Chapter 104
Chapter 104
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 104
Chapter Title: Persistent Suitors
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By the time I arrived at Lutger's mansion, the sun had fully set.
I knocked on the door, and a middle-aged woman who appeared to be a servant opened it.
She was a face I didn't recognize; the previous servant must have quit.
"What is your business?"
"Ah, well. I'd like to speak with Miss Estelle for a moment."
For some reason, the woman let out a deep sigh.
"Please wait in the drawing room. The young lady will be back soon."
"?"
I thought maybe another of Estelle's friends had come by, but that didn't seem to be the case.
In the drawing room, four young men sat with haggard faces. As soon as I appeared, they eyed me with thick suspicion.
'Guests of Lutger's?'
I shrugged it off and ignored them. I planned to leave if Lutger didn't return within thirty minutes, but right on the dot, he did.
There was a presence in the mansion's lobby. The servant appeared in the drawing room and announced,
"The master has returned."
The men hurried outside.
A moment later, I heard a stern rebuke.
"Get lost!"
Wondering what was going on, I slowly headed to the lobby.
There were the desperately pleading men, an enraged Lutger, and a contemptuous Estelle.
"P-Please! Just give me a chance to meet your daughter...!"
"I told you to leave! You lot, if you dare show your faces here again, I'll have thoughts of my own!"
"Urgh!"
Even under Lutger's intimidation, the men's resolve didn't break. Enduring a general's pressure—impressive in a way.
Estelle, unable to watch any longer, frowned and interjected.
"I have no interest in you whatsoever. I have no desire to meet you or even talk."
"B-But if you just get to know me... I'm sure you'll change your mind! Miss Estelle!"
"I won't. Besides, I already have a lover. A wonderful one who outshines you by miles. So please, never appear before me again."
"Who the hell is that guy?!"
"What are you going to do about it if you know?"
"W-Well..."
I'd gotten the gist of the situation and turned to head back to the drawing room, but Estelle's radar must have been sharper than I thought.
"Ah! Al— Mmph!?"
Lutger clamped a hand over her mouth as she started to say my name.
He'd spotted me too and glanced my way before addressing the men.
"Don't set foot in this mansion again! Get out before I call the guards!"
The men slunk away, shoulders slumped, but their determination seemed unbroken.
Only after they were gone did Lutger release Estelle's mouth.
"Lord Als!"
She rushed toward me in an undignified patter of footsteps, arms outstretched for a hug, but I deftly sidestepped.
Estelle stumbled awkwardly to a halt, then muttered in a low voice, embarrassed.
"...What does this mean?"
"No particular meaning. There've just been too many of these incidents today. I'm starting to feel a bit embarrassed."
"Too many of these? You've been hugging a bunch of people? It couldn't have been with men... Who?"
"My mother and Julia sis."
"...Ah, I see!"
Her tense expression melted away in an instant.
We moved to the drawing room, where Estelle chattered nonstop, steering the conversation.
The main topic was Erina.
"By the way, I heard you danced with Erina in the party garden?"
"How did you know that?"
"She bragged about it."
I'd expected anger, but there was none.
"Have you met her recently?"
"To hear about your well-being, Lord Als. She stayed at the Salleon mansion in Alpenserd for a couple of days."
"If you're talking about her with that smile, you two must have gotten pretty close."
"W-Well... Erina's been... so kind to me..."
Estelle mumbled, trying to hide her shyness.
Estelle, the ultimate introvert, had fallen to Erina's social skills. No trace of hostility toward her remained.
"But she didn't scold you?"
She'd seemed pretty pissed about the book incident last time.
"Scold me? No, nothing like that."
"Ah... I see."
It looked like she was biding her time for one big payback.
Estelle continued on Erina-related topics, then suddenly fell silent with a bitter expression.
She spoke up.
"You're not asking. About those men..."
"I could see the situation clearly. Did you want me to ask anyway, knowing I'd understand?"
"Not that, but... I was hoping you'd step in."
"Like some prince on a white horse? Sorry, I'm no good at that kind of pretending. Besides, it might feel good in the moment, but it'd just leave headaches later."
"I get what you're saying... But you did that before."
"Before?"
"When you beat up that guy who threw trash at me."
"Ah..."
