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Count Arsene asked with a worried expression.

“The strategy is to keep adapting according to the situation. No matter how skilled a doctor is, emergencies can always arise for a patient. In that sense, this is a kind of emergency surgery.”

“Surgery…?”

“Isn’t it the same for treatment and war? You have to foresee several steps ahead.”

I was certain after looking at the White Lion Brigade.

‘The power and influence of the noble faction surpass my expectations.’

The immediate problem is not the battle with the count’s family.

Assuming we win this full-scale war.

What about afterwards?

‘There’s no guarantee we can defeat all the other lords.’

I had assumed that the two factions were almost evenly matched in power when I devised this plan.

I thought that winning the count’s battle, which would be like a preliminary skirmish, would be enough to boost our morale and give us a good chance of winning.

‘In the end, it was baseless confidence.’

The Empire was supporting them more deeply than I had thought.

It’s fine if you can plug a single hole in the ship.

But what if that hole has already grown too big to fix?

Eventually, the ship will sink.

“If the other nobles aligned with the royal faction lose, this victory will be meaningless. So, I will go meet the Marquis of Foltaine and negotiate. I’ll also ask what he really wants.”

The main force was about to arrive in the vicinity.

“Will you be alright?”

“Of course.”

“But…”

Count Arsene asked cautiously.

“What you said about being from the Empire… is it true?”

I answered without hesitation.

“No, it was a lie.”

“…Huh?”

“It’s true that I’m not from an ordinary family, but I’m not from the Empire.”

“What…?”

Count Arsene looked bewildered.

“Then that Imperial swordsmanship… Ah, never mind. I had decided to trust you no matter what.”

A grin spread across my face.

“I’ll explain when the time is right. Anyway, I’ll be off right away.”

“I’ll go with you!”

An unexpected person decided to follow me.

“Tucker?”

“Whether this gentleman is from the Empire or a little devil from hell, it’s clear he’s an outsider. We can’t leave our family matters entirely in the hands of an outsider, can we?”

“Hmm.”

Count Arsene nodded in agreement with Baron Tucker’s words.

“Moreover, since the situation worsened because of my shortcomings, please allow me to make amends. I will stake my life to accompany the honored guest.”

Baron Tucker bowed deeply.

He was referring to the betrayal he had committed.

“Well, I don’t mind.”

However, in the end, I regretted this decision for a long time.

***

It took us ‘only’ three days to arrive at Arsenia Fortress.

“Regardless of status, aren’t I still your elder?”

“Respect comes from words and actions. You must always start with the right mindset.”

“Hey! The elder hasn’t even taken a bite of his food yet!”

…No, it was an ‘entire’ three days.

“Especially you, your words and actions are too careless. If someone heard you without knowing better, they’d think you were a street thug from the market.”

Once again, Tucker’s nagging began today.

“Ugh, come on!”

Even I, usually so patient, finally exploded.

“Why are you doing this to me?”

“What are you talking about?”

“You’re getting revenge because your betrayal was exposed because of me, right?”

“To slander someone’s sincerity like this… As I thought, we need to fix that personality of yours first.

“Just look at your actions, it’s obvious.”

Immediately, Baron Tucker adopted a serious expression.

“This is all I can do for you.”

“Sorry?”

“Your swordsmanship, those ingenious strategies, your maturity beyond your years, and sometimes even the composure that surprises me. You’re perfect in every way.”

“D-Did you think I’d be happy if you suddenly started complimenting me?”

Seeing me clear my throat, Baron Tucker gave a faint smile.

“But there’s one thing. I noticed there’s something I can teach you.”

“Pardon?”

“Your crude words and behavior, which are void of dignity.”

Well, considering my background, it couldn’t be helped.

“Believe it or not, I earnestly wish for you to grow properly. Like Viscount Rodri, I now consider you almost like a son.”

I couldn’t help but make a bewildered expression.

“What? How much have you seen of me to consider me your son? If you’re grateful for the favor, repay it in another way. This isn’t my thing.”

I had no memories of my parents.

So these emotions felt awkward and uncomfortable.

“More importantly, what kind of person is the Marquis of Foltaine?”

“He is…”

As the topic changed, Baron Tucker’s face turned serious.

“…Do you know there are three ducal houses and five marquis houses in this country?”

“Yes.”

