Chapter 326
–Aegir POV–
「――if we put together the information from the prisoners, the offender is without a doubt Griff Zilgray, the Governor General of Magrado . 」
「I see . 」
I lean back in my chair in the office after the short reply .
The others here with me include Leopolt who just gave the report, the angry-faced Celia, the downward-looking Myla, and the sleeping Tristan . Celia, kick his ass .
「Wake up, idiot!」
「Oww, you’re going to break my bones . 」
Sebastian and Rita are also here .
「It’s fine to know who the offender is, what I’m interested in is whether there will be another attack . If not, we can slowly take revenge or make a scene in the capital or something . 」
「There definitely is . 」
I just sigh when Leopolt answers without hesitation and instinctively reach for Celia so I can pat her .
「This attack was clearly an attempt at Lord Hardlett’s life, not a form of intimidation or a warning . That guy has not achieved his goal . 」
Leopolt has more to add .
「Furthermore Governor General Zilgray is famous for being vindictive, as we have information about him criticizing or slandering Lord Hardlett repeatedly in the balls and dinner parties he attended . He doesn’t only want to eliminate Lord Hardlett because of profit, I believe a large part of it is emotional . That’s why I anticipate relentless attacks in the future . 」
「What the heck, I don’t remember doing anything for him to hate me so much . 」
The room goes quiet for a moment . What is it? Whatever, I’ll go on .
「Which means we can’t leave him alone . How should we deal with him?」
Leopolt remains expressionless as he takes out a map of the mansion .
「The mansion’s defenses were exposed as being weak against trained infiltrators . Therefore we will increase the number of watch fires and sentinels as well as expand the scope of the watchtowers . Additionally, the maids and servants will undergo training for when they discover suspicious people, and will walk with a warning whistle . That’s the first countermeasure . 」
So we’re simply tightening security?
Rita and Sebastian nod when they find out why they were summoned .
「A few members from the escort unit will always be on standby in the mansion . There may be opponents who the sentinels cannot match . 」
Celia chimes in .
There is a pretty big difference between the physiques and training of the guards and the escort squad .
A few fully armed escort soldiers can probably suppress a majority of enemies .
「Will that solve everything?」
「The next matter is in regards to the report to the capital . “This incident was an assassination attempt on Lord Hardlett’s life by the remnants of the ex Magrado rebellion force” ……was added to the notes so that should keep them in check . Zilgray won’t be able to move publicly now . 」
I see, purposely mentioning Magrado to associate him with the name .
「But that’s……」
Celia looks somewhat dissatisfied . Leopolt shifts his gaze to her before continuing .
「Normally, it would be shameful to allow intruders into your mansion and most nobles will hesitate to report to the capital . However I believe the effect that the report will have on restraining their movements is more important than saving face . This is the second countermeasure . 」
「I don’t care . If it will have an effect, then do as you see fit . 」
「Haha, other nobles would probably rage at Leopolt-san . 」
Tristan remarks . That much is nothing to worry about .
「Just the other day, I was enthusiastically singing a song I made up, thinking nobody was in the garden, but there was a maid doing laundry in the corner who ran away hurriedly . That is way more embarrassing . 」
「Please have a little more dignity…… anyways, wouldn’t it be more effective to have the girls as witnesses say Zilgray did it than sending a report to the capital?」
Celia looks to Leopolt . Before Leopolt could open his mouth though, Tristan starts talking .
This guy’s such a lazy ass but he just loves to talk .
「That would be meaningless, rather it would be a bad move . Zilgray is a chief vassal of Goldonia, so there’s no way the testimonies of a few commoners could be used to get him punished . Besides, it’s a well-known rumor that Lord Hardlett is against Zilgray, and it could look like we’re trying to defame him if we’re not careful . 」
「……」
Celia stares provokingly at Tristan before closing her mouth .
Zilgray and I are opposing each other? I have to remember what I did .
Oh right, there was a girl I rescued from him who I impregnated not too long ago .
She’s currently knitting baby clothes happily with a large stomach .
What kind of gift should I get when she safely delivers her child?
At that time, I should also drink some of her breast milk .
「……breast milk . 」
When the last part left her mouth, Celia squeezes her own chest .
「Are you satisfied?」
Leopolt stares coldly . Who was it that got the conversation so off-topic?
