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101 The Duke's
Swift Reversal
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Translator : PolterGlast
I was thinking of
entering a dungeon to keep my body from getting rusty when a messenger from the
Duke arrived. He wanted me to come to his mansion right away.
Wondering what the
matter was, I headed to the Duke's estate, where he sat waiting for me.
Of course, he summoned
me, but why is he here? Wasn't he supposed to be buried under a mountain of
paperwork in Kerniff by now?
"Your Grace, it's
been a while."
Even I can manage an
adult greeting, you know.
"Baron
Footscythel. It's been a while. It seems that trouble never ceases wherever you
go."
That makes it sound
like I'm a troublemaker. What is this Duke trying to say?
I'm not a
troublemaker; trouble comes looking for me. That goes for bandits, for Akaba
and the others, for corrupt officials, and even for demons.
Besides, bandits and
corrupt officials proliferated because the country and the nobility were lax,
and the demons didn't even specifically target me.
"Hearing about
the demon subjugation, I dropped everything and rushed back to the capital.
Hahaha."
His face was smiling,
but his eyes were terrifying.
Apparently, shortly
after returning to his territory, he heard that the Grissom Demon had been subjugated.
Then, he received a summons from the Princess.
This time, he came all
the way to the capital on horseback, bringing Balkan and 100 elite soldiers.
Thanks to that, they arrived in the capital in seven days. It sounded like a
forced march, as they say.
"My, my, you must
be exhausted."
I sympathized with the
Duke's hardships, but what was with that look in his eyes? It was as if he was
blaming me. Absolutely not my fault!
"...Well, never
mind. Today's summons is about the reward for that demon subjugation. Since
this commotion happened in the capital, the Royal Family will bestow the
reward. Do you understand that?"
"Yes, the
Princess told me as much."
A maid poured
reddish-brown tea into the Duke's empty cup. It had a wonderful aroma, clearly
the highest quality, fitting for the Duke.
She poured me tea too.
I would have cried if mine had been cheap, but it was the same blend. The
lovely aroma filled my nostrils.
"To be frank, Her
Highness proposed promoting Baron Footscythel to viscount."
That kind of
discussion was expected after my previous conversation with the Princess. And I
already had an answer ready for it.
"And she said she
would grant you territory as well."
I had thought about
the territory too. Personally, I find territory bothersome, and I can't bear
the responsibility for the people living there. That feeling hasn't changed,
neither in the past nor now.
Still, it's something
that would give everyone a sense of purpose. I'm not a tyrant, so I decided to
accept the territory, considering my retainers. Of course, they'll have to work
like draft horses, but it's what they wanted.
"Also, the Royal
Family wishes to acquire the demon's orb. Of course, they will pay compensation
separate from the reward."
Honestly, I'd prefer
to keep the orb. I'd even accept it as a reward.
Even if the Royal
Family has the orb, they won't use it, will they? Didn't the orb the Duke
acquired from me before get presented to the Royal Family? Orbs aren't meant to
be locked away in a treasure vault; they have meaning only when used.
They should use its
power for national defense or dungeon countermeasures. Plus, it has various
other uses. My Rose's ability is a farmer's nightmare, and it's useful in
combat too.
I think the Royal
Family, who merely possesses orbs, doesn't deserve to have them.
"I'd like to use
the orb myself."
"Hmm, I see... I
will convey that to Her Highness, but I heard this demon was a mid-grade one.
It's a higher-ranking demon than the one that destroyed my castle. The Royal
Family will desperately want to obtain the orb."
"It's a waste of
a treasure if you possess something you don't even use."
"Just possessing
many orbs serves as a deterrent to other nations. Since using an orb grants
great power, other countries become less inclined to attack such a nation. Of
course, lunatics appear everywhere, but still."
If other countries
attack, I'll use orbs to create multiple spirit users. So don't attack.
Something like that, huh? If orbs are used for such purposes, then countries
with long histories must surely possess many orbs. How enviable.
If that's how orbs are
used, then it's not entirely incomprehensible why the Princess would
desperately want one.
