Chapter 144
Chapter 144
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 144
Chapter Title: 13. Cutting Water with a Sword (4)
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The parlor. As it was a duke's residence in what amounted to the front lines, guests rarely visited at all. Still, preparations befitting the family's prestige were in place.
Five seats had been prepared today.
First, the host Duke Lebedev, then Duchess Calamity who had sprawled out in his office to claim her spot, and Justina, the duke's daughter.
The most important ones—truly fitting the definition of guests—were Empress Alina of the Pallan Empire and Mina, daughter of the World Tree clan chief among the southern elves.
The two hosts and Duchess Calamity, who was standing in for the Lebedev matriarch, were actually the ones struggling with the disparity in status.
"Right after coming back, no less."
Justina had hurried down with Karin and her friends in tow, but she was still a step too late to stop the staring contest between her father and brother.
And perhaps as punishment for that tardiness, she now had to deal directly with opponents whose heads she couldn't easily lift in the parlor.
"No need to be so tense."
"Please, speak comfortably."
"No, you're Yulius's father—how could I possibly be casual with you?"
From that exchange, everyone grasped it immediately. This was a signal that the Pallan Empire intended to take Yulius, and the method was marriage.
As the three of them exchanged wary glances amid this unforeseen situation, Mina dropped another bombshell.
"Even among the southern elves, some are already treating him as one of their own."
"That's... surprising."
"If Yulius accompanies us, you'll all be treated as honored guests as well."
Duke Lebedev's head throbbed so badly that he could barely recall his conversation with his son from the day before. If he fully accepted what the two were proposing, the Lebedev family would form a marriage alliance with the Pallan imperial house and achieve a similar standing with the southern elf federation.
Geographically, it was on the opposite side of the border from Pallan and Imir, but they would invariably accompany them to diplomatic events for both nations.
The World Tree clan was one of the closest beings to the goddess's will while the theocracy remained silent, so they might even need to attend events in the theocracy or among the elves.
And didn't his own daughter have the goddess's golden blood flowing through her veins, along with the holy sword?
Wouldn't it just be better to declare independence as the Lebedev Duchy?
When he thought that and shot a sharp glance at the empress, she replied with a smile that made her seem ill-tempered.
"Independence as a duchy would be difficult. There's no chance Imir would abandon the family that's amassed the most diplomatic and military know-how against the demonkin."
"Yes. Quite so."
"Besides, Yulius is the ideal role model and symbol for the young nobles of Imir Kingdom—one whose prowess would rank among the kingdom's strongest contenders. There'd be massive backlash."
"...Yes."
"Of course, minor complaints could be settled by force, but I doubt anyone wants that."
And what the empress produced next was a contract document.
"This is..."
"A document granting court noble status in the Pallan Empire—specifically, a rank directly beneath mine."
Another enormous bombshell had exploded, leaving Duke Lebedev instinctively clutching his head in torment.
He had no room left to read the room.
"Your lands lie within Imir Kingdom, and ruling them is a sacred duty, so Duke Lebedev is undoubtedly a subject of Imir. However, it's not impossible for a court noble to receive a title from another nation. And since court nobles have the right to attend the imperial council, Imir would indirectly gain a vote in Pallan's decisions."
"What does Her Imperial Majesty gain from this?"
"First, the man himself—Yulius. Second, an ally in our tug-of-war with the other nobles who will side with us."
"Do you wish for Lebedev to become a member of the imperial faction within the empire?"
"No, not a member—a central pillar. Working alongside National Scholar Yulius."
From the flow so far, Lebedev stood to lose nothing on the surface. It was more like ascending from a border martial house to the heart of power.
But even so, Duke Lebedev couldn't answer readily because of the distrust it would breed as a cost.
The Lebedev family had produced stalwart warriors and mighty nobles for generations.
They were so recognized as Imir's sword that no one would dispute it.
If such a house became entangled with the imperial family, what would become of the vassal status built up over generations by their ancestors?
It was tantamount to selling off the family heirlooms for shiny new jewels, so Noble Lebedev had no choice but to agonize.
"I've laid out everything on my end. Now I just wait for your answer."
With that, the empress finished speaking and took a sip of her tea, her face radiating leisure.
