Chapter 49

Chapter 49 – Confronting the Marquis (2)

Marquis Foltaine, who had been watching, stepped forward with a smile.

“Did you say this child was highly valued by the Count’s family? Like a child of their own, as you said.”

“Y-Yes, that’s correct.”

“Child, because of you, I lost my son.”

Marquis Foltaine spoke in a subtle tone.

“You didn’t treat that son like your son, though.”

“A father’s heart is not visible to others.”

“Anyone listening might think I killed your child.”

“You did, in essence.”

“So you wish me dead?”

“Quite the opposite, in fact.”

“What?”

“What if you took his place?”

“Oho.”

I couldn’t help but let out a small exclamation.

Look at this old man, would you?

“I’m quite popular.”

Saying this, I looked at Baron Tucker.

The anxiety on his face had doubled.

His eyes were shifting nervously, and even his pupils were darting around.

“Are you trying to pressure the child? That’s quite shameless of you, Baron Tucker.”

“Shameless, you say? Is that something you should be saying, my lord?”

“Isn’t it you who turned to me first? With Viscount Rodri, no less.”

“......!”

Baron Tucker bit his lip, guilty as charged.

“I didn’t bring it up to criticize you. It’s just that people’s hearts change with circumstances.”

Baron Tucker looked at me with a last glimmer of hope.

“You won’t go, right?”

“......”

“Why aren’t you answering? Hm? Is it because I’ve been nagging? I won’t do it anymore. I was only thinking of you.”

“Hmm.”

“You just said ‘mhmm’, right?”

“Let’s hear him out first, shall we?”

I crushed Baron Tucker’s expectations mercilessly.

“What value have you placed on me, my lord?”

“How much do you think?”

“When buying something which is not for sale, isn’t it the buyer’s job to name the price first?”

Marquis Foltaine nodded, his expression one of approval.

“I asked you to take the place of my child.”

“I decline to fill the spot of a mere namesake bastard.”

“Of course, you should.”

Marquis Foltaine smiled and took a few more steps forward.

The nearby guards started to follow immediately.

“Stand down.”

“But, sir.”

“It’s fine.”

“......Understood, sir.”

There wasn’t a trace of concern.

It meant they trusted their lord completely.

“Shall we take a short walk together? How about it?”

I glanced at Baron Tucker before nodding my head.

“That sounds good.”

* * *

Reaper Scans

[Translator – San]

[Proofreader – Abstract]

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* * *

A forest path not far from the plains.

Leaving everyone else behind, the two of us walked in here alone.

‘I know I’m impressive, but this old man is also by no means ordinary.’

No matter how young I might be, he must have heard the rumors about me.

Even after that knight under his command, named Tomato or something, had lost his life by my hand, he showed no hesitation in his actions.

Moreover, the important thing was,

“It seems you didn’t learn this from your parents.”

“Excuse me?”

“Didn’t teach you to never follow a stranger who offers you candy?”

The remarkable thing was that he seemed more worried about me than himself.

I silently watched the face of Marquis Foltaine as he spoke.

His expression was incredibly serious.

“In a place like this, if someone were to die unnoticed, no one would ever know.”

It wasn’t just his expression and words.

Marquis Foltaine deliberately displayed his aura.

The sharp killing intent pricked my skin all over.

“Are you threatening me?”

“You dared to lay a hand on my child. Even if you die here by my hand, it wouldn’t be unjust.”

“Then perhaps you should have raised your child better.”

“......?”

“Huh?”

“Two questions I want to ask you, after.”

“Heh, alright. What’s your answer?”

“If you are asking about my immediate dream......”

While my true intention is to bring down the empire with this sword, I can’t say that directly.

“......It is to represent this country in the Master Tournament.”

“The...... Master Tournament?”

Marquis Foltaine’s eyes widened in surprise.

At the same time.

“Hahahahahaha!”

A booming laugh erupted, louder than ever before.

“You are truly a funny one. Aren’t you from the Duchy of Meeke? Why would you want to represent this country in the Master Tournament?”

“Due to unavoidable circumstances, I cannot return home.”

“You wish to make a name for yourself and return home proudly? I see, I see. Hahaha.”

It wasn’t entirely a lie.

It’s just that the home I referred to wasn’t what he thought.

“It won’t be easy.”

“With your help, Marquis, it might be possible.”

“Of course.”

Marquis Foltaine was a man full of pride.

“However, if your goal is to participate in the Master Tournament, my support alone won’t be enough.”

“There are four other marquises and three dukes above them in this country.”

“That’s right. A foreigner has never participated in the Master Tournament before. It’s a prestigious position representing the country, and one’s lineage can’t be overlooked. Even those dukes are eager to showcase their swordsmanship in the empire. You’ll need the king’s permission, as well as approval from the highest-ranking nobles.”

“A dream is just a dream, after all. Seeing this country fall apart in real-time, I wonder if I should cross the border and go elsewhere.”

“That’s not a bad thought.”

That was enough of a prelude.

“Now, it’s my turn.”

“Ask away.”

“Will you really spare my life?”

Marquis Foltaine’s smile deepened.

“Why, are you scared now?”

“Honestly, considering what I did to your White Lion Brigade, I wouldn’t let it go if I were you. And we agreed not to lie, so if you intend to spare me, I’ll move on to my next question.”

“Heh heh heh, that’s an odd question. I can always train new subordinates. Why would I kill you?”

“Do you mean that?”

Marquis Foltaine nodded.

“It might sound like boasting, but I have a merchant’s intuition.”

“That indeed is a boast.”

“In that sense, you appear to me as a rare treasure, one without an owner. Acquiring you would be more valuable than training the entire White Lion Brigade.”

“Then, my next question.”

I tensed up.

Even though he promised, a sudden attack was still possible.

“What is your relationship with the Empire?”

“......”

After a moment of silence, Marquis Foltaine answered surprisingly straightforwardly.

“We exchange what we need.”

“So, a business relationship.”

“Does that answer your question?”

“Yes, it does.”

An expected answer.

“One last question.”

“Wasn’t that the last one?”

“Since you broke the order first, allow me this.”

“Heh heh heh.”

“This is actually my most curious question, so please answer sincerely.”

Marquis Foltaine silently nodded in agreement.

“How strong are you in this country? I’m asking in comparison to the official masters of the Kingdom of Hart, including the three dukes.”

If negotiations break down, I need to fight this old man again.

With my current capabilities, this is the most important thing to know.

“Well...... isn’t that something you’d only know after a fight?”

“......!”

A surprising answer.

At the very least, he didn’t say he’d lose.

In other words.

‘He considers himself at least on their level.’

It’s not unusual.

Throughout history, there have always been such people.

‘Unofficial’ masters not recognized by the state.

Results of state-level secret weapon programs.

People who preferred to remain unknown.

Or sudden prodigies like myself.

Shiiing.

A cool metallic sound resonated.

Marquis Foltaine had drawn his cherished sword.

A half-curved blade, with about three centimeters of the blade bent.

There was no killing intent, so I quietly observed.

“This is a sabre.”

“I know.”

Marquis Foltaine’s smile deepened at my response.

“Would you like to test it— my strength?”