Chapter 27 - 027＿Attracted to Each Other
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027＿Attracted to Each Other
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Upon returning to the Dedel Territory, Rodney was caught by Kiris. Because he had gone to the royal capital as an escort for Erimerda and even explored the Sea King Labyrinth, for nearly two months he had been away from the Dedel Territory, and documents had piled up like a mountain.
Nevertheless, for highly urgent matters, Kiris and Rodmel discussed and allocated budgets to handle them, so there was no major confusion.
Still, even those cases required Rodney's final approval. Even for matters already in progress, Rodney had to make the final decision. That was also the responsibility of one who governs a territory.
Without time to recover from travel fatigue, Rodney was buried in paperwork for five days before he was finally released. Even if the number of documents per day was not large, he praised himself for working hard to process two months' worth in five days.
"At last I can use the Life Light Stone from Bermuda."
Once he had settled down, he orally ingested the Life Light Stone obtained from Bermuda. As usual, he was struck by intense pain, but he gritted his teeth and endured, acquiring 'Swift Recovery'.
"'Swift Recovery'?"
The way to use 'Swift Recovery' entered his head, and then 'Understand' accepted it.
This 'Swift Recovery' was a superior source energy of 'Heal', and while 'Heal' cures injuries, 'Swift Recovery' could cure injuries, illnesses, and poisons. Moreover, while 'Heal' has limited range and effects per use, 'Swift Recovery' recovers instantly.
Since the source energy 'Swift Recovery' was not in the knowledge or books Rodney possessed, he was delighted to have obtained such a good source energy.
"I never even imagined there would be a superior version of 'Heal'. This is a pleasant surprise."
It is commonly said that even without medical knowledge, if one possesses 'Heal', they can become the king's physician. It is a source energy that everyone desires immensely, so now that he had obtained 'Swift Recovery', which even cures illnesses and poisons, he had no idea of the demand for it.
Next, he orally ingested the Life Light Stone obtained from the shark-man and acquired 'High Pressure Water'.
Normally, 'Water Discharge' would be obtained from a shark-man, but 'High Pressure Water' is its superior source energy. 'Understand' deeply dug into the information on 'High Pressure Water', and he thought it was a surprisingly useful source energy.
Rodney went out to the backyard and released 'High Pressure Water' from his palm. The pressure was enough to gouge rocks with a grinding sound.
But this was where the real test began. Rodney pointed his index finger at a rock and shot 'High Pressure Water' from its tip. The water stream was less than 0.5 selm (1 centimeter) in diameter, but due to the overwhelming water pressure, it pierced through the rock.
"Ooh, this is interesting!"
"What's interesting?"
Unnoticed, Emilia was standing behind him. Rodney told Emilia about 'High Pressure Water'.
"It's only Big Brother who gets to have fun~"
Emilia was envious that only Rodney went to the royal capital and even explored the Sea King Labyrinth. For the past few days, whenever they met, she brought this up and grumbled with sarcasm, so Rodney had been growing weary of it.
Just then, he had acquired a new source energy, so Rodney thought he would be subjected to more sarcasm, but that was not the case.
"Since you've obtained a new source energy, let's go into the Labyrinth quickly!"
"Yeah. I've been getting rusty too, so how about we explore the Labyrinth tomorrow?"
"Yay!"
Rodney asked Emilia to contact Yulin and continued testing the usability of 'High Pressure Water'.
As a result, the thinner he made the water discharge, the more it cut through hard rocks like butter.
"For long range, 'High Heat Flame Bullet' works, but for short range, 'High Pressure Water' is more convenient. I can use them situationally, and since their attributes are different, they seem useful in various situations."
As Rodney sat down on a bench and thought about source energies, he heard the back door open.
"My, what is this!?"
Riti's eyes widened at the sight of the cut-up stones and rocks.
"It's Lord Rodney's doing!"
"Ah, yeah. Sorry..."
Rodney expected to be lectured about cleaning up the unfortunate rocks, but Riti said she would brew tea and called him to the dining room.
Soon, tea with warm steam was brought out, and Rodney moistened his throat with it.
"Lord Rodney. Pelt's marriage has been decided."
It was abrupt, but it seemed Riti had called him to talk about this.
"As expected of Riti. So what kind of person is the partner?"
