Chapter 87: Variable (1)

Before heading to Momont, Henry stopped by Eisen’s mansion.

“Congratulations, count.”

“Thanks. Did you deal with Aubert and the others?”

“I’ll keep them alive for as long as possible. Considering the harm they’ve caused you, count, it’s not even enough if they rotted in Salgaera for several decades.”

“As expected of you. You always go above and beyond what I ask. Where else can I find such a talented person like you?”

“I will work as much as you trust me.” Henry had reached a powerful position within the Shonan family.

Everything had gone as planned since Henry had prepared everything from beginning to end, and all Eisen had to do was follow along.

Since Eisen used to have a low profile, he was now known as a hidden gem instead of a flashy fool.

‘Hidden gem my ass. It’s not even funny.’

The Shonan mansion had finally become peaceful, as Eisen’s hysteria from stress and anxiety had completely disappeared. Perhaps that was why everyone else in the mansion, even strangers, also loved and admired Henry.

“Anyway, are you sure you’re not going to change your mind?”

“Thank you for the offer, but I’m sure.”

“Alright, I guess it can’t be helped if that's what you want since you’re doing it for me anyway…”

After earning Eisen’s trust, Henry was given the opportunity to become a Shonan vassal. Ordinary vassals usually lived in the mansion with the family they served and shared every bit of information with each other. However, this would place a lot of restrictions on Henry, so he chose to be an external vassal instead, which was a rank lower than that of an ordinary retainer.

An external vassal did not reside in the mansion and attended meetings whenever there were important matters, and helped take care of the family affairs.

In other words, it was a lower-ranking position among the vassals.

However, because there were no other talented people in the Shonan family, Henry was basically the second in command after Eisen’s children.

‘Both internal and external vassals are all the same.’

What really mattered was not rank but the actual power one held within the Shonan family.

“Count, how’s the imperial palace doing?” said Henry.

“The imperial palace is always the same. Why would anything happen just because it’s the palace?”

‘Ha, I can’t believe I was beaten by a guy like this.’

Eisen's stupidity hadn’t changed. Although Henry felt frustrated at times during their conversations, he comforted himself by thinking that it was better for him that Eisen was that stupid. Henry took a short breath and continued to speak, “...That’s true, but now that Aubert has been kicked out, there is an empty marquis seat available, isn’t there? I’m asking about the other Patrician Family members. Did Marquis Alfred or Duke Arther show any signs of discomfort?”

“Oh right! Alfred did give me something like a warning. He said not to even think about the marquis seat being mine. What an arrogant bastard, how dare he warn me.” Eisen tended to overestimate his abilities.

Henry smiled and backed him up once again.

“That’s right, but in other words, it’s clear that the Three Great Family members are not going to be very pleased with the count’s succession.”

“What are they going to do about it? No one else can succeed anyway, so why should I care?”

“Of course, you should care.”

“Why?”

“I heard that in order to become part of the Patrician Families, you not only need the emperor’s consent, but also the consent of the other Patrician Families. If they disapprove, it doesn’t matter how much effort we put in.”

“If that’s the case, there is nothing to worry about. His Majesty has already favored me and the two counts under me are from military families like mine, so they all know their place.”

Henry was once again disappointed. Eisen had lived his entire life only learning how to order others around, so his understanding of relationships and his ability to analyze politics were inferior to those of a child.

“That’s not true, count.”

“Why not?”

“Thanks to the past, your relationship with the Three Patrician Families isn’t good. Wouldn’t it be more convenient for them to have a different count become a marquis rather than someone they don’t like?”

“Hmm… You do have a point.”

“That’s why I’m saying you should care.”

“Hmm, as expected, you are very talented. It would be bad if I didn’t have you around.”

Only when Henry explained everything to Eisen did he realize his own foolishness.

Henry quickly replied so that Eisen wouldn’t be embarrassed, “I’m flattered. Like I said last time, it is my dream to help the count reach a higher and more powerful position than right now.”

“Hehe, you always say the nicest things. Anyway, there will soon be a gathering of all the Patrician Family members to discuss the vacant marquis position. What should I do when that time comes?”

“Although the count has done a lot of hard work so far, we’re at a disadvantage right now in every aspect, so the count will have to attack first.”

“Attack first?”

“Before the Three Patrician Families and the emperor consult together about the new marquis, the count should suggest that the marquis be chosen through a fair process.”

“Me?”

“That's right. They will say that the selection will be made after a fair review, but I’m sure that there will be a fierce dispute which will place the count at a great disadvantage. Therefore, it would be more advantageous to intrigue His Majesty and propose a completely different selection process.”

