CH 230

Men of the Volzard Family

***---***

When I was told that Meisa-chan had a fever, I was a little nervous, but luckily it didn't turn out to be a big deal.

I guess she was too excited and also had jet lag.

Thanks to that, I was able to see Tokyo, but they ended up spending a lot of money on Sky Tree tickets and aquarium admission fees.

I said that I would pay for myself and Meisa-chan later, but they requested that I make up for it with their future trip to the other world.

Maa, it will serve as a service to Yuika, so I have no objections.

After returning to Hikarigaoka with Meisa-chan and the Asakawa family, I decided to return to VOlzard for the time being.

It was almost time for Klaus-san to finish drinking, so I thought I'd talk about the details of the Resenburg riot and Seraphima's marriage.

From Marianne-san too, around this time ... That's what I was told.

[ Kent-sama, are you okay? You should get some sleep before heading to Klaus-dono's mansion. ]

"Ahh, that's right. I've had a lot of fun, too."

When I left Hikarigaoka in the evening, it was before dawn in Volzard.

I planned to visit the mansion around noon, so I should take a nap until then.

"Nero, let me borrow your stomach."

"An easy task, nya."

"Reinhardt, can you wake me up when it's time?"

[ As you wish. ]

It was only for about three or four hours, but I was able to sleep soundly because I lay down on the most comfortable bed.

When I visited the mansion, Klaus-san seemed to have completely stopped drinking, and he had a toned face like a feudal lord.

And, next to Klaus-san, Augusto-san and Baldini were also there.

"Good morning. Thank you very much for making time."

"Nope, it's very much related to Volzard's future, and it seems like a lot of time has passed. Kent, please start talking now."

"Understood. Let's start with the Resenburg turmoil ..."

Klaus-san was sitting on the sofa on the short side of the table, I was on the right side, Augusto-san was on the left side facing me, and Baldini was sitting next to him.

As I talked about Camilla's speech at the royal castle in Resenburg and the turmoil that occurred during it, Klaus-san nodded and urged me to move on, while Augusto-san listened attentively while taking notes.

Baldini never looked at me and was completely uninterested, and I wasn't sure if he was even listening.

"Then, Kent, are you the one keeping the explosives?"

"Yes, there is something that seems to be a fire magic tool in the lid of the barrel, and it is a device that ignites and explodes when magical power is poured in."

"So they let an Undead and hold it and rush in, and when it reaches the enemy, it activates the magic tool and explodes."

"Yes, that's right."

"The power is enough to make a hole in the ground and dismember the people around it. Moreover, Havre Calvine brought in a considerable amount ..."

"That's right. Even in Japan, where I lived, it was used to destroy hard bedrock, so it's possible that it was related to mine excavation technology and used a connection to Kilia to obtain it."

"I see, destroying the bedrock is an essential technique for mining mines. The Calvine territory, which was rich in mining from the mines, and Kilia, whose country was also supported by mining resources, it wouldn't be strange for them to have some kind of connection."

Klaus-san put his hand to his slightly unshaven chin in thought, and Augusto-san gave his opinion.

"Father, at first, explosives may have been provided as mining technology, but considering the dark-attribute magician, shouldn't we think that it was for the usurpation of the throne from the beginning?"

"That's right, that's certainly a high possibility. Either way, we'll have to get them to speak up to find out. Kent, what's going on over there?"

"Yes, I haven't contacted them since the commotion, but Havre should be under strict investigation, and the dark-attribute magician shouldn't be able to move until around tomorrow due to the effects of the booster."

"I see, the dark-attribute magician is more likely to speak honestly than Havre."

"Yes, I think so as well, and I feel like they know about Kilia's circumstances."

"Even so, there is even a tattoo on their face ... I've never heard of it."

"According to the story of the Knight Commander of Resenburg, there are tribes with such customs in the mountains of the Felciane Empire, the neighboring country of Barshania."

"Felciane, huh ... Dark attribute ... Speaking of which, Kent, didn't you say you had some business to go to Bakkenheim?"

"Yes, I am planning to exhibit the Gigas' magic stone at the auction at the beginning of the year."

"Okay, I don't care if it's after that, but please ask Reese if she has an idea."

"Ahh, I see ... Maybe Master Reese knows something."

Master Reese of the Bakkenheim Headquarters Guild had a deep knowledge of dark-attribute magic, so she might know the reason for the tattoo.

