Hachinan tte, Sore wa Nai Deshou! - Chapter 70.3

Around one hour after the first days’ arbitration negotiation, we returned to our own encampment, but I received something like a warning from Margrave Breithilde during the return.

『It would be best for you to be careful, Earl Baumeister.』 (Breithilde)

『As I’m a youngster, they will go for my weak points?』 (Wendelin)

『That’s the point.』 (Breithilde)

A considerable part of the reconciliation money to be paid by Browig’s camp in the negotiation is the ransom of the nobles and soldiers I captured.
Due to that thoughtless night attack many of the leaders and elites of the Browig main army have been arrested.
If one adds this as well, the amount of money becomes enormous. Both succession candidates will likely try to decrease the sum of reconciliation money by specifically aiming at the young me.

『It will be quite difficult for them to reduce the reconciliation money to be paid to me. In your case they might consider it possible if they deceive skilfully.』 (Breithilde)

『It’s because I’m a youngster who has just become an adult. However, aren’t they forgetting the case of that rear disturbance operation?』 (Wendelin)

『That’s why. While that’s unofficial, they will apologize and present certain conditions instead.』 (Breithilde)

『Karla-san, huh…?』 (Wendelin)

As she’s close in age, they will present her, who’s the youngest daughter of the Browig household, to me as wife.
To the Browig family it will finish with them saying 『she is included as apology for the aforementioned manoeuvring』. If Karla becomes my wife, it will turn into a convenient matter for them, too.

『They will be able to join in on the Savage Lands development concessions. It’s would be strange to not lend money to your wife’s home, right?』 (Breithilde)

『I have no intention to make her my wife or such.』 (Wendelin)

She isn’t a bad girl, but her relatives are more than too bad.
Even without that, my true opinion was that I wanted to prevent the intervention of such people since my territory is just being established right now.

『She will probably be bewildered as well.』

I have her teach me archery. I think that Karla herself is a good girl as she helps with things like preparing the meals together with Elise and the others, but even so, marriage was something completely different.
She is a good girl who is able to consider the people she speaks with, but saying that in reverse, it’s also a breeding ground for causing misunderstandings like with Erw.
For some reason Erw fell selfishly in love with her, but it’s not like she is in love with him. It can be regarded as her having an interaction between adults.
However, there’s also the possibility that she is really harbouring good will towards him. Judging that is difficult for me who has a low love score.

『Please don’t get deceived.』 (Breithilde)

『Of course.』 (Wendelin)

Separating from Margrave Breithilde I move to our own encampment.
The negotiation team of the Margrave Browig household with a total amount of 150 people put up their encampment close to Margrave Breithilde’s main army.
As there will be negotiations every day from now on, they chose a close-by place. As the situation has deteriorated to such extent, you might say that they aren’t expecting to get attacked or assassinated in reverse.
Although I think that they’ve got quite some nerves, I wished they had demonstrated that judgement a lot faster.
When thinking about such matters, Moritz shows up. He brought news that the Browig household wanted to invite me to dinner.
After waiting for a while, an official messenger from the Browig household’s side arrived and handed me a written invitation.

“Got it. We will visit.” (Wendelin)

“Thank you very much.”

The elderly man, who acts as messenger, returns to the encampment of the Browig household while showing a relieved expression.

“Isn’t that dangerous?” (Moritz)

“Not really.” (Wendelin)

If they kill me in this place, the Browig household will definitely lose their peerage.
By no means I wanted to believe that they didn’t think that far ahead.

“Guards will accompany me.” (Wendelin)

“Erwin, do you understand?” (Moritz)

“Yes.” (Erwin)

Moritz makes sure that Erw definitely carries out his role as guard.
The current Erw was always silly due to his crush on Karla, but it apparently didn’t go as far as him forgetting his job.

“By the way, this written invitation is…” (Moritz)

Moritz, who gazed at the written invitation he received from me, noticed a certain important aspect.

“The sender is Philip-dono.” (Moritz)

“U~~~~mm, in other words…” (Wendelin)

“Tomorrow a written invitation from Christoph-dono will arrive?” (Moritz)

“That’s right, isn’t it…? It will be intense for two days in a row…” (Wendelin)

If they at least invited me together, I cursed at the two succession candidates in my mind.

◆◇◆◇◆

“I’m happy that you came.”

“Let me treat you without reservation.”

Evening that day I went out in order to attend the dinner party sponsored by the Browig household.
Conveying this to Margrave Breithilde, the ones who entered the enemy camp were Erw, me and four guards who were designated by Moritz.
Also, thinking that it’s likely better if there was a woman as well, Luise is participating while likewise acting as guard.
If it’s her, she probably will defeat several enemies with margin even if something happens.

