Chapter 649
Chapter 649
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 649
Chapter Title: Reincarnated as the Plum Blossom Sword Guard in a Count Family
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[Reincarnated as the Plum Blossom Sword Guard in a Count Family] Having entered the world of Playful Life, I met privately with Kyle, the protagonist of this world.
Kyle had come to my mansion in Pterus that very morning. Since he'd given advance notice a few days prior, everyone in the mansion was fully prepared.
"What's up, bro?"
I had a pretty good idea of why Kyle was visiting. At this point in time, most nobles seeking me out had the same goal in mind.
"Well, Eugene..."
Kyle hesitated before finally speaking up.
"Could I borrow some money?"
Just as I expected. Those who saw the upcoming war as an opportunity—or those terrified of it—came to me borrowing money to secure their own safety. I only lent to those who seemed like they could be useful to me later.
"For military funds?"
"Yeah. The family won't loan me any, so I'm in a bind."
The successor position in the Prucker Count family was on the line in this war. Count Prucker offered no support whatsoever to his sons. We had to gather our own military funds and troops.
My eldest brother, Gent, had his existing forces, and his wife's Heollis family was one of the richest in the kingdom. He had plenty of troops and funds. Objectively speaking, Gent was in the strongest position among us brothers.
As the third son, I had ample funds flowing through the Korea Merchant Guild. With that money, recruiting and maintaining troops was a breeze. Plus, I had preparations already in place from before, and if things got dire, I could always pull food and necessities from the Vampire Detective world.
"...You've already got your troops, right?"
"Yeah. I wasn't even planning to recruit any, but they just showed up after hearing about me."
My second brother, Kyle, had no military funds but plenty of troops. Adventure parties he was connected to came calling, free knights drawn by his reputation swore loyalty, and even commoners captivated by him took up armor and spears.
Kyle had the troops, but no money to keep them going. In the midst of war, he could plunder enemies for funds, but we weren't there yet.
"You know I'm your rival here, right, bro? The one who racks up the most achievements in this war becomes the official heir to the Prucker family. Ignoring your request would actually benefit me."
"I know, but... can't you help me out? We're brothers. Things are looking really rough right now. I'm scraping by hunting nearby monsters, but their numbers have dropped so much that earnings keep shrinking day by day. At this rate, my soldiers won't even be able to train—they'll end up begging on the streets."
Kyle had no knack for making money. In the original story, his talented retainers and protagonist buffs kept him from ever struggling financially, so this was a fresh change.
"Wouldn't it be better for you to borrow from someone else instead of me?"
Kyle scratched the back of his head with an awkward grin.
"I tried other merchant guilds around here and even the magic tower for loans, but no one would give me the time of day."
Of course not.
The merchant networks in this region were dominated by the Korea Merchant Guild. Lending money to Kyle was tantamount to making an enemy of us. No one eager to stay on my good side would risk it.
"What about sponsors? No one's stepped up?"
"Nothing so far. I know coming to you is shameless, but... I really need the cash."
"Haa."
I let out a deliberate sigh.
I didn't really want to lend him the money, but Yuria's advice echoed in my mind: lending it would be more profitable in the long run. I got her point. Kyle was the type who never forgot a favor—he could prove useful later.
"Bro, have you reached out to the Plavitt family?"
Plavitt.
At the mention of the name, Kyle's face hardened.
"N-No, not yet."
"Wouldn't borrowing from your fiancée be better than from me? You could probably get it interest-free."
Barien Plavitt.
Kyle's fiancée. The Plavitt family owned a magic tower specializing in wine sales. Not as wealthy as the Heollis, but still one of the kingdom's rich houses.
"...I'll be straight with you. I have no intention of marrying Lady Plavitt."
"Why? Not good enough for you, the Plavitt Marquis family?"
"No! I know the Plavitt Marquis family is an outstanding house. But I don't love Barien. Forcing a marriage would just make us both miserable."
Kyle spoke with earnest conviction.
But I knew the real reason. Lady Barien wasn't much to look at. Of course, if I said it, he'd deny it indignantly.
"What, you got someone else you love?"
"......"
I didn't miss how Kyle's gaze drifted toward the door. The reason was obvious. He'd unconsciously thought of Yuria. From the look on his face, he'd only dug himself deeper instead of moving on.
(For the record, Yuria wasn't in the mansion right now. There'd been a minor issue at the Korea Merchant Guild.)
No woman quite like Yuria, that's for sure.
Finding someone better than her was no easy task.
"Fine, let's get to the point. How much do you need?"
"300 billion ner. At least 300 billion—I absolutely need that much."
"That much?"
I narrowed my eyes at him. Kyle flinched. It didn't seem like he'd calculated the figure himself; one of his subordinates must have.
"I-I know it's a lot. But there's no helping it. I need to equip the soldiers and knights, and winter's closing in fast. Food costs alone will eat up a fortune."
"Interest rate? I'll do 30%."
"15%! How about 15%?"
"25%. That's my limit—I can't go higher. Think about my position too."
"...Fine. I'll pay it back, every coin."
He agreed surprisingly quickly. 25% must have been within his expectations.