Klaus-san asked me to see the power of the explosives, but simply detonating them would not give him a sense of their power, if I put up dolls or logs as indicators nearby, there was a risk that they would fly away in the blast.

Therefore, I decided to detonate it in a safe place where there was no danger to the surroundings, record its power on video, and play it back later.

I thought that the talk about Resenburg was over, so I tried to talk about bringing in Seraphima, but Augusto-san interrupted me.

"Father, shouldn't Volzard also study tactics that incorporate explosives?"

"Why do you think that?"

"Yes, according to Kent, explosives exert their power regardless of the presence or absence of mana. Needless to say, Volzard is a town bordering the Devil's Forest, and considering the recent active movement of monsters, I think it is necessary to take measures to strengthen our military strength."

Klaus-san listened to Augusto-san's story while nodding several times, and then asked in his usual light tone.

"I see, but if it's fighting power, isn't it enough with Kent and his genus?"

"Yes, as you say, if Kent is present, most of the dangers can be dispelled. However, Kent is not immortal. If we think about the next generation, and the generation after that, I think it will be necessary to use explosives to defend Volzard."

"I see, even if Kent was there, if the scale of the Goblin maximum outbreak last year was even bigger, and we were pushed in by an overwhelming number of enemies, there would be no guarantee that we would be able to protect the people. We may need to start researching now."

Klaus-san crossed his arms and thought for a while before turning his gaze to me.

"Kent, can you give me one of those barrels of explosives?"

"That's right ... Before that, I'll bring you something smaller."

"What do you mean by smaller?"

"Yes, explosives in Japan ... It is called gunpowder in Japan, but it is not only used as weapons, but also as entertainment tools."

"If it's entertainment ... How is it used?"

"Umm, they add materials that emit strong light when they burn, and we enjoy the light when they are launched into the night sky and exploded."

"Hou, the country you lived in has changed a lot."

"Yes, that entertainment is called fireworks, but related to that, there are things called firecrackers that you can enjoy the sound of exploding."

"That's what you mean by smaller."

"Yes, that's right."

If people who had never seen gunpowder suddenly handled a large amount of gunpowder, there was a high possibility of an explosion accident.

Therefore, I thought it would be better to hand over the barrels of gunpowder ... After knowing the nature of explosives.

"But Kent, those firecrackers must be brought from Japan. Are you sure it's okay? Didn't you say it was difficult to bring them from Japan?"

"Hmm ... Firecrackers are basically not intended to be used as weapons. Even ordinary people without qualifications can buy them, so I think it's probably okay, but I'll check it out just in case."

"I see, if possible, I would like to know the knowledge and precautions regarding handling explosives. Could you ask if such materials are available?"

"Understood. Mishandling can lead to a big accident, so I'll ask about that as well."

I heard in the news before that places that manufactured fireworks were wary of static electricity, and there shouldn't be any houses within a range of hundreds of meters around.

Let's ask Kajikawa-san for advice on safety measures about that.

"Kent, for example, if someone were to do the Undead with explosives tactics that Havre used on a tenfold scale, would you be able to stop them?"

"Ten times ... I think it's probably okay."

"How would you stop it?"

"Let's see ... Basically, while I'm using light-attribute attack magic to stop the ones who are charging at me, I'll have my genus find the place where the explosives are stored and do something like blowing it up to stop them."

"What if they've already distributed all the explosives?"

"Ehh, that's ..."

"If you try to get your genus to stop them, isn't there a possibility that they will be blown up?"

"Right, that's true ..."

My genus could freely enter and leave the shadow space, so they could launch attacks from places the opponent didn't expect and leave immediately.

However, if the opponent used explosives, there was a possibility that they would take damage if the explosion occurred at the moment all my genus came out of the shadows.

If their magic stone was safe, I may be able to regenerate them with dark-attribute magic, but if the magic stone was damaged, I would not be able to maintain their body.

I took it for granted that my genus would never die, and that I would always be with them, but I felt like that was going to crumble with a clattering sound.

"If the Undead run out, all you have to do is replace them with new ones. If Volzard can be protected with that, then isn't there anything more efficient than that?"

I couldn't understand the meaning of the words suddenly thrown by Baldini.

"What, what are you dissatisfied with. Undead can be replaced as much as you want. Rather, use them as a tool to stop the enemy by having them actively rush in."

"What did you say ... You, just now, what did you just say! My genus are, they're my family! They're not disposable tools! Don't screw with me!"

When I realized it, I was standing up from the sofa and yelling.

