Ch.6666. Meeting the In-Laws like Storm (2)

●

The rivalry between the Kendrid Margrave family and the Tristan Grand Duke family is not actually as old a tradition as one might think, given its intensity.

To be precise, until Krat and Gideon became the heads of their respective houses, the families merely engaged in subtle power plays over who was the Empire’s premier noble. It hardly qualified as a feud.

However.

In recent years, since these two took leadership, many believe their relationship has crossed a point of no return.

And that atmosphere was perfectly evident right now in Baron Campbell’s office.

“…”

“…”

“…”

They endured the oppressive atmosphere in silence.

If killing intent could take physical form and cause phenomena, this small office would have exploded into nothingness by now.

“So,” Krat was the first to break the silence.

“What’s a prissy bastard like you doing here?”

Gideon’s face contorted.

For someone whose expression rarely changed, this was remarkably unusual.

And what followed would surely be the same.

“…I have no reason to explain myself to someone barely different from a barbarian.”

Uncharacteristically, the Tristan Grand Duke had uttered a sentence that openly mocked his counterpart. Krat’s face immediately scrunched up in response.

“Let’s keep this civil, prissy boy.”

But instead of letting his anger explode, Krat continued in a low, controlled voice.

“As much as I’d like to slit your throat, and you’d like to cut off my head, this isn’t the place for it.”

Fighting each other in this peaceful Campbell barony wasn’t what he wanted.

Causing harm to innocent people wasn’t something he was keen on. Especially not to a competent noble who was clearly managing his territory well.

‘…This guy remains composed even now.’

He let out a small laugh as he observed Darwood, who was calmly surveying his surroundings with an expressionless face.

His demeanor was steady. Even in the midst of such a volatile situation.

He must surely realize that two of the Empire’s most prominent nobles had gathered because of him.

“If we fight, this entire territory will be obliterated. You know that too.”

“…”

The Tristan Grand Duke met Krat’s gaze in silence.

For Krat, this was an inwardly surprising response.

‘This bastard is actually agreeing with me?’

Normally, they would stubbornly oppose each other even while knowing the other was right. Everyone knew that Krat and Gideon openly exchanged enough hostility to qualify as mortal enemies.

But now, Gideon was silently giving tacit approval.

As if he too didn’t want to cause harm to this territory.

Valuing this territory and the people connected to it more than their long-standing antagonism.

Probably, with high probability.

‘…Is this man that important to him?’

Krat’s gaze sharply examined Gideon and Darwood in turn.

He had no idea what relationship existed between these two.

If anything, this meant he could make his demands more confidently.

“You know the pilgrimage return procedure,” Krat continued in a calm voice.

“Our family visited this man’s hometown, so next it’s Darwood’s turn to visit ours. Your family seems to have tagged along too, but if you just promise to visit our side first, I’ll withdraw gracefully.”

The Kendrid Margrave glanced at Darwood, who was silently listening to the conversation.

‘…This guy shows promise.’

It wasn’t simply because Elia clearly had obvious feelings for him.

Considering how deeply this Darwood Campbell had impressed him in such a short time, he definitely had “investment value.”

Regardless of his personal feelings, the man had already proven his abilities in various ways.

He had survived close quarters with the Kendrid Margrave and even managed to land a blow in return. And he was merely an academy student.

Even among those who survived in the notoriously harsh and rugged north, few could accomplish such a feat.

“…”

But contrary to such thoughts.

Darwood’s expression, which had remained impassive throughout this meeting, continued to darken.

Because he immediately grasped how this conversation would unfold.

In essence, they were asking him to set priorities.

The Tristan Grand Duke or the Kendrid Margrave.

On the surface, it was merely about coordinating which place to visit first, but the underlying message was essentially telling the other side to back off because “this one belongs to us.”

This was a choice that could only arise in a situation where two of the Empire’s top nobles were simultaneously trying to curry favor with him, but his expression showed no signs of improving.

Because.

“…I’m not interested in your childish games.”

No matter which side he chose, the other would not be pleased with his selection.

Gideon responded in a rigid voice.

