Chapter 124
(Kyle
Calendar Year 508: Age 15)
The
Headmaster's Invitation: Dangerous Tea Party
Translator : PolterGlast
The attendant waiting
outside brought in tea sets, and pastries and tea were arranged on the table.
In their eyes, I must have appeared as a student privileged to enjoy tea with
the Headmaster.
"Now, let us take
a break. First, let us enjoy some tea and a little chat. Do you know the term
'Noblesse Oblige' in this country, and its meaning?"
I brought the teacup
to my lips and nodded. I wanted to avoid saying anything unnecessary and being
caught by any tricky statements. Because of that, unlike my usual self, I was
trying to remain as silent as possible.
"The formation of
the Apprentice Knights last year was initiated by those who took this widely
held concept among the Kingdom's nobility too literally. It seems there were
also those who incited it, though. The term itself was left by the first King
Kyle. Well, even back then, there seem to have been similar concepts in other
countries."
Even in the modern era
where "Nishida" lived, it felt like a concept used by those at the
top to set an example, like British nobility, and in Japan's past, even the
Imperial Family. In fact, before the war, there were Imperial Family members
who served in the military, and the British Royal Family still does so today.
The word itself, perhaps because the language of "this world" is
automatically translated in my brain, is received without any sense of
incongruity.
"The first King
Kyle, even after becoming King, is said to have led the charge himself,
fighting monsters and protecting his people. Even in his old age, he reportedly
fought on the front lines against the army of an oppressive country at the
northern border, which was opened at that time. He imposed similar duties on the
nobility he established, instilling in noble children the awareness that they
were to be a cornerstone in protecting the country. Because of this, for about
200 years after the Kingdom's founding, whether royalty, heads of great noble
houses, or their children, they all reportedly took the initiative to go to the
battlefield and fight. There were quite a few casualties, it seems. Perhaps the
fact that nobles had many children as their duty was to compensate for
descendants who might be lost and to preserve the bloodline. In peaceful times,
this unfortunately led to a rapid increase in the number of nobles in Kyle
Kingdom..."
"Yes, I was
taught that it is a noble's duty for the head of a noble family to leave as
many children as possible."
"Preserving the
noble bloodline and ensuring descendants do not die out is a commendable duty.
On this point, it seems you two brothers are diligently upholding that
duty?"
Saying that, the
Headmaster smiled, with a slight hidden meaning.
"Well, your
brother, it seems, was going slightly astray. I had intended to give him a good
scolding, but... it seems there are sensible people within his household, are
there not?"
Brother Darek... it
seems things were quite dangerous for you, actually.
"Here, many are
looking for an opening. In that regard, you are well-prepared, aren't you? At
such a young age, you already have four wives, and you've even brought one of
them to the Royal Capital. If they are your wives, even high-ranking nobles wouldn't
be able to easily take them away without cause."
"..."
As I thought, this
person is not to be underestimated. So, he had already investigated Anne and
the others. Indeed, I had already officially registered my four wives for
future contingencies, and it would be discoverable if one investigated.
However, no one should care about the concubines of a mere Baron, not even a
ruling noble.
"No, no, as a
fellow man, it's an enviable story. Just a little chat over tea. There's no
need to worry."
No, no, you just stuck
a nail in the coffin, and now you're saying that? I thought, but I decided not
to mind, as it would be fine if it became public; in fact, it would serve as a
deterrent. The factors to be wary of the Headmaster were already too numerous
to care about each one individually.
"Now, shall we
change the topic? Besides 【Noblesse Oblige】, there are several
other sayings attributed to the first King Kyle. Let's see, a saying relevant
to you would be... 【granary】. The first King Kyle created a system for the people
to stockpile food as a national policy, in preparation for famine. At that
time, the granaries where food was stored were called Giso, and that's where it
all began. However, as the nation grew, this system was entrusted to each
ruling noble and eventually fell out of use. Your revival of it in Estol was a
wise decision."
"You knew that
too! Even about a frontier Barony... Honestly, I'm surprised."
"Ho ho ho, us old
folks have plenty of time, you see. And there's the pleasure of investigating
various things. By the way, do you know the term 【Hakuraku】?"
"Hakuraku?"
"Indeed. The
first King Kyle reportedly enjoyed using that term for himself, meaning the
ability to find talent in Mages. Do you recall, when you first visited here,
that you accurately answered my question about 【Hakuraku】? Your brother next to you was utterly dumbfounded."
