[Misunderstanding]
“A promotion? All of a sudden?”
Lawrence doubted his own ears. He had never even dreamed of becoming a count in his entire life. Until now, he had been a man of ability, but without ambition.
Although, having faced external threats, he had steeled himself to do whatever it took to protect his family. He had resolved to commit any act necessary.
But that was for the future. Nothing Lawrence had done so far was sufficient justification for him to be granted the title of count.
In the first place, if there were to be a promotion, it should have been Valstein or Drakeshire. They had the power and the pretext.
However.
“……I humbly accept His Majesty’s command.”
Solving the mystery could wait. Lawrence hid his complex inner thoughts and bowed deeply. Now was not the time to question the "why."
The Imperial Knight received the letter of appointment from Serena and handed it to the newly minted Count.
“Co-congratulations.”
“Hahaha…….”
The special envoys from Valstein and Drakeshire approached Lawrence.
‘Damn it.’
‘How did things end up like this?’
Though they wore masks of laughter, they felt a greater sense of defeat than anyone else present. The meal had been almost ready to serve.
Whether it was Valstein or Drakeshire, each had been certain of their own faction’s victory, and if they were to lose, they never doubted the other would be the one to win.
But suddenly, Enfield?
‘How am I supposed to report this?’
‘Isn’t this practically a natural disaster……?’
They couldn't even protest. It was the command of the majestic Emperor himself. They didn't know what kind of fate awaited them if they uttered even a hint of dissatisfaction.
To begin with, that was the very reason their masters were able to expand their influence. Wasn't it because the count who boasted of massive influence over the region had been found as a headless corpse overnight?
They couldn't fathom why the Emperor had chosen to side with Enfield…….
No, the question was why he was interested in such a backwater affair in the first place…….
But now was not the time for questions.
“……We, the Valstein family, wish to maintain a harmonious relationship from here on out, Your Excellency, Count Enfield.”
It was the Valstein envoy who spoke first. He recalled the contents of the Emperor’s edict that Serena had recited.
[The management of the regional territory is entrusted to Count Enfield.]
……That was the content.
‘By intentionally keeping the scope vague as "regional territory," it means he’s left room for us to negotiate.’
If the Emperor had wanted to push only Baron Enfield—no, Count Enfield—in this struggle, there would have been no need to write it that way.
Even if Lawrence took charge of the regional management, given the circumstances of the Enfield territory, which lacked manpower, the cooperation of Valstein and Drakeshire was necessary.
Although they held the "cheat key" of the Emperor’s edict, it meant the structure was such that the Enfield territory could not monopolize everything on its own.
“Hmm. I look forward to your cooperation.”
Lawrence also knew that fact well. He had jumped straight to the rank of count, but the Enfield territory itself remained small and weak.
Once he had received the Emperor’s command, expanding his power wouldn't be difficult, but…… he clearly lacked the manpower to handle it.
Could he just fill the lack of manpower? ‘They’re all the same.’ Lawrence didn't trust people easily. There were various methods, but no matter which one he used, if he expanded his scale too quickly, problems were bound to arise from within.
“Drakeshire as well! Ahem, we look forward to working with you, Your Excellency.”
Look at that. The other side, having grasped the situation, was quickly latching on as well. Lawrence calmed his heart, intentionally trying to remain relaxed.
It was they who were in a hurry, not him. Thinking that, he deliberately took his time.
Just then.
“Dad!”
Serena, who had been watching the situation closely, called out to Lawrence. As if she wanted everyone to hear. Dressed in a flashy military uniform, with an Imperial Knight in tow behind her.
“Se-Serena.”
“Your daughter has come home after such a long time, why are you pretending not to see me?”
Lawrence was flustered. He didn't want it known that his daughter was an envoy sent by the Emperor. After all, wasn't she supposed to be studying at the Academy?
‘……That girl is Count Enfield’s daughter?’
‘This can’t be.’
But the reaction was immediate. The envoys of Valstein and Drakeshire realized why the Emperor had specifically chosen Enfield.
“Ahem, Your Excellency. We shall take our leave now.”
“Y-yes. Go ahead.”
The envoys quickly slipped away from the spot. They had to deliver this precious information to their masters as quickly as possible.
“Heh.”
Watching their backs, Serena shrugged. With this, they wouldn't even dare to think of going against Enfield’s will.
“……Serena.”
“Dad! Why have you lost so much weight!”
It was a long-awaited reunion between father and daughter. Lawrence’s expression held a sense of awkwardness as he saw his daughter running toward him. Hadn't he received help from a daughter he thought was studying hard at the Academy?
And it wasn't just ordinary help. Lawrence, like the envoys who had just left, realized why the Emperor had chosen him.
“…How on earth did this happen?”
“Well, you see.”
Serena chattered away excitedly. Honestly, she couldn't tell him everything, so there was quite a bit of embellishment involved.
It was roughly: she attended the Academy, caught the Emperor’s eye, was educated by the Emperor’s proxy, Elizabeth, and recently received a government post!
That was the gist of it.
‘……Isn’t this a bit unrealistic?’
That was the thought that occurred to her after she said it. Even this was something that wouldn't normally happen.
“……Hmm.”
