Chapter 84
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 84
Chapter Title: Metamorphosis
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A week had passed since I became a member of the Seven Stars.
During that time, I had spent my days in a frenzy of activity.
First off, I had to stabilize public opinion within the Ruelverta family.
The Seven Stars and the Ruelverta family had long been sworn enemies.
The fact that the Ruelverta had joined the Seven Starsleaders among the pro-imperial noblessparked backlash within the family.
On top of that, some relatives voiced their discontent over my unilateral decision on such a major matter.
I immediately convened a family meeting and won them over.
The biggest help came from my guardian, Arthur Ruelverta, as expected.
As a highly respected elder in the family, Arthur gave this turn of events a glowing review.
First, it meant the Ruelverta had been recognized as one of the empire's premier noble houses.
Second, it solidified the Ruelverta's position within the empire even further.
Finally, he anticipated that views toward the Ruelverta would soften somewhat.
"Our family needs to don the sheep's clothing if we're to grow even larger. Until now, the Ruelverta have been objects of fear and dread. That's been a hindrance to expanding our power and wealth. If we seize this chance to build an image as a 'good house,' people's wariness will fade."
In short, it was all a ploy to advance the Ruelverta's ambitions. Once Arthur framed it that way, the family's grumbling quieted down.
It proved my hunch right: Arthur was indispensable to Tristan.
That said, even Arthur didn't blindly take my side.
He was especially troubled when I mentioned doubling Aslan's forces.
He flew into a rage, demanding if I planned a coup.
Of course, I couldn't just come clean with him.
In the end, we compromised: we'd add only a select few through rigorous training and screening.
Quality over quantity when it came to troops.
Arthur was stingy with the budget otherwise, but he approved ample funding for the student cafeteria without hesitation.
Thanks to that, the cafeteria regained its former bustle.
And with it, a minor misunderstanding about me seemed to clear up somewhat.
The head chef was working hard to dispel the rumors, but the students' suspicious glances lingered.
I had a pretty good idea why.
Most of the promising students who would graduate and shine later hated Tristan's guts.
Tristan was the villain, and they were the heroesit was only natural.
For the story's sake, I had no intention of messing with them.
Let them harbor their little suspicions for now.
I was magnanimous, after all.
Not long ago, the Izarkhel family led more than half the Seven Stars houses in formally recognizing the Ruelverta as a member.
The imperial family issued no statement, but showed no signs of opposition.
Thus, the Ruelverta were officially acknowledged as part of the Seven Stars.
Nobles across the empire were suddenly watching each other warily.
Shrewd pro-imperial sorts started sending gifts or paying respects, shifting to friendly terms.
Not many yet, but the numbers would grow.
Some would turn their backs, of course.
A shake-up loomed among the empire's nobility.
And just like that, the week flew by.
Now, the only thing nagging at me was...
"Count, a letter from Leon, head of the Perry Ligris family."
"...Read it."
"Uh... Should I read it verbatim? The tone's so old-man cringy, I'm scared it'll ruin your refined image..."
"...Just summarize it."
"Yes. He suggests meeting His Majesty sometime soon to propose expanding the imperial army."
"...Persistent as ever."
Ever since the Harmony Society ended, Leon had been sending letters nonstop, giving me a headache.
I'd started with polite refusals, but he kept pushing relentlessly, as if he hadn't seen them.
At this point, I was just ignoring him outright.
"And the next one's from Laura, head of the Elsingk family."
"Summarize it."
"Um..."
"..."
Helga was uncharacteristically hesitating.
"It's kinda hard to summarize... Mind if I just read the last line? That says it all."
"Fine. Go ahead."
"Don't get cheeky."
Of course...
Classic Laura, who despised Tristan.
But knowing her circumstances, her feelings weren't incomprehensible.
Not that I'd bother replying to such childish drivel.
Helga, though, seemed to think differently.
"Should I rough her up...?"
"...Helga."
"Ack?! N-No! Should I go beat her...?"
"Excuse me...?"
"...Next letter. Read it."
Helga pouted as she unfolded the letter.
"The last one's from Odell, head of the Ryumin family."
Odell?
Unlike the others, this one felt important.
