Chapter 136 - Episode 133: Let Us Forget
Two days after the banquet, Maximilian had headed to the royal castle.
Whenever there was a gathering in the royal capital, it was customary for those who played particularly important roles among the kingdom's nobility to have an audience with the King and report on the current status of their duties.
Maximilian, whose own territory accounted for a large portion of trade with the Southern Continent, also visited the castle to provide a status report on that trade.
"—I see, so relations with the Republic of Betumia remain favorable as always."
"Yes. The ties between the Betumia merchants and the great merchants of my territory are growing ever stronger. Trade will likely develop further, and the friendly relations with the Republic will deepen."
In a room within the royal castle, Maximilian exchanged such words with the King.
Though it was grandly labeled as a "Report to His Majesty," there was nothing in particular that needed to be said. One could say that the very act of meeting the King as a regional heavyweight was the objective.
"That is for the best. I thank you for your efforts."
"To be praised directly by Your Majesty is a joy beyond measure."
"However, I hear that you still have a tendency to favor the great merchants too much. While it is certainly important to be on good terms with wealthy merchants, please show compassion to the people who lack power as well."
"Yes, I shall keep your words in my heart and strive in the administration of my territory. I am simply filled with admiration for Your Majesty's deep heart of mercy toward the people."
A brat acting so high and mighty.
While bowing respectfully, Maximilian cursed inwardly.
Oscar Roadberg III was praised as a young and energetic king, but in Maximilian's view, he was merely masking his lack of experience to make himself sound good.
This time spent being spoken down to by such an immature king was not enjoyable.
"...Ah, and there is one more thing I wish to discuss."
"Yes, what might it be?"
Maximilian, who had intended to finish his report and return home as quickly as possible, felt a surge of irritation that there was still more, though he spoke with a calm face on the surface.
"It is regarding your eldest son."
"...Has something happened to my son, Julian?"
Feeling a bad premonition, he asked as if to deflect.
"Not him. Your true eldest son... Baronet Noein Arqvist."
"...With all due respect, Your Majesty. I severed ties with that one several years ago, and I am not aware of the current details regarding him."
Maximilian, whose brow furrowed for a single instant due to the agitation of his bad premonition being correct, spoke while hurriedly fixing his expression.
Without reprimanding such insolence from a subject, the King continued speaking, looking as if he were enjoying the situation a little.
"I see. Then I shall explain it to you. Baronet Arqvist is a very talented young noble. As can be seen from the fact that he rose in rank from Knight-Bachelor in just three years, he has achieved certain results in everything from territory management to deployment in war."
"I see..."
Unable to see where the conversation was heading, Maximilian listened to the King.
"Are you aware of the new weapon called the Crossbow?"
"Ah... yes, I believe I heard it was introduced in the war with the Kingdom of Lancel and achieved remarkable results."
Maximilian was ignorant of military affairs, but he had heard that a weapon by that name had emerged from the northwest. It was said to be a weapon modified from a bow; the military nobles of the southeastern faction must have been struggling to somehow obtain the actual item or develop something similar based on rumors.
"The one who created that Crossbow in his own territory, mass-produced it, and spread it through the northwest was Baronet Arqvist."
"Oh, was that so?"
That was news to him. Maximilian showed genuine surprise.
"Aside from that Crossbow, the Baronet created various other convenient things in his territory and presented them, along with their production methods, to the royal family. I cannot speak of the details yet... but I felt that I must respond to such loyalty from the Baronet."
"...I see."
While wondering what that had to do with him, Maximilian gave a nod of agreement.
"When I asked the Baronet for the reward he desired... what he sought was protection from the House of Count Kivileft of the Arqvist territory."
"What!?"
"Hahaha, you are surprised, I imagine."
Reflexively, Maximilian raised his voice. It was an insolence far beyond a mere furrowed brow, but seeing that reaction, the King laughed magnanimously.
"I have heard of your dark history from the previous generation as well. Seeing the success of a bastard with whom you have a grudge, you likely have your own thoughts... However, the Baronet is an exceptional talent important for the future of the kingdom. Even at this point, he has shown certain loyalty to the royal family and has offered great benefits in a visible form."
"..."
While Maximilian stood stunned, the King continued to speak unilaterally.
"The Baronet is said to fear that he might incur your jealousy or resentment, and that harm might be brought upon himself, his territory, and his people. It is only natural, as his power as a noble is weaker... That is why, as compensation for presenting the Crossbow and other things, he sought protection from the House of Count Kivileft."
"...That protection—specifically, what does it entail?"
Maximilian finally managed to move his mouth to ask.
"It is nothing complicated. He wants you to promise that you will not cause any harm whatsoever to Baronet Arqvist himself, nor to his territory, nor to his assets, including his people. That is all he asks. In return, the Baronet says he will not take any action that would be detrimental to you or the House of Count Kivileft. The royal family has decided to cooperate to ensure this promise is fulfilled."
