### Chapter 47: Cedric (13) – The Redbell Invitation
Though their father had once called them stupid, Ervin, the second son, and Mira, the third daughter, were not as incompetent as that.
Unlike most nobles in the Kingdom of Virka, who were truly nothing more than bloodlines without anything worth boasting about, these two could at least competently manage their fiefs. They were also quite reputable in swordsmanship or high society.
It was true that they had made numerous mistakes due to overconfidence and impatience. However, they were not so foolish as to not understand that if they failed to eliminate Claudia at this crucial moment, they themselves would be the ones in danger.
Therefore, they prepared thoroughly.
Four 4th-rank knights, each possessing the skill to represent an entire fief elsewhere, were gathered. In addition, nearly thirty other skilled individuals of the 3rd-rank level were recruited to support them.
They were supported by numerous scrolls that provided abilities like Dark Vision, Target Detection, and Noise Suppression, each one incredibly useful.
A major trade guild, having deep dealings with the Eched Fiefdom, was forced to join their cause with what felt like endless piles of gold coins.
Though minor in the grand scheme of Redbell, it was an immense investment from the siblings’ perspective, akin to cutting off an arm.
Indeed, they had done their best within their means.
But sometimes, the world brings down unreasonable calamities beyond human control.
“Welcome! We’ve prepared your accommodations in the underground prison. Please make yourselves at home!”
The assassins met the clear-eyed lunatic! The world in front of the assassins’ eyes went dark!
The capital of Izern Empire, Karlastia. The Gold Cloud Palace.
“Ho ho, you carry quite the collection of decent-quality scrolls. Combine that with what we extracted from the merchants who colluded with them, and the fief’s finances will be stable for a while.”
The Crown Prince cheerfully examined the spoils while Lucidra looked at him with a gaze that was difficult to define.
“Can I ask something?”
“Hmm, what is it?”
“You didn’t say you’d fully immerse yourself in this role?”
The Crown Prince revealed a hint of discomfort.
“Am I not fully immersed? I haven’t slipped into my usual speech patterns, nor have I demonstrated abilities beyond my role.”
“No, no, no.”
Lucidra shook her head.
“Your speech pattern is fine, but your capabilities… they’re riddled with problems.”
What kind of servant unleashes sword qi and knocks out assassins in droves, develops fiefdom policies, and gets involved in administrative streamlining?
Isn’t that violating the very essence of being a servant?
The Crown Prince responded with an incredibly serious expression.
“That is because he is a servant.”
A moment of silence followed.
Lucidra blinked a few times and asked again.
“Excuse me, what?”
“Ho ho, it seems you lack worldly knowledge. Understandable, given the long period of your seal.”
The Crown Prince continued calmly, as if teaching ignorant children.
“The most ‘omnipotent’ beings in this world are butlers and maids. Handling household chores impeccably is the start, but they must also excel in cooking, tea ceremonies, driving, swordsmanship, and magic. They can slice buildings with wires or freeze time on occasion. Though Cedric hasn’t earned the honorific title of ‘butler,’ he falls under the broader category of servant. So him showcasing various skills is entirely within the bounds of the concept.”
“…”
Lucidra tilted her head.
She wondered if the words she just heard carried some profound and philosophical meaning. She quickly dismissed this thought.
“That’s just nonsense.”
“Covering up your lack of understanding with harsh words is not a good habit, my dear.”
“No, it’s nonsense! Do you think everything you say with an earnest face and tone becomes the truth?”
“Let’s not raise our voices. Though the soundproofing is basic, even a moment’s exposure could cost you your head.”
“Aaaaaaaah!”
Lucidra frantically messed with her hair, letting out a scream of despair.
She was in great pain because she couldn’t share her frustration with anyone.
If only the women who were infatuated with this man knew how it felt!
After seething for a while, Lucidra stared at the Crown Prince with narrowed eyes and spoke.
“Even if we concede, even by a mile, that what you say is right, you know that the omnipotence you speak of isn’t free, right?”
The Crown Prince is a superhuman.
Capable enough to manifest the absurd nonsense he claims in reality.
But the persona of Cedric is different.
If this split persona had specialized in a singular skill like the adventurer Bern did, it might have been different, yet Cedric’s abilities are scattered across too many fields, making his peaks lower.
And yet, Cedric is currently exhibiting feats far beyond those peaks.
“This persona won’t last long. Not like the last one which disintegrated suddenly; this one is gradually collapsing, so the backlash will be proportionally smaller… Still, ‘Cedric’ will fade away.”
“I don’t care.”
The Crown Prince asserted without hesitation.
“Cedric has already accomplished much of the role he was meant to play. Claudia, the ‘Lord,’ wields great power thanks to the improved public order and the support of the commoners. The more her influence grows, the more it improves the catastrophic state of the Virka Kingdom. The gift is nearly completed as well.”
Even with the power of the ‘gift,’ Claudia alone could never change the entire Virka Kingdom.
