Interlude 3
That Man, Gorman
Translator : PolterGlast
"It's been 12
years already, hasn't it...? To inherit the Viscountcy and then, I, who once
detested the Solis family so much, would desire him to marry my beloved
daughter—this, too, must be a strange twist of fate." Viscount Gorman
suddenly murmured to himself in his room.
Looking back, the year
I inherited the Viscountcy was the same year my daughter Yuka was born.
Originally, I was the
third son of the Gorman Viscount family, far removed from the position of
successor. Because of this, I was free from the rigid customs and entanglements
of nobility.
However, in Kyle
Calendar Year 487, when I was 21, the neighboring southern country, with which
we shared a border, was invaded and destroyed by the Gryphonia Empire. It was at
this moment that I felt the gears of my fate began to turn awry.
Until our neighboring
country was destroyed by the Empire, relations with that country had been good,
and Kyle Kingdom had enjoyed a long period of peace. One could say we were
naive from peace. Therefore, even when faced with that crisis, everyone
remained optimistic.
But the reality was
not so kind. As we came to directly border the Gryphonia Empire, our southern
border quickly became tense.
Two years after the
fall of our friendly nation, as the signs of war became truly serious, I
married the daughter of a certain Knight Baron. I thought that the kingdom's
law, which stipulated that noble offspring should marry within noble families,
had nothing to do with me, the third son of a Viscount family, holding no title
myself. In fact, even for nobles, the kingdom's law was extremely lenient
towards second and third sons who were not expected to inherit territory and
held no title.
※
Towards the end of the
year I was married, the Gryphonia Empire finally crossed the border and invaded
Kyle Kingdom.
In response, my eldest
brother and I led our armies, participated in the border defense, and fought
desperately. It was a terrible war. The Kyle Kingdom army, which had enjoyed a
long period of peace, struggled greatly against the battle-hardened Imperial
army, and the front lines collapsed everywhere.
Although the Royal
Capital Knights rushed to the front and managed to halt the invasion, my eldest
brother, who was the head of the Viscount family, also lost his life in this
battle.
※
Still, the Gorman
Viscount family managed to rebuild, as my second elder brother, though sickly,
was talented in internal affairs and succeeded as the head.
On the battlefield
where my eldest brother, the head of the Gorman family, lost his life, there
was one Knight Baron who alone gained renown. What I couldn't accept was that
this man was promoted to Baron due to his military achievements and became the
lord of the neighboring territory, which had lost its ruling family due to the
death of its head in battle. I felt that the honor of my eldest brother, who
fought with his life and protected the country, had been stolen by this
upstart. Though I believed that the man was innocent, I couldn't honestly
accept the reality.
※
After that, further
misfortune struck the Gorman Viscount family. My second elder brother, who was
originally weak, died of a prevalent illness.
There was no one left
to succeed but me. Neither my eldest nor my second eldest brother had male
heirs to succeed them. Naturally, the Gorman family fell into chaos.
For me to succeed as
Viscount, I had to marry a new noble wife, according to the kingdom's law. But
I wanted to choose my wife over becoming a lord. Even if I couldn't inherit the
Gorman Viscount family, my wife and our unborn child were most important to me.
This turmoil caused a
split in opinion among the retainers, leading to chaos in the Gorman family.
And finally, the Count family, the main line of the Gorman Viscount family, intervened
to resolve the situation.
At this point, my
wife, fearing that she would become a burden on the Gorman Viscount family and
my future, made a decision alone and silently left me, pregnant. One of the
Count family's daughters was sent to become my wife, and I inherited the Gorman
Viscount family. And that year, my former wife, who had left me, gave birth to
our daughter Yuka in secret.
I cursed my own
inadequacy and resented the unjust fate of nobility, the kingdom that created
these shackles. In reaction, I eventually became an arrogant, narrow-minded man
who clung to the forms of nobility, always hiding his emotions, with a
perpetually sullen frown. From that time on, I changed... into arrogance. And I
became lonely.
※
Several years later,
my former wife passed away from illness. Hearing the news, I couldn't stay
still and rode my horse to her family home. I then broke down crying before her
remains.
"Uncle, does it
hurt somewhere? It's okay."
It was young Yuka,
still a child, bearing a slight resemblance to my former wife, who comforted me
as I wept.
