Chapter 143: Coming in Hot (3)
Chapter 143: Coming in Hot (3)
Come to think of it…
It’s a plausible proposal.
Indeed, it was entirely possible.
There were plenty of people who wanted to take Petrick as a son-in-law now that his value had skyrocketed through the Arcana.
And among them, the King was no exception.
In fact, in some ways, he might be more desperate than the other nobles.
Because…
If it’s the current me, I’ll be getting offers from other countries too.
Actually, many offers had already arrived.
Since the conclusion of the Arcana, numerous foreign noble families had reached out with extraordinary proposals to recruit him.
Even the Emperor of the Empire had sent a proposal for him to become his son-in-law, hadn't he?
If Petrick accepted that offer, the Atronia Kingdom would lose a 7-Star swordsman from its military strength.
Therefore, the King was in a position where he had to secure Petrick more desperately than anyone else.
Even so, with Senior Isabella?
Petrick’s gaze shifted to Isabella.
Her expression was as composed as usual.
In fact, she was so cold it was as if she were wearing a mask of expressionlessness to hide her emotions.
Tsk, seeing her like this, she really is a princess.
Standing before Petrick now was not the comrade Isabella he had grown accustomed to, but the Princess of the Kingdom.
For her, as a princess, marriage was a duty, not a choice.
Petrick assessed the situation coldly.
From my perspective, it’s not a bad offer.
Currently, the nobles of the Atronia Kingdom were dangling carrots in front of Petrick, making extravagant offers to pull him to their side.
However, if these carrots didn't work, some of them would lose their patience and reach for the whip.
He wasn't afraid of people who came at him directly.
If anything, he just felt sorry for them.
But if they targeted his family who were far away…
That would be a bit troublesome.
Considering his father’s tendency to be a pushover back in the territory, it was a constant source of anxiety.
In that sense, being the King’s son-in-law wasn't a bad position.
It would serve as an excellent excuse to make the other hangers-on give up.
“As they say, goblins do not flock to the prey caught by an ogre.”
The King’s words accurately pierced Petrick’s psychological state.
A king is a king, I guess.
Petrick gave a bitter smile as he looked at the King, who spoke as if he had peered into his very soul.
“I understand the meaning of your words. However…”
“However?”
“There are a few things bothering me.”
“What is it? Do you perhaps not like my daughter?”
“Yes. Not particularly…”
“I see. If that’s the case… Huh? What did you say?”
This time, it was the King who was flustered.
As the King wore an expression like someone who had bitten their tongue while chewing meat, Petrick spoke nonchalantly.
“Think about it. She’s always sulking, never smiles, and barely talks, so she’s no fun. Her face is pretty, sure, but is marriage something you decide on a whim just by looking at a face?”
“…Uh… Ahem…”
“A woman should be soft and have a gentle side, don't you think? You’ve been married, so you should know, right? Am I wrong?”
“……”
When the King remained speechless, his mouth agape, Petrick turned to Marquis Nicola, who was watching from a distance.
“Marquis, you agree with me, don't you?”
“Why are you dragging me into this?”
“Aren't you a married man?”
“Well, yes, but…”
“Then we should have some common ground. Honestly, am I right or not?”
Why on earth should a common ground regarding marriage be formed between a brat who had just finished his coming-of-age ceremony and a married man in his forties?
The King was dumbfounded.
He never imagined Petrick would openly vent his frustrations about the Princess right in front of him.
Listening from the side, Isabella clenched her fists, hidden beneath the folds of her dress.
This bastard…
Though flustered, the King quickly regained his composure and spoke.
“If Isabella isn't to your liking, what about my other daughters?”
“Are the other princesses as pretty as Senior Isabella?”
“…No, that’s not the case.”
If there was one thing for certain, there was no beauty in the entire royal family who could match Isabella.
In fact, it was because of that beauty that the King had confidently proposed Isabella in the first place.
“Tsk, tsk. Then that won't do.”
“Didn't you say personality is more important than looks?”
“That was just a figure of speech. Why is a man of your stature acting like this?”
“……?”
“Obviously, she has to be both pretty and have a good personality. Don't you think?”
“……?”
“Now that I see it, Your Majesty, you’re more shameless than I thought.”
Who dared to talk about a lack of conscience?
Now, everyone in the Royal Hall stood with their mouths hanging open.
