Chapter 24: Big Deal (2)

“Have you heard about the Orcs?”

“I have.”

Then that made things simpler. Every part of this affair had become entangled because of the Orcs’ advance.

“The Orcs are preparing to invade southern Aldebaran. They have received the news as well. We, too, must send troops to stop them.”

“Is it truly that serious?”

“Rather than simply being a serious problem, the Aldebaran lot will not be able to stand against them. If we drive the Orcs back before they cross into our Territory, we can reduce the damage.”

“Hmm. It is certainly far better to fight a war in someone else’s land.”

“Send Kenard. He will undoubtedly distinguish himself splendidly.”

But those words did not satisfy Marquis Deneuve in the slightest. His eyes sharpened.

“That is a task you ought to undertake yourself. Why are you trying to drive your younger brother into mortal danger?”

“To become great, he needs experience. From what I can see, Kenard is the sort who will grow more once he gains experience.”

“But the boy has not even entered the Killing Sword stage yet. To have him face the Orcs as he is now would be far too dangerous.”

It had happened that way in the past as well.

And so, back then, Simon had taken responsibility for repelling the Orcs himself.

That event had driven the final nail into the Heir’s seat.

‘I have to avoid that at all costs.’

For an instant, Simon’s mind spun rapidly.

“Then how about this? I will bring Kenard into the Killing Sword stage.”

“You have not even entered the Killing Sword stage yourself, so what nonsense are you speaking?”

“I have.”

“You have?”

“To speak honestly, I already have entered the Killing Sword stage. I merely kept it hidden.”

“Good heavens......”

It was good news that the eldest son of the Arcturus Family had shown such progress. Yet Marquis Deneuve felt more strongly than ever that he was somehow being led around by his son.

“So I will train Kenard based on what I have already realized.”

“But that will take time. What if the Orcs invade in the meantime?”

“One month will be enough.”

“What?”

Once again, a shocking statement burst out of him.

To reach the realm of the Killing Sword, something that ordinarily required years of painstaking effort, in only a single month.

“That is impossible. Are you trying to mock me?”

“Then see for yourself.”

Shing!

Simon drew his sword.

And then he released all five of his Circles at once.

Step.

This time, Marquis Deneuve himself drew his sword.

Then, in an instant, he leapt at Simon.

Simon was slightly startled.

‘Is he actually trying to kill me?’

Marquis Deneuve was a knight who had reached the realm of Sword Expert.

And he had mastered the Arcturus Sword Forms all the way to the Heart Sword stage.

Though he had not attained the realm of Sword Master, he was still known as a man whose skill stood close to it.

His charging attack was truly savage.

Kwagagagak!

‘I need to keep my wits about me.’

Simon gathered all the force pouring out from his five Circles into a single point.

Then he swung his sword.

Clang!

A clear sound rang out.

At the same moment, the marquis’s eyes flew wide open.

It had not been blocked by brute force.

It had been blocked by the correct form, precisely.

“You blocked that?”

The Aura Marquis Deneuve had drawn up was not especially strong. If one had to put it into words, it was at about the level of three Circles.

Even so, the strike he had unleashed was one that could not easily be defended against unless one knew the techniques of the Killing Sword stage of the Arcturus Sword Forms.

And yet, unbelievably, Simon had done exactly that.

“Whew...... If I say I will not become the Heir, do you truly intend to kill me? That was dangerous.”

“There is always danger lurking nearby.”

The marquis questioned him no further.

“So it is true that you have entered the Killing Sword stage. I thought you were doing nothing but wasting away buried in bed, but it seems you have been training in your own way.”

“Did I not inherit your blood, Father? That much achievement is only natural. I have heard that you were even more exceptional in your youth.”

It pleased the marquis more than he cared to admit, hearing such praise from none other than his eldest son.

“Even so, the idea of bringing Kenard to the Killing Sword stage in only a month is nonsense. What sort of trick are you trying to use?”

“If I told you in advance, it would not be any fun. Why not confirm it yourself one month from now?”

“And if you fail?”

“Then I will inherit the Family without another word.”

There could hardly have been a more tempting condition.

The marquis grinned and accepted at once.

“Very well. I accept that wager.”

“Thank you.”

“And yet, this is strange. If you were being yourself, you would have demanded a condition for success as well. Is that all this time?”

“I have no condition of my own. As long as Kenard is sent to Kilstone.”

“Simon.”

A low voice rang out.

The marquis tossed his sword aside and sat back down upon his seat.

“What you accomplished in securing the treaty on such favorable terms is something that deserves praise. However...... you know, do you not, that another important matter still remains unresolved?”

“You mean the matter of the Imperial Princess?”

“I do. I distinctly ordered you to bring back proof from there. And the result?”

“I am still searching.”

A smile touched the marquis’s lips.

“I knew as much. From the beginning, you were too obsessed with mere rumor. Why not quietly dismiss it as baseless gossip and reconcile with the Imperial Princess?”

“Even the Aldebaran Family suspects the Alphonse Count Family.”

“And?”

“Do you know the Ceres Family?”

“I do. I heard the head of that Family is a young woman. Jin, was it?”

“I recruited her.”

“Recruited her?”

“I mean that I made her my subordinate. She swore eternal loyalty to me.”

The Ceres Family was an old Family that had long served the Aldebaran Family. Marquis Deneuve knew that much perfectly well. That was why he was left staring in bewilderment.

“How in the world did you make her into a vassal?”

“She tried to poison me. So I fed poison to her instead. As it happened, Ranieri was carrying a very fine poison.”