"Eugene, when can I get the money?"
"...Not right away. 300 billion is a big sum even for me. I'll have to pull it from various places, but about a week should do. I'll send someone to deliver it to you later."
"It's not exactly pocket change... I'd like to wait and take it myself. Mind if I stay here in the meantime?"
"...I don't mind, but there's not much to do around the mansion or territory. No private training grounds for you to use, either. No empty rooms in the main house, so you'd have to stay in the annex. That okay?"
"It's fine. I'm the one borrowing money—what right do I have to complain?"
We drew up the contract and rose from our seats.
"Pleased to meet you, Lord Kyle. I'm Vanessa. I'll be your dedicated maid during your stay. Please let me know if you need anything."
Vanessa curtsied gracefully, holding the hem of her skirt.
Kyle stared at her, momentarily entranced. Her soft golden hair, porcelain skin, and striking features were stunning enough, but the refined air about her made her seem less like a maid and more like a noble lady from a distinguished house.
"Yes, Vanessa. Looking forward to your care. Uh, are you from nobility, Vanessa?"
"I'm a maid from an orphanage. Please feel free to speak casually."
"...You don't seem like an ordinary maid. I was surprised."
"I've been trained since my orphanage days, and I continue receiving education here in the mansion. Not just me—all the maids do."
"Eugene must treat you well."
"Yes. The master provides us with much. Now, the annex is this way."
As Kyle followed Vanessa to the annex, he glanced around. On closer inspection, the mansion's layout and decorations felt a bit different from what he remembered—more sophisticated, impeccably clean.
He passed a maid in the hall. She stepped aside gracefully and bowed with poise. The other servants did the same.
"Not many servants for a place this size."
"Yes. Most who work here are vagrants with nowhere to go or former slaves. They all received the master's mercy and found work here."
"Eugene's living well. I can't even compare to him."
Kyle gave a wry smile.
He kept looking around as he walked, then realized something: every servant was strikingly beautiful. Butlers and maids alike possessed exceptional looks.
(Of course, the butlers were all women in male attire, but the oblivious Kyle didn't notice.)
Guided to a guest room in the annex, Kyle pointed at the ceiling and asked Vanessa.
"Is that black glass a decoration? It's a bit unusual."
He was pointing at the camera mounted on the ceiling.
Vanessa answered without missing a beat.
"It's a decoration. High-end glass made by dwarves. Isn't it beautiful as such?"
"It is pretty. But it feels a little... off, somehow."
"Is that so? Well, unfortunately... the other rooms in the annex have them too."
"Nah, just my imagination. No need to change it. This room's spacious and nice anyway."
"Please rest comfortably. Don't hesitate to ask if you need anything. The other maids will assist you too."
"Thanks, Vanessa."
"Ahh... Nngh! Master...! Feels so good!"
Vanessa rocked her hips atop me as I sat in the chair. Her long blonde hair swayed, and her still-growing C-cup breasts bounced enticingly.
Squelch, squelch.
Her pussy ground relentlessly against my cock.
"Vanessa. What about Kyle?"
"Haa! He hasn't left his room. We're monitoring via camera... He's just sitting on the floor."
"Meditating? No, circulating his energy. Training non-stop, as expected. Ah, Vanessa—I'm about to cum."
"Inside... Cum inside me...! Hnngh! Me too... Haaaaah!"
Vanessa gasped deeply, twisting her hips before collapsing onto my chest. I stroked her sweat-slicked back thoughtfully.
The only reason Kyle came to me for money is because he was desperate.
The next three months. That's when the war would break out.
I need more troops. What I have is enough, but more is always better.
Conscription in the territory was already complete. More now could wreck the local economy.
Mercenaries are plentiful already. Not keen on hiring extras.
Mercenaries were convenient but unreliable. Easy to hire with cash, but they could betray you at a critical moment. Betrayals were commonplace in this world.
Slave soldiers would be better. But passing them off as regulars wouldn't look good.
I was a noble. With so much at stake in this war, appearances mattered. I needed to package things as appealingly as possible.
Disguising slave soldiers as regulars is easy... but with war looming, even slaves are pricey now.
Slave prices would crash once the war dragged on.
Lots of pretty women captured in the aftermath too, so I should watch the markets. For troops... right, that method works.
A plan clicked into place, and I grinned.
"Master?"
"Vanessa. One more round? You up for it?"
"Of course. Ahh~."
The money was ready.
I met Kyle in my study with Yuria at my side.
"Y-Yuria?"
Kyle panicked at the sight of her.
"Yuria came back to the mansion earlier."
"It's been a while, Young Lord Kyle."
In truth, Yuria had returned three days ago. We'd been too busy tumbling in bed for her to greet Kyle, but she didn't seem eager to anyway.
"Long time, Yuria. You're even more beautiful than last time."
Oh.
I was impressed inwardly.
As far as I knew, Kyle wasn't one for compliments like that. He'd grown in his own ways.
"Thank you."
Yuria smiled in response. Kyle, however, couldn't muster a smile. His eyes shook as he spotted the ring on her left ring finger.
"Yuria. That ring...?"