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Volume 3 Chapter 3 Part 5

「Even though the Cornero family line is dead, that name still carries a long history with itself in Sistina. It is not a name that just about any run of the mill commoner-turned-Lord should start calling himself on a whim, so you should go and change it to something else immediately.」

「I know, and that is why it was not a coincidence that I have chosen that name for myself. I also do not plan on changing it… 」

Theo answered without changing his expression even once.

「Because one day, I plan to return to my hometown. 」

Hearing Theo’s words, Pederico felt as if a cold sweat erupted from his whole body. Siluca also got goosebumps all over her own body, so she put more strength into the arm that was wrapped around Theo’s elbow.

What Theo did just now was pretty much equivalent to declaring war on Sistina ruled by the Viscount Pederico Rossini.

「As you should already know, Sistina is an island that is plagued by Chaos and monsters from the numerous Demonic Nests. Even if you come back there, nothing good will come out of it. 」

Viscount Rossini said after a brief moment of silence.

「I believe that is for me, not you, to decide. 」

Theo answered while glaring at the Viscount head-on.

「Now, I do not even want to think about it being an actual possibility… but do you actually want my territory for yourself, Lord Vilar? 」

The Viscount turned to Villar and asked him with suspicion.

「The thought has never even crossed my mind. 」

Villar said and laughed.

「Just like you said, Lord Pederico, even if I were to add Sistina to my territories, there would not be all that much for me to gain from it since the island itself is literally crawling with Demon Nests. Moreover, the island itself is always surrounded by the demonic sea that constantly generates an impassable maelstrom, so you can never be sure if you are even going to land on the island safely. To be completely honest, no self-respecting Lord would ever think of leading a military expedition into such dangerous territory. And more importantly, we are both Lords belonging to the Fantasia Union, so why would I go attacking one of my allies? 」

「I am relieved to hear that. But in that case, I would like to correct and clear the misunderstandings that this subordinate Lord of yours seems to be having. 」

「If you feel offended by anything that he said, then I will apologize as his superior Lord. However, even though this man called Theo is one of my subordinate Lords, I need to admit that he can be pretty difficult to handle at times. If you do not know who he is, then I suggest that you should do some proper research once you go back to Sistina, and then you will learn that his name has become pretty well-known around the continent. 」

「If that is what you recommend, then I will do just that. I do admit that as a Lord of a solitary island I am somewhat ignorant of everything that transpires in on the continent, and that can be embarrassing at times, like right now. 」

「It is unavoidable, since we also know very little about the territory that you govern, Lord Pederico. After all, Artuk itself has many borders with many neighbors, so I can only hear about what happens in the immediate vicinity of my country and provide proper attention to its matters. 」

「Yes, I can understand that all too well. And if you try to take care of more than you can handle, the more information is going to reach you twisted and distorted, crushing you under their weight all the same. 」

Pederico answered with a laugh and then swiftly left. Then, he called several people who seemed to be his subordinate Lords to his side and began to discuss something with them, and not too long after that, they have all scattered after they bowed to him.

「Thank you very much. 」

Siluca thanked Vilar from the bottom of her heart.

「I did not do anything that would require you thanking me. It was simply a fun way to spend my time. But even so, I would advise you to be careful. Viscount Rossini might look and act the way he does, but he is actually the kind of person around whom you cannot let your guard down. Even if he does not have the qualities that a respectful Lord should have, he is extremely good and efficient at… certain other things, and the same principle applies to all of his subordinate Lords as well. 」

「I will be sure to keep that in mind. 」

Siluca nodded quietly, and then she stared at Theo’s profile. However, Theo’s eyes seemed to be staring into the distance, and his heart seemed to be absent from his body at the current moment.

* * *

At night, Theo and Siluca returned to their respective lodgings, which were in the mansion of the subordinate Lord of the Marquis of Halusia. He has a territory in the southeastern part of Halisia and is said to be a Viscount. However, the master of the mansion was not staying in it at the current moment. Instead, it is said that he has been staying in the palace as a guest, and the ones who were taking care of the soldiers and Vilar’s attendants were live-I servants who stayed behind to make sure that the mansion is going to be maintained properly.

Siluca was accompanied by Irvin, Emma, and Luna, and she asked Aishela and Priscilla to stay back at the Forest of Eternal Darkness. As for Vilar himself, he was offered several rooms in the palace of the Marquis of Halusia, where he still remains. The banquet that they attended will most likely last all night and well into the morning, and as an Earl of Artuk it was his responsibility to meet with all the other Lords who attended individually. It was also clear from their earlier conversation that Marquis Dawson was planning to do something together with the majority of the Lords, so it was necessary for him to learn more about it and break it down.

Siluca also met with some of the other Lords’ contracted Mages and exchanged information with them. Marquis Dawson seemed confident that the meeting would go his way, but Siluca’s impression was that many Lords were still undecided about what they wanted to do.

One thing that all the contracted Mages were saying that they were afraid of was the rapid expansion of the Earl of Artuk’s power, but at the same time they were all too aware that he was the Fantasia Union’s greatest deterrent against the forces of the Factory Alliance.

The prestige of the Kraische family has been tarnished more than ever before, and it is entirely possible that it might crumble entirely because of it. Alternatively, peace may be established between the two opposing camps, but if another war ever broke out again, then it was clear that Artuk would be the key factor in deciding victory or defeat,and that is why the other contracted Mages were convinced that it was not a good idea to easily ally with Marquis Dawson and isolate the Earl of Artuk.

Siluca was fully satisfied with the situation developing in such a way, because if it is going to come down to it, she was sure that Vilar would not lose in an argument with Marquis Dawson. If they are going to proceed with the meeting in this advantageous manner, the Lords who are hesitant about making decisions will also flinch at the same time.

「It has been a tough day… 」

Theo, dressed in his loungewear, called out to her while sinking into a chair.

「Exactly… 」

Siluca was also very tired. She finally took off her tight dress and changed into a loose robe. When she is in Villar’s castle, she wears the usual robe that he gave her, the one that reveals a lot of skin, but when she was in the Forest of Eternal Darkness, she always wore this outfit to work,and since they are scheduled to go to the palace tomorrow, she thought that it might actually be a good idea to go to bed early.

Siluca’s room was located right next to Theo’s room.

「Would you like some tea? 」

Siluca said so and looked back at the door to her room. Since it was Irvin we are talking about, she thought he might have already prepared it and be on his way with it. However, an extremely excellent Chamberlain did not show up, which was incredibly rare of him.

At that time, the sound of an arriving carriage could be faintly heard.