Ch.537537. The Count’s Family and the Special Operations Team (2)

“Did you call for me, Mother?”

“Siabel. A letter has arrived from the Baron and Sione.”

“Really? I thought they were so well-suited to life in the barony that they’d forgotten about us. Finally, a letter has come.”

Ainel and Siabel chuckled with light laughter at the thought of Sione, clearly enjoying themselves.

After Sione had abruptly left for the barony, they hadn’t exchanged any personal conversations apart from discussions about ancient text decoding and Dungeons. Even those were conducted through the Baron or Lord Venner.

It was only natural to be excited about what boasts might be written in this rare letter from Sione.

However, that warm atmosphere didn’t last long.

“But you know. Our second daughter mentioned not just her recent activities but also some rather important business.”

“…Business, you say? Surely not—”

“Yes, I’m sorry, but it seems you’ll have to take this on, Siabel.”

Another heavy burden was being placed on her shoulders when she was already stretched thin with Bronte.

“I’m already quite busy with the environmental improvement project and Dungeon-related matters… Sion is also intelligent and capable, so perhaps assigning it to him…”

“The reconstruction of the Academy’s Divine Studies Department is nearly complete, so you’ll need to go to the Academy soon anyway. Isn’t Sion already doing enough to maintain the balance between the church and our county?”

“That’s true, but…”

“Moreover, this matter is related to the Beastkin Special Forces. I judged you to be the most suitable person to handle dealings with them. Please review this content.”

“Excuse me for a moment.”

Siabel slowly read through the text.

And as soon as she confirmed that there was a seed hidden inside that could bring greater benefits than expected.

With perfect timing, Ainel continued.

“You see. The Beastkin Special Forces, although they currently follow the church’s orders, are not a group completely subjugated and subordinated. Their power extends beyond the authority of inspection and support granted by the Holy Nation.”

“They certainly seem to be carrying the symbolism of the Beastkin Alliance on their backs. In that case—”

“Rather than simply following the Holy Nation’s orders, they can observe the situation from a step back. Even if it exists only nominally, if we can utilize their inspection authority well, it might be possible to check the Archbishop, who is trying to suspect us, from deeper within.”

“…That’s certainly true. But still, if it’s related to the church, wouldn’t Sion be better suited since he currently has deeper knowledge about that side—”

“Siabel, read the postscript that Sione wrote at the end.”

At Ainel’s words, Siabel’s eyes moved to the small sentence written at the very bottom of the paper.

Not Ray’s immature handwriting, but cute, round, and elegant penmanship.

The author of the postscript was unmistakably Sione.

—Regarding relations with the Beastkin Special Forces, Siabel would be better than Sion. They feel more familiar with knights than priests. And since I’ve learned they’re heading to the county on Dungeon-related business, I think Siabel would be…

“Huh.”

Siabel couldn’t help but let out a hollow laugh at the words that seemed to be pushing her into work, too detailed to be a simple postscript.

“Sione…”

She already knew well that her sister was buried under piles of documents. Why would she go this far?

She almost missed the days when she simply assisted her mother, practiced swordsmanship when she had time, and went on monster subjugation missions in the Beltrin Mountains when she wanted to go out.

After reading the postscript to the end, Siabel spoke with a voice that was noticeably more drained than before.

“…The letter may have been written by Sione, but I can clearly see that this idea came from someone else.”

“Still, if it’s the Baron’s suggestion, there’s no harm in trying it out. And thinking about it, only reasonable things are written there.”

“That may be true, but…”

“Siabel.”

“Yes, Mother.”

“I’m asking you a favor.”

“…”

“While you’re handling that matter, I’ll take care of all the improvement projects and diplomatic issues with the Marquisate of Kallia.”

“I’ll do my best to achieve excellent results…!”

And so Siabel, who had begun her connection with the Beastkin Special Forces.

Finally found herself face to face with Sharenne, the commander of the Beastkin Special Forces.

“I understand the Beastkin Special Forces’ requests well. Information requests for Dungeon investigations in conjunction with the church. And issues related to residence at the frontier base, correct?”

“Precisely.”

“Good. I am currently responsible for the overall military command of the current Dungeon.”