「Still, this is incomplete . The first measure is a shield which only receives the enemy’s attack . The second is a voice which only intimidates or dissuades the enemy . 」
「You see . What you need to stop an enemy that comes at you is a sword . 」
「That will be the final countermeasure . 」
Leopolt stays cool as always, though the aura around his eyes seem to change . So we’re getting serious now .
I’ll seriously pay attention then .
「We will also be conducting our own attack on Zilgray . The plan is――――」
Leopolt starts explaining the offensive strategy . I see, how interesting .
I couldn’t care less about Zilgray, but letting him push me around leaves a bad taste in my mouth .
I like the idea of attacking so he doesn’t try any nonsense on me again .
Now, to choose the personnel for the operation .
It will be a fight behind closed doors . If we consider the fewer people the better, individual fighting ability is important .
The next thing to consider is stealthiness and a disposition for espionage activities .
Furthermore, it has to be someone who possesses the judgment to adapt based on the situation and most importantly can protect secrets .
「Now that I think about it, there aren’t many who fulfill that requirement . 」
The first person who comes to mind is Gido .
He has high combat ability and his bowmanship will definitely come in handy . He’s a commander in the escort unit so he has sufficient decision-making ability and I don’t have to worry about him leaking secrets .
The next candidate is Celia, who volunteered eagerly .
Her skills are perfectly suited for covert operations and she’s a quick thinker, but……
「I can’t bring myself to let her go, I’m worried that she’ll injure herself……」
「I’ll be fine! Besides, my incompetence played a part in allowing the raid on the mansion, so please let me make up for it!」
I would feel bad forcing her to stay if she’s this determined .
Her ability will likely keep her safe, although I will certainly have sleepless nights .
No wait, let’s change this way of thinking . It’s wrong because I’m thinking about sending people .
「I thought of something good . Can’t I just go?」
「「Absolutely not . 」」
Celia and Leopolt speak in unison .
「Lord Hardlett only fulfills the fighting ability of the four requirements of individual battling capabilities, covert capabilities, decision-making, and trustworthiness . This is a completely unsuitable task for you, so please don’t restrain yourself . 」
Leopolt tells me off .
「Wait a second, I know I don’t have covert capabilities, but what is that about not being trustworthy?」
Why is he worried that I will betray him? Isn’t that weird?
「Can you swear you will keep a secret from a woman who invites you to bed?」
「…… probably…… I think . 」
Sometimes my lower half betrays me . I can’t make a definite promise .
「So please stay here . 」
I guess I can’t say anything more .
Hm? Wait a minute . I just let that comment about my decision-making ability go .
You’re actually just mocking me, aren’t you .
「There are things people are good at and not good at . 」
This guy, I’ll definitely expose the perverted things he does with Nina .
「The feudal lord himself charging forward in retaliation for a failed assassination attempt…… kuku…… kukuku . 」
Tristan’s laughing at me .
Rita, make all of his meals today peas . Assign a maid to shove it in his mouth .
「Let’s get back on topic . 」
Other qualified individuals are……
「Pardon me, if I could also get the chance to answer for the dishonor……」
Myla raises her hand, which I have to shake my head at .
「Not possible . Since you hold a title, if you get caught and your identity is discovered, that will unconditionally prove Lord Hardlett committed the offence . 」
「Besides, Myla is not skilled at acrobatics or espionage activities, right? Being a leader on the battlefield is your domain . 」
When Leopolt and I reject Myla, she sits back down weakly .
She’s acting strange today . Even when Celia and I were flirting, she just looked down instead of staring in jealousy like usual .
For now, those two are guaranteed and then I guess we have to find a few trustworthy guys from the escort unit .
Mack is out of the question . He stands out too much .
Christoph is out too . He’s too weak .
At that moment, there was a knock on the door .
「It’s me . Can I come in?」
The voice belonged to Sekrit .
「We’re in a meeting . You may not enter . 」
Celia asserts in a strict tone .
Sekrit is hated by almost all the girls in the family including the main proponent Nonna .
Not only is their initial impression of her based on their first meeting horrible, she doesn’t listen to anybody except me and doesn’t seem to have any intention of getting along with anyone .
I tried to smooth things over, but she isn’t concerned with being isolated and doesn’t make an effort to improve her relationship, so there isn’t much I can do .
Sure enough, Sekrit doesn’t let Celia’s warning stop her .
「I was wondering what kind of retaliation you were talking about . 」
「Wha-!」「……」
Celia gasps in surprise, while Leopolt stares at the door .
「……come in . 」
If she says anything carelessly in the halls, the servants may overhear .
