It’s already been 10 days since I returned to Newnelly Castle.
After Plume returned to the Sylopea territory, I was basically just lazing around.
I chatted with Fanny, had tea with Fanny, read books with Fanny, practiced dancing with Fanny, and last night I shared a healthy bed with Fanny, which is okay for all ages. Fanny was clinging to me as if to replenish the lack of sugar.
However, those days were healing not only for Fanny but also for me. Apparently, I piled up more anxiety in the Royal Capital than I thought. On the day Plume left, I picked up my pen to reply to a letter that had arrived from another family, but I couldn’t get my head to work at all.
Once turned off, the switch could not be turned on no matter how hard I tried. That’s why I gave up on everything and spent the next several days with my little sister.
And this morning, the rain that had been pouring since yesterday had stopped and the bright morning sun came out. Somehow I felt that the switch in my heart had been flicked to the “ON” side.
It seemed that Fanny was the same, and she regained her composure after breakfast.
[I will start dealing with the letters this afternoon.]
After returning to my room after lunch, I dared to make a declaration to Tesh in order to motivate myself.
It will be bad if I don’t give a serious reply soon. If I don’t change my mood today, I’m afraid I’ll become a hikikomori.[I will start making preparations.]
[Please do.]
Tesh went to call the civil officers, and I sat down in a chair feeling disgusted by the stack of letters on the workbench. For the time being, should I think about the answer after looking through everything once?
I reached out to the top of the stack.
The first one was a copy of a letter addressed to my father, not me. The letter seemed to be related to me, so I guess I should read it just in case.
The next letter was a copy of the letter addressed to my mother. Apparently, there were three letters piled up together here. Lots of them seemed to be like this.
In the end, it took quite a while for the mountains to become flat.
[Young Master.]
It was when I finished reading all the letters and stretched out that the civil officer came in front of me. Apparently he brought me some tea.
[…..the younger generation of the Kingdom is too pure.]
I muttered my thoughts while I sipped my tea.
Most of the letters I received were related to the second demon beast or the Princess that I invited to the evening party. Both can be said to be pretty self-explanatory.
Among them, those concerning the second demon beast were conspicuous in the tone of respecting me as guardians of the land. To put it simply, “Wilk Quordenze, who followed his convictions and fulfilled his duty as a Noble while the adults were stuck for political reasons, was admirable.” or something like that. Some of the words suggested that the adults around me advised me, in a sense that “There’s something behind it. This is the real intention” while adding “Even so, I still want to believe in the throbbing of my heart that I felt at that place”.
Actually, I didn’t say that it was my true intention or my official intention. The possibility that the words in that garden were my true feelings remains fifty-fifty. It’s okay if you believe who you want to believe.
[But…isn’t Young Master also the younger generation of the Kingdom…]
[What I actually mean is.]
Come to think of it, I was a tight-lipped 13-year-old.
[Well, some of them are too pure for their own good.]
It’s a story limited to the younger generation of the Kingdom, but about two-thirds of the whole were keeping wait-and-see. There were many confusing expressions that could be interpreted in any way, and it felt like they were reaching around for the future course of Quordenze. The fiancé pair of the Adellahan family were among this category.
The remaining one-third is pure Noble-kun Noble-chan.
It was the Zeldomitra and Milendorva families who sent the unusual letter.
In the letter from Sadin, there was a line of descriptions that highly praised me for acting as a Nobleman. Regarding the subjugation of the second demon beast itself, it was only touched on to the extent that it is amiable. There were parts that were intentionally left ambiguous, so I couldn’t say for certain, but it can be read as an argument that the ideal of a Noble is to be a “ruler of a territory” rather than a “guardian of the land”.
The letter from Kilorde was similar in a way. The ideal Noble image that he envisioned was spelled out at length, but the main thing was for me to restrain contact with Orshian. That such a claim to attack at the last minute to help Orshian was violation of manners. The civil officers around Kilorde must have had a hard time correcting it.
These two seemed to have written only what they wanted to write and sent it to me as is.
[Anyway, the movement of Nobles everywhere seems to be slowing down.]
After Quordenze released information that the priests might be conducting terrorism using demon beasts, it seemed that the Royal Nobles are now rushing to start surveying the Field of their territory. I don’t think they’ll have time to do expeditions for a while.
However, when the time is right, the Levios family will definitely move. At that time, I need to think carefully about my future actions so that I can respond to whatever my father does.
