Chapter 66
Chapter 66
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 66
Chapter Title: Stormy Family Meeting (2)
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The longstanding feud between the Kendrid Margrave household and the Tristan Grand Ducal house wasn’t actually all that ancient a tradition, considering its intensity.
To be precise, before Krat and Gideon had taken over as heads of their respective houses, it had been little more than a subtle rivalry over which was the empire’s premier noble family. Hardly worth calling a feud.
But.
Ever since these two had assumed leadership in recent years, many agreed their relationship had crossed an irreversible river.
And that atmosphere was on full display right now in Baron Campbell’s study.
“...”
“...”
“...”
They endured the crushing pressure in silence.
If killing intent could take physical form and cause tangible effects, this modest little study would have exploded into oblivion without anyone batting an eye.
“So.”
Krat was the first to break the silence.
“What business does a sanctimonious prick like you have here?”
Gideon’s face twisted.
For a man whose expressions rarely shifted, this was extraordinarily out of character.
His follow-up response was no different.
“...No reason to explain myself to a barbarian who’s not one whit better.”
It was an overtly mocking remark, uncharacteristic of the Grand Duke Tristan. Krat’s face soured in an instant.
“...Let’s keep this civil, holy roller.”
But instead of erupting in rage, Krat continued in a low, steady voice.
“I’d love nothing more than to cleave your head from your shoulders, and I’m sure you’d relish hacking mine off. But this isn’t the place.”
Brawling in this peaceful baronial domain called Campbell wasn’t something he desired.
Harming innocents didn’t sit well with him. Especially not a clearly competent noble who ran a thriving territory at a glance.
‘...This guy’s unfazed even now.’
He let out a wry chuckle, glancing at Dawood, who stood impassively surveying the room.
Completely composed, even amid this charged topic.
He had to know that two of the empire’s top nobles—himself and Grand Duke Tristan—had gathered here because of him.
“If we two clash, this whole territory gets wiped off the map. You know that much, right?”
“...”
Grand Duke Tristan met Krat’s gaze in silence.
A reaction that inwardly surprised Krat.
‘This bastard’s actually agreeing with me?’
Normally, they’d both know it was true but grit their teeth and snipe at each other anyway. Everyone knew Krat and Gideon harbored that level of open enmity.
Yet here Gideon was, silently affirming it.
As if he, too, had no desire to damage this territory—or the man tied to it.
Prioritizing this land and its people over their long-standing animosity.
Most likely.
‘...Is this guy that important to him?’
Krat’s eyes sharpened as he alternated glances between Gideon and Dawood.
Whatever their exact relationship, he couldn’t fathom it.
If anything, that made it all the easier to press his demands boldly now.
“If it’s a pilgrimage home, you know the protocol.”
Krat continued evenly.
“My family visited his hometown with him. Next up, it’s this Dawood fellow’s turn to visit ours. Sure, your family tagged along this time, but promise to let us have first dibs, and we’ll back off clean.”
The Kendrid Margrave said this while stealing a glance at Dawood, who’d been quietly listening from the side.
‘...This one’s got potential.’
It wasn’t just because Eliya clearly harbored obvious feelings for him.
Considering the deep impression this Dawood Campbell had made on him in such a short time, there was definite ‘investment value.’
Separate from any personal sentiments he held toward the boy—his abilities had already proven themselves in multiple ways.
Surviving a close-quarters clash with the Kendrid Margrave himself, even landing a counterblow. And he was just an academy student.
Even among the survivors of the harsh, infamous North, the ones capable of that could be counted on one hand.
“...”
But those thoughts proved premature.
Dawood, who’d attended the meeting with a blank expression until now, was growing visibly sullen.
He’d grasped the conversation’s direction in an instant.
In essence, pick a side.
Grand Duke Tristan or the Kendrid Margrave.
On the surface, it was mere coordination over who to visit first. But underneath, it was a blatant warning: he’s ours, so back the hell off.
A choice that could only arise with two of the empire’s elite nobles slobbering over him simultaneously. Yet his face showed no sign of improving.
