Chapter 305 - Episode 297: Julian's Resolve
One afternoon as June approached its end, Noein summoned Julian Kivileft and Baronet Ernst Alessandri to the manor.
He faced the two of them in the drawing room, much as he had when he first met them approximately half a year ago, when they had suddenly fled into the Arqvist territory.
"...Instructions have arrived from the Royal Family via 'Far-talk' regarding the future treatment of the House of Count Kivileft."
"Y-yes."
As Noein broached the subject, Julian nodded, though his face had turned pale. Standing behind him, Ernst maintained his silence and expressionless demeanor, never wavering in his position as an attendant.
Watching them, Noein let out a small sigh and continued.
"The House of Count Kivileft and its territory will be maintained as they are. Julian, you will return to Laden, formally succeed your late father, and become the head of the Count's house."
"...Huh?"
Perhaps Noein's words were unexpected, as Julian wore a blank expression.
"Do you understand why the Royal Family reached such a decision?"
"N-no... why would they?"
"You don't? Then, how about you, Lord Alessandri?"
"...If I may speak without choosing my words, I suspect it is a political decision to preserve the face of the Royal Family and maintain a noble society similar to that which existed before the war."
Unlike Julian, who had shaken his head in confusion, Ernst shared his thoughts in a detached tone.
"Yes, I believe so as well... Julian, it means this."
While the House of Count Kivileft had the kingdom's largest port city as its capital, they had not allocated a significant budget toward the port's defense.
Among the neighboring countries they traded with, none possessed a large-scale naval force, and as for the Republic of Betumia, they had maintained friendly relations for many years. The Count's house had been careless, believing it impossible for the kingdom to be attacked from the sea.
The same was true for the Lordberg Royal Family. Since the founding of the nation, the kingdom had neither experience with large-scale naval battles nor had it ever been hostile toward a nation capable of attacking from the sea with great force. That history bred complacency, which allowed the Republic of Betumia's surprise landing this time.
If they blamed the House of Count Kivileft for failing to prevent the enemy landing and punished them as incompetent nobles, the Royal Family would be unable to complain if they were blamed for the same reason.
Furthermore, if "failing to suppress the Betumian invasion" were treated as a crime, then the responsibility would fall upon every lord of the noble territories that fell into enemy hands during the first half of the Betumian War. If such logic were permitted, the nobles of the north, south, and central regions would begin to fight over who bore how much responsibility, and the order of noble society would collapse.
Now that the balance of regional noble factions was extremely disrupted, the Royal Family had to prevent such chaos to avoid political and social division. That was precisely why they could not hold the southern nobles, starting with the House of Count Kivileft, accountable.
As a result of these intertwined "adult circumstances," the title and territory of the House of Count Kivileft were left undisturbed.
"That's how it is, but did you understand from this explanation?"
"Y-yes. So that's what happened..."
Since Julian seemed reasonably convinced, Noein continued further.
"However, you must not take this at face value. The Count Kivileft territory is a strategic point for the kingdom, and it is likely one of the places the Royal Family wants to restore first. They would not want to entrust that task entirely to a future Count Kivileft who does not appear very competent."
As Noein chose ruthless words while directing a harsh gaze at him, Julian swallowed hard with a tense expression.
The Republic of Betumia was not the only entity trading at the port of Laden. The Kingdom of Lancel, with whom they had re-established friendly relations, countries further west, countries further east of the Pallas Empire, and small island nations scattered across the southern side of the Adleon continent had all visited Laden for business.
If the port were restored, the kingdom's economic recovery would also accelerate. The Royal Family's true intention was likely to interfere in various ways to hasten the reconstruction of Laden.
"While claiming it is for support, the Royal Family will likely intervene in the reconstruction of the Count Kivileft territory. They'll station the Royal Army there or send bureaucrats. Of course, I believe you should gratefully accept that help. However, you must also realize that those soldiers and bureaucrats are there to monitor you. So that the next time you make a major mistake, they can use it as a reason to strip you of your territory and title."
"...Y-you mean, the Royal Family is waiting for me to slip up?"
"I don't know if they've gone that far. Probably, if they see that you can manage the territory without problems, the Royal Family won't resort to forceful measures. Count Maximilian Kivileft fulfilled his minimum duty by fighting until the end without fleeing. I think they will give his son at least one chance to maintain the house and territory. It all depends on you. Therefore..."
As he spoke, Noein leaned over the table, grabbed Julian's collar, and pulled him close.
Julian let out a small gasp and glanced toward Ernst, but Ernst did not move and said nothing.
"Julian, look at me."
There was a quiet intensity in Noein's voice as he commanded. Unable to resist, Julian met Noein's eyes with a frightened expression.
"Listen. For the first time, I am encouraging you as a big brother. Julian, do your best. From now on, you have to work hard. If you don't work hard, if you can't work hard and show results, you will lose your current position and power."
With a complex expression that seemed to mix affection and hatred, Noein spoke to Julian.
