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“Very well.”

I began to carefully explain the events that had occurred earlier to Count Arsene.

About that unexpected encounter.

***

“Incredible. How can someone in their teens be like this?”

The man who appeared in the forest scrutinized me up and down as if examining a fascinating object.

“For your body to fully mature…… Five years, at most. If you possess other talents on the same level as your ability to sense your surroundings, you would be one of the top ten strongest in this country by then.”

“With all due respect, may I ask who you may be?”

“Oh, my apologies for the late introduction. I am Duke Pieron del Herman.”

“……!”

His response was completely unexpected.

“Duke……?”

The person in front of me was one of only three dukes in this country.

“……If I hadn’t come as an envoy, it would have been a disaster.”

“It was a fight where the outcome was obvious.”

There was a reason why the Foltaine Marquisate was confident in their victory, defying even the king’s orders. Even if the White Lion Brigade failed in their mission, the main force had two Masters.

‘Two war machines, each capable of cutting down the castle gate alone amidst a barrage of countless arrows.’

My expression grew increasingly serious.

“Shall we shake hands to commemorate our first meeting?”

The man who introduced himself as Duke Herman seemed very curious about me. Without waiting for my response, he walked over briskly and grabbed my wrist.

Rumble, rumble, rumble!

“Hmm……”

Immediately, a massive wave of mana surged inside. He likely wanted to directly gauge the magnitude of the variable— me.

‘That aside, I don’t sense any malice.’

I didn’t resist and accepted the mana calmly.

How much time passed doing that?

“Hmm……”

Duke Herman, with a puzzled expression, soon took a step back.

“……In terms of pure volume, your mana is average. No, it’s relatively poor compared to your ability to sense your surroundings.”

Well, it’s only been a month since I started accumulating mana in earnest. Even though I took an elixir before, it’s still at an ordinary level.

That must be all there is to it.

“How is such a thing possible?”

“It’s a kind of raw gem.”

Marquis Foltaine answered in my stead.

“Raw gem?”

“There are people like this every now and then, aren’t there? Those with talent in specific fields such as understanding of energy, purity of mana, or sensing skills. Of course, those who train based on such talents grow much faster.”

“Indeed.”

“Though still lacking, considering his age, he will become a splendid gem if polished well. People call such individuals geniuses.”

Watching the two of them putting on a two-man show, the corners of my mouth rose.

‘If I had five years, even the two of you together wouldn’t stand a chance against me.’

Immediately, I pulled my hand away with emotion.

“This doesn’t seem like a handshake.”

“Did it offend you?”

“Yes, your first impression is quite terrible.”

I showed them my bruised wrist. But the two ignored my injury, and they exchanged glances.

“Heh, he called you terrible, Duke.”

“He’s an interesting one, just as you said. Does he perhaps have multiple lives?”

“Judging from the way he acts, he may have dozens.”

Duke Herman looked at me with a smile.

“Alright. As a gesture of apology, I will give you two great gifts.”

“I’ll decide whether to accept your apology after seeing the gifts.”

“Hahaha! I hope my sincerity gets through to you. First, I’ll give you some important information.”

“I’m listening.”

“Soon, the king will fall into our hands. The incompetent fool is about to lose his foot to a trusted axe.”

“……!”

If true, this was indeed significant information. War became unstoppable once it gained momentum.

Checkmate.

No matter how successful Count Arsene’s house was, the game would end if the king was captured.

“It doesn’t matter if you believe the information or not. I’m not lying. But out of a sense of pity, I wanted to give a talented young man like you a chance.”

“A chance……?”

Suddenly, Duke Herman’s voice turned solemn.

“Convey this message to the Count; If he promises one thing, we will withdraw our forces.”

I shook my head without hesitation.

“This isn’t a chance; it’s a threat.”

“It’s not a threat. We will fully apologize and compensate for past offenses. If Count Arsene promises, he could soon become a marquis.”

Wait a minute.

Is this how my promise would be fulfilled?

“Additionally.”

Duke Herman took something out from his pocket and handed it to me.

“What is this?”

“You see, I cherish talent. From what I see, your potential far exceeds your current state.”

It was a square box. Inside was a round pill. As soon as the lid opened, a rich, natural scent filled my nose.

“Is this…… a mana pill?”

If elixirs were for mages, mana pills were for knights. Duke Herman nodded in response to my question.

“It’s an item passed down in our family. It’s a precious treasure that may or may not appear every twenty years. I’ll give this to you.”

“……!”

Mana pills, like elixirs, have grades. Despite being from a border region, he’s still a duke. The mana pill from such a noble family would be, by no means, ordinary.

“This is a very generous gift…… but it won’t make me betray others like some people.”

“If I intended to buy your loyalty with just this, that would be foolish indeed.”

“……”

Regardless of his true intentions, Duke Herman knew how to handle people.

“This is an apology for your wrist. And if it earns even a bit of your favor, that will be enough for me, child.”

