Episode 338: The Thoughts of the Powerful
“What can I say… he’s a man who puts my mind at ease in many ways.”
Staggering under the weight of the responsibilities that had been dropped on him like a bomb, Rest returned to Viola and Primula.
Count Walnut watched his retreating figure, which seemed smaller than it actually was, and muttered in admiration.
Besides Count Walnut, Marquis Rosemary, Marquis Cattleya, and Duke Crocus were also present.
All of them were influential figures in the moderate faction that supported the King, and trusted retainers of the Royal Family.
“Perhaps it’s because of his commoner background. He’s humble and earnest despite his abilities and position… I wish I could grind up his nail clippings and make those ambitious nobles drink them.”
In both good and bad ways, Rest was an atypical noble.
The illegitimate child of an Honorary Viscount House. This was probably due to the fact that he had lived as a commoner for some time after his birth.
However… regardless of his own intentions, Rest stood out more than he would have liked.
An exceptional magician, and a lucky young man who had won the hearts of the beautiful Rosemary Sisters and had them on either arm.
Since entering the academy, he had made rapid progress.
He defeated the Magical Beast Sabnock, which no one had been able to defeat since the founding of the kingdom. He subjugated Rodel Aiwood, who had started a rebellion. He developed the unexplored lands while defeating the monsters of the plains, and not only the Rosemary Sisters, but also Yuri Cattleya, Celestine Crocus, and Urula Lavender, daughters of prestigious families, gathered around him.
They were beyond impressed and simply dumbfounded, wondering what kind of fate he was born under.
“He has the power to achieve great feats that no one else can, and he has won the love of noble maidens… yet he doesn’t seem to be conceited at all. Doesn’t he realize that if he wanted to, he could even aim to overthrow the Royal Family?”
Rest had too much influence.
He had the support of the Rosemary, Cattleya, Crocus, and Lavender Houses… if he played his cards right, he could rival the Royal Family.
And yet, he possessed an extraordinary magical talent. If he were any other noble, he would be consumed by ambition and his heart would be as black as night.
“He is moderate and knows his place, Your Excellency.”
Marquis Rosemary said.
As his father-in-law, who had been taking care of Rest, he knew better than anyone that Rest had no ambition.
“I don’t know if it’s his birth or his upbringing… but he is a selfless man. He has such beautiful women as my daughters attending to him, yet he still hasn’t laid a hand on them and has protected their chastity. He would never think of overthrowing the nation.”
“Hmm… perhaps that selfless nature is what attracts your daughters.”
The children of nobles… especially those blessed with talent and lineage, tend to be arrogant.
Rest’s half-brother, Cedric Evern, was a magical genius, but he was a sadistic and selfish man.
The Third Prince, Rodel Aiwood, also possessed both innate talent and royal blood, but he was devoured by his own desires and met his ruin.
He was blessed with talent, yet he was humble and had a good personality. He was not arrogant or bossy, and he treated women with respect… perhaps that was why they were so fond of him.
“Well, as he is now, he would never have any intention of rebelling against the Royal Family. That’s a relief for now.”
“But… we don’t know about the next generation.”
Marquis Cattleya cast a shadow of doubt in a solemn tone.
“A gentle king’s child could become a tyrant. His children and grandchildren may harbor ambitions.”
“Hmm… I won’t deny that. That’s why we need to prepare for the future.”
Receiving Marquis Cattleya’s advice, Count Walnut turned his gaze to Duke Crocus.
Duke Crocus nodded and expressed his opinion on how to deal with the situation in the future.
“First, we need to get his blood into the Royal Family. His child… preferably a daughter, should be accepted into the Royal Family. It would be best to make her the Crown Prince’s child, the wife of the king two generations from now.”
If they were related to the Royal Family, Rest’s children and grandchildren would not bare their fangs.
They would be guaranteed prosperity as the King’s relatives, without having to bear the dishonor of betrayal.
“And… we should have him produce as many children as possible. We will disperse the land and property through inheritance.”
“His children will be strong magicians. As my wife intends, this will also lead to the strengthening of our national power…”
Marquis Rosemary continued Duke Crocus’s words.
Airish, Marquis Rosemary’s wife, was selecting mistresses for Rest and was fully intending to build him a harem with multiple wives.
“Political strife is also occurring in the Geisel Empire, and the northern barbarians are showing suspicious movements… his blood and power will greatly contribute to the future of the Aiwood Kingdom.”
“If that’s the case, then so be it… even so, to think that he would even solve the Lavender Barony’s problem. Considering my son’s misdeeds, I can’t thank him enough.”
Count Walnut’s shoulders slumped heavily.
The Lavender Barony was a potential political enemy. Count Walnut never thought that Rest would solve the problem that had been troubling him.
“However, the Baron there is probably…”
“It doesn’t matter.”
Marquis Cattleya tried to offer some advice, but Count Walnut immediately shook his head.
“Even if it’s a lie, it doesn’t matter. What’s important to us is protecting the country and its people, not upholding the law and justice.”
“Understood. I said too much.”
Marquis Cattleya quietly withdrew.
Everyone present vaguely sensed that the Lavender Baron was a fake.
They could guess what had happened to the real one…
Even so, if it was in the national interest, there was no problem. They had no intention of poking the hornet’s nest and letting go of the good fortune they had finally obtained.
“From now on, Count Clover will have to work hard. To that end, let’s arrange an opportunity to meet with the Crown Prince soon.”
“They will be the king and his subjects who will support the next generation. Why don’t we arrange a dinner for the successors of each house?”
“That’s right… let’s do that.”
Count Walnut nodded deeply at Duke Crocus’s words and began to consider what his schedule would be like next month.
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[Introduction of Works]
Frozen Star Magician
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818093086823614778
An after story in a world where the Demon King has died.
The betrayed hero takes up the ice blade again and throws himself into battle for the sake of the elven girl.