Chapter 83: Master Strategist
I ended up being asked by my father to become the head of the family.
Perhaps I spoke too enthusiastically.
Frankly, I feel like I’ve been cornered.
“You don’t seem keen on the idea…”
“That’s right, it’s too much for me…”
“Hmm, I thought you had finally made up your mind to become the head, but your aptitude and words still don’t match.”
My father looked at me with a dumbfounded expression.
“That’s a separate issue… Elmia is motivated, so wouldn’t it be fine to leave it to her as is?”
“It’s true that making Elmia the head would be the easiest solution. But more than that, I value your decisiveness.”
He’s probably referring to my First Campaign and my actions in Bangwall.
Certainly, with such achievements, my reputation must be at an all-time high.
“Decisiveness…?”
“That’s right. There are two main types of noble family heads. One is the type who exerts strong leadership and guides the family in one direction. The other is the type who uses strategy and enhances the family’s advantage from a broad perspective. Most people are biased towards one of these qualities, but in Sharka’s case, it would be the former.”
The former is a charismatic, all-conquering general, and the latter is a calculating master strategist.
“You may not realize it, but Sharka is highly regarded by his subordinates. That’s solely because you have decided the path to take and led your subordinates. It’s not something that someone with half-hearted resolve can do. The only one who can lead the current chaotic Ortenos is someone like Sharka, who attracts the hearts of many and is like a guiding light.”
My father is well-informed, probably because he’s been getting information from Getrude.
However, Getrude was the one who was trying to make me into a supreme ruler, so his reports must have been heavily embellished.
(A guiding light… I’m not that great.)
I just want to repay Ortenos, who has taken care of me ever since I was born into this world.
As expected, my father’s words don’t quite resonate with me.
“No, Father, I think you’re wrong.”
“Hmm?”
“I’m the strategy type.”
“…”
For some reason, my father suddenly looked away from me.
…Why? I don’t understand.
I think I’m a pretty smart noble, an indoor type.
“If there’s one good thing about becoming the next head of the family, it’s that a high-quality daughter will come to marry you.”
“A high-quality daughter?”
I turned my face sharply towards my father.
“That’s right, just having the title of the next head of the family makes a huge difference in how much the young ladies pursue you. It was quite a challenge for me back in the day. I received approaches from so many daughters, but in the end, I couldn’t narrow it down to just one, so I chose Elena of the Lanecki Family and Camilla of the Nevirim Family, who were the most beautiful and compatible.”
My father was apparently a popular guy back in the day.
I envy him.
If I become the next Marquis Ortenos, I’ll probably have a wide selection to choose from.
I understand why Elmia was so eager to become the head.
“That’s a very interesting story. But is it really difficult to have a wife and a concubine?”
“Right after the marriage, they were constantly throwing sparks at each other, and it was hard to keep them happy. But after they both became pregnant with you, they developed a bond. It was difficult, but thanks to you being born, my choice became the best one.”
The possessiveness of female nobles is fierce, but it softens somewhat once they have children.
I feel like I’ve heard a good hint for the future.
“I’m starting to think that becoming the head might not be so bad.”
“So, you’re saying that Elmia alone isn’t enough? You’re hopeless.”
“We’re in the same boat.”
“That’s true.”
My father and I laughed cheerfully.
When we talk like this, we seem like father and son, or a caring boss and his subordinate.
“Well, it’s not something you can decide right away. Just decide before you go to the academy.”
“Understood.”
If I become the next head of the family, I might be able to swagger around the academy.
It might make Elmia cry, but that’s that.
If I make her happy in the end, she should forgive me.
“I never thought you would choose Elmia. I wonder what Elena would say if she were alive.”
“Lady Elena would surely be pleased.”
“Maybe…”
My father said with a slightly lonely tone.
Elmia’s mother, Elena, was a beautiful and intelligent woman for someone from Lanecki.
Moreover, she was well-versed in military matters, so I had her teach me the Lanecki’s fighting style when she was alive.
The identity of the culprit who killed Elena has not yet been revealed.
“If I were to give you one piece of advice, it would be to grab any girl you like and never let go. In the world of nobles, many are passive. Even a girl who seems noble and difficult to conquer may be thrilled if you court her a little forcefully.”
My father spoke like a veteran womanizer.
I wonder who he’s talking about.
Roa left halfway through, and it became a dinner party with just my father and me, but after sharing stories about the Naia Royal Family and the Hero, it was time to end the gathering.
“Father, by the way, is Grandfather still not coming here?”
“Ah… Father will be late.”
“I see, that’s just like Grandfather.”
“Haa… That’s right, it’s troubling.”
My father sighed deeply.
My grandfather is also participating in the Ceasefire Talks.
There’s only one day left for preparation, so we have to coordinate tomorrow.
“He hasn’t forgotten, has he?”
“He wouldn’t go that far… I think.”
I was concerned that my father was becoming less and less certain.
My grandfather has always been unpredictable, for better or worse.
The Ceasefire Talks, which are only two days away, already feel like something is going to happen, and with the unpredictable element of my grandfather involved, I can’t predict what will happen at all.
“Will Naia choose a ceasefire? The members seem quite suspicious.”
“If anyone’s going to be a problem, it’ll be Hoshiros. He’ll probably stall and try to postpone the conclusion.”
Luna is in favor of a ceasefire, but the remaining Hoshiros is questionable.
The Ceasefire Talks are a place to discuss the terms of the ceasefire, so if Hoshiros stalls, as my father says, there’s a possibility that no progress will be made.
“That’s why we need to decide on our roles now.”
“Roles?”
“That’s right, I’ll basically participate in the discussion as a supporter of the ceasefire. Roa will support me. And Sharka, I want you to act flexibly as an opponent of the ceasefire.”
My father will proceed with the discussion with the aim of a ceasefire.
I will support my father from the shadows while opposing the ceasefire.
I feel like I’ve been given a difficult role, but my father’s plan was rational in a way that I couldn’t have come up with.
As expected, he’s a true master strategist.
After that, detailed meetings with my father continued tomorrow—and finally, the day of the Ceasefire Talks arrived.
However, even on the morning of the day, my grandfather did not appear.