At that moment, I
resolved to take in Yuka, who had lost her mother and whose grandparents had
also passed away, leaving her no one to rely on. I believed it was my duty,
entrusted by my deceased former wife, to raise her properly as the Viscount's
daughter.
I had nothing left to
fear. Even if my current wife rejected it, and even if her family, the Count
house, voiced complaints, I arrogantly refused. And finally, they relented.
They would allow her to be raised in the Viscount family, but a daughter
without a unique skill would not be recognized as a family member. If, by any
chance, Yuka awakened to bloodline magic as a unique skill, then she would be
recognized as a member of the Viscount family, as the eldest daughter. I
thought this was acceptable if it meant Yuka could live without daily hardship
and in peace, and I formally took her in as my daughter.
But later, I regretted
my naivete. The environment surrounding Yuka was not kind. Unbeknownst to me,
my daughter endured and fought alone.
My current wife, being
from a Count family, had high pride. One might say they were like-minded, but
she was an arrogant woman who clung to status. Apparently, when I wasn't
around, she would disparage Yuka as a "low-born" or
"commoner," treating her harshly. Similarly, many who lived in the
mansion, including the steward who accompanied my wife to the Viscount's
territory, were influenced by the Count family. There was no one in the Gorman
Viscount family, or rather, among those working primarily at the mansion, who
was on Yuka's side.
※
At that time, I was
often preoccupied with countermeasures against things like the sharp fall and
rise in grain prices within the territory, running around every day. I heard
that the 【Merchant Baron】 of the neighboring territory was, as a merchant,
exploiting unfortunate events to further his business, making enormous profits.
"Such lowly
conduct is unbecoming of a noble!" I judged him thus and disliked him even
more. I had always had my reservations about him, and it was unpleasant to
speak with him, so I entrusted all dealings with the neighboring territory to
my steward. This steward himself was a rather dubious character...
I, who was more adept
at military matters than internal affairs, harbored resentment towards this
steward pushed upon me by the Count family. However, I had no choice but to
leave internal affairs to him. Little did I know that this would become the
root cause of later misgovernment and bad reputation:
·
The exaggerated insults and verbal abuse that stemmed
from my own leaked words.
·
The arrogant attitude and behavior towards aid
received from neighboring territories.
·
The numerous merciless policies and victims caused by
misgovernance towards the citizens.
·
The unauthorized imitation and baseless accusations
regarding the neighboring territory's invention (the waterwheel).
And many more; if I
were to list them all, there would be no end.
Though it was my own
doing, I later learned of these arrogant behaviors, and I became enraged and
ashamed of my own ignorance. However, due to the presence of the Count family,
I merely curtailed his authority but did not go as far as to dismiss the
steward.
※
Then, someone extended
a helping hand to remove the troublesome steward and his faction! Upon
investigation, I found that the actions of a mere boy, not even 10 years old,
from the neighboring territory had aided me. There was a great flood, the likes
of which hadn't been seen in decades, but as a result, the damage was extremely
small compared to the scale of the disaster, and the territory was saved. This
was because his child had foreseen the flood and conveyed that advice to us.
He, or perhaps his wife? Even granted us an Earth Mage, whom we were supposed to
borrow for the sake of our territory.
Because of this, I was
able to look at the neighboring territory with an open mind. And I succeeded in
dismissing the steward and his faction, who had ignored my instructions for
flood countermeasures, neglected to act on the "delusions" from the
neighboring territory, and caused damage to some farmlands and citizens. I
became interested in his child. And as I investigated him further, astonishing
facts came to light one after another. From then on, I began to pay close
attention to his movements.
※
Hearing that a
crossbow tournament, which had aided us in the Southern Gate Annihilation
Battle, was being held in the neighboring territory, I, despite the previous
circumstances, humbled myself and participated. The experience there was
astonishing.
The high skill of the
citizens with crossbows, the accuracy of the winning girl's archery, the
militarization of the entire populace and the system to establish it, the
planning and operation of the tournament—everything was splendid. After seeing
this tournament, the Gorman family immediately decided to adopt the initiatives
that this child was implementing.
During the dinner on
the night of the tournament, I was, as usual, alone. But then, that child
approached me and spoke, even to me, who adults usually avoided! To me, who
even adults usually scurried away from when I approached! I was incredibly...
happy.
