Chapter 18

Chapter 18

TL-Mechatronic

The emperor dragged the recognition of Adrian’s succession rights, and his relatives took the opportunity to attack him with spear and swords. The vassals also joined in the fight against him.

Every time Louis thinks about that time, he still feels sick.

But the conflict was firmly suppressed by Adrian. Both the struggles and fights of his opponents felt just like a simple game played on Adrian’s chess board game.

All the people who watched the conflict unfold from the sidelines had the chills.

Even the Dark Knights, who had strong stomachs by fighting Bellacs every day, became disgusted when they used chemicals to annihilate the people of the valley.

Fortunately, by that time, the plague was over, and the reception of the Duchy’s citizens towards the new duke wasn’t that bad.

“You really worked hard.”

Suddenly, she felt like it was not that hard to roll around the ground because of Sun’s training.

“Somehow, the whole territory felt destitute, and our Duke is poor.

“But it’s all right because you are all alive. You can’t complain like this if you go to hell.”

Kirill said while exhaling her pipe smoke. If it weren’t for the wide-open terrace window, the room would be full of smoke by now. Jean grumbled.

“It was mostly maddening when the imperial family dragged on with His Grace’s succession.”

Now that she thinks about it, there’s a big possibility that the Emperor just wants to annihilate the Luverne Dukedom.

Or put on a dog collar.

If Adrian hadn’t been outstanding and remarkable, it would have been so.

“How is it our fault that the land has shrunk?”

Nina jumped to her feet.

“Wait, the land shrunk? How can the land be reduced?”

In the meantime, while she was gone, has the terrain changed due to a flood?

Jean had a sour face.

“It looks like the predecessor Duke lent the land.”

“What?”

What is he talking about?

When Louis saw the look on Nina’s face, he explained.

“You know the exchange, don’t you?”

“Yes, we fight over the well all the time. And I heard we kept on losing.”

Louis nodded as Nina snorted and added.

“That’s an extension. So the winner of the exchange got the right to use not only the well but also the land around it.”

Nina opened her mouth.

“So, they even bet the right to use the land at the exchanges that are doomed all the time, and the right to use the land was taken as price?”

“Yes, of course, every time an exchange exhibition was held, a rematch was also requested but….”

Nina touched her forehead when Louis smiled strangely.

“You lost.”

“That’s right.”

“No, why do they even have to stake the land? How much did they bet?”

“A third of the territory.”

Adrian’s answer sent shivers down Nina’s back.

In the Ebensel Empire, titles are attached according to the territory. Even now, when the war for territory conquest has ceased and the land is scarce, some nobles don’t have feudal lands, but the circumstances for the high ranking nobles were different.

Is a Duke with a reduced land even a full-fledged Duke?

Louis pointed out another problem.

“That’s not the problem.”

“If this is not the problem, what is the problem?”

“If someone has occupied the land for 10 years, ownership will pass to the tenant.”

“What?”

“There is such a contract clause.”

“Ten years? Wait, when will it be ten years since then? How long have you been doing that stupid thing?”

“It’s been eight years this year.”

Nina made a blank face and then made a sign of relief.

“That’s fortunate. If it hasn’t been 10 years yet, then we can get it back.”

Nina’s voice was so carefree that Jean somehow laughed.

“You speak like it’s a very easy problem to solve.”

“We can win. Easy.” While murmuring with a relaxed voice, Nina sat down again.

“Why the hell did you stake the land?”

“We owe it to the Count of Rava. If We win, he was supposed to write off some of that debt.”

Nina thought blankly at Louis’ words.

“Ah, that’s right. If you take an inheritance, you also inherit debt.’

As if it is not enough we are already this poor, we are also in debt?

“Anyway, everyone’s talking about it and it doesn’t help. We’re like real villains.”

As Jean grumbled, Kirill shrugged.

“We are villains in their eyes. The illegitimate son and his gang had rolled in, annihilated the Duke’s family, and stolen the title.”

Nina frowned.

“He died from the plague.”

“The Duchess made such rumors to undermine His Grace succession rights.”

At Louis’ words, Nina frowned and said, “We have no luck.”

“That’s nice, the bad guys. I’m not even the main character anyway, so let’s just play the villain.”

“Hey, why can’t we be the main characters? We can do it.”

At Jean’s words, Louis nodded, Kirill raised her glass saying, “For the villain’s protagonist.” And everyone toasted.

Nina, who got drunk, laid on Adrian’s thighs as if she were falling down. Her silver hair trickled down to the

floor.

“Already down? You’ve only had a glass of wine, heavens.”

Nina protested against Jean’s blow.

“If you’re drunk, you’re drunk.”

Adrian carefully gathered her hair and put it on the sofa.

“Ah, I feel good.”

Nina settled down comfortably as if she had a real pillow and spoke in a relaxed tone.

“Young Master, do you remember the dream of my magnificent garden that I told you before?”

“Of course.”

“It’s not too late so, let’s start the garden again.”

Suddenly, Kirill laughed out loud at Nina’s words.

“Whether it’s a miraculous garden or not, let’s talk about it tomorrow.”

“Huh? What? Are you already taking care of it? What is it? Is the garden well preserved?”

Suddenly hope sprang up.

Kirill grinned at Nina’s questioning and said with the pipe in her mouth.

“Tomorrow.”

“Okay.”

She doesn’t have the energy to do anything more today anyway.

“Then there won’t be a problem. Oh, right. We have to cultivate our knights. When there’s a lot of money, there are a lot of pests-like people also. Also…. We have to take back that land…….”

The drunken voice gradually got smaller and Nina yawned loudly.

“Then, I must appoint Nina as the new knight commander.”

Adrian said in a casual voice.

“Oh, really? Sure. Uh.”

Nina closed her eyes.

“What?!”

She suddenly felt her tipsiness wane all of a sudden. Nina sprung up to her feet. And Adrian backed away before she hit her head on his chin.

“Me? The commander?”

“Yes, I can’t be the commander forever.”

“But you have the vice-commander, right?”

Louis laughed.

“I think the civilian side suits my aptitude. I’m willing to give it to you.”

“Then what about Jean?!”

“You can do that kind of shit job, right? I’ll be the vicecommander then.”

Jean raised his chin, saying that he could do that much.

“No way.”

“I have no one to entrust this except you, and you said, that you learned the sword from the Sun Spirit. If you have the skills, you should use them. Besides, the knight’s leader position cannot be left empty for long.”

Suitable.

Nina was the best fit.

Adrian, who made that judgment, patted her head.

“It’s all right. If it’s Nina, you can do well.”

“Uwah….”

She leaned forward.

“If it’s temporary, I will do it. It’s just for now!”

Nina shook her head making a fuss.

“Then let’s make a toast for the new Knight’s Commander.”

Louis picked up his cup and Nina looked at hers.