Chapter 34
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 34
Chapter Title: Princess Bata's Gratitude
-----------------------------------------------------------------
“The Cascadia Count has already demonstrated his ability to fulfill his responsibilities and duties. This agenda seems rather meaningless.”
The nobles whispered in stunned disbelief as Duke Berli, who had maintained strict neutrality through every situation until now, suddenly took our side.
They probably never saw that coming.
And then, Princess Bata—rarely one to speak up—joined in defending us as well.
“The Duke is right. Is there any real reason to strip the Cascadia Count of his authority?”
“W-Well, that is...”
First the Duke, and now the kind-hearted princess was stepping forward aggressively.
In that moment, Marquis Vidar—the man who should have been our greatest pillar of support—sat there pale-faced and utterly speechless for some inexplicable reason.
It was too strange to chalk up to mere anxiety over his position as Royal Archmage.
“If there's no objection, this agenda is dismissed. With His Majesty unwell, it doesn't look good for us to be squabbling over power.”
With that, Princess Bata shot down the proposal, and the nobles voiced their discontent but held their tongues.
The state council adjourned, and I received a summons from Princess Bata.
This must have been the real reason she called me to the council in the first place.
“Come in, Leon Cascadia.”
“It is an honor to meet the kingdom's little moon.”
Duke Berli was seated at her side.
“First, allow me to express my gratitude. Without you, we couldn't have saved Father.”
“It was merely my duty as a subject.”
Of course, I didn't expect that duty to put food on my table.
“Thank you for saying so. I may not be able to do much, but I can fend off those hyenas trying to sink their teeth into House Cascadia's authority as best I can.”
“I am grateful for your boundless grace.”
I bowed politely, keeping it formal and restrained, and she let out a short sigh.
“Grace? Without you, this kingdom would have plunged into utter chaos.”
She bowed her head gracefully. After a brief pause to steady her breath, she spoke again.
“Actually, there's something I wanted to ask you, Leon.”
“Me?”
“Yes. The truth is, Marquis Vidar's estate was attacked the night before last.”
Marquis Vidar's house?
As I gave her a puzzled look, Duke Berli explained on her behalf.
“It was undoubtedly the work of those who tried to assassinate Your Highness. They seem to believe that Necromancer Goldseon Vidar—Marquis Vidar's son—lifted the curse on you.”
Now it all made sense.
Goldseon had unwittingly become my shield.
No wonder Marquis Vidar looked so off during the council.
It wasn't about accountability for the king's assassination attempt.
Even so, why would a man who'd sacrifice even his own son for power act like this?
“That's entirely plausible. But... are you asking me to rescue him?”
She shook her head at my direct question.
“Do you want to?”
“Not in the slightest.”
“Then I won't ask you to save him. We can leave that to others. But we'll pay handsomely for your help.”
She kept glancing discreetly at her lap as she spoke cautiously.
She's cheating off notes.
Is a princess allowed to do this? Is this kingdom's future really okay?
Having them in our debt would mean protection for Melissa's back and a bulwark against headaches in Cascadia County.
Melissa said she didn't care, but I saw things differently.
If a group of necromancers had the boldness to kidnap Goldseon Vidar in a single night, it was obvious I'd be next on their list.
And in the process, not just me—Melissa could be threatened too.
So... better to squeeze out as much profit as possible.
I curled my index finger and thumb into a circle.
Then flashed a grin at the two of them.
“How much do you know, Your Highness?”
To me, Cascadia County held immense significance.
The Dream Labyrinth, Labyrinthos, was little more than a prison.
Trapped there for an eternity, I fixated on one goal alone.
Return home, no matter what.
House Cascadia didn't hide some grand secret.
It was simply my nest—my refuge at the end of this hell.
That's why Cascadia County and House Cascadia were my anchor, the place I'd yearned for so desperately.
And so.
My top priority was the county's safety itself.
I decided to look on the bright side.
These bastards were coming for us anyway.
Tear them apart now or later—it didn't matter. But if I could reap benefits for the house in the process, choosing that path was the smart move.
Princess Bata looked tense at my demands, but Duke Berli didn't intervene.
He still owed me one, after all.
“Can I take that as acceptance?”
I nodded at the princess's question.
“Blind refusal wouldn't be wise.”
Did they really need me to spell it out?
“There's a royal mine near Cascadia.”
“Yes.”
