Chapter 178 – The Day Before Departure
The Marquisate's servants presented a full course meal one dish after another.
Of course, the taste was excellent, but what stood out especially was how each next dish was prepared and served at just the right time.
Everyone ate at different speeds, yet the timing never felt off to anyone.
Cooking and serving,
both exceeded professionalism, reaching the very peak of mastery.
"..."
The Marquis, Edmon, and Verden,
those three did not open their mouths a single time during the meal.
When eating, one should focus solely on eating.
Recalling Calia, it seemed the Marquis of Esperanza adhered to the orthodox dining etiquette of nobles. Verden simply followed along, as though accustomed to the atmosphere.
The quiet meal continued.
Within the silence, broken only by the clinking of cutlery, Verden pondered.
'Why did the Marquis of Esperanza change the reward at the very end?'
Judging from Edmon's reaction, it didn't seem like a prearranged script.
That would mean the Marquis had a change of thought mid-way. Thinking about it, there had indeed been a turning point.
The story contained within Mage's Regret.
When Verden expressed his opinion after hearing it, the Marquis was the first to respond.
Which meant.
'The very act of asking my opinion may itself have been a test.'
The reason was simple.
to gauge his disposition.
The Marquis knew of Verden's strength, but not much of what sort of man he truly was. That was why he had used the conversation to probe his mind directly.
Unintentionally, Verden seemed to have surpassed that threshold.
'Just what sort of request would warrant going this far?'
Since the word "royal family" had come up, it was clearly no small matter.
Lost in thought, Verden did not realize the dinner had already come to an end.
At once, the servants came to collect the empty dishes and presented a list of dessert options.
Cake or coffee,
among those ordinary names, one thing caught his eye.
"Alcohol…?"
At that reaction, the Marquis replied.
"I prefer to cleanse my mouth with a drink after meals. Calia is the same way. I recommend it, but if you're not used to it, feel free to choose something else."
"My lord, I will take the drink."
The two chose the same option.
Wordless gazes turned to Verden.
"…I will choose the same."
"You won't regret it."
Soon, a servant returned with three glasses and a single bottle.
A bottle made of crystal, adorned with gold and gems.
When the cork was removed, a sweet fragrance spread through the dining room.
Once the servant withdrew, Edmon raised the bottle with telekinesis.
"This is a liquor called Long Wharton, made by mixing honey gathered from the hive of the abnormal species 'Green Hornet' and the finest whiskey base. It's so difficult to produce that a single bottle trades hands for as much as five hundred million Elk. My lord, a glass for you. And one for you as well."
"Thank you."
The whiskey filled only the bottom of their glasses.
After confirming the Marquis and Edmon drank first, Verden followed.
'…!'
Thick, perhaps because of the honey.
The first taste was murky, but once the bitterness faded, a subtle sweetness spread and wrapped around his palate. Once it slid down his throat, it vanished cleanly, as if it had never been there.
What remained was a refreshing aftertaste.
'Impressive.'
Even during his time at the magic tower, he had never encountered such a drink.
Alcohol crafted from materials of abnormal species… Some might find it repulsive, but the taste and fragrance were genuine.
A price of five hundred million Elk for a bottle was understandable.
"Hahaha, judging from your expression, the drink seems to suit you well. Still, do restrain yourself to just one glass. This is a liquor his lordship treasures greatly, only opened on important occasions…"
"Edmon."
At the Marquis's look, Edmon shifted the subject.
"Khmm, well then, since dessert is done, let us get to the main matter. First, let me ask you, do you know how the factions within the royal family are divided?"
"I know, roughly."
"Roughly, you say. Then allow me to explain, simply and clearly."
Ahem. Edmon cleared his throat.
Thanks to the honey in Long Wharton, his voice flowed out all the smoother.
He held up three fingers.
"The ones closest to the throne are three princes. Summarizing the forces behind them, it goes like this."
First Prince, Valrgna Bain di Estiria.
Main supporters: the underworld group Roafra, and Vintert.
Second Prince, Lotnil Renber di Estiria.
Main supporters: high nobles of Count rank and above.
Third Prince, Evers Brun di Estiria.
Main supporters: the Union, and unofficially, the black magus group Glory of the Dead.
"Until recently, they checked each other like this while eyeing the throne. But this time, everything went to hell."
The Undead incident in the southern kingdom.
The death toll had long since entered the four digits, and refugees numbered in the tens of thousands. Most of the victims were peasants.