That had really been because he'd thrown trash at Ymir, but I couldn't say that.
"What they did back then was clearly wrong, but this isn't. Plus, even then, it caused me no end of trouble, remember?"
"Hmph."
Estelle pouted, then shot to her feet and extended both arms toward me.
When I gave her a what-is-this look, she jutted out her lips and said,
"I want to dance too. It's unfair if you only do it for Erina."
"Th-That's direct. But there are eyes watching."
I glanced at Lutger, and Estelle shot him a look that said to give us space.
Lutger sighed deeply.
"Ilrain. Before you leave, come to my study for a moment. I have something important to discuss."
"Something to discuss?"
"...It's important, so please come."
His expression was quite serious.
Estelle whispered excitedly,
"It's probably that—maybe Wade is trying to recruit you, Lord Als!"
"...Pardon?"
"It's a secret between us, but Father has connections to Wade. So he might be making an offer to you!"
"No way that's it."
No chance. Estelle seemed to be under some strange delusion.
*
*
*
Dance time with Estelle ended, and the clock read 9 p.m. Ymir had come to meet me, perhaps worried at this hour.
But since she was pretending not to know me in front of Estelle, she couldn't say so outright.
"Miss Rmiyu! Long time no see!"
Estelle beamed and took Ymir's hand.
"What brings you here today?"
"Well..."
Ymir glanced at me and made an excuse.
"I've come to deliver a message to Lord Rosenberg."
"I see! You'll have to wait a bit then. Father has a prior appointment with Lord Als. Join me for tea until then."
Estelle led Ymir to the drawing room.
I headed to Lutger's study.
"You're here. Sit."
Lutger started with talk of the war and asked about the west, then got to the point.
"It's about Estelle."
"From the context, those men?"
"Yes. At that level, I can handle it. The problem is the ones targeting her with malice."
"Hm?"
"I can't be with her all day. She has the academy too. My worries are endless."
It seemed like an overreaction to me, but that's fatherhood for you with a daughter.
"So?"
"I was looking for a bodyguard, but couldn't find anyone trustworthy."
The conditions Lutger set were extremely strict.
Especially that it had to be a woman.
"No such person exists, even if you search with eyes wide open. So I'm asking you. You happen to have several like that around you."
"True enough."
Eonia, Ymir. Master Iliya too.
"Personally, I think Iliya Anpay would be ideal, but with her childcare now, that's tough... I'd like you to send Miss Ymir."
"What about Eonia?"
"Mirabel won't leave your side. Forcing her to guard my daughter would just breed resentment."
"Fair enough. But for the same reason, Ymir won't work either."
"What?"
"There was a recent incident. She saw me nearly die and was pretty shocked. She won't leave my side if she can help it... It'll be tough for a while."
"Sigh...! Then I'll have to call my old subordinates."
"Those men from the Kalon Mountains?"
I'd even forgotten their names.
"Yes. Ings and George."
"Better not call those two."
I relayed what they'd said and done to Estelle in the past, and Lutger exuded killing intent.
"Those bastards...! Doing that while I was away!"
"It's natural. They were in their prime and resented babysitting."
"Hah!"
Lutger slumped into his chair and squeezed his eyes shut.
"Then what am I to do..."
"I'll handle things for Estelle. Once Olaf returns, we'll have extra hands, so for now, stay by her side."
"I appreciate that, but do you have a plan?"
"I have one that just came to mind."
Lutger's eyes widened at the idea, then he nodded gravely.
*
*
*
This war left deep scars in many ways.
All participating nations except Crossing suffered irrecoverable losses.
Toonkai and the west, as well as Bekavia and Kalliper.
Bekavia, already short on regulars, lost 30,000 of its 80,000, shrinking the army further.
To compensate, they'd need to conscript civilians, but lacked both manpower and funds.
Crossing provided aid, but after taking a third of their territory, it was like giving poison with the cure.
The outlook was grim.
Through this, Crossing and Bekavia formed a strategic alliance, but Bekavia was little more than a bulwark for Crossing given the terrain.
A shield to take the brunt from Svenner, Toonkai, or the west.
Still, with the strategic weapon of the Crossing alliance, they could maintain peace for now.
As for Kalliper, they took no major losses in troops or resources, but lost talent again.
