Return of the Bastard (2)
Return of the Bastard (2)
Before the possession, I was a child who pushed himself to the limit, wanting to become a knight.
The one who stopped that self-abuse was Count Anbelrum.
「Piel, not everyone needs to become a knight. There is a place for children like you, too. How about becoming a butler and taking care of your noona's family later?」
「How can I be a butler if I'm weak?」
「On the contrary, the weaker you are, the better.」
Maids, attendants, butlers.
These people do not develop mana muscles.
Because they must serve their master's family at close range, the castration of their assassination capability is essential.
My pre-possession self could not accept such a future.
But after the possession, I diligently followed the Count's words.
Seeing where I can lie down and whether I can stretch out my limbs, gauging the situation, is a practiced behavior for me.
I did waste some kitchen ingredients, but the meddling done through a modern person's eyes raised the quality of the cooking and snacks.
「Piel, don't worry. If you can't become a knight, I'll make you head butler later.」
「Noonim, I've saved that statement.」
「Still, learn the sword, at least a little.」
「The less a butler knows of the sword, the better.」
「But I like a butler who is good at mana swordsmanship.」
「That's because you're strange, Noonim.」
The Count was relieved by my changed appearance after the possession.
To become a safe and good butler, I mainly meddled a lot to raise the quality of the Count's Castle's household affairs, especially the kitchen.
My noona absolutely loved the snacks that reflected my ideas.
I would be guaranteed a lifelong retirement in a honey post, and Noona would get a butler with a great interest in cooking.
It was supposed to be a perfect, happy future for everyone.
But one day, out of the blue, the Count shoved me onto the front lines. He didn't even send supplies.
That essentially means he doesn't give a damn whether I live or die.
'It's not like I committed a capital offense.'
But in this medieval fantasy land where the Family Head's word is law, arguing that would only amount to the shabby whining of a discarded bastard.
Why would I drag family relations into it when I have a frame that allows me to attack the Count openly?
"Lord Hildea was not grinding her teeth over this for nothing. Originally, she was going to let the rear collapse, but the Noble Council begged and pleaded, so she gritted her teeth and dispatched reinforcements."
Before entering the Count's Castle, Hildea had given me her instructions.
「Colonel Piel, do whatever you want. Feel free to sell my name and authority without limit.」
She told me to do anything to crush the father who abandoned me.
She even said I could pose as her fiancé or husband.
I am curious.
If I were to pose as the fiancé of the Swordmaster and northern hero, what kind of reaction would the Count show?
"You've grown quite a bit. You've learned to pick a topic that puts your opponent in a difficult position."
I thought he'd snap at the word rebellion, but he is incredibly calm.
"You've always had a way with words."
"If you keep changing the subject, shall I flip the board and call Lord Hildea right now?"
"How foolish. It seems you are somewhat favored by Lord Hildea, but do you trust that as solidly as a rock?"
I was about to cut him off, but I decided to listen just a little more, curious about what he would say.
"Do you really think Lord Hildea changed her mind because of your counsel? Don't flatter yourself.
The world of nobility operates entirely on transactions. From birth to growth, marriage, and even death and inheritance."
The Count's attitude was subtly arrogant.
"Lord Hildea dispatched reinforcements because she was satisfied with the Noble Council's promises.
It was not because of your sweet whispers; Lord Hildea simply told you that to make you, whom she finds cute, feel good."
I'm the one who moved Hildea and wrenched concessions from the Noble Council.
And the dispatch of reinforcements was also something both commanders followed entirely according to my judgment.
Well, from the Count's perspective, it must have seemed like Hildea moved because of rye and gold coins.
'So that's why he's being so stiff in front of me, even when I have Hildea backing me up.'
"In the end, my choice was the right one."
"What do you mean?"
"You gained Lord Hildea as a patron, the territory is unharmed, and the supply situation in the North has improved. Isn't everyone profiting?"
"...."
"I was not wrong."
Bullshit that makes a bastard's lid flip open.
But the sensibilities of a modern person, forged in anonymous internet flame wars, coolly grasped the Count's intention.
"You're not answering why you didn't send supplies, and you keep changing the subject. I can see right through you gently scratching at my temper, trying to provoke me into having a fit."
Only then did the Count's eyebrows twitch slightly.
"I didn't come here to whine about why you abandoned me. I came to hold you accountable for why you didn't send supplies.
