Chapter 147
Chapter 147 This is All Mine. (2)
Zvalter carefully watched the approaching individuals.
‘The banners are flashy, but there are too few people. There’s too much cargo… Did the advance team bring supplies? But they just arrived like this without a declaration of war? Even for the royal family, isn’t this a bit much?’
He boldly shouted in front of his retainers, but in truth, Zvalter’s mind was in chaos.
He was pondering if it would be better to just run out and beg for forgiveness right now.
What on earth had he done to provoke such renowned high-ranking nobles to join forces and send soldiers?
With each approaching step, his heart raced, and his hands became drenched in sweat.
At that moment, the allied forces halted their movement upon seeing his army.
Zvalter stopped moving as well and examined the opposing side.
“Lord, it would be wise to meet with their commander first and discuss the matter.”
Homerun’s suggestion prompted Zvalter to nod and step forward.
At that moment, a few riders advanced from the opposing side.
‘They’re quite skilled at horseback riding. Let me see what they look like… huh?’
The approaching figures seemed somewhat familiar. But the young man at the forefront looked even more familiar.
‘That handsome brat looks just like my son…?’
Zvalter’s eyes widened in surprise as he recognized the face of the approaching man.
“Hey! What are you doing there?!”
The one at the front was Ghislaine. The ones following him were his son’s retainers, including Belinda.
Why was his son popping out from among those noble banners?
Zvalter was left speechless in his astonishment. Meanwhile, Ghislaine, who had gotten closer, also asked in disbelief.
“Father, what are you doing here?”
“Me? I’m preparing for battle…”
“Who against?”
“You, you guys?”
“……?”
“……?”
Both of them were taken aback, and for a moment, silence filled the air.
Homerun broke that silence, urgently interjecting.
“G-Grand Duke! Is it really you?! What’s going on? What on earth happened in the capital?”
“I just came to sell cosmetics,” Ghislaine replied casually.
Homerun chided Ghislaine with disbelief.
“Why would the royal family and nobles send an army for a trivial matter like selling cosmetics?!”
“Ah, I think there’s some misunderstanding…”
Zvalter, finally regaining his composure, asked, “I heard rumors that you had a falling out with Marquis Branford. Isn’t that why the army is here?”
“Oh, I understand the situation now. It was really nothing significant; I just made a good deal with the marquis.”
“A deal? I heard you were imprisoned by the House of Marquis Branford! You weren’t taken hostage?”
It was true that he had been confined for fifteen days, but that was solely to treat Rosalyn.
Well, if it had failed, he likely wouldn’t have been able to escape, and things would have escalated… But since it succeeded, there were no problems.
Ghislaine shook his head and continued, “It seems confusing, so let me explain quickly.”
Ghislaine briefly recounted the events that had occurred in the capital.
As the story went on, Zvalter and his retainers’ expressions turned to shock.
“Marquis Branford agreed to become your guardian in exchange for treating his daughter?”
“Yes.”
“Count Ailzbur and Count Norton are supporting and backing you?”
“Yes.”
“And you’ve become a member of the Crown Prince Faction?”
“Oh, and you too, Father.”
“Why me?”
“It just turned out that way.”
Zvalter swallowed hard, trying to wrap his confused mind around it.
He had always been loyal to the royal family, so being part of the Crown Prince Faction was practically the same for him.
They had simply ignored him all this time without involving him.
‘D-Does this even make sense?’
No matter how he looked at it, it didn’t add up. He glanced again at the army behind Ghislaine.
The royal and high-ranking noble banners continued to flutter in the wind.
If this was all staged, his son was as good as dead.
‘Is this really real? Does it even make sense?’
The nonsensical events unfolding before his eyes were driving him mad.
Good things have to reach a certain level before one can feel pure joy. When things are too good, a sense of doubt creeps in and causes anxiety.
Zvalter closed his eyes.
‘This is a dream.’
“Father?”
‘If I open my eyes, I’ll return to reality.’
“Father!”
‘Get away! You cunning ones!’
Suddenly!
Zvalter drew upon his mana and opened his eyes.
The shining gaze of his eyes was filled with vigor.
Yet the scene before him hadn’t changed.
“Ah, it’s the same. It’s real.”
Ghislaine groaned in frustration as the conversation wasn’t progressing.
“Father, what on earth is wrong with you?”
“……I’m sorry. I simply can’t believe it.”
“It’s the truth, so just accept it.”
“……Okay.”
It wasn’t just Zvalter who couldn’t believe Ghislaine’s explanation. The Chief Officer, Homerun, was also flabbergasted, spitting out words in a hurry.
“G-Grand Duke, is that lie the truth?”
“Why would I bother with a lie that would just be exposed immediately?”
“No, even so… does this even make sense…”
Homerun was struggling to comprehend.
Marquis Branford became his guardian? The person known as the most powerful figure in the kingdom?
Moreover, the big shots of the kingdom were backing him?
If it were true, that would mean Ghislaine had officially risen to a noble status even beyond his father, Count Perdium.
That was the true strength of political power overriding nobility.
He had once been a wealthy fool, but now he had a robust backing.
Having already held the purse strings, he now had a formidable backing to boot.
A few retainers who followed Zvalter were sweating nervously, their eyes rolling.
‘Why? Why would those powerful nobility support that fool?’
‘Has everyone gone mad together?’
Zvalter’s eyes brightened as he finally said.
“Then could it be that all those carts are…?”
“Yes, you are correct. Those are the wedding gifts that Marquis Branford has led to us…”
“A wedding gift!”
“……Huh?”
