Chapter 95: Conspiracy? Plan?
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 95: Conspiracy? Plan?
Two weeks had already passed since Yarismal arrived in Dakuren City.
During that time, I stayed at Eris’s place and effectively welcomed her as my third wife.
How should I put it?
Eris was quite demure, yet she had a strange power to get me fired up.
Whether it was giving me massages to relieve my fatigue or personally preparing high-energy meals like grilled eel or slow-cooked stews, my body’s reactions were definitely different.
Just watching her smile shyly was the very definition of a devoted wife.
Her face was adorable, she was great at cooking, cleaning, and other housework, and she was a diligent guild receptionist to boot. When it was just the two of us, she’d act all cute and affectionate—she was the image of a perfect wife.
Unlike the hot-tempered Rune or Narupa, who was extremely indifferent to anyone outside her circle, Eris felt like a well-rounded person precisely because she was so normal.
She got along quickly with everyone, including Rune and Narupa. She had that easygoing nature unique to country girls that’s hard to put into words.
To be honest, my first impression of her was just a simple girl silently hauling nets on a fishing boat.
I never imagined I’d fall this hard for her, especially with the successor of a Great Lord and the head of the world’s top conglomerate already by my side.
Yeah, I should definitely never say that last part in front of those two.
Disaster would surely strike.
“Surprisingly, it was Lady Rune who brought up the matter of Eris first.”
“Rune did?”
The Old Man visited while Eris was away at work at the guild.
Looking around the well-kept house, the Old Man marveled at Eris’s domestic capabilities as we shared some tea.
“She said that even though Eris is a commoner, she would lead the household well while you all are away.”
“I figured as much, but by ‘household,’ does that include the vassals of Hus?”
“It seems she said that with all of that in mind. Lady Narupa was right there supporting the idea, too.”
The Old Man, who had been sipping his tea continuously, let out a sound of admiration.
“This tea is excellent.”
“Right? It’s not even expensive. Eris buys the leaves in bulk and roasts them herself.”
“Ho…”
“She’s got some packaged separately for gifts, so I’ll give you some.”
“I’ll accept it gladly. My wife will love it too.”
This alone proved that Eris was more than qualified to be a wife.
Two wives handling external affairs, and one wife looking after the home.
In terms of balance, it wasn’t bad, right?
“Regarding Yarismal Bichante.”
“Yeah. Why hasn’t she gone back to headquarters yet?”
“I think it would be best if you took her as one of your women.”
“Say what?”
I was just feeling satisfied with the ‘Golden Balance’ of three wives.
Maybe it was because we were living together, but Eris had been draining my stamina lately.
What was even scarier was that the more she drained it, the more she refined that energy into an even more voluptuous allure.
“Ugh, three women is already a handful. No way.”
“Do you think a simple ‘no’ will settle it? Who do you think you are? You’re not some ordinary man; you’re Alto Bertrand.”
“I—I get what you mean, but shouldn’t we try to move in a direction that’s good for everyone based on personal wishes?”
“Regarding Yarismal Bichante? I heard she’s been head over heels for you since the middle of the war.”
“She said we met at the church on the day that bastard Liras snuck into the Royal Capital. I remember the meeting itself, but I had no idea she’d made a one-sided marriage proposal in such a roundabout way.”
“Whatever the case, the opponent is a Bichante. The justification is sufficient, and she holds genuine affection. There’s no reason to refuse, Alto.”
“I know, I know, but…”
“Is it that you dislike Yarismal Bichante?”
“It’s not that I dislike her. But we’re practically strangers, aren’t we? It’s not like I have feelings for her. I don’t think it’s right to push for marriage just because of the Bichante name.”
“That is what a noble marriage is.”
“I’m not a noble.”
“You’re already half of one. And once Lady Airune succeeds the position of Great Lord, you’ll be a noble in name and reality.”
“Ha!”
I snorted despite myself.
A noble?
Not a chance.
“Old Man, did you forget? The Kingdom didn’t properly recognize my achievements, and they didn’t even want to give titles to the surviving veterans. The Duchy is the same. Do you think they’d just leave me alone if I took a noble’s seat?”
At that, the Old Man chuckled softly.
Without making a sound, very quietly.
It was the laugh of a despicable villain.
“And what if they don’t leave you alone? What can a pathetic, incompetent Kingdom do?”
“Old Man?”
“Alto, why do you think I went through all that bullshit to set the stage for world conquest while thinking about the aftermath of the Final War?”
“By ‘bullshit,’ are you talking about the stuff that made me go crazy with rage?”
“Exactly, you brat.”
The Old Man took a sip of tea.
He began to whisper a very secret story.
“If we leave peace to the Kingdom and the Duchy, they will surely use it only for themselves. That really turned my stomach. It’s already a world where they’ve tucked their own children away in the back while the men died in droves. Ethics and morality have hit rock bottom. Only the bastards who act all high and mighty just because they have a dick are left. Is this a proper state of affairs?”
He was finally revealing the inner thoughts he had kept hidden.
“Save the country and the people! I wanted to create a world where peace trickles down to the commoners and they can live well. To do that, those pigs must be wiped out.”
“So you tried to reduce the number of soldiers to win against the Kingdom and the Duchy? That’s not right.”
“…You’re right. I was young, and it was a time when I saw people as chess pieces.”
“If you say something like that again, I might actually hit you.”
