“Ah! You have nothing!”
When I said it, I realized I had messed up and regretted it.
Lord who has nothing is a term I have used only in my brain. It refers to a nobleman who has a title but doesn’t do anything. They are still central nobility and are nominally treated as if they were equal to some other lord.
Since I didn’t see the benefit of learning when I was at the academy, I knew very few of those people. I didn’t even know the Defense Lord.
It was a completely ridiculous coined word.
I prepared myself to wonder if the Count would be offended. But he had a sooty aura about him and muttered helplessly.
“…At least, call me Lord who can’t do anything.”
“The Lord who can’t do anything… would make you less powerless, but it also sounds like incompetence. Wouldn’t it be better to say the Lord who has nothing?”
“Alright.”
He says, his voice losing its energy. Count Archiam wasn’t angry, but he was considerably hurt. Sorry.
Now I have caught up with Patrick’s understanding. It makes sense to me that he was convinced. With a bit of poking and prodding, it’s easy to strip a person of their position.
Was this what motivated the nobility and the people to protect the kingdom from inside and outside?
When asked, “Were you involved in such a movement?” and unable to answer, he is stripped of his duties for negligence.
If he were to make a straightforward retort, he would be told that the “Defense Lord” position isn’t needed.
Suppose they were working hard on a public relations campaign; they would be accused of being ineffective or difficult. The details of their activities are too vague, and neither side can prove whether or not they have a track record. I see a future where the majority will push them aside.
As someone unfamiliar with political affairs, I can only think of many ways to bring down the Archiam family. The sloppy political war-loving men in the center probably hide more nefarious methods.
“It’s hopeless.”
“Yes. The central nobility that my ancestors had to work so hard to obtain will end in my generation. What’s more, it is that Marquis Prynan, who is plotting to crush Archiam.”
The kingdom has three marquises, one of which is the Marquis Prynan. From top to bottom, the central nobility is the royal family, the now-abolished Duke Hillrose, the big three marquises in the same rank, and the various counts.
Since the royal family is unlikely to lead the way in destroying a single Count, they are being targeted by the biggest possible target. As I recall, Marquis Prynan is the treasurer. Why would a man of that stature try to destroy a lord who has nothing?
If the Minister of Military Affairs were pissed off at the Defense Lord in all but name, I wouldn’t be surprised.
“Did you do anything to attract the attention of the treasurer?”
“No personal feuds, no quarrels between our houses, but we were making an unreasonable fuss about the kingdom’s budget allocations and rewards. There’s a reason why he might have a grudge against us just because we’re an expansionist.”
“Personal grudge… Yes, there is no profit in removing the Defense Lord, is there?”
“Not really. Maybe it will reduce the power of the hostile faction a little, and they might be willing to give the position of Defense Lord to a teachable child nobleman. There will be many nobles who will want the position in name only.”
Huh? Who wants it? But you won’t be allowed to do anything?
I don’t need it. Even if there’s something called Leveling Lord… um, no… I don’t want it, but there won’t be anyone suitable for the job besides me. And I can’t stand that there will be suitable people called Leveling Lord.
Leave aside non-existent positions such as Leveling Lord; they don’t need Defense Lord. But some people want it, and Count Archiam doesn’t want to give it up.
Giving it up is not disadvantageous. A Lord who does nothing doesn’t get any money from the government for support; it is just an honorary thing. It’s not even a loss. Why not give it up?
“The loss of the position wouldn’t be a problem. Giving it up is an option.”
“The Archiam family’s long-held desire is to use the Defense Lord as a foothold to gain influence over the military. Should we lose it, the development of this family will be one step further away.”
“…Right.”
I had forgotten that Count Archiam was also an extremist nobleman.
Their ambition alone is enough to tip my hat to them. It was funny to feel betrayed by someone you had just met when you thought they were different from the rest of the people.
Then he continues nonchalantly.
“The Defense Lord was acquired through the hard work of five generations of my ancestors. As the head of the house, I can’t give it up easily.”
“Since you have the title, you must have accomplished something great.”
“No, it was bought with money. They approached Duke Hillrose a few generations ago and bought the position with the money they siphoned off from the estate. After fabricating some random achievements, under the Duke’s pressure, they created the newly created position called “Defense Lord” in all but name.”
“Huh?”
My voice sounded strange.
It made me feel like a fool for thinking that I couldn’t deny my respect for his ancestors. It is also strange that he so openly says that it was bought with money. Does he not want to give it up?
“Thanks to that, up until the last generation, we had a hard time because we were drowning in debt. We have paid it off and can afford it, but that’s how hard we had to work. I can’t let them take that away from me so easily, no matter if it was something I got with my money.”
