Chapter 9: Operation to Relinquish the Succession (2)

Simon let out a short laugh.

It had always been enjoyable to see that flustered look on Ranieri’s face. It felt like rediscovering a treasure he had long forgotten.

“Of course not.”

“…….”

“What, does your mind go blank when something happens that falls outside your calculations?”

Ranieri did not answer at once. He absolutely refused to acknowledge his master’s regression.

“It seems I must admit that my analysis was wrong. I suppose the mistake was approaching this through conventional psychology.”

“You admit mistakes more quickly than I expected.”

“As if I would. You did not really think I would be surprised, did you? Lua is a very common name. It is surely just a coincidence.”

“Wouldn’t it be neater to assume I simply met her in the city?”

“From a probabilistic standpoint, it is not impossible.”

“My mouth is the only thing getting sore here. If you are not going to believe me, then think whatever makes you comfortable.”

Right now, whether he had regressed or not was not what mattered. There was another question that mattered far more.

“Setting that aside, what do you intend to do now? If it were the Young Master I know, you would cast everything else aside and head straight for Minor Village.”

“You know me well. But sadly, I cannot do that right away. There is something more urgent.”

“You mean the Aldebaran Marquis House?”

“Yes.”

Troops were continuing to gather at the borderlands even now. It was impossible to tell when a localized conflict might break out and expand into full-scale war.

Moreover, Marquis Deneuve’s aggressive temperament had played a major role as well.

The knights were split half and half in their opinions, but in the end, by Marquis Deneuve’s order, they would be deployed to the front lines.

Simon had already grasped clearly, through several incidents, just how far the current timeline had progressed.

That was in the summer, so if I leave this unattended, war will break out very soon.

Simon resolved not only to clear the Aldebaran Family’s false charge, but also to prevent war from breaking out and devastating the territory.

If I want my precious younger brother to become the lord without suffering, then there is no helping it.

More important than anything else, however, was this:

If the land is ravaged by war, then settling down in Minor Village will become impossible for me as well. As a member of the Family, I would have to help rebuild it no matter what. And Ranieri would become busy too.

That was why Simon had boldly rearranged the order of priorities.

All so that he could enjoy a leisurely retirement life.

In his heart, he wanted to meet Lua a single day sooner, but stabilizing the Family came first.

The key in this situation was to stabilize the Family while drawing as little attention from the vassals as possible.

Kenard has to be the main figure in this affair.

At the same time, a plausible plan began to take shape in his mind.

Kenard would calm this turmoil, draw the vassals’ attention, and earn the recognition of Marquis Deneuve, the head of the Family.

If that happens, handing over the position of head of the Family will become much easier.

As he watched Simon, Ranieri curled a hand into a fist and gave a dry cough.

“I have heard that, within the Family, you alone oppose the war, Young Master.”

“And what does the man who serves that great person think?”

“I believe His Lordship is correct. The two houses have checked each other for a long time. I think there is a need to settle their ranking at least once. Even if there is damage in the process.”

“What about trying a different way of looking at it?”

“In what sense?”

“Think about who stands to profit the most when our Family and the Aldebaran Family clash.”

“That would be the side that wins the war, of course. They would receive enormous war reparations, and even part of the enemy’s territory would have to be ceded.”

“That is only the one-dimensional part of the problem.”

“Could it be...?”

Ranieri snapped his fingers. Simon looked at him as though urging him to produce the answer he wanted.

“Are you thinking of the Alphonse Count House?”

“Exactly.”

Ranieri had given the answer Simon wanted, but he tilted his head in puzzlement.

“But the Alphonse Count House is Imperial Princess Mercedes’s maternal family. Considering her relationship with you, they should not be able to scheme behind the scenes. If the marriage goes through, they would end up benefiting from the Arcturus Family’s influence anyway.”

“That is only because you do not know the princess very well.”

“Is she that bad...?”

“No, worse than that. In any case, I believe the princess has a hand in all of this. It is a perfect opportunity for her to devour not only our Family, but the Aldebaran Marquis House as well.”

“Hmm.”

Ranieri rested his chin on his hand and thought for a long while before speaking carefully.

“Young Master, it is dangerous to project personal emotions onto matters like this. Especially in affairs between one Family and another.”

“I know what you mean. But calling what is wrong wrong is not dangerous. It is necessary.”

“You are resolute.”

“And for the time being, I will assign a knight to stay with you. Do not go around alone.”

“All of a sudden?”

“I told you already. The princess is no ordinary person. Even if not immediately, an investigation into me will begin before long. Naturally, as my right hand, you will be tailed as well.”

What the princess had failed to realize was that Simon already knew about Sir Generic.

A devil who would kill anyone for the princess.

Even in his previous life, he had been infamous for his savagery. Simon was not going to do anything about him right now, but he had to prevent Ranieri from coming to harm.

That was also why the secret of the gathering called El Luna had been so well kept.

Sir Generic had simply assassinated every suspicious person.

“There is no need to go that far. I do not have much reason to go outside anyway.”

“If you dislike that, then learn swordsmanship at least.”

“Now that I think about it, there may indeed be times when I need to go out. I shall gratefully accept your consideration, Young Master.”

Ranieri bowed his head obediently. It was filled with the firm determination that he would sooner die than learn swordsmanship.

You have not changed at all.