Even if she ascended to the summit of Redbell and commanded its entire sphere of influence, there would still be regions untouched by Redbell, places so deplorable they looked favorable under even a cursory inspection.
While the Crown Prince planned to overturn those as well, that task was not within the scope of ‘Servant Cedric.’
“Besides, Cedric had to leave eventually. Talented individuals grow organizations but also define their limits. To avoid creating a dependency on myself, Cedric needed to step away.”
Though Cedric appears to be involved in all aspects of the fief, his active involvement is gradually decreasing.
In the case of the fief reform, he merely established the systems and environments for people to work efficiently, refraining from taking over others’ tasks directly. This way, the fief could operate smoothly even after his departure.
“Hmm…”
Lucidra let out a derisive snort.
Although she understood the bigger picture, would the eccentric young lady continue to rule the fief as intended after losing the servant she was infatuated with?
“How about a bet?”
“A bet?”
“When ‘Servant Cedric’ ends his contract and leaves, will Miss Chaotica continue to dutifully govern her fief? I’m betting on ‘no.'”
“Then I’ll bet on ‘yes.’ Agreed.”
“Winner grants the loser a wish?”
“To clearly establish the rules and wishes, we need a contract. Let’s prepare around thirty pages to start.”
“More demonic than any devil… No, just like some royal brat…”
Claudia Redbell had been in an exceptionally good mood lately.
“Their elaborate scheme to deal with me has failed, so they’re probably trembling right now. That’s rich.”
When her mother was alive, they had watched her with disdain from afar, and after her mother’s d*ath, they continued their overt surveillance and harassment.
The moment the names of two individuals came out of the assassins’ mouths, she thought less of a shock and more of an “Of course” kind of feeling, as any sense of familial affection was close to zero.
So what would they attempt next?
The Claudia of the past would have likely sent her own assassins, but the Claudia now, having learned from Cedric, was different.
“To expose this scandal might be the most damaging, but if it harms the Redbell name, someone will surely intervene. Hmm, using public exposure as blackmail might be useful… no. Maybe I could instead demand a ransom and send them back? That way, if they agree, I can siphon off resources, and if they refuse, I can sway their allegiance. Yes, that seems best.”
Immersed in these pleasant thoughts for a moment, she was interrupted by a knock on her study’s door. When Claudia acknowledged, her lead butler, Bastiang, entered with a serious expression.
“Lady Claudia. The Marquis has invited you to the main household. He wishes the family to gather and enjoy a meal together after such a long time. This is the invitation.”
“What?”
Claudia’s smiling face turned to one of confusion.
A family dinner? Since when did the House of Redbell become such a cozy family-oriented clan?
She hastily cut the seal of the invitation and reviewed the contents.
[Claudia, it fills me with joy as a father to see you return from your wandering and gain recognition. The family wishes to gather and share stories; please come, even if you are busy.]
A letter devoid of noble flourishes, it could almost pass as a father genuinely pleased with his daughter’s change of heart.
When she realized the handwriting was indeed that of the Marquis himself, a chill ran down Claudia’s spine, and goosebumps prickled her skin.
Even receiving a d*ath threat from assassins would have left her less distressed.
“This… I can’t not go, can I?”
To her almost pleading question, Bastiang replied with an uncertain expression.
“You already know the answer, don’t you, my lady.”
“Right. Yes.”
Claudia sighed deeply.
It was true that her recent success was due to her position as the Lord of Eched Fief. Without this title, much of what she had built would disappear.
The Marquis Redbell was still the legal overlord governing not only Eched but all other lands under the name of Redbell.
If he were to take back her title as Lord, everything she’d worked hard for would collapse.
Though in the feudal system, it wasn’t easy to hand over then retract territorial rights, when one had enough power, the impossible could become possible.
Claudia tried to see the situation in a positive light.
‘Yes, anyway, I need to settle this with him to prove my worth and ensure I’m not easily traded away.’
Could this invitation itself not be proof that the Marquis was interested in what she had accomplished?
She instinctively wanted to summon Cedric but stopped herself upon seeing Bastiang’s face.
She remembered Cedric’s advice.
“Think about the feelings of your other retainers and servants.”
It was a story she had heard when she had neglected her head chef in favor of having Cedric cook for her.
Cedric had scolded her more seriously than usual, and she spent the day feeling rather glum.
“Hem hem. Bastiang?”
“Yes, my lady?”
“I would like to entrust you with the selection of those who will accompany me to the main house. Is that acceptable?”
Bastiang’s eyes widened momentarily in surprise.
Then, a gentle smile appeared on his lips.
“Please leave it to me, my lady. I shall ensure the most balanced personnel, taking into account both your safety and the management of the fief left behind.”
“Th-thank you.”
Seeing his fervor, something she rarely experienced, Claudia glanced out of the window, slightly unsettled.
Thinking once again, she knew Cedric’s words were always right.
“Claudia. The royal family wishes to act as a matchmaker for you. What are your thoughts?”
