A Birthday Gift Fit for a Beast
And so, the day of Mary's birthday party arrived.
"Happy birthday, My Lady."
"Thank you, Count."
A count belonging to the Grand Duchy and his family were presenting gifts to Mary. Since they belonged to a cadet branch of the Ryan family, they could be considered my distant relatives.
"My Lady, please open the gift."
At his prompting, Mary tore open the wrapping paper... revealing a single dagger.
"I purchased meteoric iron that fell a few years ago and commissioned a dwarf to forge it. Do you like it?"
Meteoric iron was steel harvested from meteorites that fell from the heavens. It was not only an incredibly rare material, but its properties were far superior to any iron smelted locally, making it the premier choice for crafting masterwork blades.
Sshhhk. At his words, Mary drew the dagger and inspected it.
"I can feel the dwarf's craftsmanship. Thank you, Count."
And now, it was our turn. Watching the count's family step back, Theodora and I stepped forward.
"Happy birthday."
"Happy birthday."
As Theodora and I spoke in unison, Mary beamed.
"Thank you, Brother. Thank you, Sister-in-law."
Once the greetings were exchanged, I gave Mary a subtle nod.
"Your gift is waiting outside. It's a bit too big to bring indoors."
Mary's eyes sparkled with curiosity.
"Oh? Is it really that big?"
Theodora and I nodded.
"It's big, and..."
...and wild. The horse's temperament was so foul that it might actually match Mary's own.
"Just come outside and see."
With that, Theodora and I led the way out of the banquet hall.
"Neighhh! Snort!"
"Argh! Why is this horse so damn strong?!"
"Hold on tight!"
The chaotic clamor outside made it easy to guess what was happening.
"Brother? What's that noise outside?"
"The sound of your gift throwing a tantrum."
A crimson Akhal-Teke. I wasn't sure if it qualified as a legendary steed, but its temper was absolutely atrocious. It was so vicious that I had briefly worried Mary might not even be able to ride it.
"Is my gift a horse?"
Theodora nodded in response. Stepping outside, we saw three men desperately clinging to the reins, locked in a fierce tug-of-war with a magnificent beast whose coat shimmered with a blend of crimson and subtle gold.
"Oh? Is that an Akhal-Teke?!"
Theodora answered her.
"Yes, but... its personality is rather difficult..."
Whether she heard the warning or not, Mary was already marching toward the crimson Akhal-Teke. The beast flared its nostrils, instantly on high alert.
Snort!
"Easy there. Easy, I won't hurt you."
As she drew closer, the crimson Akhal-Teke feigned a docile expression, only to suddenly snap its jaws toward Mary's shoulder—
Thwack!
Squeal!
Mary's fist connected squarely with the horse's jaw.
"Heh..."
Shaking off the blow, the horse reared back, preparing to trample her with its front hooves. I shouted in a panic,
"Everyone, hold the reins tight!"
Just as I began to worry that Mary might get hurt—
Thud!
The Akhal-Teke's heavy hoof struck Mary right in the torso, sending her tumbling backward.
"Ah!"
Theodora shrieked in horror, but Mary scrambled back to her feet in an instant...
Smack!
Whack!
"You piece of...! Do you want to die?! Huh?! When I'm being! Nice to you! Huh?!"
Neighhh!
Thud!
"You should be listening! You fearless little horse bastard!"
Crack!
Mary was engaged in a full-blown brawl with a horse... As the beast reared its hooves again, Mary snatched its left front leg mid-air and...
Slap!
...slapped it across the face.
"How dare you! Try to strike! Your master?!"
Smack!
Watching the crimson Akhal-Teke take a beating while trapped in an awkward, off-balance stance, I could only think to myself: Yep, Mary is still Mary.
Agrippa... are you absolutely sure about this marriage? Aren't you going to get beaten to death by her?
The horse was only surviving because of its massive bulk; if it had been a human, they would have been dead three times over. How on earth did she have the strength to pin a horse's leg so it couldn't escape while she pummeled it?
Whinny!
The horse flailed its remaining front leg in a desperate bid to strike her, but its awkward posture rendered the struggle pathetic and unthreatening. Honestly, the most shocking part was that she was supporting the entire upper body of a massive horse with a single hand.
The moment she released its leg, the crimson Akhal-Teke lunged at her with murderous intent.
"You still want more?!"
Mary reached out with a terrifying grip... grabbing the loose skin of the horse's neck as if seizing a man by the collar, and lifted it off the ground.
Oof... that's got to hurt.
Choke... wheeze...
It was painful enough just to have one's neck squeezed, but to have the skin itself grabbed and hoisted up... She was a demon.
"If you mess with me even one more time, you're dead. Got it?"
Watching Mary threaten a horse with genuine bloodlust, and the crimson Akhal-Teke actively avoiding her gaze, I shook my head. She really is an absolute tomboy.
When she finally let go, the horse's eyes had completely changed. Fear—the primal terror of a prey facing an apex predator—was now deeply engraved in its gaze.
"Good boy, good boy."
She gently stroked the Akhal-Teke's mane.
"There, you're a good boy."
Perhaps because it had been thoroughly beaten into submission, the crimson Akhal-Teke no longer showed any trace of ferocity. It stood meekly, accepting Mary's touch. Watching this, Mary turned to look at me.
"Brother, Sister-in-law. Does this horse have a name?"