Not just the King, but even the royal knights standing guard.
They all simultaneously had the same thought that anyone who dealt with Petrick eventually had.
What kind of guy is this?
What is wrong with this guy?
It would be troublesome if things were already like this…
* * *
After prattling on incessantly about the conditions for marriage, Petrick tossed out a suggestion.
“…So, for now, let’s just stick to an engagement.”
At Petrick’s words, the King’s expression soured.
“You want to test the waters, is that it?”
“Well, marriage isn't a small matter, and it’s not something that can be decided easily, is it?”
“You’ve got some nerve. You dare to test the waters with the royal family?”
“I believe I’m in a position where I’m entitled to do so, though?”
“……”
“Am I not?”
The King’s face hardened.
He likely knew.
He knew that Petrick had received a marriage proposal from the Imperial Princess.
The Imperial Princess versus the Princess of the Atronia Kingdom.
In truth, if one were to weigh them coldly, it was obvious which way the scales would tip.
In such a situation, the engagement Petrick proposed was a sort of compromise.
I won't abandon the Atronia Kingdom immediately. So, don't push me any further.
He was subtly conveying that intention.
Arrogant fellow.
Just a year ago, the King didn't even know who Petrick was.
Now, that same Petrick was proposing a deal to him on equal footing.
A brat who had just celebrated his coming-of-age ceremony.
However, thinking about it rationally…
He has every right to be arrogant.
Marquis Nicola, the King’s right hand, had also been a low-ranking noble with no background.
But the moment he reached the 7-Star realm, his status changed completely, and he became a core figure supporting the royal power.
Petrick had reached the 7-Star realm at an even younger age than Marquis Nicola.
Considering his future potential, even the King couldn't rashly take the upper hand.
“It’s not bad. You’re both still students, so there’s no need to rush.”
“Thank you for your understanding.”
“Understanding, my foot…”
The King felt a bitter taste in his mouth.
In truth, he wanted to marry them off right this instant.
No, if he could, he wanted to throw Petrick and Isabella into a vacant room in the palace and order them to spend the night together.
Wasn't a marriage alliance truly completed only when a child was born between them?
Even if they married, he couldn't be at ease until a child was born.
And yet, he had to settle for an engagement instead of a marriage…
He’s quite something. He’s not just some brat who knows nothing of the world because he’s only focused on swordsmanship.
The King adjusted his evaluation of Petrick’s value upward.
Simultaneously raising his assessment of the danger Petrick posed, the King spoke.
“I shall announce the engagement immediately. That would be best, wouldn't it?”
“Please do so.”
“Then let us head to the banquet hall first. Good news should be shared quickly.”
Although it fell short of marriage, an engagement was still a significant achievement.
The King intended to further solidify his royal authority by announcing this to the world.
But then…
“Ah, before that, please wait a moment.”
Petrick spoke to the King, who was about to rise from his throne.
“What is it?”
“Ahem, may I take care of my business now?”
“Your business?”
“Yes. I believe it is time for Your Majesty to keep your promise.”
At that, the King’s expression changed subtly.
It was the look of someone seeing a debt collector who had come to collect money borrowed ten years ago.
“Son-in-law.”
“Please, speak.”
“I said I would give you my precious daughter; is that not enough?”
“Even between family, business must be thorough.”
“……”
“And we aren't officially family yet, are we?”
“Ugh.”
“As the King of a nation, I trust you will keep your word.”
This wouldn't do. This debt collector was too relentless.
If you don't keep it, things won't be pretty.
Seeing Petrick’s face full of that sentiment, the King let out a sigh.
They say words are the root of calamity…
It couldn't be helped.
It was time to keep the promise.
The King steeled himself and spoke.
“Tell me. What do you want?”
At this moment, the King was truly prepared to grant almost any condition Petrick asked for.
Since he was taking him as a son-in-law anyway, there was a need to support the Schneider family. Whether Petrick asked for a promotion in rank, a prosperous territory in the south, or a high-ranking administrative position in the central government, the King intended to grant it within reason.
Yes. This was a classic mistake made by someone who didn't know Petrick Schneider.
“Ahem, first, I have something to correct.”
“What is it?”
“It’s not ‘what’ I want.”
“……?”
“To be precise, it should be ‘what things’ I want.”
“Huh?”