Because.
“...I’m not playing your childish games.”
No matter which he chose, the other wouldn’t take it lying down.
Gideon responded in a stiff voice.
“But I’ll say this much: I’m not thrilled at the idea of sending talent of this man’s caliber to that frozen wasteland.”
“...”
“The North is a haven for losers and fugitives, isn’t it?”
Krat snorted.
But in stark contrast to his reaction, a blue aura cloaked his body.
He was summoning ‘battle aura,’ the combat stance of martial holy knights.
The remark Gideon had just made was utterly unforgivable when considering the ‘history’ of the Northern Margrave house.
“...Keep pushing, you shit-talking fuck, and I’ll—”
“How about this, then.”
A blunt interjection cut through the escalating tension.
From Dawood Campbell, who hadn’t uttered a word until now.
“No matter which you pick, the other side’s just gonna bitch about it. So let’s make it fair—give each a reason the loser has to accept.”
“...What’re you on about? You want us to duel? I’d welcome it—just find a spot—”
“Don’t drag my family into your fight. It’ll give the other nobles ammo to chew us up, one way or another.”
“...”
“Do whatever with me, but leave my kin out of it. Got it?”
Dawood delivered this in a calm, even tone—a stance that, by noble etiquette standards, was a catastrophe. The two could lop his head off on the spot, and no one would argue.
Yet both men held their silence.
Partly because they both coveted this young man.
But mainly because.
From this man speaking to those threatening his ‘family.’
Emanated an uncanny pressure that brooked no interruption.
‘...This is what I like about him.’
Even Krat couldn’t help but smirk inwardly.
The brutish, dim-witted air he sometimes showed—especially around women—and the demeanor he displayed now were worlds apart.
It was enough to make one want to ask.
“You really that clueless, or do you just not give a damn about others’ feelings?”
“...Pardon?”
A dopey retort that instantly shaved off the goodwill he’d just built.
As Krat sighed internally, Dawood cleared his throat and pressed on.
“Anyway, point is: let’s settle it amicably, no fighting. Here’s the deal.”
Dawood paused, choosing his words carefully.
Pondering how to package it neatly.
Of course, the conclusion came swiftly.
Such a thing was impossible from the start.
“I’ll give you two a task. Whichever handles it better, that’s the side I go to.”
“...”
“Both of you, put in the effort to impress me.”
“...”
Krat let out a low whistle of admiration.
‘Real man’s man.’
The dipped favorability surged back up.
●
“...Dawood.”
“...”
Of course, to anyone else, it just looked like I was pulling some insane stunt.
I approached my pale-faced father, who’d called out to me.
“You said you were fine with it, but... is this really okay...?”
“Yes.”
My curt reply earned a full head-to-toe skeptical once-over from him.
Fair enough. A mere heir—not even the baron himself—had just sassed two of the empire’s twin pillars. Who’d let that slide?
“...It’s really fine, Father.”
If anything, this was far safer.
[System Message]
[ The Kendrid Margrave is awed by your bold spirit! ]
[ Target ‘Krat’s favorability has risen to ‘Interest Stage 1’! ]
[ Good-aligned character. Reward reduced! ]
“...”
I always thought this.
This game had way too many weirdos.
I’d just gone and poked the bear like that, and not only did his favorability go up, but the guy was the empire’s number-two noble.
‘I timed it knowing that much.’
Krat was the type to appreciate directness like that and likely approve. Gideon, tied to me by priestly bonds from the start, had slim odds of refusing outright.
“...”
And that wasn’t the only reason.
Just look at the windows popping up before my eyes.
[Gift-Related Character Alerts]
♥ Elnor Erinarije la Tristan
[ Affection Stage 2 ]
[ Related event in D-1 ]
▼ Eliya Chrisanax
[ Trust Stage 1 ]
[ Related event in D-1 ]
▼ Gideon Gailsterd la Tristan
[ Interest Stage 4 ]
[ Claimable rewards available! ]
[ Related event in D-1 ]
▼ Krat Bellium la Kendrid
[ Interest Stage 1 ]
[ Claimable rewards available! ]
[ Related event in D-1 ]
“...”
