Chapter 94
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 93
Chapter Title: End of the Dream (3)
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"Absolutely not."
Byron stated it with absolute certainty. He spoke in a grave tone.
"To begin with, it's not a power that strong. And what gets projected is nothing more than the unconscious mind. Not the Grand Duke's, but the unconscious of the person facing the Grand Duke. If everyone held the Grand Duke in their hearts with pure reason, then something like what Lady Yuria described could happen... but..."
"Realistically, that's not the case."
"Yes. Everyone wants something different from the Grand Duke and sees something different in him. For reference, to me, he appears as the heroic figure who long ago saved the world from the Night of Tragedy alongside the gods."
For example... Adriana, who now has no suitable marriage partner besides me, sees me as even more handsome as a man.
Some might see a wealthy employer in me, others a reliable lord, and still others a hero who rose above adversity.
But Yuria, having heard Byron's explanation, reacted with some dissatisfaction.
"No, my hypnosis magic...!"
"Nah, it's not that. Not hypnosis magic either."
"......Still, don't let your guard down too much, big bro."
"Because you're gonna jump me in the middle of the night? Too bad. Now that I'm wide awake, you're sleeping in a separate room."
"Stop discriminating against your little sister! ......Though I'd love to say that, I'm being totally serious."
"What else are you trying to say?"
"There might be people who don't know your name, big bro, but there's no one in this capital who doesn't know you."
"Fair enough?"
"And objectively speaking, you're prime marriage material."
"Me?"
"You're good-looking, your body's amazing, your background's solid, and you're great in bed. On top of that, your personal strength, symbolism, and achievements are on a level no one in this era can match. And most importantly, compared to our family's notoriety, you've got a great personality."
"Ahem. I am pretty impressive. But how do you know about my bedroom skills? You've never even tried it."
"I heard everyone in our family was good at it?"
"Is that so......"
It didn't exactly reassure me since I'm not the real Zahav.
Well, at least I'm confident in my size.
"Anyway, your conditions are great, and now we've learned about your past. You know this from my experience, but girls' tastes in guys generally fall into two categories... a prince who'll elevate their status, or a pitiful guy who can't live without them. You fit both perfectly."
"What does that......"
"Like I said earlier, with those great conditions, families will definitely tell their daughters to approach you. And if even a bit of curiosity or fondness gets projected, making them fall for you......"
"Making them fall for me?"
"Huh? Looks like no problem at all."
"......?"
"Yeah. They'll be sent knowing full well what our house is like, and any girl who gets close to you will fall into depravity soon enough...... So as long as they take turns, it seems win-win for everyone."
"Hey now. Watch your language."
Suddenly, gasps of shock from those around us gulping. Was pointing out his wording that shocking?
Yuria pondered hard for a long while, then finally slumped her shoulders and spoke.
"I'm not smart, so I don't know how to say it right. But I just don't want you hurting too many women, big bro."
"I've never planned to from the start, but why?"
"......Because it could turn out like before you came, big bro."
"Ah."
The previous patriarch, Cain Zahav, had desperately spun the gacha to revive their thinning bloodline.
He had 31 sons from his official concubines, plus several daughters.
Including illegitimate children not officially recorded, he probably had well over 50 kids.
And they all died.
Not just the 31 sons with official succession rights, but the daughters who sided with enemies just to survive, the concubines who brought forces from their homes, and even the illegitimate ones given nothing but pocket money.
All perished in the succession struggle. As if someone had deliberately tried to end the Zahav line.
The only survivors were Yuria, at the academy, and Jevella, the prize of the tournament.
Yuria had never spoken of it directly, but given her personality, watching her siblings slaughter each other couldn't have been easy on her.
She's not cruel enough to laugh even at the deaths of those she didn't get along with.
I gently patted Yuria's back.
"Don't worry. Unless it's truly unavoidable...... I'll only do what I can handle."
"Big bro......"
"I believe family should get along. Now you know, but even back in Calypso Territory, my mother always cherished me unwaveringly."
