Ch.356You’re Just Too Greedy.

I didn’t really intend to kill him.

After all, if I openly murdered the Duke of Wien, who was the Emperor’s father-in-law, the Imperial Regent, and the focal point of the aristocracy, the repercussions would be immense.

My influence had certainly grown.

To the point where no one in the Empire would dare attack me.

However, that didn’t mean I’d been given a free pass to commit murder.

Even I would have to prepare for exile if I slaughtered the Empire’s second-highest noble at an imperial banquet.

If I had intended to kill everyone I disliked just because I had power, I wouldn’t have left Ka’har in the first place.

So… I should handle this verbally.

After stomping out my cigarette that was pitifully emitting a wisp of smoke, I took out a new one and lit it.

“I regret to decline your proposal. As I’ve repeatedly stated, I have no intention of entering into marriage with anyone.”

How many times have I said this already? Why won’t these nobles just listen? Aristocrats, honestly.

“As for the succession of the family… if there’s a branch family of Landenburg, couldn’t you adopt from there? Isn’t that right?”

“…But that would ultimately end the bloodline of the Great’s Twelve Knights. The loss to the Empire would be—”

“So what? Several houses have already fallen, from what I hear.”

That’s what Ludwig had said.

Even among the houses of the Twelve Knights, quite a few had been wiped out over the years.

“If you were concerned about the bloodline of the Twelve Knights ending, shouldn’t you have protected them better from the start? The fact that you didn’t suggests the Imperial House didn’t place much value on that bloodline. Isn’t that right?”

“……”

Duke Wien remained silent. He probably had no rebuttal.

He must know well that the Imperial House had been wary of the houses of the Twelve Knights, and sometimes even directly assassinated them.

The lucky ones used their bloodlines as bargaining chips with the Imperial House to become Imperial Regents, while the unlucky ones barely survived as low-ranking provincial nobles or were completely annihilated.

If Carlos the Great could see this from the afterlife, wouldn’t he be furiously beating his descendants’ heads by now?

“…Even if that were true, that’s in the past. Look at the world now. Just as they did hundreds of years ago, non-humans are beginning to display frightening power… and the Empire’s forces, which should be stopping them, have been greatly depleted. In such chaotic times, the bloodline of the Twelve Knights holds a more important position than ever…”

He’s persistent.

Worried about my bloodline dying out?

What a convenient excuse. That’s not the real reason at all.

“Sigh… Duke Wien. I didn’t want to say this, but aren’t you being too ambitious? Not content with being the Emperor’s in-law, you’re trying to swallow up both Landenburg and my house… Someone might suspect you of harboring treasonous thoughts. Not that I’m suggesting that, of course.”

If the houses of Duke Wien, Landenburg, and Median were combined, they would form a massive family that could literally control the Empire. They might even be able to replace the Emperor if things went their way.

That must be the purpose behind the Duke’s proposal for a political marriage.

Even ambition has its limits—is being the Emperor’s father-in-law not enough?

“Treasonous thoughts? That’s excessively disrespectful.”

Understanding my implication, Duke Wien’s face reddened slightly.

“You’re being excessively disrespectful to me as well. Haven’t I already said a hundred times that I won’t marry? You must know that.”

“If you’re going to live as an imperial citizen, shouldn’t you follow imperial customs?”

That’s why I’m letting you live.

You, who in my judgment are walking a fine line between good and evil.

“Imperial customs… Well then, let me follow those customs as you suggest.”

Lightly tapping away my cigarette ash, I continued.

“I hear that imperial ladies have their husbands decided by the head of their family… and the head of House Median happens to be none other than myself. What a predicament. Since the head of House Median has ordered me not to marry, by imperial custom, I cannot disobey, can I? So, the matter is settled. If you have nothing more to say, I’ll be on my way.”

An obvious mockery. I was reaching the limits of my patience.

I thought he might have something important to say, but he just spewed unpleasant nonsense.

Before Duke Wien could respond, I gave a slight bow and left him behind.

Ignoring his grumbling behind me.

This effectively made Duke Wien and me complete enemies, but there was nothing particularly concerning about that.

The power-obsessed Duke wouldn’t risk losing everything by raising a blade against me.