The death of Second General Delbadova.
King Gares mourned deeply and held a royal funeral.
Then discussions turned to succession, focusing on filling the military vacancies.
Gilbert Salleon advised the king.
"How about giving the chance to one of the cadets who distinguished themselves? With Pensilon Academy enrollment soon, it would serve as a public example."
The king replied as if he'd been waiting.
"I was thinking the same. Then promoting Casper Millias to general makes sense? He's that Wade, after all."
His tone was mocking. Gilbert and Helian grimaced in unison.
'As expected, His Majesty noticed.'
'This is a headache.'
They'd vaguely suspected since the sudden talk of appointing royal direct subordinate General Delbadova as instructor.
Even the king, retired from the front lines, had focused on the military since the Chimera War.
He'd easily seen Casper wasn't Wade.
"What's wrong, both of you? Didn't Casper rack up achievements?"
King Gares grinned slyly.
Gilbert chose his words carefully.
"Well... that's true, Your Majesty."
Casper was credited with achievements in the war.
He'd proposed the main operation to attack the northwest mountains in the final Delston Mountains battle, claiming the victory's merit.
Gilbert didn't like this.
Elevating Casper too high increased risks from the impersonation. Without that issue, it'd be a great card, but not yet.
So he named another.
"In truth, the fourth son of the Ilrain family earned the greatest merit."
"Ilrain family? Ah, Baron Berial, who rules Libel."
"Berial retired, so his adopted son Max Ilrain inherited the title. He's currently governing Rainpole instead of war-ravaged Libel."
"Right. Old age dulls the memory. So? From your tone, that fourth son showed well in the war?"
"Yes. Delbadova's surviving aides say he has excellent military talent. Delbadova rated him highest before dying."
"Hoo, intriguing. Like Delbadova's spiritual successor. Then I'd love to make that boy a general."
"It will be as Your Majesty wishes."
Gilbert smirked inwardly. Pair him with Erina and Als, and all would fall into place.
But then.
"I oppose."
It was Duke Helian. He glared at Gilbert and continued.
"Your Majesty, great responsibility comes with great power. Suddenly elevating the Ilrain fourth son to general would draw power-hungry eyes to him and his family. It won't aid his growth. Better to give him a foundation to handle power now, rather than special promotion."
"A foundation for growth?"
"For a family fourth son, the goal is branching off, no? Grant him territory to establish a branch. He can earn rank later through merits."
"Hm. Makes sense."
"I suggest giving the general spot to Casper Millias, but as Special Duty General rather than regular."
Helian wanted to give Als the generalship too, but Als refused.
Ignoring that risked Als siding with Salleon faction, ruining everything, so he honored Als's wish.
Elevating Casper also pressured Salleon via impersonation risks.
"Hm. Casper as Special Duty General..."
The king loved the proposal. Especially Helian approving a Salleon faction Casper as general.
The king didn't mind the impersonation. He valued the ambition.
Position can forge ability sometimes. Casper was promising beyond Wade, so a high post would accelerate growth.
Plus, as Salleon faction, it balanced the factions.
Helian faction dominating the military wasn't ideal for the king.
"Which faction does that Ilrain family follow?"
Gilbert bit his lip.
'Should've pushed the marriage proposal sooner...!'
Helian coldly eyed Gilbert and answered.
"They have ties to my house."
"I see. Then here's the plan: Grant the Ilrain fourth son territory per his merits, and appoint Casper Millias as Special Duty General兼 Fifth General."
"But there are two vacancies, Your Majesty. What of the last?"
"I've considered that. Sorry for not telling you sooner, Regnart. Altiore Salleon returns as First General."
"What...!?"
Gilbert's eyes bulged; this was news to him too.
"Father is returning...?"
"Seeing the west join must have stirred his blood. You know, Gilbert—Altiore's humiliation fighting western barbarians in the Pensilon Empire days."
"I've heard vaguely."
"The old warrior's fire reignited. That's why he didn't pass the duchy to you—lingering regrets."
"Hah..."
Altiore Salleon's return was a massive event, making even Helian sweat.
"As you know, a victory banquet is soon. We'll hold Altiore and Casper's appointments there."
Victory banquet.
The two sighed tensely.
It would shake the nobility profoundly.