"You, just who do you think you're talking to!"

"Stop, Dii! Sorry, Kent, I'm sorry, I'll scold my little brother well."

"Aniue, what is Aniue talking about! The likes of such a suspicious commoner ..."

Do~n!!

Klaus-san slammed his fist on the table to cut short Baldini's words.

"I'm sorry, Kent. This guy doesn't listen to people until the end, what happened in Volzard while he was in Bakkenheim, how much work Kent did, he doesn't understand how strong the bond is between you and your genus."

"Father, even Father ..."

"Shut up! Since when did you become so powerful that you can interrupt me when I'm talking. Right now I'm not your father. I'm the Lord of Volzard, Klaus Volzard. Keep your mouth shut until I give you permission, and keep your ears open so you don't miss a single word I say!"

The three of us closed our mouths and changed our attitudes at Klaus-san's fierce attitude, which was unimaginable from his usual frivolousness.

"Don't worry, Kent. I am well aware of the abilities of your genus. Those who do work better than A-rank adventurers, I won't let them be used and thrown away, I don't mind if you don't do that."

"Yes, but, if that happens, there is a possibility that I won't be able to stop the opponent's attack ..."

"The question just now was purely about a hypothetical situation. It won't happen right away, so there's no need to worry about it. I'll think about whether we can deal with it without relying on Kent and his genus."

"Understood. I'm sorry for letting the blood rush to my head and my words becoming rough."

When I lowered my head, Klaus-san smiled as usual.

"Ahh, don't worry about it. With you being an adventurer like that, you won't be playing around. I only stopped it because we still have things to talk about. After the talk about Barshania is over, you can swear at each other or fight each other as you like."

"Father, you just said that you were speaking as the Lord of Volzard. Something like that would be a problem."

"Oops, that's right. How is it, Kent. My heir is excellent, isn't he?"

"Yes, he's reliable."

"Then, let's talk about Barshania."

I talked to Augusto-san once, but I didn't report it to Klaus-san, so I talked about the schedule of the wedding, including the state of the banquet.

Baldini furrowed his brows and glared at me as I spoke, but he seemed to be listening to Klaus-san anyway.

"I see, Barshania would like to use this opportunity to convince Resenburg that they can't mess with them. One city was destroyed by a Gigas, and many knights were also sacrificed. It seems that there are people who want to start a civil war within the country, and they probably don't want others to get involved from the outside."

"Do you think the skull of the Gigas will act as a deterrent to Mungia?"

"Who knows, I don't know about that unless I ask the people of Mungia, but as the Imperial Family of Bashania, I guess they want to keep Mungia under control, even if it means taking such measures."

"I see ... Come to think of it, what is the relationship between Barshania and Felciane?"

"Nn? Barshania and Felciane, is it, how is it Augusto."

Augusto-san, who was put on the spot by Klaus-san, explained with a wry smile.

"Barshania and Felciane are said to maintain a friendly relationship on the surface. Barshania is a country based on agriculture, and Felciane is a country based on dairy farming, so they supplement each other's lacking parts through trade. However, as is the case with any country, there are places where disputes over territorial rights are taking place near the borders of the countries. One of the parties involved is the dissident Mungia of Barshania."

"Is the issue of territorial rights also the cause of Mungia's dissatisfaction with the Barshanian Imperial Family?"

"That's right. I don't think either Barshania or Felciane want to fight a wasteful battle. However, as a party, they are not convinced. That's why it's a conflict."

Japan also had territorial disputes over island nations such as the Northern Territories and Takeshima.

Fortunately, no armed clashes have occurred, but if this was a place connected by land, it would be even more dangerous.

"Umm, Klaus-san. What about Landhelt? Are there any conflicts between the seven cities?"

"Landshelt is it ... How is it, Augusto."

It was hard to tell if he was trying to get him to gain experience or if he was just taking it easy, but Augusto-san explained with a wry smile.

"So far, nothing that seems to be a conflict has occurred in Landshelt. While each of the seven cities have their own uniqueness, they are still relatively rich financially. They're not driven enough to think about invading another city."

"It's Marburg that borders Volzard, isn't it?"

"That's right, but the relationship between our house and Marburg is good so far. Marburg's main town is on the other side of the Rivarre Pass, but the border of the territory is on this side of the pass. In other words, if we look at it from a tactical point of view, even though we have conditions that make it easy for us to capture it, we won't interfere in any way, so we've built a relationship of trust."

