Kays Translations

Chapter 40: Lords and Lords

A thin smoke filled Count O'Malley's private chamber.

In the center of a luxurious brass plate, there were leaves of some kind piled up, emitting a smoldering smoke.

"Lord O'Malley!"

A messenger's voice echoed from outside the room.

No response.

The perplexed messenger looked around and saw a male attendant who had been waiting in the hall gesturing for him to enter.

Reluctantly, the messenger stepped into the room, finding the lord sitting shallowly in a chair.

Count O'Malley's eyes were unfocused, drooling from his mouth.

Naked young boys lay scattered along the walls of the room. Their expressions were vacant, and many seemed devoid of emotions, as if affected by the smoke.

"Take Lord O'Malley with you."

The messenger gave instructions, and three soldiers entered the room from behind, carrying the drooling O'Malley out of the room.

O'Malley, transported to the hall outside the room, had forcibly been poured a restorative liquor into his mouth.

After a while, his gaze wandered, and he finally noticed the messenger standing nearby.

"...What's the matter?"

"The city is overflowing with monsters."

The messenger conveyed the message succinctly.

"So what?"

"I beg your pardon?"

"You're fired. Get lost. Why should I have to say the same thing twice?"

O'Malley beckoned another soldier who was nearby with a lazy, weary hand.

"Sir."

"I heard you. Take this messenger and throw him out of the castle."

The soldier obeyed the command, his forehead covered in cold sweat.

By the time the complaining messenger's voice faded into the distance, an attendant who had been waiting in the hall approached and spoke.

"Lord O'Malley, after the clone of 'that' wreaked havoc in our city, it is now heading toward the neighboring Tact Territory. I'm not sure what lies in Tact Territory, but the ritual of building troops should proceed as the tradition dictates."

O'Malley shifted his gaze from the window to the under-construction mausoleum outside, his eyes fixed not on the city but solely on the mausoleum where he would eventually be interred.

"I see."

"But, Lord O'Malley, how should we explain this to the Lord of Tact Territory?"

He was referring to Lady Olivia, the lord of Tact Territory.

"That little girl brought this upon herself. That's why I demanded Yuu as compensation. Besides, she's just a viscount, even if she is one of the Four Great Noble Families. If she complains, we can just offer her money."

The extravagant construction of the mausoleum had put the finances in dire straits.

There was no money left in the domain to pay, but Count O'Malley never concerned himself with the financial situation.

Even if there was money available, he had released a large number of monsters into the neighboring territory.

The attendant understood that this was no longer a situation that could be resolved peacefully with money.

However, this attendant, too, had become accustomed to taking advantage of his position and reaping the benefits. He was prepared to abandon a lord who had gone mad if necessary.

"As expected of your keen insight, I'm impressed."

"Hmph, can't you even understand that much, you fool."

O'Malley beckoned another soldier who was nearby with a listless hand.

"Listen well. Throw this messenger out into the city immediately."

"Yes, sir."

The soldier followed the order, and the messenger's cries of protest grew distant. Then, the attendant who had been waiting in the hall called out to O'Malley.

"Lord O'Malley, the knight who dueled with Yuu has arrived."

"You're late!"

O'Malley threw the bottle of liquor he held in his hand.

The female knight didn't dodge it, and the bottle hit her head, shattering and drenching her entire body in alcohol.

"...I apologize."

Still, she remained motionless, gazing at O'Malley.

"It's because of you that the clone of 'that' is rampaging in my territory, isn't it?"

"I apologize."

"Why do you think I pay a high price to the soldiers returning from the battlefield?"

"Huh? To urge the evacuation of the citizens."

"Huh? Are you stupid? You don't need to do such a thing. If we evacuate, it will delay the construction of the mausoleum."

The female knight looked at O'Malley's expression and confirmed that he was serious.

"...Understood. I will expedite the extermination of the clone."

"If you understand, then hurry up. Honestly."

O'Malley picked up another bottle of alcohol as a replacement for the one he had thrown and drank directly from the pouring spout. As he became intoxicated, his mood seemed to improve slightly.

Although his face still wore a frowning expression, his mouth curled up slightly.

"Well, depending on how you think about it, it could be a good way to vent frustrations, huh... My knights are all battle-hardened warriors. They must be hungry for blood, so it's fine if they go wild to some extent. I am a generous lord."

"... "

The female knight merely nodded in response.

"And about that girl. Capture her right away."

"After dealing with Yuu and depriving her of a place to belong, your plan was to capture her in the Honogura Territory, correct?"

"There's no other choice. We need to calm 'that' down immediately."

"Does that bloodline really possess such power?"

The clones have headed to the Tact Territory. That should be proof enough. Just do as I say."

"As you wish."

"Really, you fools!"

