Chapter 38
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 38
Chapter Title: The Mad Duke's Wedding
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Today was finally the wedding day of that mad Grand Duke.
"So, we'll finally get a good look at what he looks like."
Baron Baltan let out an arrogant sigh as he stared at the black mansion visible in the distance.
It had been five years since the previous Grand Duke's sudden death. The current Grand Duke had gone insane, neglecting his duties and letting the Grand Duchy rot away.
'Of course, that's how I made a fortune.'
He snickered.
Baron Baltan grinned, thinking of how his family's wealth had multiplied several times over in those five years.
Other families had benefited too, but Baron Baltan in particular had seized the opportunity presented by the mad ruler of the North to amass a great deal of riches.
He had aggressively expanded into commerce and trade caravans, effectively running the largest trading company in the North.
A few civilian caravans, markets, and merchants had died out in the process... but he couldn't have cared less.
'In a way, even those expensive glassworks are thanks to the madman.'
The glassworks he had sent to scout Cassius Winterguard's movements not long ago, only to have them handed over after meeting just the Grand Duchess.
They were genuine, costly imports from foreign lands.
A few years ago, he would have handled each one with care, but now, handing over a whole cartful was no issue.
'But... now I want to aim higher.'
He had made a fortune through the mad Cassius, but his participation in the rebellion had two reasons.
Naturally, there was no pretext about caring for the territory's people.
The first was to alleviate the envy from other families to some extent.
Regardless of whether they joined the rebellion or not, many families coveted the wealth he had accumulated, so he supported the rebel forces' supplies to resolve that.
There had been significant losses in the process, but it was a fair price to avoid turning potential allies into enemies.
And the second reason... was simple greed. He no longer wanted to remain a baron.
'If Count Kreuz becomes the new Grand Duke, he promised me at least a count's title.'
Of course, he planned further negotiations for an even higher position and to absorb the assets of families not joining the rebellion, but what mattered was rising in status.
The Baltan Barony lay in the west of the Grand Duchy.
Even within the Winterguard Family's direct territories, it was a remote borderland, lacking the mountains other families used for steady income from monster subjugations.
As a result, it had always been somewhat marginalized, so how could he pass up this chance to expand?
Fortunately, the cause was a fitting one.
Overthrowing the mad Grand Duke who was rotting the Grand Duchy away.
That would win some favor with the common folk, too.
"My lord, we've arrived."
As the coachman spoke, Baron Baltan stepped down from the carriage, followed by two knights.
"We are Garn and Saul of the Kreuz Knight Order, assigned to escort you today."
"Ah, pleased to meet you."
A few days earlier, Count Kreuz had made a proposal.
Though unlikely at his own wedding, to guard against any mishaps, they should bring minimal escorts.
For families without their own knights, he would provide his own.
The Baltan Barony had no monster incursions in its lands, so it had no knight order.
'Come to think of it, I should start preparing one soon.'
But with ample funds now, he figured he could afford to operate one.
Under the two knights' protection, Baron Baltan entered the mansion.
"Greetings. I am Alf, the head butler of the mansion. You must be Baron Baltan?"
"That's right. But... is His Grace the Grand Duke not present?"
"Yes, the master plans to appear in time for the wedding."
'Tch.'
Proper etiquette called for the wedding's principals to greet guests first.
But perhaps he expected too much from a madman.
Guided by a butler summoned by the head butler, he entered the banquet hall where the ceremony would take place, spotting familiar faces already there.
'...Feels like only Northern families are gathered here.'
The faces were too familiar, but he soon dismissed the suspicion.
On second thought, it was the madman's wedding day. Even if invited, others might not come.
Baron Baltan approached a noble who had been the topic of much recent talk.
"Viscount Kargon."
"Oh, Baron Baltan!"
A burly man with a rough beard and thick eyebrows approached him.
He was Viscount Kargon, one of the core families of the rebel forces.
"It's been ages since we've met in person; we've only exchanged letters lately."
"Indeed. So you should get out more often, huh? Stop holing up playing with numbers indoors."
Viscount Kargon's subtle condescension grated, but under the greater cause of rebellion, it was bearable.
"Are preparations going well?"
"Even without you asking, they're progressing fine. Arming as many troops as possible in steel, and adding magical enhancements if needed."