“But I certainly don’t find it appealing to send a talent of this man’s caliber to such a backward land of nothing but ice.”

“…”

“The north is just a gathering of losers and runaways, isn’t it?”

Krat snickered.

But in contrast to this reaction, his entire body was enveloped in a blue aura.

It was the manifestation of “strong energy,” akin to combat-ready martial arts knights preparing for battle.

The statement Gideon had just made was impossible to overlook considering the “history” of the northern margrave family.

“…Look at this fucking bastard running his mouth again—”

“How about this instead.”

The harsh atmosphere was interrupted by those words.

It was Darwood Campbell, who hadn’t spoken a word until now.

“Since choosing either side will only cause dissatisfaction from the other, let’s make it fair by providing a reason the other side can accept.”

“…What are you saying? That we should duel? If you provide a suitable location, I’d actually welcome—”

“Don’t drag my family into your fights. It would just give other nobles something to gossip about.”

“…”

“Do whatever you want with me, but leave my family out of it. Understand?”

Darwood Campbell’s calm delivery would be considered a disaster from the perspective of noble etiquette. It was so inappropriate that they would be justified in beheading him on the spot.

However, both men maintained their silence.

Partly because they were in positions of wanting something from this man, but also because.

From this man speaking to those who might threaten his “family.”

They felt a strange pressure that made it impossible to interject.

‘…I like this aspect of him.’

Even Krat found himself smirking at the thought.

The difference between his occasionally dull and foolish demeanor, especially his clueless behavior regarding romantic matters, and how he appeared in moments like this was night and day.

It was enough to make one want to ask:

“Are you really oblivious when you disregard others’ feelings?”

“…Pardon?”

A stupid response that instantly erased the respect he had just earned.

As Krat inwardly sighed, Darwood cleared his throat and continued.

“Anyway, I’m suggesting we resolve this amicably without fighting. In other words.”

Darwood paused, searching for the right words.

He seemed to be considering how to best package this proposal.

Of course, the conclusion came quickly.

That such a thing was impossible from the start.

“I’ll give you both a task, and I’ll go with whoever performs it better.”

“…”

“Both of you, try your best to impress me.”

“…”

Krat quietly marveled.

‘What a man.’

The respect that had dipped earlier was now rapidly rising again.

●

“…Darwood.”

“…”

Of course, to others, this probably looks like nothing more than me doing something insane.

I approach my father, who calls me over with a pale face.

“You said it was fine, but is this really okay…?”

“Yes.”

My short answer prompts my father to scrutinize me from head to toe with disbelieving eyes.

Fair enough. Who would calmly accept a baron’s heir confronting two of the Empire’s pillars—major nobles?

“…It’s really fine, Father.”

But this is actually much safer.

< System Message >

[ The Kendrid Margrave admires your bold spirit! ]

[ Target ‘Krat’s’ affection level has risen to ‘Interest Level 1’! ]

[ This is a character with Good alignment. Rewards are reduced! ]

“…”

I always feel this way.

This game has too many strange people.

The second-highest ranking noble in the Empire actually increased his affection after I confronted him like that.

‘Though I did calculate that risk before taking action.’

I knew Krat would likely welcome and accept such a direct approach, and Gideon was unlikely to refuse given our established teacher-student relationship.

“…”

And that’s not the only reason.

Just looking at the window floating before me makes that clear.

< Gift-Related Character Alert >

♥ Elnore Erinarise la Tristan

[ Affection Level 2 ]

[ D-1 until related event occurs ]

▼ Elia Krisanax

[ Trust Level 1 ]

[ D-1 until related event occurs ]

▼ Gideon Gaelstard La Tristan

[ Interest Level 4 ]

[ Available rewards exist! ]

[ D-1 until related event occurs ]

▼ Krat Bellium La Kendrid

[ Interest Level 1 ]

[ Available rewards exist! ]

[ D-1 until related event occurs ]

“…”

How dazzlingly complex.

These are all windows that appeared right after Gideon and Krat met.

With so many characters simultaneously involved, there’s only one possibility this could indicate.

‘Something big is coming…!’

I scroll through the windows with that thought.

