215. The Duke of Ribue, Erbe de Carvellier (4)
* * *
Now, it was more like a banquet hall than a meeting. The nobles who were not loyal to the Duke had all left their territories and were retreating, and the guards solemnly protecting this grand hall were the military forces commanded by the Duke’s knights.
And in this hall, alcohol and food were continuously being brought in. The beastman nobility led by Kirhas seemed to have finally relaxed, laughing heartily and sharing drinks, occasionally grabbing food alongside the Duke’s forces.
Kirhas was also laughing with a drink in her hand. The heated diplomatic clashes and talks seemed to have been neatly tucked away in a corner, as she chatted with the Duke, sharing strange stories.
“So, this is really the tobacco leaf from Mount Aseas, Duke?”
“Ah, it’s the finest quality.”
“Duke, you’re such a good person!”
Kirhas laughed like a child, gently touching the well-rolled tea leaves with her fingertips.
Fernandez chuckled at the sight. That was almost the only indulgence she had.
Perhaps it could be considered a newly acquired habit. It was due to the influence of Kadán, who had completely freed himself from Mumto’s dimension.
The talents and fragments that Kirhas had in her “previous life” in Mumto’s dimension had overlapped with Kadán onto Kirhas.
Was it a reaction? In fact, Fernandez couldn’t help but hold Kirhas in high regard. Anyone else in such a situation would have had their personality twisted or their mind shattered.
But Kirhas had adapted surprisingly smoothly, and her smoking was just part of that process.
Fernandez, holding a drink offered by the beastman warriors, gazed at the pitiful beastman girl for a moment.
A woman who could have risen to become a great hero on her own. He had forcibly pruned and nurtured that potential.
The finished product… was nothing more than a replica of the original. No matter how beautifully crafted, it would fall far short of the trials and tribulations of her previous life, where she had risen on her own.
Yet, she had steadfastly grown in the right way. That sight was both grateful and admirable. Fernandez often felt his heart soften when he looked at her.
“Huh? Where are you going?”
“Just stepping out for some fresh air.”
Fernandez declined the warriors’ drinks and headed to the terrace at the corner of the hall.
It was the first banquet in a long time in the declining territory, so the soldiers were in high spirits, and no one paid any attention to Fernandez.
* * *
Night. The gentle spring breeze still flowed through the desolate western territory. Fernandez pulled back his hood, brushing his half-gray hair, and leaned on the railing.
Torches flickered along the road. In the distance, beyond the outer walls, the retreating army could be seen. Quite swift. Like rats fleeing a sinking ship.
They had always been ready to leave this territory, and now was just the perfect timing.
-Slurp.
A cold liquid flowed down his throat. Bitter, sweet, and spicy. The strong alcohol hit him, then smoothly flowed down his throat. Good liquor.
The only downside was that Diemonica didn’t get drunk.
“Shall I bring you more wine?”
Diemonica wasn’t so insensitive as to be lost in thought in the quiet.
Fernandez kept his gaze fixed on the darkness beyond the terrace without turning his head.
“No need.”
“Perhaps some snacks…”
“That’s also unnecessary.”
“My apologies. I’ll leave you to it…”
“Thank you for the generous hospitality, Lady of the Duke.”
A woman’s presence stiffened, then a sigh followed. As if deciding not to hide anymore, she clacked her heels and leaned on the railing next to Fernandez.
Soon, her red hair swayed in the night breeze. Fernandez didn’t bother to look at her, but she drank from her cup, loosened her hair, and tilted her head, muttering.
“Strange. My disguise was perfect enough that even the vassals didn’t notice.”
“Either the vassals are dull, or they pretended not to notice.”
“Are you insulting me by calling me stupid?”
“I’m not an Imperial noble. It’s not my hobby to insult people indirectly.”
Fernandez turned his gaze as he spoke. Rene stiffened again upon seeing his face.
From the back and side, she thought he must be middle-aged due to his unkempt hair.
But beneath the half-gray hair was paradoxically the face of a youth who had just reached adulthood.
A strikingly noble appearance, suggesting good lineage. And—
“Your eyes are fascinating.”
Eyes that seemed either enlightened or somewhat gloomy. Rene stared into his blue eyes for a moment.
“Your name?”
“Fernen.”
“Not your real name, I assume.”
“For now, just know it as that.”
“That’s unfair. You know me.”
Rene smiled faintly and raised her cup. Taking a sip, she slowly turned her head to gaze at the torches beyond the outer walls.
“From the East, aren’t you?”
“Dane.”
“You have that regional accent. You must have lived in the Empire for a long time? Your Imperial accent is perfect.”
Almost a lifetime? Fernandez had traveled around the Eastern Kingdom Alliance, but most of his prime was spent near the Empire.
That’s why he clashed with Daryan countless times. But most of his fond memories were in the Imperial cities.
He said nothing, just gazing beyond the terrace. This once barren land now had a gentle, even somewhat humid breeze.
As if turning wasteland into grassland. It was an era of many changes and mixtures.
Fernandez was the Emperor…
The hero who should have been, the old man who should have been the commander of the war, stood silently, looking outside with his back turned.
“Is this your work?”
“We just went along with it.”
“It couldn’t have been easy to elevate the tribal chieftain to such extremes.”
“Fortunately, we had some connections.”