Did someone embezzle the supplies in transit? Answer yes or no, just one of the two."
"That is...."
"Yes or no."
You have to force O/X only on people who stall and draw things out. Then they eventually bounce.
But with Hildea watching, the Count is forced to make a choice.
"...No."
"If not embezzlement, were they plundered?"
"...That is also a no."
"Please answer only with yes or no."
"...No."
"If not plunder, were they transported to some random other region?"
Twenty Questions interrogation; I can do this all day long.
It seems the Count has realized my intention by now.
"Call Lord Hildea. I will personally apologize and compensate for everything."
"I'd like to hear the reason why you did it first."
"I will speak directly with Lord Hildea."
When I turned back, Hildea nodded and approached the table.
"My Lord, I deeply regret my failure to deliver the supplies. I will compensate for everything."
"Why did you do it, Count Anbelrum?"
"Extremely complicated circumstances have intertwined against my will, and I fear that if I speak of them, it will only sound like cowardly excuses and you will find me even more contemptible. Taking all that into consideration, I will compensate."
Wow, he's slipping away like that?
I just saw Hildea momentarily waver with a look of 'Is that really true?'
Feeling my glance, Hildea brought up the terms we had agreed upon beforehand.
"First, transfer Elenoa Anvelrum to the 3rd Army. I will personally escort her there."
"That is—!"
Only then did the Count's expression become rich. Rich enough to fill a belly just watching.
Hildea haughtily crossed her legs and arms and spoke clearly, word by word.
"This is not compensation; it is a hostage. Consider it your karma, Count."
"Lord Hildea...!"
"As for the next compensation...."
That was the moment.
"Your Excellency the Count! An emergency report!"
A messenger came running, breathless, knelt down, and presented a report.
"...I ask for your understanding."
"Take your time checking it."
Why does she look so pretty when she nods her head so aloofly?
The Swordmaster, truly reassuring.
'So the Elf Legion's second landing has finally arrived.'
We already knew beforehand thanks to the radio report from Lord Deville earlier.
But considering the distance, the messenger still arrived quickly.
The Count's face hardened as he read the report.
"What is the matter? Has the Elf Legion appeared on the western coast again?"
"...Seems so. My Lord, it appears the discussion on compensation must be postponed. In the meantime, would you stay as honored guests at my castle?"
There he goes, slipping away like this again.
Towards the Count, who hastily rose from his seat, Hildea spoke softly.
"The northern transfer of Elenoa Anvelrum is non-negotiable. I came to the main building myself to escort her."
"...Let us speak later."
The Count stared piercingly at me, then opened his mouth as if sighing.
"Piel, since you're here, would you guide Lord Hildea around the castle so she can view it comfortably?"
"I was just about to."
"I entrust it to you."
I can clearly see his intention to look good in front of Hildea.
But toward the Count's retreating back, I deliberately spoke in the brightest tone possible.
"Father, this place is now the front line."
"...."
The Count hesitated for a moment, then hurried away without looking back at me.
The bastards from the training grounds also hastily followed the Count.
Familiar-faced maids are keeping their distance, fidgeting and just watching my mood.
Hildea said cheerfully.
"I see, Second Lieutenant Piel. So this place is the new front line now."
"It's been quite some time since the Elf Legion stopped attacking Ainshuvan. They've realized this place is weaker."
It was something I deliberately said for people to hear.
And it was the truth. For a while now, Ainshuvan had become quiet.
There wasn't a single wyvern in sight, the kind that used to fly over whenever they got bored. The elves had completely halted their offensive.
'If I act like Hildea is head-over-heels for me, willing to risk a territorial war, would I get to enjoy watching the Count wreck the annex?'
But I don't particularly want to do that.
We just need to scrape up all the compensation, take noona with us, and return to the North. That's it.
From the start, I had no intention of clinging and whining, 'I absolutely must receive a heartfelt apology!'
The elves will continue to strike this place through the Ivory Whale lake from now on.
War will become a daily occurrence here.
Just like it did for Ainshuvan.
Of course, I have no intention of letting the kingdom fall.
We need to absorb the population, even for the budget.
But the Noble Council must be weakened.
I just need to joyfully watch the rear nobles experience the might of the elves, while snatching up gains through appropriate intervention in between.
Through the earpiece in my ear, Luna's radio transmission came through.
