“It has been a long time, Young Master Glen. I see Young Master Ian is here as well.”
Someone called out to the two brothers as they made their way toward the conference room.
The man appeared to be around their age.
Tylan Sailharn was the eldest son of House Sailharn, a count’s family known as one of the duchy’s leading pro-Imperial factions.
Ian’s expression naturally darkened as they walked side by side.
Glen, on the other hand, merely stared at the man before tilting his head.
“What was your name again?”
“...Tylan. I believe I told you during our last meeting... Ah, did you perhaps injure your head that day? Ha ha.”
Injure my head?
As Glen considered what he meant, a particular memory suddenly surfaced.
The two of them had once encountered each other at a social gathering during a party hosted by a nobleman.
There, Tylan and Glen had become embroiled in an argument.
“I heard the eldest son of House Repent was incompetent, and it appears the rumors were true. Then again, his younger brother does not seem particularly impressive either... Ah, now that I look at you both, perhaps it is a family tradition. Ha ha.”
When Tylan went so far as to insult Ian and their house, Glen had finally lost his patience and challenged him to a duel.
‘Those were the days when I acted out without knowing my place.’
Just as Glen had been called a swordsmanship genius in his youth, Tylan had also been praised for his extraordinary talent.
Furthermore, Tylan was two years older and, unlike a certain someone, had been a diligent apprentice knight.
Although they held the same rank, there had inevitably been a vast difference in their abilities.
The result had naturally been Tylan’s overwhelming victory, with Glen humiliatingly losing consciousness.
Glen had been defeated without managing to exchange more than a few proper blows, toyed with so thoroughly that even Ian, who had been watching, had squeezed his eyes shut in humiliation.
The Duke had severely reprimanded his eldest son over the incident.
He had said that Glen had dragged House Repent’s honor through the dirt and questioned whether someone like him could truly be called its heir.
Feeling unfairly treated in his own way, Glen had naturally grown defiant.
Ultimately, he abandoned his swordsmanship training and spent his days drinking instead.
In a fit of anger, the Duke had expelled his eldest son from the Lion Knights altogether.
“Right, Tylan. I remember now.”
“As a retainer of the duchy, I cannot help but worry about my future lord. A ruler whose memory comes and goes... The very thought is laughable. Ha ha. Naturally, I am only joking.”
Yes.
He had been exactly like this back then.
Tylan had deliberately needled and provoked Glen, who had been wrapped in insecurity and arrogance at the time.
Unable to tolerate any more, Ian stepped forward with a flushed face.
“Do you not think you are speaking too disrespectfully to my brother, Sir Tylan?”
“Ah, Ian. I had forgotten you were there. I apologize, but I do not believe this is a conversation in which you should involve yourself. This is a discussion between the eldest sons of two houses. Even at your age, you should know when not to interfere.”
The same familiar condescension.
He had dismissed Ian in the same manner back then merely because he was younger.
Even that irritating face remained unchanged.
At this point, it was almost nostalgic.
“Even so, you cannot—!”
“Enough. Let us end our greetings here.”
Glen quietly stopped his younger brother.
Naturally, that did not mean he intended to let the matter pass.
“Very well, Sir Tylan. Have you finished what you came to say? For someone who accompanied an Imperial ambassador all the way here, this seems like a rather petty use of your time.”
“Hmph. Surely you do not believe I came all this way merely to see the two of you. I simply decided to attend to this while I was here.”
“How very gracious of you. Ah, have you made any progress with your swordsmanship?”
One corner of Tylan’s mouth rose at Glen’s expressionless question.
Even his sneering face is unpleasant.
“Ha ha, naturally. Did I not tell you? I recently became a full knight. Apparently, I am the youngest person in my house ever to do so. Truly, it is quite an achievement. Ha ha.”
He is rattling off things I never even asked about.
Glen felt as though laughter might escape him.
“As for you, Young Master... Ah, that is right. You are not even a knight anymore, are you? It seems I have brought up an unnecessarily sensitive—”
“What a coincidence. I also became a full knight recently. We should congratulate each other.”
The sneer on Tylan’s face froze.
“What non—Pardon? What did you say? A full knight?”
“That is correct.”
“What do you mean...? Were you not expelled from the Lion Knights?”
“Not anymore.”
Glen lightly shrugged as though it were of no importance, causing Tylan’s brow to furrow.
“Young Master, surely you are not lying about something like this?”
Falsely claiming to be a knight was considered profoundly dishonorable among the nobility.
Tylan assumed Glen was bluffing out of anger.
“Why would I bother? Now that we are discussing it, why not have a sparring match after the conference? We can verify each other’s abilities.”
“...Are you serious?”
Tylan’s eyes widened as he blinked in disbelief.
“I am. Why? Are you frightened?”
“Ha. Those are rather bold words from someone who was beaten senseless the last time.”
He no longer bothered to show any courtesy toward the duchy’s eldest Young Master.
That suited Glen perfectly.
He found this manner of speaking far more comfortable as well.
“Then I shall take that as your acceptance.”
“...Very well. It should provide the Lion Knights with excellent entertainment. Do not regret this afterward.”