Pelt the blacksmith was incapable of managing daily life. Therefore, he had asked Riti, who had a wide network, to find him a wife.
"Yes. It is a daughter who will be 28 this year."
Not only in the Dedel Territory, but in the Kuodo Kingdom, the marriageable age is from 15 to 25. At 28, she would generally be considered a spinster.
"Does Pelt want to marry this woman? He's not being forced, is he?"
"I'm not forcing him at all. It was Pelt who said he wanted Manica as his wife."
"If Pelt said so, then it's fine... Huh, Manica? Is that Manica? Keldo's daughter?"
"Yes. It's Keldo's daughter, Manica."
Keldo has three daughters, but the second and third are already married. The one remaining is the eldest daughter Manica, and as Rodney remembered, she was about 28 years old.
When Rodney was young, she often carried him on her back. Even when he was a baby, she had changed his diapers.
Manica had a good personality and was hardworking, but her appearance was below average and she was a large woman. There had been several marriage talks, but Rodney thought she had been unable to marry because of her size.
Riti sent unmarried young women to Pelt's place on a rotating basis to take care of his daily needs.
Among them was Manica, and Pelt's reaction seemed good. Then, after confirming Pelt's reaction by sending Manica every day, Riti apparently asked if he was interested in taking her as his wife.
Pelt apparently decided on the spot to marry Manica. It was said to be a wonderfully swift decision. Manica also seemed not unwilling, and Keldo's wife and Riti proceeded with the marriage talks.
"At any rate, this is a happy occasion. I'm sure Keldo will be relieved, won't he?"
Rodney thought Keldo would also be happy that his daughter, who had been unable to marry, had her marriage decided after Rodney had gone to the royal capital as an escort for Erimerda, even going to the Sea King Labyrinth, and returned to the Dedel Territory.
"Actually, Keldo is being difficult."
"He's being difficult? Why?"
"It's because Keldo dotes on Manica and has ruined her marriage prospects so far."
Rodney had thought Manica couldn't marry because of her size, but the cause was her father. Keldo doted particularly on his eldest daughter Manica and would persistently harass any man who approached her.
"...That idiot, is he stupid?"
"When it comes to Manica, he is an idiot."
Rodney and Riti sighed.
"I'll talk to Keldo."
"Please do."
Everyone except Keldo was blessing this marriage. If only Keldo would say "yes," Manica could get married.
Rodney went to the garrison for the territorial soldiers, found Keldo, and entered a private room.
"I hear you're opposed to Manica's marriage."
"I can't entrust Manica to someone who can't defeat me!"
"No, there aren't that many people who can beat you."
Keldo was an elite soldier. He had several source energies, starting with the intermediate-level 'Strong Arm'.
"I won't use source energies."
"No, even among the soldiers, there's no one who can beat you with your daily training. Do you want to keep Manica unmarried forever?"
"In any case, even if it's Lord Rodney's order, I won't give Manica away in marriage!"
He was completely intractable.
At a loss, Rodney decided to consult Rodmel, who had known Keldo for a long time.
"When it comes to Manica, Keldo becomes stubborn."
"At this rate, Manica won't be able to marry. If Manica herself doesn't wish for it, I wouldn't say anything, but she says she wants to marry Pelt. Can't something be done?"
"Well... if only Pelt could knock Keldo down."
"Don't be ridiculous. Keldo is an elite, you know."
Even a lower-class Selbanui like Godoris, Keldo could defeat without using source energies. There's no way Pelt the blacksmith could beat him.
"Maybe something can be done."
Pelt looks leaner than he really is, but as a blacksmith, he is muscular. If he teaches him a little about fighting, it might work out, Rodmel said.
Rodney thought there was no way it would be that easy to defeat Keldo, but Rodmel thumped his chest saying he'd handle it, so Rodney decided to leave it to him.
Rodney and Rodmel headed to Pelt's workshop. When they had visited before, it was so messy it might have been a Selbanui nest, but now thanks to Manica cleaning every day, it was very well organized.
Manica was also there, cooking for Pelt.
"So that's the situation. You're going to have a duel."
"Me, a duel with Keldo-san!? That's too unreasonable..."
Pelt was in despair.
