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Full-Blown Family Feud – Part 04

After meeting Star Face, Kujastria talked to Duke Nightblaze, her advisor, about the amendment to the kingdom’s law, starting the next day. Every day, the two set aside time for discussions on monarchy-related matters.

“Now that you mention, there is indeed such a law. It’s not right to keep a law that forbids female nobles from inheriting their Houses when Your Majesty herself ascended the throne. We will begin studying its amendment.”

“How much time do you think it will take?”

“Hmm… probably one or two months. The impact is minimal, and I don’t think there are any nobles who would oppose it. Currently, they are more concerned about the situation in other countries.”

As the Duke said, major events had unfolded, such as the conflict between the Confederacy of Einbiest and the Theocracy of Bios, followed by the invasion of Bios by the Quinbrand Empire.

“Our kingdom would have been in a precarious situation, too, if it weren’t for Silver Face.”

To that, Kujastria wholeheartedly agreed. If it weren’t for Silver Face, the Accursed Toxin would have triggered a crisis in the royal capital, G. Ponsonia. The Quinbrand Empire and the Theocracy of Bios probably owed him even more gratitude.

I can’t even begin to imagine what would have happened to those two countries if Silver Face wasn’t there. What in the world is his goal?

Kujastoria felt gratitude towards Silver Face, but simultaneously, she couldn’t shake the eerie impression he gave her.

After all he had done, the only demand he made to Kujastria was magical research. She couldn’t be happier. Hence the uneasiness.

He could have asked for mining rights or a monopoly on some product. It would have been much easier to handle if he had asked for wealth and fame.

Perhaps he did not understand the magnitude of his actions. No, that was unlikely. Silver Face was intelligent.

“Your Majesty? What’s the matter?” Duke Nightblaze asked.

“Oh, it’s nothing. By the way, have you heard anything recently about violence by commoners against the nobility?”

“Could you elaborate?”

“Well, you see…”

Kujastria shared a summary of the information she received from Star Face about House Taylor. Harassment by debt collectors at the mansion, and such.

In the Ponsonia Kingdom, the divide between commoners and nobles was insurmountable. Hence, Vilma F. Taylor could accumulate debt with just the title of former baroness. Regardless, violence by commoners in noble estates was strictly forbidden, even under the pretext of debt collection. Excessive force between commoners alone could lead to arrest by the authorities.

“I’m not aware of such a case,” the Duke said. “We will keep an eye out.”

“Please do.”

What Star Face desired was only the amendment to the kingdom’s law, and the security of the House Taylor’s residence was not included in the request. However, Kujastria decided to involve Duke Nightblaze.

I wonder what kind of face she will make when we meet next. A smug expression? No, she’ll probably have mixed feelings about it.

Star Face, the woman closest to Silver Face, possessing the same intellect and boldness as Silver Face himself. Wouldn’t it be delightful if Kujastria could make her owe her a favor?

Kujastria quietly smiled, a smile so mature and alluring that it seemed beyond that of a young girl.

In the kingdom, patrols were typically handled by soldiers from the military, but occasionally, knights also conducted them, and when they did, their spotless uniform and horses attracted attention.

Two kingdom knights arrived today at House Taylor’s mansion.

“Oh, come on… why do we have to do patrols? Did we really need to mobilize half of our forces for this?”

Duke Nightblaze, in consultation with the knights, had proposed an extensive patrol not only around the Taylor family’s mansion but also elsewhere to check for any issues. It was an opportune time to restore the still-unstable security of the royal capital.

On the third day since patrols began, today, the two knights were to visit the Taylor family’s mansion.

“If you’re gonna whine, you should have trained with the Commander.”

“Hell no! If I trained with him, I’d be dead, no doubt. And even if I miraculously survived, I’d end up like the Commander, a beefed-up mannequin. No thanks. I’d lose all my charm with the ladies.”

“I can’t believe you. Are women the only things in your mind?”

“Well, for a third son from a small noble family, the only joy in life is fooling around with girls. I don’t have lofty aspirations like you, East.”

