Chapter 74
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ace
Chapter: 74
Chapter Title: The New Count
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Originally a lowly commoner, Ian had become a true count overnight. Not some honorary knight who was barely a pseudo-noble, but a proper high noble.
Of course it was great, but if asked whether it was moving, the answer was no. He hadn't expected it at all.
People usually get dazed by unexpected fortune rather than jumping for joy. Just like Ian right now.
"Me... a count?"
Not a baronet, baron, or viscount, but a count?
"Heh heh heh."
Ian could only let out a hollow laugh.
Truly, you never know what life has in store.
It felt like just yesterday he was pulling all-nighters and working weekends like it was nothing, and now here he was, entering high society. Was this a dream or reality?
"Master, congratulations! The day you seize control of the empire draws one step closer!"
Hmm, not a dream, then.
Seeing Kez make such a fuss confirmed it was reality.
"I can already see that day clearly with my own eyes! The day when you make all of humanity kneel and look down upon them from on high!"
"Kneel? Make who kneel? I'm not interested in that stuff. Anyway, thanks."
"Seeing you rise steadily like this, I, Kez, feel even more motivated to do my best! To match the dignity of the master who will grasp the empire's hegemony, I must strive harder! I'll grow the merchant guild much larger, and expand the Blade Unit too..."
"Blade Unit? What's that?"
"Eek! Oh, uh, that... it's the name of a new business I'm planning!"
"Oh, I see."
Man, that's a brutal name for a business. Planning to stab someone?
"Isn't that business name a bit too vicious?"
"Ah, y-yes, it does seem that way! Then I'll change it right away..."
"No need for that. Just do things your way. I won't interfere much."
"Yes!"
Kez was someone who handled things well on his own anyway. No need to micromanage.
His Alkemi Merchant Guild was soaring like it had grown wings.
Already opening a third branch and charging toward the fourth.
His 'Slicky' had become a massive hit in noble society, and whatever new business he cooked up would probably succeed too.
Even if the name was a bit savage.
"I'm off to work."
"Yes! Have a great day!"
"Yeah. You too."
As he entered the palace, he felt people's gazes fixed on him, unlike usual.
"Wow, they're glaring at me so fiercely. Feels like they're boring holes through me."
Envy and jealousy radiated from all directions.
He'd heard some were furious about it.
But that wasn't his concern.
Whatever.
"Oh, who might this be? The empire's hero and court mage, the rising star favored by His Highness the Crown Prince and His Majesty the Emperor?"
He turned at the cringe-worthy line from behind.
It was Bren from the Magic Management Division.
"Deputy Director. Good morning."
"Yes, good morn... Whoa, I can't even look straight at you. You're too dazzling, Sir Ian."
Bren dramatically shielded his eyes. Ian rolled his eyes.
"You really have a talent for teasing people."
"Teasing? I'm just stating facts."
"So, what's the Deputy Director doing in the palace first thing in the morning?"
"Oh, I have a report for His Majesty. Anyway, congratulations. Now you're truly stepping into the noble world."
"Yeah."
You never know with people.
Until recently, the man in front of him had been his superior, and now their positions were truly reversing.
"It's certainly worth celebrating, but on the other hand, I'm worried."
"Worried about what?"
"There are already so many calling it outrageous. I can't even imagine how much their envy and jealousy will grow."
Bren shook his head. Ian chuckled.
"That's to be expected. Not everyone can congratulate you. I just need to do my job, regardless."
"Easier said than done. But I think you can handle it, Sir Ian."
"Well, I've got thick skin."
"That's not thick skin; that's strong will."
"Eh, same difference."
Bren shook his head as Ian shrugged.
How could they be the same?
"Sir Ian, brazenness and composure are entirely different. The former is just shamelessness, but the latter is true strength. To me, you're the latter."
Ian scratched his head at the barrage of praise that came as naturally as breathing. What was with the sudden sincere compliments?
"You're strong, so it won't bother you, but noble society isn't conquered by will alone."
Bren continued with a serious expression.