"I know Keldo's habits inside out. I'll teach you them, so bury him in one blow!"
No, burying him would be bad. He's the father of the woman you're marrying.
Rodney mentally retorted at Rodmel's words, but he encouraged Pelt by saying that as a man, he should try it.
"Pelt-san. Please don't do anything dangerous for me."
Manica looked very worried and said it would be better not to duel. She knew Keldo's strength.
"No, I'll fight to win you."
"Oooh!"
Rodney and Rodmel were impressed by Pelt's manly words.
"Alright, it's decided. I'll train you so you can beat Keldo!"
From that day on, Pelt was trained by Rodmel. Since there was no time, there was only one thing to do: exploit Keldo's habits and end the fight in one blow.
About ten days later. The day of the duel between Keldo and Pelt arrived, and Rodney and the others decided to watch.
"Hey, Rodmel. This will be fine, right?"
"I did all I could. Besides, I kept Keldo drinking until morning, so his movements should be a bit dull."
Stinking of alcohol, Rodmel laughed heartily.
"Weren't you just wanting to drink yourself?"
"Haha. That's right. Without a reason, my wife won't let me drink."
The story of Manica and Pelt had spread throughout the day via the information network of the vassals' wives.
Because everyone supported the two, even the wives who usually didn't let their husbands drink apparently brought out barrels without worrying about them emptying. And quite lavishly.
Keldo, who had the duel the next day, was invited to dinner by Rodmel. Since the duel was approaching, he accepted thinking it would just be a meal, but beer and Maridé were served.
At first, Keldo refused, but he had a weakness for alcohol. He succumbed to the temptation of Rodmel, who drank heavily in front of him. At first, just one cup. Then just one more. And then one more. Before he knew it, he had drunk more than Rodmel. Furthermore, Rodmel and his wife did an all-night binge to keep Keldo from sleeping.
Due to the alcohol from last night—no, this morning—Keldo was staggering and saw four Pelt's.
"Hey, you, there are four of you! That's cheating!"
Hearing that, laughter arose from the onlookers.
"Keldo, there's only one Pelt, so relax. Start the duel."
Ignoring Keldo, whose footing was unsteady, Hortus, the referee, proceeded.
Even after the duel started, Keldo's eyes saw four Pelt's.
"In that case, I'll just knock down all four!"
What makes it worse is that he actually has the ability to do that.
Keldo attacked the four Pelt's. With a spear whose blade was blunted, he swept at Pelt, one after another.
Even drunk, he was an elite soldier. If even one hit landed on Pelt, it wouldn't end lightly. Pelt desperately dodged the spear. Waiting for an opening that would eventually come.
"Tch, stop scurrying around like that!"
Keldo pointed slightly to his right at Pelt and spat that a man shouldn't run away. The sight was so comical that laughter erupted from the onlookers.
Keldo's misguided attacks continued, but annoyed by the four Pelt's that wouldn't disappear, Keldo took a big swing.
"Now!"
Reacting to Rodmel's loud voice, Pelt pushed off the ground. He closed the distance in one go and passed by Keldo's side. At that moment, Pelt's wooden sword struck Keldo's torso.
"That's enough! Winner, Pelt!"
"Woooooh!"
The onlookers gathered around Pelt, offering words of celebration.
Then Manica approached. Pelt looked shy, scratched his head, and announced, "I won."
"Danna-sama!"
Manica lifted Pelt up and spun him around.
The sight of Pelt, about 85 selm (170 cm) tall, being lifted by Manica, about 93 selm (186 cm) tall, was somehow surreal.
Rodney also blessed the two and spoke to the dumbfounded Keldo.
"Manica can finally get married. Daughters suffer when they have a stubborn father."
"...Lord Rodney."
"What?"
"I was drunk, but a loss is a loss. I accept this result."
"That's commendable."
"However, Lord Rodney is not in a position to talk about others. Why don't you hurry up and marry Lady Yulin?"
"Wha!? You, what are you saying?"
"Ha ha ha ha! He's right, Lord Rodney. Before you talk big to Keldo, you need to take a wife yourself. Isn't that right, Riti-dono."
"That's right. If Yulin doesn't hurry, she'll be too old to marry."
Rodney ran away. Ahead of him was Yulin, and for some reason, he took her hand and ran together.
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