Worse still, the granary lands—the kingdom's breadbasket—were devastated.
Crops and soil, killed by the miasma of the Undead.
Restoring the damage would take years of purification, with help not only from the kingdom, but also from the Church of Luas.
"The southern kingdom was fertile land. That's why the First and Second Princes had used it as their base for so long. Normally, it would have been their strongest support, but…"
"Because of this incident, it has become a liability?"
"Exactly. It would have been the same even if it were a natural disaster. Whatever the cause, when a territory suffers damage, its lord inevitably weakens."
"On top of that, it has been reported that quite a number of nobles abandoned their citizens and fled. They cannot escape responsibility in the conflicts to come. And of course──"
The Marquis's forehead veins bulged.
"The bastard Third Prince who caused this mess."
"Still, that damn… no, the Third Prince is in a dire position now. Because of you and Lady Calia. The Union has been torn apart, ripped to pieces, and the black magus group Glory of the Dead has disappeared as well. Their weakness will only snowball."
In other words,
"Each of the three princes has suffered a heavy blow. So, let me ask you. Who stands to gain the most from this situation?"
Verden recalled the royal lineage.
Aside from the three princes, a princess of the direct bloodline was also a candidate, but… unlikely. She had long since lost her reason, and was called the Doll Princess.
"Then it must be the royal relatives."
"Exactly! Their ranks are lower, but they still qualify to compete for succession. Though the disparity in power has kept them cautious until now, the winds are shifting. That is the current balance of power. On the surface."
…On the surface?
When Verden showed doubt, the Marquis answered.
"High nobles and other princes all believe the struggle for the throne is raging fiercely. But that is only a misconception."
"You mean… the heir has already been chosen?"
"Something close to that."
The Marquis nodded.
"The King of Estiria and the First Prince are conducting some sort of secret deal."
***
The First Prince, Valrgna, had the underworld at his back.
For power, he committed every illegal act imaginable to build his influence. Its foundation was the southern kingdom, but that power collapsed temporarily in the recent incident.
The Marquis of Esperanza seized the chance.
He immediately dispatched his direct knights in secret to trace their movements.
As a result, he managed to secure one of the faction's executive figures without anyone knowing.
And with the Marquisate's heirloom, the Scales of Truth, he succeeded in extracting information.
"In the process, I learned that the King of Estiria and the First Prince had met unofficially several times. And that the King had delivered something to him. From that alone, it is evident the First Prince enjoys exceptional favor. Which means…"
The Marquis gestured with his eyes.
Then Edmon took out a white mask.
This was the third reward, Face of Deception.
The moment it was worn, it allowed the wearer to disguise themselves as another face, and even conceal magic power below a certain threshold. A rare magical item.
"I will transfer ownership of this to you. With it, you will infiltrate the First Prince's castle and find out what kind of 'deal' took place. That is the request I ask of you."
Verden understood the background of the request.
But there was one question.
"If infiltration with that mask is possible, wouldn't others be sufficient?"
"Infiltration, yes. But the inside is the problem."
The First Prince had settled in the former capital.
In other words, he had taken the old royal castle of the kingdom as his residence. And the secret places within the castle were protected by high-grade magic circles and magical items, making entry impossible.
Among the Marquisate's people, there was no one capable of breaking such magic circles.
But.
"The Ritual Site. You broke the ancient magic circle at its entrance, didn't you? Wouldn't you be different?"
Verden did not deny it.
Breaking the castle's magic circles would take some time, but it would not be an obstacle to him. That was not arrogance, just fact.
"What is the reward?"
The Marquis pulled something from his breast and lightly tossed it.
What stopped exactly in front of Verden was an ancient coin.
"If you ever need the power of the Marquisate, show that. Then you will receive it. Be it money or anything else."
The reward was prepaid.
He was free to decide what to claim with it.
Truly a noble's confidence.
But apart from that, he was curious.
"Forgive me, but may I ask a question?"
"Speak."
"Why do you wish to keep the princes in check?"
"Why, you ask… It is a very simple reason."
The Marquis declared.
"The princes of today must not become king."
The First Prince was excessively arrogant,
the Second Prince was consumed by lust,
the Third Prince's greed was endless.
All were fools who prioritized their desires over their abilities.
If they inherited the throne, the very foundation of the kingdom would be shaken, of that the Marquis was certain.
"Not that the royal relatives are any better… but whoever inherits the throne, weakening royal authority as much as possible comes first. If the Kingdom of Estiria is to endure as a nation."
