"..."
The soldier hesitated.
He seemed embarrassed to even say it.
"The attackers are two women in academy uniforms and one man!"
"..."
A horrific silence billowed through the office.
●
"Stop, stop, stop! If you move, you're deeeaaad—!"
The soldier aiming his bow this way crumpled unconscious, a fist-sized stone to the forehead.
Eliya had casually kicked up a roadside pebble and tossed it lightly.
He must have felt safe at over 100 meters from the sword-wielding foes, but to a hero candidate, that's well within throwing range with a mere stone.
"Shields up! We can't let them enter the lord's castle no matter whaaat—!"
The squad leader rallying the soldiers flew into the air along with them.
Elnor had swung her sheathed sword in place, sending them tumbling far away in the resulting sword wind.
"Alert! Arroooows—!"
The bells clanged desperately. Urgent screams and cries echoed everywhere.
And in the midst of it all, two people strolled casually.
"Oh. The powder magazine blew."
Eliya said this while batting away a dozen incoming flaming arrows.
Some of the deflected arrows veered into a bad spot, causing a massive explosion.
People ran madly, fires erupted here and there, and some froze in terror, screaming without moving.
pandemonium. Hellscape.
"I'd give that a 20. Quite a few soldiers neutralized, right?"
"No way. Generous score's 10."
"Aw, being stubborn again. Even at 10, I'd have five more than you? I claim the bed next to teacher tonight?"
"Hmm. We haven't even entered the lord's castle yet. That's where the real fun starts."
Their banter drifted down from above.
"...I think I said to keep it reasonable."
"Isn't this reasonable?"
"Yeah. No one's dead, right?"
My timid protest was quickly dismissed.
Fair point. Amid this chaos, no one had died. Not even serious injuries.
Even generously, Goldic Viscount's standing army was just a trained militia.
Yet these two could 'adjust' while toying around.
'...Why are they so strong?'
No room for me to step in. No need for directions like usual.
These two were unilaterally sweeping an entire territory.
Sure, I had Heartscape active, supplying buffs. But my Desperate Situation was barely E-rank. Practically no buff.
So.
Elnor aside, Eliya matching this combat power didn't add up.
In the original scenario, she should be much weaker at this point.
[Isn't that obvious?]
"Huh?"
[She's a genius. Top-of-the-top tier. Shove a kid like that into battlefields nonstop, and how strong do you think she'd get?]
"..."
[It's not just Eliya—that Elnor girl's no slouch either. Neither seems anywhere near their growth limits?]
Kaliban spoke from the Soul Linker with a chuckle, as I channeled divine power to activate the skill.
[You sure get a lot of love from monsters. Impressive.]
"...Don't tease."
[I'm serious. It's impressive.]
"What's so impressive?"
[Those two look ready to do anything you say. Don't they?]
I sighed and kept walking.
Too hard to retort, so I skipped it, but Kaliban kept chuckling.
[The only guy in the world who can 'handle' two powerhouses like that. Not empty praise.]
"You're enjoying this, talking about your sister like an object."
[Of course it's fun. From a big bro's view, nothing beats watching your little sis wrapped around a guy's finger.]
"..."
[You're not some scumbag, so clean it up later. For now, just enjoy the show.]
"..."
Is this guy really a holy knight?
As I mulled that, windows popped up.
[Your buffs on 'party members' led to tremendous battle achievements!]
[AP awarded!]
[Use AP to raise desired trait proficiency!]
Seeing this calmed me a bit.
This is why I'd kept Heartscape on, despite minimal effect.
'Let's see...'
I dumped all points into one place.
[System Message]
[Proficiency has skyrocketed!]
[Trait rank advances from 'Basic' to 'Universal'!]
[Mastery Info]
[Trait: Alchemy – Basic][Rank: Universal]
[Proficiency: 0%]
[Sacrifice a medium to carve lines on the body. The pattern of lines forms runes with varying effects.]
[■ Can only use living organisms as medium.]
[■ Maximum 6 lines can be carved currently.]
[■ More lines increase rune power.]
[■ Universal rank and above unlocks special attribute alchemy.]
Nice.
This qualifies me for proper alchemy tutoring from Valkasar later.
Powerful or not, begging for 3-line alchemy is like nuking for a chicken.
As I wrapped up, another window stuck to the skill one.
[System Log]
[!Unconfirmed record!]
[Target 'Gideon' unlocked a skill due to your influence.]
['Tristan-style Swordsmanship: Severance' added to target's skillset!]
['Skill: Guidance' gains this function!]
It's a log, not message, so it logged earlier. Popped up automatically from backlog.
Timestamp: Around my fight with Valkasar. Too hectic to check.
'He did it.'
I smirked and read it all.
Means he completed the 'homework' I gave him. The next step after his formless sword, noted in his diary.
Problem is...
[System Log]
[Target 'Gideon's' trust in you skyrockets!]
[Related event will generate soon!]
This too.
"..."
Suddenly.
A chilling thought hits.
From experience, 'related event soon' means it hits within days.
And besides Gideon, there's another.
[System Log]
[Target ‘Kendrid Margrave’ takes interest in you.]
[Related event will generate soon!]
Gideon and Kendrid Margrave.
Top of the list for worst enemies among imperial nobles.
Events for both 'simultaneously' pending.
Soon.
"..."
So.
One slip...
Tristan Grand Duke and daughter.
Kendrid Margrave and adopted daughter.
Seeing both pairs at once.
With me in the middle.
'...Just imagining it.'
I can't breathe.
No joke—if that happens, a declaration of war and battle wouldn't be surprising.
That's how bad their relationship is.
"..."
Nah, probably won't go that far.
They're top imperial nobles. Odds of them personally coming to this backwater are—
"Alright. Lord's castle. Time to get serious."
"Hmph. Get ready to yield your spot?"
['Kendrid Margrave' related event triggered!]
【Event: First Impression】
-Kendrid Margrave has considerable interest in you. Mostly negative, but he judges solely by what he sees firsthand!
-Leave the best impression possible on him inside Goldic Viscount's lord's castle! Good things might happen!
"..."
High chance.
Of meeting one inside here.
Shit.
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