[How long do you think it will take for all the Royal Nobles to finish investigating their territory? I don’t think it will end in just a year. Two years… no, about three years?]
[I believe that’s about right.]
In that case, should I consider the suspension of execution to be two years?
[However…]
[However?]
[Yeah. The Levios family has lost a lot of credibility due to this incident. There is no report that the mastermind, the High Priestess Ephial, was killed or captured. Considering that, can they really wrap up a large expedition to the Holy City…?]
Several letters were from the Levios family, but there’s no information about Ephial. If she were captured or killed, there’s no way they wouldn’t write about it, so I think she’s still on the run.
It would be the worst case scenario if she came to take revenge on the Quordenze territory. Let’s pray that they won’t attack us saying they want to avenge the second demon beast or something. I also asked a civil officer, but it seems that we are on guard for the time being.
[Certainly, only a few people will respond to the order as it is now.]
[In addition, the future of King Levios is also worrying. How will the influence of the Unclean Sword pan out…]
By the way, the sword that Ephial used has recently come to be called the Unclean Sword. It seems that a sword encrusted with monstrous energy is hard to imagine for people who weren’t there to see it in action, and the story expanded and changed before they knew it. Well, only Ephial would know of its actual name, so it doesn’t matter. It’ll be called Unclean Sword in the Quordenze territory.
[Is it really possible to go on a long-term expedition with an injured body that can’t heal? That’s doubtful.]
The King has been arriving to meetings in a timely manner, and his wounds didn’t seem to affect government affairs so far. However, it would be a different story if it was an expedition. No one will raise an army if the leader retreats to his own territory in the middle.
[And his relation with Prince Dunkel, who could act as his representative, has become strained…]
[Yes.]
That was the biggest problem.
It seemed that the relationship between King Levios and Dunkel had become quite delicate since the suspension of social gathering in the Royal Capital. In Dunkel’s letter, there was a noticeable “smell” that reminded me of his conflict with his father. It can be seen that he is energetically trying to wrest power from his wounded father.
However, there was nothing in the letter from King Levios that made me feel that kind of parent-child conflict, and it was very calm actually. The Levios family seems to be firmly solidified in support of King Levios.
Originally, Dunkel should not have been able to do anything in that state. However, he had the achievement of defeating the first demon beast in the incident, and received a certain evaluation from the Royal Nobles. If the inside is no good, it is clear that Dunkel is thinking so and moving from the outside.
As a matter of fact, I had several letters from him. Most of them revolve around “I was happy that we were able to join hands and fight together with those who will lead the next generation. I would like to continue to cherish the friendship that we exchanged that night”.
Depending on how Fanny’s matter is dealt with, I might cooperate with Dunkel…or rather, I will use him. That’s why I would like to cherish our friendship.
[Should I not go to Nambonan for a while and watch the situation here? I still have to write the reply…]
[I believe that’ll be alright.]
[Okay. Please arrange the tasks that can be completed in the city.]
Then, one of the civil officers brought a memo with a list of jobs to be done in Newnelly. Apparently, the list was already arranged while I was sticking around with Fanny.
[It would be boring to answer letters all day long. Perhaps Young Master would like to adjust so that you can do other things in the afternoon?]
[That’s fine too.]
[Yessir. First of all, we will reward the best of the best players in the card tournament held at the beginning of the year.]
[Regarding that, I’ve thought of a good game. I want you to prepare for that as well.]
The civil officer showed a dubious expression right then.
[Another game?]
[It’s like a sideshow.]
I verbally told the civil officers what would be needed in response to the confused reply. As expected, the reaction was not very good.
[…Will a tournament be held in the future?]
[There’s no reason to waste money like that. This is the only sideshow. Next year’s Trump tournament will be treated as a voluntary event for citizens. We won’t even make them come to the castle to award rewards.]
Since the tournament, the demand for playing cards increased and the supply had not kept up. So, I’m going to close the publicity with this entertainment. Even if I leave it alone, it will spread on its own, and it is useless even if I continue to be involved. I’ve been busy lately.
[Understood. We will prepare it.]
During that exchange, a civil officer entered the room. And then he came right up to my desk.
[This is a new letter.]
[More of it…]
My motivation took a hit when the task at hand increased. It’s like when you think you’ve finished washing the dishes, your family puts a cup on the sink as if telling you to wash it as well. It’s not that he’s at fault, as the civil officer was just doing his job, but I wanted to shout at him at the moment.