"Then who do you think should be king?"
"Not simply one who inherited blood, but one more suitable must inherit the throne. Anyway, I believe I haven't heard your answer yet."
Blood-red eyes turned to Verden.
He replied.
"I accept."
Without hesitation, Verden picked up the coin.
There was no reason not to accept the request. Though it directly involved the royal family, that fact placed no burden on him.
"Good. Then the detailed plan will be delivered through your informant. It won't take long, so wait in Asern."
Thus ended his first meeting with the Marquis.
***
"Hahaha. Go carefully, Asher. Until we meet again."
Seeing him off, Edmon watched Verden leave the building.
Looking back, everything was outside his expectations. Both the reward, and the fact he had received a request directly tied to the royal family.
'Well, for me, it's nothing but good.'
Mage's Regret, rune character set, Face of Deception.
He could not use them all immediately, but nonetheless, Verden's strength had grown greater. Even without counting the coin given by the Marquis.
Verden's steps felt lighter.
At that moment, a carriage stopped beside him.
From its small window, Calia waved her hand.
"Looks like the talk with my father went well. Did you receive your reward?"
"Thanks to you. But why are you here, Lady Calia…?"
"Because you'll be leaving Rines tomorrow morning."
Indeed, Verden had no more business in Rines.
He had received the reward and the request, and his equipment had been repaired. He planned to return to Asern in the early morning.
"I will spend some time recovering from my injuries, and you will remain busy. That means we won't see each other for a while, so shouldn't we at least hold a farewell gathering?"
A farewell gathering.
"Well, if you dislike it, then—"
"I'll come."
He had no plans for this evening anyway… besides, he couldn't really refuse out of busyness. With the city gates closed, he would be staying at Calia's residence until morning regardless.
Verden boarded the carriage.
"Where are we going?"
"It's a wide city, plenty of places to go… but I don't know what you like. Ah, perhaps a tavern run by one of your acquaintances?"
"Hmm…"
Verden hesitated.
Was it fine to suddenly drop by like this?
'No, it should be fine.'
Aside from the interior work, Samwell had already finished preparing to open. And he had asked Verden to visit before leaving Rines.
On the contrary, it would be a good opportunity for Samwell.
His cocktails would surely suit Calia's taste as well. The promotional effect would be second to none.
'So long as Aiden doesn't reveal himself, his unique trait won't be exposed.'
Verden decided.
"It hasn't opened yet, but if it's only a few guests, it will be fine."
"How is the liquor?"
"You won't regret it."
"Ohh, is that so. Excellent. Vesley, to Samwell's tavern."
"As you wish, milady."
Calia's carriage moved.
Soon they reached the outskirts. In the dark street, the sign of Samwell's tavern glowed softly with magic stone lamps, and next to the door stood outdoor tables that hadn't been there a few days before.
Samwell sat on a chair, enjoying the night air.
The carriage stopped, and Verden stepped out before him.
"Huh? Sir Asher?"
"You told me to come before I left, so here I am. Is it all right?"
Samwell's face brightened.
"Hahaha! Of course. Please come in, I was half expecting you anyway! Though I didn't think you'd arrive in a carriage."
"I have company this time."
"Company?"
Behind Verden, another stepped out of the carriage.
Crimson hair, beautiful features.
Someone he had never met, yet felt all too familiar.
'Wait, could it be…'
Rines was the city Samwell would live in.
Out of habit from the underworld, he had gathered information, and that woman's features had been among it.
'The Esperanza Marquisate!'
Calia de Esperanza.
A noble among nobles.
Realizing her identity, Samwell instantly bowed.
"Samwell pays respects to the noble lady of Esperanza!"
At his greeting, Calia let out a small laugh.
"Noble lady, is it? Quite the grand phrase, haven't heard that in a while. Raise your head."
"Yes, ma'am!"
Samwell straightened his back at once.
"I heard you hadn't opened yet, sorry for visiting. But Asher recommended it, so… would it be fine if I joined as well?"
There was no hesitation.
"I'll prepare at once!"
Samwell kicked off the ground and dashed inside the building.
──Hey, brother? What's going on?
──A noble guest has arrived! Clean this mess up immediately, Aiden!
──A guest? Is it Sir Asher?
──Charlotte, questions later, light the fire first! Quickly!
Noise spilled from inside the building.
Through the window, three people could be seen bustling about.
Calia chuckled faintly.
"Truly an amusing acquaintance you have."