Lawrence, listening, also had a subtle expression. Even to his ears, it felt like, ‘My daughter is that capable……?’ Of course, Lawrence knew his daughter’s genius well. He knew it well, but…….
“L-look at this!”
Serena hurriedly pulled an identification badge from her pocket. It was a gold ID card engraved with the Imperial seal, proving she was a bureaucrat working in the Imperial Palace.
“Haa.”
Seeing this, he couldn't help but acknowledge it. With the evidence right there, he couldn't very well be a father who doubted his own daughter.
After that, the father and daughter had a pleasant, long-overdue chat.
“How did you know about the news here?”
“Mom sent me a letter…….”
“That woman, really.”
Lawrence narrowed his brows, thinking of his wife who had written to their daughter behind his back. He had told her not to contact her, as it would interfere with her studies.
However, as a result, things had worked out well because of it.
“……Well, this is something.”
It was hard to complain about something that had turned out well. Lawrence just smacked his lips, feeling awkward.
“Anyway. How is your work at the Imperial Palace?”
“Umm…….”
For a moment, the things she had done so far flashed through Serena’s mind. From the grueling education she received from Elizabeth to being trained by Lily as if she were being minced like ground meat.
Most of all.
‘I’m going to go meet the whale that flies in the sky.’
……Serena had truly felt the fear of death when she first saw Leviathan. Not anymore, though.
But she couldn't honestly tell him this. Lawrence would worry.
“……It’s tough, but I can handle it!”
Serena told a white lie.
‘She must be having a very hard time.’
But naturally, it was all visible to a parent’s eyes. It was a separate issue from Serena being a good actress. Once a child says their work is easy, it’s only natural for a parent to worry first.
Lawrence felt proud of Serena.
“If it’s ever too hard, tell me.”
“Hehe. I will.”
“Come to think of it, you said you were working for the Emperor?”
“Yes, yes. Since Spirit Users are rare talents, I’ve been serving the Emperor directly. Come out, Levi.”
-…Did you call?
Serena whispered softly. The small whale, summoned by her call, gently revealed itself. Seeing that, Lawrence’s eyes widened.
“Ohh. This is my first time seeing a spirit in person.”
Having even seen the spirit, Lawrence now believed that Serena was being treated with great respect at the Imperial Palace. In his mind, a Spirit User was indeed a very rare talent.
“Then, what kind of person is the Emperor you see in person? Does he treat you well?”
“Ah.”
Thus, Lawrence asked the question that any nobleman of this empire would naturally harbor. Honestly, it was a question asked without much deep thought.
“Augh.”
However. Upon hearing that question, his daughter’s cheeks turned bright red.
“……Huh?”
A middle-aged man with a daughter had to feel an indescribable emotion upon seeing that sight.
It’s been resolved well.
“Is that a letter from Serena?”
I nodded. Since she was going to her hometown anyway, I told her to take the vacation I had mentioned earlier.
“Just the fact that a young female bureaucrat favored by the Emperor is staying there would be quite a burden on the surrounding territories, wouldn’t it?”
Well, it meant something like that.
“You sent a knight order as an escort, didn’t you? With that, the surrounding lords will probably rush to show their sincerity first.”
That is true. The letter Serena sent also contained roughly that content. She said gifts arrive from the surrounding territories once a day.
Given Serena’s personality, she wouldn't punish them just because she was a little displeased, but they were essentially acting out of preemptive fear.
That was exactly why I sent her, though. As long as a clear totem like Serena exists, the chaos in the region will be settled to some extent.
“Even if Serena returns later, that influence won’t disappear.”
If they hadn't known, it would be one thing. But once they’ve recognized her existence, there’s no going back.
“Hmm…. Oh my.”
Elizabeth, who was flipping through documents, paused.
“A new saint has been born in the Holy Kingdom……?”
“A new saint?”
I received the document. According to the data, it seemed that talk of a new saint was quietly emerging as a top secret within the Holy Kingdom.
“……Hmm.”
Who is it? Usually, the saint position is one Serena takes when she follows the Holy Kingdom route. If it’s not the Holy Kingdom route, there’s no reason to get involved with them in the first place.
……Besides, perhaps it’s because I’ve already heard about the Goddess’s situation from Leviathan, but it felt more ominous.
“Shall I dig deeper?”
“Do so. But don’t dig too deep.”
“Yes.”
,
,
,
What is this now?
Returning to the bedroom, a letter was lying on the bed.
“Did Hecate send this?”
Right. It was about time to receive the reward for the previous black mage subjugation.
When I opened the letter, a small water bottle was enclosed.
“I’ll read the letter later.”
A potion? It seemed to be a medicinal elixir. There are only a few elixirs in the entire continent that would have an effect on my body.
That means it’s an incredibly precious medicine. Hecate has prepared a wonderful reward.
Without hesitation, I opened the lid and poured the contents into my mouth-.
“Ugh…!”
This is blood.
I was so surprised I spat a little out. Fortunately, it didn't seem like I had to drink the whole thing for it to take effect.
……It’s a bit annoying that blood got on my clothes. I wiped my mouth with a tissue.
By the way, did someone come and go? I thought I felt a presence.