They were a contrasting pair of men—one frivolous, and the other gloomy.

“You’re going to get stabbed in the stomach again, just like last time,” East said.

“Ugh, stop bringing that up. Besides, I wasn’t stabbed. I was almost stabbed. The one that actually got stabbed was Count Morgstadt, the guy we were supposed to be protecting.”

These two were at Count Morgstadt’s residence the day Hikaru arrived in this world.

East vividly recalled Silver Face, the villain who bested the man he deeply respected, Commander Lawrence, the Ruler’s Rumble tournament in Einbiest, where he couldn’t battle the masked man, and the missing daughter of the Count. Meanwhile, his colleague was remembering how he was almost killed by a girl he cheated on while in Pond.

“Why did Duke Nightblaze send us to check on some poor baron’s house again?”

“Don’t waste time pondering orders. Just think about how to carry them out.”

“Man, you’re such a bore.”

“We’re here. This is House Taylor’s residence.”

The small and simple house appeared neglected, with a touch of grime.

As they circled the horses around the residence, they noticed a group of men gathered by the back entrance.

“Are those adventurers?” East wondered.

“Hmm, looks like it. Adventurers and… what’s that? Thugs? That reminds me, it seems the Taylor family took a nosedive after its head kicked the bucket.”

“You seem to know a lot.”

“Well, it’s the grapevine of a small noble family. News of decline travels fast. And in times like that, we drink. We don’t hear about success stories, because success stories don’t make for good conversation over drinks.”

“Interesting.”

East thought he might succumb to mental poisoning just by listening.

The two knights were relaxed because the adventurers and thugs didn’t seem to be on edge. They were only having a casual conversation. Eventually, they exchanged casual waves and split into two groups.

Noticing the knights, the adventurers jumped.

“What are you guys doing here?” East asked.

The shortest and shrewdest one among the three chuckled nervously. “Nothing worth reporting to a knight, sir.”

“We’re on patrol. We need to understand the situation. Speak.”

East gave them a sharp look, and the three adventurers straightened up, exchanging glances.

“Language, East. Language.”

“I didn’t say anything wrong.”

“Let me handle this.”

The colleague dismounted, approached the adventurers, and pulled out three silver coins from his pocket.

“Here. Booze money.”

“Th-Thank you.”

“We’re just patrolling ’cause of some weird orders from our superiors. Come on. Tell us your names and what you were up to.”

“Well, there’s not much to say, really.”

The adventurers introduced themselves and explained they were Rank E adventurers hired to guard the Taylor family’s house. There hadn’t been any attacks or issues—until just now.

“Those thugs frequent Ballast Trading. I crossed paths with them in a gambling den before, remembered their mugs. So, I asked, and turns out they’re here because the Taylor family owes them money.”

“Hmm, go on. They don’t seem like the type to back off just because they recognize a familiar face.”

“They’re heading back to Pond.”

“Hmm?”

“Their headquarters is in Pond. So, before heading back, they thought they’d squeeze in one last collection, but when they saw us, they lost interest and decided to just leave.”

“Well, you do look like you’d ruin the mood of a party.”

“C-Come on, Sir Knight. That’s too far.” The adventurer chuckled dryly.

“But why are they returning to their headquarters?” the knight pressed on. “Of course, better security in the capital is welcome, but it wouldn’t be ideal if Pond turns into a mess, too.”

“Well, you see…” The adventurer exchanged glances with his comrades again. “Have you heard about Samal the Brawler?”

The knight looked back at East.

“I have,” said East, still mounted on his horse. “A guy in the city who doesn’t wield a sword but is absurdly strong. He’s become famous in recent years.”

“That’s the one.” Intimidated by East, the adventurer kept his gaze solely to the knight in front of him.

“What did he do?”

“He’s apparently returned to Pond.”

“Hmm?” The knight looked confused.

The adventurer lowered his voice, as if unveiling a highly classified secret.

“Samal the Brawler is rumored to stir up a huge fight in Pond.”