"Noble society is like a silent war. Entering it means fighting every day. Now that you've taken the stage, you'll face that silent war daily."
"..."
"Many will watch you closely. They'll envy and resent you endlessly, trying to drag the elevated you off the stage."
"..."
"Their malice is more vicious and insidious than you can imagine. I just hope you won't get swept up in it like I did."
Ian looked straight at Bren. His eyes were unusually serious, unlike usual.
"Unlike me..." Does he have some backstory?
It made sense. From what Ian knew, Bren came from a prominent family.
Yet he'd chosen the Magic Management Division, ending up as deputy director. There had to be a story.
"Man, that's touching. Who'd have thought I'd hear that from you, Deputy Director."
"Sir Ian."
"Don't worry. You know I'm not just thick-skinned."
Ian grinned, baring his teeth. The corners of Bren's pursed lips twitched upward.
"Hearing that puts my mind at ease. Come to think of it, you have both inner and outer strength. Maybe I worried needlessly."
Bren bowed lightly and walked away. Ian watched his back thoughtfully.
"Inner and outer strength. He sure knows how to lay it on thick."
But the words lingered in his mind somehow.
The emperor's declaration to grant the court mage Ian an earldom seemed to have more impact than expected. The nobles' fierce opposition proved it.
Every day, complaints poured into the capital from nobles. Not only were they badmouthing Ian, but even slandering the emperor for the decision. Eventually, the rumors reached Asteon's ears.
"What? Who's badmouthing my left arm?"
"Yes. They seem deeply dissatisfied with Your Majesty's decision. They're rushing before you daily to protest."
"Is that so?"
Asteon tapped the table with his finger. His expression soured.
"Daring to touch my left arm? And rebelling against Father's decision?"
"Granting such treatment to a commoner origin offends the nobles' sensibilities. Their backlash was predictable."
"Who are they to complain? What have I given them?"
"Hereditary titles. And skipping straight to earl, no less."
Asteon fell silent. He knew how significant that was. After grumbling for a while, he muttered.
"Useless scum who contribute nothing to the empire."
"Your Highness, mind your words."
"Mind my words? Bullshit. Did I say anything wrong?"
Asteon barked. Flames seemed to flicker in his eyes. The guard knight realized the nobles had touched Asteon's reverse scale—his childhood humiliations and contempt from growing up as a commoner-raised prince.
"Talentless bastards who ignore origins only when it suits them. All they know is picking up women at balls, yet they preach imperial law."
"..."
"Who are they? Bring me the list. Let me see their faces."
"Your Highness, calm your anger. Nothing's decided yet. They haven't formally opposed. And His Majesty hasn't officially announced the title."
"Shut up and bring the list."
"...Yes."
The guard gave up persuading. In this state, the crown prince was unstoppable. He fetched the list and presented it.
"Whoa, that's a lot."
"Your Highness, if I may ask... what's your intent?"
"What else? Crush them."
Asteon grinned. The guard squeezed his eyes shut. Even with eyes closed, he could picture what came next.
"Actually, perfect timing. Plenty I've been itching to deal with. Time to educate them properly."
"Your Highness, they're not pushovers. Marquis Arden is practically the leader of the new noble faction. A misstep could bring backlash."
"Hey, relax. Think I don't know that?"
"Of course you do, but still..."
"You don't see me as some idiot like the others, right?"
"Pardon? N-no, of course not!"
The guard waved his hands in denial. He knew the crown prince wasn't the incompetent fool rumored to be.
He was capable, indeed. Otherwise, why would His Majesty delegate state affairs already?
The rumors persisted solely because of his erratic personality.
That personality.
That's what worried him.
"Please, just dance the sword dance in moderation..."
"Don't worry. I'm not that reckless. I don't start fights I can't win. Right?"
"Pardon?"
"I've got a secret intelligence network no one knows about."
"An intelligence network?"
"Yeah. Used it a few months; they're reliable."
Asteon bared his teeth in a grin. That smile felt ominous for a reason.