Of course, I knew.

I had resolved to win over at least half of them and participate in the Master Tournament as the representative of the Hart Kingdom.

“There are eight highest-ranking nobles. However, if you seek power in this country, it’s advised to visit the Marquis of Foltaine first.”

“Instead of the three ducal houses? Why?”

“The Marquis of Foltaine is a great merchant. Not just any merchant, but one of the wealthiest in this country.”

“Ho?”

This was quite interesting.

Now I could picture it in my mind.

Being a merchant family, they must have been more tempted by the Empire’s offer.

If they opened trade routes with the self-proclaimed protectors of the continent, they could reap enormous profits from business.

“So that’s why the illegitimate child’s mind twisted in a bad direction?”

That explains why the pig aligned with the slave traders.

“If we successfully handle this surgery, we could extort a significant amount of money in compensation.”

“…As always, you only think about extorting money.”

“Of course.”

We need to save up as much as possible while we can.

It will all be used as military funds for future wars with the Empire.

“Always stay alert.”

“Again with your nagging.”

“After this war, many more people will be watching you. Regardless of your intentions, people tend to interpret a person’s actions as they please.”

Baron Tucker grasped my shoulder.

“As I lived, that’s how I found life to be.”

“If you live worrying about that, you’ll get depressed.”

“Huh?”

“Don’t live while walking on eggshells. Instead, at the very least, don’t harm others. That’s my usual philosophy.”

“…!”

For a moment, Baron Tucker’s eyes widened before he smiled bitterly.

“…Hmph… It seems I still have a lot to learn.”

“You’re just realizing that? If there was nothing to learn, you wouldn’t have thought of betrayal in the first place.”

Finally, I lifted my chin.

Yes.

This is right.

Who do you think I am, treating me like a child?

“Consider it an honor. Continue learning from me.”

Whack!

“Ow!”

A flick landed on my forehead.

“Why are you hitting me!?”

“I just told you, you need to know how to respect your elders.”

Hey, you little…!

In terms of age, I could have shared meals with your grandfather!

And bathed with him too!

I would’ve been at that kind of age!

“You are now the face of our count’s family. Always watch your behavior.”

I scowled.

“This filthy house! I’m leaving as soon as this is over.”

“Ahem!”

“…Damn it.”

A belated sense of regret.

I may have chosen the wrong place to start my revenge.

* * *

Reaper Scans

[Translator – San]

[Proofreader – Abstract]

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* * *

As soon as we arrived at Arsenia Fortress.

“Baron Tucker!”

The interim commander rushed over.

“Good work. We’ll discuss the details later. The enemies?”

“They are almost at our doorstep. However, something strange is happening. The enemies, who seemed to be rushing like their lives were on the line, have suddenly slowed their advance.”

“Where are they now?”

“It will take them less than a week to get here.”

For reference, the garrison inside the fortress is unaware of the White Lion Brigade’s existence.

We were extremely cautious about security, sharing information about the White Lion Brigade only on a need-to-know basis to reduce the risk of compromising the operation.

“We have a bit of leeway, so let’s take a break while inspecting the facilities. Who knows, there might be a traitor in this fortress as well.”

“Is this your way of getting revenge?”

“Of course not.”

I shrugged and then looked around the fortress.

And then, a week later.

“…They’re coming.”

I strode out of the fortress, unbarring the seemingly impregnable gates myself.

Beside me was Baron Tucker, holding a yellow flag symbolizing a messenger.

His face was taut with tension.

“It’s the Marquis of Foltaine.”

We confronted the large army on the plain.

At the forefront was an old man with white hair.

His stature was small, but his presence was anything but.

“…Baron.”

I quietly called Baron Tucker.

“Hmm?”

“Are you sure that’s the Marquis of Foltaine?”

“…Absolutely. There’s no doubt.”

Baron Tucker nodded.

My expression grew even more serious.

At first glance, he looked like a common bent-over old man you could find anywhere.

But

“…Is that man just a merchant?”

That was how he appeared to ordinary eyes.

However, to me, he didn’t seem that way.

“Not the greatest knight of the Hart Kingdom?”

“What did you just say?”

“Ah, I was just talking to myself.”

I could tell at a glance.

‘He’s stronger than any of the riffraff I’ve seen before.’

Did he sense my gaze?