That was what Simon thought.

“In any case, we must prevent the war for now. I cannot hand a ruined territory over to my younger brother.”

“Someone might hear you.”

Ranieri warned him quietly, but Simon paid him no mind.

“You know how to farm, do you not?”

“I have never done it myself, but I understand the principles.”

“Then perhaps I need to find someone with experience...”

“Why not try learning baking instead? If you want to start speaking with the baker’s daughter,you will need some point of contact.”

“So you are acknowledging our relationship?”

“I have no choice in the matter. I merely obey my master’s words.”

Simon liked the suggestion.

Baking.

It was worth trying.

“But are you going to remain in bed all day again today?”

“I am thinking of moving around a little later.”

“Mr. Daim from the workshop said that, since you like beds so much, perhaps he ought to start a bed business using your name.”

“Simon’s Bed. Not bad. Tell him to pay the royalties properly.”

“So you do not dislike the idea.”

“Well, either way, what does it matter?”

“If you tell me the rest of your schedule, I will make the preparations.”

“It is not much of a schedule. I was thinking of going to see Kenard. There is no need for you to follow me, so if you really have nothing to do, go play with Ioline or something.”

“Yes. Understood.”

***

The place Simon headed for was Kenard’s residence. But the only one guarding the room was his personal maid.

“Where has my brother gone?”

“I believe he is training. I can go and bring him here, Young Master.”

“No, that is fine.”

Leaving the room, Simon headed straight for the training grounds.

The estate of the Arcturus Marquis House was famous for being the largest in all the surrounding lands. The number of knights was great as well. Because of that, there were several training grounds.

My brother had a training ground he favored in particular.

Kenard did not like drawing attention. Part of that was because his nature was upright and honest, but it was also because he believed all attention ought to go to his elder brother, Simon.

That is not exactly wrong, but there is no need for that anymore.

Simon made his way to a quiet training ground some distance from the estate.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

The sound of metal slicing through the air rang out. With his hands clasped behind his back, Simon gazed toward the center of the training ground.

Kenard was absorbed in his swordsmanship training, sweat pouring from his entire body. No other knights were in sight.

Simon watched the training for a moment.

He has only just passed the intermediate stage of the Striking Sword.

Considering that his younger brother was still only sixteen, it was by no means a poor achievement.

But by the strict standards of Arcturus, a house famed for swordsmanship, it was only ordinary.

And ordinary did not suit the Arcturus Family.

That does not mean there is any need to grow impatient. My brother will shine even more later on.

Kenard would begin to grow tremendously once he gained real combat experience. “Brilliant growth” would not be too generous a description.

Moreover, he is a genius of effort. He should be able to master the Arcturus sword forms soon enough.

Grinning, Simon picked up the live blade lying beside him. Astonishingly, not the slightest sound or presence could be felt when he took the sword into his hand.

The same was true of Simon’s footsteps.

With footwork lighter than down, he slowly approached Kenard.

Then, at last, he swung his sword.

“……!”

Startled, Kenard swung his own blade to the side.

Clang!

Having neatly blocked the attack, Kenard spun and assumed a sword stance.

“B-Brother!”

He had thought it was an assassin, only to find a familiar face standing before him. Simon smiled.

“Splendid skill, Kenard. You reacted even while concentrating on your forms. Impressive reflexes.”

“No, compared to you, Brother, it is scarcely worth mentioning.”

“There is nothing wrong with praising your opponent’s skill, but there is no need to belittle your own. Not if you are one who carries the blood of Arcturus.”

“Ah, yes!”

His younger brother struck his chest with a fist and gave a military salute.

Ordinarily, a military salute was a formality clearly offered by a subordinate to a superior.

In my previous life, I accepted it as natural. But not anymore.

Kenard was the one who now had to carry on the Family. In other words, his image needed to be managed.

Simon spoke seriously.

“Kenard. Why do you give me a military salute?”

“Because, apart from being brothers, I respect you as a warrior.”

“If that is the reason, then you need not give me a military salute from now on. A military salute is only a gesture of loyalty. It is not fitting between brothers.”

“But...”

“I am asking you.”

The moment he said it was a request rather than an order, Kenard was slightly startled. It was far removed from the image of the elder brother he knew.

At the same time, he felt a pang of sadness.

It was as though the burning fever had stolen Simon’s strength.

“I understand. If it is your request, Brother, I will obey anything.”

“Good. Thank you.”

“But what brings you here?”

“You remember when I said we would dance with blades before, do you not?”

“Ah, yes.”

For now, Simon did not think the timing was right. More than anything, there was not a single witness watching them.

The plan Simon had in mind was this:

If I am going to do it, I might as well make a grand occasion of it. I need to bring Father and Mother as well and show them what a fine warrior my brother is. That will make the process of passing down the title much easier.

“Brother, why are you smiling all of a sudden?”

“Hmm? Ah, it is nothing. Ahem, I do not think now is a good time for us to cross swords. My condition is not all that good either.”

“Are you truly all right?”

Kenard looked as though he might burst into tears. It was plain to the skin just how sincerely worried he was.

“I am fine. More importantly, there is something I want to ask you.”

“Please speak.”

“What do you think of the Aldebaran Marquis House?”

At once, strength entered Kenard’s expression. He looked like a beast ready to spring.