On the spot, I wanted
to thank him for the flood incident... but I couldn't articulate it well. Had I
become so clumsy? I was ashamed of myself anew. It was a mysterious encounter
that made me feel I could be a little more honest with this child.
※
After returning to my
territory, I diligently worked on internal reforms, the utilization of
crossbows, and appointed trustworthy individuals. At that time, a very joyous
event occurred.
10-year-old Yuka was
able to wield the Gorman family's unique skill, bloodline magic! I rejoiced
more than anything at this.
"Now I can call
you 'Father' without any hesitation!"
Seeing my daughter cry
with joy, I finally realized the harsh environment my daughter had been in
until now, and how she had silently endured it. Until then, my daughter had
always willingly and with a smile approached me, someone whom everyone else
preferred to avoid. But I hadn't noticed that this kind daughter was always
suffering. I deeply regretted my inadequacy and apologized to my daughter anew.
From then on, I busied
myself with solidifying Yuka's position, placing trustworthy individuals by her
side, and protecting my daughter. With her ability to use bloodline magic,
Yuka, as the eldest daughter of the Gorman Viscount family, could no longer be
criticized by anyone.
※
It just so happened
that day I had an opportunity to talk with Yuka about the Mage in the
neighboring territory. In the frontier territory of Viscount Gorman, there
wasn't a single Mage other than those with bloodline magic. The neighboring
territory, which had been in a similar situation, seemed to have independently
discovered Mages and started new initiatives. This, too, was apparently being
spearheaded by the individual I was paying attention to. I felt a little
envious.
"Father, since
you're holding crossbow tournaments with the citizens, how about having
talented archers undergo aptitude confirmation for Wind Magic? The legends say,
'Those beloved by the wind use bows skillfully.'"
"!"
That's right! It's a
perfect opportunity, I should definitely adopt it.
"Also, those with
talent in music, for example, people who can perceive all sounds as musical
scales, might they also have the talent for Sound Magic?"
"!"
So that's how one
could look at it! I was astonished by the exchange with my daughter. Later,
according to Baron Solis (Takuhir), it's called "absolute pitch."
In the Viscount Gorman
territory, we spent a considerable amount of funds to have promising
individuals undergo rituals at the church one after another. Although the
probability wasn't high, as a result, we successfully acquired two Sound Mages
and two Wind Mages. Yuka's proposal brought a new wind to the Viscount Gorman
family. I was extremely happy.
※
Even after that, the
Imperial army continued to invade. The Southern Gate Bloody Battle was truly
tough. There were countless times when I, with unreliable allies, prepared for
defeat.
But he bravely rushed
forward to save the commander's crisis. What splendid resolve! I was filled
with admiration, and at the same time, I thought that I must not lose him.
Before I knew it, I was leading my cavalry troops and chasing after him,
rushing into the fray.
Taking this battle as
an opportunity, I became very close with him. He was frank with me. He would
speak candidly even about things that others, out of deference, would keep
silent about. I also trusted him and was able to be honest with myself. This
comfort was like being with Yuka.
※
Even after returning
from the war, I found myself talking about him more often in front of Yuka.
Yuka also seemed to have an extraordinary interest in him. I often found myself
thinking, I want to introduce him to her someday. And hopefully...
And one day, that
opportunity came. Seeing the two walking together, I projected my future dreams
onto them.
However, he had an
astonishing secret. He already had four wives! I was stunned, feeling my dream
vanish fleetingly, and was speechless.
But as I listened to
it, it seemed there was still room for my wish to come true. Despite being in a
similar situation to my past self, he was making his wives happy. His wives,
too, seemed to be living with him, understanding the entanglements of nobility.
I realized the difference in "caliber" between him and me, and I
couldn't help but laugh.
If it were him, I
could entrust Yuka to him, and he would never neglect her. And Yuka,
understanding their positions, might get along well with his wives, perhaps?
And my daughter, being
a daughter of the Viscount Gorman family who can use bloodline magic, would
have no problem with the noble marriage customs.
I wouldn't even want
to consider marrying her off to some other noble's foolish son.
And being in the
neighboring territory, I could visit my daughter anytime. My desire for this
grew even stronger.
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