After stating with his own mouth that the Empire’s situation was unstable, he wouldn’t commit the stupidity of assassinating or exiling his country’s most important military asset.

He might be power-hungry, but he’s not that incompetent.

So even if the Duke opposed me, the most he could do would be to try to isolate me politically or somehow undermine my position… something along those lines.

—-

Aristocratic banquets always include dancing and music. This one was no exception.

Starting with the court musicians gathering in a corner of the palace annex, nobles paired up and began to dance hand in hand.

Countless noble men approached me requesting a dance. I rejected them all.

Rather than spinning around with these men with their lower parts protruding, I’d prefer to dance with Boris. Though it would be a sword dance rather than a waltz.

Seeing my eyebrows sink lower with each rejection, after a while, men stopped asking me to dance.

“My lady, wouldn’t it be better to allow at least one dance? For the sake of His Majesty, who hosted this banquet for you.”

“…Is that so? Then I’ll dance with you.”

If I had to dance one song, I had no reason not to.

I grabbed Leonore’s wrist as she quietly tipped me off and headed to the center of the garden where the ball was taking place.

Though she seemed a bit flustered, her lips trembling, Leonore soon sighed and took my hand to begin dancing.

Despite being labeled as boisterous, she proved her direct imperial lineage with flawless movements.

My dancing was somewhat clumsy compared to hers, but having danced once before, I could more or less keep up.

Thanks to Claire’s teaching, I suppose.

Thank you, Claire.

Stay strong in Ophelia’s fish tank.

—-

After several songs were played, I finally had a private audience with Leopold, who was taking a brief rest.

When I told him about Duke Wien’s proposal, Leopold looked at the Duke dancing with his wife with a more subdued expression.

“…So that happened.”

“Yes. Your Majesty should be careful as well.”

If you don’t want to become a figurehead or have Adelheid assassinated right after giving birth to a son, that is.

Though I doubt it would go that far, but just in case.

After that, we discussed the topic I had originally intended to talk about with Leopold.

“An administrator, you say?”

“Yes, even if I receive a territory, I barely have the leisure to manage it as a lord. To begin with, I don’t even know how to manage it. So using a proxy would be reasonable, but I can’t put just anyone in such a position…”

Where would I find time to manage territory and train civil officials? It’s not something that can be resolved in a month or two—it would take years.

If I had that kind of time, I should be hunting more monsters.

“Hmm… certainly that’s true. Most of the Count’s acquaintances excel in martial rather than civil matters. The same goes for the Count. I understand. I’ll select suitable individuals and send them to Median territory.”

Leopold nodded.

That’s one issue resolved.

—-

After the banquet ended, I sought out Lacy for a brief conversation.

“You’re thinking of going to the Holy State? Are you sure?”

I thought she wasn’t going because of assassination threats.

“I don’t plan to leave right away. If Count Median cannot join me… at the very least, I should wait until Lord Bells recovers.”

“If they really attempt assassination, one high-ranking Paladin doesn’t seem sufficient… do you absolutely have to go?”

To me, it looks like she’s going to her death.

“I must go. The elves have shown their ambitions again after hundreds of years, yet those who should be at the forefront of vigilance remain silent. What could be more impious? Undoubtedly, evil elements within the Holy State connected to Isabella are involved. I must find and remove them before it’s too late.”

Lacy’s attitude was resolute.

At this rate, she wouldn’t listen even if I tried to dissuade her.

For now, it was clear that there were enemies within the Holy State.

Considering how the personnel sent from the Holy State to investigate Isabella’s witch accusations were discovered before they could even begin.

I don’t know who it might be, but judging from the circumstances, it’s probably one of the cardinals.

So… was that person responsible for the Holy State’s partial collapse in the original story?

“Alright. But you said you’re not leaving right away, correct? Then could you postpone it until I return?”

“…I can’t wait too long.”

After some consideration, Lacy nodded.

She too must have felt uneasy about heading to the Holy State relying only on Bells.

—-

The last place I visited was Ophelia’s hideout.

Given the sensitive nature of the matter, she asked me to come alone if possible, so I had to ride a horse directly instead of taking a carriage.

I wore a robe over my clothes and pulled the hood low to cover my face.