Chapter 80
Chapter 80
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 12
Chapter Title: Hiding the Dagger and Smiling (5)
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Next up was Mikel Nod Concellare, who ruled the northern Nod Territory.
He was seated in a position similar to Carlo's. It meant the power of the north and south was evenly matched.
'Carlo's most guarded rival.'
The Concellare family had guarded the north through the harsh cold of the snow-capped mountains for generations.
Lord Mikel was not only exceptional in his own martial prowess but also one of the first to have his name on the noble registry.
In terms of family history, it couldn't even compare to the Ardante family.
'Well, still, money can't be beaten.'
In the face of pragmatism, prestige holds no sway.
Just look at Carlo, the upstart southern noble who had skyrocketed and now toyed with the empire in his grasp.
"Hmm..."
As Emperor Theodore swiftly compared the nameplates in front of him with the people, his gaze flew past like arrows.
"Hm?"
Then it stopped in front of me. He checked the "Ovest Territory" nameplate on the desk and looked at my face.
"A face I haven't seen before."
He scanned my face with eyes full of curiosity.
"Has Lord Diego sent a proxy again? He looks too young to be a knight."
After a moment's thought, Emperor Theodore tilted his head.
"Now he's not even satisfied with sending proxies and has sent a squire?"
His lips twisted, betraying his displeasure.
"Is this the sincerity the Kindriel family shows me?"
...No, wait a second.
'Are my eyes playing tricks on me?'
He doesn't recognize who I am even after seeing this face?
At this point, it was clear the emperor knew but was pretending not to.
Fortunately, there was someone to clear up this misunderstanding.
"No, Your Majesty."
The aide spoke in a calm tone.
"Abel Ovest Kindriel, the eldest son of Lord Diego. He has attended bearing the lord's seal."
"Ohhh."
Emperor Theodore let out a low whistle. A faint wariness and clear interest appeared on his face.
"What brings you here in person?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
I put on a polite smile and opened my mouth.
"My father has always deeply regretted not being able to attend the conferences in person."
It was a blatant lie.
Abel's father, Diego, considered attending noble conferences a tedious and pointless chore.
'Well, it wasn't always like that.'
Diego had initially come in person himself, occupying the very seat I was now in. But he was only strong when wielding a sword, not a pen.
'A character who'd win first place at the world's biggest old-fart convention.'
Authoritarian, poor with words, and utterly inflexible.
For such a Diego, the noble conference was an excruciating ordeal. He couldn't adapt to the atmosphere where lords flattered and schemed with their three-inch tongues.
'Especially because of that guy Carlo.'
After being bitten a few times, his words at conferences dwindled sharply. Being pushed out of the emperor's attention was the natural consequence.
'So now he's stuck in that hellhole for years, just hunting monsters.'
Anyway, it didn't matter what Diego thought. He wasn't here, after all.
I continued my brazen lie with a straight face.
"In particular, he lamented that it had been so long since he last saw Your Majesty and that he couldn't convey his regards in person."
"Oh, Diego did?"
The corner of Emperor Theodore's mouth curled up slightly.
Of course, it had to feel good to hear that straight-laced Diego had said such a thing.
My plan to win the emperor's favor was proceeding smoothly.
"Yes. So my father..."
"A man so loyal doesn't even show his face once?"
Of course, there were disruptors.
"It takes days to travel from there to here. He's sent only proxies for years—doesn't that contradict itself?"
It was Carlo, his face full of mockery.
"Indeed. The conferences aren't held that often."
"Is it really that hard to attend a conference once every few months?"
The other lords seated behind him chimed in.
'Right. You're not the type to stay quiet, Carlo.'
I snorted inwardly.
This was retaliation for challenging his authority earlier. It also aimed to disrupt me from gaining the emperor's attention.
'Grown men acting so childish.'
What was so important about sitting last in the chairs anyway? It was laughable how they couldn't hold back and tried to crush me.
"Oh, of course, you could see it that way."
I countered in a composed voice.
"But the western mountains are prone to monster incursions. Unlike the peaceful southern coast."
"..."
"If a powerful monster invaded while my father was away, what then?"
The moment Carlo's lips twitched to retort,
"The western mountains—that's a plausible story. Trolls roam there in packs."
Unexpected support came from an unlikely source.
"-!"
Both Carlo and I turned to look. Mikel was smiling with drooping eyebrows.
"The ruggedness of the western mountains is something we all know without needing to say."