“Hmm?”

The large army had halted their advance.

From within their ranks, the Marquis of Foltaine emerged, riding alone on his horse.

His escort knights followed immediately behind.

“This isn’t an ordinary envoy.”

“…Leave it to me.”

At this point, Baron Tucker stepped forward.

“Long time no see, Marquis.”

“You must be….”

“I am Baron Tucker, a retainer of Count Arsene.”

“Ah, yes, I remember now.”

The Marquis of Foltaine glanced at the yellow flag again with a curious expression.

“Are you here to surrender?”

“If we were, we’d have brought a white flag.”

“Then?”

“We’re here to negotiate.”

Immediately, the Marquis of Foltaine burst into laughter.

“It seems we have different understandings of the term ‘negotiation.’ A negotiation is a rational exchange between equals, isn’t it?”

He continued in a lecturing tone.

“More importantly, your attitude towards negotiation is all wrong. If you wanted to negotiate with me, your lord should have come in person.”

“That’s….”

“He must be that boy. The slave who is the cause of this conflict.”

The Marquis of Foltaine glanced back at me without waiting for a response.

“It looks like you’ve brought him as a gift, but the wrapping is terrible.”

Unable to endure any longer, I stepped forward.

“I’m here to hear an explanation for your misdeeds, so there’s no need for Count Arsene to come. Besides, I’m not the gift— we’ve prepared something else.”

“…!”

Baron Tucker’s face turned pale in an instant.

Without looking at him, I presented a tightly wrapped package.

Thud.

Shing, shing!

“How dare you!”

The furious escort knights drew their swords simultaneously.

The problem was the gift I had prepared.

“…A human hand?”

“It belongs to people you’re familiar with.”

“What?”

“They are the right hand of the captain and the left hand of the vice-captain of the White Lion Brigade.”

“…!”

For the first time, the Marquis of Foltaine’s expression changed drastically.

“Do you see now? We’re not here to surrender.”

“…What is the meaning of this?”

“The White Lion Brigade has been captured by us. Even with ‘just’ double their numbers, you won’t be able to defeat us, who are defending this fortress.”

“….”

The Marquis still looked skeptical.

“Well, it’s up to you to believe it or not.”

After a moment of silence, the Marquis of Foltaine’s reaction was unexpected.

“…I believe you.”

“Excuse me?”

“Who exactly are you?”

“Shouldn’t you be asking our purpose for being here instead of who I am?”

“Fine, what is your purpose?”

“To prevent a civil war in this country.”

“…?”

The Marquis of Foltaine tilted his head in confusion.

“I thought you weren’t a citizen of this country.”

“Did you investigate that far? Anyway, even though I’m not from the Hart Kingdom, I hold a grudge against the Empire. I can’t just watch as an entire country falls to them.”

For the first time, I felt a strong murderous intent from the opponent.

Soon, a thought connected directly in my mind.

-How much do you know?

-More than you think, Marquis.

-…Mana messaging at your age, impressive. Anyway, do you think this will work as a threat to me?

-Of course.

-…!

My response was immediate and without hesitation.

Finally, the Marquis of Foltaine spoke aloud.

“…Child, why don’t you come to me instead?”

“All of a sudden?”

“I don’t know what you truly desire, but I have the power to give you whatever you want.”

At that moment, Baron Tucker interjected.

“Marquis! What is the meaning of this? Trying to recruit the envoy sent by our lord is akin to beheading the envoy himself!”

“….”

The Marquis of Foltaine looked at me silently.

“Do you think the same?”

“Marquis!”

A display of courage from Baron Tucker.

To think a mere baron would yell, ‘Marquis!’

“Hmph. This boy is already a valued member of our household. He is trusted by Count Arsene and several other nobles, and some even consider him as their own child.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes! So please, don’t waste your efforts!”

I then grabbed Baron Tucker’s wrist.

“Wait a moment. I was the one asked the question, so why are you answering?”

“…Huh?”

Simultaneously, Baron Tucker stood dumbfounded, his mouth agape.

“Y-You wouldn’t, right?”

He had finally noticed me.

Seeing me licking my lips, he stammered.

“…You wouldn’t.”

The expression of fierce resolve quickly turned into a pleading one.

“Tell me you wouldn’t.”

“Heh heh heh.”

“Please.”

____