『Besides, I think that Elise will be in danger.』

I shouldn’t be poisoned, but there was the possibility of drugging Elise.
The poisoning wouldn’t be the objective but the goal would be to serve Elise, who will be my legal wife in future, secretly a poison that makes her unable to give birth to children.
Although it’s quite rare to obtain, such poison does in fact exist.
Anticipating the worst possibility, Luise participated this time.

『In my case I can sense poison to some extent.』 (Luise)

『What’s with that ability?』 (Wendelin)

She’s completely like a certain end of century saviour.

『Once one persists in doing martial arts to some extent, one’s senses will become sharp.』 (Luise)

It’s not everything, but it looks like it’s possible to sense poison contained in food and such with a high probability.

『Is it something like a identify spell?』 (Wendelin)

『If the two of us are careful, there’s likely no way for us to eat poison. Isn’t that right, Karla?』 (Luise)

『I pray that Philip-nii-sama doesn’t go that far.』 (Karla)

Leaving Karla, who has a somewhat stiff expression, we join the place of the dinner sponsored by Philip.
The small scale encampment, constructed by the Browig household, was filled with two large tents because of the antagonism between the two succession candidates.
The second son, Christoph is probably in the large tent we didn’t enter.

“Since it’s an encampment, I can’t show you splendid items though.” (Philip)

Since the circumstances are as they are, Philip interacted with me, who is 20 years younger than him, politely.

“Since I’m usually working as adventurer, you don’t have to mind it.” (Wendelin)

“I believe that I have understood your ability well.” (Philip)

The eldest son of the Browig household, Philip, was owner of a well-trained, compact body with a height of around 185 cm.
He seems to excel in military ability, but since we have seen the disgrace of the Browig army in front of our eyes, it won’t work even if he tries to make us swallow that story.
Going by his looks, he was a neat person.
Without this time’s failure, I might have associated with him normally.
Compared to Minister Edgar and the Armstrong family, including doushi, he isn’t a 『strong』 person.

『Philip? That guy is an excellent general candidate.』 (Edgar)

Before the dinner I procured information through the magical hand-held communication device from Minister Edgar, but not many insults towards Philip came over his lips.

『However, when it comes to being a feudal lord…』 (Edgar)

It appears that he will be able to be quite successful if it’s as appointed noble of the military department, but it will be hard for him to rule as feudal lord.
Even the person himself has admitted that repeatedly, but since there’s no way for him to say that in front of his maternal relative and his retainers, who wish for him to become the next feudal lord, he has no other choice but to display a manner of disputing with his younger brother from a different mother on the surface.
“Isn’t that the real situation?” Minister Edgar guessed.

『And, what about that major incident?』 (Wendelin)

『That was likely done by that idiot Kodowien being impatient.』 (Edgar)

Kodowien was the elderly chief retainer who was in charge at the first arbitration.
It seems that he acts as Junior Commander and his daughter is the legal wife of Philip.

『Does he wield influence as maternal relative in the Margrave Browig household?』 (Wendelin)

『It’s a common dream to be the chief retainer of an upper noble household. On the contrary, causing a debacle that’s very likely to make him lose his current job, he probably did that to gloss it over somehow.』 (Edgar)

There’s no point in doing that if it costs close to 100 people their lives.
No matter how much he might be a maternal relative, with that grand failure it means that his career is finished at this point. Currently he is a prisoner.
He will probably be disposed of if he returns to the Browig household, but we had no intention to tell him to accompany us.

『If Philip comes to the capital, I will be troubled once he does stupid thinks like asking me for a big favour or wanting me to actively mediate for him. I will be completely hated if I helped Philip in this place.』 (Edgar)

If he leaves the territory unable to become the feudal lord, he will assist him with re-employment, but if he intervened wrongly in this situation, the sparks will even spread to him.

『I believe that it will become a huge amount of reconciliation money, but I guess there’s no other choice but to pay it. At worst they will probably get an order to liquidize their property. Since they can’t be shut down anyway, they won’t have any choice but to accept it obediently.』 (Edgar)

『Order to liquidize property』 is simply put about going temporarily bankrupt.
As the debt is considerable, an appointed noble of the finance department will be dispatched by the kingdom as third party administrator for a noble household, which cannot be afforded to be shut down, even by the kingdom, and they will suffer large restrictions in the budget plans until the debts are repaid to a certain degree.
The reason for such system to exist is that the local region will be plunged into chaos if an important noble vanishes all of a sudden.
Although it has a generous feeling, an important noble of the province, who received an 『Order to liquidize property』, will be nothing more than a pet dog of the kingdom.
Besides, the matter of adopting it is equal to being told 『You are incompetent as feudal lord』.