“What? Those wretches dared!”

“Please do not be angry. In the end, things worked out well enough. If we use her properly from here on, we should be able to obtain high-level information from Aldebaran.”

“Hmm.”

His anger at the thought that they had tried to poison his eldest son did not subside easily.

And yet, at the same time, the words high-level information caught his ear.

“For now, I intend to investigate who stands behind the Alphonse Count Family. The Ceres Family has agreed to cooperate, so I will report to you as soon as information begins to gather.”

“Do you truly believe the Imperial Princess is behind it?”

“Yes. I am certain.”

“That is troublesome in its own way.”

A smile touched Simon’s lips.

The very fact that the marquis had called it troublesome meant that even he had begun to regard the princess with suspicion.

‘With matters having gone this well, there is no way he can help but become suspicious.’

After letting out a sigh, the marquis spoke sternly.

“There are other things you will have to take as well. You understand that, do you not?”

“Of course. I intend to strip them of everything except their Territory, so there is no need for you to worry too much. And Father, I would like to go out for about a week. Would you permit it?”

“Do as you wish.”

“You are granting permission more easily than I expected.”

“It is better than having you buried in bed all day, every day.”

After bowing, Simon immediately returned to his room and summoned Ranieri. Once inside, Ranieri handed him a small note.

“It is a message from Lady Jin.”

“So soon?”

His curiosity was piqued.

When he unfolded the note, it contained only a single sentence. It thanked him for all his trouble in coming and going, and wished him good rest.

Jin was clearly trying hard to impress him.

“She is competent, is she not? So she can track even my movements with ease. Your position is looking dangerous.”

“If I am honest, I would rather exchange places with Lady Jin.”

“Why?”

“Because every day feels like walking along the edge of a blade. Things seem peaceful on the surface, yet you keep involving yourself in subtly dangerous matters.”

“Do not worry. Everything will work out.”

Simon gave Ranieri’s arm a light smack. Ranieri, slender as he was, staggered.

“Hah, exercise a little. You really are weak as a reed.”

“Has it never occurred to you that you are simply too strong, Young Master?”

“That is enough. Make preparations to go to Minor Village. Borrow a carriage from the Merchant Company. We will ride there in that.”

“Understood.”

“And prepare a Teddy Bear as well.”

“So you have decided at last. I will make sure it is a splendid one, something the young lady is certain to like.”

“Good.”

Simon settled himself back into the soft bed once more. Home truly was the best.

***

The next day, Simon did not get to sleep in.

“Honestly, which bastard is making a racket and waking people up this early in the morning?”

“Early in the morning? What a ridiculous thing to say.”

“Hm?”

That was not the voice of his Personal Maid.

No—more than that, there was no way a maid would use an expression like “ridiculous.”

Simon opened his eyes sluggishly and looked at the person shaking him awake.

“Debianne?”

With her hands on her waist, Debianne stood over him wearing a thunderous expression.

“Honestly, really. Young Master? Could you not, for once, please wake up a little earlier?”

“Yaaawn...... That is not any business of yours, is it?”

“Open your eyes first.”

“Why?”

“If you had overslept again today, your Personal Maid would have lost her position!”

It seemed the Head Maid had been applying pressure.

An irregular lifestyle was behavior that bordered on taboo in the Arcturus Family.

And yet, astonishingly enough, ever since rising from his sickbed, Simon had not once lived a regular life.

“So something like that happened?”

“Do you know how pitiful that is? Jenny is supporting sick parents as well. And please eat in the dining hall! Not here! A bed is meant for sleeping!”

“Then let them send her off with a generous severance package. Say, around five hundred million shillings.”

“Do you think that makes any sense?”

“Ah, you are truly annoying.”

At last losing patience, Simon flung the blanket back and sat up.

“I really do not understand why my mother’s lady’s maid has come all the way here to make a scene. Are you not a lady’s maid, not a maid? Or were you demoted to a common maid while I was away?”

“You still do not understand that I am saying all this for your own good.”

“Shameless, truly. The more I look at you, the more you resemble Ranieri. The structure and pattern of your nagging are exactly the same. Even your faces are the same. Two eyes, one nose, one mouth.”

“……What did you just say?”

“I said the two of you resemble each other.”

“Take that back.”

“Why?”

“Now.”

She really did seem angry. It felt like the moment before lightning struck.

“……I take it back.”

“Very good. Now then, handsome Young Master? Go wash up and eat breakfast. If you lie down again, I am really going to punch you right in the solar plexus.”

“All right.”

Clicking his tongue, Simon stretched. Then he took a drink from the glass of water on the table.

Only then did his Personal Maid, Jenny, timidly approach.

“Y-Young Master, I am sorry. I told Lady Debianne it was all right, but......”

“Can you turn back something that has already happened? Are you a mage?”

“…….”

“But your parents are sick?”

“Ah, yes.”

“That is unfortunate. They are not yet at an age where they ought to be so infirm.”

Simon took out a money pouch from a drawer. Without even checking how much was inside, he handed it to Jenny.

“I know nothing of medicine, but I have plenty of money. Use this to have them treated.”

“Y-Young Master! I cannot possibly accept this!”

“A maid...... talking back?”

Jenny turned pale with fear and accepted the money pouch. It was astonishingly heavy.

“Th-thank you, Young Master. This will be an immense help......”

“If you are grateful, then go and fetch Kenard for me. He will be hard to pull away since he is training, but if you tell him it is something important, he will come at once.”

“Yes!”

A short while later, Kenard came running in, covered in dirt and drenched in sweat.