“As I recall, Your Majesty didn't place any petty restrictions like a limit on the number of wishes.”
“Wait… Wait a minute, look here, Lord Schneider.”
In front of the flustered King, Petrick pulled something from his robe and began to read it without hesitation.
“First, you will perfectly recognize the ownership of the territory in the Great Forest that our family is developing.”
“Hmm…”
“Second, to raise the funds necessary for the development of the Great Forest, you will grant us the authority to independently lead foreign trade.”
“L-Look here.”
“Third, to recruit the personnel needed for the development of the Great Forest, external personnel…”
“Wait, wait…”
The King cut Petrick off and asked.
“How many requirements are there in total?”
“Well, it’s not that many.”
“So, how many?”
“I’ve prepared exactly seventy-five items.”
“……”
“Now, continuing with the fourth…”
Petrick’s mouth was unstoppable.
And the more conditions Petrick read, the paler the King’s complexion became.
“Wait… Wait.”
The flustered King stopped Petrick again.
“I still have a long way to go, though?”
To Petrick, who spoke shamelessly as if asking what the problem was, the King massaged the back of his neck and said, “First, bring that here.”
“Ah, would it be easier for you to see it yourself? If that’s the case, then…”
Petrick walked straight up to the King and handed him the paper he had prepared.
After reading through it all, the King looked at Petrick with an expression of utter disbelief.
And then he said…
“Did you think I would grant all of this?”
“Yes.”
“…This?”
“Yes. Didn't you promise?”
What kind of crazy bastard is this?
The King looked at Petrick with an absurd expression and said, “Look here, son-in-law.”
“We aren't official yet, but… well, that’s fine. Speak, Father-in-law King.”
It was a title he had never heard in his life, but the King didn't bother to challenge it.
“I did make a promise. I did.”
“You did it in front of everyone.”
“Yes. But in this world, there is a ‘limit’ to everything.”
Don't overdo it, you brat.
“I know because I’ve lived without such things, and living without them is actually quite alright.”
I refuse… to back down.
“……”
“……”
Their gazes clashed fiercely.
The King let out a sigh.
Judging that Petrick was not someone who would yield to indirect words, he spoke bluntly.
“It is impossible!”
“Huh? Why?”
“You’re asking ‘why’?”
“It comes out quite easily, doesn't it?”
The King gestured to the treaty written on the paper and said, “Diplomatic authority to sign independent diplomatic treaties with foreign powers for the development of the Great Forest?”
“What’s the problem with that?”
“Diplomatic rights? If I allow this, is it a territory? It’s a nation!”
“It’s a necessary step for the development of the Great Forest.”
“Regardless, no!”
“Didn't you say you would grant any wish if I won the Arcana?”
“Regardless, it is impossible. I absolutely cannot permit this.”
It was the King’s firm refusal.
At that resolute rejection, which truly overflowed with royal dignity, Petrick frowned and said, “Your Majesty. Do you intend to break your promise?”
“Promise or not, this is out of the question.”
“If Your Majesty breaks your promise, I have my own plans.”
“…What do you plan to do?”
Seeing the serious look in Petrick’s eyes, the King’s expression changed strangely.
Could it be?
Before him stood a 7-Star swordsman who could represent the military might of a nation.
Even though he was unarmed, such things didn't matter before the 7-Star realm.
Marquis Nicola subtly brushed aside his cloak to make it easier to draw his sword.
The other royal knights also tensed up, gripping their weapons tightly.
And then Petrick said…
“If you break your promise, I will lie down right here and throw a massive tantrum, crying about how sad and wronged I am.”
“……What?”
“I am serious.”
“……”
“……”
A long, long silence followed.
Then the King spoke.
“Look here, son-in-law. Do you even know what you just said…”
It was then.
Petrick’s form vanished so quickly from the King’s sight that it was as if he had disappeared.
His body dropped suddenly, as if sinking into the floor.
And the King saw it.
“Aaaaagh! I’m so saaaaad! Of all people, the King himself is breaking his prooooomise!”
He saw a 7-Star swordsman lying on the carpet of the Royal Hall, where the state affairs of the Atronia Kingdom were conducted, throwing a literal temper tantrum.
“I’m soooooo miserable!”
Petrick Schneider.
He was a man of his word, a true man who did exactly what he said he would.