Chapter 669
Chapter 669
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 669
Chapter Title: Reborn as the Plum Blossom Swordsman in a Count's Family
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The nobles, led by Princess Aileen, had all but confirmed that the identity of those who ambushed the procession belonged to the Vitrase Kingdom. There was no concrete evidence, but the circumstances pointed to no one else.
However, knowing this didn't leave them with many options for response. At best, they could dispatch diplomats to lodge a formal protest. With the king dead, the throne empty, and the national funeral underway, Rapelli's position was far from ideal. Pushing too hard might provoke the Vitrase Kingdom into launching a full-scale invasion.
Thus, Princess Aileen decided to shelve the matter for now and bide her time. Duke Sunhaits, hot-tempered as he was, wasn't blind to reality, so he acquiesced.
Prince Aiden didn't give it much thought.
And I was receiving a certain middle-aged man. A fellow with dark brown hair, average height despite his nickname.
The Giant of the North. Marquis Lukman Petras.
If the East had Count Frukus, the North had Marquis Petras. He was one of the aura masters representing the Kingdom of Rapelli.
Yet I greeted him with a sour expression. Had he not been there, my plan would have gone off without a hitch. Duke Sunhaits would be dead, Princess Aileen kidnapped, and Prince Aiden would wield significant influence.
"Why board my carriage?"
Marquis Petras was a thorny presence. Unlike Count Frukus, he took an interest in politics. His attendance at the funeral and standing before me now was proof of that. And he genuinely desired Rapelli's revival.
"To see your face. The princess's guardian knight."
"Please don't call me that. It's embarrassing."
"Very well."
Marquis Petras glanced at Yuria, who sat beside me. I was startled inwardly but didn't show it. He hadn't yet confirmed her identity. It seemed Princess Aileen had given him some hint.
"What's your real purpose in seeking me out?"
"I heard you're siding with Prince Aiden."
This was going to be tedious.
"Yes. I follow Prince Aiden. He is Rapelli's rightful heir. With His Majesty's passing, I believe he is the only one fit for the throne."
"Because he's a man?"
"Yes."
I nodded without hesitation. Absurd as it sounded to a modern man like me, it worked here. In fact, it was the proper common sense in this world.
"Every king in Rapelli's history has been male, even if not always the firstborn. His Majesty's will made no mention of a successor. It's only natural for Prince Aiden to inherit the throne."
"...Your words aren't wrong. Most nobles would agree."
"It seems Your Excellency thinks differently."
"The continent is in turmoil now. It will grow worse with time, ushering in an age of chaos. To survive such times, we need an exceptional leader. Prince Aiden won't do. He's weak-willed and incompetent. Princess Aileen, however, has the ability. The ability to protect Rapelli."
Marquis Petras had decided to back Princess Aileen. What a nuisance. He represented the North; his support meant the North's support.
"Are you telling me to abandon Prince Aiden and follow Princess Aileen?"
"Yes. That's what's best for Rapelli. The longer the throne remains empty, the more the common folk suffer."
I knew that.
The king Rapelli needed was Princess Aileen. But a queen wouldn't be mine. I didn't care if Rapelli crumbled. I wanted Princess Aileen for myself.
"Did Princess Aileen ask you to speak to me?"
"No. This is my own judgment. With your help, she could ascend without strife."
"I'm sorry, but I can't agree with Your Excellency. No matter what you say, the throne belongs to Prince Aiden. That's the proper course."
"..."
Marquis Petras stared at me intently. I met his gaze without flinching. Averting my eyes would be tantamount to admitting defeat.
"Understood. I don't like it, but I can't force you to change your mind. Still, regardless of your thoughts, the throne will go to Princess Aileen."
"That's yet to be seen."
Marquis Petras nodded silently.
"Yesterday, I fought a formidable foe."
"Yes. I heard it lasted over an hour. The nobles are hushed about it, but word is it was a master from Vitrase. Without Your Excellency, the procession might have been annihilated."
"It wasn't a Vitrase master."
"Pardon?"
"Vitrase has three masters in total, and I've clashed with them before. The one yesterday fought entirely differently. Sharper, faster than them. I tried to kill him, but he wasn't trying to kill me. He merely shadowed us. He was beyond my capabilities."
"...Remarkable. What did he look like?"
"Shrouded in darkness. Magic or artifact, I couldn't tell. His identity was completely obscured."
"If not a Vitrase master, then who?"
"He targeted Duke Sunhaits, not the princess. Had I not been nearby, the duke would have met his end on that blade."
"...Is that why Your Excellency hasn't returned North?"
"The North can manage without me. The northern kingdoms are too busy fighting among themselves to march south. I'll stay until the funeral concludes."
"I see."
There wouldn't be another chance to assassinate Duke Sunhaits during the funeral.