For the moment she was involved with the Beastkin before her, free from her many duties.

As much as she could wear her sword at her waist and cut down enemies while running through the open fields.

“How about conducting a few operations with our special task force that specializes in Dungeon combat? Direct transmission of know-how and experience would be better than just written knowledge, and moreover.”

Siabel approached the meeting with the determination not to let Sharenne slip away.

“This opportunity will allow for exchange between Beastkin who know honor and humans who understand the nobility of faith and combat.”

At the words that followed.

“It would also help the warriors of the ‘Beastkin Alliance,’ who are cooperating with the church, to establish more certain judgment values by recognizing the difference between the church’s perspective on Dungeons and our county’s view.”

*Perk!*

Just as she had learned from Sione’s letter.

Whether it was true that the commander might harbor deeper disappointment with the church and uncertainty about her own judgment.

Sharenne perked up her wolf ears with interest.

And with this positive signal, Siabel—

“Well, would you like to try that?”

“Very well. May I ask for your assistance?”

“Of course. Rather, our special task force should be grateful. Just observing the combat of the Beastkin Special Forces would be an excellent experience.”

Successfully won over Sharenne’s heart.

* * *

After receiving Adelheid’s letter bound for the Empire.

I took some time to reflect on what has been the source of my motivation and vitality, the driving force behind my actions.

‘To defeat demons.’

From offering my arm to Arachne to save Sione when I had nothing.

To squeezing out my tiny bit of mana to protect Adelheid.

Or traveling to various battlefields to avoid a second death.

‘The threat of death is still present.’

There are still three demons left.

Being hindered by someone at the very moment I need to advance solely to face them is certainly not a good thing.

‘Those who interfere with my demon-slaying.’

Wouldn’t it be better to teach them a lesson so they can’t block my path?

‘Besides.’

It’s only fair to return what’s given.

This time it’s the 3rd Princess’s side that provoked me. But the barony, with two Masters still alive, has connections not only with the 1st Princess but also with numerous high nobles.

Don’t we have enough power to try to check her?

“…Create a justification if needed.”

Easier said than done—creating a plausible fictional scenario and justification that others would find convincing is harder than it seems.

So while I was still contemplating which of the various families to start with.

Quite foolishly, a family with deep loyalty to the 3rd Princess touched us first.

—The Barony of Karpel is no longer a royal domain. The territory that existed to promote peace in the west under the august royal family has become the purely personal territory of a newly born hereditary noble.

The western part of the kingdom.

A viscounty that was spreading words directly targeting my family.

—A lord with insufficient knowledge of noble society’s politics and society. Too many soldiers are in the hands of Baron Ray Karpel. We fear that the baron’s immature judgment and the corruption of vassals belonging to the rising barony may disturb the peace of the west.

Starting with the claim that a mere barony has too many private soldiers.

—Therefore, we, the Viscounty of Akion, along with a total of four families, hereby declare to all the kingdom’s people our intention to reduce the Barony of Karpel’s military and to welcome a new mediator for the west to replace the barony which, although no longer bound by the constraints of being a royal domain that must govern noble conflicts neutrally, still customarily occupies the position of mediator.

It was so obvious they wanted to push their own people as the new mediator to reduce the power of the strong barony.

—And we intend to accomplish this by offering one of our trading cities, which has a geographically excellent location among the viscount’s fiefs, to the royal family to be made into a royal domain.

Clearly an attempt to create a royal domain that would be heavily influenced by the royal family, specifically the 3rd Princess Amelie.

Remembering the name of the viscounty, I thought:

“If they’re going to start scratching at us like this.”

It only makes it clearer which one to deal with first.

Is there any family without a speck of dust when shaken?

Also, this incident.

“My lord, may this old servant speak?”

“Of course.”

“We vassals have worked for the family from under the royal family, and have never done anything shameful, whether in performing the role of mediator or in the rational management of the trading city connecting the royal capital and the west. We have continued to work diligently since you, my lord, newly arrived.”

This made many vassals show properly rotten expressions.

“This old servant humbly suggests that you, my lord, should hold the Viscounty of Akion and those who have joined them accountable for damaging the honor of the barony.”

The situation was beginning to unfold in an interesting way.