『He has probably no option but to yield the seat of next feudal lord to Christoph. That’s because he destroyed himself on his own accord. Even if it’s the rampaging of his retainer, who is his father-in-law, he bears the same crime as he wasn’t able to restrain his retainer. It’s the best move for me to take care of the troubles and be responsible for him, but…』 (Edgar)

However, although that move is good for Philip, it means that the retainers, who supported no one but him, will be at worst plunged into the danger of unemployment. It seems that Minister Edgar believes that there’s no guarantee that it won’t kick up a fuss if he sets up Philip’s son as successor with 『Because he is my picked-up grandson』 by tomorrow.

『Everyone is at their wit’s end.』 (Edgar)

Even if the Margrave Browig household is shut down and other nobles are relocated there to take direct control of the area, it will be unavoidable for there to be chaos for a while.
Given that they would be bound to provide a lot of money, to say nothing about getting no profit from it, the important appointed nobles of the central government were actually reluctant to shut the household down and take its property.
If it was a small fry, they would likely have shut it down and taken it all without hesitation though.
If going by Japanese standards, it’s the same reason why ○ Electric Power Co. and ○IE can’t be shut down. (T/N: First is Tepco aka Tokyo Electric Power Co., second I don’t know)

『Do you want to become a landed noble, Minister Edgar?』 (Wendelin)

『No. I’m not fit to govern.』 (Edgar)

Marquis and Margrave.
The way of calling them is different, but even though they should hold the same rank, Marquis, which is only an appointed noble rank, loses out in number of retainers and possession of assets.
Therefore, even if he were ordered to relocate, it would be unlikely for him to be capable of governing.
Rather, it was possible that unnecessary chaos would spread if the former retainers and soldiers rebelled.

『(It sounds like a story. Even if a protagonist was to be suddenly given a large territory, that would be unreasonable as well.)』 (Wendelin)

Even we are always troubled by the lack of manpower since developing the vast Savage Lands.

『If they say something disagreeing about the reconciliation money being too high, make them shut up by seizing a mine or their tax revenue.』 (Edgar)

『That’s an unyielding view.』 (Wendelin)

『That’s because the other side is completely at fault here. For us it’s fine if we can control the East and leave a certain scale to the Margrave Browig household. No one will complain if the debt is reduced a bit.』 (Edgar)

Although we had such a chat, I was actually asked by Minister Edgar to not mention it to Philip.
If it was just a problem of Philip, it would end at once with him renunciating his succession rights, but it will become fatal if there’s faulty guidance from outside because the retainers are involved in it.

“Well, please take a seat over there.” (Philip)

Sitting down at the head of the prepared table as offered by Philip, Luise sits down next to me in her role as my wife.
Erw stands diagonally behind me and is cautious of assassins and such. The other guards did the same.
It could be said that this much precaution was natural as we were still mutual enemies without even having agreed on an arbitration draft.

“Let’s toast first.” (Philip)

Since he’s a person from the military department, his energy might come from being an athletic type.
After toasting with wine at once, the full course meal starts with hors d’oeuvre.
As for the quality of the food, relatively magnificent dishes came out for being on a camp-ground.
As expected, is that the feeling of an 『country man』 who controls the east?

“Even in the east I heard the rumours. That you are a splendid magician who defeated two dragons.” (Philip)

There was no way for him to talk about the recent war as it was a dinner party with the goal of befriending me. He switched the topic to the story about my dragon slaying and such.
And, if it’s that noble, it indispensable for him to talk about the martial arts tournament  once, too.

“I lost in the fifth round of the preliminaries. Should I say that it’s preferable for the son of a noble?” (Philip)

Drinking wine, we continue a suitable chat while eating the dishes of the full meal course that appear one after the other.
However, since he doesn’t talk about the recent war after all, I ask myself the question why I’m in this place and for what sake.
Even though Luise is cautious, she eats plentifully unfitting for her small build. Erw’s group continued to monitor the surroundings as well.

Although the possibility of poisoning and assassination not happening was almost 100%, it can’t be helped since it’s their job. Copyrighted by Infinite Novel Translations!
After finishing the dinner with desserts, we are having a chat while drinking an after-meal tea and that topic comes up after all.

“Don’t you have any intention to take our Karla as wife, Earl Baumeister-dono?” (Philip)

It seems that he is trying to force Karla onto me as wife as expected.

