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His voice was sharp and mocking. For him, the current situation must be satisfying. The words I had spoken in front of Tenest’s retainers clearly revealed my childish behavior.

But did I have any image left to tarnish?

Looking down at Deisel, I retorted,

“Is it your idea of manners to stand idly by while your kin is insulted to their face? Pathetic.”

He remained silent, like a mute who had swallowed his tongue. It was amusing, given how he had glared at me as if to kill when I disrespected the mistress. Now, he remained silent.

Realizing the situation, loud voices erupted from the observer seats.

“How dare he act like this in public!”

“I’ve heard rumors, but this is too much!”

“What a rascal!”

The outbursts reminded me of a chaotic marketplace. Amidst the noise, one of Schweike’s representatives shouted at me.

“Even if you are the Grand Duke’s son, this rudeness cannot be tolerated. Apologize immediately!”

I half-opened my eyes and answered bluntly,

“Weren’t you the ones who first showed disrespect by calling us brats and ruffians?”

“That was not from our side, but from the observers…”

“Ridiculous. You brought them all here.”

“…”

The loud outbursts subsided a bit. They must not have expected someone to point out their manipulation so directly.

I glanced at our side. Deisel’s face was twisted with anger, Mircel was covering his grinning mouth with his hand, and the mistress…

She had turned her head and her shoulders were slightly shaking, as if stifling laughter.

Bang!

A dull sound echoed as Heinrich slammed his heavy fist on the table.

“…You are indeed an arrogant wretch. You are just like your father.”

His voice was calm yet filled with anger. Heinrich’s weighty gaze fell on me. I raised my chin arrogantly and spoke.

“Sorry, but this is not a family trait. It’s a natural inclination. That’s why my family doesn’t like me.”

“Don’t think that the prestige of being the Grand Duke’s son will carry outside the mansion, boy.”

“Likewise, Count, don’t think you can act high and mighty just because my father isn’t here. My prestige is right here.”

When I didn’t back down, Heinrich’s face twisted with fury. After a moment of controlling his anger, he leaned back in his chair, as if refusing to engage further. The mistress then spoke with a warm smile. Ṙ�

“Hersel? You should start taking this seriously.”

Just when it was getting interesting, I guess it’s time to stop.

The mediator furiously pounded his gavel, and once the commotion subsided a bit, I got to the point.

“Our stance is firm. We cannot cede Grendel.”

The gist of the meeting’s dispute, as I roughly understood it, was this:

Grendel was geographically within Tenest territory, but technically, it wasn’t part of Tenest’s domain. It had been granted to the Grendel family by one of Tenest’s ancestors long ago.

But the current owner had recently died of a sudden heart attack, leaving behind a massive debt to the Schweike family.

“Hmph, since he died owing me money, Grendel’s ownership falls to Schweike.”

With no heirs and no other assets to repay the debt, Schweike’s claim to the land seemed reasonable.

“It’s a generous offer to repay the principal and interest.”

“There’s no reason for Tenest to take on that debt. They might change their tune later. The Grand Duke is known for flipping his stance.”

The issue was that Grendel had originally been granted by Tenest, and despite our offer to repay the debt, Schweike insisted on the land.

Even though the land could be rendered useless to them.

“The moment it falls into your hands, it might lose all its value.”

“Ho, let’s hear it.”

“Since it’s not part of our territory, it’s only natural to impose trade tariffs. We might even raise tariffs specifically for Grendel.”

There were murmurs from the observer seats, but I continued.

“Not to mention droughts or floods could occur. The reservoir is on our side. Of course, it wouldn’t be intentional; we would just be adjusting the water levels during the agricultural season.”

As my threats ended, there were mixed reactions from the observers.

“He’s not as foolish as the rumors say.”

“Do you think those ideas came from him? That woman must have coached him.”

They acted as if what I had said was something extraordinary, seeing me as nothing more than a talking monkey.

I had hoped that pointing out such weaknesses would change the dynamics, but Heinrich merely sneered.

“Hmph, such vile thoughts are indeed worthy of the Grand Duke’s son. But do you know this? People are people because they serve the law. Those who try to seize everything by force, like you, are no better than beasts.”

He implied that the law was on their side. Heinrich looked around the observer seats.

“I have the right to choose. I have the authority to reject Tenest’s offer.”

His speech continued in a grandiose manner, but there was no need to delve deep into it.

In summary, they were here to show the absurdity of the situation, to emphasize that inaction had consequences, and to rally against the tyranny of power.

