episode_0021

“Very provocative, and, well, interesting speculation, but I don’t think it’s the right answer.”

“… Oh, so. Uh… .”

“Because you are in your prime. I understand that you have such harsh thoughts. Well, looking at you now, it seems like the vassals’ opinion that you should push for the young master’s early marriage is right.”

“That’s not it… .”

Still, Louis had no excuses. His excuse that he was angry and sad and was just saying things about his mother only made the situation worse.

“In fact, there is no right answer to this kind of political transaction, but it is possible to make inferences that are extremely close to the right answer. What do you think? Can I tell you my thoughts?

“Yes, please let me know.”

“The truth is very simple. It is a contract that was made because both parties’ wishes coincided. I believe you are aware that there is a bit of a dispute in the center right now.”

“Ah, I heard there’s a fight for the throne between the four crown princes.”

“That’s right. All the influential people in the capital are being forced. It’s a very difficult forced.”

The time for choice was given to those in power. It was time to line up. It was time to choose which prince to support and which prince to make emperor.

And if you make a mistake, you die. It was a roulette of death where you would lose everything you had built up, your wealth, your power, and your life.

“This battle for the throne is a conflict better left to the heavens than political sense. It is a fight where it is difficult to predict the winner even if you are slightly more intelligent.”

So the bankers came to a kind of refuge.

While petty squabbles between princes are important, it is also important to prevent the invasion of evil spirits in our world.

It was a pretext that no one could refute. The Principality of Nisse could have been a very suitable political refuge.

“Then it becomes even more questionable. The bank presidents should have been dragging out the negotiations and recuperating here until the power struggle was over, but now, when the power struggle is intensifying, they suddenly accepted the negotiations.”

Campbell’s voice becomes more intense.

“He set ridiculous conditions. He demanded crazy conditions that shook the foundation of Nisse. And the respected Duchess accepted them without hesitation. Can you guess what it was?”

“… Oh, no. Not at all.”

“The authors have obtained the right to hunt and gather the bizarre flora and fauna that grow in the wasteland. This cannot be tolerated! If the evil herbs touched by the evil god spread throughout the continent, uncontrollable side effects will occur! It is a matter of common sense before political sense. How can you accept such a proposal!”

Campbell’s voice was very agitated.

Louis took a small step back at the sight of Treasurer Campbell, who was frowning and angry for the first time.

First, it would have been in order to get angry and point out the rude remarks made towards the Duchess, but I couldn’t do that.

Because what Campbell claimed was shocking.

Louis also knew well the dangers and evils of the plants and animals that grew in the wasteland. Nameless plants and animals existed to corrupt women and children. Even a small amount of them, or even a small amount of them, would transform the body and mind.

In a lewd and decadent way, the way the devil most desires.

“First of all, Campbell, calm down.”

“… I am sorry. I was disrespectful and made a mistake.”

“That’s hard to believe. Your mother accepted such a proposal. What did the other people think?”

“Surprisingly, it was split evenly. In such cases, the opinion of the person leading the regular meeting usually prevails.”

Half and half? This was also hard to believe.

As Louis had heard from Campbell, and as he knew, the efficacy and side effects of the things collected from the wasteland were not ‘exactly’ known.

Although it may show plausible effects in the short term, no one knows what kind of evil spirits it will encounter if used in the long term.

Treasurer Campbell took a deep breath, almost as if he was about to suffocate, and then calmed himself down.

“Hoo, haa. Well, I’m fine with this.”

“What does that mean?”

I just wondered what Campbell meant by saying this. He probably wasn’t just complaining. Louis didn’t have the power to stop his mother from making political decisions.

Even if I went and told him, it would be nothing more than a tantrum.

“Campbell, I understand that you are upset. Your mother… in a way, she was not born and raised in Nisse. But I can’t solve that for you.”

Campbell’s expression brightened for some reason. He heard what he wanted to hear.

“Yes, of course. You can’t solve it ‘now’. Of course.”

It was a word I didn’t understand.

“Campbell I… uh… .”

“Still, this gives the old man some peace of mind.