It isn’t because I don’t trust them or anything, but it is more dangerous for them to know compared to the people in the room .
Celia opens the door with a face that was as if she bit down on something bitter, inviting the faintly smiling Sekrit into the office .
She’s wearing a tight-fitting short sleeve shirt and a long slit skirt, with no other accessories, only tying her long hair simply such that it doesn’t get in her way .
「There was nobody in the halls . Don’t worry . 」
Sekrit glances around the room, then sits right next to me on the chair vacated by Celia after she stood up .
「Aah!」
That turns Celia’s face red, but that matter can be dealt with later .
「Where did you learn about the retaliation?」
Sekrit takes the tea Celia left on the table and gulps it down before grinning .
「I know about the raid that happened too, you know? A meeting held with you who manage the army plus the butler and head maid, even an idiot can figure out what is being discussed . 」
Sekrit takes her hand holding the cup and points at Leopolt and Rita .
She arrogantly crosses her legs, acting like she’s the head of the house .
「The possible actions that can be taken by the attacked party are fleeing, crying oneself to sleep or revenge . Are you the type of person who would run or cry?」
Leopolt does not show it on his face, but he seems to be quite unhappy .
Meanwhile Celia is visibly angry and is being restrained by both Rita and Sebastian .
「Well, not like I care . 」
After taking a quick peek at the retaliation operation, Sekrit smirks and rests her head on my shoulder .
「Grrrー!」
Celia rages more . Rita and Sebastian urge me to stop her as they are at their limits .
「Let me take part in this operation too . I’m tired of trying to entertain myself with fishing and napping . 」
Leopolt and Tristan’s gazes change to curious ones .
Celia is making a fuss as usual .
「I believe I fulfill all the necessary requirements . 」
Sekrit licks the rim of Celia’s empty cup and then returns it to the table .
You’re hated by everyone because you do things like that .
「That may be so……」
Leopolt and Tristan look to me .
Those guys only know Sekrit as a lover .
I did tell them about the events in the Federation, though it was probably not sufficient knowing how bad I am at explaining things .
「The Margrave only ever talks about girls . I don’t see how you think that told us anything . 」
Anyways, there is no doubt about her combat ability . She possesses Irijina-level of strength .
By the way, Irijina doesn’t have the right nature for covert missions like me, so she was deemed ill-suited for the task .
Going back to Sekrit, she can use her flexible body to perform acrobatic tricks and fight bare-handed, making her a great match for operations like these .
「She has no ounce of trustworthiness! You don’t know when this woman will betray us!」
Celia shouts .
「I won’t do something like that . Where will I go after betraying you? You think I’ll go to this Zilgray and turn you in for a prize? No way . 」
「Of course I’m not worried about that . 」
Even though I’ve only known her for a short time, I know there is no concern of her turning on us .
With Sekrit in the mix, I don’t have to worry about fighting strength either .
「Alright . I’ll rely on you too . Don’t fight with Celia though . 」
「That depends on her . I unfortunately don’t know how to handle children . 」
「Bitch!」
Celia finally frees herself from Rita and pounces at Sekrit .
However she was too riled up and failed to jump over the sofa, tripping on the leg of the seated Tristan who is grinning to himself and tumbling to the floor .
「Fugyaa! Oww, that hurt!」
「Hmph, and you’re going to be participating in the covert operation?」
「I-I’m the one who feels the most pain…… a knee rammed into my head……」
「Let’s think of a plan B for when the operation fails . 」
Damn Leopolt, don’t say something so ominous .
「Sorry for leaving everything up to you guys . I’ll listen to any requests when you come back . 」
Celia’s mood improves instantly .
I’ll take Gido to the highest class brothel .
It’s good for the both of us who are married to cheat side-by-side once in a while .
For Sekrit, let’s see .
「Let’s go fishing together . We can take your Liu ayasan II and take it easy on the water for the day . 」
「We’re talking about rewards before the mission is even successful……?」
Sekrit blushes happily, though the color gradually disappears from her face .
「Why do you know about that?」
She brings her face close enough that our foreheads are touching and murderous intent oozes from her .
「Hahaha, the feudal lord knows everything . 」
I was sleeping under a tree near the pond and saw Sekrit dragging a small boat .
I want to praise myself for not laughing when she shouted “hoist the anchors, set sail!”, and started rowing herself .
「What’s that about? Tell me too!」
「Shut up, it has nothing to do with brats!」
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