Three more days passed before Bruno finally left the Viscount’s estate.
During that time, Alfred had been painfully bored inside the manor. The only saving grace, perhaps, was that he never had to face the Viscount again.
On the first night, the maid Maribel came to his room for the evening service-but he politely turned her down.
She was a pretty girl, so it felt like a waste. But he couldn’t risk doing anything careless inside the Viscount’s manor. The last thing he needed was to give a scumbag like that any leverage over him.
Besides, Maribel had clearly looked relieved when he refused.
And that made sense. She was probably the daughter of some noble family somewhere, serving as a maid in a Viscount’s household with the ultimate goal of marrying into a reputable house someday. If she’d been forced to sleep with some backwater baron she didn’t even know, her future would’ve been ruined right then and there. For a noblewoman, sharing a bed with a man before marriage was simply unthinkable.
The idea of destroying a woman’s future against her will made him sick. “Ugh, just no…”
After three painfully boring days, they finally set out for the Margrave’s territory.
As expected of the main road connecting the capital, Granliger, to the Margrave’s lands, the route was well-maintained-the carriage barely jostled, and the journey was comfortable.
Five days later, passing through several towns and villages, they finally arrived at the Margrave’s capital, Saint Forester.
A few hours after their arrival, they received an invitation to dinner from Margrave Rommel himself.
Even with an envoy sent ahead, the fact that he could secure an audience on the very day of arrival spoke volumes about the Margrave’s agility.
What a difference from that pork-er, Viscount Bruno…
”Oh! Welcome, both of you. I’ve had a meal prepared in the private chamber. Please, make yourselves at home tonight.”
Barely ten minutes after being received at the Margrave’s mansion, they were already standing before the man himself.
Talk about efficient. Nothing like that boar-ahem, unlike some people. Really makes you wonder if he ever plans to learn from this example… Leaving someone waiting for three hours is just unacceptable. Sigh…
The Margrave looked to be in his late forties. His sharp features and steel-forged physique, combined with a height pushing two meters, radiated an immense pressure.
”Honored to meet you, Lord Rommel. Thank you for your invitation today,” Alfred said, bowing formally. “I am Alfred, recently appointed Baron of Lindrott in my father’s stead. I wished to offer my formal greetings-“
”Right, right! Lord Rommel!” Bruno cut in, stepping forward with a grin. “Actually, I’ve brought something quite special today! I insist you take a look. Come on, Alfred, get that thing out already!”
…This guy. Not only does he interrupt my greeting, but now he’s making demands on his own? And with such an arrogant tone…
Alfred felt a flash of irritation, but held it in.
”Oh? Something special, you say?” Rommel asked, his expression curious. “Baron Alfred, would you be willing to show me as well?”
By contrast, Margrave Rommel was surprisingly gentle-mannered despite his intimidating appearance. He even radiated a kind of calm confidence-the ease of a true ruler. This man was the real deal…
”Yes, certainly,” Alfred replied. “What I’ve brought today is called Reversi, a pastime I devised-” (with memories from my past life) [[NOTE_1]] “-the rules are-“
”Lord Rommel!” Bruno interrupted again, practically vibrating with eagerness. “Actions speak louder than words! Allow me to demonstrate while we play! Right then, first you place it like this-“
…And there he goes again, cutting me off. What exactly is he trying to pull…?
”Hoh! This is fascinating,” Rommel remarked, studying the board. “At first glance it seems simple, but it’s remarkably well-crafted.”
When the match ended, Lord Rommel turned his admiring gaze toward Alfred.
”L-Lord Rommel!” Bruno exclaimed, puffing out his chest. “This Reversi isn’t just a board game-look, if you channel magic into it, it lights up like this!”
He channeled his own magic into the board, then showed off the glowing display to the Margrave as if it were his own achievement.
”Ohhh! Marvelous!!” Rommel exclaimed. “I never expected such a mechanism…”
”Oh! To see Lord Rommel so pleased brings me, Bruno, the greatest joy!” Bruno declared, bowing low. “Therefore, I wish to present all rights to Reversi to you, my lord!”
…Wait, what?
What is this boar even saying…?
”Hoh? You wish to present the rights to Reversi to me?” Rommel asked, one eyebrow raised. “I appreciate the offer, but… Baron Alfred, would you truly have no objection to that?”
The Margrave’s eyes turned toward Alfred, probing for his true intent.
”Of course not, my lord!” Bruno rushed to answer, wiping his brow and rubbing his hands together. “We Western nobles are endlessly grateful to you for keeping our region together. To receive the honor of bringing you such joy would be the greatest happiness imaginable!” He flashed a greasy, knowing grin and continued, “Lord Rommel, once this Reversi hits the market, everyone will be scrambling to get their hands on it. And when that happens, production will inevitably fall behind demand-even if you manufacture it across your entire territory. At that point, I humbly request that you entrust production to my Liegel family territory. When that day comes, this humble Bruno will give it his all!!”
…So that’s what he was after. By gifting Reversi to the Margrave, he buys favor, secures permission to manufacture it on his own lands, and reaps the profits. His territory profits, and the Margrave owes him one. A classic two-birds-one-stone scheme…
…But…
”Hmm,” Rommel murmured, his gaze steady. “Baron Alfred, I ask you again-are you truly willing to part with these rights?”
”Absolutely!” Bruno cut in once more. “As I’ve said many times-“
”Viscount Bruno,” Rommel interrupted, his voice cool and firm, “I was addressing Baron Alfred. Would you be so kind as to remain silent for a moment?”
”…Guuuh…” Bruno shrank back, his bravado crumbling under the Margrave’s piercing gaze. “As you wish…”
Rommel turned back to Alfred, his stern expression softening only slightly. “Well then, Baron Alfred? What is your answer?”
Alfred met the Margrave’s gaze without flinching. “If I may speak freely, my lord-I have no intention of gifting the rights to Reversi to you.”
Trivia:
- Alfred’s internal narration consistently refers to Bruno with animal nicknames (pork, boar), revealing his deep contempt beneath his polite surface.
- The contrast between Bruno’s sweaty, nervous demeanor and Rommel’s calm, piercing gaze immediately establishes who holds real power in the room.
- Alfred’s past-life memories are mentioned only in parentheses, suggesting they are a private, almost secret resource he doesn’t fully reveal.
- Bruno’s scheme relies entirely on Rommel accepting the gift—a calculated risk that Alfred’s refusal completely undermines.
- Maribel’s relief at Alfred’s refusal indicates she was not acting voluntarily, and her noble background makes the encounter a potential career-ending threat.
- Rommel’s repeated questioning of Alfred, while ignoring Bruno, shows he is testing Alfred’s character and independence, not just his willingness to part with the game.
- The Reversi board’s magical illumination is presented as a selling point, but Bruno had to activate it himself—implying it may not function for everyone.
- Alfred’s internal frustration at the three-hour wait subtly contrasts with Rommel’s immediate hospitality, reinforcing Rommel’s competence compared to other nobles.
Translation Notes:
NOTE_1 | Reversi | A board game also known as Othello, where players capture opponent’s pieces by surrounding them. Alfred claims to have devised it using memories from his past life, suggesting he is re-creating Earth games in this fantasy world. The name is preserved as-is rather than localized to “Othello” because the Japanese source uses “Reversi” as the intended term.