Chapter 101
Chapter 101
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 101
Chapter Title: 101. Reborn as the Plum Blossom Sword Saint in the Count's Family
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"Pleased to meet you, Young Master Eugene. I am Harlios Helbritt, son of Duke Makellos Helbritt."
The heir to the kingdom's Prime Minister, Duke Helbritt. Unless something major happens, Harlios will follow in his father's footsteps and become the next Prime Minister.
And he's Yuria's half-brother. Since Yuria harbors a grudge against the entire Helbritt ducal family, he's on her list of revenge targets as well.
"I'm Eugene Prucker. I've heard much of your reputation, Lord Harlios. As the brilliant mind expected to be the next Prime Minister by His Majesty himself... You are the blessing of the Rafeli Kingdom."
"Haha, you're too kind. I had no idea my name had reached the Prucker territory. And if we're talking blessings, then you're one too, Young Master Eugene. The items you've invented—especially the cosmetics—have even caught the Queen's interest."
"Oh, really?"
That's surprisingly big news. I've only been distributing cosmetics in the Prucker territory and nearby areas. I never imagined the rumors would reach the royal palace, the heart of the kingdom. I figured it'd spread eventually, but this is several times faster than I expected.
"Why would I lie? I hear the cosmetics aren't officially on sale yet. May I ask about your specific plans?"
"Nothing's set in stone yet, but I think we can start official sales next year."
"I see. If things get tough, feel free to ask for help from the Helbritt ducal family."
"Haha, thank you for saying so."
Even so, I have no intention of partnering with the Helbritts. They may act like gentlemen on the surface, but they're no better than thugs underneath. Plus, the Helbritt family is Yuria's enemy. To me, Yuria's worth far outweighs the entire Helbritt house.
Zent, I, and Harlios's group exchanged small talk. Comments like how delicious the food was or how beautiful the lake in Prucker territory is—mostly empty pleasantries.
"By the way, Young Master Eugene."
"Yes, Lord Harlios. Go ahead."
"I've heard your personal maid has silver hair and blue eyes. Might I meet her myself?"
It's about Yuria.
Does he suspect she's Helbritt's illegitimate child? No, it doesn't seem that serious yet.
"She's busy with work. She's not someone you need to meet, Lord Harlios. Why do you ask?"
"I was just curious since she has the same hair and eye color as me. And I've heard she's quite the beauty..."
"Even so, she's just a maid. You'd only be disappointed if you saw her."
"Hmm. Is it true she's a relative of the Prucker head butler?"
That means he's done some prior investigation into Yuria's background. He might even be at the suspicion stage.
'Suspicion is fine. It's just an annoying gaze.'
Even if he suspects Yuria's identity, he won't act rashly. This is Prucker territory, after all. The only downside is having eyes on Yuria, whom I plan to use as an assassin.
"She's a relative of Head Butler Hasent. Her village was razed by monsters, and she lost her parents. She was living in poverty when Hasent brought her to the mansion."
"That's unfortunate."
"But now she's doing well as my personal maid."
We wrapped up the conversation and parted ways under the pretense of him greeting other nobles. Harlios lacks exceptional swordsmanship or magic, but he's dangerous in other ways.
'That guy...'
Over thirty people were gathered. My gaze landed on the man at the center. A blond man in flashy clothes was chugging makgeolli from the real world.
"Puhahat! This liquor is called makgeolli? What a unique taste—I love it!"
Aiden Rafeli.
The prince of the Rafeli Kingdom. Despite being the king's firstborn, he wasn't named crown prince due to his poor conduct. Still, with no other brothers and only a younger sister, he's all but guaranteed to be the next king.
Aiden has covert support from the Helbritt ducal family and certain nobles. From their perspective, an incompetent king like Aiden makes it easier to gain unfair advantages.
'In the original story, Aiden doesn't become king, and his wise younger sister inherits the throne instead.'
Eileen Rafeli.
Aiden's younger sister and princess of Rafeli. She's one of the five heroines. I looked around for her but couldn't spot her. She must not be attending this banquet.
'Eileen hasn't stepped into the spotlight yet.'
In the original, Princess Eileen ascends the throne with Kyle's help and marries the hero Kyle in the ending as one of the heroines.
'Hmm. Should I side with Eileen?'
I haven't decided whether to back the prince or the princess. Each has pros and cons.
'Aiden's easy to manipulate. The problem is it could shake the whole kingdom. The Helbritts supporting him will all die anyway, so no worries there.'
Incompetent prince.
'Eileen's hard to manipulate. The upside is she'd run the kingdom well. If she becomes queen, the kingdom stays stable.'
Wise princess.
