Chapter 346
Chapter 346
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 346
Chapter Title: Reincarnated as the Plum Blossom Sword Master in the Count Family
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The carriage raced onward.
Yuria and I exchanged glances with Elaine.
Elaine's eyes were different from before. If I kept meeting her gaze, her cheeks would flush slightly, and she'd look away. Elaine looked just like a girl who had fallen in love late in life.
We had to put on an act whenever others were around.
Our relationship was that of mother and son. Even if not a drop of blood connected us.
The moment our true relationship became known, the family's reputation would hit rock bottom. And we'd likely face severe punishment. Ention would have us executed or exiled.
'If it weren't for Yuria.'
Yuria's combat prowess surpassed Ention's.
In a pinch, we could kill Ention and seize the count's title by force. Slaughter any vassals who rebelled.
'If we used Yuria and modern weapons well, starting a rebellion might even succeed...'
But that was one of the worst options. I wanted to claim the Prucker family intact, if possible.
The speeding carriage came to a halt.
It was lunchtime.
The servants bustled about busily.
I gave orders to Yuria and Melissa, seated on either side of me.
"Go help the servants."
"Understood."
The two stepped out of the carriage.
Elaine issued commands to her maids on either side.
"Check personally if any knights or soldiers are injured, and if the items we brought are in good condition. We're almost at the capital, so inspect everything thoroughly."
"Yes, ma'am."
The maids left.
Now, only Elaine and I remained in the carriage. Her eyes gazing at me softened warmly.
I extended my right hand as if asking her to dance. She took it and leaned into me.
"Eugene... Mm..."
Elaine and I kissed. My hand slowly slipped inside her dress.
We arrived at the capital.
True to their status as a great noble family, the Pruckers had a mansion in the capital. It was far from the palace, but owning a residence in the capital without being a noble active there was impressive in itself.
The capital mansion was spotless, apparently maintained diligently by the servants. Not as grand as the main estate, but better than most noble houses.
"Haha, you've arrived. Mother. It's been a while, but you still look as beautiful as ever."
Jent had arrived first.
Jent's acting had improved tremendously. The old Jent always wore a sour expression around Elaine and avoided talking to her.
"Jent. You're the same as ever. Where's your father?"
Elaine asked curtly about Ention.
Ention and Jent had no idea how that stern, icy face transformed in bed.
"Father hasn't arrived yet. Probably in three days."
"I see... Understood. Good work getting here, Jent. Go rest."
"I arrived yesterday, and I've already shaken off the travel fatigue. I have a dinner engagement with the western nobles tonight, so I won't be back. See you tomorrow."
"Fine."
Elaine passed by Jent. Her destination was obvious: the study. Escaping the main estate didn't mean work vanished. If anything, it increased. Most nobles were gathering in the capital now.
There would be nobles and merchants making strange requests, too.
"You've come after all..."
Jent muttered, glancing at me. I brushed off his hostile stare and greeted him.
"Long time no see, brother."
The servants were watching, so I used formal speech.
"Yes, it's been a while, little brother."
"You're going to the western nobles' dinner? Is that alright? The southern nobles might misunderstand your actions."
The Prucker family was at the southern edge. Too remote to be the south's center, but their influence wasn't negligible.
"We're all nobles of the same kingdom—what misunderstanding? And even if there is, it has nothing to do with you. You must be tired from the trip. Go rest inside."
I knew why Jent mingled with the western nobles. His fiancée was the daughter of Marquis Heollis, the western nobles' leader.
Jent tried to pass me and leave.
"Brother Jent. Mind if I join the western nobles' dinner too?"
"...You?"
"Yes. I'm curious about them."
"...Sorry, but only I was invited. You're my brother, but you're Baron Tevra, aren't you? Bringing you uninvited would be rude."
"Someone so mindful of etiquette—why did you show up at my mansion unannounced last time?"
Jent scowled at my sarcasm, glaring daggers.
"...That was a mistake. It was too urgent to send word."
With that, Jent turned sharply and boarded the waiting carriage outside.
"Yuria. We're heading out. Prepare the carriage."
"Yes, understood."
Yuria headed to the elderly butler managing the mansion.
Melissa, beside me, smirked faintly.
"Planning something fun, Master?"
"Melissa, you can come too."
"I'd love to, but I'll stay and clean your room. Dealing with commoners is one thing, but nobles? Not my cup of tea."
Melissa was the eldest daughter of the prestigious Arhen Duke family from the Cobalt Kingdom. She was a fugitive now, so she avoided people—especially nobles.