“In this situation the opposition from Margrave Breithilde might be strong. As it’s impossible to begin with…” (Wendelin)

It’s quite likely that there will be once again a war over the concessions for the Savage Lands development.
If things don’t go well, it’s probable for there to be interference from Margrave Breithilde as well.
Currently his relationship with me is favourable, but there are also parts where even he won’t yield.

“Won’t you at least try thinking about it?” (Philip)

It will become an issue if he tries to push it onto me forcibly, but right now Karla is a prisoner of the Earl Baumeister household.
Her treatment was based on her being a guest, but he might be thinking that she can fall in love with me one way or the other.

“(By no means will he extend the negotiations with that as goal, will he?)” (Wendelin)

Ending the dinner, we return to our own encampment.
And, the next day I was invited to a dinner sponsored by Christoph as expected.

“They are really on bad terms with each other. Usually it would end with just one time, right…?” (Erwin)

Continuing from yesterday, Erw, who is in charge of my guarding, sighed together with the other guards.

“Who will go today?” (Wendelin)

“Of course I will pass.” (Luise)

We haven’t married yet, but it’s absolutely necessary for me to be accompanied by a fiancée again since we are engaged to each other. However Luise refused as the very first as she attended yesterday.

“Well, Ina then?” (Wendelin)

“Fine with me. But I might not know overly much about the taste of food…” (Ina)

Since Luise is a genius in a certain way, she has the boldness to ask for a second serving of desserts while continuing her lookout even if she is invited to the dinner of an important noble household.
However, since Ina is the serious type, she will become extremely nervous in such place.

“It looks like there’s something disagreeing with you.” (Wendelin)

“To be honest…” (Ina)

“It’s troublesome for me as well… Since it’s not allowed to not act according to etiquette, I’m going there reluctantly.” (Wendelin)

I’m able to eat at any time if it’s something delicious. Since he will just ask me to take Karla as my wife again anyway, even I’m fed up with it.

“How about you, Wilma?” (Wendelin)

“I’m fine because our side’s food is delicious.” (Wilma)

“Is that so…?” (Wendelin)

Given that the Browig household is the household of an upper noble, they will serve good dishes, but they were unrelated to the new art of cooking and the new ingredients such as soy sauce, miso, mayonnaise and chocolate since they don’t trade with us.
Therefore I don’t think she wants to eat it very much as the contents of the dishes have no great difference to the party menus of nobles she attended in the capital.

“How about you, Elise?” (Wendelin)

“I will refrain this time.” (Elise)

Elise, who is my future legal wife, usually accompanies me a lot of times.
Thus there’s actually another reason for her to refrain.

“If you take Elise along, she will be persuaded.”

It’s very likely that he will reach out to Elise to manoeuvre and persuade her for the sake of marrying Karla to me.
That’s because she will manage the inner circle of the Baumeister household in future.

“If I go, it might become too troublesome…” (Elise)

“Well then, what to do about this…?” (Wendelin)

Of course there’s one more candidate and moreover she is facing me with an expression that shows that she wants to attend very much while waiting and seeing how the situation develops.
I don’t know what’s so enjoyable about such dinner that she wants to go there, but there’s likely some kind of amusement for her there.

“The lasr one is…” (Wendelin)

“There’s no other way. At this point I will…” (Katharina)

“Luise, though it’s difficult with two day in a row.” (Wendelin)

“Why Luise again when you are looking at me!?” (Katharina)

The reason is simple. As Katharina wants to go that badly, I just ended up teasing her.

“It’s a joke. But, do you want to go that much?” (Wendelin)

“I have been unrelated to such parties and dinners…” (Katharina)

It seems that she is yearning for them as it’s an unknown for her.

“Well, then let’s leave it to Katharina?”

“Please entrust it to me. The dinner will become a success due to my elegance.” (Katharina)

She might be completely misunderstanding something, but I decide to not mind it since we will just go there to have a meal.
And then, evening of that day.
Since it’s soon time, we decide to leave towards the encampment of the Browig household.

“Wendelin-san. I’m sorry to have kept you waiting.” (Katharina)

“Oi…” (Wendelin)

Somehow I had a bad premonition, but Katharina got terribly fired up and thoroughly dressed herself up.
She changed into a bright red dress, which that had an amount of frill attached while using silk generously, wore a horseshoe-shaped hair-band, that had lots of real jewels instead of her usual magic gems embedded, had many gemmed accessory types such as rings and wore high heels.

“A perfect full dress…” (Wendelin)

Even though it would have been plenty with an ordinary dress since we are currently in times of war and moreover in the fields, she had an attire as if she was going to a party hosted by the royal family.