“A completely different process, huh… Do you have anything in mind?”

“A duel.”

“Duel?”

“Yes, an honorable duel between the aristocrats. Even though it’s not as grand as a Geas pledge, a duel will be a good way to defeat them because it will be fair.”

“Hmm, a duel… All three families are titans anyway, so that wouldn’t be too bad, but do you think His Majesty will be interested?”

“I’m sure he’ll be interested. There’s nothing more interesting than watching a fight, isn’t there?”

The corners of Eisen’s lips rose at Henry’s suggestion. “Alright, a duel sounds good. Who do you think we should appoint as a representative?”

“Me.”

“You?”

“In times like this, victory will shine even brighter when a vassal like me comes forward instead of someone from the family’s bloodline.”

“Okay! As expected, I feel reassured having you on my side.”

“I’m flattered, count.”

In case of an emergency, they also had Von, so there was not too much worry about.

‘The marquis position is basically guaranteed.’

With his business finished, Henry had no reason to waste any more time at the mansion.

“Count, I have some business to take care of, so I will take my leave.”

“Yes, yes, if anything happens, make sure to tell them my name, because you are now my vassal.”

“Thank you, count.”

He had become an ally instead of an enemy. Henry smiled at the irony and made his way towards Momont.

* * *

In order to save time, Henry used Teleportation to reach Momont.

‘Is this Momont?’

Momont was in the mountains. Before Aubert mentioned it, Henry had never heard of the town before.

‘People who perform slash-and-burn agriculture live here.’

It was closer to a village than a town. Henry found Hansen easily by asking a local. Hansen resided at the very top of Momont, and Henry saw the old man with wrinkles and a hunched back sitting at the entrance of a small thatched house right away.

‘I guess that's him.’

He looked like someone in his 80s, but he was said to be an alchemist who was the pride of the Magical Spire.

Henry approached the man and said, “Hansen.”

“...”

“Hansen?”

“...”

Hansen was sitting on a small wooden chair at the entrance of the thatched house, holding his cane with both hands and looking down.

At first glance, he looked like a dozing old man who was hard of hearing. However, he was only playing this role to hid his identity.

Henry smiled and said, “Hansen, I would like to drink some salt water.”

“Salt… water…?”

It was the secret code that Aubert had told him. Hansen slowly raised his head.

“Come… in…” Hansen became polite.

Henry thought that Hansen was quite good at pretending to be an old man.

As soon as Hansen stepped into the house, his back, which was nearly bent 90 degrees, suddenly straightened up.

“I will execute the command.”

“...Okay.”

He stopped pretending to be an old man and knocked on the floor of the tiny thatched house to reveal a secret door.

Click click click.

The sound of a moving pulley filled the house. The door opened to show a staircase that led underground.

“Light.”

Spark!

The basement was pitch black and Henry lit the area up.

Flash!

“Wow…”

The golden reflection of the light made his vision blur.

‘He sure did save a lot.’

It was just as Aubert had said. His hidden treasures in the basement storage were piled up so high, it was clear that most aristocrats wouldn’t have the same amount of wealth. However, Henry had plenty of his own treasures as well.

Henry first checked that there was nothing else besides gold and silver, then he summoned Klever and began gathering everything in the basement.

“Klever.”

- Yes, Master.

“Don’t leave a single thing behind and take everything.”

- Yes, Master.

Swoop!

Since no one was watching, Klever could freely open up Chest in the air and began sweeping up the treasures in the room, as though he were a hurricane.

Clank!

The treasures rang with a metallic sound as they clashed together. It didn’t take them long to gather everything. Henry looked around the empty basement once more and slowly began to leave.

-

Khuu!

“Huh?”

The Elagon, which had transformed into an object, suddenly shook and began to howl.

-

Khuuuu!

“What?”

The Elagon suddenly began struggling and the bracelet Henry wore also shook.

‘What’s going on? He’s been quiet this whole time.’

Since no one was watching, Henry was able to summon Elagon with ease.

-

Khuu!

Elagon appeared, but instead of approaching Henry, he quickly ran to a corner in the basement and began clawing the floor.

Dig dig!

Henry watched Elagon’s behavior. The basement was covered in a special type of plywood, however, Elagon dug up the floor with ease and eventually broke through the wood as if he had a grudge against it.

When he was done digging, Elagon shoved his face inside the hole.

-

Khuu!

When Elagon came back up, he held something in his mouth.

Innread.com].

“...Huh?”

It was none other than a spirit egg.