"You are different from me. You were given everything—Father's love, the title, the territory. And now, you have things you must protect as an individual. Your wife, and the son who carries your blood. Work hard to protect all of them. You have no other choice. Use your head, your strength, and use people. Use everything and work hard. Swear it here and now."
"...I-I swear. I will work hard and protect my family, the things I inherited from Father, and everything. I swear it here and now!"
Trembling, with tears welling in his eyes, Julian nevertheless declared it without averting his gaze from Noein.
Noein released Julian's collar and flopped down onto the sofa on his side. Julian, now freed, sat back as if collapsing, his expression somewhat vacant.
"Well said, Julian. Well, anyone can say anything with their mouth, so I still don't know... but for now, this will do. Matilda."
"Yes."
When Noein called, Matilda, who had been waiting behind him, placed the bag she was holding on the table.
"Julian, check the contents."
As Noein pointed to the bag, Julian reached for it hesitantly, peered inside, and his eyes widened at the sight of a large amount of gold coins.
"W-what is this?"
"There is one million Rebro. It's the change from the lodging fee I received from you. Take it."
When he first arrived in this land, Julian had explicitly stated that he would "give" Noein his entire savings of twenty million Rebro as payment for protection. At that point, the money had become Noein's.
However, Noein decided to return one million Rebro to Julian. Furthermore, by explicitly calling it "change from the lodging fee," he indicated that there was no longer a debt regarding this protection.
"I-is it really okay? Such a large sum..."
"Ahaha, you think it's a large sum?"
Hearing Julian's mutter, Noein wore a cynical smile.
"I think you understand, but that is not money for you to play with. It is immediate operating funds as a territorial noble. Even if you can receive support from the Royal Family for reconstruction, the funds you can use immediately will likely be only that one million Rebro for the time being... I started the development of the Arqvist territory with three hundred thousand Rebro. By the time I built a single small village, I had used it all. Hearing that, you should understand how limited those funds are."
Facing Julian, who once again looked anxious—Noein changed his cynical smile into a gentle one.
"Julian. Though only half, you are a younger brother with the same blood as me. But that's all. I cannot yet love a man who merely shares the same father as a brother from the bottom of my heart. I want you to make me acknowledge you. I want you to make me respect you. For that, I want you to show results. I pray that your hard work bears fruit. Though praying is all I can do."
"...Yes, I am grateful. Big Brother."
Answering thus, Julian showed a gesture as if gauging Noein's reaction.
Noein did not get angry at being called "Big Brother."
.....
"...Ernst."
While returning to their lodgings from the Viscount Arqvist manor, Julian spoke.
"What is the matter, Your Excellency?"
"Y-you surely think I'm unreliable. That someone like me couldn't possibly serve as the head of the House of Count Kivileft."
At those words, Ernst hesitated on how to answer. He wondered if he should encourage him by saying that wasn't the case, even if it were a lie, or if he should convey his true feelings so Julian could learn the current reality.
"It's fine, I know. I think I'm pathetic too..."
Before Ernst could answer, Julian continued with a self-deprecating laugh.
"Father and Mother were kind to me. But they were wrong about some things. I'm not smart. I have no courage, and I'm not excelled in martial arts. Just because I have noble blood doesn't mean I can become an excellent human being... I don't think I can successfully command a task as great as the reconstruction of the devastated Count Kivileft territory."
"...But."
"Yeah, even so, I have no choice but to do it. I have no choice but to find a way... therefore,"
Julian stopped and looked back at Ernst. In his eyes, there seemed to be a flame of strong determination that Ernst had never seen in him before.
"I-I will gather people. I have neither brains nor strength, but I have the position of the head of a prestigious house. Therefore, I will hire people smarter than me, people stronger than me, and I will support them as a backer while they work... T-to be honest, I don't think I have an eye for people. That's why I want you to help me identify excellent talent and gather them under me. I want you to help me."
Ernst was slightly surprised inwardly. For something Julian had thought of himself, it could be called a considerable masterstroke. It was realistic and promised effectiveness.
And so, Ernst nodded to his words.
"As you wish. I, Ernst Alessandri, shall commit my life to the duty bestowed upon me by Your Excellency."
Julian had recognized his own station. He cast aside unnecessary pride and correctly assessed his own limits. He had also thought of a way to supplement and overcome them himself. Conversely, he understood what he did possess. If so, even he might be able to restore the Count Kivileft territory.
Ernst, who had been unable to find any future since the Betumian War began, saw hope for the first time. The one who gave him that hope was, surprisingly, the young man before him whom he had thought of as nothing but unreliable until now.
"Th-thank you... Well then, once we return, I have to start preparing to go back to the territory. I must return as quickly as possible."
"Yes, let us do so. The territory and the people are waiting for you."
As Julian turned forward and began to trot, Ernst also quickened his pace to follow.
A few days later, Julian Kivileft, his family, and his attendants departed from the Arqvist territory.