“…Ah, so that’s how it is.”
“Moreover, if I gave it up, I would no longer be a central nobleman but a local nobleman. If I were to attend an evening party held by the central noble family in the capital, I would be mocked as a mere local nobleman.”
“If you are just a local noble, why don’t you live like a local noble? If you come to the capital occasionally, nothing will be said about you, right?”
Based on what I’ve heard beforehand, Count Archiam is one of the people doing a good job of running the territory. He has a much richer estate than the Dolknes territory, meaning life there shouldn’t be too bad.
However, he is also a central noble. Talking about these things, they have never agreed with me.
His tone changes from his previous calm, somewhat resigned tone. Instead, his tone became sharp.
“I was born and raised in the capital. My son and daughter are the same. Life in the territory would be unbearable for them. It’s fine for me to go, but my children will be unhappy.”
“That’s pretty good.”
“You can say that because you are Yumiela Dolknes. Although you are the same age as my daughter, how dare you assume you feel the same way?!”
Rude! The translation is, “Don’t you dare to compare my city-raised, sensitive child with the barbarian Yumiera!” It’s been clearly stated that barbarians are miles apart from the young lady, even if I am paranoid.
It doesn’t particularly irritate my mind, but Patrick!
That’s a terrible thing to say about your beautiful fiancé.
When I looked at him and told him to settle this, I could see his mouth move. He didn’t say it out loud, but sure enough, his mouth moved, “Indeed.”
I thought to myself. “Indeed.”
Eleanora’s adaptation from the capital to the countryside is a rarity, and the weak and soft young lady would be very stressed by the change in environment. Dorothea seems vulnerable to environmental changes.
Oh, it’s impossible to give up the position. With no intention of giving up, Count Archiam apologizes for raising his voice.
“Excuse me, I just…”
“It’s fine. I now understand your determination to hold on to your position until the end.”
“Now that you understand our family’s situation, I want your help again.”
“No.”
“Right…”
I repeat the exchange from a while ago.
Somewhat sympathetic, I understand. But the thing they are clinging to is worthless, and intervening would displease the Marquis.
It’s a case I don’t want to get involved in. He understood that when he asked for help, he was refused and understood.
“Sorry for the long story we have to tell you. …Kevin, this is fine, right?”
Speaking of which, he wasn’t willing to explain the situation, was he? He had no choice but to do so at the behest of the senior family retainer, right?
The Count was caught up, and I didn’t even look toward the door, which has only one door, where the black-hearted family retainer is waiting. I’ve advised the head of the family to at least watch what happens in the end. I’m about to collapse, but Patrick’s sharp voice pulls me back.
“Oh shoot, watch out!”
Pato-san, Pato-san, what’s the matter with you in such a hurry?
I knew the answer to that question before I even asked him.
A knock on the door drew my attention. The answer came from the other side.
When I separated from Eleanora, was Patrick concerned about what was happening? As a dumbass, I assumed that she was worried about being cold-shouldered by Dorothea, but her attitude made me perceive that she was okay with it.
It makes sense if you think about it for a minute. The reason I visited the Archiam residence in the first place was that Eleanora wanted to go. We let the person who orchestrated it go unchecked. The person he is after isn’t me, or Patrick, but…
The door opens. There was Kevin, smiling, and Eleanora, looking sad.
No Dorothea. Did they get separated from each other?
“Dorothea’s family, the Archiam household, seems to be in danger. Can’t Yumiela do something about it?”
No matter how much Eleanora asks, there are limits. This is impossible. It’s beyond my control and too much trouble.
Yesterday, I thought about establishing a noble family for her or reviving the dukedom, but this time it has nothing to do with Eleanora. And it’s about her friends.
I steel myself and refused.
“I’m sorry. I can’t help.”
“I’m sorry. It has nothing to do with Yumiela-san. I’ll do my best to do something about it without depending on you! I wonder if it’s wrong for us to think together about what we can do?”
Eleanora stares at me with moist eyes, but I don’t want to get moved. Thinking that people will help you if you cry is a big mistake. Life isn’t that easy…
“I’ll take care of it!”
This is an example of promising without due consideration.
So I agreed. Why? Eleanora’s happiness is my happiness, aside from Patrick’s super handsome line, “She’s not going to stop.”
If I refuse, she will keep pushing forward to do something about it on her own. When that happens, I have no choice but to let it go.
Eleanora’s eyes light up, while Patrick sighs heavily. I reiterated once again to Count Archiam.
“I will cooperate a little. Just don’t expect too much, okay?”
They got her xD
Thx for the chapter!