"Got it. Keep my bed warm."
"...Hopeless master. If you care about your reputation, shouldn't you restrain yourself in the capital?"
"It's fine. Totally fine. As long as we don't get caught."
"You should always be grateful to your head maid. Without me, you'd have been caught hundreds of times over. You and the countess were so reckless on the way here—only you two don't realize how close it was. ...If I weren't so ridiculously competent..."
"Okay, okay. No more nagging. I am grateful to Yuria."
"It's not nagging—it's advice to be careful."
"Got it. I said I got it."
I rode a carriage to the western nobles' district.
I couldn't attend Jent's dinner—I wasn't invited. Crashing it would just draw ire and tarnish my reputation.
Instead, I went to Marquis Heollis's mansion in the capital—a villa, really. No prior contact, but it wasn't rude. I could mention the 'Kozline Merchant Association,' who had reached out to me first.
Marquis Heollis couldn't snub me; as a Kozline executive, he'd want profits through my Korea Merchant Company.
After announcing myself to the servant at the gate and waiting briefly, a middle-aged butler emerged to greet Yuria and me.
"Baron Prucker. Marquis Heollis awaits in the reception room. Allow me to guide you. And the lady beside you...?"
"My exclusive maid. I'd like her to join. She's deeply involved with the Korea Merchant Company."
"...If that's the case, it's fine."
The butler sensed Yuria wasn't ordinary. With her extraordinary looks, who would think otherwise?
-Master.
As we walked the corridor, Yuria's voice whispered in my ear. Telepathy. Infusing mana into sound—I had no talent for it. Yuria treated it like a minor trick.
-The mansion's defenses are tight. Not just knights—assassins are stationed everywhere. And that butler... He's an upper Aura Expert.
Given Marquis Heollis's position, heavy guards made sense. Assassins were unexpected.
'The butler guiding us is a knight captain-level expert...'
I turned my head slightly and mouthed words. No telepathy for me, but Yuria could lip-read.
I asked if she could kill everyone in the mansion alone.
-Yes, of course, Master. Just give the order, and in ten minutes, I'll present their heads to you.
I shook my head slightly. Just testing the power gap. No reason to massacre them.
At least, not yet.
"Pleased to meet you like this, Baron Prucker."
"First time meeting, Marquis Heollis. It's an honor. I came right after arriving in the capital—hope it's not rude."
"Rude? Nonsense. We welcome you. I've wanted to talk. And our families will soon be in-laws."
"Glad to hear it."
"Sit. This might take a while. About your maid...?"
"My exclusive maid. She's my right and left hand. Thanks to her, the Korea Merchant Company grew smoothly. She knows its details better than I do."
"...I see. Such a beautiful young lady, and sharp-minded too. You have fine talent, Baron. However..."
Marquis Heollis narrowed his eyes at Yuria.
"Is there a problem?"
"...No, nothing. Just reminded me of a certain family. But no relation, surely."
The family he thought of was likely Duke Helbritt. Yuria's silver hair and blue eyes were their traits. But Helbritt was obsessively pure-blooded, so no connection.
"You came about joining the Kozline Merchant Association with your Korea Merchant Company, right?"
"Yes. Which merchant company in Rapelli Kingdom wouldn't want to join Kozline? It's an honor."
"I welcome the Korea Merchant Company. But others' opinions? Our association includes the Magic Tower, not just merchants. Many view your company suspiciously."
"...Doubting the Korea Merchant Company?"
"Well, yes. Your products are too revolutionary. You claim to invent most, but is that realistic? We suspect another nation or the Magic Tower behind you."
"Unfair, but I understand."
"Hm?"
He seemed surprised by my calm response. Young men my age usually panicked or got angry.
But I stayed composed. Yuria had prepared me for his points.
'Yuria said Kozline would nitpick to devalue us and gain leverage. Ultimate goal: uncover our secrets.'
No need to play their game.
"Even I struggle to believe a genius like me exists. Can't blame others. I get it."
"...Ah, right."
Marquis Heollis replied awkwardly.
"Marquis. I have a business proposal with your Hollis Merchant Company."
"Oh? A genius's idea... Intriguing. What is it?"
"War supplies. We'll make a fortune. I guarantee it. Was going solo, but... Prucker Counts and Heollis Marquis will soon be family."
"Haha... You're mistaken. Most merchant owners are prepping for war already. Me too. Everyone knows war's coming soon."
"Good. Then to business. An interesting tidbit—want to hear?"