Chapter 129
(Kyle
Calendar Year 508: Age 15)
Temporary
Return (5th Supreme Tournament)
Translator : PolterGlast
Two days after
returning to Teigun, the Fifth Supreme Tournament was held. This time, at
Commander Weiss's request, the Frontier Knights' Fifth Corps also participated.
Moreover, they had obtained prior permission and had advanced to this supreme
tournament after competing in Est's regular tournament.
My brother also rushed
from Southern Gate Fort. He had brought several promising individuals from his
Frontier Knights' Sixth Corps to observe this time.
"I want to show
them the difference in level from the main league and give them some
encouragement, so please help me out," he requested. So, I secretly had
them experience a shooting session identical to the main competition the day
before the tournament. They seemed to have some confidence, but of course,
after watching the actual tournament, their confidence was brilliantly
shattered.
And, though it felt
like it had become a regular occurrence, Viscount Gorman came from the
neighboring territory to watch. Accompanied by Lady Yuka, of course. After all,
a Wind Mage sent by Viscount Gorman was participating in the Frontier Knights'
Fifth Corps, so his fervor in cheering was exceptional.
My father, mother, Chrisia,
and Raymond-san also came from Est to watch. It was convenient, as I had
important matters to discuss with each of them, except for Chrisia.
Thus, the Fifth
Supreme Tournament was a great success and concluded.
The winner was... a
Wind Mage from the Gorman Viscount's retainers, part of the Frontier Knights'
Fifth Corps.
"Next year, he'll
probably come out as a representative of the Gorman territory. Honestly, even
I'm not sure if I can beat him now..." Christoph muttered, such was the
overwhelming victory.
"Magnificent!
Truly magnificent!" Viscount Gorman was in high spirits. He was overjoyed,
embracing Lady Yuka. In the previous joint supreme tournament, our match
against the Gorman territory was quite difficult, but next time, the situation
seemed even tougher.
Second place went to a
contestant from the mercenary corps. The mercenary corps, who hadn't had a
notable performance in tournaments recently, had finally reclaimed their honor.
Third place went to a
native of Estol Territory, which somewhat relieved me. However, he was a member
of the Frontier Knights' Fifth Corps.
The Frontier Knights
and the mercenary corps, meaning those led by Commander Weiss, dominated the
top positions. Of course, the Commander wore a triumphant smile. However, it
was also whispered that the three who placed high were relieved not to receive
special training (rigorous drills) from the Commander, as their performance was
less than stellar compared to their usual standards.
The top three from the
previous tournament also continued to participate, placing 4th, 5th, and 6th
respectively. Having realized the difference in skill from Carleen's
performance in front of His Majesty in the previous tournament, they seemed to
have been greatly motivated and diligently trained, as their shooting skills
appeared to have improved considerably. However, they were forced to concede
defeat with the emergence of even stronger individuals. Taking this
opportunity, they were scouted by Gale and hired as regular soldiers in Teigun,
where they would further hone their skills.
I had two hidden
talents (new Wind Mages) but didn't field them this time. If the plague issue
is resolved and the next joint supreme tournament is held next year, I secretly
intend for these two, along with others I'm recruiting, to become the eye of
the storm.
Incidentally, the
gambler girls, excluding Lady Flora who was currently at the Royal Capital
academy, also won this time. I understood Lady Yuka backing the Gorman
territory contestant, but even my sister... It seemed they had been making
selective purchases, focusing on strong candidates and monitoring the odds to
avoid losses. They also seemed to have diligently gathered information on new
participants, leveraging their positions.
Their betting strategies
were becoming increasingly sophisticated. The image of them with red pencils
behind their ears, poring over racing forms, flashed through my mind. I
shuddered and felt a chill.
※
After the tournament,
I intended to ask Raymond-san about the status of the civil official candidates
I had entrusted to him, but he had already arrived, bringing four of the ten
candidates with him.
As expected... this
man always acts one step ahead of me.
"For now, I've
brought four individuals who are excellent immediate assets and easy for Miseri
to manage. The remaining five will be sent to Teigun sequentially once they
finish their training."
Yes, I had forgotten,
but he is also a demon of practical administrative work. He's the same type as
Commander Weiss, though in a different field.
"Oh, one person
seems to be missing?"
"Ah, that one
individual, though capable... has a high probability of being a spy. So, we're
keeping him under wraps in the administrative office in Est, in a harmless
position. It would be troublesome if it were exposed that we saw through him,
leading to new spies being sent. Well, there might be a useful way to use him
eventually."
He said, and then
smirked defiantly. It seemed he even effectively utilized embedded spies for
disseminating false information in intelligence warfare. As expected, his
competence was exceptional.
I received permission
from my father to proceed with my plans regarding the Royal Command Mages,
after explaining the circumstances and my intentions to him.
"Although you
haven't formally been granted the territory as your own Lordship, Teigun is the
city you built. From our initial agreement, all Mages were to belong to Teigun
and be entrusted to you, correct? Do as you wish. You are now the head of a Barony.
You don't need to worry about protecting the Viscount family. Just think about
how to skillfully utilize the Viscount family for the path you choose."
For the first time in
a long while, I genuinely thanked my father for his magnanimity and tolerance.
I also had two
separate matters to discuss with my mother.
"Regarding my
skill, there's a possibility of a plague epidemic in the Estol territory in the
near future. I'm currently compiling a response manual for an epidemic and the
countermeasures we're preparing. I will hand you the manual during your stay,
but I will dispatch Miseri to Est later. I would like you to discuss the
response in case of an emergency, and if anything happens, I'd like Mother to
issue directives throughout the territory."
"I see... If it's
your premonition, it will almost certainly happen. I will prepare thoroughly
and respond. You mustn't try to do too much alone."
"Yes, I now have
comrades, whom Mother has given me, with whom I can consult about anything. We
are all thinking about it together."
Saying that, my mother
smiled, looking very happy, yet with a gentle smile that hinted at a touch of
loneliness.
"I have one more
request. Thank you for lending Sarah to us for so long. This time, I'd like to
return Sarah to you, Mother."
"Oh? Is she no
longer needed?"
"No, not at all.
To be honest, I truly wish to continue borrowing her strength. That is my true
feeling. However, she is 30 years old this year. I think it's time for her to
find happiness as a woman, belated though it may be."
"Oh? Does Sarah
have someone?"
"Yes, probably...
Personally, I think they have feelings for each other. However, Sarah, despite
being from a branch family, is from a Baronial house, and I believe he thinks
he shouldn't lay a hand on a lady from the main lineage."
Yes, I had almost
certain information. In the previous timeline, the last words the ailing
steward left for Sarah on his deathbed, which Sarah later recounted to me. And
Sarah's feelings too. After both my parents and sister had passed, she clung to
the steward's deceased body, the last one to go, and wept all night. And I knew
that she then left the Solis Barony in despair and returned to the Cornell
Barony. I needed her strength until now, and the plan had been continually
postponed, but if I missed this opportunity, I didn't know when the next one
would be.
"Well, if that's
the case, leave that to me!"
My mother acted
immediately. What she did and how, I don't know. When the tournament ended and
my father and mother's party returned, the steward returned to Est, accompanied
by a smiling and happy Sarah.
Later, coinciding with
the New Year's banquet, a grand wedding banquet was held jointly by the Solis
and Cornell families. I also attended and gifted a set of baby clothes I had
procured in the Royal Capital. At that time, I was informed that their use was
already confirmed, which surprised everyone, including me.
"As expected! A
capable man works quickly on everything!" I muttered involuntarily.
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