Chapter 193 : Chapter 193
Chapter 193 : A Love Never Seen Before
***
"Are you saying the young ladies of the two families ran away together at night?"
Declen asked abruptly.
His face was full of worry, as if his own younger sisters had run away from home.
"I am ashamed, but that is correct."
Isaac answered quietly and sipped his tea.
His conduct was modest to the point of looking unusual.
"......."
Adeline was sitting with her arms crossed and even her legs crossed.
She stared at Isaac's hand holding the cup.
The little finger that perked up bothered her.
"Let us summarize."
Count Theodore, who had been resting his head on his hand, fixed his posture.
"Lord Isaac. Are you saying you want our Theodore family's support ahead of the fight with Springeus?"
"Yes, Your Excellency."
"......Not asking us to witness it?"
Suddenly, the air became cool.
The eyes of everyone sitting at the table focused on Isaac.
Isaac did not avoid them.
Rather, he looked at each of them in turn and smiled leisurely.
"That is correct."
He looked at Adeline. It was a tender gaze, like one treating a lover.
"I became convinced that the heavens are helping our Windermere. Because I truly never dreamed I would meet Your Excellency Duke of Conwell in person."
"......."
"Therefore, I would like to politely make a request to the Duke as well."
Isaac bowed his head slowly.
"If the two honorable families of the East would understand Windermere's will, there would be no greater honor than that."
There is an unwritten rule in the Kingdom's noble society.
At a table where refreshments are placed, the host welcoming the guest, especially the higher the person is, must not speak of political topics.
That was an act of losing dignity.
Adeline and Count Theodore saved their words.
Right now, silence was the most sophisticated answer.
Isaac was aiming for this gap.
It was a form of the Kingdom-style scheming called riddle diplomacy.
'Haa.'
Of course, Adeline knew.
How meaningless and useless these formalities were.
The reason she terribly hated empty formalities was exactly because of this point.
She wanted to strip away Isaac's brazen pretense, but since this was not Conwell either, she had to suppress it firmly.
"Excuse me......."
It was Henry who broke the heavy silence.
All attention focused on him as he quietly raised his hand.
"There is something I would like to ask Lord Isaac......."
At that moment, Adeline bowed her head deeply as if she had a sudden seizure of a headache.
Of course, it was to hide her laughter.
The corners of her mouth were twitching upward.
Among these people, there was one person free from those terribly useless formalities, and that was Henry.
Henry was the only one of commoner origin in this seat.
"Hmm, this is my first time seeing you. I am dark to the ways of the world, you see. If it is not rude, may I ask for an introduction."
Isaac asked gently.
However, a subtle contempt was embedded in his eyes and voice, as if he had already roughly guessed Henry's background.
"I am Henry, a staff officer serving Your Excellency Duke of Conwell."
Usually, a noble reveals their name first and then introduces their family.
Only then did Isaac hand over the right to speak as if telling him to continue.
With a smile as well.
On one hand, he could not help but feel a bit nervous; realizing belatedly that for a figure like the Duke of Conwell to have a commoner as a staff officer, his abilities must be truly exceptional.
"I understand that the Windermere family and the Springeus family are powerful families with deep roots in the West, but―"
"But?"
"You probably aren't hoping for external physical intervention in a sacred duel between high-ranking families either......."
"......."
"Asking for support, not witnessing, I do not understand at all what exactly that means......."
Henry shrugged his shoulders slyly.
"I apologize. Since my origin is a bit humble, I am still very immature at fathoming the deep intent of high-ranking people. But since I am a staff officer in name―"
Isaac's eyebrows twitched.
Sounds of people coughing in vain were heard from the surroundings.
It was a reaction as if Henry had scratched an itch for them.
Henry gathered his hands politely and placed them on his stomach.
"Since I am in a position where I receive a salary, I cannot just keep my mouth shut tight, can I? If the Young Lord could explain it in simple terms, it would be a great study for this ignorant commoner as well."
Negotiations between families that are physically distant, and powerful ones at that, are always sensitive.
It is like dangerous tightrope walking where even a slight slip causes trouble.
Depending on a single word and a trivial difference in understanding, it can be divided into a great cause or treason.
'Her Excellency wants to advance to the Imperial Capital.'
Henry's eyes shone quietly.
As it happened, Isaac's proposal was not bad.
If they joined hands with Windermere, they could use it as a stepping stone to leap straight into central politics.
