Chapter 53 - This is mine to take, right?
This is mine to take, right?
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ruby
Chapter: 53
Chapter Title: This is Mine to Take,Right?
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Early morning, before the palace's daily routine even began.
Count Gargent, who had sent notice in advance, was having a private audience with the master of the Baltras Kingdom, King Toland.
"That Mordon was truly defeated?"
"That is correct, Your Majesty. Currently, both his ankles are broken, and he's at a level where even moving is difficult."
"..."
King Toland made a complicated face.
How much money and manpower had been consumed until now to keep him in check?
Especially Mordon, who had the backing of Count Soleon and even obtained the position of one of the Seven Knight Orders, became like a lion with wings—an existence that couldn't even be unilaterally suppressed.
By the time they tried to handle the situation, it was already too late.
Even himself, the king of a nation, was like this, so...
"Is that knight named Rohan truly that strong?"
"Your Majesty. In my youth, I traversed countless battlefields and saw many powerful knights. Not just knights from our own country, but including knights from other nations like Laderun as well."
"I know. How could I not? The late king laid the foundation of present-day Baltras together with you."
"Yes. However, among all those battles, those who reached Mordon's level could be counted on one hand. Isn't that why Count Soleon approached Mordon, knowing this?"
King Toland nodded.
"That's right..."
"Sir Rohan is a person on a different trajectory. And not just his martial prowess... his wisdom is exceptional."
"Not just martial prowess but wisdom as well?"
"Yes. He saw through my weakness before even meeting me directly."
"The Prime Minister's weakness. Now that even I am curious about?"
At those words, King Toland sent an extremely interested gaze.
He had been watching Count Gargent since the late king's era.
However, Count Gargent was exactly the kind of person the term "iron man" fit.
Literally perfect, a human without any gaps anywhere.
Naturally, even King Toland himself had never known anything like Count Gargent's weaknesses until now.
Let alone weaknesses, not even anything resembling a weakness.
That's why he couldn't help but become more curious about what that weakness was.
However, Count Gargent subtly passed it off with a laugh.
"Haha. I've hidden it diligently. In case forces appeared that might try to hold me hostage to harm Your Majesty the King."
Saying it like that, how could he ask further?
Perhaps that weakness might leak out and become a threat to himself.
Moreover, Count Gargent wasn't someone who would stab him in the back, and there was no need to know the weakness.
He was just momentarily curious.
Still, Count Gargent's way with words was truly outstanding.
That's why he became more curious about something else.
What kind of person was that knight named Rohan, whom Count Gargent praised so highly?
'There have been few talents that Count Gargent Prime Minister praised so unstintingly.'
Anyone—really, even slightly—whom Count Gargent had praised, in King Toland's eyes, were all generational talents.
But the current Count Gargent made him forget that he was stingy with praise.
"Martial prowess, intelligence, decisiveness, and even an eye for talent. He's material that lacks nothing in any aspect. We absolutely must not let him go. Since he took a step toward us himself, our kingdom must unconditionally establish good relations with him. Other nations will obviously think the same, so this is a very good opportunity for us to make the first move."
"...Is it even possible for a single human to possess all those abilities?..."
"Because it's such an important matter, I requested an audience from early dawn despite the discourtesy. At first, he said he had no intention of coming to a place like this. I was a bit forceful."
The Prime Minister continued with his characteristically sharp eyes.
"I haven't shown great favor to him yet. I only showed the will to go forward together as allies. However, my true feelings are completely different. No matter what happens, he must become our ally. Or rather, I mean we must at least ensure he won't point a blade at us."
"..."
"Don't be stingy with anything when it comes to him."
"Don't be stingy..."
"Yes. Treat him with the intention of giving him everything except the throne. Even this Prime Minister's position."
"...!"
With that one statement, King Toland got a sense of how to face Rohan.
And also that the Prime Minister's statement was sincere.
"I've prepared a small gathering this afternoon where only Your Majesty, myself, and Sir Rohan will attend. Your Majesty, I ask that you remember this old subject's words. We must absolutely not make him think of us as enemies. You must make him feel that there's no ally as reliable as us."
* * *
Morning, when the sun had risen a bit.
Count Gargent visited a shabby shack.
A door without even a doorknob greeted him.
Count Gargent grasped and opened the door with his hand.
Creak.
"Is anyone here?"
At his voice, a person from inside appeared rubbing their eyes.
It was Marco.
"Who are you?"
"I'm someone named Gargent. An alchemist."
"Gargent... Pardon? Wha, what did you say?"
"Haha. I'm probably that person you know."
"Pri, Prime Minister, how did you come to this humble place...!"
"May I come in for a moment?"
At that, Marco jumped out startled and opened the door.
"Of, of course!"
Guided by Marco, Count Gargent stepped completely inside.
He looked around the laboratory as if finding it interesting.
Marco also looked at Count Gargent as if finding it interesting.
That was because Count Gargent was one of the kingdom's best alchemists.
Using alchemy alone, he created firepower as flashy and powerful as magic, elevating this Baltras Kingdom to the ranks of great powers.
Among the kingdom's alchemists, the joke went around that if you didn't know him, you weren't qualified to be an alchemist.
"Wha, what brings you here?"
"Ah. I came after hearing from Sir Rohan."
Marco felt dizzy.
From too much joy.
Since becoming acquainted with Rohan.
It felt like his hellish life until now was being resolved in one shot.
"Ha, haha! Si, Sir Rohan introduced me to the Prime Minister?"
"Something like that."
"I can't believe it..."
"Is this the laboratory? You continued research well in such facilities."
Count Gargent was equally surprised.
To think that necklace he saw was born in a laboratory of just this level.
'With just a little polishing... a genius surpassing me might emerge.'
It exceeded imagination.
Truly coveted talent.