Damn it! So, I had
already made a huge mistake.
"This term 【Hakuraku】, even in the first King Kyle's reign, no one used it after him, and in
this day and age, it's almost a lost word, along with its meaning. Yet, you
knew it. This is truly intriguing..."
"..."
Bad. Very bad! As
usual, I had automatically translated the word in my brain, and furthermore,
since it came from a person in "this world," I had reacted without
hesitation. So, he had set a trap from our very first meeting! I was intensely
agitated and almost spat out the tea in my mouth. I felt sweat break out all
over my body. I deeply realized my own naivete and carelessness.
At this point, there
was no use struggling. I decided to accept my fate, like a fish on a cutting
board, took a deep breath, and regained my composure.
"My, my, you've
outsmarted me. I've learned a lot." I faced him directly, accepted the
situation, and replied with a straightforward smile. I stopped trying to be
cautious with my words or cover up my mistakes.
"Ho ho ho...
You've failed the first test, but it seems there's still room for you to
pass." The Headmaster laughed gleefully.
"This is advice
from me, as your ally and as one who watches over you. First and foremost: from
your very first meeting, you should pay attention to your conversations with
others and be careful not to react carelessly. There are many sly old men like
me in the Royal Capital. From now on, there will be those who try to gauge you,
or even entrap you, through subtle conversational exchanges."
"Yes, I understand
now the value of your words and my own carelessness."
"Good. Secondly:
despite being called a 'tea-drinking chat,' you never lowered your guard around
me, did you? It's good to be cautious. But it's meaningless if the other party
sees through it. It's important to speak naturally and to give the other party
an opening to let their guard down. And what was fatal was that you were
agitated exactly as I intended and couldn't hide it at all."
"Yes, as you say.
I have no words to retort."
"Hmm, being honest
is good. Unlike your brother, you are quick-witted. However, petty tricks are
easily seen through by experienced opponents. Until now, your opponents saw you
as a child, and they carelessly let their guard down. But if they had
approached you cautiously from the start, viewing you as an adult not to be
underestimated, the outcome might naturally have been different. On the other
hand, your brother is natural, for better or worse. Because he doesn't try to
manipulate things, sometimes even I cannot discern his intentions or true
motives. And he has a good kind of vulnerability. As a result, he is liked by
people, and people gather around him. I'm not telling you to imitate your
brother. Quite the opposite, in fact. You should curb your own naivety and be
conscious of how you conduct yourself as an adult."
I felt as if he had
hit a sore spot. It was exactly as he said. Until now, I had often seen and
heard reactions like, "A child of XX years old!" But now, I would no
longer look like a child. And then, those who had carelessly underestimated me
would no longer do so. Moreover, my brother had charisma, and many people
gathered around him. That was a power I could never match, never imitate.
"Well, finally.
You were deeply agitated for a moment when I hit a raw nerve, but you
immediately steeled your resolve. I felt that you finally accepted that I am
your ally. The fact that you immediately suppressed your agitation and steeled
your resolve is a stepping stone to future success."
"I am immensely
grateful for your guidance. I believe I have been given an opportunity to learn
at the academy, which is always a place of learning, despite my
unworthiness."
"Ah, right. I
have never met him directly, but I consider the man named Sieghart Kämpfer, who
visited as an envoy from the Gryphonia Empire last year, to be a very dangerous
man. Those other than Margrave Hastburg, whom you enlightened, generally
describe him as a fool who cannot read the atmosphere, or an incompetent
lacking vigor. Of course, you, who directly confronted him, must know,
yes?"
"Yes, he was very
natural, and although there might have been hidden intentions in his words, I
strangely felt no malice. I even felt at times that he was doing his duty
reluctantly. However, I sensed that his true nature was that of a man skilled
in both political and military strategy, whose schemes were unpredictable, and
who was truly not to be underestimated."
"Indeed. In the
future, only you brothers will be able to confront him. We expect that.
Fortunately, we have been given a reprieve of time. During that period, you
should diligently pursue your studies at the academy. Now, let us conclude this
tea-drinking chat and return to the main topic."
The main topic?
There's something heavier than this?! I was quite surprised, but I stopped
hiding my expression. I had already steeled my resolve, so there was nothing to
do but play into the Headmaster's hands. That's what I thought.
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