Chapter 169

We said our final goodbyes in Vaea.

“You’re going with Camian?”

“Yup. Going to see the world a bit, and give some life advice as a senior.”

Godwin grinned, baring his teeth.

He looked happy to finally get out after all this time.

Of course, that wasn’t the only reason.

Godwin had mentioned this at the celebration yesterday.

That he liked Camian’s guts.

He was impressed by how Camian stepped forward without hesitation when we were about to be killed by the Black Golem.

Anyway, it worked out well.

His “life advice,” was of course, not just talk.

It meant teaching Camian his techniques.

Just as I intended.

“I see. Have fun exploring the Empire.”

I chuckled.

Camian’s family, the Croycher estate, is in the boonies.

I could already imagine him restless in a place with no entertainment.

The natural scenery is decent though, at least he’ll be able to relax a bit.

“Heh, I will.”

Godwin mounted his horse.

Camian and Annette also mounted theirs.

Those horses, were of course, gifts from me.

I was being generous to my juniors, considering they followed me on this long, arduous journey.

“Thank you for your hard work, seniors. We’ll see you next year.”

“ We’ve learned a lot.”

Said Annette and Camian.

“ Yeah, see you next year.”

And so, we saw off Camian, Annette, and Godwin.

Allen said, his face filled with melancholy,

“ I’ll head out too, Team Leader. President…please take care of Team Leader.”

The Kingdom is on the west side of the continent.

The farthest journey from here.

“ Okay, you’ve worked hard. Take care.”

“ See you later, Allen.”

Allen also left.

Dan, and White, the hound, were the only ones left.

“ Haha, I’ll guard our place well.”

“Take good care of White too.”

“ He’s fine on his own, but I’ll pay attention to him.”

Dan, with White, also set off for the Holy City.

Only those heading to my family’s home, the Celtrine earldom, remained.

Me, Regina, and Dolph.

“ Shall we?”

We also set off, at long last.

* * *

“……Haven’t you heard from your brother?”

Isabel, the Countess of Celtrine, asked her daughter, Reese.

Her worried heart was evident.

“ No, the last contact we had was the one back then.”

Reese answered.

A message saying he’d be late, because he had things to take care of.

That message was the last they’d heard from Max.

“ Is that so…It’s been a whole month…What in the world is he doing…”

“ Umm, I don’t know. Don’t worry too much. What could possibly happen? With his escorts and all…”

Unlike Isabel, Reese wasn’t worried.

Something happening to that brother of hers? The guy with enough cunning to fill a bag of snakes?

Unimaginable.

“ Of course, I trust he’ll be fine, but…”

“ By the way, I heard that we’re hosting an important guest, soon.”

Reese changed the topic.

“ Ah, yes. Marquis Cavern will be visiting.”

“ Marquis Cavern?”

Reese’s eyes widened.

He’s more influential than she had expected.

Noah Cavern, Marquis of Cavern.

A veteran noble, known as the “Iron Wall of the East” in the Empire.

A hero who had virtually eradicated pirates in the Lawless Sea, which was once a nuisance to the East.

Backed by the Cavern family’s elite soldiers, widely praised as the strongest in the East, and their powerful knights, also known as the best in the east.

What was he, the ruler of a large territory with unmatched military strength in the East, doing visiting the Celtrines?

“ Do you know…his business…?”

“ I’m not sure. Your father seems to have an idea, but he’s not telling.”

“ Hmm, I see.”

Reese understood.

That this wasn’t an ordinary matter.

It was usually like this whenever her father didn’t tell even her mother.

“ Then I’ll prepare to welcome the guest.”

“ Thank you, dear.”

“ No worries, it’s my duty.”

And so the Celtrine family prepared to receive their important guest.

And a few days later.

The guest visited the Celtrine family.

* * *

“ Haha, welcome. Marquis Cavern.”

The Count of Celtrine welcomed Marquis Cavern with a smile.

“ Hehe, it’s been a while. You haven’t changed a bit. Still full of youthful energy, I see.”

Marquis Cavern responded with a smile.

“ My, that’s not true. It’s embarrassing to say in front of you, Marquis, but this old body isn’t what it used to be. But how about you, Marquis? You still look extremely vigorous.”