Yes, it was propaganda.

Their claims were valid, but the people here had also risen to power by imposing injustice on others.

Their speech continued without substance. No matter what we offered, they refused to consider it, sticking to their stance.

“My resolve is firm. Even if you pile up wealth like a mountain, I will not bow to the oppression and tyranny of the Grand Duke. That is the righteous cause!”

Clap, clap, clap!

While the audience applauded Heinrich’s speech, I half-listened and muttered to myself.

“That man keeps bringing up my father, does he have some personal grudge…”

I wasn’t expecting an answer, but the mistress responded.

“They have a long history. The Count once fought alongside the Grand Duke to subdue the Blackbird of Resentment. He was severely injured and blames the Grand Duke for it, harboring resentment to this day.”

Now that she mentioned it, Mircel had said something similar. I didn’t expect that man to be Heinrich. It seems he holds a grudge for a petty reason…

But I couldn’t understand why he was garnering so much support from his subordinates for such a personal vendetta.

As a family head, would he really forsake potential gains just for personal feelings? This seemed excessive for mere loyalty.

Feeling frustrated, I asked the lady amidst the ongoing commotion,

“What do they want from me?”

“What do you mean?”

“This isn’t a matter that can be negotiated. I don’t have the authority to offer anything more, and even if I did, they’re not listening.”

I pointed to Heinrich, who was alternating between making speeches and conversing with his delegates, reminiscent of a filibuster.

“Well, I never said to reach an agreement.”

“Surely, you didn’t just bring me here to mess around?”

The mistress smiled as I glared at her.

“Think carefully. There must be something you can do, Hersel.”

Something I can do?

This sudden puzzle had me thinking hard.

What does Schweike want?

Grendel is just an ordinary farmland. Accepting money and stepping back would be more profitable. There must be a hidden reason for coveting it.

So, what if we refuse to give it?

Claiming territorial rights without actual control is meaningless. Grendel is within Tenest territory, and occupying it would require invading our land. That would inevitably lead to…

I suddenly voiced my thought.

“Does Schweike want war?”

The hall fell silent. Gaining confidence, I glared at Heinrich.

“Demanding Grendel is just a pretext for war. You aim for supremacy.”

“That’s an assumption. We respect the mediation provided by the Empire and seek a peaceful resolution between our families.”

Heinrich, who had been speaking dispassionately, suddenly grinned.

“But if Tenest remains uncooperative, war may be inevitable.”

The Schweike side’s observer seats remained relatively quiet, suggesting this was a known matter.

Finally, I understood what the lady meant.

Schweike had a hidden agenda, so negotiation was impossible. The meeting was doomed from the start.

If that’s the case, then what she said about what I can do…

Oh, I get it.

“Heh.”

I chuckled, unable to contain my amusement. The silence in the hall made my laughter echo.

“When the tiger is away, the fox becomes king.”

“What?”

“It seems you tried to act like the ruler in my father’s absence, but it’s unfortunate for you.”

I stood up and pulled out the letter I had received from the lady, waving it.

“If it’s war, you’d better hurry. You have only seven days.”

The observers’ eyes fixated on the letter, curiosity etched on their faces.

“Oh, this? It’s a letter from my father, saying he’s returning after the subjugation. If you want to act, do it quickly. Let’s see, if you march your entire army on horseback for seven days and nights, you might make it.”

It would take them at least ten days to mobilize their forces, and that’s assuming they commandeered all the horses in the country for their soldiers.

I grinned and closely observed those who had slandered me.

“The mustached one. The one with narrow eyes. The one with four chins. You all had a lot to say earlier, didn’t you? And there’s the big-headed one.”

Each time I pinpointed someone, they lowered their heads or hid behind the person in front of them. The front person kept shifting their position, exposing the one hiding.

Eventually, ripples of trembling voices spread through the hall.

“How can he be back so soon from the demon realm?”

“I didn’t hear anything about the Grand Duke returning so quickly. The war was only feasible because he was absent. I’m withdrawing.”

“Let’s call off this matter as well.”

At the news of the tiger’s return, the rabbits started to leave one by one. Counting the marked individuals, I sighed heavily.

“Too many to remember. Better to hold everyone accountable. Can I get the attendance list?”

I looked at the mediator. Those trying to flee stopped in their tracks and turned to look at me with wide eyes.

“What’s with those faces? Should I erase your names from the list I give to my father?”