Hearing the King's words, Maximilian leaned his weight back into the sofa he was sitting on and let out a small sigh while looking up at the ceiling.
"I, too, believe Baronet Arqvist is an exceptional talent who should be valued for the future of the kingdom. I do not wish for him to exhaust his strength over trivial disputes. That is why, on this occasion, the royal family has decided to stand directly between the two houses and cooperate to ensure this covenant is kept. You understand the meaning of this, yes?"
"...Yes."
The royal family would cooperate. The King valued Baronet Arqvist. That meant that if Maximilian attacked Noein, his territory, or his assets, the royal family would turn into an enemy of the House of Count Kivileft.
While it was unlikely that a great house like the House of Count Kivileft would be suddenly abolished, the royal family would likely, as retaliation, use their information network to spread Maximilian's scandals far and wide.
That Baronet Arqvist was the bastard of Count Kivileft, and despite being severed from his father, had achieved great success on his own. That Count Kivileft was a fool who failed miserably in disposing of his dark history.
If that happened, the efforts he had spent trying to make the mistake of having concubines and bastards before his first marriage fade away would be for naught. Furthermore, a new scandal would be born: "A small-minded man who pushed a troublesome territory onto his bastard and severed ties, only to act out of jealousy and interfere the moment that bastard succeeded."
Moreover, if the royal family seriously exerted their influence, the economic power that was the strength of the House of Count Kivileft would be gradually eroded. If that happened, what he lost would not be limited to his personal reputation. The price was far too high for the sake of satisfying a personal grudge.
Regarding this matter, Noein had obtained the strongest shield: the royal family. No matter how much Maximilian was the head of a great house, he could not win against the royal family.
"Do not lament so. You and the Baronet live on opposite ends of the kingdom. If you live normally, you will hardly even be conscious of each other's existence. Without interfering with one another, you should simply strive in your duties as nobles in your respective territories and enjoy your lives."
"...Indeed, it is as Your Majesty says."
Maximilian spoke as if giving up. Sweat beaded on his forehead, and signs of mental exhaustion appeared; he no longer had the leeway to maintain his expression.
"I understand. I promise that neither I nor the House of Count Kivileft shall cause any harm to the life and body, the territory, or the assets of Baronet Arqvist."
"That is good. The Baronet will be pleased. You should exchange a written covenant later. I shall have the royal bureaucrats prepare the various procedures."
"Yes, I am grateful."
.....
After leaving the royal castle, Maximilian spoke to the territorial army knight acting as his guard and the driver of the count's carriage, who were waiting in front of the gate.
"...I will walk back today. You all return to the mansion first."
"Huh? But Excellency."
"It is fine. It is safe within the royal palace and the noble district, so guards are unnecessary. Besides, it is not a great distance to the villa. Go back."
"...As you wish."
Glancing at the knight and carriage as they departed with somewhat anxious expressions, Maximilian looked up at the sky.
The weather was fine today. The blue sky was refreshing.
He gazed at the sky blankly for a while. Although he was in front of the royal castle, the guards would not go out of their way to stop or reprimand a great noble like Maximilian for acting slightly strange.
Thinking about it now, Noein must have known this would happen, which is why he looked down on them so much at the banquet. It was a prank born from the fact that his own safety was secured.
All of that boy's groundwork had been completed. They had been rolled around in the palm of his hand.
And yet, after the banquet, he had been fuming, wanting to take revenge on Noein and show him what for. Was he not a fool? He was in no position to be angry at Julian's stupidity.
"...Forget it,"
Maximilian muttered softly.
For what was he supposed to do? He had been warned directly by the King of the royal family. If he were to retaliate against Noein on top of this, it would be like saying he looked down upon the royal family that mediated the covenant of non-interference.
Was there anything more he could do? Far from directly harming Noein, he could no longer even manage to harass those around Noein.
The information network of the royal family, which employed numerous mages, was powerful. It would be an arduous task to harm Noein without leaving a trace of the House of Count Kivileft. No matter how much he hated Noein, he could not run toward an emotional revenge while prepared to have his involvement exposed and turn the royal family into an enemy.
Maximilian did not have that much nerve. If he had such courage, he would have liquidated Noein long ago without fearing the brand of a child-killer.
In the end, he had lost to that detestable bastard. It was a complete defeat where even a counterattack was forbidden. He could do nothing more. In that case, he had no choice but to forget it quickly. For the peace of his own heart, that was for the best. He would do that.
He would return to his territory. He would return and, as usual, receive bribes and souvenirs from the merchants under his wing, drink expensive liquor surrounded by luxurious furniture and fixtures in his mansion, and eat delicious food.
His beloved wife... probably wouldn't give him the time of day for a while, so he would embrace a high-class courtesan to vent his frustrations.
As for Noein Arqvist, he would forget him now.