Family Meeting - 3
“If the discussion is roughly over, let’s move on.”
For a brief moment, there had been a scene of brotherly affection as we set aside our sister-in-law. At Father’s words, we turned our gazes away from each other. So there was more to discuss besides her. Ah, the matter of the war.
“Aidan will also participate in this war.”
“You as well, Brother?”
When I looked at Aidan, he nodded with a smile. So this had already been decided. Still, wasn’t it dangerous? No, from what I’d heard, the situation didn’t seem all that perilous.
“I was about your age, Leoric, when I first experienced the battlefield. Though the times are peaceful now, we cannot afford to let our guard down.”
“…Yes.”
They said Grandfather’s and Father’s generations had been filled with constant war. Especially Father—he had been born in the middle of a war and had lived through an entire era of conflict. Only when he grew older did the royal family’s turmoil finally subside, allowing regional powers to establish themselves and gradually bring about peace. By the time Brother was born, one could at least say that peace had arrived.
In this world, the nobility—though I casually referred to counts and viscounts—was somewhat different in meaning. I didn’t know much about Earth’s nobility to begin with. The power of landed nobles was strong, perhaps because of the many external threats, starting with monsters. Especially in a world where individuals possessed great personal strength, that was likely even more true. Because of this, even now, in regions far from the royal capital, conflicts between nobles remained fierce.
If we succeeded in completely swallowing Muller as planned, then even if problems arose later, it would only be a matter of saving the royal family’s face. And if we could eliminate any future grounds for trouble, that would be ideal. Like exterminating the Muller family entirely. A terrifying thought.
“It’s rather late, in fact. Dealing with monsters and dealing with people are two different things.”
“Indeed. That’s why I’ve decided to participate in this war as well.”
Hmm. So that was why Grace’s name had come up. Even if the war was said to be easy, it would take time. The matter of succession was a sensitive one…
“Will Brother be in command?”
“Hardly. I’ll merely be at Father’s side, observing and learning.”
“Of course, I intend to entrust him with at least one unit.”
Well, that shouldn’t be too dangerous. Even if luck were against him, with his body protected by magic, there was no reason for him to fall to a stray arrow.
“And once we obtain Muller’s lands, I plan to entrust their governance to Aidan.”
“Pardon?”
Brother? Even so, wouldn’t it be better for him to remain here? My gaze turned toward him.
“It’s part of his training as heir.”
“Hmm.”
Still, if he was going to rule these lands in the future, wouldn’t it be better to learn here?
“Of course, it won’t be permanent. Father believes that governing a territory thrown into chaos after war will also be valuable experience.”
“That… makes sense.”
Hm? Wait a moment. This matter wouldn’t end with us alone. If we were collaborating with the Boran family, there had to be a corresponding reward. Muller itself was far from Boran territory, so direct rule would be difficult.
“Then what must we give the Boran family? At this rate, it seems we’ll be the ones taking Muller’s lands.”
“Muller’s lands are correct.”
Muller? Hadn’t he said Brother would govern it?
“Surely you don’t mean divided rule?”
That sounded like a headache. At my words, Father shook his head. Then he quietly looked at me. Huh? Under Father’s gaze, I turned to Brother, who was also smiling silently.
“The Muller family will be absorbed by us, the Franz family. Aidan will govern for the time being, but once the situation stabilizes and there are no issues, I intend to place you in charge of Muller.”
“……Pardon?”
Me? Muller? Governance?
“Ah, I don’t want to.”
“You don’t want to?”
“Ahahahaha!”
At my words, Father stared at me with a dumbfounded expression. Aidan burst into loud laughter. What? Why? As a noble, I already had more than enough power. As the second son, I could fulfill my duties—managing internal affairs and producing heirs—while living a life of leisure. How wonderful was that? And now they wanted me to throw it all away and go work in another territory.
“Ah, it’s such a bother.”
“Hahaha. I knew you’d say that.”
“No, what if I raise a rebellion?”
“You’re saying that right in front of me? …Hah.”
Father also laughed, as if he found it absurd. Well, the odds of winning were nonexistent. Still, I’d been taught that even as a second son, one should consider such possibilities.
“It’s because I trust you.”
“Ugh…”
Father’s words made me feel embarrassed. As I scratched my head, his eyebrows rose. He disliked such slovenly habits, so I quickly lowered my hand. Father let out a short sigh before speaking again.
“As I said, one of the reasons the Boran family is helping us is precisely because of this matter of governance.”