“I tried to stop her. I told her that Luise also wore an ordinary dress yesterday…” (Ina)

Ina, who helped with Katharina’s dressing, sighed.
Luise, Katharina and Wilma.
Since each of the three has her own liberal ways, damage occasionally befalls upon the serious Ina.

“Isn’t it fine since it’s not like I’m particularly in the wrong here…?” (Katharina)

“Well, then let’s go.” (Wendelin)

Because Katharina isn’t going unwillingly but looking forward to it, that’s probably the sole salvation, I guess?
Sure enough it’s hard for her to walk in grassland since she is wearing high heels, thus she is pretending to walk elegantly while floating slightly above the ground with 『Flight』.
From my standpoint it’s a waste of mana, but for Katharina it seems to be something important.

“Thank you very much for following our invitation.”

As there’s another butler meeting us as today’s dinner is hosted by Christoph, it appears that both of them are staying at two different places even in the encampment.
It’s inefficient, but you can also say that it’s inevitable since their relationship is twisted.

“She’s my fiancée.” (Wendelin)

“I’m called Honorary Associate Baroness Katharina Linda von Waigel. Thank you very much for extending your invitation to us today.” (Katharina)

Even though everyone is dressed ordinarily as the location is in the fields, only Katharina has her body wrapped up in a frilly, expensive dress.
Although it was only perfect with her floating, it doesn’t seem like the person herself minds at all.

“She is…”

Noisy voices are raised by the retainers who met her.
It’s because they noticed that she is the wizard who captured the employed magicians of the Browig household. Read this at Infinite Novel Translations!
One part of the people there are showing an expression of feeling disappointed, but from their point of view they might have a feeling of 『The magicians we gathered at great troubles were done in by such flashy woman…』.

“I’m glad to meet you. I’m Christoph von Browig.” (Christoph)

The second son, Christoph, whom I see for the first time, was a person with a slight thin line-like liberal arts body.
Also, there’s nothing else special about him, or rather…
I can’t regard him as anything but a normal person just a bit before his mid-life.

“I’m thankful for you having followed my invitation today.” (Christoph)

I think he wants a quick agreement on the arbitration draft. Since it has been decided that he will tell me that he wants me to take Karla as my wife anyway, it’s in truth troublesome to interact with him.
Though there was no way for me to voice that out.

“Well, here’s your seat.” (Christoph)

Christoph politely guides us to our seats.
Once we sit down, the dishes are immediately brought in, but the menu was almost the same.

『I think similar dishes will be served. After all they are an upper noble household. The menu of dishes to entertain guests has been mostly decided.』

Depending on the season, they are usually preparing several patterns as well, but this place is unfortunately an outdoor encampment.
The Browig household, which is capable to serve a full course menu in such place, had the impression of an important noble as expected, but it’s also something intolerable for the body to have the same meal two days in a row.

“(At least go and ask your elder brother what he served!)” (Wendelin)

If that was possible, he likely wouldn’t be in dispute with his brother up to this point.

“As expected of a dinner by the Margrave Browig household.” (Katharina)

“It’s an honour to receive your praise, madam.” (Christoph)

“I’m still his fiancée…” (Katharina)

For  me it’s two days in a row but for Katharina it is the first time to eat the dishes. Moreover it’s the first time for her to be at such place.
Just like a country bumpkin, who visited a sight-seeing area for the first time, she enjoyed the food and the conversation.
Katharina, who has become embarrassed from being called madam, was cute, but the slightly too festive Katharina is drawn in by Christoph to a certain extent.
However that was convenient for me at today’s occasion.

“(Katharina, please enjoy it a lot. So that Christoph won’t start talking about that.)” (Wendelin)

My wish was honoured by heaven and Christoph wasn’t able to talk about Karla’s matter in the end.
Because he wielded the topic to Katharina, who is a renown magician, her big solo performance ended up starting.

“At the time when I went out hunting for the first time, a huge bear monster came attacking. I brought it down by blowing it up in the air with a tornado spell in panic. Then I finished the other monsters in the vicinity by blowing them away with wind magic. Thus everyone called me 『Storm』.” (Katharina)

“Hahaha… Is that so?” (Christoph)

In the end her solo performance continued until the end of the dinner party and Christoph had a cramped expression as he couldn’t bring up the crucial matter.
Without doubt he is believing that I brought along Katharina anticipating this.
As expected, that was something called overestimating me too much though.

“It was fun.” (Katharina)

“That’s true. I’m thankful to you today, Katharina.” (Wendelin)

“Huh?” (Katharina)

Katharina, who was puzzled why I was thankful to her, was a bit cute after all.
And, without being able to understand what kind of meaning they had, the dinners for two days in a row finished safely.