Chapter 19
Chapter 19
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 19
Chapter Title: Brilda
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Frontier Mansion, third floor.
Brilda glared at the letter.
"You bought an additional 1,500 slaves?"
"Yes, Madam."
"And you used those slaves to expand the territory?"
"Yes, Madam."
Brilda glanced at the pile of letters stacked nearby.
They were filled with congratulatory messages from various regions.
Ever since the current Frontier Viscount had taken his title, the territory had only shrunk.
But now, it had expanded for the first time.
Even if it was just the southern coastal region.
"Elwin's power is growing. His reputation is rising too."
"It's not yet a stage for concern."
Flutter.
Brilda tossed the letter.
It flew through the air and struck Anna's shoulder.
"Is that something to say right now?"
"I'm sorry. But we must view the situation objectively."
Brilda calmed her anger.
Anna, her direct maid.
A smart girl.
She was worth hearing out.
"Speak."
"Elwin has 2,000 slaves. However, since they were bought in family units, the number of adult males is lower than that. The exact numbers are..."
A total of 500 households.
One per household conscripted.
500 slave soldiers.
"That's a lot. Even 500 is too many."
"As I mentioned before, the morale of slave soldiers is extremely low. Moreover."
"Moreover?"
"How strong can civilians become even with training?"
"Right. Yeah."
Brilda leaned back deeply into her chair.
The reason Elwin could achieve results was because it was the southern coastal region.
Monsters on Monster Island grew weaker the further south you went.
That's why he could expand with slave soldiers.
"Even Black Orcs would overwhelm slave soldiers. Against Black Trolls or Ogres, they would definitely lose."
500 slave soldiers.
A large number, but a few skilled knights could easily crush them.
Brilda's mind eased.
"Still, we can't just leave it like this, can we?"
"How about this approach?"
Anna bowed at the waist.
Then she brought her mouth to Brilda's ear.
Only after the story ended did Anna return to her position.
"Hmm... Think that'll work? Elwin's personality has changed a lot."
It would have been entirely possible with the old Elwin.
But he'd become harder to handle since nearly dying to a Black Orc.
"Even if it fails, it's fine. His reputation will take a hit instead."
A smile spread across Brilda's face.
West River.
As people settled into daily life, the area gradually took shape as a village.
They sealed all the gaps in the wooden barricades.
They also built watchtowers around the farmlands.
From the day they settled here, battles with monsters had been constant.
In the beginning, the 200 soldiers sent by Alensia had been a huge help.
After the watchtowers were completed, even slaves could handle the defense adequately.
Everything was proceeding smoothly when
a letter arrived from the Frontier Mansion.
"A celebration party for reclaiming the territory?"
Reclaiming West River was no small feat.
It was the first expansion for the Frontier Viscounty, which had focused solely on defense.
"The party itself isn't the problem."
What was strange was that Brilda was hosting it.
Brilda was an outright enemy.
Yet she was throwing a celebration party for me?
There was additional content below the letter.
It said all the island's heirs had been invited, so I must attend.
If all the heirs were gathering, I couldn't skip it.
A noble party wasn't just about eating and drinking.
It was the core of inter-territory diplomacy.
Especially when heirs were involved, the importance grew even more.
"I need to go to the Frontier Mansion. Hurry and prepare. Time's tight."
"Understood."
He looked down to confirm the date and location again.
Frontier Mansion.
The banquet hall was decorated with beautiful ornaments.
The tables were laden with abundant food.
Time passed,
and guests began arriving one by one.
The first were the Frontier retainers.
They greeted Brilda and dispersed throughout the hall.
When the party time was nearly upon them,
important guests arrived.
"Lady Alensia Vampire, second daughter of the Vampire Duke, enters. Clan Kent, heir of the Kent Barony, enters."
At the word "Vampire," Brilda's eyebrow twitched.
Alensia and Elwin had broken off their engagement.
Yet she had come all this way.
Brilda personally welcomed the guests.
"Welcome. Lady Alensia. And Clan Kent."
Alensia gave a perfunctory greeting and looked around.
She seemed to be searching for something.
"Is there something you're looking for?"
"Nothing."
The banquet hall doors opened again.
"Lady Benia Vampire, first daughter of the Vampire Duke, enters. Unter Aquano, heir of the Aquano Barony, enters. Anton Aer, heir of the Aer Barony, enters."
Starting with Benia, Unter and Anton entered one after another.
They had come together, as expected from the same faction.
Just like Alensia with Clan.
Brilda welcomed them personally again.
"Welcome, Lady Benia."
"It's been a while, Brilda."
Courteous greetings were exchanged, and Benia scanned the surroundings.
