Ch.145145. What in the World is Going On?

“What on earth is going on?”

Until now, visits to Lake Territory from other domains had been strictly prohibited while recovering from the damage of the monster wave. This was to prevent various crimes from occurring amid the chaotic atmosphere.

But today.

They had merely allowed visits to Lake Territory, yet somehow people had gathered like a swarm of bees.

As I stared in astonishment with wide eyes, Federicks calmly spoke up.

“They’ve been camping and waiting in the neighboring territories.”

“That many?”

“Of course. Historically, no territory has ever repelled a monster wave like this. Other noble houses can’t help but take great interest.”

“What about the defense formations?”

“Naturally, the knights and mercenaries plan to control access with four rotating shifts at each formation.”

I smiled, satisfied with Federicks’ handling of the situation.

“What’s gotten into you?”

“Isn’t it obvious? These defense formations historically repelled a monster wave—security is vital.”

“Right. After all our hard work, it would be a shame to reveal the secrets of building defense formations for free.”

“Exactly. Lake Territory’s marketplace is currently bustling with activity. The inns are completely full, needless to say.”

This small region, Lake Territory—once considered merely an exile location by House Alphonse. Even people who had lived here their entire lives must be experiencing this strange scenery for the first time.

“Make sure visitors to Lake Territory have something pleasant to look at. Loosen the purse strings, plant flowers, and install plenty of benches for comfortable seating.”

“How about installing a fountain in the central plaza?”

“Oh, that’s a good idea. Right now they’re visiting out of curiosity because of the monster wave, but it’s important to create an environment that makes them want to return.”

Federicks took out a notebook, gripped his pen, and began scribbling excitedly.

Why is he in such a good mood?

Well, when he first came to Lake Territory, he probably never dreamed something like this would happen.

“Ah, that reminds me! You should also visit the Imperial Palace.”

“The Imperial Palace? The Imperial Princess already came and left.”

“His Imperial Majesty is personally requesting your presence, young master.”

Why is my to-do list growing like a mountain after repelling the monster wave?

I let out a short sigh.

“When do I need to go?”

“He said to come at your convenience. It seems he’s giving you time to restore the territory.”

“That’s fortunate at least. If I had to go suddenly again, it would have been quite bothersome.”

Federicks clenched his fist in shock.

“B-bothersome?! His Imperial Majesty’s attention is a tremendous honor!”

“Does receiving such honor improve my life in any way?”

“…Pardon?”

“Will it prevent monster waves? Wars? If not, what actual benefit does this ‘honor’ provide?”

“W-well, there might be imperial gifts…”

“Wouldn’t it be far more financially beneficial to use that time advancing our business ventures instead?”

At this, Federicks narrowed his eyes.

“Young master, why are you so focused on material things?”

“Having something tangible in hand makes life easier later. Frankly speaking, we built the defense formations because we had the resources—without them, we would have been completely swept away by the monster wave.”

“That’s true, but…”

“We need to be prosperous ourselves before we can help others.”

“Sigh… you’re right, young master.”

Realizing further discussion would be fruitless, Federicks made various excuses and quietly took his leave.

As I stood with my hands behind my back enjoying the scenery, a familiar person entered through the door.

“Se-Selden!!”

A voice urgently calling my name.

I narrowed my brow after confirming who it was.

“Brother?”

“Selden!!!”

Leonard Alphonse.

Why does this lunatic keep showing up here when he should be living happily with Seri Familia after getting married?

“What brings you here?”

In response to my question, Leonard wore an inexplicably urgent expression.

“Let’s talk inside first.”

I tilted my head curiously as we moved to the reception room.

As soon as Leonard sat on the sofa, he let out a sigh.

“Haa… this is exhausting.”

“Your exile will be lifted soon anyway, so why come in such a hurry when you could just see me then?”

“Because I have my reasons.”

“Reasons?”

Leonard gulped down a glass of cold water hastily, then suddenly flinched as if remembering something.

“By the way, why are there so many people in the territory?”

“It seems many have come to tour Lake Territory because of the monster wave.”

“R-right! The monster wave! How on earth did you stop it? You’re not going to say it was just luck again, are you?”

“I built defense formations as a precaution, which proved crucial in stopping the monster wave.”

Leonard leaned back against the sofa and let out a long sigh.

“Haa… so in the end, it was just good luck.”

“Well, I suppose you could say that.”

“If the monster wave hadn’t occurred, the defense formations would have been useless.”

“Not quite. There’s no guarantee that war will never break out in our lifetime.”

“If war broke out between noble houses, they’d attack Alphonse territory directly. Who would come all the way to this backwater?”

I gave an artificial smile in response to Leonard’s sarcasm.

“As you must have seen on your way here, Lake Territory can hardly be called a backwater anymore.”

“Y-yes, that’s true.”

“…So what brings you here so suddenly, brother?”

At my question, Leonard removed his back from the sofa and adopted an uncharacteristically serious expression.

“Evander’s movements are concerning.”

“Our eldest brother?”

“Yes, he’s launching various business ventures and intensifying the knights’ training.”

“Isn’t that just to strengthen his position in the family?”

Leonard snorted, raised his index finger, and shook it vigorously.

“It may appear that way, but my eyes cannot be deceived!!”

“Then why do you think our eldest brother is working so diligently?”

“It’s because of ‘you.'”

“…Pardon?”

I snickered, thinking he was barking up the wrong tree, but Leonard continued without humor.

“It doesn’t feel like he’s trying to check me. It hurts my pride, but I don’t think he considers me at all.”

“Are you saying he’s checking me instead?”

“Yes, especially since hearing that you repelled the monster wave, he seems even more desperate to achieve results.”

Hearing this, it made sense.

While I built the defense formations and repelled the monster wave simply to survive, from Evander’s perspective, it must be concerning.

Whether he likes it or not, my name keeps coming up in conversations.

But still.

When Evander visited Lake Territory last time, I clearly expressed that I had no interest in the family head position…

Does he not believe me?

Well, in this world, the position of family head comes with honor, so he probably thinks I wouldn’t easily give it up.

Haa…

If only this guy in front of me had done the bare minimum, Evander’s attention wouldn’t have turned to me…

Given the situation, I need to choose one of two options:

Either quietly help Leonard build his position from behind, or subtly position our sister Miria Alphonse as Evander’s competitor.

Since Miria Alphonse has shown no interest in becoming family head so far, pushing Leonard Alphonse seems like the most realistic choice right now.

Throb-!

My temple began to ache.

Now I have to spoon-feed this guy too.

“Brother, do you truly want to become the family head?”

“H-how can you even ask that! Among noble children, you’re probably the only one in the world who doesn’t want to become family head!”

“If you become family head, you’ll stop bothering me, right?”

“Of course! And if I become family head, I’ll grant whatever you wish!”

It seemed more beneficial for me if Leonard became family head rather than Evander, who hadn’t properly assessed the situation yet.

Well, he’d also be easier to manipulate.

“What are you doing now to strengthen your position in the family?”

“Well, I’m doing personal training and focusing on the knights’ training like Evander.”

“You’re doing personal training?”

“…Well, I don’t do it every day, but I train somewhat to maintain my swordsmanship skills.”

Leonard’s swordsmanship skills, compared to our knights, would rank at the absolute bottom.

In other words, he has no swordsmanship skills to maintain.

“Let’s go outside.”

I rose from the sofa.

Leonard tilted his head in confusion.

“Where are we going?”

My first legitimate opportunity to hit Leonard.

Hiding my devious expression as best I could, I jerked my chin.

“Training. I’ll help you.”