The moment he saw the Phoenix Necklace received from Rohan, his mind was already made up, but...
'I must take him right away.'
Coming here directly now, Count Gargent became certain.
"You. Would you consider conducting research at the royal palace? You can research anything you want."
"...Re, really?"
"Of course."
Marco's eyes became as big as saucers and he stuttered.
"I, I become a royal alchemist...?"
"This fellow. Aren't you quick to understand?"
"No, I am not! I understood everything, of course!"
"Haha. Then come to the royal palace starting tomorrow. I'll send someone, so just follow them."
Marco repeatedly bowed his head.
"Thank you! Thank you!"
"Haha. You should thank Sir Rohan, not me. For discovering a talent like you."
"Of course! Lord Rohan is my benefactor. He believed in me even when I didn't believe in myself."
At that answer, that confident answer.
Count Gargent felt slightly mischievous.
"Really? To that extent?"
"Yes!"
"Then if Sir Rohan told you not to become a royal alchemist... what would you do?"
Surprisingly, Marco's answer came out without even thinking.
"I won't do it."
"Oh? The royal alchemist position?"
"Yes. Even if it's not that position, I learned that there's someone who acknowledges me."
A firm answer.
Count Gargent couldn't help but smile.
This fellow was truly the real deal.
"Hahaha. I see, yes. Indeed, if you're to be a royal alchemist, you must have that level of confidence!"
While thinking he couldn't help but admire Rohan's eye for finding talent.
*. * *
Evening time.
I joined the bothersome banquet following Count Gargent.
Still, since a reliable sponsor was being created, it wasn't a loss for me.
In this place where I had no connections.
Since an ally was being created, well, there was no reason to refuse.
Light greetings and the banquet proceeded like that.
About when we nearly finished the main course.
The conversation entered the main topic in earnest.
Count Gargent opened the discussion.
"Your Majesty. According to the current confession of the criminal Mordon, Count Soleon's involvement was beyond imagination."
"Beyond imagination? We didn't completely fail to predict it either."
"Yes. However, according to the report received this morning, there was quite a lot of content we didn't know. One of them was overwhelming support for Mordon."
"Overwhelming support?"
"As we commonly knew, after Mordon became an adult, Count Soleon recognized his talent and approached him."
"Then you're saying that's not the case?"
Count Gargent nodded.
"He was cultivated from the beginning. Possessing exceptional martial prowess, becoming one of the Seven Knight Orders—all of it was Count Soleon's plan."
Hearing those words, King Toland felt chills.
Designing an entire human's life?
What on earth was he thinking to commit such an act?
"Everyone was dancing in his palm... That's why no matter how much we tried to contact Mordon, it was useless."
"Yes. What was invested to win Mordon's heart was all confirmed to have gone entirely to Count Soleon."
"...Absurd."
Listening to their conversation, I asked.
"He was someone who never suited the title of knight, but how did he climb to that position in the first place?"
At that question, Count Gargent answered.
"Because you're at your level, you won easily. That fellow was truly among the top three in skill within the Baltras Kingdom. Especially since our Baltras Kingdom prioritizes performance, someone without any ability couldn't climb to that position. The Seven Knight Orders are ultimately anti-demon war weapons. We couldn't not select him just because his character was somewhat lacking. Would we select the Seven Knight Orders based on morality? We select based on skill to face demons."
I understood to some extent.
Rather than someone who couldn't even face demons, someone who could face them even with a bit of greed for money or power was better.
Then King Toland rather scolded Count Gargent.
"Sir Rohan's words are correct. Prime Minister. I think minimal verification will be necessary going forward."
"Yes, Your Majesty. I will pay careful attention so such an incident never occurs again."
"That aside. Have we secured the Immortal Bird and Count Soleon's person that Sir Rohan mentioned?"
"Actually... we raided Count Soleon's mansion, but it was confirmed he had already fled."
After I captured Mordon and arrived at Count Gargent's mansion, just a few minutes passed.
I saw with my own eyes Count Gargent immediately send forces to capture Count Soleon.
But to already notice at that dawn and flee.
Nevertheless, King Toland wasn't greatly surprised.
"I see. He wouldn't be caught obediently. The pursuit?"
"It's proceeding in all directions. According to current predictions, he appears to be heading toward Count Mollen's territory."
"Count Mollen's territory... the northern frontier. They originally had quite a friendship, didn't they?"
"Yes. Since Count Mollen, as a frontier count, possesses particularly powerful forces, they were sufficient for each other to satisfy their greed."
"Troublesome..."
I interjected into their conversation.
"I'll go myself."
The blessing of the Immortal Bird.
I thought I wanted to receive it.
Certainly, the phoenix Pico's ability was excellent enough to rival unique skills, so the twin Immortal Bird's ability would also be excellent.
'This is mine to take, right? Even just for all the hardship so far! It would be unfair to have it taken!'
At that, King Toland and Count Gargent simultaneously exclaimed in voices completely unexpected.
"A, are you serious?"
"A, are you serious?"
The two looked at me with very moved eyes.
"Your devotion! I will never forget it!"
"Ha, haha. Now I can't dare discuss character in front of Sir Rohan. You're the most perfect person I've seen in my life."
What? Why are they like that?
"To personally step forward for a matter we're too embarrassed to ask for help... I swear on the king's name. Whatever it may be, our Baltras Kingdom will bestow upon you without reserve. This is... regardless of the honor of being one of the Seven Knights or your strength, moved by your character, words from my sincere heart. Prime Minister!"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"I will bestow upon Sir Rohan the title of honorary count of the Baltras Kingdom. Furthermore, I command that special command authority over the Obsidian Knight Order be transferred so his righteousness can be realized with full support!"
"I accept the command."
I just tried to obtain the Immortal Bird's blessing... but more came in than expected.