[…Rumors say it’s from Prince Dunkel.]
Even though he hasn’t gotten a single reply for me yet. What an enthusiastic fellow. I know he’d contact me after the social gathering, but this is borderline spam mail.
However, it’s fortunate that the letter arrived at this time. I could just sum up my reply in one letter.
When I read the latest mail I received and put it on my desk, I noticed a civil officer was staring at me.
[Have a copy ready later.]
[Yessir.]
If it’s a letter from Dunkel, I need to show it to my father. But, if I tell these guys to prepare a copy, they will even do the delivery for me.
[There seems to be nothing of importance. …..Prince Dunkel seems to be cultivating his relationship with the Holy Maiden.]
In summary, it was written that he had more opportunities to discuss things with Rona.
It was written in the previous letter that he would like to continue to get along with the members who participated in the next family head meeting, and it seems that Rona was among them.
It’s easy to imagine Dunkel’s motives, but if you only pick up on that story, it’s likely that the first King Levios will stand by his grave in anger.
[I can take it as a declaration of intent to realize the invasion of the Holy City by Prince Dunkel, but…]
[Nine out of ten, probably. Prince Dunkel was positive about invading the Holy City even at the evening meeting. No, it can be said that the entire Levios family is positive. Now that King Levios is lying down, it’s a good opportunity for him. Rather than being instructed by King Levios, he will take the initiative to organize the Kingdom and make the invasion of the Holy City into a reality. If you can do that, it’s like having the real power in the house. …..And what is indispensable for that realization is cooperation with the Holy Maiden.]
In other words, this letter shows that he has the intention of invading the Holy City against my plan. However, there was no mention of any adjustment of interests. For the time being, it’s just a statement of intent. Is it a statement of belief?
[It seems that the two of them are discussing this incident while holding a tea party together… hmm, doesn’t sound like something normal friends would do.]
[Well, what do you think? It’s between men and women…]
The civil official refrained from saying anything more. He probably didn’t want to carelessly touch on the love affairs of men and women, but thanks to that, an indescribable air filled the room. Let’s change the subject.
[… Oh, and the names of the first and second demon beasts have also been decided. Both were named by Prince Dunkel.]
It seems that the Levios family has an unwritten rule that the leader of the subjugation unit who served as the first spear gets to decide the monster name. Because the first and second demon beasts appeared almost at the same time, they were treated as one subjugation, and as a result, Dunkel’s squad became the number one spear.
[Why did Young Master decline to name the beast? I think it’ll be an honor…]
When one of the young civil officers raised his voice, lightning fell on him, causing him to look around at the other officers who were glaring at him in confusion..
The naming of monsters has a strong element of demon subjugation by guardians. As I wanted to maintain an ambiguous position, the correct answer was to decline.
[It’s surprisingly hard to name.]
I had a lot of trouble when naming the demon beast Sibel Kroger. To put it in extreme terms, there’s absolutely no problem in deciding on a name, but considering that the name will remain in the history of Quordenze, it can’t be decided easily. If I abandon it because it’s troublesome, people might end up referring to it as Kamekichi just like I did, so I named it with a certain sense of responsibility.
[Prince Dunkel seems to have been the first name. As a guardian of the land of Levios, he would have been happy. If I could sell even a little favor, I would think it would be profitable.]
[…It’s very ironic that the person who subdued the demon beast released by the priest is having a tea party with the priest.]
This civil officer has a sharp tongue.
[Hahaha, don’t say that. Most of the time, it doesn’t always mean that they get along really well.]
Even at the next head of the family council, Dunkel was rather swayed by Rona. It may still be tossed around.
[Holy Maiden Rona is a bit…]
[Oh? Don’t tell me Young Master came to like Holy Maiden Rona?]
[She has a pretty face, and she looks slender and mature, which is good…]
I don’t know, it’s eerie. I feel like my values are out of place.
Maybe it’s because of that, I can’t help but feel like Dunkel was plotting something suspicious behind the scenes. There is no such thing as confirmation, or even a single piece of evidence.
[By the way, what’s the name of the demon beast? I’ll record it, so could Young Master tell me?]
I answered the civil officer who was looking at me, ready with a brush in his hand.
[The first demon beast is the demon beast Garnarin. The second is the demon beast Chramitis.]
The origin of the names was not written. Well, no big deal.
I picked up the brush again to write a reply to the letters.
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