"Bakkenheim and Marburg too?"

"Bakkenheim is a big customer for Marburg, a minerals-based industry. Making their relationship worse would be like strangling themselves."

"And, there was also the Irosun Great Forest."

"That's right, for now, Volzard doesn't have to fight with the surrounding countries or territories. If we add a relationship with Barshania, we can increase the stability even more."

"If our relationship with Barshania is useful, wouldn't it be better if Aniue takes the Princess as his wife."

Baldini spoke without permission, but Klaus-san just frowned and didn't say anything.

"Dii, I can't meet Barshania's demands."

"So, you're saying this brat is better than Aniue?"

"Right. Barshania's desire is to obtain iron, to be a restraint against Mungia, and to be able to keep watch over Resenburg. I can't meet any of Barshania's demands. It's only natural that the Princess of Barshania would marry Kent."

"This guy, isn't his power given to him by someone else."

"Even so, there is no change in the fact that Kent is the one with the power."

I think Baldini probably understood it in his head, but he couldn't understand his emotions because he wasn't blessed with magic.

Klaus-san threw in a word at that.

"Baldini, do you want to take Kent's place?"

"N, no, that's why ..."

"Riche, Yuika, Manon, and the Princess of Barshania, you may think you would be happy to have a number of women attend you, but I wouldn't want to take Kent's place. Just how many times have you almost died since then?"

Klaus-san asked while smiling really happily.

"Umm ... About three times."

"How did you almost die."

"I was made to walk alone in the Devil's Forest at night without being informed of anything, and had my guts eaten by Goblins, I was skewered from behind with a sword by a knight of Resenburg, and an assassin from Japan almost decapitated me with a wire and hung me up."

"Seriously, I'm amazed you're alive."

"Yes, I think so too."

At that time, I was completely absorbed at that time, but in retrospect, I think it was pretty dangerous.

Putting aside the first Goblin incident, the latter two incidents happened after I got my genus, so I guess I was pretty careless.

From now on, I didn't intend to step into such dangerous situations, but since I would have four wives, I would need to think about my own safety as well.

"Baldini, humans have places where they are suitable to display their talents, but there are also times when it is a position or occupation that does not suit them. When one finds out, it's up to them to decide whether to accept the position or continue on their own path. You should choose the path you like. But, don't be envious of or begrudge others. Even if you do that, happiness won't come rolling in. Good luck only comes to those who believe in their own talents and struggle."

Baldini listened intently to Klaus-san's words, but I didn't know how much he was convinced.

"If you want to succeed me and become the Lord of Volzard, show me the strength that Augusto will be satisfied with. If you want to take Kent's place, show me the power that surpasses Kent. If you don't want to fulfill your duties as a Lord, I don't mind you becoming an adventurer. Why don't you try harvesting at the Livre Plantation like Kent or apprenticing as a gardener? It's your life, live it how you like. However, as the Feudal Lord's family, you've lived a decent life with the taxes of the people in the city, so you have to work hard to pay it back. Once you've done that, you can do whatever you want for a living, live in whichever city you want, and live with whatever kind of women you want."

Baldini just nodded silently at Klaus-san's words.

"Well then, I think I'm going to push a lot of troubles on you this year, but I'm counting on you, son-in-law."

"Yes, I understand, father-in-law."

"Fuu ... Come to think of it, what are you going to do with your house? It seems like you've planted a huge tree and created a huge pond."

"Ahh, that's right. I'm thinking of asking Herman-san, the carpenter, to do it for me after the New Year holidays."

"I see, you should talk to the magic tool shop as well."

"Ehh, the magic tool shop?"

"It's natural, it should be about the same size as this place, kitchen, bath, toilet, etc., fire magic tools for cooking, magic tools for heating, it's going to be many times more than for a normal house."

"I see, that's right. Well then, I'll go ask Nott-san."

"It looks like you've become familiar with carpenters, magic tool shops, and other places."

"Yes, everyone has been taking care of me."

"Aren't your connections already wider than in your original city?"

"Ah!, that may be so ..."

When I lived in Tokyo, even the neighbors in my apartment complex only greeted me when I met them in the hallways or elevators.

That didn't mean I was in need of it, but if I think about my connections in the city, I felt that Volzard was much wider than Hikarigaoka.

"Kent, I'm counting on you for our town, Volzard."

"Yes! I'll do my best again this year."

As Klaus-san said, Volzard was already my hometown.