Chapter 50
Chapter 50
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 49
Chapter Title: Servant Cedric (15) - Three Problems, Three Solutions
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"The Marquis wishes to see you."
It was a summons that struck like a bolt out of the blue.
The Redbell family directly or indirectly governed numerous territories, each teeming with vassals. Yet only a scant handful could ever hope to stand face-to-face with the Marquis and exchange words.
This held true not just for those in distant lands, but even for the vassals serving in the main residence where the Marquis himself resided.
Even vassals from knightly houses—most of whom were born nobles—rarely had such access, let alone common-born servants.
So why on earth would the Marquis summon a mere servant hired by the family's youngest lady from some remote territory?
The vassals and servants who had accompanied Claudia were utterly baffled, as were those who had come with the other children.
"Understood. Please lead the way."
Regardless of the surrounding reactions, Cedric hurried along with perfect composure.
His utter lack of tension brought faint surprise to the faces of the main house vassals, who maintained icy, expressionless masks.
Unlike vassals from elsewhere, those of the main house were accustomed to suppressing their emotions, but that didn't mean they felt none.
They had found it odd that the Redbell Marquis showed interest in a servant from the hinterlands. Yet witnessing Cedric's boldness—gutsy enough to expose his innards—they couldn't help but concede there must be good reason.
A short while later.
"Your face is a bit different from what I expected."
In the depths of the mansion's garden.
Before Cedric could even greet him upon confirming his presence, the Marquis spoke first.
The servant who had escorted Cedric inwardly pitied him, expecting embarrassment. But Cedric merely smiled and countered.
"Is that so? I'm curious what you imagined."
"You're the one who stole my daughter's heart, aren't you? I figured you'd be a peerless beauty to make her fall head over heels. But now that I see you, that face of yours has its own dangerous charm. Smooth and round, the kind that disarms people's guards."
"You flatter me."
"Does it sound like flattery?"
"Shouldn't it be taken as such?"
The light back-and-forth rippled unease through the surrounding vassals.
Even heads of massive merchant guilds or local lords who reigned like kings in their domains treaded carefully before the Marquis, weighing every word. What was this brazen ease from a mere servant?
They debated whether to call out his rudeness, but the Marquis only seemed intrigued, showing no anger.
Among highborn nobles, there were rare few who shed authority to mingle freely with commoners, but the Redbell Marquis was never one of them.
Thus, his tolerance for this servant's audacity was an extraordinary exception.
"To be taken as praise, eh. Quick on the uptake. But impudent, too."
"I still have much to learn. My apologies."
"From a lad who doesn't regret it one bit, it's hardly worth bowing in thanks."
"I'd never think that."
"Hmmm."
The Redbell Marquis stroked his beard.
He stared intently at Cedric, as if peering into his soul, but Cedric met it all with unflappable poise.
"So, what's your aim?"
"My abilities are lacking; I didn't catch what Your Lordship meant. Might I trouble you for a clearer explanation?"
"I asked what business you have clinging to my daughter. Money? Her body? Or..."
At the Marquis's feet, a massive beast emerged amid a surge of spurting blood.
-■■■■■……!!
A lion's head up front, a goat's sprouting midway down the body, and a serpentine tail.
The Redbell Marquis had faced countless crises while reviving the near-fallen house in his youth.
As proof of surviving death's edge alongside him, this bloodbeast dwarfed the one Claudia had shown—overwhelming in majesty and presence.
The vassals blanched at its grade-5 pinnacle might, growling as if ready to pounce. Even knowing it wasn't aimed at them, primal fear gripped their instincts.
"...power over this house, perhaps?"
Any flippant reply would end in being torn apart.
So the Marquis thought, and deemed it feasible.
Not by his own power, but the bloodbeast's beastly instinct sensed it true.
Unlike Bern—base grade 4, capable of grade 5 with strain, even victory—Cedric's raw combat specs topped at grade 3.
Pushing limits with side effects might reach grade 4, but overcoming this bloodbeast? Impossible.
A situation where sheer force offered no protection.
Yet Cedric's response rang clear, devoid of fear.
"—My goal is simple. For Lady Claudia to become an excellent ruler."
"Excellent ruler? You mean more power?"