It was an open secret that House Sailharn and House Repent were bitter enemies.
Naturally, the knights of the two houses were equally hostile toward one another.
If the eldest son of House Sailharn came to House Repent and defeated Glen, its eldest son, in a sparring match, the honor of the Lion Knights would be ground into the dirt.
Glen, however, merely maintained his faint smile.
“Which of us will regret it? Me or you?”
Tylan appeared displeased by his composure.
He stepped closer and whispered coldly into Glen’s ear.
“This time, I will shatter your legs so thoroughly that you will never walk again, you worthless good-for-nothing.”
“I look forward to it. I shall see you later.”
He had been sincere when he said he was looking forward to it.
Even during his days as Riklang, beating men like Tylan had always been enjoyable.
Leaving the displeased Tylan behind, Glen continued toward the conference room.
Ian followed with a worried expression.
***
Glen had finally persuaded his father to allow them to attend the conference, arguing that it would provide valuable experience for both him and his younger brother.
Naturally, the Duke had strictly ordered them not to act rashly and to do nothing but listen.
Fortunately, as the Duke had instructed, both sons remained quietly seated.
More precisely, the Duke had no attention to spare for checking on them.
“During my late father’s reign, an orc invasion nearly caused one of our cities to fall. Even now, the duchy is barely holding on.”
“That is precisely why the Empire’s civil war must be brought to an end as swiftly as possible. This is His Imperial Majesty’s will.”
They had been talking past each other from the very beginning.
The Duke looked at Count Shupchenko, the ambassador sent by the Empire, with visible frustration.
“Count, have I not explained this repeatedly? I fully understand His Imperial Majesty’s will. However, it is realistically impossible for us to provide that volume of supplies.”
“The Duchy of Levanov will provide troops, while the Kingdom of Arian will provide funds. Yet the Duchy of Repen alone intends to contribute nothing? In consideration of your circumstances, we have not even asked you to send soldiers. It seems to me that you are thinking only of yourselves.”
“Haa...”
Thinking only of ourselves?
How could anyone from the Empire utter such words?
Those damned southern blockheads.
The Duke ground his teeth at the Empire’s shamelessness.
The Empire had always behaved this way.
It had been even worse during the reign of the previous Emperor, before the civil war began.
Back then, they had openly treated the duchy as little more than a hunting dog they had raised.
The anxiety caused by the Empire had likely been one of the reasons the Duke’s father had died so young.
“May I offer a suggestion, Your Grace?”
When the discussion continued without progress, someone from House Sailharn, who had remained silent until then, rose from his seat.
It was Viscount Javiko Sailharn, the younger brother of the current Count Sailharn.
“...”
Damned traitors.
House Sailharn was infamous as one of the most ardently pro-Imperial forces within the duchy.
They had accompanied the Imperial ambassador under the pretext of serving as his escort.
If the Empire was a powerful thug, House Sailharn was the sycophant clinging to his side.
“...Go ahead.”
When the Duke nodded in permission, Viscount Javiko spoke again.
“Count Shupchenko, His Imperial Majesty’s will is naturally absolute, and the duchy, as a vassal state, has a sacred duty to obey it. However, I believe we must also take the practical circumstances into consideration.”
“What are you proposing?”
“Our house will advance the required supplies and funds in full. Naturally, Count Sailharn has personally authorized this proposal.”
“Oh, that is welcome news. The Empire will never forget the goodwill shown by House Sailharn.”
The Duke’s brow furrowed.
Had the two of them planned this farce together from the beginning?
“Of course, this would require the permission of His Grace, the ruler of the Duchy of Repen.”
“...That would be a welcome proposal for us as well.”
The Duke felt as though he were being made to perform as a clown, but what choice did he have?
They were offering to pay money that he did not possess.
He had no grounds on which to reject them.
“We can provide approximately forty percent as direct aid. As for the remainder, House Repent may repay it gradually over time.”
“The Empire considers this a highly reasonable proposal.”
Judging from their reactions, it was highly likely that they had coordinated their statements before arriving.
Was this what it felt like to be robbed blind while fully awake?
“...Very well. We shall discuss the repayment period in greater detail later.”
“Understood. In return, I would like to ask one favor of Your Grace. Would that be acceptable?”
This was likely their true objective.
For a moment, the Duke felt an urge to sew the Viscount’s mouth shut.
“...A favor?”
The Viscount raised the corners of his mouth and handed over a letter.
“It is a personal letter from Count Sailharn. The Count expressed his concern over the recent spread of refugees and famine throughout both the duchy and the North as a whole.”
The North had always been a harsh place for humans.
There was little arable land, and monsters infested the region in every direction.
The orcs who occupied a vast territory farther north were a particularly serious problem.
Most had been driven beyond the defensive walls, but they crossed over to raid the duchy whenever the opportunity arose.
In other words, countless lives were lost every year to defend this land.
Inevitably, that led to a shortage of people.
There was not enough farmland, and there were not enough people to work what little land they had.
Furthermore, the Empire’s prolonged civil war had recently devastated the duchy’s economy.
