episode_0001

The eldest son of the Bellion Marquis, Kyle Bellion.

The second son of the Kellid Duke, Deron Kellid.

The second son of the Rosfel Marquis, Blund Rosfel.

The reader of the Raphelion Marquis, Elden Raphelion.

Except for the somewhat declining Raphelion Marquis, all of them were descendants of solid families in the Winterfell Northern Territory, and they were the ones who threw their hats in the ring before the engagement of the Lemian Grand Duchess.

They were also the winners who made it to the final candidates among the 100 participants.

In terms of appearance, talent, wealth, and even their achievements, they were outstanding in every way, and they were more than capable of being matched with the 3rd Lemian Grand Duchess for engagement.

The problem was.

“Why on earth were only these people chosen?”

If you look beyond the surface, you would see that they were pitiful and despicable individuals.

They enjoyed ruling over the weak, were shameless in their perverse pleasures and extravagance, and were typical villains who did not hesitate to commit evil deeds for their own gain.

Therefore, Gellud, the chief aide of the Winterfell Grand Duke, fervently prayed that they would not choose those four as the final candidates.

May this earnest wish reach the young lady of Lemian.

However, whether the young lady of Lemian simply brushed off that wish, or whether she completely ignored Gellud’s heartfelt plea and chose those four as the final candidates, Gellud had to swallow the bitter pill of despair.

Although it was a choice that could not be understood in any way when considering her character and exceptional insight, as a mere aide, he had no choice but to follow her decision and was reluctantly considering the upcoming cohabitation starting tomorrow.

Just a minute ago.

“…Haha, it seems that Lord Elden is taking a precious step not to make a request, but to make a joke?”

It must be a joke.

Gellud believed that.

He had no other choice.

If there were only four men left as the final candidates in the world, he would choose Elden Raphelion.

Not because he was the best, but as the lesser evil.

The reason was simple.

Elden Raphelion was ‘relatively’ and ‘less’ weak and evil than the other three. At least he was just a beast true to his instincts, without wearing a deceitful mask like the others.

In response to his declaration of withdrawal, Gellud forced a smile and asked.

However, the answer he received was unexpected.

“It’s far from a joke.”

His eyes shone with a serious light, and his lips conveyed a sincere voice.

Only then did Gellud, facing the situation, stiffen his expression and ask again.

“…Are you serious? What is the reason?”

“I realized that I am far too inadequate to be the engagement partner of the 3rd Northern Grand Duchess.”

“You passed both the preliminary and final evaluations with outstanding scores, and even received the Grand Duchess’s selection. Why do you think you are not qualified?”

“I believe I have received an undeserved and overwhelming honor. When something unattainable is attained, it should be let go.”

“Are you saying that all your efforts so far have been in vain?”

“I am reducing the wasted effort.”

“Elden, where you are is where 100 nobles have dreamed of being. Are you really going to give up?”

“Yes.”

A short but firm answer.

In an atmosphere where persuasion was futile, Gellud, after a moment of hesitation, ultimately took a step back.

The withdrawal of the final candidate has never happened in the history of the Conclave, so it seems like a matter that should be reported to the Grand Council. If you give me until the end of the day, I will provide a prompt response.”

Elden let out a sigh quietly. To him, the hours of the day felt too long, as he wanted to leave this place as soon as possible. However, considering the sudden withdrawal of the candidate could potentially offend the North Grand Duke, he had no choice but to inform Gelwood politely.

“I will leave it to you to inform the Grand Council.”

Please, help me escape.

Gelwood, unaware of Elden’s hidden intentions, smiled warmly once again.

“Do not worry. The candidate’s opinion will be respected.”

“Very well.”

Elden lightly bowed to Gelwood. Despite his higher legal rank, Elden had to show mutual respect to Gelwood, the central aide to the North Grand Duke who held a high social position.

It was a matter of duty, not obligation.

Of course, Gelwood, who had received such respect for the first time since their meeting, was understandably perplexed.

It had been two weeks since the Conclave began, and they had met and conversed several times, but Elden Raphelion’s demeanor remained stiff.