“Since he treated his daughter and became her guardian, it’s only natural that the next step is a marriage, right? I guess he liked how proficient you are at various things. Hahaha!”
Zvalter fitted the situation into the best-case scenario he could grasp.
No matter how much Ghislaine had treated his daughter, the quantity was far too much to be simply a gift.
Thus, it could only mean one thing—wedding gifts.
Homerun was overjoyed, almost beside himself.
“Oh my, congratulations! After the broken engagement, there were many worries, but to have the House of Marquis Branford as an in-law! This is truly a joyous occasion for the family! A joyous occasion!”
“Hahaha! This person is really something. Let’s not get too excited. However, my son is decent, isn’t he? They must’ve recognized him as a good match.”
“Of course! Of course! He has money and capability, what could possibly be lacking? He may have a bit of a temper, but once he enters that household, they’ll probably straighten him out. Hahahaha!”
“Right? Hahaha!”
The people of Perdium could barely contain their joy.
The tension they felt was rendered insignificant; they had even heard the news that Ghislaine would become the son-in-law of the House of Marquis Branford.
“……”
Ghislaine and his retainers watched in disbelief.
When they didn’t believe, it was one thing, but once they accepted it, the excitement crossed a line.
They needed to correct their misconceptions, but seeing them so happy, Ghislaine wondered when he should intervene.
Ghislaine sighed heavily at his jubilant father and said.
“It’s not a wedding gift.”
“Hahaha… Really?”
“Yes.”
“Are you serious?”
“No, I’m not.”
The atmosphere instantly cooled.
Zvalter cleared his throat awkwardly a few times before asking.
“Ahem, then what exactly is it?”
“It’s support supplies being sent to Perdium. The royal family has sent a secretary along with it, so you should hear the rest of the explanation.”
“The royal family?”
Zvalter was taken aback. Did the royal family send someone all the way here separately?
As Ghislaine turned around and gestured, a well-groomed middle-aged man approached with a smile.
“I am the brave wolf of the North, Count Perdium. I am Baron Andy Share, secretary of the royal family.”
“W-welcome. What brings you all this way?”
“I am here to convey the words of His Majesty the King.”
“P-Please go ahead.”
Having more or less grasped the situation, he tried to be composed, but his voice trembled for no reason.
He could understand the Marquis Branford’s role, but he wasn’t sure why the royal family was aiding Perdium.
Baron Share couldn’t hide his curiosity seeing the stiffened and overly tense expressions of the people of Perdium.
‘What… were they plotting a rebellion or something?’
It was certainly suspicious, but uncovering such risky elements was the job of the inspectors.
As a seasoned administrator, he quickly unfurled a luxurious scroll and began to speak.
“……In recognition of Count Perdium’s merit in safeguarding the borders of the kingdom, we send support supplies. ……Moreover, with the endorsement of the Minister of the Interior, all the noble council members have agreed to proceed with legally proper procedures, henceforth increasing support to Perdium… trusting in your loyalty to the royal family…”
A plethora of grandiose phrases followed in a lengthy and somewhat tedious message. In short, it was to say that they would be increasing support for Perdium.
When the pronouncement ended, Baron Share smiled warmly and said.
“Next year, the scale of support will be slightly reduced compared to now. This time, we also wanted to cover the shortcomings of the past.”
Zvalter and his retainers were left speechless, mouths agape.
What Baron Share was saying simply wasn’t registering in their minds.
‘So Marquis Branford became a guardian, and this is the immediate support…!’
“Wowwww!”
Homerun couldn’t hold back and cheered, prompting the other retainers to burst into laughter and shouts.
“Our hardships have finally come to an end! With this amount, we can focus solely on the northern borders for a year!”
“Since there are other territories providing support as well, it seems we can finally rest easy!”
Everyone was beside themselves with joy.
Though Ghislaine had improved conditions after providing the runestone, it still wasn’t enough to relax completely.
Most importantly, being constantly dependent on Ghislaine and begging to share was incredibly uncomfortable.
Yet with this official support from the royal family, things would be different.
Zvalter chuckled happily as he said.
“Hahaha, now we can manage our territory comfortably. Good job, Ghislaine.”
‘Now I won’t have to sound pitiful to my son. I’m reclaiming my authority as a father.’
Homerun chimed in.
“The Grand Duke has accomplished something great! Hahaha. It’s been a bit challenging to manage the budget with minimal amounts from the runestone, so this is excellent news. Well, you’ve had a hard time, Grand Duke. Uhehehe.”
‘Did you think we would be trailing behind you forever? Hehehe.’
Homerun’s expression seemed to show a determination not to engage in pitiful requests anymore.
Since support would be given officially every year, what would there be to be anxious about?
The treasurer, Albert, tossed aside his usual calm demeanor and turned exuberant.
“I must check and organize to see if the received supplies match the list. We need to take care of our own things. Ah, Grand Duke? You mentioned distributing food in a few months… I don’t think we need that anymore. Hahaha!”
‘If you want the supplies, Grand Duke, you might have to plead with us instead.’
Zvalter and Homerun laughed heartily.
“Hahaha, right! It’s all ours now!”
“Let’s finally use our resources comfortably!”
As everyone celebrated, Baron Share scratched his cheek and said.
“Um… not all of this is going to Perdium.”
“Pardon?”
Zvalter’s eyes widened. What do you mean not all of it would go to Perdium while calling it support supplies?
Baron Share hesitated as he continued to speak, his face clearly expressing his discomfort.
“The distribution will be handled by Baron Penris.”
The faces of Zvalter and the people of Perdium turned as pale as stone.
Slowly, they turned their heads. What they found was Ghislaine standing there, arms crossed, with a faint smile.
