Chapter 76

Chapter 76 – The Empire’s Bold Merchant (1)

In the eerie silence of night, interrupted only by owl hoots.

Rumble, rumble, rumble!

Could this be the calm before the storm, like the sea before a tidal wave?

The atmosphere around Marquis Foltaine was just as quiet as it was intense. His determination was so palpable it could be felt by his opponent.

“......”

Duke Veder, the person in question, remained silent for a long time. Eventually, he lifted his head.

“......Your Highness, what kind of sorcery have you used?”

His gaze was fixed on me.

“Sorcery?”

“There’s a limit to how much a person can change overnight. This is too much, don’t you think?”

“......”

I stared silently into his eyes, which expressed his disbelief.

I don’t know what kind of person Andrew von Meeke was before, what kind of life he led, or what experiences he had gone through.

The little memories I have as Andrew are scattered and incomplete.

However,

‘At the very least, it seems you’ve lived a life as troubled as my own child.’

As the thought crossed my mind,

“......Heh heh heh.”

That damned laugh slipped out, recalling Andy. My child would have felt the same. He would have longed for his father, who had left for the battlefield.

Then, he was captured as the child of a traitor and died a meaningless death because of his incompetent father.

‘Andrew von Meeke. I won’t waste the second chance you’ve given me.’

Perhaps this is fate as well. A life not so different from Andy’s. This time, I’ll try to prevent the same outcome.

The heavens seemed to be telling me that.

“Laughing in such a situation...... You’re not the 7th Prince I know. Is there perhaps another soul inside you?”

“Who knows.”

I replied nonchalantly. Duke Veder had already made his decision. The hostility in his gaze had completely vanished.

He sighed.

“Continuing this conversation is meaningless. As such, I’ll take my leave.”

“I won’t bid you farewell.”

“......Your Highness.”

“......?”

“I genuinely look forward to the day you return.”

It was a curious statement. ‘Is he threatening me?’ If not a threat, then?

‘......It must mean he harbors some resentment.’

Not everyone is as progressive as the nobles of the Kingdom of Hart. In fact, they’re more likely the minority.

The more a person has, the more they fear change.

Step, step, step. Duke Veder disappeared beyond the path, without a trace of hesitation.

“......”

Only an old man with hair white under the moonlight remained. Perhaps it was because of what he had said earlier, but now even those gray hairs seemed somewhat different.

“Thank you for your help, Marquis.”

“Just words?”

His gruff voice pierced my eardrums immediately.

“Then, how should I express my gratitude?”

“It’s simple. Become my son. That’s all I need.”

“......”

I quietly looked down at Marquis Foltaine, who had said this.

“Is it because of your deceased eldest son?”

“......!”

Marquis Foltaine flinched for a moment.

“Did you hear?”

“Just bits and pieces.”

“......If I had a son like you, whether it was bandits, pirates, or thieves, they wouldn’t turn tail and run. You’re skilled enough to cut them all down.”

“But if someone stronger than me stood in my way, who knows what I would do. A person’s true nature comes out in a real crisis.”

Marquis Foltaine shook his head without hesitation.

“No.”

“......?”

“The you I know would rather sacrifice yourself than leave your family behind. You understand shame, and you have a sense of honor.”

“You speak as if you know me better than I know myself.”

However,

“We will follow His Majesty’s command.”

“Please proceed as you see fit.”

Only Duke Herman and Marquis Foltaine expressed their support, one after the other. They must have come all this way just to voice their approval.

Of course, the remaining grand nobles were opposed.

“It’s unacceptable. What merit does he have to receive a title?”

Duke Kairos was the first to voice his anger. He never liked me or those two in the first place.

“Moreover, have you forgotten? He is a prince from another country. Considering future relations with the Meeke Principality, I believe even the knight title previously granted to him should be revoked.”

The other five grand nobles each presented their own opinions. The problem was that their reasons were not without merit.

“There’s no precedent for this. Once a precedent is set, it becomes custom. We must be cautious, Your Majesty. Honestly, granting him a knight title was already crossing the line.”

“New wine should be put into new wineskins. Why not let the new king decide?”

“We can’t just hand out noble titles to anyone.”

“The majority is against it. I’ll follow the majority.”

“......I am against it.”

With that, they all withdrew from the discussion. Just from listening to their opinions, it was clear that the grand nobles of this country each had strong personalities.

“Six against two. The decision is made. You cannot grant him a title, Your Majesty.”

Finally, when Duke Kairos withdrew—

“How insolent!”

Even Melio II, uncharacteristically, burst out in anger.

“We shall take our leave as well.”

Duke Herman and Marquis Foltaine, the only ones who maintained decorum, quietly led me away.

“It’s karma, but I do feel a bit sorry for him.”

I spoke up at Marquis Foltaine’s remark.

“I didn’t expect the two of you to side with His Majesty.”

“We weren’t siding with the king, but with you. If you had a title, the Meeke Principality couldn’t openly threaten to take you back. After all, you’d be a noble.”

This was rather touching.

“In that case, we’ll have to convince the new king.”

“Don’t be too disappointed. Tomorrow is the coronation of the new king.”

I wasn’t particularly disappointed, but they seemed to think I needed some consolation. After each said what they wanted to say, they soon disappeared from sight.

‘A title, huh......’

Now that I think about it, having one might not be so bad. I needed some credible backing, and a position could be a driving force for gathering people.

***

Finally, it was the day of the new king’s coronation.

“Stay quietly in your room today. It wouldn’t be good to catch the eyes of the people from the Meeke Principality.”

I carefully observed Duke Herman’s face as he said this.

“Is something wrong?”

“......Did it show?”

“Yes.”

At my reply, Duke Herman sighed.

“It seems the Empire has no intention of leaving quietly.”

“What do you mean?”

“After the coronation, there will be diplomatic events. The next one is planned to take place here in our country.”

There was no need to move the venue unnecessarily. I understood that much.

“The event is meant to strengthen unity among smaller nations in the face of the Empire, but the Empire wants to participate? Other nations won’t be pleased.”

“That’s the problem. Since it’s happening here, our country will have to take the blame.”

“Ah......”

I was beginning to understand the situation.

“Of course, the other delegations won’t welcome the Empire’s presence. But at the same time, we can’t just kick out guests who are already here, can we?”

If they expelled them, they’d have to deal with the Empire’s wrath. If they didn’t, the other countries would be upset.

It was a real dilemma.

“It will likely be the new king’s first test.”

“Hmm......”

After a moment of thought, a smile crept onto my lips.

“I think I might have a way to deal with that.”

“Huh?”

Dealing with the Empire has always been my specialty, even in my previous life.

“Please gather the other grand nobles as well.”

“Why them?”

“You saw yesterday, didn’t you? They told me to earn my title, so I’ll do just that.”

***