"How many orbs
does the Royal Family possess?"
"As far as I
know, they have two mid-grade and thirteen low-grade."
"They don't have
any high-grade ones?"
"I heard they
used to, but they were forced to use a high-grade orb during a war with another
country."
Since even Rose,
summoned using a low-grade orb, is so useful, a high-grade one must truly
influence the tide of battle.
I really want the orb.
After hearing the explanation, I can't help but feel that way.
"Can orbs only be
obtained from demons?"
"No, I've heard
they can also be found in dungeon treasure chests. However, I heard it's
usually on very deep floors."
Oh, you can get them
in dungeons too. This is good. Even if someone sees me using Rose, I can just
say I found the orb in a dungeon. Hehehe.
I'm a sensible adult.
If the Princess insists, I'll concede this time. But if I find an orb in a
dungeon, I'll use it myself.
If anyone says
anything later, I'll just tell them it's my business what I do with my own
things.
"This is the only
time I'll compromise on the orb. Even if I obtain a high-grade orb in the future,
I won't give it up."
The Duke gazed at me
for a moment, then looked away and chuckled.
"That's for Her
Highness to negotiate herself. I have no say in it."
He ran away.
Since I'm nominally
the Duke's retainer, the Princess can't ignore the Duke this time. But if I
become a viscount and receive territory, I'll be independent of the Duke. Our
personal relationship might continue, but I apparently won't be a retainer of
the Ducal family anymore. So, in the future, the Duke won't intervene between
the Royal Family and me.
"I intend to
accept the viscount promotion. If I can receive territory, I will."
"Oh... I thought
you'd refuse. What changed your mind?"
"I discussed it with
my retainers and decided. Personally, my desire to avoid such troublesome
things hasn't changed."
"I see..."
Please don't look at
me like, "So, you've started thinking about your retainers too, huh?"
I believe I have enough consideration to think about everyone.
"Also, I have
just one condition, or rather, a request."
"Speak."
"Since it's an
opportunity, I'd like a territory with a dungeon."
"...That's quite
a difficult condition you've set."
"Is it that
difficult? Dungeons are bothersome things where monsters will overflow if you
don't hunt and thin them out, aren't they?"
"That's not the
issue. There are currently 14 known dungeons within the country. Three of them
are in direct royal domains. All of those are major cities, and the territories
are far too excessive for a viscount's family to hold."
I see... one is in the
capital, and the other two are also major cities, too much for a viscount. I
was hoping to earn money from the dungeon to fund the development of the
territory, but that won't happen.
"I will tell Her
Highness. But please expect that the dungeon matter will be difficult."
"Is that
so..."
"Don't look so
disappointed. Normally, people would be overjoyed just to be granted
territory."
"Is that how it
is, I wonder..."
To me, it holds no
appeal whatsoever. I'm only accepting this for the sake of my retainers.
As I was about to
leave, I remembered.
"I'm marrying
Annelise. I'm reporting it to you, Your Grace, as you've been very
helpful."
"Is that a casual
report to make...? Really, Baron Footscythel..."
The Duke was rubbing
his temples.
"You'll have a
grand wedding, won't you?"
"No, I was
thinking of keeping it just to family."
"That won't do.
Baron Footscythel will become a viscount. Even as a baron, you are still a
noble. If you have a family-only wedding, you'll be looked down upon."
"I think we
should just let those who want to look down on us do so?"
"That's not how
the world of nobles works."
"Is that how it
is, I wonder."
Don't look at me like,
"This guy's hopeless." I don't know anything about nobility. And I
don't intend to learn either.
"So, when are you
getting married?"
"Not for a while.
If I get territory, it would probably be after moving there. Oh, rest assured
that I intend to fulfill my promise with the Princess regarding the capital's
dungeon as soon as possible."
"In that case,
hold a grand ceremony in your territory. I will send someone knowledgeable to
assist you with that. Do not, under any circumstances, hold it with just
family."
"Haa, is that so..."
This is going to be a
pain~.
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