Chapter 11: Rather Good, Actually (1)

Just as the speech was beginning, Marquis Deneuve turned away. As he started back toward his study, Kalim asked,

“Will you not stay and watch?”

“I have no interest in an assembly I did not authorize.”

“My Lord. Young Master Simon is also the Commander of the Knight Corps. There is nothing particularly strange about him summoning the knights.”

The marquis said nothing and simply kept walking. Before long, the two of them entered the study.

At that moment, a booming voice reached even there.

― We now stand at a critical crossroads. As you all know, the Aldebaran Family, bound to us by a long and bitter feud, is baring its fangs at us…….

As if they had been waiting for those exact words, the knights erupted in cheers.

It was open hostility.

Kenard was delivering his speech with Aura, which was why its contents rang thunderously even in Marquis Deneuve’s study.

The marquis leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes.

“Do you know why I came back?”

“I can make a guess. Having grown sons is not solely a blessing.”

“Exactly. If the knights saw me standing there watching, they would take it as my approval of whatever that boy said.”

“I found something else rather interesting.”

The marquis half-opened his eyes and looked at Kalim. Stroking his white beard in a distinguished manner, Kalim replied,“Young Master Simon and Young Master Kenard were not on good terms. To be more precise, Young Master Simon kept Young Master Kenard under severe watch. Because of the matter of the succession.”

“And?”

“But what of now? Young Master Simon’s voice, which by all rights should be the one resounding out there, is nowhere to be heard. Instead, only Young Master Kenard’s bold and upright voice fills the air.”

Silence settled over the study, and then the speech resumed once more.

― From the moment our Arcturus Family took root in the Empire until now, we have faced countless trials. And we have bravely crushed those trials every time! No one has ever set foot upon our territory, nor has anyone been allowed to threaten the safety of our people. For whom do you raise your swords? Is it not for our great lord and for the beloved families we cherish?

― Oooooh!

― But you too must understand this. Charging onto the battlefield and swinging a sword is not the only way to protect one’s Family and one’s home!

An intrigued smile appeared at the corners of Kalim’s mouth.

Because the meaning contained in that speech was opposition to war.

“So Simon has won Kenard over, has he?”

“You are keeping something from me.”

After pondering for a moment, Marquis Deneuve spoke of something that had happened not long ago.

“Simon told me he would not inherit the Family.”

“Truly? That is unexpected.”

“Do I not seem somewhat gaunt these days? It is not because my son fell gravely ill. No, it is because the son who barely survived has become devoid of ambition, as if he has already lived through the whole world once. He has lost even the primal desire to inherit the Family.”

“The principle of succession by the eldest son may exist, but looking back through the history of the Family, has it truly always been only the eldest son who inherited it?”

“……Were you always such an open-minded man?”

“I was never a narrow-minded one.”

“In every respect, Simon is the superior man.”

“A man who is superior in every respect does not necessarily become a splendid ruler.”

“Have you too been won over by that boy Simon?”

“I have not seen the Young Master even once since he awoke.”

Having drawn the line neatly enough, Kalim looked at his lord with a meaningful gaze.

Once more, Kenard’s voice, amplified by Aura, rang out.

― Honing one’s swordsmanship for the sake of the Family, returning home, sharing warm food with one’s family, and spending time together—this too is a way of protecting one’home. I desire peace! I do not wish for meaningless sacrifice. It is important to serve the Family, yes, but I also believe the safety of you gentlemen and of the nameless soldiers matters just as much!

The knights shouted once again, their eyes filled with emotion.

― From this hour onward, our military action at the borderlands shall shift to a defensive posture! We will draw the sword only after verifying more clearly whether all of this is Aldebaran’s vile scheme or the cruel manipulation of some third party!

― Waaaaah!

Of course, not every knight had been moved by Kenard’s speech. Even now, the leaders of the Knight Order who were worried about the matters at the border wore expressions of incomprehension.

Marquis Deneuve, listening to the speech from his study, was no different.

“In this situation, I can hardly say my sons have spoken nonsense.”

“Hwahahahaha!”

“Why are you laughing?”

“Ah, my apologies. I was only struck by how truly clever Young Master Simon is. Had he stepped forward himself, it would have been the poorest course. Instead, by placing Young Master Kenard in front, he has drawn out far greater support. He chose the best course.”

Since it was true, the marquis made no reply.

“Now even Young Master Kenard is calling for peace. Checkmate. My Lord, you have been cornered.”

“If I were ten years younger, I would rush out there this instant and overturn the platform.”

“That would be amusing in its own way.”

That thought remained no more than imagination. His two sons were grown now. No matter that they were his sons, they held their own positions within the Family. By contrast, the marquis was the setting sun.

“What do you think will happen now?”

“There is reason in what Young Master Simon and Young Master Kenard said. It will especially win the support of the younger knights who do not want war. The tension currently rising at the borderlands has become somewhat excessive. Most of the ones stirring up trouble there come from bandit gangs. Of course, it is also possible they were hired by Aldebaran.”

“What matters in war is just cause.”

“Indeed, My Lord.”

“The key figures of the Knight Order, the commanders included, will come here at once to protest. The justification has already been laid.”

“I can almost hear the footsteps already.”

“And the answer?”