Snapping out of our daze, Theodora and I shook our heads.
"Really? Then from today on, your name is Triber. There was a famous man back in the day called the Red-Haired Triber. I'm naming you after him. What do you think? Do you like it?"
Triber. He was a knight once notorious as the "Mad Dog of the Empire." A god of war who had led a mere handful of knights to charge and rout a massive army of the Babalon Empire.
Snort... As if it actually liked the name Triber, the horse nudged Mary's hand docily.
Sigh... To think I actually survived sparring with a monster like her... Has she been holding back on me all this time? The terrifying thought crossed my mind.
"I doubt my brother would have had the sense to pick out such a magnificent horse... Sister-in-law, thank you so much."
Excuse me, I paid for it? I was the one who shelled out the gold at the auction house because Theodora was broke, yet I didn't get a single word of appreciation. This is why raising a younger sister is utterly thankless.
As Mary gushed with gratitude toward Theodora, the Empress could only offer an awkward, strained smile.
"It... it was nothing."
Theodora's shoulders trembled slightly with fear. Well, it would be stranger if she wasn't terrified. Anyone who had just witnessed a girl hoist a massive warhorse with her bare hands would be shaking in their boots.
A few days passed.
"It has been a long time, Deviang."
The black-haired man, who appeared to be in his fifties, was my maternal uncle. He was Leon Prindas, the King of the Allied Kingdom—the Empire's chief rival nation. He was known formally as Leon III.
"Yes. I believe it has been about ten years."
We had last met when he visited Hams Port to see my mother.
"Indeed. You have grown so much since I last saw you. And that black hair, so like Fulvia's..."
I expressed my gratitude to my uncle for using his political influence to save my life in the past.
"I heard how much trouble you went through to save me back then. It is late, but thank you."
When I bowed my head in gratitude, my uncle waved his hands dismissively.
"Nonsense. It was only natural to protect my nephew."
With both the Emperor of the Empire and the King of the Allied Kingdom exerting pressure, even that madman Valorang had no choice but to spare my life. For Valorang, the Allied Kingdom's backing was essential if he wanted to oppose the Emperor. In fact, the Allied Kingdom actively supported the Anti-Emperor Faction nobles to keep the Empire in check.
"And now, I hear you have seized control of the Empire. Not only did you clean up the mess Valorang left behind, but you did so with such wisdom. I am sure Fulvia would be incredibly proud of you."
Seeing my uncle's warm smile, I let out a soft chuckle.
"I was only able to come this far thanks to you, Uncle."
My debt to my uncle went far beyond just that one incident. After I escaped the prison tower, Valorang cut off all the funds I was entitled to as the heir of the Grand Duchy. Upon learning of my plight, my uncle liquidated my late mother's assets in the Allied Kingdom and sent the proceeds to me, giving me a lifeline. It was thanks to that money that I was able to attend the notoriously expensive military academy.
"Haha, it warms my heart to hear you say that. In the future, I hope our Kingdom and the Empire can avoid conflict. That is all I truly wish for. You understand what I mean, yes?"
The Allied Kingdom was actively colonizing the New Continent, reaping massive wealth through trade between the New and Old Worlds. In short, his words were a polite way of telling me not to encroach on the New Continent and to refrain from building up a navy.
"Haha, how could I not understand your intentions, Uncle? Currently, we have absolutely no resources to spare for building a navy."
In truth, considering my upcoming clash with Yohanes, a navy wasn't a priority anyway. Even after the war with Yohanes ended, I would have to focus on purging demon worshippers and raising an army in case the Demon King resurrected. Venturing out to sea was the last thing on my mind.
"Good, I am glad to hear that. Should you ever need anything, simply drop a hint to our ambassador. Rest assured, I will do everything in my power to assist you."
Deeply moved by his words, I bowed my head once more.
"Thank you, Uncle. You have shown me such kindness, both during my childhood and now. I truly do not know how to repay you."
My uncle waved his hand dismissively.
"It is only what I ought to do."
He spoke, a deep sorrow reflecting in his eyes.
"Fulvia... she cherished you children so dearly. As an older brother who failed to protect his own sister, this is the absolute least I can do."
His words cast a solemn silence over me.
"Back then, I should have stopped her from marrying that beast Valorang... If I had, she would never have met such a tragic, miserable end..."
I knew my mother's marriage had been an alliance arranged by the late King of the Allied Kingdom and my grandfather, the previous Grand Duke. As the traditional leaders of the Anti-Emperor Faction, the Grand Duchy desperately needed the Allied Kingdom's support. Conversely, the Allied Kingdom benefited from the Grand Duchy keeping the Emperor occupied, diverting the Empire's attention away from the New Continent. It was a mutually beneficial relationship. And so, my mother and Valorang had been wed in a political marriage to solidify that alliance.
I had heard that while my grandfather was still alive, both he and Valorang treated my mother well. But once my grandfather passed away and Valorang ascended to the title of Grand Duke... that was when the abuse and torment began.
"I am sorry."
I bowed my head in apology, but my uncle quickly shook his head.
"What do you have to apologize for? It was entirely that beast's fault. I love you and all of Fulvia's children. I view you all as my own. There is no need for such apologies."
I felt a profound sense of gratitude.
"Now, come here. Let me embrace you."
With those words, my uncle opened his arms wide, and I stepped forward to give him a tight hug.
"You've grown so well... so well, Deviang."
Pat... pat...