"I have one question."
At the sudden female voice, everyone lifted their slightly lowered gazes toward the source. Duchess Calamity stood there, arms crossed with an odd expression.
"If he's to become a national scholar of the Pallan Empire, could he take a second wife?"
"The answer is yes—though lengthy. Assuming both he and I agree, of course."
"Then, would it be acceptable to send my daughter—his current fiancée—along?"
"...If Yulius permits it."
At those words, Duchess Calamity let out a sigh of relief. With her daughter's reputation utterly ruined, she had been fretting over where to even send the girl—being able to offload her as a second wife was ideal.
The kid was a bit dim, shortsighted, and nasty-tempered, but she genuinely liked Yulius, leaving no other options besides palming her off.
The agonizing Lebedev, the relieved Calamity, and Justina rolling her eyes.
Justina quietly spoke up.
"So what are your plans, Miss Mina?"
"I've already settled things with the empress. She comes first while she's alive. Then me."
"Pardon?"
"You didn't know? Yulius has already outlived a human lifespan."
"Whaaat?"
She'd heard tales of those with great power living beyond human lifespans, but she hadn't known her own brother was already in that state.
"Yulius's body is so thoroughly steeped in the goddess's power by now."
"Uh... um..."
"No different from an elf sustained by the World Tree's power."
Hearing that even as she aged, her brother would remain unchanged suddenly plunged Justina into confusion.
"That's why, Shopkeeper—Yulius isn't suited to hold a title in the human world. He won't die. That's why I support the national scholar position too."
"I... see."
Justina felt the position of Lebedev successor—which she had once completely abandoned—drawing near once more.
And her father seemed to feel the same, as their eyes met with awkward expressions.
"Any more questions?"
Everyone fell silent.
Finishing off the remaining refreshments and tea marked the end; breaking up the gathering was only a matter of time.
**
"Wow. This is really impressive."
"Yeah, well, it is what it is."
I was touring the territory with Karin, her two friends, and Big Sis Leimi. I hadn't done anything myself, but our lands had their fair share of sights.
Not only were they situated on the continent's eastern edge, but over long years of life-or-death struggles with the demonkin, they'd built up walls and fortifications.
Some were worn and probably nonfunctional now, but that didn't erase the undeniable historical scenery of Lebedev etched into them.
And even ignoring all that, I personally liked their grandeur and beauty.
"Ugh, everyone's got such good stamina."
"The Ishtvan family are mages, but as the youngest, I mostly did chores!"
"Ahaha. After absorbing that thing last time, my stamina's improved a lot too."
Natalie came from a knight family to begin with.
Though she didn't say it, touring a territory from a family that prized military prowess seemed to give her food for thought, her expression deepening.
Yeah, I figured it'd be impressive. It was land scarred by war right up to the most recent times, after all.
"...If I said I wanted to work here, would you help me out?"
"I could pull strings for an opening, but you'd have to pass the skill test on your own."
"Yes. I know that."
"Then sure, I'd help however I can."
She wants to do proper knightly work as a knight, huh.
Nothing wrong with that. No need to live on the battlefield forever, but experience in the thick of it can prove hugely valuable someday.
"I thought you hated all family stuff, Shopkeeper."
"...Well, not nature, scenery, or the villagers."
"The soldiers all recognized you too."
"Yeah. I started pulling my weight with the sword around then and tagged along on military ops. Some I've known for nearly ten years."
"Must've been tough."
"That's why I hate the one who made me do it."
As I spoke with a slightly twisted smile, Karin shrugged and said,
"I... didn't think he was a bad person."
"He's not bad. Our personalities just clash terribly."
"Ahem. At least he's not some irredeemable monster."
"Irredeemable monster..."
The phrasing was kinda funny, and I couldn't help chuckling.
The familiar scenery of the territory after so long felt a bit healing, too.
Way better than the views rolling in the mud, post-op, without even water to drink.
"...Even the same scenery changes depending on who you see it with."
Karin tilted her head at my words before heading to her friends to snap something like a photo with a mana projector.
If Lebedev had always had this kind of atmosphere, that would've been nice.
Only after confirming Big Sis Leimi—panting from finally cresting the hill—lean against my back did I smile freely for the first time in ages.