"Who are you looking for?"
"Where is Heir Elwin?"
At the word "heir," Brilda flinched.
She hurriedly covered her mouth and face with her hand.
"What a shame. I told him to come early, but he's late."
Benia smiled as if it was no big deal.
But the heirs behind her thought differently.
"Raising a little achievement and getting arrogant."
"Not a good look. Especially with ladies present."
"Unter, Anton."
Benia gently restrained them with her soft voice.
The party began,
and even after some time, Elwin still hadn't arrived.
Brilda leisurely enjoyed the party while observing the heirs' expressions.
The three barony heirs didn't hide their discomfort.
Alensia was the same.
Only Benia maintained a faint smile.
Only after more time passed
did the firmly shut banquet hall doors open.
"Elwin Frontier of the Frontier Viscount Family enters!"
Brilda deliberately made an angry face.
She didn't forget to glance at the heirs as she headed to the entrance.
"Elwin! Why are you so late!? The guests have been waiting!"
The party date was tight.
So I departed immediately upon receiving the letter.
Thanks to that, I arrived an hour early.
But...
"Elwin! Why are you so late!? The guests have been waiting!"
'Late? Me?'
I saw Brilda approaching with an angry face, and behind her, the expressions of the people.
Everyone looked displeased.
Especially the barony heirs, who openly showed their discomfort.
"Elwin! Apologize to the guests first!"
'Did she give me a different time? Just to me?'
Brilda must have been in a hurry too.
To resort to such a petty trick.
I should have brought the letter with the date and time written on it.
"Elwin, hurry!"
Should I dig into the truth?
What would happen then?
Brilda would have an excuse ready.
At best, it would be blamed on a messenger's mistake.
And I'd become the petty young master nitpicking his subordinates' faults.
In the past, I would have apologized in this situation, but now I didn't want to.
"I..."
"Calm down, Brilda. Elwin is the star of today's party. It's common for the star to be late."
Cracks appeared on Brilda's face at Benia's words.
She hadn't expected this.
With Benia defending me, the matter seemed about to wrap up.
But Brilda showed no sign of accepting the current situation.
"Lady Alensia, do you think the same?"
Brilda called out to Alensia.
Even back at the Vampire Duke's family, I'd been late a few times.
She must have asked her knowing how much Alensia had scolded me then.
"Benia's not wrong. The star can be late. No, deliberately arriving late is a way to draw attention too."
"Lady Alensia!?"
Both Vampire ladies took my side.
With that, no one in the banquet hall could blame me.
Not even Brilda.
"Thank you, ladies, for forgiving my son. I'll make sure to educate him properly so this doesn't happen again."
She hammered in that this was a mistake on my part.
Then she moved to the center of the hall.
"Elwin, come here."
"..."
It seemed Brilda's scheme had more in store.
"Everyone, fill your glasses."
Brilda lifted a glass filled with alcohol.
"Today is a joyous day. The Frontier family has reclaimed some of the land we lost. Even if it's just the southern coastal region, even if it's an area with nothing but Black Goblins."
Calling it joyous while subtly downplaying my achievements.
'Not wrong, but...'
"Elwin bought slaves and trained them into slave soldiers..."
Brilda explained how I had secured West River.
"The reason this was possible was because we sold grain at high prices. However! From now on, I've agreed with my son to sell grain at reasonable prices."
'Is that it? The reason for this party?'
The source of my rapid growth was selling grain at high prices.
That brought huge profits, allowing me to buy many slaves.
'Lower the grain price, and I can't expand my forces like this.'
"The Frontier family has received much from the island's families and our territory's people. Now is the time to repay that."
Brilda slowly turned her head to look at me.
"Isn't that right, Elwin?"
The eyes of everyone in the hall focused on me.
Expectations filled their faces.
To me, it felt like pressure.
Intense pressure...
My heart raced.
I wanted to bow my head and avoid their gazes.
I wanted to admit Brilda was right and run away.
But.
'I've changed.'
I won't do as others tell me anymore.
I'll walk the path I believe is right.
I clenched my fist tightly.
I met the eyes of each person watching me one by one.
It was hard.
Back in Korea, I rarely made eye contact.
I gritted my teeth.
No matter how hard or painful, I had to do it.
Here, avoiding eyes would seem strange.
I met Benia's eyes,
then Unter's and Anton's.
And the moment I met Alensia's eyes, my mind eased.
Strangely, eye contact with Alensia alone was easy.
The tension released, and my heart calmed.
I relaxed my jaw muscles and loosened my clenched hand.
With that, my mind began to turn.
"Mother, it seems you've misunderstood."