This is soon the Imperial Capital's method of slowly expanding influence by intervening in disputes between territories.
Springeus and Windermere are territories surrounding the Imperial Capital.
In other words, they are also the final gateways leading straight to the Imperial Capital.
'The problem is―'
That the one handing over the apple is a snake.
'Whether it is a normal apple, or a poisoned apple.......'
If Bihen had paved the road to the Imperial Capital by subjugating the surrounding territories with overwhelming force until now―
This proposal right now was no different from placing a hand on that threshold, the final doorknob.
'We must regard it as him approaching Her Excellency intentionally after hearing of Bihen's reputation.'
The stance had to be made clear.
Depending on the case, this proposal could be an excellent connection with Bihen, or conversely, it could isolate him while simultaneously trapping Adeline in a pitfall.
Right now, Isaac is just gently waving bait in front of their eyes.
If they bite it abruptly, no one knows what result will follow.
'Don't think about beating around the bush ambiguously, and speak openly. You fox-like bastard.'
Henry crumpled his forehead slightly.
He did not like even Isaac's appearance. He was a typical male prostitute.
If he were from the streets, he would have been sold to the back alleys long ago.
He should consider it fortunate he was born a noble.
"Haha. It seems my judgment was not wrong after all."
Isaac suddenly laughed lightly. Henry looked at him questioningly.
"I have been collecting and analyzing outside news diligently in my own way. The fees paid to the wild dogs and sewer rats were not small either."
Isaac added while harboring a smile.
"They said this. That Your Excellency Duke of Conwell is aiming for hegemony."
Plop.
A pebble fell into a calm lake.
In an instant, the air in the reception room froze.
Silent astonishment spread.
Someone faint-hearted kept coughing repeatedly.
Mentioning treason.
Even the cold-headed Henry failed to manage his expression, and Joel placed his hand on his sword hilt.
"It seems this land is peaceful. For beggars to make up such stories and giggle about them."
Adeline and the Duke of Conwell were practically separate personalities.
In public, that gap was revealed without exception.
Even Joel and Henry, who knew that, flinched. Adeline's wrath was felt.
"Rather than that, it seemed closer to their wish. As you know, the West is not peaceful like the East. If they are people who know a bit about how things work outside, they would rather wish for Your Excellency to become the monarch of this land―"
Schwing!
Eventually, Joel drew his sword.
The tip of the sword hovered just about to touch Isaac's white neck.
"Refrain from unsavory words, Young Lord."
Isaac did not blink an eye.
Not even once had the smile disappeared from his lips until now.
"Soon, our Windermere and Springeus will wage war. Using the small deviation committed by the youngest daughters of each family as a pretext. It is a pathetic matter."
Isaac crumpled his forehead briefly.
Adeline did not miss the small change of the moment.
"......It is disgusting as well."
Isaac swept down his own face with his hand.
A slightly heated voice followed.
"Of course, there should be no external intervention in a sacred duel between families. But what if it is not a sacred duel? If the children were put forward to hide ugly greed."
Henry's eyes grew large.
For a moment, the face of a venomous snake appeared superimposed over Isaac's handsome face.
The fangs of the snake were clearly aimed at his own family.
"If one is a noble, one shouldn't do that."
Isaac took a single white rose out of his bosom and put it down on the table.
It was the symbol of the Windermere family.
"Because we are noble."
***
We stayed in Brackenport for a few more days.
"Are you trying to be funny on purpose? I told you to open them only as wide as your shoulders, but why don't you just do the splits?"
"It's not to that exten......"
"Don't talk back and stick them. More, more, more."
Every time Noser tapped Ellen's legs, a scream burst out.
"Elleeeeen!"
Some girl came running out of the hideout crying.
She looked about ten years old.
Ellen replied with a face that said he was dying of exhaustion.
"Why are you at it again."
"They said girls over ten have to sleep somewhere else now! They said I can't sleep with boys! I can only sleep well if Tiaro strokes my hair!"
"Haa― What kind of nonsense is that again? Who says so?"
"That octopus-head mister!"
Bolero walked out slowly from inside the hideout, cracking his neck left and right.
Even to my eyes, it was scary.
"Octopus head?"
"Waaaaaah!"
......It is chaotic.
Thump!
I closed The Way of Medicine I was reading.
I was looking at the section regarding acupuncture.