Flashy, isn’t it?
All generated right after meeting Gideon and Krat.
This many people syncing up like this pointed to one thing.
‘Big one incoming...!’
I dismissed the windows.
[Quest Info]
[ Side Quest: Commotion! ]
[ Quest ends in D-1 ]
[ The Chester Count household continues inciting disputes in neighboring territories. Uncover the reason and resolve it! ]
[ Reward: Mid-tier relic x1 ]
Of all timings, it lines up perfectly with this quest’s deadline.
‘...A bit early for it to trigger now.’
A side quest offering a relic tied to the Chester Count—and involving this many people.
Only one possibility.
The event to positively branch my relationships with Elnor and Gideon.
“...”
Thinking of its ‘content’ brought a wry smile. It wasn’t easy to pull off.
Still, achieving it this early was a massive boon.
That’s why I’d phrased it as ‘giving them a job.’ Without bending those two to my will, getting my desired outcome was near impossible.
It was a major branching point, even affecting Elnor’s house-specific quest.
“Coachman, how much farther to Chester County?”
“Almost there, young master!”
That’s why we were hauling this crew straight to Chester County.
Strike while the iron’s hot—if it pops up, handle it on the spot.
“But, son.”
Lost in thought amid the carriage’s jolts, Father tossed another worried question from across.
“...The people coming to the territory now—that’s everyone, right?”
“...”
“What if there are more ladies you unwittingly charmed...?”
Father, no one charms women without realizing it.
[Gift-Related Character List]
▼ Lucien Grayhauncher
[ Interest Stage 1.5 ]
[ Related event in D-1 ]
▼ Yuria Grayhauncher
[ Interest Stage 4 ]
[ Related event in D-1 ]
[ Skill Copy Ticket usable x1! ]
“...”
Unrelated, but.
Seems more are coming.
Sadly.
●
“Absurd nonsense.”
Chester Count spat in an irritated tone.
“Kendrid Margrave? Grand Duke Tristan? Get real. What reason would those sorts have to get involved with a barony?”
“B-but, the Kendrid Margrave was really there!”
“You must’ve seen wrong. Or it was some lunatic impersonating him.”
“...”
“That man hasn’t left the North in a decade. Not since Grand Duke Tristan’s wedding—he’s never once descended into the mundane world. Why would he come to this backwater...?”
No, that’s not it.
The steward thought this, his face drained of color.
Aura, presence, appearance—everything matched the Kendrid Margrave he knew perfectly.
But Chester Count clearly had zero intention of believing him.
However implausible the intel.
“Forget that drivel and hurry up snatching more land from the neighbors. Or we’re all dead men. Got it?”
The steward agreed on that point. He swallowed dryly.
Chester Count was hyper-focused on seizing neighboring lands by any means.
Because of that ‘monster’ discovered at his territory’s heart.
Barely hatched now, but given months or years, it’d devour the entire domain without doubt.
As that grim knowledge surfaced, a drawn-out shout echoed from afar.
“My lord! My loooord—!”
One of the territory knights, looking like he’d seen a ghost. Chester Count tilted his head, puzzled, and spoke.
“What’s wrong? Why the panic?”
“Another noble’s visit, my lord. You need to come out now!”
“...A visit? No scheduled appointments. Who?”
Unsannounced visits were a grave breach of etiquette.
If the rank didn’t match, they’d pay dearly.
“Baron Campbell!”
A baron. No one special.
Intimidate him into humiliation and send him packing. As Chester Count opened his mouth to that effect, the knight continued.
“He’s escorted by the Kendrid Margrave and Grand Duke Tristan!”
“...”
A massive question mark etched itself on Chester Count’s face.
In other words.
It was an utterly incomprehensible statement.
“...The Kendrid Margrave and Grand Duke Tristan are escorting a baron?”
“...Yes, my lord!”
“...”
A heavy silence blanketed the area.
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