Muttering curses, O'Malley returned to his room. The female knight, who watched his departure from the hall, spoke to the attendant man.

"...Is it really okay not to evacuate the villagers?"

"What do you mean?"

"The knights in this territory are nothing but cunning cowards who have been driven out from the frontlines. They hunger not for blood, but for women and money. In the event of internal conflict, there is a high possibility that their frustration will be directed towards the villagers."

"You mean looting will begin?"

"If it stops at just looting, it would be preferable. In normal times, even such individuals can contribute to maintaining public order to some extent, but in times of emergency, anything can happen."

The attendant bit his nails.

Amidst the impending disaster, he could only think about moving his accumulated wealth out of the territory.

◆ ◆ ◆

In the early afternoon, Olivia woke up on the bed.

The previous day's turmoil seemed like a lie in the cheerful atmosphere.

"How do you feel?"

Lucius, who was beside her, spoke.

She tried to sit up, but pain shot through her, causing her to grimace.

"My head hurts, and I feel really sick."

"You exhausted your magical power to its limit. I don't think you'll be able to move today."

"That's true."

Olivia responded as if it was natural.

Then she shifted her gaze towards the door.

"What about the people waiting outside the room?"

Currently, the only person in Olivia's private chamber was Lucius.

However, outside the room, there were several people crowded together, creating a chaotic scene.

Though everyone kept their voices low, when a group gathers, noise is inevitable.

"Should I let them in?"

"Just a moment, please."

Olivia slowly got out of bed and put on a nearby cardigan.

Perhaps because her footing was still uncertain, she stumbled.

Lucius quickly supported her and offered his shoulder.

Even so, she tried her best to maintain the dignified expression of a lord.

"You may enter."

She spoke with a clear voice, as if she were not suffering from any illness.

After a few hushed exchanges on the other side of the door, it slowly opened.

Beyond the door, soldiers, maids, and servants were packed into the hallway, appearing confused and unsure how to face Olivia.

A soldier with bandages scattered across his body stepped forward.

He was the captain who had manifested the form of a bovine beastman.

The captain stood in the corridor in front of the door, leaning on one leg.

"Olivia-sama, how are you feeling?"

"Not well. But more importantly, could you summarize the extent of the damage? Ideally, I would have done it myself, but it seems I was asleep until now. How disappointing."

The sun was already high in the sky.

Normally, she would have needed to confirm the state of the city, even if it meant staying up all night.

"Yes. We have already sent messengers and troops to each governor, and we are currently compiling the information regarding the damage within the territory. Furthermore, since the remnants have been dealt with by Lord Lucius, no new individuals have been found within the territory."

"Oh, that's a relief."

Olivia seemed slightly surprised.

Until now, those who had abandoned such tasks were the only ones present.

The male captain continued speaking while still kneeling.

His expression showed deep regret.

"It should have been our duty to handle this matter without troubling you, my lady. If it weren't for Lord Lucius, by now..."

The soldiers behind him all knelt at once.

"I am aware of that. You've only conducted formalistic training up until now."

"I apologize."

The captain raised his gaze and looked at Lucius.

"I would like to express my gratitude once again to Lord Lucius and his guardian dragon."

Olivia's eyes widened.

"A guardian dragon?"

"It's a local legend. The hero who assisted the Azure Dragon and its followers in defeating Chi You. Lord Lucius is said to be their reincarnation, according to the people."

Lucius scratched his head.

"I've told them countless times that it's not true. Besides, I'm more of an evil dragon."

"Regardless, I am responsible for not being able to handle this situation. I am prepared to accept any punishment."

The faces of the soldiers tensed up, enveloped in tension.

"Indeed. In that case, pledge your loyalty to the Tact Territory once again. There's no need to swear to me personally. However, if the soldiers who should protect the people are in such a state, the people will be uneasy."

The girl's words surprised the soldiers, who couldn't hide their astonishment.

"Ah, um... However, we..."

Olivia continued speaking.

"I may be originally from the North, that's true. But ever since I became the lord of the Tact Territory, I have been prepared to be the sword and shield of the people in the Tact Territory. I have no complaints about wielding that sword. All the soldiers prostrated themselves, not just their heads, but their entire bodies, as if they were about to touch the floor.

Then the male captain responded to Olivia's order.

"I cannot follow that command."

His voice carried a resolute determination.

"I pledge my loyalty to Lady Olivia."

The other soldiers followed suit, one after another, making the same oath.

And their voices spread, causing the attendants to also kneel and raise their voices.

Olivia closed her eyes and listened intently.

When the oath subsided, she opened her eyes.

"Understood. Let us rebuild the Tact Territory together."

"Yes!"

Olivia maintained a firm and resolute attitude as a lord.

However, only Lucius knew that the girl's hand resting on his shoulder was trembling throughout the entire time.

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