Ch.128Duke’s Council #1

A sense of changing times.

It’s a slightly sophisticated way of saying the world has changed a lot, but lately, this phrase kept coming to mind.

Because I felt that I, rather than the world, had changed significantly.

“Haaah…”

On a day in January when the cold air was still biting.

I was catching my breath at the training ground behind the mansion.

Across from me, Helena stood with a wooden sword, narrowing her eyes and smiling broadly.

In the past, I would have been hit several times and rolled on the ground long ago, but now such occurrences had decreased significantly.

Not only that, I had improved enough to land a few light hits by watching for Helena’s openings.

Though my strikes were weak enough that taking them wasn’t a big problem, the fact that they connected at all was meaningful.

That’s not to say I had exceptional talent.

It was simply thanks to Master’s dedicated guidance that I grew efficiently and quickly.

While others wandered around or got lost trying to find their destination, I had taken a shortcut.

“Hmm… you smell.”

Helena muttered as soon as she entered the mansion through the back door, looking at me.

Even though it was winter, I had been sweating profusely, so it was understandable that I would smell.

“Really? I should wash up quickly before work then.”

“No. That’s not what I meant…”

The back door leading directly to the training ground connected to the storage area, a place where people rarely came.

Still, it wasn’t completely deserted, so caution was necessary.

Naturally, Helena, as the lady of the house, would know this, yet she was behaving in a way more suited to a bedroom without hesitation.

“Is it because it’s the scent I always smell in bed? I must have become accustomed to it without realizing.”

“…Yes, yes. Let’s be patient for a little while.”

Helena nestled into my arms, her voice tinged with coquettishness.

Perhaps because she was deliberately creating a suggestive atmosphere, I felt heat rising to my head.

As a result, I had to go to the bedroom to cool down without looking back.

This caused me to start work a little later than usual.

“Fortunately, there are only two of them…”

I sighed, thinking of Ellen, who would be doing practical training in the dark elf village, and Eve, who would be absorbed in magical research in some corner of the mansion.

It was fortunate they each had their own tasks; if they had been clinging to me as usual, I might have been delayed by another hour.

Helena seemed to understand this as well, simply nodding quietly and focusing on her work without saying much.

We were preparing to gather funds in advance for various supplies and to prepare for potential droughts in the upcoming spring.

After all, some people don’t have contingency plans.

“By the way, shouldn’t we be heading to Duke Caliwood’s territory soon?”

Tap. Helena stacked the reviewed documents neatly in the corner of the desk and looked at me inquiringly.

“Ah… Duke Caliwood did invite us. He sent the invitation so early that I almost forgot about it.”

I clapped my hands as I recalled something I had pushed to the back of my mind.

It had already been a month since he sent an invitation under the pretext of having matters to discuss between dukes.

I hadn’t exactly been idle during that time.

It was a consideration to arrange the schedule in advance, given how busy a duke is, but the consideration came too early to be helpful.

If I had completely forgotten about it, I would have been considered extremely rude.

“I almost made a big mistake. Perhaps I’ve been too relaxed lately?”

“Mistake? The mistake was Caliwood’s screw-loose behavior in sending an invitation a month early. Jion did nothing wrong.”

Helena, seemingly concerned about my self-blame, jumped to criticize Duke Caliwood.

While it was reassuring to have her defend me so mindlessly, it was as burdensome now as it had always been.

If I were to insist it was my fault again, the conversation would never end, so I cut it short with a simple thank you.

“Anyway, now that I’ve remembered, I should make some preparations… what do you think, Helena?”

“If you’re asking about bringing gifts… I don’t think that’s necessary. Since the invitation was extended under the pretext of a conversation between dukes, I think we can just go as we are. It’s not like it’s the birthday of Duke Caliwood or his family members.”

Birthday.

At times like this, I really feel her noble background showing.

The way she never forgets the basics of political maneuvering, like keeping track of birthdays and anniversaries of other families.

Of course, others might say this is only natural, but I appreciated her meticulousness in handling these supposedly obvious matters.

Typically, the head of a large organization like the Krauser duchy might not pay attention to such minor details.

If someone were to ask whether another duke’s birthday or anniversary was a minor matter, the answer would be no.

It’s just that its importance was lower compared to matters requiring careful approach or urgent resolution.

“Hmm… then let’s just go as we are. Let’s bring a bit of extra travel money just in case.”

“Travel money? Is there something you want to buy? You don’t need to worry about running out of supplies, as I’ll make sure everything is packed thoroughly…”

“I’ve never been to Duke Caliwood’s territory, but it’s a place that directly imports textiles from the Beastkin Nation. So I thought I’d look around and buy some.”

“Ah…”

Fabrics exported from the Beastkin Nation are expensive but not particularly difficult to obtain.

They just become more expensive when shipped from Caliwood to other territories due to delivery costs.

But by visiting the territory directly, one could save that money.

“But… are you planning to make clothes yourself? Now that you’re a Grand Duke, couldn’t you have someone make them for you?”

“I could, but… I think it would be more comfortable if I did it myself.”

“More comfortable if you do it yourself? Why?”

Helena tilted her head and urged me to answer quickly.

She also showed a subtle hint of anxiety.

She probably thought I might be making clothes for Ellen or Eve, like the wedding dress she still preciously preserves.

This is just my speculation, but if it were correct, I’d say she was half right and half wrong.

“I want to make and have them wear some rather vulgar underwear.”

Though it was partly a disguise, I openly stated a vulgar purpose that would be difficult to express even between spouses.