“ Heh, you flatterer. I guess you learned to sweet talk people while I wasn’t looking, huh?”

“ Come on, I meant it.”

“ Alright, alright, enough. Just show your old guest around.”

“ Of course, please, this way.”

A peaceful first encounter, at least on the surface.

But the corners of Count Celtrine’s lips…

…were stiff.

* * *

“ How dare they…”

Reese trembled, biting her lip.

Dozens of knights, and over a hundred elite soldiers.

That was the entourage brought by Marquis Cavern.

It was outrageous, even for a visit.

They looked like they were headed to a war.

It was obvious to anyone.

He was blatantly displaying his strength.

To intimidate them and break their spirit, whatever his purpose.

Such disrespect.

“…Miss…”

Sana, her maid and confidante, looked worriedly at Reese.

“ Phew…”

Reese took a deep breath, calming herself.

This was reality.

The Celtrines were rich, but their military strength was…negligible.

This was something they had to endure.

That’s how it is for the weak.

Both her father and mother understood that and were silently bearing with it.

She couldn’t be the only one acting like this.

“ I’m okay, Sana. Let’s go.”

* * *

“It’s been a while since you last visited the Celtrines, hasn’t it?”

“ A few years.”

It has been a long time.

Something unimaginable in an ordinary engagement.

It seems like Max’s endless antics had finally pushed them to break off contact.

“ This is going to surprise my parents.”

“ I think so.”

Regina agreed.

Then she started speaking again.

“ But…”

“ Hmm? ”

“ The atmosphere is…a bit unsettling.”

I also sensed what Regina was talking about.

Something about the estate wasn’t peaceful.

Tilting my head in puzzlement, I asked Dolph,

“ Hey, Dolph, is it a special day or something today?”

“ Umm, I don’t think so…Wait…”

“ What is it?”

“ Huh, there’s a lot of soldiers gathered near the gate, but…they’re not Celtrine soldiers…”

Soldiers?

I leaned toward the window and looked ahead.

As Dolph said, I saw over a hundred soldiers.

They were just standing there, but their formations were neat.

A well-disciplined look.

It was evident that they were well-trained.

And the emblem on their armor…

‘ That emblem…’

“ A mermaid holding a spear…the Cavern family’s emblem.”

Regina said.

I knew the family.

One of the most distinguished families in the East.

Its name was comparable to the Ernbert marquisate, a renowned family in the north.

Both were similar in their duty of protecting their borders from foreign forces.

Their swords would soon be directed inward, though.

That’s right,

The Cavern family was one of the most prominent supporters of the First Prince, Adolf, in the coming civil war.

Meaning they could become either enemies or allies, depending on our future choices.

But why did that family visit my family?

There was only one answer that made sense.

“ I guess they need a goose that lays golden eggs. ”

I smiled wryly.

They made such a blatant visit, even after knowing about the strategic marriage between the Celtrines and the Ernberts?

It meant that our broken engagement was accepted as a fact even within the noble society.

Looks like we need to quickly make it clear that nothing’s wrong with our relationship.

“ Good timing, huh?”

I muttered significantly.

“ I agree.”

Regina nodded, as if she had read my mind.

I grinned and said,

“ Speed up, Dolph.”

“ Yes, Master. ”

Our carriage sped up towards the castle.

* * *

Noble conversations.

They’re usually just formalities.

For building rapport.

Same here.

Marquis Cavern didn’t bring up any serious or heavy topic…

…until after dinner.

The table was cleared of food, and new settings were prepared.

For after-dinner drinks.

Expensive wine and glasses were placed before them.

“ Haha, this is exquisite.”

Marquis Cavern said with a smile, taking a sip of wine.

“ I’m glad you enjoy it.”

Count Celtrine said, also smiling.

“ Well, it’s only natural. The dinner, and everything else …it’s been magnificent. You can’t find such hospitality in the east.”

“ You flatter me.”

“ No, I’m just stating a fact. There’s no family as wealthy as yours in the East. ”

“ You’re too kind.”

Count Celtrine responded tactfully with a smile, but everyone felt it.