"I hear you and Duke Sunhaits don't get along."
"We've had our clashes. Are you suspecting me?"
"No intent to. Just hearsay from various sources."
His gaze shifted to Yuria beside me.
"You're the maid always stuck to the viscount. Where were you yesterday?"
"Inside the carriage."
Yuria answered calmly.
"...I heard even the servants banded together, taking up swords and shields to defend themselves. You stayed alone in the carriage?"
"Yes. Master's orders, and I thought it safest."
"Glad you're safe."
He glanced at her hands resting on her lap. Hands could reveal much about one's life and profession. Usually.
Yuria's hands were pristine. No scars, slender and delicate. They seemed made for the phrase "jade-like fingers." Not a warrior's, nor a maid's.
"Lovely hands."
"Thank you. I care for them daily as Master's maid."
"...I'd believe you if you said you were a noble lady."
I extended my hand to him as well.
"Your Excellency. What of my hands?"
"...Not a warrior's hands. Incomprehensible. How can someone of your skill have such pristine ones?"
Thanks to Complete Recovery. Wounds and scars vanished with its use. No calluses, but my hands weren't weak. The Playful Life app stats applied to me.
"I take care of them. Magic and potions keep them clean and nice."
"Incomprehensible. A generational gap, perhaps..."
Marquis Petras chatted a bit more before leaving.
"He suspects us."
"Yes. Quite openly."
"Wouldn't it be better to kill Marquis Petras? He seems like he'll meddle constantly."
"Hojit Kingdom and Bishul Kingdom in the North will eventually march south. The North will be a battlefield; we need his strength."
"What about Duke Sunhaits?"
"With Princess Aileen around, he won't act."
"So, what will Master do now?"
"Master will... thrust his cock into my pussy."
"That's my Yuria! Spot on!"
I pounced on her right then.
"Kyaaang."
Yuria let out a cute scream, matching my mood. Soon, our carriage filled with hot passion and heavy breaths.
???
Roughly eighty days passed.
Nothing eventful happened, so it was boring. For me, though, Auto-Progress and Mirror Tunnel made time fly easily. I'd sneak back to the mansion via Mirror Tunnel to play with the maids, and so on.
The vanguard slowed. We were entering a sturdy fortress.
Utren Fortress.
Where Count Ention Frukus resided, blocking invaders from the Balt Kingdom and monsters from the demon realm.
'Haven't seen Ention in ages. Thinking of him brings Elaine to mind. Elaine had stiff armpit hair and lewdly splayed labia.'
I opened the carriage window.
Cold wind rushed in. Perhaps due to the drab gray walls, the air felt heavy. The scent of iron and blood hung in the air.
Utren's soldiers and knights lined the main road to greet us. The funeral procession would rest here for a day, departing again tomorrow afternoon. Exhausted horses needed rest, carriages maintenance—no helping it.
I stepped out. Though direct kin to Frukus, this was my first visit to Utren Fortress. As expected, the mood was grim. The soldiers exuded frontline discipline.
In the distance, Ention Frukus and Zent Frukus were visible, greeting Princess Aileen and Prince Aiden.
En route to them, I spotted Marquis Petras leaning against a carriage, scanning about.
"Not going?"
"I'll greet Ention separately later. Go ahead."
"Yes."
Their relationship was none of my concern.
"Father."
"You're here. I heard about the incident a month ago."
"Yes. Many died."
"Hm."
Ention nodded. No words of hardship or well done. That was his way.
No resentment. I didn't see him as a father. If anything, I owed him—his wife Elaine was already my fucktoy.
'Ah, wanna fuck Elaine!'
I quietly smacked my lips.
"Haha. Long time no see, little brother."
Zent spoke cheerfully.
"Yes. Long time, brother."
He welcomed me with a smooth face because he was leading in the family succession race. Always fighting alongside Ention on the border.
I glanced at the princess and prince. Princess Aileen approached Ention first, engaging him. He nodded or shook his head in response. But that was it. Apathetic to politics, he remained impassive to her words. No worry needed.
The prince, tense before the border count, just watched timidly. He blustered before lesser nobles but wilted before great ones. Classic bully of the weak, coward to the strong.
Zent approached me. Wanted to talk, his smug smile—thinking himself superior—irritating.
"Your rumors even reached here."
"Good ears."
"Heard you're with the prince. Didn't think you cared for politics."
"It's the kingdom's affair. Natural for a noble to care."
"Father doesn't mind, but I do. Want to be the king's vassal? Forsake succession and head to the capital. What's brotherhood? I'll back you."
"Brother, why? The succession race just began."
"It's as good as over. While you fawned over the prince, I fought over thirty battles. I've slain over a hundred foes. You erred from the start. This gap? You'll never catch up."
"Haha. Is that so? Let's ask Father then."