Many nodded eagerly, like men seeing a lifeline from heaven. They glanced between Heinrich and me.

“Relax. I was just joking.”

As I spoke casually, the observers wiped their foreheads in relief. The mistress, having watched, complimented me.

“More than I expected, Hersel.”

Her initial goal was to dissolve the chains binding Heinrich’s subordinates.

Even if they showed hostility, acting rashly wasn’t an option. So I struck the right balance, leaving room for reconsideration.

If they truly believed our side to be tyrants, Tenest would be isolated.

However, if they still rebel after being given a chance, it would justify our actions against them.

I scoffed at the mistress.

“Hmph, were you testing me? Are you satisfied now?”

“Why does Hersel think so? I only brought you in because I needed help.”

“Don’t make excuses. You had means to handle this even without me.”

Her eyes widened slightly, perhaps surprised that I realized she had another plan. But her lower lips curled up in satisfaction.

“It seems entering Edel Klais wasn’t just luck. You have a keen eye.”

It wasn’t anything special.

Ordinarily, Hersel wouldn’t be here, having died, and I knew a war hadn’t broken out.

With this knowledge, it was natural to assume the lady could handle things without me.

Still, it was annoying.

She must have heard about my entry into Edel Klais and gotten curious.

“I’m leaving now. I won’t be toyed with anymore, so handle the rest yourself.”

“Alright, you’ve done more than enough.”

The mistress relaxed her expression and looked at Heinrich. His face was stiff, clearly not expecting this outcome.

She shrugged her shoulders and stood up, addressing him.

“It seems the negotiations have failed. We’ll take our leave now, Count Heinrich.”

“…We’ll meet again soon.”

“Perhaps sooner than you think.”

With a courteous bow, we left the meeting hall.

***

Rain splashed against the carriage wheels. The drizzle that started as we left the meeting hall had turned into a downpour by dawn.

Heinrich peered through the foggy window, sighing heavily.

Messages from promised reinforcements were pouring in, retracting their support. The reason was that wretched brat who resembled his mortal enemy.

“When the tiger is away, the fox becomes king.”

That arrogant tone and expression. Everything about him reminded Heinrich of Aol.

Though a brazen and shameless brat, he had both wit and natural charisma.

In that aspect, he wished his son would take after him…

“Ugh!”

Sudden pain in his lower abdomen made Heinrich clutch his stomach. The shattered energy center from long ago seemed to whip him, reminding him of who the brat’s father was.

“Aol… Yes, that cursed man’s bloodline… Soon, you’ll die just like your father.”

Heinrich gritted his teeth. In his mind, the image of the man looking down on him was still vivid.

Years ago, when the Blackbird of Resentment attacked Melbra village, a subjugation squad led by Schweike and Tenest was formed to stop the beast.

Given the urgency and the proximity to Schweike’s territory, Schweike’s forces took the lead. But Tenest did not show up.

Even as night fell and the moonlight illuminated the blood of fallen soldiers, Tenest’s banner was nowhere to be seen.

Heinrich showed up at dawn, on the verge of annihilation.

Aol and his troops coldly passed the bodies of Schweike soldiers, swiftly beheading the exhausted Blackbird with ease.

Arriving late, Aol offered no excuses, merely gazing indifferently at the pathetic sight of Heinrich on the ground.

It was likely a move to check Schweike’s power. Although unable to wield a sword any longer, Heinrich had been sharpening his blade of revenge ever since.

Then the opportunity came. Aol left the territory to subjugate the demon realm.

To create a pretext, Heinrich tricked the owner of Grendel into debt and had him killed. He quietly amassed troops and issued conscription orders to his subordinate families.

“Seven days… No, it’s already a new day, so six.”

Though preparations for war had encountered a setback, it didn’t matter.

A key capable of turning Aol’s territory into rubble before his return would soon arrive.

“You’ll weep over your family’s corpses, Aol…”

The carriage reached the inner gate as Heinrich’s thoughts trailed off. As usual, the gate began to open as he approached.

As the gap widened, Heinrich’s shoulder twitched. Inside, familiar crimson eyes gleamed.

“Yo

Heinrich stepped back unconsciously, his mind swirling with questions.

Why was this woman here? How did she arrive before him? Why did the servants let her in?

None of it made sense.

“I told you, didn’t I?”

A quiet, alluring voice. Ahille von Tenest, the lady of Tenest, smiled.

“We might meet sooner than you think.”