"Hm, true enough."
When even Emperor Theodore nodded, Carlo shut his mouth as if at a loss for words.
Now was my chance.
"Rather than risk troubling the empire's peace, my father chose to remain at the border with tears in his eyes."
"..."
"Sending a proxy was an unavoidable choice. It was a decision reached after intense deliberation."
As I spoke in a heartfelt tone and bowed my head,
"-Tch!"
A faint tongue-click sounded. It was so subtle that only my enhanced hearing could catch it.
A sidelong glance revealed Carlo, nostrils flaring like a bull.
'Must have been hard to stomach.'
Of course, for someone who knew Diego's temperament, it must have been absurd and infuriating. And here I was, spouting it off without batting an eye—how displeased he must be.
But the mood had already shifted in my favor.
"So please do not doubt Ovest Territory's loyalty to the empire, Your Majesty."
"Heh heh, I see."
Emperor Theodore nodded slowly.
"My coming here this time follows the same context. For any past disloyalty, I, Abel Ovest Kindriel, deeply bow my head in apology."
I lifted my head and put on the act of a loyal vassal.
"I am also grateful for this opportunity to learn. I will humbly accept all teachings with an open mind."
Addressing those around me, the lords cleared their throats and averted their gazes slyly.
"The young one's got some promise."
"Ahem, that's how it should be. It's his first time, after all."
They pretended otherwise but seemed satisfied at my plea to look after the novice. When the other side bends first, it's hard to stay rigid.
All but one, Carlo.
"Uh... that..."
He frowned as if nursing a headache.
'The true master of the Mare Guild.'
He must know the rumors circulating about me in Ovest Territory. Plus my insolent attitude from our first meeting.
It must irk him to see me hiding my true colors and putting on a show.
'What can you do about it?'
I gave him a gentle smile. It looked innocent, but Carlo would surely read the meaning behind it.
"..."
Carlo's forehead wrinkled terribly.
Oh dear.
I shook my head and tapped my forehead lightly.
'You'll get wrinkles.'
Crunch.
Carlo clenched his fist, blue veins bulging over it.
'Should I stop here?'
I swallowed a laugh threatening to burst out and wrapped up.
"Thank you all for your understanding. I will represent the Kindriel family with utmost sincerity in this conference."
At a glance, it sounded like I'd act according to Diego's will, but my true intent was entirely different.
'Am I crazy? Follow orders from that old fart Diego?'
In Yonas's possession wasn't just the seal—there was also a paper dictating how to respond to conference agendas. Of course, that paper had long been shredded and tossed into the river.
Now, no one could stop me.
Even if Diego noticed my absence quickly, an absolute physical distance separated us. He wasn't the type to come chasing me himself anyway.
"Heh heh heh. Yes, yes."
Emperor Theodore smiled broadly.
"I'd heard Diego had a grown son, but seeing you in person is most welcome."
"Your grace humbles me, Your Majesty."
As I bowed politely, the emperor's smile deepened.
"You look just like your father, but your personality seems quite different."
He had already dropped his guarded expression, adopting a more friendly demeanor.
'The most power-sensitive man in this world.'
It was thanks to my obsequious attitude flattering him. When had the Kindriel family ever treated him this way?
The knights sent as proxies in the past had all mimicked their lord, stiff as bamboo.
For the Kindriel family—even Diego's son like me—to act as pliantly as a tongue in the mouth, how could he not feel pleased?
'This is what they call one step back for three steps forward.'
But he mustn't mistake my current attitude for true loyalty. The emperor meant nothing to me.
'I'm just leaving him alone since he's not getting in my way.'
If I wanted, I could topple this empire. I just wasn't ready yet and saw no need.
Contrary to the snake-like thoughts coiled inside me, I replied innocently.
"Thank you for saying so."
I glanced around surreptitiously.
Sure enough, the great lords' reactions were unusual.
They eyed me warily, wondering if I was colluding with the emperor or building a new faction.
"Alright, enough chit-chat."
Emperor Theodore clapped twice.
"Let's begin the conference."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The aide bowed deeply and gestured.
"Recorder."
"Ready."
With all preparations complete, the attendants standing statue-like against the conference hall walls began to move.
They took the stacks of documents piled like towers on the tables and placed one before each lord.
"These are today's agendas."
The aide announced loudly.
"We'll start with the first item. Regarding grain sales commissions."
Thus, the long-awaited regular noble conference began.