“What do you want? It doesn’t seem like a profitable venture. Military support? We don’t have the forces to spare for you. Look at them leaving.”
She gazed at the torches filling the streets, burning brightly.
Once, Ribue and Carvelie were the strongest territories and among the greatest electorates.
After the end of the 50-year war, the Emperor’s interest in the west faded. No, to be precise, there’s nothing left to gain from the west now, not even a blade of grass.
How long will the remaining vassals hold out? Humans crave gold and glory, and they are human. There’s no gold or glory left in this region.
A declining territory. Ruined farmlands. Scattered bandits and mercenaries. The lives of divided nobles and starving peasants seemed to unfold before her eyes.
Yet, she remains unbroken. Fernandez looked at Rene’s profile. Even in that moment, this woman remains unbroken.
Under the dark night, the burning torch reflected in her eyes, shining more brilliantly than ever.
“What does the lady desire? A stable life? A peaceful territory?”
“Ha, as if.”
“Or revenge?”
“Against them? They’re not worth it, nor do they deserve it. They’re just acting according to their nature. If anything, the remaining Greatsword Nobles are the strange ones, don’t you think?”
Rene turned her head to Fernandez, who was looking at her.
She paused, meeting Fernandez’s gaze, then slightly averted her eyes and spoke.
“Do you know? The Emperor is a very family-oriented man.”
“…”
“And he’s a realistic man, a political man, and also a very cold man. He’s clever. An elected Emperor can never be someone ignorant of politics.”
She slowly lifted her chin. Her beautiful hair fluttered in the wind. She looked up at the night sky and said.
“That’s why the current Emperor is convinced that his successor cannot come from his own family. His achievements have evaporated along with the vast capital he invested in the west.”
“…So the Emperor desires war?”
“Where are the remaining lands to conquer? The north? The south?”
“The east, I suppose.”
“Exactly. Is that what you desire? You people. The opposing chieftains of the wasteland, the Legion of Wraiths, the rebels within the tribes… You bring such tales. No, at least that beastwoman’s goal might be that. But not you.”
She turned her gaze to Fernandez. Slowly, she took her glass and clinked it against Fernandez’s.
“Your eyes. Those eyes looking far away. I like them. According to the beastmen’s tradition, we’ve shared a drink. You’re the envoy of the tribes. Now we’re friends.”
“To restrain the Emperor, is that the Duke’s wish?”
“Ahaha, how could my wish differ from my father’s?”
Rene smiled and slowly reached out her hand to Fernandez. Her white fingers rested on Fernandez’s rough, scarred hand.
“You asked what I desire… What I wish for. I want the Emperor’s downfall.”
“That can’t be.”
“It’s the same. The Emperor’s downfall, and the downfall of his family. The sorrow and disgrace my father endured, having served the throne with lifelong loyalty. The price. The honor and reward that should have returned to my father. So…”
“You aim for the throne?”
“Are we friends now?”
-A threat indeed.
‘Even more, she’s actually threatening.’
Fernandez agreed with Faijashi’s words. If not friends, she’s the type to send a poisoned teacup. Her blazing eyes shone like a lion’s.
Fernandez smiled, lifting his glass and deftly avoiding her hand.
“Dane-born, Albert.”
“Rene Philippa de Carvelie.”
-Clink.
Their glasses clinked. The sound was drowned out by the noisy music of the banquet, the cheerful shouts, the clatter of dishes, and the darkness under the night sky.
Both laughed brightly.
‘A hero is indeed a hero.’
-Very bold. I like it.
* * *
When Fernandez returned to his seat, the already heavily drunk warriors and knights were mingling, gulping down drinks. Literally, they were drinking as if scooping and swallowing.
One of the knights, seeing Fernandez, greeted him warmly.
“Oh, the great warrior has arrived! Sit down! Come here!”
The knight laughed heartily, pouring wine into his empty glass.
“Such incredible strength. How did you lift that giant with one hand and throw him? Is it the martial arts of the wasteland?”
“Something like that.”
“I want to experience it! I’ve rolled around here and there, but never been lifted and thrown!”
He chattered noisily, clinking his glass against Fernandez’s. A clear ‘clink’ rang out.
“Borra of Ville! Nice to meet you!”
-Bear Borra?
‘That seems to be the guy.’
-Anyway, it’s an era where characters are common.
‘One in every house, so to speak.’
As the end approaches, heroes who make a name for themselves become more common. And Borra, being one of the loyal subjects of the previous Emperor, it’s not strange for him to be in Duke Erbe’s retinue at this point.
Fernandez shared a drink, looking at the stern knight who had cut down countless of his men in his youth.
Originally, a friend was a potential enemy. Faijashi preferred to keep enemies closer than friends. So, Fernandez found the sight rather welcoming.
“Nice to meet you. Call me Fernin.”
“Haha, good! Here! Bring more wine! Fernin. With such outstanding men soon to stand on the same frontline, my heart is at ease!”
“Indeed. Seeing you, I feel the same.”
The saying that heroes are common signifies the health of the soil. The fact that Duke Erbe, the soil of these heroes, remains intact means his plan has a high chance of success.
The plan to create heroes and dethrone the Emperor.
“Let’s go crush those bones together!”
Fernandez smiled slightly and nodded.
It was a night where the talks were successfully concluded.
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