Even with complete concentration, it would not be enough, so reading in this commotion was worse than not reading at all.
"Mm? Where are you going, Bihen?"
"To study."
Noser smacked his lips.
It seemed he wanted to say something but gave up.
Tap!
I leaped up lightly, stepping on the building wall and roof.
I looked for a place where I could hide my body quietly.
At that moment, a few people passing by saw me and hurriedly bowed their heads.
"H-Heavenly Demon Manifesta― M-Ma, Ma, what was it?"
"Ten Thousand Dinners Bow!"
It has been like this since that day.
Let alone the meaning, they don't even know it is the Imperial language, yet they are doing this well.
'......They will probably live without knowing for the rest of their lives.'
I have no intention of telling them. In the first place, it was merely a strategy to shake Brackenport to its roots.
So to speak, it is like mass hypnosis.
The events of that day will probably remain as a memory that will not be forgotten for a lifetime by everyone here.
A snort leaked out of me without my realizing it.
The more I thought about it, the funnier it was.
It was a farce where Kuhn took on the script and lead role, the Legion and chimeras played supporting roles, and Bolero appeared as a special extra in the confusion.
Shing―
I stopped standing for a moment and drew the Heavenly Demon sword about half a span.
My eyes narrowed naturally at the bewitching light.
I had sealed Kuhn and the Legion.
It is a form where I can call them back out whenever necessary.
Just as Manuan said, it was a secret technique and legion that only I could handle, awakening as the oral secrets engraved in my brain and the formula imprinted on the Heavenly Demon reacted to each other.
Clang!
I closed the sheath of the Heavenly Demon.
My head throbbed.
Anyway.......
While Noser and Bolero carried out relief activities in their own ways, my job was to review the achievements so far and organize the utility.
'And study The Way of Medicine in my spare time.'
Suddenly, it was noisy beneath my feet.
I tilted my head slightly and looked down.
It was Tiaro and McRay.
I knew they went out this morning to find tourists, but it seemed they returned early.
Sure enough, two girls of similar age were following behind them.
"Whoa― Where did you pick up these kids, Tiaro? They are ridiculously pretty."
"Isn't slave trading prohibited now?"
"Those people still have their eyes wide open, yet you are rebelling already. As expected, Tiaro, you really are an extraordinary bastard, really."
People flocked around the four people crossing the street.
I wondered why they were making such a fuss, and it turned out the two girls following behind were exceptionally noticeable.
'......Hmm.'
Of course, it is true that their faces are pretty, but should I say this is a more fundamental difference?
They were ones whose very birth was different.
'It is like white herons have flown into a place where crows are playing.'
I jumped down slightly behind the crowd.
Since it was such a quiet landing, no one nearby noticed easily.
I was feeling proud without realizing it and my mouth was twitching, when one of the girls pointed her finger at me abruptly.
"Oh! Found a super strong person!"
It was the one with her hair styled like a boy.
Mischievous eyes shone within the bangs that sat down shaggily.
"Wow! And on top of that, he's handsome too!"
Even the blonde girl next to her made a fuss.
Only then did people's eyes focus on me all at once.
"Uh, uh......"
"Oh my, Heavenly Demon Transformation!"
"T-T-Ten Thousand Ban-Demons Bow!"
The people nearby all bent their bodies awkwardly and bowed their heads.
The sounds of knees hitting the ground rang out in succession.
I turned my head in embarrassment.
I felt like I had become a villain who proclaimed he would spare their lives as long as they lay flat.
"......."
Before I knew it, the whole area became quiet.
As I turned my gaze slightly, only the two girls were standing blankly.
Even Tiaro and McRay remained with their waists bent deeply and did not move a muscle.
"Wow―"
Both girls opened their mouths blankly.
Their cheeks were reddish.
"Excuse me―"
The blonde girl approached me.
A few guys who were prostrating themselves lamented while looking at cues as if big trouble had occurred.
"My name is Roxy Windermere. Have you heard of me by any chance? For some reason, I feel like you would know."
She stares at me intently and tilts her head slightly to the side.
Rather than acting cute, it seemed like an innate habit.
A precious child shows in even these trivial gestures.
To approach a stranger without hesitation, without fear.......
Really, she was a child who did not know the ways of the world.
'......By the way.'
What should I answer?
Should I answer that the very first person who died by the sword of the Dragon in the Fog, Bihen, was a knight of the Windermere family?
This is troubling.