Kalim did not think long. As naturally as though drawing a stratagem from a sack of wisdom, he replied,“What if you sent Young Master Simon to the Aldebaran Family? As an envoy.”

The marquis’s eyes widened in shock.

“Send Simon? You mean to send my eldest son into enemy territory?”

“For Your Lordship to step forward personally and quell the confusion would be the poorest course. Since the other side has chosen the best course, we too must answer with the best.”

“Hmm.”

“It is not truly dangerous. If they were to harm Young Master Simon, they know perfectly well that they would vanish from this continent without leaving even a trace.”

“Even so, it is too dangerous. If he is taken hostage, our losses will not be small.”

Ordinarily, the marquis listened to Kalim’s advice. But not this time.

“Does it matter anyway?”

“What?”

“Young Master Simon has said he will not inherit the Family. In that case, even if he is taken hostage, there would be no problem in subjugating them. Young Master Kenard would inherit the succession.”

Only then did the marquis understand the hidden meaning in Kalim’s scheme, and a grin spread across his face.

“So you mean he should take responsibility himself?”

“If he bears the blood of glorious Arcturus, then he should. I believe Young Master Simon possesses that degree of wisdom and courage. At the same time, he may come to realize that refusing to inherit the Family is not so easy a matter.”

“Good.”

If things went that way, it would also be easy to suppress the dissatisfaction of the senior knights who favored war.

After all, the eldest son of the Marquis House would be staking his life to go into enemy territory.

Besides, the marquis would rather die than watch his eldest son spend his days idling in comfort.

Just then, an attendant reported from outside.

“My Lord. Sir Powell and Sir Hans request an audience.”

“Tell them to enter.”

It was not only the two knight commanders who had come to the very door of the study. It seemed veteran knights with countless merits in battle had also come along.

The two knights strode forward and offered crisp military salutes.

“My Lord.”

“Yes, For both of you to come at once—although I suppose asking what brings you here would be too obvious in this situation…….”

“Did Your Lordship authorize the assembly call?”

The tone was somewhat rude. Powell was that agitated.

He had labored endlessly to prepare for war.

At the same time, he had expected that this would be their chance to humble those Aldebaran bastards once and for all. But now, that could no longer happen.

“I gave no such authorization.”

“Hah, then do you mean the two young masters decided on their own to shift to a defensive posture?”

“Calm yourself. How dare you be so rude before His Lordship?”

“……My apologies.”

The brief silence was enough to cool some of Commander Powell’s anger. With a sigh, the marquis spoke.

“Simon has identified the Alphonse Count House as the power behind this affair.”

“Alphonse…… you say?”

“He also said that when he collapsed with burning fever, it was not because of poisoning, but because of the Imperial Princess.”

“What? Whatever do you mean by that?”

No matter what else he might say, the matter of the Imperial Princess could not be discussed deeply. Shaking his head coldly, the marquis continued.

“This is all I will say to you. The two brothers who will one day raise this Family higher both hold the same conviction.”

“But there is no proof that the Alphonse Count House was involved.”

“Which is why I intend to have that proof brought back this time.”

His cold gaze shifted toward Sir Hans.

“Sir Hans. Prepare to form an envoy delegation with Simon. You will be in charge of the escort.”

“To the Alphonse Count House?”

“No. To Aldebaran.”

Commander Hans could not close his gaping mouth.

***

“Hahahahaha! Splendid! Truly splendid! Kenard, you really do have the qualifications to carry on the Arcturus Family!”

“B-Brother, what are you saying? How could you possibly…….”

Kenard began to tremble in fear. Even as it was, he was already under pressure from the vassals who followed Simon.

He felt wronged.

He had never once intended to take his brother’s place.

“Ah? No, hahah. That came out wrong. I only meant that you were impressive. Were not many of the knights moved by your speech?”

“That was all thanks to you, Brother. Were they not all words you taught me yourself?”

“No. The content matters, of course, but so too does the form in which it is presented. You have the makings of a truly excellent commander.”

Simon subtly hinted that he ought to hand over the position of Commander of the Knight Corps as well. But the innocent Kenard failed to notice.

The two brothers returned to Simon’s residence and passed the time sharing refreshments together. Ranieri was there with them as well.

“Earlier, before Young Master Kenard gave his speech, His Lordship was watching the platform.”

“He must have heard the bell and come out to see what was going on.”

“This matter is going to bring a considerable backlash.”

There was a clear undertone in Ranieri’s voice asking why this had not been discussed beforehand.

Simon simply waved it off as though it were nothing.

“Do not worry. It will work out somehow.”

“Will it really?”

“That sounds like the attitude of someone hoping it will not.”

“You will know soon enough.”

The words sounded almost prophetic. From outside, a maid announced,“Young Master. Commander Hans requests an audience.”

“Tell him to come in.”

The door opened.

Simon spread both arms wide and welcomed him with a delighted expression.

“Sir Hans! What brings you here? Surely training is over for the day, is it not?”

“Young Master. Well, I…….”

“What is it? Do you want another spar? I am sorry, but you may have to wait your turn. I still need to have a bout with my brother.”

“I beg your pardon, but…….”

“Stop dragging it out and speak.”

“It is our lord’s command…… that you leave for Aldebaran first thing tomorrow.”