“I'll give it to you.”
At those words, I glanced at Duke Berli.
Ah, so that's what the Duke's comment was about.
Honestly, it was bigger than expected, leaving me a bit uneasy.
“Are you sure? Handing over something like that?”
“Yes. It was already under debate to transfer to House Cascadia anyway. This is the perfect chance to make it official. It's within my authority.”
I fell into thought at her words.
So, a mine they were already planning to hand over to Cascadia, but now they'd make it official?
It was the royal will, but noble opposition could drag it out for years.
Using this incident as pretext to cleanly take ownership.
This should prevent any future royal harassment over compensation.
Of course, for a formal deal, that would end it.
Should I push for more?
Then I'd need to leave some room.
“Very well. But one must never miss an opportunity.”
“What else do you want?”
“If I rack up merits in the subjugation, don't forget them. I'd be grateful.”
She pondered briefly, then nodded.
“Agreed. If you achieve that much, the royals will never forget your feats.”
“Then, may I hear the details of the operation?”
“Shouldn't you consult the family head first?”
Her question brought Melissa's reaction to mind.
I'd bet anything—she'd be over the moon just for the mine ownership.
With the house's finances in such dire straits, she'd value it immensely.
“She'll approve without question.”
“Good. Then let me explain the subjugation plan. Duke, if you would.”
“So you're going to rescue that bastard?”
“No, I couldn't care less about him.”
“The necromancers? But does the royal family know your strength?”
“Not exactly. They're just asking for my overall knowledge on necromancy. I'll probably join the subjugation force as an intelligence officer.”
She opened her mouth again after careful thought.
“Ridiculous. You're a monster at both magic and swordplay.”
She was one of the tiny few who knew I could manifest sword aura—even if it was a fake—and wield fifth-circle necromancy.
In fact, she might be the only one who knew both.
Even if my power was beyond normal limits in her eyes.
These were terrorists who'd struck the kingdom.
She couldn't feel entirely at ease either.
“You didn't agree to help for free, did you?”
That's how she'd kept the house afloat—being so thrifty.
I boldly pulled a document from my robes.
“Let me see.”
“What, with just words?”
“Come on, don't tease. What, did they offer mining rights or something?”
I stayed silent with a grin at her question, and she scoffed.
“For real?”
I fluttered the paper instead of answering, and her eyes twitched as she staggered closer.
Then she knelt reverently, raising both arms high as if receiving a god.
“Ooh... look at that shimmering luster...”
“You'd better cherish it.”
“You think I'd do anything else! Mining rights, right? Real ones? No poison pills or fine print...?”
“Hey! You heretic, doubting me?”
Daring to accuse a god?
I corrected her mistake with a stern expression.
“Mining rights? How dare you offer mere mining rights.”
“Not mining rights? Then...”
Her eyes widened further.
“No way?! Ownership?!”
“You'd better cherish it. Only then will I give it to you.”
“Big Brother! I've waited my whole life for a brother like you!”
“Honestly, me too.”
“Really?”
Her eyes sparkled.
That look reminded me eerily of the goblin whose head I'd burst open before.
My stomach twisted a bit, so I lightly pushed her forehead.
“Kidding.”
I shoved her away decisively, tossed the document envelope at her, and stood.
“I've got to head out, so sort that yourself.”
“Wow. Ownership... for real? Oh my god...”
Ignoring her, she—eyes glazed over with ownership fever—reread the text obsessively to confirm every word, then jumped to her feet.
“Wait!”
When she returned, she tossed me an oddly shaped bracelet.
“Take that. Expensive defensive artifact I splurged on. And one promise.”
Her flighty expression from moments ago was gone; she gripped my wrist firmly with a grave face and looked up quietly.
“Don't get hurt. Come back safe. Absolutely.”
I could see the deep resentment burning in her eyes.
It hit me then—when she learned of Father, Mother, and our baby sister's accident, inheriting the house like a burden.
The sight of her in Father's study, hollow-eyed, staring at his diary.
She'd pretended to be fine on the outside, but she'd been rotting inside.
“This is my first order as countess.”
I chuckled softly and saluted exaggeratedly.
“As you command, Family Head.”
Ah, if I was fixated on House Cascadia itself, she was haunted by family members venturing far away.
Having lost her family in an instant and shouldered a tottering house ever since.
It was no wonder she had severe trauma over losing kin.