“If that’s the reason… then surely it’s Lady Irina?”
“Mm.”
Even if I married Irina Boran, it wouldn’t grant her any real power. Of course, it might offer minor assistance to her family, but the Boran family wasn’t so small that they needed such help… Then surely…
“……It’s not that, is it?”
“Do you have no intention of inheriting Muller’s castle?”
“Haaah…”
They were fully intent on making me do troublesome work!
* * *
Watching Leoric’s slumped back as he left the study, Aidan smiled faintly. He was still an amusing younger brother. Rare among nobles, he had no greed for honor or power. …Though when it came to lust, Sven had mentioned he’d been eyeing the maids, and apparently had quite the patience to restrain himself. Rare for a noble, and rare even for someone of the Franz bloodline. To Aidan, the heir and eldest son, he was a reliable younger brother.
“Haa. That child…”
Father showed a rare moment of dishevelment. Aidan suppressed the chuckle that threatened to escape at the sight.
“Well, isn’t it fine?”
“I’d prefer if he had a bit more ambition.”
Father’s thick eyebrows twitched. Aidan shared the sentiment, but wondered whether a more ambitious brother would be as trustworthy.
“From the looks of it, he has quite an interest in women as well. The next generation of knights should be plentiful.”
“……Indeed. Given the current circumstances, it seems we’ve neglected that matter too much. Perhaps we should have begun his education earlier.”
That younger brother seemed to enjoy a quiet, leisurely life. But now, because of Muller, he would have to work hard.
“What about the vassals?”
“Mm. Not bad. Rather, the situation is favorable. As time passed, our family’s power expanded, but in turn, positions became scarce.”
“There’s no higher position left.”
There was no way to accommodate all subordinates. Neither the circumstances nor the positions existed. Rewards were also limited. If the vassals were content with gold, it might be different, but when it came to those who desired honor or land, there was inevitably a shortage. In truth, this territory had grown far too quickly. It was time for Father’s generation’s descendants—Aidan and Leoric—to spread their wings. Yet the current Franz family lacked sufficient positions for them. The land was still vast. The problem was…
“The war generation is still in good health.”
“Are you talking about me?”
At Father’s words, Aidan laughed.
“Not yet, not yet. I still have more to learn.”
“Hmm. I thought you’d learned enough.”
Still, if there weren’t enough places to use the overflowing talent, then one simply had to create them. That had been one of the reasons they’d set their sights on Muller.
“Now that Leoric must move, you must have someone in mind as well?”
“Of course.”
The more talent, the better, but there were inevitably overlaps or long-serving vassals who had already proven their loyalty. Positions were limited, after all. Whether fortunate or not, he hadn’t felt a shortage of talent lately.
“His milk brothers weren’t bad either. Hans said they had quite a bit of wit.”
“Hans did? Then they should be fine. I’ll have to put them to work a bit more. I’ll need to take them along when we go to Muller.”
They’re done for, those kids. Tsk tsk. Aidan felt a pang of pity for Leo’s milk brothers.
“By the way, is this acceptable? Wouldn’t it be enough to simply bring the Muller family under the Franz County?”
There was no need to send someone to govern directly. Sending a vassal to act as proxy would suffice. If Muller were offered as a reward, there would be no shortage of vassals eager to take the task. Leo could remain here and handle internal affairs without issue.
“It would serve as the foundation for an alliance with the Boran family… or so it goes.”
“An alliance with the Boran family.”
The Boran family itself was one they had known for many years. There was no need to grow any closer than necessary. Considering the rivalries with other families… at least, that was Aidan’s view.
As if he had sensed Aidan’s thoughts, Father—Avon Franz—quietly shook his head.
“The royal family has been in turmoil lately.”
“……Hmm.”
The royal family. The Brahms Kingdom. The name of this country. And the reason the nation had fallen into chaos due to a rebellion less than half a century ago.
“Surely not?”
“No, it’s not that. There are no longer any who carry the blood of traitors. However…”
Avon’s expression darkened. Aidan didn’t know the reason, but it felt ominous.
“William agreed as well. We intend to increase our allies, even if only by a little.”
“So it’s Leo.”
“Mm. Through marriage with Lady Irina, we plan to continue the bloodline of new nobility.”
“Not a bad choice as an alliance partner.”
New noble blood. Blue blood flowing through their veins. As new blood, it wasn’t bad. There were no other nobles nearby to keep them in check. Aidan stroked his chin, contemplating the future political landscape.