Naturally, the rations once distributed by the Church and the ducal government had been drastically reduced.
Consequently, the numbers of people starving—and dying from starvation—had increased without end.
“Our house is therefore planning a charitable relief effort. However, attempting to cover the entire North would naturally be beyond our means. We thought it might be best to begin in Repen City, the capital of the duchy.”
“...In my city?”
“Is Repen City not the face of the duchy? Of course, its radiance has faded somewhat... I saw a considerable number of refugees on the road here as well.”
The Duke’s gaze turned cold.
It was true that Repen City, the duchy’s capital, had recently fallen into disorder.
Refugees fleeing the war, orphans, and beggars had flooded into the city, naturally giving rise to problems with public security.
The Duke was well aware of the issue, and it was certainly a source of concern.
However, it was not a matter upon which another house had the authority to pass judgment.
The administration of the city belonged entirely to House Repent.
“That is a rather dangerous thing to say, Viscount. Are you suggesting that I am unqualified to govern my city?”
“Ah, I meant nothing of the sort. Is this not simply the consequence of these troubled times? A ruler cannot be blamed when a storm descends upon his lands.”
His words were reasonable, yet something about his attitude was irritating.
The Duke wanted nothing more than to tear out the Viscount’s tongue.
The sight of him acting so brazenly with the Empire at his side had been aggravating him from the beginning.
“Then get to the point.”
“You need only grant us permission to carry out our charitable work within Repen City. Naturally, we would appreciate it if Your Grace could provide the personnel necessary to protect the operation.”
There was no possibility that this was merely charitable work.
An inexplicable suspicion pressed down upon the Duke.
“You intend to borrow my soldiers as escorts?”
“Would that not be more convenient for both sides?”
Taken at face value, the proposal was certainly reasonable.
Nevertheless, it left him uneasy.
Had they proposed bringing House Sailharn’s troops into the city under the pretext of providing protection, he would have refused unconditionally.
Since they were not doing so, however, he had little justification for rejecting the proposal.
“...And if I refuse?”
“Count Sailharn is deeply concerned for the people of the North. Accordingly, he has great expectations for the relief effort I have described. Therefore, should you refuse... I fear the Count may be somewhat disappointed.”
He is threatening me openly now.
At this point, it was becoming difficult to tell which of them was supposed to be the superior.
“You mean the offer of financial support would also be withdrawn?”
“I am afraid I cannot speak with certainty on that matter.”
“Haa... Very well. I shall discuss it favorably with my retainers.”
When the reluctant acceptance finally left the Duke’s mouth, Count Shupchenko spoke once more.
“His Imperial Majesty wishes to see this matter settled within two months at the latest.”
“I shall give you my answer within three months.”
“I am not attempting to bargain with you. If I have received no answer after two months, I shall return to the Empire. We will then discuss our next course of action regarding the duchy.”
Their next course of action?
Was he truly threatening to wage war against a frontier vassal state?
“...I shall provide an answer as quickly as possible.”
The Duke felt as though he had been caught in a trap from which there was no escape.
The Imperial representatives and House Sailharn, meanwhile, smiled in satisfaction after obtaining what they wanted.
***
‘It has not unfolded very differently.’
Glen remained quietly seated until the conference ended.
The meeting that would eventually lead the duchy down the path to destruction had proceeded almost exactly as it had in his previous life.
Since Glen already knew the full course of the incident, he could see through the other side’s intentions clearly.
This was unquestionably the Empire’s method.
He knew it well, having witnessed it countless times during his years as Riklang.
It was underhanded, cunning, meticulous, and merciless.
‘In a way, this is fortunate. The real problem is how I am going to persuade Father.’
He had already devised a countermeasure.
He had reviewed this incident countless times in his previous life, so he could confidently say that it was the best possible solution.
The problem was that his countermeasure involved a crucial decision that would determine the future course of the entire house.
In other words, he would inevitably have to persuade his father, the current head of the house.
But how could he possibly do that?
He had not even fully escaped his reputation as a good-for-nothing yet.
“Young Master Glen.”
Glen turned at the familiar voice.
Tylan stood behind him with a confident expression.
“Surely you are not planning to change your mind now?”
‘Ah, right. This bastard was here.’
“Ah, right. This bastard was here.”
Glen accidentally spoke his thought aloud.
How had he forgotten about Tylan?
As the ruler of the duchy, his father must have carried a deep grudge over the humiliating defeat suffered by his heir.
That would be especially true in a duchy built upon its knights.
I can use this.
Having found the perfect way to persuade his father, Glen smiled brightly.
“Pardon?”
“Ha ha. It was nothing. Right, we agreed to a sparring match. I had forgotten. Shall we begin immediately?”
“...You seem remarkably confident.”
Watching Glen smile with such delight, Tylan ground his teeth.
This time, he would undoubtedly break at least one of Glen’s bones.
He would knock that arrogant good-for-nothing down from his lofty perch.
Their opposing intentions crossed, and before long, word of the impending swordsmanship match between Ron Glen Repent and Tylan Sailharn spread throughout the entire estate.