If the kingdom shakes, my business suffers. If it's stable, my business thrives. But a fool on the throne opens doors to gains I can't get with Eileen.
'My business isn't in full swing yet... No need to pick sides now. I'll watch the situation a bit longer.'
Of course, I'll sleep with Eileen regardless. Banging a nation's princess.
'Slurp. Wonder what princess pussy tastes like.'
Marrying her could be an option. But it doesn't appeal. I'd end up as the queen's consort... with real power still tilted toward Count Prucker.
"This one's called soju? Hmm, this is subtle!"
I looked away from Aiden. With Zent and Harlios here, no need to approach and risk pointless misunderstandings.
"Lord Eugene Prucker?"
Someone called me. I turned to see unfamiliar faces. Scanning their attire, nobles would have family crests somewhere. I spotted one, but it was new to me.
'I memorized every noble house crest in Rafeli for today. If I don't know it, they're not nobles.'
In that case, wealthy merchants were most likely.
"Yes, I'm Eugene Prucker. And you are?"
"Pleased to meet you! I'm Mail, who runs the Orrel Merchant Group. I'd love to have a deep discussion about the cosmetics you developed."
"Young Master Eugene! I'm Nozia of the Mutren Merchant Group! I'm interested in everything you've developed—not just the cosmetics, but cigarettes, perfumes, all of it!"
The merchants vied to approach me. Even mages from the Magic Tower joined in.
I smiled. One reason I attended the banquet was to make their acquaintance.
"Everyone, calm down. I'm happy to talk with all of you."
Just talk, though.
???
The mood soared when Ention and Elain appeared in the banquet hall midway through. For the next three days, the lights wouldn't go out.
First day of the banquet.
I didn't leave until 5 a.m.
First, I greeted the vassals to remind them of my face and presence.
Then I endured endless pestering from mages and merchants affiliated with the Magic Tower. Rumors about my modern goods had spread far more than I thought.
Second day of the banquet.
More of the same. Mages and merchants hounded me. The mages wanted to know how I made the products they'd heard about. Since they're not made with magic, their common sense couldn't easily decipher the methods.
I dodged the mages' questions as best I could. Manufacturing process? Honestly, I don't know the details. I just buy finished modern products and sell them here. Hoarding, basically.
The merchants cared less about production and more about sourcing and sales—that's business. I gave them vague answers too.
At midnight on the second day, a duel broke out among nobles.
Two nobles drew swords over one noble lady. Simple jealousy fight.
Blood flowed in the banquet hall, but no one minded. They cheered. I was reminded this is a medieval fantasy world.
Third day of the banquet. The final day. That's when the incident happened.
Alcohol is the root of all evil.
True here or in reality. Even nobles are human, and humans get drunk. Normally, they control themselves—nobles especially. But people make mistakes.
One vassal got drunk and caused a scene.
A young noble who'd recently inherited a barony. He'd downed two bottles of wine and three of soju.
"Count Ention Prucker!"
His voice was clear. Without the swaying, you might think he was sober.
The music had just ended, so his voice echoed through the hall. All eyes turned to him.
"Baron Jukai. Do you have business with me?"
Ention was his usual self. Calm and composed.
"I can't hold back my curiosity!"
"What are you so curious about?"
"The Prucker heir! All the other grand nobles have successors! For the future, isn't it time to name yours?!"
"......"
Everyone was shocked. Youthful bravado? Even drunk, no one expected him to confront Ention directly. But it scratched a collective itch.
All eyes fixed on Ention.
"No successor has been named yet."
"...Why not?! Doesn't Young Master Zent have the talent to succeed you?!"
The young noble seemed to back Zent. Probably anxious since Ention hadn't named an heir.
"Zent is excellent. But second son Kyle is just as capable. Eugene has the qualities of a family head too."
I desperately kept a neutral expression. Hearing my name from Ention meant he saw me as a candidate.
"Young Masters Kyle and Eugene are too young."
"They've all had their coming-of-age ceremonies. Kyle and Eugene aren't children."
"......When do you plan to name a successor?"
"That's impertinent, Baron Jukai."
Ention glanced around. The Prucker vassals watched him intently. The successor was crucial to them—the next power holder. Naming one would make them scramble.
I figured even Ention couldn't brush this off lightly.
"The Prucker successor will be named when the time comes."
No clear answer in the end. Sighs escaped the vassals.
Ention left the banquet hall after that.
'...No matter how I think about it, I can't read Ention.'
Why drag his feet on naming a successor? It's good for me, but not for the family.
'And Ention's more dictatorial than I thought.'
The vassals must harbor resentment. Maybe I can use that.