"Read it."
"Congratulations once more on joining the Seven Stars, Count. I'm writing because, now that you're one of us, I believe it wise to seek an audience with His Majesty."
I nodded inwardly.
I'd figured I'd meet the emperor eventually, but joining the Seven Stars had brought that day forward.
The Seven Stars were the emperor's pillars of support.
As a new member, like it or not, I now qualified for an audience.
"It would resolve our past misunderstandings and benefit the empire greatly in the long run. That said, as you know, His Majesty has been unwell lately and sees no one. If possible, it would be best to go together, so if word comes from the palace, please inform me by all means."
Odell was guiding me as a senior membershowing a newcomer the ropes.
A fitting move from the empire's prime minister.
As I pondered my reply, Helga spoke up again.
"And... now comes the important part."
Hm? More to it? And important?
I tensed up, listening closely as Helga read on.
"As a parent of a student at the chairman's school... as an ordinary father with one daughter, I have a request. If any boy harbors impure intentions toward my daughter, please tell me his name and family. I ask this despite the impropriety."
This daughter-obsessed fool...
It suddenly hit me: Odell was like that.
The ironclad prime minister on the outside, but full of gaps and frailty around his daughter.
"How should we reply...?"
"I'll handle it..."
My head throbbed.
Not because of my workout, surely.
Helga checked the clock.
"Count, it's about time."
"Yeah."
I was handstanding on a wooden chair, one hand supporting me.
In that pose, I bent and straightened my arm.
Even as Helga read letters diligently, I'd been maintaining balance for muscle training.
With less time at the mansion lately, I'd started exercising in the chairman's office.
I still had to hide my magic, so no spell practice, but workouts were fair game.
I released the handstand and landed lightly.
Sweat poured down like rain.
"Count, fresh clothes."
"Mm..."
I took the clean shirt from Helga.
She was tending to me in Wendy's place while the girl attended classes.
"Sigh... What a gluttonous brat. Skipping the honor of serving you to sit in class. How about making me your exclusive maid instead?"
"Not worth considering."
I flung off my sweat-soaked shirt.
What emerged was a body unimaginable in the original story.
"Hoo..."
The result of pushing past human limits via the 'Patience' trait.
Daily dawn jogs and relentless workouts had forged this physique.
"Surely someone who's served you as long as I have would notice, but others might not?"
Helga stared openly at my body as she spoke.
She was right.
I'd long returned to normal weight, and firm muscles now filled every inch without gaps.
Not just thatmy face had reverted to Tristan's boyish features from long ago.
The mirror showed a young noble with decadent, icy charm.
A total metamorphosis.
Or rather, the villainous slob character's glow-up.
'No one can call me the Pig Count now...'
Not that anyone bold enough had dared to say it outright anyway.
Still, I felt proud.
"I'll wipe your sweat."
"Mm."
Helga pulled a handkerchief from her pocket and began dabbing my upper body.
Her hands brushed various spots along the way.
She was so thorough, she'd keep going unless I stopped her.
"That's enough."
"But? There's still so much sweat. Such a waste..."
"A waste?"
"N-No! S-Slip of the tongue! Heh heh..."
Helga waved her hands, grinning lecherously.
Weirdo.
That's when I noticed the handkerchief in her hand.
"You've dirtied it."
"Huh? Dirtied? It's spotless."
"Spotless...?"
"Yep. Clean enough to keep forever. Heh heh."
I tilted my head, a bad feeling brewing, and asked.
"Helga."
"Yes?"
"Just out of concernif you're planning something weird with that handkerchief, don't. It's filthy."
"Eek?! H-Huh?! N-No! Count, how could you think that of me...!"
"Then what do you plan to do with it?"
"Do what...?"
Helga sweated bullets, eyes darting frantically.
Scrambling for an excuse, probably.
At last, she spoke.
"Of course... take it home and s-suck on it...?"
Drip.
Seeing drool trickle from her lips, I finally got it.
"...Hand it over."
"Please!!! Just this little reward!!!"
Despite her pleas, I snatched the handkerchief.
"Count!!! Have mercy!!!"
Helga's wails echoed through the office for a good long while.