“Do as you wish. Let’s get back to the point. As long as you are here, and as long as the threat of the Demons’ return exists, the Kingdom cannot touch Hus.”
“Hmm.”
“However, the problem is what comes after.”
“What comes after?”
“Vulcanus and Barion are dead. Only Liras and Villen remain. They’re likely holed up in their respective dungeons. Once those two are dealt with, the Kingdom, in particular, will show its teeth. We must prepare for that time.”
“And that’s why I should marry Yarismal Bichante?”
“If the Kingdom or the Duchy takes her, there’s no telling what kind of propaganda tool they’ll use her as. Then it becomes a battle of justifications.”
“Is that damn ‘justification’ really that important?”
“Listen, Alto, justification is the power to convince people. If they aren’t convinced, they harbor resentment. Conversely, if you have justification, the enemy will lose heart in a meaningless fight, and the possibility of surrender increases.”
“So my marriage is for the sake of justification?”
The Old Man poured from the teapot himself.
He seemed to really like the tea.
“Well, doesn’t Yarismal Bichante say she likes you too? At least give her a chance.”
“How am I supposed to give her a chance? By just jumping into marriage?”
“I’m saying you should spend time together. Get to know each other.”
“Sigh.”
“Good grief, even when an old man goes this far to tell you, you won’t even listen!”
“It’s because you keep talking about marriage in terms of politics!”
“Just say it’s because you hate me, you brat!”
“Well, there’s that too!”
“Why, you little…!”
Even as we bickered, I was diligently packing the tea leaves to give to the Old Man.
“Old Man, tell me honestly. What are you aiming for?”
“I won’t say, because I feel like you’ll hit me if I do.”
“Fine, whatever. Then what about my former party members who are supposedly at the Magic Tower?”
“What do you want to do with them?”
“I’m worried they’ll do something stupid, so I should at least figure out what they’re up to… or at least secure them.”
I had already missed Krima, who had come here on her own.
The Madame had been busy kneeling and begging for forgiveness before us, as it was absurd that Krima had been shamelessly working at the salon.
Since the Madame was also a victim in a way, we couldn’t really punish her, so we ended it with a stern warning to be thorough with identity checks in the future.
“Lady Narupa has already made her move. She maintains regular contact to secure the magic stones coming out of the Magic Tower Dungeon. She said she included some slightly different content this time.”
“What kind of content?”
“I don’t know that myself. But the Magic Tower is Lady Narupa’s domain. She’ll make them pay for mistreating you in her own way.”
I’ll have to ask her directly later.
More importantly, this was the urgent matter.
“So, between the Yarismal marriage and everything else, what are you really aiming for after this, Old Man?”
“Look at this guy. Poking around while pretending not to care—you’ve become quite the politician.”
“Seriously, do you want to get hit?”
“Do the words ‘respect for the elderly’ not exist to you?”
“Old Man, it’s because what you’re saying sounds like a rebel conspiracy.”
“Huhuhahahahahaha!”
When I finally spat out the words I had been holding back, the Old Man laughed loudly.
“A rebel conspiracy…! Hahahaha!”
He laughed so hard he had to wipe away tears, then suddenly stopped and turned serious.
“Hus will declare independence from the Kingdom.”
“…?!”
“Ruled by the daughter of a hero, and governed by a world hero married to the daughters of a hero, it will become a nation that encompasses men, women, and war veterans alike.”
“Old Man, have you still not given up on world conquest?”
“It’s the opposite, Alto.”
The Old Man tilted the teapot, but no more tea came out.
“It’s not for conquest, but for survival. I must create a world where you all can live peacefully without conflict.”
“Independence is survival?”
“Alto, listen carefully. The Kingdom will never leave us alone. They are people who only care about preserving their own positions. Once the threat of the Demons is gone, they will surely turn their blades toward us. I am an old man with not much longer to live, but you all are different.”
The Old Man exhaled sharply through his nose as he spoke passionately.
“My wife and I raised Rune and Narupa ourselves. They are no different from my own daughters! That is why I worked so hard to find a groom like you and connect you. This land of Hus is also the place that embraced a cocky, lacking fellow like me. It is precious.”
“Old Man.”
“Growing old means, surprisingly, thinking about what comes next. You become deeply worried about those who will be left behind after you die.”
The Old Man placed a hand on my shoulder.
“This is the best way. There must be a justification so that we can make the enemy submit and continue the peace without unnecessary fighting or sacrifice. Alto, Yarismal Bichante adores you. She came to Lukart as a headquarters dispatch and punished the people of that city, and she pressured and suppressed Mirei’s party at the border for your sake. Just like my other daughters, her feelings for you are sincere.”
“Sigh…”
The conversation had turned heavy in an instant.
“Give her a chance. A chance to get close to you. Is she rotten to the core like Mirei’s party? She is a woman who has looked only at you for over five years.”
“…Fine, I get it.”
“That’s enough, then.”
The Old Man gathered his things and waved me off, telling me not to see him out, before opening the front door.
“Huh?”
Eris was standing right in front of the door, holding groceries.
“I wondered why beef was so cheap today. It must have been a sign to treat a guest.”
With a bright smile, Eris gently took the Old Man’s arm and pulled him back inside.
“It won’t take long. Please stay for a meal.”
“Ho.”
The Old Man marveled at the natural flow of events.
Then, with a relaxed face, he sat back down across from me.
“Could I have some more tea?”
And then, he whispered to me.
“I want to protect this kind of daily life. Even after I am gone.”