"Still, best not to raise your voice too much. Even against him."
If Baron Baltan supported the rebels with funds, Viscount Kargon handled military might.
Count Kreuz led in overall forces, but Viscount Kargon had more immediately available troops.
Moreover, the viscount's personal prowess was formidable.
That said, it made him prone to simplistic thinking.
"You're overcomplicating it, Baron Baltan."
"No, the baron is right. Caution never hurts."
"...Lady Serpen."
A noblewoman approached, fanning herself.
She was the wife of the Marquess Serpen family, the final core of the rebel forces.
"How is Marquess Serpen faring?"
"Do you really need to ask?"
Of course not.
Rumors said the family was currently under her rule due to some internal incident.
Whatever it was... it wasn't good.
"My apologies for the rudeness."
If Baron Baltan and Viscount Kargon handled specific roles, Lady Serpen was the rebel forces' linchpin.
She oversaw overall integration and command, offering key decisions that boosted victory chances.
Even post-rebellion, to prevent backlash from the Empire or Church, she provided the "justification."
Of course, she still contributed supplies and troops.
'That knight behind Lady Serpen... supposedly a Swordmaster.'
Likely false. Swordmasters weren't that common.
But close to that level? Probably.
That's why she brought only one escort while others had two or more—confidence in her strength.
"Come to think of it, you said today's wedding is crucial, Lady Serpen."
"Yes. Depending on his state today... we may need to alter our plans going forward."
They continued talking, awaiting the ceremony's host.
As they spoke, more families arrived, signaling the rebels' solidarity to non-participants.
Soon, the wedding began.
The ceremony proceeded much like any noble affair.
"...The groom, Cassius Winterguard."
Finally, he appeared.
The man who hadn't shown his face in five years.
'Though mostly because we refused audiences.'
Nothing riskier than catching the madman's eye and ending up beheaded, so even if Cassius requested meetings, excuses were standard to avoid them.
Thus, it had truly been five years since most had seen him...
Creeeak...
The door opened, and he finally emerged.
"...Hup."
The moment Baron Baltan faced him, he felt his body tremble unbidden.
Like standing bare in a brutal winter blizzard.
But the sensation vanished instantly, the trembling stopping.
'What...?!'
His imagination?
For a split second, Cassius's eyes had glared fiercely.
But now, looking closely... his gaze wasn't on the assembly.
No explosive aura either.
He simply moved quietly as the officiating priest spoke.
Yet that quiet demeanor unnerved Baron Baltan even more.
'What is it? What's this inexplicable anxiety?'
What was that earlier feeling? This dread?
Baron Baltan kept watching Cassius closely.
Ordinary.
'...The madman, acting normal?'
The last sightings and reports depicted him in mania.
Servants tiptoed lest he rampage, or so the tales went.
Such a man wouldn't act this mundanely.
'Could Cassius not be mad after all?'
Impossible.
All intel confirmed his mania.
And above all... Count Kreuz, who had visited the mansion and seen him, said as much.
'...Where is Count Kreuz?'
The rebellion's key figure was absent.
As he scanned for him, another entered the hall.
"The bride, Yelena Astria."
In came a young lady clearly not Northern-born.
Long golden hair to her waist, blue eyes with slightly upturned corners.
She was two heads shorter than the groom-to-be, Cassius.
'...A bit ferret-like.'
Ferrets were popular pets, with a fierce edge. Or a small wolf? White fox? Anyway, small-animal vibes.
That wasn't the point.
Count Kreuz was missing.
But then Baron Baltan spotted the Kreuz Lady beside the bride.
'...Must be somewhere out of sight.'
With his daughter here, he wouldn't skip it.
The ceremony progressed, nearing its end.
Once the groom and bride shared the vow's kiss, it would conclude.
'No incidents.'
Just needless worry.
As he thought that, waiting for the kiss—
As Cassius leaned toward Yelena's face.
Thud. Thud. Thud.
"...What."
Suddenly, every light in the banquet hall extinguished.
As everyone panicked in the bizarre turn—
The lights flickered back on moments later.
And... for some reason, the bride was gone.
Standing there alone—
"What..."
...was the North's ruler, Cassius Winterguard, glaring at them with spear and sword in hand.