"Power is merely a means."
Cedric met the Marquis's gaze squarely.
"Lord Redbell Marquis. To be frank, this kingdom's powerholders are the worst."
A gasp echoed from the surroundings.
The Marquis frowned briefly but didn't silence him with the bloodbeast.
"Monsters roam the lands unchecked, tormenting the people, yet they do nothing but wallow in sloth and luxury. Frankly, some nobles act so questionably, I wonder if their wits are intact."
"Gonna call me out too, as their ringleader?"
"If you're asking if the thought crossed my mind, yes. But not now."
"Why not?"
"Your Lordship's principles aren't 'goodness,' but you grasp that protecting the commons and stabilizing their lives benefits a ruler long-term—and you act on it."
Compared to the inept, lazy nobles Bern had seen—whose very existence begged questioning—the lords dispatched from Redbell and their proxies at least fulfilled minimal duties.
Rarely did they lead by example for growth or welfare, but they handled bandit raids or monster attacks as required.
"This kingdom teems with those who fail even that. Cancerous tumors grow unchecked, threatening the nation's death. I see Lady Claudia as the talent to fix it. That's why I serve her."
"Investigations say you're from the Eisen Empire. What stake do you have in Birka Kingdom's woes?"
"I'll turn it back on you: If your neighbor's house blazed, would Your Lordship shrug, 'Not my house, not my problem'?"
"...I get it, even if it doesn't resonate."
The Marquis pondered briefly before continuing.
"Three problems."
"Please, speak."
"Rooting out corruption isn't easy talk. The world's full of fools content with their comfort, nation be damned. The more influence Claudia gains, the fiercer their backlash. How will you handle it?"
"Already solved."
"Hmmm? How?"
"Lady Claudia, as I know her, wouldn't hesitate to feed such scum to the dogs."
Claudia's temperament was hardly praiseworthy.
Impetuous, violent, impulsive.
Yet that very trait gave her the drive to tackle what others shrank from fearing repercussions.
"No pandering or compromise—just sweep them away? No issue then? Ha, you're a dangerous one."
The Marquis's eyes gleamed.
"Second problem. Claudia's security reforms rely on her bloodbeast. Fine for a small territory or two, but impossible for the whole kingdom. Your solution?"
"Also solved."
"Speak."
"We've succeeded in modifying bloodbeasts to breed with normal animals."
"...?"
The Marquis's face went blank.
Then he blurted,
"Are you mad?"
"I'm perfectly sane."
Cedric's gaze shifted to the massive bloodbeast at the Marquis's side.
"The Redbell secret art is superb. Loyal, ever-present, ruggedly durable—few match as personal guards. But being wholly formed from the master's blood and mana is a drawback. Scaling numbers proves difficult."
The Marquis held back retorting that it wasn't meant for mass-splitting.
He was curious what fresh nonsense this servant would spout.
"New bloodbeasts won't manifest fully—instead, we'll implant parts into wild dogs or cats. They'll lose regeneration, miniaturization, combat prowess. But vague loyalty to the master and basic command comprehension remain. Crucially, they breed like normal animals."
"And offspring inherit bloodbeast traits?"
"Blood dilutes over generations, but calculations show it's enough to cover a nation."
"Sounds like bluster, but if possible, the utility's immense. I'd study it myself."
"Doubtful. Customized for Lady Claudia."
"Ha! 'Hoard it, don't sell cheap'? Loyalist, eh."
The Marquis snorted in mock annoyance.
But his eyes burned with fervor, glimpsing paths to greater authority.
"Last question. Claudia has a betrothal lined up. Nominally royal matchmaking, but really our sons curbing her rise. The board's set; reversing means heavy losses even for me. I'm no romantic buying grand promises from an unknown servant. Solved this too?"
Cedric replied,
"I'll handle it shortly. Ah, if I may say one thing to Your Lordship?"
"Might as well hear it out. What?"
"It might grate. Truly all right?"
The Marquis clicked his tongue openly.
"Out with it, no more stalling. What is it?"
Cedric declared,
"Can't you tell what's fit for a child and what isn't? If loneliness haunts your old age, call it karma."
"……."
The great devil in the shadows thought,
What the hell kind of servant is this lunatic?