Normally, someone with decent thoughts would likely show contempt.

They might find it absurd.

I thought she would naturally lose interest after hearing my words.

“Ah…”

However, Helena’s reaction was completely different from what I expected.

She blushed as if embarrassed and smiled faintly.

“Really… Jion is such a beast. Isn’t it enough that I’ve already declared myself your bitch?”

“…”

Right.

My wife is one of the most possessive people in this continent, and as such, it was natural for her to react differently from ordinary people.

She was not only secretly pleased but also had a look of strong anticipation in her eyes, leaving me speechless.

Moreover, perhaps due to my poor choice of words,

On this day, I had to exert a bit more effort to soothe three women who were more aroused than usual.

.

The Caliwood Duchy is the leader of the neutral faction.

It is also one of the three great duchies of this kingdom.

To put it grandly, it could be said to be one of the pillars dividing the power of this country into four parts.

The neutral faction, as the name suggests, consists of those who maintain neutrality and are known for protecting only their own territories unless something major happens.

That’s why even the noble faction, who seek their own interests, tend to avoid them. They remain quiet as long as they are not disturbed.

Naturally, maintaining such neutrality requires the power to protect it, and the neutral faction had such power.

The Margrave of Riesling Borderlands, who lives face-to-face with monsters, is also a member of the neutral faction, and there are many other formidable figures as well.

It felt quite strange to be heading to the place where the leader of such a neutral faction resided, with Ellen, Helena, and myself.

Eve remained in the territory for her research, but she didn’t seem particularly disappointed.

Her obsession was weaker compared to the two women who always wanted to stick with me, and she was also accustomed to staying in one place.

“Hmm…”

It’s a splendid territory.

That was my first thought upon seeing Caliwood Duchy through the carriage window.

Not because the buildings were ornate or people were dressed lavishly, but because of a subtle sense of splendor.

Perhaps it’s because it’s a territory that imports textiles?

There were many shops selling fabrics that seemed to shine even at a glance, or shops selling clothes and other items made from them.

That’s why it felt splendid.

“Duke Krauser has arrived!”

I was startled, having lost track of time while sightseeing.

Only upon hearing the loud announcement of our arrival did I realize we were in front of a massive mansion.

The appearance of the mansion was similar to the Krauser mansion, but with subtle differences.

It was modest compared to the ostentatiously splendid mansion of Duke Killinear.

However, there was neatness in that modesty.

From the structure of the garden to the paths and stables… everything was orderly.

Simply put, everything formed right angles.

Like a strictly disciplined army.

But, army… army.

The thought of the army suddenly made me feel nauseous.

“Thank you for your hard journey. I appreciate you accepting our invitation today.”

As soon as we got out of the carriage, a man who looked like a butler approached and greeted us.

He was the youngest butler I had seen so far.

It was quite refreshing, as I had only seen butlers who exuded experience until now.

“I’m pleased to meet you as well. Is Duke Caliwood in good health?”

“Yes. Thanks to your concern, he is still in good health.”

“That’s good to hear. There’s nothing more reassuring than knowing that one of the nation’s sturdy pillars is in good health.”

Helena exchanged greetings with the butler pleasantly, leading the conversation smoothly as if her tongue was oiled.

At times like this, I wondered if her inherently shy nature was really true.

After conversing for a few minutes, the butler flinched and bowed his head.

It was because he had been so focused on the conversation that he had neglected his duties of hospitality.

Neither I, Ellen, nor even Helena who led the conversation, were the type to get angry over a brief delay, but the young butler didn’t know that.

As a result, he seemed to have made an unnecessarily solemn resolution.

If not stopped, he might even offer to atone with his life.

“I am truly sorry. This sin must somehow…”

“It’s fine. Please don’t worry about it and just guide us into the mansion now. It’s not an urgent matter anyway.”

As a result, we had to spend a few more minutes consoling the butler, but I thought it was fortunate.

Taking someone’s life over such a foolish matter would be both absurd and unsettling.

And it was understandable to lose oneself in conversation with a woman like Helena.

She remained charming even to those familiar with her.

“For today, please rest from your journey. The meeting is scheduled for after lunch tomorrow. Is that acceptable?”

As we reached the guest room where we would stay, the butler politely asked.

His attitude was so clean and professional that it was hard to believe he was the same man who had been oddly flustered just moments ago.

It made me wonder if he had a split personality.

In any case, there was nothing bad about it for me, so I nodded in agreement.

Helena also seemed to share my sentiment, remaining quietly silent.

“Understood. Let’s do that.”

“Thank you for your understanding. The bathroom is prepared inside the room, and if you need assistance, please ring the bell on the table…”

As I listened to the butler’s kind but lengthy explanation, I briefly had the illusion that this was a hotel rather than a noble’s mansion.

While it could be considered natural given that they were hosting a duke, his attitude and tone felt exactly like that of a hotel staff.

Of course, that’s not to say it was bad.

I actually thought it was impressive.

It just felt somewhat standardized.

Like the right angles visible throughout the mansion.

“That concludes my explanation. Then, I’ll take my leave.”

“Understood. And we’ll unpack our luggage ourselves, so there’s no need to send someone.”

“…Ah, yes. Understood.”

We stepped into the guest room as soon as the disgruntled butler left.

It was a room that showed considerable attention to the expected guests.

The perfectly arranged furniture, the neatly made bed, and the cleanliness all gave that impression.

After quickly scanning the interior of the guest room, I looked at the furniture placed in the corner and said,

“Let’s unpack our luggage first.”