Chapter 121: Seeds of Upheaval
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 121: Seeds of Upheaval
Inside the large carriage heading home.
All my wives were huddled close together on one side, while Aslet and Nasian sat opposite us, setting tea on the table.
It seemed Nasian had sought us out first along with Aslet, following the Old Man’s instructions.
“My apologies. We had to depart in such haste that I could only prepare barley tea.”
Aslet cut her off before Yarismal could even open her mouth to ask for herbal tea.
Still unable to give up on her desires, Rune voiced her preference.
“I want hibiscus tea.”
“Young Lady.”
“What?”
“The Countess is currently preparing a switch.”
“…What?”
“The report has already been filed.”
“By who? Why? Why?! Was someone spying on me?”
Since I had been with Rune the whole time, I was off the list of suspects.
Rune scanned the wives before lunging at Narupa.
“It was you, wasn’t it? You leaked it to Mother!”
“What are you talking about?! Why would it be me?!”
However, Nasian and I both looked at Eris at the same time.
Eris met our gazes calmly as she took the teacup Aslet offered and placed it in front of Rune.
“Young Lady, as a vassal, I cannot tolerate any further unseemly behavior.”
“Nasian?”
When the Dakuren Bank Manager spoke so coldly, Rune stopped what she was doing and glared at her.
Nasian met Rune’s eyes without flinching an inch.
“Do you know who is currently at the Dakuren Lord’s Castle?”
“I don’t. Who are these boors making themselves at home while the master is away? Care to answer, Bank Manager?”
“Lord Donovan and Lord Levantello, war veterans of the Duchy, are staying there with a decree from the Archduke.”
Donovan and Levantello.
My old brothers-in-arms.
Donovan had been around even longer than Levantello.
At least I’d seen the Legend of the Saddle recently at the border.
Both Rune and Narupa straightened their postures.
They both sat demurely on either side of me, and I stepped in to engage in the battle of wills with Nasian myself.
“Is this a plea for help regarding the Black Rose Movement?”
“It is, Lord Alto.”
Nasian took a large sheet of paper from Aslet and spread it across the table.
It was a map showing the continents and oceans of this world.
A map filled with useless land—mostly unmapped territories untouched by humans or demons, or areas devastated by the long war.
Nasian pointed her finger at the territory of the Duchy, which was surrounded by sea on three sides.
“The Black Rose Movement has blanketed the entire Duchy. The problem is that it isn’t merely a social movement; it is a backflow phenomenon from the Aztera Dungeon, accompanied by an encroachment of demonic energy.”
Aztera, located below the river that bisects the Duchy.
“Originally, the chill of the dead flowed from the Aztera Dungeon every night. Because of that, the night air in the Duchy, including Aztera, had a tendency to drive people mad, eventually killing them and raising them as Undead.”
Surprisingly, the hypothesis that one of the Four Heavenly Kings slept within the Aztera Dungeon had existed since the early days.
It made sense, as no one other than Villen of Dependence used the Undead to form hordes.
I had been stuck in Lukart looking after Mirei’s party, so the news reached me late. If I had known, I would have gone to Aztera instead of Lukart.
The reason?
Why even ask?
What was the reason we became one person and one beast in the first place?
It was likely because I wanted to seize the domain of death that Villen controlled and see my family members who had already crossed the river.
Is it futile because they’re already dead and have been for a long time?
I know.
But if the existence of all things eventually converges into nothingness, then the very life of a human, who is destined to die someday, is futile by nature.
Do you get it, you bastard?
“However, until the Black Rose Movement, the chill of the dead didn’t invade the home as long as the doors were locked tight and people stayed inside.”
“And after the Black Rose Movement?”
Nasian slowly poured the barley tea she was about to drink onto the center of Aztera on the map.
The ink dissolved into the tea, and an unsightly smudge spread across the Duchy’s territory.
“It is said that the women participating in the Black Rose Movement are breaking down doors, entering homes, and forcibly adding people to their ranks.”
“Did the Duchy just stand by?”
“They attempted a military suppression, but intelligence reports suggest that no matter what force is used, they do not die. They simply approach slowly to kill or devour their opponents.”
“Nasian, this game of twenty questions is getting long.”
There would be no end to it if I had to ask every single detail.
Besides, the way she was intentionally pausing her speech, waiting to see what question I’d ask next, was grating on my nerves.
I propped both feet up on the table.
I spread my arms wide, draping them over my wives’ shoulders for all to see, and jerked my chin at her.
“Who do you think I am?”
“You are the man who will become the husband of Lady Airune Dakuren, the successor of Hus.”
Look at this?
Is she telling me to stay in my lane because I’m just the husband of the heir?
“I am Alto Bertrand. I am Alto, the husband of Airune Dakuren, Narupa Diberuper, Yarismal Bichante, and Eris.”
“Yes, I am well aware. However, as one who serves Hus…”
“Why do you think Levantello and Donovan came to Hus instead of the Royal Palace, even with the Archduke’s decree?”
“That is because the Royal Palace cannot be trusted…”
“No, no.”
Creeeak.