-Colonel-nim, this is Airborne Unit Commander Luna. Count Anbelrum has led his knight order out of the Count's Castle and is running westward.
"Good. Luna, regroup here."
-Understood.
"Lord Hildea, I think we can move now."
"Understood."
We began to walk.
The attendants, maids, and guards who had been at a loss quickly followed behind us.
The elderly butler also hurried out and groveled before us.
"It's been a while. There's a place Lord Hildea wants to see, so I'm guiding her."
"Young Master Piel, if you let me know where you're headed, I will tidy it up in advance."
"Telling you in advance ruins the fun, doesn't it?"
***
Piel and Hildea walked without hesitation.
A rough aura, akin to the footsteps of an occupying army searching for plunder.
As the destination got closer, the butler's face gradually turned ashen.
'No way? No way?'
Eventually, Piel and Hildea stopped in front of the Central Warehouse.
The butler, turning pale as death, blocked their way.
"Young Master? What on earth are you trying to do? Cou-Count Balckenhardt! This place is...!"
"Move."
Hwareureureuk!
An Aura Blade erupted from the machete, and the butler collapsed as all strength drained from his body.
Attendants hurriedly came over, supported the butler's shoulders, and moved him aside.
"Ahh...."
The guards, frozen stiff by the Aura Blade, could only stand dumbly and watch the heavy door being cut through like a piece of paper.
Inside, all manner of supplies were stacked in neat, mountain-like piles.
Chests filled with gold, silver, and copper coins.
And besides that, high-quality cloth, weapons, armor, and more.
Hildea murmured.
"Count Anbelrum's house is truly wealthy."
"The real precious metals must be kept inside a Subspace Magic Tool."
"Is that so. Then this mountain of supplies is merely a mountain peak above the fog."
"Co-Count! Your Excellency! What on earth are you trying to do? Why, at a time when the lord is absent—!"
Hildea turned back with a cool gaze.
A cold and sharp vengefulness contained within her pretty eyes.
"I shall now personally collect the front-line supplies that the County of Anbelrum failed to send."
At that moment, knights wearing unfamiliar field uniforms came running up.
It was the Penal Unit led by Luna.
The knights remaining in the Count's Castle did not even dare to dream of stopping them.
Hildea gestured with her chin toward Luna and the knights.
"Take it all."
***
Anvelrum's vassals could only watch the relentless plunder by Hildea's forces.
Like locusts, they thoroughly scraped and gathered up absolutely everything.
From gold coins to cloth, weapons, armor, and even rye.
The insides of the watching vassals were burning to ashes.
"Why, the moment the Lord left his seat?"
"The truly important assets are in the Lord's Subspace Magic Tool, so no worries there... but why to that extent?"
By their common sense, it was completely incomprehensible that Hildea would suddenly change her attitude and begin plundering.
If she had asked to hand over the entire Central Warehouse, the Count would have gladly paid it as compensation.
"No matter how you think about it, it's too excessive to simply be a venting of anger."
"This is clearly some kind of warning being sent to our County."
At that moment, one of the vassals spoke as if dawning upon a realization, with a shocked face.
"It seems Count Balckenhardt has realized. The real reason we began reducing the northern supply volume starting this year."
"How could that be? Young Master Piel shouldn't know anything?"
"Anyway, we must inform His Excellency of this fact! Send the messenger again!"
***
Ainshuvan 3rd Army.
The barracks where Piel's peers from the same conscription group lived was peaceful.
"Phew, our main family finally started sending supplies properly again."
"It's thanks to the capital riot. What a relief."
"It was really frustrating back when they suddenly started cutting supplies."
"But thanks to the Marshall family, it didn't show, and we all survived."
"But seeing as every single one of our main families did that, there must have been a reason. What could it be?"
"I heard the farming didn't go well."
"Anyway, it's resolved now. Have a drink."
"This rebate beer is really delicious, you know?"
"This is also the gracious supply of the Marshall family."
A pizza and beer craze was sweeping the North.
"Peers! I've figured out how to eat MRE Pepperoni Square Pizza even more deliciously! You just pour beer and pizza into a big cauldron and keep boiling it fiercely until it softens! Try it!"
"Ohhh! It's way better, isn't it?"
"Second Lieutenant Forest, are you a genius?"
'Unit Pizza Beer' was born.