In the dim evening hours.
Asteon fiddled with the ring on his finger. The perception-distorting magic engraved on it activated, enveloping his body in mana. Cloaked, he slipped out alone, without his guard.
Arriving at a shadowy alley on the capital's outskirts, he knocked on a door. It opened, revealing a short man cloaked entirely in black robes who greeted him.
"Your Highness, isn't this too brazen? I'm worried rumors might spread."
"Relax. This is an imperial treasure. Nothing short of a dragon relic could detect it."
Asteon pointed to his ring.
"You'd better keep your mouth shut too."
"I always prioritize secrecy, so no issue."
"Obviously. If you breathe a word, your guild vaporizes that day. You know how many favors your guild gets from the imperial family."
"Yes, of course."
"So act accordingly."
"Yes. No question. Heh heh."
Despite the dire threat, the black-robed man laughed.
'Shady guy, but damn good at what he does.'
This black-robed man was Kez, head of the Alkemi Merchant Guild, the empire's hottest rising guild.
Asteon knew another secret: Kez led a covert intelligence organization.
'How many gains have I reaped thanks to him?'
Thanks to the secret pact with Alkemi's head, the guild skyrocketed, and the imperial family purged hidden dark mages in one fell swoop.
'And my own tasks went smoothly.'
He'd leaned heavily on Kez's info even in minor state affairs delegated by the emperor. The benefits were countless.
'Just who the hell is this guy?'
How did he know every move of the nobles? And run a guild so flawlessly?
Asteon was curious but didn't pry.
Asking an info broker for sources was like cornering a rat.
A cornered rat bites the cat. Asteon wasn't that foolish.
"Come inside."
Guided in, they entered a dimly lit room with soft lighting, a table, and two chairs. They sat.
"What brings you today?"
"Look at this first."
Asteon placed documents on the table: the list of nobles opposing Ian's earldom.
"You know my left arm, right?"
"Yes, of course. Ian... er, Court Mage Ian."
"Right. Father's granting him a title. But these bastards are opposing."
"Ah, I heard. The capital's in an uproar."
"Yeah. So I'm gonna crush them."
"Pardon?"
"Crush them. Make examples by slicing a few, spare the promising ones. Got a problem?"
"No. Just... thrilled. Heh heh."
"Thrilled about what?"
"When Your Highness disciplines them, it's a boon for our guild."
'Your Highness striving for my master like this—how could a servant not be pleased? Heh heh.'
Oblivious to Kez's inner thoughts, Asteon asked.
"Anyway, can you do it? Speak up if not; we'll forget it."
"Of course I can."
"How long?"
"Not long."
"I'll trust you."
"Yes."
"Oh, that info you gave last time—is it solid?"
"Which info?"
"Marquis Arden colluding with the Kingdom of Belonia."
"Yes. Undeniably true, so no worries."
"Hah, the empire's a mess. So many traitors."
Asteon clicked his tongue. He'd thought nobles being scum was his bias, but no.
The faction leader brazenly conspiring with a foreign power—how could his underlings be clean?
"Anyway, got it. I'm off."
"Yes. Leave it to me."
Right after Asteon left.
Kez instantly teleported to guild HQ and ordered his executives.
"Contact the special clients. Say an inspection visit is coming soon."
"Inspection? What kind?"
"Slicky."
"Ah, yes. Understood."
The guild members moved briskly. Kez looked out the window and chuckled.
"Slicky's proving a real money-maker."
Who in the world would guess? That their cute household spirits were recording every dirty secret they hid.
No one knew. Not even his guild members. Only Kez in the world.
Naturally. That function was accessible only by its designer, Kez.
But he couldn't rely on it forever.
It'd be exposed eventually.
Gathering intel via Slicky was just a temporary measure until the Night Blade Unit grew.
"Once the crown prince dances his sword dance, I can massively expand the Night Blade Unit."
With nobles purged en masse again, their shadowy backers would be swept away.
Filling the vacuum would be instantaneous.
"All for the master. Heh heh heh."