< Quest Info >

[ Side Quest: Commotion! ]

[ D-1 until quest completion ]

[ It seems Count Chester’s family continues to instigate conflicts in surrounding territories. Uncover the reason and resolve it! ]

[ Reward: 1 Mid-tier Artifact ]

Of course everything converges at this quest’s completion timing.

‘…This is opening a bit earlier than expected.’

A side quest related to Count Chester’s family that provides an artifact, and an event that involves this many characters.

It can only be one thing.

An event that can form “positive” relationship branches with Elnore and Gideon.

“…”

Thinking about the “content” makes me smile wryly. It’s not exactly easy to accomplish.

Still, being able to handle this at such an early timing is a tremendous merit.

That’s why I specifically told Gideon and Krat I’d “give them a task.” If I can’t manipulate those two according to my preferences, achieving my desired outcome would be nearly impossible.

It’s a branching point that also massively impacts the exclusive quest related to Elnore’s family.

“Coachman. How much longer until we reach Count Chester’s territory?”

“We’re almost there!”

That’s why we’re moving to Count Chester’s territory with this many people.

As they say, strike while the iron is hot—when something like this comes up, it’s only natural to resolve it immediately.

“By the way, son.”

As I’m thinking about this in the rattling carriage, my father asks another worried question from across the seat.

“…Are these really all the people coming to our territory?”

“…”

“You haven’t unknowingly attracted more women, have you…?”

Father, where in the world would someone unknowingly seduce women?

< Gift-Related Character List >

▼ Lucien Greyhounter

[ Interest Level 1.5 ]

[ D-1 until related event occurs ]

▼ Yuria Greyhaunter

[ Interest Level 4 ]

[ D-1 until related event occurs ]

[ 1 Skill Copy Token available for use! ]

“…”

Though separate from that.

It does seem like more people are coming.

Sadly.

●

“Preposterous.”

Count Chester said irritably.

“The Kendrid Margrave? The Tristan Grand Duke? Talk sense. What reason would such people have to be involved with a mere barony?”

“B-but, the Kendrid Margrave was really there.”

“You must have seen wrong. Or it was some madman impersonating the Kendrid Margrave.”

“…”

“That man hasn’t left the north in 10 years. Not since the Tristan Grand Duke’s wedding. Why would someone who never descends to the mundane world come to such a backwater…”

No, that’s not it.

The head butler thought with a pale face.

The power, the aura, and even the appearance. Everything perfectly matched what he knew about the Kendrid Margrave.

But it was clear that Count Chester had no intention of believing him.

Though it was admittedly difficult information to accept.

“Stop worrying about such useless things and hurry up with seizing more land from the surrounding territories. If we don’t, we’re all dead men. Understand?”

The head butler agreed with that part. His dry throat gulped.

Currently, Count Chester was intensely focused on seizing “land” from other territories by any means necessary.

Because of that “monster” discovered in the center of his territory.

It was only in the hatching stage now, but given months or years, it would undoubtedly become a calamity that would devour the entire territory.

As he was processing this information, a voice called out from the distance.

“Count! Couuuunt!”

It was one of the territory’s knights, pale as a ghost. With an expression like he’d seen a specter, Count Chester tilted his head and spoke.

“What’s the matter? Why do you look like that?”

“A noble is visiting. You should go out immediately!”

“…A visit? I didn’t schedule anything. Who is it?”

Indeed, visiting without setting an appointment was a major breach of etiquette.

If it was someone of lower rank, they should be prepared to face severe consequences.

“Baron Campbell!”

A baron. Someone he didn’t even know.

In that case, he could threaten them, humiliate them thoroughly, and drive them away. As Count Chester was about to speak with this in mind, the knight continued.

“He’s accompanied by the Kendrid Margrave and the Tristan Grand Duke as his escorts!”

“…”

A massive question mark appeared on Count Chester’s face.

Because.

It was a sentence he simply couldn’t comprehend.

“…A baron has the Kendrid Margrave and the Tristan Grand Duke as his escorts?”

“…Yes, sir!”

“…”

A heavy silence fell over the surroundings.

●