He spoke as if bestowing a favor. Still, he didn’t understand me fully.

“Well, if it’s an apology……”

I accepted the pill without hesitation. He might think I’ll be moved and swayed, but that will not be happening.

‘If he’s willing to give it away, there’s no reason to refuse.’

That’s my principle. Take what you can, when you can. I’ll just repay the favor when I can.

‘Well, don’t expect much from someone like me, born a slave with no background.’

Yet, the two of them, unaware of my thoughts, looked at me with satisfied smiles.

Such were the nobles.

* * *

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* * *

After finishing my explanation, I looked directly into Count Arsene’s eyes.

“……Regarding the matter with the lady and the young lord, they have agreed to issue a formal apology in the name of their house.”

“……”

“Although he’s a disowned son, they also assured that they wouldn’t take issue even if Vigri de Foltaine, who is imprisoned, has already been killed. Of course, compensation for the damage is a separate matter.”

Count Arsene’s pupils flickered continuously, and I read the fragments of emotion within those eyes.

“Their one condition is this.”

“And……what is that?”

“That you do not get involved in this factional conflict, my lord.”

“……?”

Count Arsene tilted his head in confusion.

“That’s it.”

“……That’s all?”

“Yes.”

There was actually one more condition I hadn’t mentioned.

‘They want me.’

There is no favor without a price in this world. Would they give away a treasure like a mana pill out of the kindness of their hearts?

Especially to a complete stranger?

‘Ridiculous.’

Of course, pure curiosity would be alright. My goal is ultimately to overthrow the empire.

Don’t I need more allies for that for a stronger enemy?

“I always thought of this fight as a kind of prelude.”

“Yes. You said they plan to cause a commotion here and attack the royal palace. Wasn’t that their plan?”

“It wasn’t.”

“What?”

“This fight was already over. This was just a follow-up measure to eliminate any remaining rebels who might continue to resist even after the civil war.”

Count Arsene furrowed his brow even deeper.

“I can’t understand. There’s been no sign of trouble from the royal palace yet. How can they be so confident of victory?”

“Rather, isn’t it strange that there hasn’t been any sign of trouble?”

“……!”

Count Arsene’s eyes widened.

It had already been nearly a week since Marquis Foltaine defied the king’s orders. And yet, there had been no news from the palace.

“This means they have been proceeding very discreetly.”

“The palace is guarded by Duke Kairos. Even as a foreigner, you must have heard of him. He is the oldest Master in this country and the most skilled.”

“They told me something. That ‘what cuts your foot is a trusted axe’.”

“……What?”

“What if that trusted axe is Duke Kairos?”

“……!”

Count Arsene’s face grew even more grave.

“That’s impossible! What could he possibly stand to gain?”

“The country is visibly collapsing. The king is old. Despite advocating for the principle of primogeniture succession, it’s clear what will happen with time.”

This wasn’t just about the Hart Kingdom. The history of royal succession had always been one of bloody strife.

“Are you suggesting Duke Kairos’s intentions for the next throne…… differ from those of the king?”

“I cannot know a person’s heart.”

“Still— the country truly is in decline. Why would he make such a choice?”

“It’s not declining. To me, it looks like the country is trying to take a step forward.”

At least, it’s better than passively following orders and getting crushed like a fool.

……Or maybe, my example has emboldened their actions.

‘It seems I have awakened many people’s minds.’

I nodded in satisfaction.

“In the end, the decision is yours, my lord.”

Count Arsene swallowed hard.

“Let me ask you just one thing.”

“……Huh?”

“Do you wish to protect the ‘king’ or this ‘country’ itself?”

“……!”

Count Arsene’s eyes widened slowly.

“They say the king is the country, but that’s nonsense. It’s just a lie told by those greedy for power to maintain their control. It’s indoctrination and idolization.”

I had never liked this country’s king. There were practical reasons as well.

‘A fight that’s difficult to win. There’s no reason to risk my life doing something the empire would love.’

The more intense the Hart Kingdom’s civil war, the more the damn emperor would clap his hands in delight. Watching another’s house burn is always amusing.

‘But it’s also true that Count Arsene lost his wife and child to them.’

I can’t force him to make a decision based on my personal vendetta. Marquis Foltaine claimed it was an accident, and the perpetrator had already died by my hand, but……

‘How could a father’s heart be soothed by that?’

If it were me, I’d have chewed up the Marquis himself, explanations be damned. However, it’s wise to look before you leap.

“Or, will you leave this matter to me?”

“……”

Count Arsene, who had been silent for a long time, finally spoke in a subdued voice.

“……I have decided to trust you to the end. But is there a clear solution in this situation?”

“Didn’t I already promise? I will ensure that we do not lose to Marquis Foltaine.”

“……!”

The best course of action now is to uphold that promise while avoiding actions that would please the empire.

“I may need to delay the plan a bit, but if you trust me, I will ensure we get compensation for Hersen’s death.”

____