I have confirmed that you, Lord, have preserved the spirit of Nisse, just like your predecessors. ”

Louis didn’t know exactly what the spirit of Nisse meant, but at least the idea of being like the previous dukes wasn’t necessarily a bad thing.

“I’m sorry for taking your time, Your Majesty. It was just an old man’s lament.”

“No, Campbell. It was a useful time for me to learn what was discussed at the political meeting.”

“You want to go find swordsmanship teacher Harryba? You don’t have to go outside. Harryba is in the library. You can find him if you go to the library.”

“Ah… !”

It was only then that Louis realized once again the existence of the food on the tray he was holding.

I had completely forgotten about my mission to deliver food.

“Thank you for letting me know. Treasurer Campbell, I almost went all the way to the outer city to find you.”

As I walked a few steps carrying the food that was starting to get cold, a question occurred to me.

“But how did Treasurer Campbell know that Master Harryba was in the library?”

A look of embarrassment crossed Campbell’s face for a moment at Louis’ question.

“… He is my acquaintance.”

It was hard to imagine Harry Barr, who had no manners or manners, being friends with Campbell, a prickly and irritable middle-aged bureaucrat.

“We met by chance at the library, exchanged pleasantries, and asked about each other’s recent activities… Sir, the food is getting cold.”

“Oh, that’s right.”

After exchanging a final polite greeting with Campbell, Louis turns around and begins to walk away.

Campbell took some time away from me, but it wasn’t a waste of time.

‘Why did Mother… .’

It was a suggestion that my mother of old would not have permitted. It was a kind of common sense. What belongs in the wilderness should not go outside the wilderness.

The influence of the evil spirits was to be confined within the wasteland.

‘Someday, I’ll have to politely ask my mother about this.’

Louis headed to the library, hurting the night air.

The dark interior of the library had an ominous atmosphere.

A sticky, humid air hung everywhere.

It was not suitable for a library where humidity is sensitive.

“Is anyone there? Lulu? Is anyone there?”

The door was open, but there was no one there.

It was a strange thing.

‘No one’s here? I should go see Lulu and ask her. Tell me when Harry Bar left the library.’

“Ah.”

I find a little bit of light leaking out from under the crack in the door of a small room at the innermost part of the library.

That room was a small dining room used as a lounge by the library maids.

“Ah, Lulu is resting over there, I see.”

Louis headed to the small room without thinking.

“Huh… ?”

I heard a sound.

In the room, a strange sound is heard.

Woohoo♡-

Sigh♡-

Shh, there’s someone outside. Come inside-

It was Harry Bar’s voice.

“Come in.”

“Oh, yes!”

Louis opened the door and walked in.

“Ugh.”

The air was damp and muggy. Perhaps it was because of the roaring fireplace, but it felt stuffy.

“Oh, Louis, my disciple. Have you come to see me?”

Harry Barr was sitting half-reclined in his chair.

“Master, why are you here? Why aren’t you attending the banquet?”

“There are a lot of people who don’t like me, you know. I’m aware of that too. So, woof, I was enjoying my own little banquet like this.”

On the round table covered with a white tablecloth, the food from the banquet was piled high. Even without Louis’ delivery, Harryba was eating his fill of the banquet food.

“I came here to give you a taste of my food, Master, but did I come in vain?”

“Ahaha, no, no, I mean, just seeing the face of our beloved disciple makes me feel, ugh, good, you know.”

There was a strong smell of alcohol. Harry Bar’s eyes were half-open.

Judging by the empty wine bottles rolling around next to the table, he probably had quite a few drinks.

‘… You drank so much of that precious wine? Who gave you permission to do that? And in this library?’

There were so many things I wanted to ask. I didn’t understand the situation. But it was difficult to ask them while holding onto Harry Bar, who was half-drunk.

“I didn’t know you were alone. There was definitely another sound here. What… It sounded like a kitten crying, didn’t it? ”

“Hehehe, a kitten? It’s similar, but… uhm. Hoo… . Haha… .”

“… Yes?”

Harry Barr responds, half-heartedly, then puts one hand under his tablecloth.

It was strange.

Huh♡-

“What is it?”

I heard it clearly. It was coming from under the table where Harry Bar was sitting. It was a sound like a woman being strangled.

Louis immediately bends down to check under the table.