I applied a bit of pressure with my feet, and the table let out a weak groan.
Nasian, this woman is still testing me.
“It’s because I am here in Hus.”
“……”
“Nasian.”
“Yes, Lord Alto.”
“If you are one who serves Hus, you should have already grasped the significance and power of my presence here. If you haven’t, then my wives and I have no choice but to doubt your value and purpose as a vassal of Hus.”
“The vassals, including Count Dakuus, Branch Manager Karen, and myself, have sustained Hus until now for the sake of a master who was not yet ready.”
She flared up when I bluntly asked if she was useful, but does she even realize she brought this on herself?
“Nasian. Nasian. Nasian. Do you still not get it?”
The fact that she and Aslet sought us out personally was a signal the Old Man sent me.
A signal to protect my wives, my family, and by extension, Hus.
And I, the Hunting Dog, would do anything for my family.
I’d be happy to soak myself in blood for them.
“As an intelligence officer, you must know that the Bertrand Unit was jerked around quite a bit by the Old Man in the beginning.”
That was why I became rough, and why I didn’t care what means or methods I used to become strong.
Creeeeeak.
I pushed my body to the limit even when it screamed in protest.
“Yes, I am well aware.”
“Do you also know how vicious the Old Man was during the war?”
I pushed my mind to the extreme as well.
“Yes, I am well aware of that too.”
If necessary, I became capable of playing both angel and demon.
Might isn’t just about physical strength and combat sense.
“Do you know that I was the one who countered that vicious old man’s sophistry and recklessness with words, twisting and parrying them?”
It’s a word that encompasses all the power to shake off or interfere with an opponent’s intentions.
And that includes insight.
“I only grew sick of it because of the Old Man, but it’s not like I’m completely ignorant of politics. Furthermore, I know better than anyone what needs to be done and what kind of talent is required when facing an enemy and maintaining a balance.”
Creeeeeeak.
“When you’re rolling around on a battlefield where one slip-up means everyone dies, you learn these things whether you want to or not.”
CRASH!
The heavy table couldn’t withstand the force I was applying and snapped clean in half.
“I was already recognized by the Old Man during the war. That’s why we can speak informally and curse at each other without it being a big deal.”
“…!”
“Nasian, I wonder if someone like you understands what this means?”
In short, it was this:
The one being tested wasn’t me or Rune.
It was you, Nasian.
And this was a test directly from the Old Man.
I was the interviewer for this test.
Rune leaned into my side and called out to Nasian.
“Nasian.”
“Yes, Young Lady.”
“I will become the Lord soon. I won’t make you wait long.”
“I understand.”
“You said you serve Hus?”
“Yes.”
Rune stood up with dignity and looked down at Nasian.
“I am Hus.”
At those words, Nasian quickly knelt before us.
“And my husband’s will is the will of I, Airune Dakuren, itself.”
“I shall follow you always!”
“Report. The state of the world.”
“Yes!”
Aslet also came to Nasian’s side and prostrated herself.
“The Black Rose Movement has become a complex result of the Dungeon Backflow and the women’s movement. The key figure of the movement is Krima. She is the unfaithful woman who betrayed Lord Alto, and it seems she intends to swallow the Duchy and offer it up as a way to earn Lord Alto’s forgiveness, much like Resin Luna and Mirei.”
“What is the situation in the Duchy?”
“They are in a precarious state, unable to properly fend off the Black Rose Movement. Since Lord Levantello and Lord Donovan have come for aid, you should respond immediately…”
“No. I will not.”
“Lady Airune?”
Rune shook her head, her smile colder than ice.
“They send only the war veterans who are easy to order around to ask us for help? I think not. The Duchy is acting as if our Hus, as if my husband, is their pawn to be commanded.”
“Ah…!”
The cold logic of politics and the mien of a ruler.
Joy blossomed on the faces of Nasian and Aslet.
“Until they send a formal embassy, we have no knowledge of any request for aid.”
Rune sat back down, and Narupa glanced at Diane.
“The world will have to show Hus the respect it deserves.”
“We’re short on time, aren’t we? We need to have a meeting immediately. Right, Rune?”
“Of course, Narupa.”
“All of you younger sisters, attend the meeting as well. As the wives of Alto Bertrand and the core pillars of Hus, we will map out the future of our family and our people.”
Narupa nodded to Diane.
Then, Diane’s hands glowed brightly, and a circle made of bands of numbers appeared.
The endlessly rotating and swirling light expanded beyond our carriage, enveloping everyone.
“Space Leap!”
With Diane’s shout, the carriage jolted for a moment.
As I patted Rune’s back while she endured a bit of motion sickness—
Screeeech.
“Welcome back. I am glad to see you home, My Lord, and your husband.”
The Old Man—no, the vassal Count Dakuus—opened the carriage door with a polite bow to greet us.
Behind him, I could see the surprised faces of Levantello and Donovan, and…
“Welcome back, Young Lady. I have heard the news quite clearly.”
Even the Countess, holding a switch.
“Please, come up to your room. I shall give you your final lesson as a mother.”
Rune’s face turned deathly pale.