No, it was not just stiff, it was as if he was standing on end, oblivious to the looming sky.

Moreover, the aura surrounding him was tense, and his red eyes emitted a sinister light.

But for some reason.

‘…It’s different.’

More precisely, the unease he had been feeling since their recent encounter was now defined by the bow just exchanged.

His eyes were calm like spring, his aura warm like a mountain breeze.

Even his once aggressive demeanor was now gentle and polite.

It could be a subtle change born from abstraction and misconception, but recognizing and responding to it accurately was a virtue that a councilor should possess, making Elden’s transformation a challenge for Gelwood.

First, Gelwood quickly responded with a bow.

“Please proceed, Master Elden.”

“Yes. Then, let us begin.”

Thud.

Elden left the office, and Gelwood, pondering the atmosphere he left behind, immediately headed towards the Duke’s library.

The pressing issue was not Elden Raphelion’s subtle change, but the unprecedented withdrawal of the final candidate that would be recorded in Conclave history.

**

“Tsk.”

Leaving the councilor’s office, I had to bite my tongue. The escape was postponed. Furthermore, I didn’t even receive a definite answer.

If by any chance the North Grand Duke nullifies the withdrawal declaration, it would surely become quite troublesome.

Of course, it seemed unlikely that the withdrawal form thrown by the weakest noble family among the final candidates would be accepted.

Anyway, for now, all I could do was hope that the great North Grand Duke would not be disheartened and simply approve it.

“I should start packing.”

Worried that there might be some annoying interference, I had sent the steward to run errands.

As a former prospector, packing was a task I could handle alone.

Hurrying back to my room, I began gathering visible items in one place.

“It’s a smaller load than I thought.”

Thanks to the supplies provided by the Grand Duke, there wasn’t much to pack.

A few sets of clothes, shoes, jewelry, and a few high-quality bottles of liquor were all I needed.

Judging by the empty bottles, it seemed like I had enjoyed drinking during the Conclave.

“Villains and alcohol are an inseparable combination.”

As I was preparing to include some fine wine for a possible celebration, a knock on the door signaled the entrance of an elderly man.

It was the steward, Rendler, who had been sent on errands.

“I have brought the requested items, Master.”

They were meaningless items.

I gestured towards the shelf and said, “Just leave them there.”

“…”

After packing my belongings neatly and straightening my back, I saw Rendell staring at me with the items for the errand in hand.

The widened eyes were a clear expression of disbelief.

He spoke aimlessly while looking around.

“…What are you doing? Don’t just stand there.”

“…Wh-what are you doing right now? Master…?”

“Oh, I forgot to mention, I just declared a forfeit to the chancellor and am on my way back. I wanted to pack my things in time for the departure.”

“So…what are you doing right now…?”

Hmm, was my explanation difficult to understand?

It didn’t seem like it was beyond comprehension.

And even if it was just the final candidate from a declining noble family, the fact that the worthless Gongja had become the final contender was already surprising. Could it be that the steward of the Earl of Raphelion had harbored a futile dream that this worthless person would win in the end?

If that was the case, I’m sorry.

“It’s a miracle that I made it this far. Just being a final candidate at the Grand Duke’s engagement ceremony is proof enough, so there’s no need to cling to a hopeless fight.”

“….”

I thought he would understand this much, but Rendell’s eyes, which had widened in surprise, did not seem to calm down.

In the moment when I felt a sense of unnecessary guilt for causing such a shock to the steward, he muttered a word while looking at the belongings.

And that one word clearly showed a glimpse of the villainous character Elden Raphelion.

“So…you mean to say…Master, you packed the luggage…yourself…? How could this…happen…”

“…?”

So, was it more shocking for the steward to have missed the opportunity to revive the declining family, or was it more shocking that Elden Raphelion, the worthless man, personally packed the luggage with his own hands?

In other words, the steward had never even considered the possibility of Elden Raphelion winning the final victory.

……

……

Elden Raphelion.

What kind of life had he been living?