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Volume 2 Chapter 1 Part 7

After all, Sistina’s issues with the monsters roaming it and the tyranny of the Rossini family are pretty famous around the continent.

Theo neither confirmed nor denied his speculation. Sistina belongs to the Fantasia Union after all, and in his current position, he cannot openly declare his intent to overthrow Rossini.

「Come to think of it, I heard that you were greatly admired by the people of the territories that you ruled over. 」

Milza snorted as he straightened his beard.

「Sometimes there are Lords like you who pretend to be good people, but to be honest, to me being two-faced like that is disgusting. It’s natural to want to spread the idea of good government, but that’s because it’s a means to strengthen the country. However, when that idea is taken too far and the Lord gets too lenient with his subject, it will only result in the weakening of the country instead. That is why I think that it is fine for a part of the population to remain poor, because when you are going to show even the slightest bit of kindness to the poor subjects, they are going to sing your praises no matter what. 」

「If you don’t like the idea of being unconditionally kind to your subjects, then perhaps you would like me to leave my seat? 」

Theo said calmly without changing his expression. Even though he was under Milza’s sharp gaze and was attacked with such harsh words, he appeared to be completely unmoved by them.

(Lord Theo has become really reliable in such a short time. )

Siluca was moved by the willpower he was displaying right now.

「Lord Milza… 」
Villar called out to the Dartanian prince with a wry smile.

「It was my decision to have my bodyguard sit with us, so I would like you to forgive him his words and to not bully him too much. 」

「No, I admit that what I said was rude. 」

Milza put one hand on the table and apologized to Vilar for the rudeness that he showed towards Theo.

「It is just that I simply cannot stand the idea of willingly abandoning the rank of Viscount for the sake of just one contracted Mage. That being said, it is not that the idea itself is making me feel uncomfortable. I am simply not interested in anyone who does not have even the smallest bit of ambition in them. Such people and Lords are the ones that I am going to fight against anytime, anyplace. I have no intentions of joining forces with such Lords, and if I were to one day fight you, then I would not lose that battle no matter what. 」

「I will not deny that I also found the idea that Sir Theo was willing to throw away his rank as a Viscount for the sake of Siluca Meletes, his contracted Mage in whom he seems to see great value interesting. Also, the reason I sent reinforcements to aid Sir Theo in the battle against Waldrind and Selvis is because I wanted to welcome that very same Mage to my court. 」

「This girl? 」
Milza’s gaze turned to Siluca this time, but her body no longer trembled when their eyes met. She took her opponent’s gaze defiantly and put on her best, most confident smile.

「I don’t know if I am worth as much as Lord Vilar says. However, I will do my best to meet both his and Lord Theo’s expectations of me. 」

Siluca said quietly as she bowed to Milza.

「Interesting. Now I really want to see exactly how much talent you really possess if two high-ranking Lords took such a keen interest in you. 」

Milza laughed through his nose.

「If we ever get the chance, then I will make sure to do just that. 」

Siluca had a hunch that one day she would get the chance to fight this prince and show off her talent to her heart’s content. And when that day comes, she is going to make him regret the words he has spoken today.

「I hope to see that spectacle as well, and that it is going to be pleasing to my sense of aestethics. 」

Vilar’s gaze also turned to Siluca.

「By the way, yesterday, a messenger came from Viscount David. The message he was carrying with him stated that Lord Lassic has begun the capture of the castle formerly belonging to Nabir Gerje, the late King of Selvis, and he wanted Lord Theo and Lady Siluca to be the first ones to know about it. 」

「So the time has finally come… 」

Siluca’s eyes lit up at Vilar’s words, and she felt disappointed that they cannot be there together with him. However, as long as Lassic has his contracted Mage, Moreno, with him, then he will definitely make a strategy that will not result in failure.

「Come to think of it, Lord Lassic is really gathering some serious fame to his name nowadays. The other day I went to see how exactly did his army thought, and I have to say that all of his soldiers were strong and well-controlled, and they knew how to utilize the gained momentum to their advantage in the most efficient way possible. There was also no signs of his allies attempting to disobey the orders that they were given, so there is no doubt in my mind that Lord Lassic will continue to unify Selvis under his rule splendidly. I can definitely say that you have gained a powerful ally as your neighbor, Lord Vilar. 」

「I have no doubts that he will be a powerful ally as well, but let me correct you on one thing. The soldiers of Lord Lassic are not purely his own, because he was entrusted with the entirety of Lord Theo’s peerage. 」

Vilar said suggestively.

「What…? 」

Surprised, Milza turned his gaze to Theo again.

「Does that mean that if only this Knight wishes so, Lord Lassic would renounce his Viscount title at any time? 」

「Exactly. Lord Milza, you said that you think Lord Lassic is an ambitious man and that you respect him for it, but as you can see, even his ambition is dedicated mainly to Sir Theo. 」

「Inconceivable. Those with ambition should be the ones to inherit things from those who do not have it, not the other way around. 」

Milza shook his head as he stared at Theo in disbelief.

「It may as well be that the times will decide that neither me nor you are suited to become the Emperor, Lord Milza. Would it not be interesting if Sir Theo was chosen to become the Emperor instead of you or I? 」

「That is simply not possible. Only those who have the will to seize the era in which they live will be chosen to become the Emperor… 」

Milza muttered to himself and looked at Vilar as if he could not believe what he was saying.

「I was planning to return to Dartania tomorrow, but I decided to stay on the continent for a little while longer. I felt like I can bear witness to something truly interesting that way. 」

「In that case, you should feel free to use this castle however you wish. Personally, I would love to hear more stories of Lord Milza’s travels around the continent. 」

Villar smiled and nodded at Milza.

* * *

After a few days, the news of a certain incident were discovered at the castle of the Kraische family in Waldrind.

An incident was discovered in the castle of the Kraiche family in the capital of Waldrind.

「Knight Commander Elmer Zeels has gone missing? 」

After receiving a report of said happening from Aubest Meletes, the Head Mage of the Kraische family and a contracted Mage of Marine Kraische, Marine, the current leader of the Factory Alliance tilted her neck which was hidden behind the high collar of the dress that she was currently wearing, which was still black, but right now, her reasons for mourning were no longer just the death of her father during 「The Tragedy of the Grand Cathedral 」. More than 100 heavy knights of Waldrind alone died in the Battle of Selvis, which was a loss of unprecedented scale.

「According to the information I received, he has not been seen around his mansion for more than half a month now. 」

Aubest nodded terribly slowly with an expressionless face.

「In addition, there are also missing members of the knight unit led by Elmer and his fellow knights who were close to him ever since he was a squire. The total number of the missing people is 13… or at least that is how much we managed to confirm. 」