Ch.227Chapter 227 – The Duke’s Secret Affair

As another day came to a close, I finished repairing the students’ equipment as usual.

“Count Pathos Severio. If you don’t mind… could you spare a moment of your time?”

Just as I was about to close the shop and leave, I heard someone calling me from behind.

When I turned around, I saw a male student who appeared to be a fourth-year.

He looks familiar… his face and name are on the tip of my tongue.

“You’re… Rubio El Tramante, right?”

“I’m honored that you remember me, Count.”

I was uncertain, but it seems I got it right.

Rubio El Tramante.

He’s the eldest son of the Tramante family, which uniquely uses the middle name “El” among the nobles of the Gelebrio Empire.

The Tramante family is known for producing Emmao El Tramante, one of the three dukes of the Gelebrio Empire.

The Tramante family has amassed enormous wealth through their exceptional business acumen, operating numerous trading companies.

In fact, one of the largest suppliers of goods to Glesius Academy is a trading company operated by the Tramante family.

About 30% of the supplies to Glesius Academy come from one of the trading companies owned by the Tramante family, which shows just how impressive the Tramante family is.

“What brings you here? I was about to close the shop as business hours are over.”

“Ah, it’s nothing much. My father asked me to deliver a letter to you, Count.”

“A letter?”

Seriously, is there some ghost of undelivered letters haunting me? I don’t understand why I’m receiving so many letters lately.

“Yes. My father didn’t tell me what it contains, so I don’t know what it’s about.”

Rubio took out a well-sealed letter with wax from his pocket and handed it to me.

After receiving the letter, I parted ways with Rubio and returned to my room.

“Looks like she’s working overtime today.”

Sister Regina seemed to be working late tonight, as she hadn’t returned yet.

In the empty room, I broke the wax seal on the letter Rubio had given me and took out its contents.

As the scent of lavender wafted from the luxurious paper, I slowly read through the letter.

◈◇◈◇◈◇◈◇◈◇◈

To Count Pathos Severio,

I hope you’ve had a peaceful day, Count.

I am Emmao El Tramante. Though undeserving, like you, I am a recipient of a title from the Imperial Family and remain loyal to the country and the Imperial House.

I’ve heard that you’re from the Eastern Continent, so allow me to briefly introduce our family.

This will help you better understand the purpose of this letter I’m sending you.

Our Tramante family owns several large trading companies.

The profits we earn are substantial, and our family’s influence extends not only throughout the Gelebrio Empire but beyond its borders as well.

However, recently I’ve developed a significant concern.

As you know… we men all share a common interest.

You know what I’m referring to, so I won’t explicitly state it.

I, too, strive daily to fulfill my role as the head of my family and as a husband to two wives.

But lately, perhaps due to my age, I’ve begun to dread the approach of nighttime.

Despite this, I’ve prided myself on having trained in swordsmanship and possessing better physical strength than ordinary people.

But that was merely my misjudgment.

Strangely, I’ve been feeling increasingly weak and somehow lacking in energy lately.

Even my morning pride, which used to stand firm, no longer displays the same steadfastness as before.

Both my wives and I have aged considerably, so I thought the flames would have dimmed by now, but it seems I was mistaken.

My two wives are demanding more and more, and I must respond to those demands.

I know it’s frightening, but isn’t facing one’s fears what makes a man?

Yet oddly enough, despite trying all the recommended medicines and foods, the results have been consistently disappointing.

But having my son convey such matters would be rather embarrassing, wouldn’t it?

As the head of the family, one should set an example in these matters as well.

There are secrets that cannot be disclosed even to family.

In that regard, if you’re willing to help after reading this letter, please send word through my son that you wish to visit our family.

I will compensate you generously for this.

I’ve heard that you have two people with whom you’ve promised a future?

A noble’s wedding costs far more than you might imagine.

From sending invitations to guests, preparing to receive them, organizing the reception, and preparing return gifts—a wedding is a series of large and small tasks.

And the most important thing in resolving all of these is money.

If you help me just this once, I’ll give you enough gold coins to easily cover three or four weddings with plenty to spare.

I say this on my honor as the head of the Tramante family.

Of course, this is just the beginning.

If you resolve my concern, I’ll tell you in detail about what you stand to gain, so please contact me if you’re interested.

With that, I’ll conclude this letter.

May peace be with you and your family.

P.S. – There are several others with concerns similar to mine. If this matter concludes well, I’ll introduce you to new people. If you resolve their concerns as well, they will all become your steadfast allies.

◈◇◈◇◈◇◈◇◈◇◈

After reading Duke Tramante’s letter, I fell into contemplation for a moment.

I had expected a request to repair some family treasure or something similar… but after confirming the contents, I felt slightly deflated.

However, I felt somewhat relieved that the letter’s content wasn’t extremely important.

It wasn’t about discovering a new branch of the Demon Cult with some unidentifiable artifact that needed to be destroyed.

Nor was it about repairing some ancient civilization’s legacy that they couldn’t fix themselves.

It was simply a request to help him perform his duties as a husband, just as I had exerted my strength in the Eastern Continent.

“This feels rather anticlimactic.”

I had made various plans in anticipation of a war with the Demon Cult, but all those plans had become useless.

…Of course, this only applies within the Gelebrio Empire.

There are many countries on this continent besides the Gelebrio Empire.

So it’s impossible to estimate how many Demon Cult forces might be lying dormant in those places.

Of course, it seems they’ll need some time before they can resume their activities.

‘Would it be alright to make a quick visit?’

I should talk to Sister Regina first.

I’m not alone anymore, so I can’t just go off somewhere as I please.

“If it’s Duke Tramante, it must be Emmao. So his son asked for your help?”

“Yes. I thought it would be good to establish connections this way.”

“Hmm… in noble society, putting others in your debt isn’t a bad thing. That’s how everyone builds their networks.”

Sister Regina seemed to view helping Duke Tramante positively from a networking perspective.

If I help Duke Tramante, will he attend my wedding as a guest later?

I’ve heard that someone of a duke’s stature is so busy that it’s difficult for them to make time for such events.

“Managing connections is really challenging.”

“It’s not just nobles; commoners also maintain their networks.”

Hearing Sister Regina’s words, I recalled people from my previous life who managed their connections in various ways.

“But how do I get there?”

“Why not call Cheonhyeryeong?”

“Hmm.”

I’m probably the only person who uses a divine horse as a human bus.

Hmm… but how do I call the divine horse…

“My lord! Have you sought me out?”

“Wow.”

…That’s some impressive performance.

“How did you…?”

“Hoho, I am always watching over you, no matter where or when. So whenever you need me, I can appear.”

Ah, well… a divine horse is indeed a divine horse. Today, I learned another important lesson: one should never judge a divine horse by common sense.

With Sister Regina’s permission and Cheonhyeryeong here to escort me, I went to find Rubio.

“I see. I will inform my father.”

After conveying my intention to meet the duke to Rubio, one week later…

“Count, my father says he will come here himself.”

…What?