"......I heard about it from Ellis sis too. You even named the organization you built there 'family,' right? That's why Ellis sis's group has 'family' in the name."
"Y-Yeah."
Honestly, Orphan Fam was just a casual name for a group of orphan teens.
But in the end, I did treat them like real family, so it fits.
I brushed it off by patting Yuria's back a bit more vigorously. For some reason, she looked on the verge of tears as she nodded.
"Yeah. If that's how it is, I won't say anything more. Do whatever you want, big bro. ......Shall we start with Cornelia for now?"
"Remember what I just said, Yuria."
"Wh-Why am I suddenly dragged into this?! Yuria, are you insane?! Even so, together is a bit......"
Cornelia's face flushed beet red as she hastily backed away. Yuria tilted her head at the sight.
"I didn't say 'together'."
"Ack."
"Cornelia...... So that's what you've been fantasizing about all this time?"
Yuria grinned slyly. Finally unable to endure it, Cornelia let out a piercing shriek.
"This is all because of you, Grand Duke Zahav!!"
"Me?"
I was momentarily dumbfounded, but thinking about it, I was the first to suggest rolling around with her alone.
"Hm. Come to think of it, you're right."
"Eek!"
As I calmly nodded, she gritted her teeth, flung the door open, and bolted out at full speed.
Her footsteps faded into the distance, but soon they reversed, growing closer again as if rewinding.
"I'm so glad you're safe! I'll let Father know too, so you should be able to have a separate audience later!"
"Huh? Oh, sure......"
"Then, I'm off!"
With that shout, Cornelia dashed away again, footsteps echoing.
As I stared blankly, Adriana shrugged and spoke up.
"I thought Cornelia and I were a set...... Well, one more won't hurt."
"Mm. I think Swordmaster would be fine too."
"Oh my. 'Swordmaster' is too formal, dear. Just call me sis."
"Then I'd be on the same level as Her Imperial Majesty the Empress?"
"Oops...... Then just call me auntie like Cornelia does."
"Yes, Auntie!"
"Hehe. I want to give my new niece a gift...... Oh, right, you're an academy student? Looks like the knight division. What's your weapon......?"
"I use a greatsword!"
"Perfect. Let's bond at the training grounds."
Yuria beamed like she'd won the lottery as she prepared to leave. Adriana glanced my way with a wink before the two exited together.
They were being considerate, letting me rest alone...... but where did my own will go?
As Zahav, I couldn't openly refuse or show dislike, so with my lips half-forced into a smile—
"......Grand Duke Zahav."
My eyes met Archbishop Byron's, who had been quietly standing in the corner.
"I only have sons, no daughters......"
"No need."
"Understood. Then I'll take my leave."
"Sure...... Ah, wait. One last thing I want to ask."
"Anything."
"I get that the divine power dwelling in me is harmless and even beneficial. But is that all?"
"Pardon?"
"It's a god's power in a human body. Doesn't that cause issues in itself?"
Byron burst into hearty laughter at my words.
"That's the one thing you don't need to worry about. Rare in modern times, but before the Night of Tragedy—in the mythic era—it happened often."
"Really?"
"Yes. Aging slows overall, lifespan extends, and such. It's only beneficial, never harmful to you, Grand Duke Zahav."
With that, Byron added in a gentle, priestly voice.
"If you want more details, look into the Northern Saintess."
"Northern Grand Duke?"
"Exactly. The Northern Grand Duke's house is the one that's produced saintesses generation after generation since the Night of Tragedy—descendants who can directly receive the power of the gods slumbering in the Pantheon."
Byron left after noting that, while the scale of power differs, my case is the same, so they'd be helpful.
I decided to keep it in mind.
A few days later, Wilfrid quietly summoned me.
"Enoch Zahav. You've saved the Empire once again."
"You're too kind."
"Before praising your feat, may I ask one thing?"
"Ask away."
"How much do you know about your mother?"
"......Were you one of Mother's guests, Your Majesty?"
"???"
Sigh. Should I call him Father?