CH 63

The little wise man

Translated by SoundOfDestiny

Edited by Zil

Heading east to conquer the traitorous noblemen, Raidorl was joined by Saara Raifet, who had preceded him as a messenger.

It was already late in the evening when the knight came to the tent where Raidorl had pitched his camp, and beside her was a boy of about twelve or three years of age.

“I’m back, Your Highness Raidorl, Captain Darren. Well, this is the boy.” 

“It’s a pleasure to meet you. His Royal Highness the King’s Brother Raidorl Zain. Ronald Arbeil’s third son. My name is Sven Arbeil.

Without waiting for Saara to introduce him, the boy bowed politely and said his name.

“You’re the son of the Earl of Arbeil?　I’m surprised you survived…….”

Darren’s eyes widened as he looked at the boy’s face.

Although Raidorl had only heard of him by name, Count Ronald Arbeil was a patriotic nobleman who was the first to send troops to meet the Empire when it breached the border.

If it had not been for the efforts of Earl Arbeil, the fortress of Blaine would have fallen before Raidorl had time to send reinforcements.

“Yes, my father and two brothers helped me escape, and I survived. When I escaped from the Earl of Arbeil, I went to live with my uncle, Viscount Ulfert.”

“I see. …… The Earl of Arbeil was a truly splendid man, a model for all the noblemen of the realm. My father, Bazel, admired his valor.”

“Thank you, I’m sure my father would have been delighted to be recognised by General Garst, the Protector of the Realm.”

The boy, who looks very clever, relaxes his eyes in delight at Darren’s praise. He looks strong, but his face is young for his age.

“Well?What does the son of the Earl of Arbeil want with us?”

Raidorl interrupted the conversation between them.

Raidorl didn’t want  to ruin the boy’s happiness, but he couldn’t help wondering why Sven, who was under the protection of Viscount Ulfert, had come here.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I have come here to show the Countess of Arbeil …… that, although I and a few of my vassals are the only ones left, we do not intend to support the defection of Viscount Ulfert. From now on, I will surrender myself to His Highness Prince Raidorl.”

“Ha?”

Raidorl glanced at the thousand-horse chief next to him. Darren nodded his head in agreement.

“The loyalty of the Earls of Arbeil, however protected by the renegade Viscount Ulfert, is beyond all doubt. Taking into account the fact that he surrendered himself, it is unlikely that any action will be taken against the Earls of Arbeil.”

“Well, that’s good to know.”

Raidorl nodded his head in satisfaction.

It’s not an enjoyable scene to see the Earls of Arbeil being punished for fighting for their lives and being destroyed, even though they had nothing to do with it. 

Raidorl patted the boy on the shoulder and said something to him.

“So it seems. We will take you into our custody. You can relax at your leisure until the battle is over.”

“I am very grateful for your kind words. I’m sure you’ll be pleased to know that I’ll be able to help you with your conquest of Viscount Ulfert.” 

“Hmm?　What do you mean?”

Raidorl tilted his head at the words of the small boy, who was no taller than his own waist.

“I know all about the structure of the town, the relationships and the inner workings of the Viscount Ulfert family. I think I can help you to bring down the Viscounts.”

“Well, that’s interesting. So what do you want in return?”

This is a boy who is willing to help in a war, and against a family he is related to. It is natural to think that he has a purpose. 

“…………”

In response to Raidorl’s question, Sven took a breath and opened his mouth as if he had made up his mind.

“I would like you to allow me to be the new head of the family and to restore the Earls of Arbeil. And, if possible, I would like His Highness Raidorl to be my guardian.” 

“Huh, guardianship.?”

Raidorl ruminates on Sven’s words in his head.

As a surviving member of the Count’s family, Sven’s desire for reinstatement is reasonable.

But why would he ask for himself as his guardian?

“If you want backing, I’m sure there are more suitable aristocrats. I’m …… well, I think I’m pretty poorly off, if I do say so myself, don’t I?”

At any rate, the king, who is the supreme authority in the country, does not like him and wants to exclude him.

To have Raidorl at his back would be to put himself in the middle of that political struggle.

“If you mean that His Highness is at odds with His Majesty Granard, I am prepared to accept that.”

“…… I don’t think, you don’t understand the situation. How can you follow me when you know that I’m having a fight with Granard?”

“Your Highness is a hero who defeated the imperial army and for me, you avenged my father and brother. And……with all due respect, it seems to me that your highness still has few allies.” 

“That’s true, but……”

As Sven mentioned, Raidorl’s allies in the Kingdom of Zain are few and far between.

The only people in Raidorl’s camp at the moment are the maid Neimilia, some members of the adventurer’s guild, and Darren and his men.

It’s a developing force, but it doesn’t have the resources to challenge the king.

Why would Sven want to join the curtain when he knew that Raidorl was at a disadvantage?

The boy answered Raidorl’s question with a straight look.

“If you want to ride a winning horse, it’s never too early. If you can win, you can not only restore the Earl of Arbeil, but also make him a great nobleman with strong influence in the heart of the country.” 

“…..”

At Sven’s answer, Raidorl couldn’t help but laugh.

It seems that the boy in front of him is a great gambler.

He has lost his home, he has lost his family, and now he wants to use his life as a chip to help the Earls of Arbeil rise.

“Haha, you call me a horse, even though I’m royalty. You’re a lively little shit, aren’t you?”

“I thought your Highness would prefer that to a child with a good ear. Was I wrong?”

“’No, but you’re right.”

Raidorl laughed, his shoulders shaking.

The boy, Sven Arbeil, is not just a child. He is a very clever strategist.

With this boy on his side, he must surely be one of the fangs that will eventually pierce Granard.

“Sometimes I have to travel afar, don’t I? I’ve picked up a few things I didn’t expect.”

“So, little warlord, how on earth do you propose to defeat the Viscount Ulfert?　If you’ve got a plan, let’s hear it.”

“Yes, of course. My Lord.”

With an innocent boyish smile, Sven described his plan to bring down the noble family he had once been a part of.