That Marquis Cavern was now using his words as weapons.

“ But you see …”

“ Yes, Marquis.”

“ Maybe it’s more peaceful to be poor. When you have a lot of money, how many would be eyeing you? That’s what money does to people. It turns even decent individuals into monsters of greed. It’s unfortunate, I can only imagine how much stress you must be under.”

No one would think of his words as genuine concern.

Reese, who was sitting next to Isabel, clenched her fist.

Isabel, sensing her daughter’s frustration, gently placed her hand on Reese’s.

“ I agree, Grandfather. Even though it seems peaceful on the surface, there are shadows lurking beneath. I’m sure Count Celtrine has his share of worries.”

It was a young man who spoke, looking about the same age as Max.

Arhin Cavern, Marquis Cavern’s grandson.

All of Marquis Cavern’s sons had died an untimely death, making Arhin the official heir.

It was disrespectful, even for the official heir of a marquisate, to speak before the count himself.

Reese’s eyebrows twitched.

Isabel also blinked slowly, her eyes heavy.

But…

Count Celtrine simply laughed.

“ Hahaha! I’m relieved to know that Marquis Cavern and young master Arhin are concerned. Well, I do have problems, but nothing too serious.”

A response worthy of the head of the Celtrine family, one of the core families in the central region.

He has definitely been around for a long time, he knows the ins and outs of politics.

“ Hahaha! I’m glad to hear that.”

Marquis Cavern took another sip of wine.

Then he continued.

“It’s fine for now, but I’m more concerned about the future. There will come a time when you’ll freeze to death alone, if you don’t find a partner. Don’t you think?”

“ I don’t follow…”

“ Walking a separate path…being neutral…sounds nice. But it’s no different from standing on thin ice. Something done by those indecisive enough to not even choose their own handholds.”

“…”

“ What do you think? You’re not like those pitiful people, are you?”

The atmosphere became tense.

It was basically a blunt demand for an alliance.

Count Celtrine forced a smile.

“ But…we…”

“ I’m aware. That you’re strategically allied with the Ernberts through a marriage. But it’s basically void now, isn’t it? Because of your son’s mistakes, I feel sorry for you as a father, knowing how it feels.”

“…”

Because of his son’s mistakes…

Count Celtrine couldn’t deny those words.

He had nothing to say, considering his son’s countless wrongdoings.

‘ That’s not true. They seemed fine.’

Reese held back the urge to blurt it out.

Even she didn’t have the courage to speak up, before Marquis Cavern.

“ But I understand, I understand. Sometimes children don’t act the way we want. It happens. So, I have an alternative to offer. ”

“ Tell me, Marquis.”

“ How about…marrying my grandson to your daughter? It would be a joyous occasion for both families.”

Marquis Cavern smiled.

He finally revealed his true intention.

Trying to replace the Ernberts after their strategic marriage failed.

‘ What? A-A strategic marriage…with me? Absolutely not! Ugh, this is the worst! ’

Reese’s inner voice screamed.

Her heart was burning, so she had to gulp down cold water to calm herself.

“ Your offer is…a bit unexpected…”

Count Celtrine responded cautiously.

“ Hahaha, of course, of course. You’ll need time. Think it over carefully and let me know.”

Marquis Cavern patted his grandson, Arhin, on the shoulder.

“ This might sound…shameless coming from an old man like me, but my grandson is quite a catch. He never received so much as a scratch in all the countless battles against the pirates, and led each and every engagement to victory. They say he has the temperament of a hero, hahaha!”

“ Don’t embarrass me, Grandfather.”

Arhin said those words, but his expression clearly showed arrogance.

An expression only seen in people who have always had things go their way.

“ And your daughter, unlike your troublesome son, seems to be an exemplary child. A good match in many ways.”

Marquis Cavern blatantly pointed out Max’s flaws.

It feels terrible to be powerless in these situations.

Both Count Celtrine and Isabel shared the same thought.

‘ He’ll probably control his wife and make her miserable. I absolutely hate this.’

As Reese struggled to remain calm…

…the closed doors suddenly opened.

“ The “troublesome son” has arrived, Marquis.”