Kays Translations

Chapter 119: Celestine Makes a Decision

After the small tea party at the Rosemary Marquis’s residence ended, Celestine Crocus boarded the carriage for her journey home.

“Hmm…”

Surrounding the carriage were escorts on horseback. The level of protection may seem exaggerated for travel within the capital… but considering the current situation with Marquis Eiger’s rebellion, it was not surprising.

Celestine, being the daughter of the Prime Minister and ostensibly the fiancée of Prince Rodel, the third prince, found herself in a delicate position.

There was no guarantee that political adversaries wouldn’t attempt assassination or abduction.

(Well, the position of being that man’s fiancée is already over…)

The engagement with Rodel had been decided to be annulled soon. Specifically… at the timing of the official announcement of Marquis Eiger’s rebellion.

The job of cleaning up after that foolish prince is now over. She felt as if a heavy burden had been lifted.

(But still… I’m glad Rest-san accepted the offer.)

Although it would be possible to force him into it by royal decree if necessary… doing so would tarnish the royal family’s reputation.

They didn’t tell him directly, but… Rest was becoming an extremely sensational figure for the royal family.

(Solo subjugation of the lord of the Monster Realm, Sabnock… no, with Lubase-sama’s help…)

Upon the return of Rest and Lubase from the depths of the Monstter Realm and the report of Sabnock’s defeat… at first, those on the palace side didn’t believe the information.

Sabnock was a formidable monster that had repelled numerous hunting parties in the past.

The fact that it was defeated by just two people… essentially by Rest alone, was unbelievable.

However, when the corpse of Sabnock was confirmed through investigation… they hastily conducted inquiries into how they had defeated the lord of the monster Realm.

The information they were given was extraordinary. It was revealed that Rest possessed an immense amount of magic power, rivaling even that of a battalion.

Should they rejoice at the emergence of such power capable of toppling a nation, or should they be wary? The palace was undecided, but ultimately decided to accept him as a “hero.”

Fortunately, Rest is under the banner of the Rosemary Marquis.

Marquis Rosemary is the Chief Court Magician of the royal family and a loyal servant with the trust of the royal family.

Rest himself has no issues with his character and is not the type to wield power according to his desires.

Through discussions among the upper echelons of the kingdom, it was secretly decided not to eliminate Rest but to actively utilize him for the development of the kingdom.

(First, the title and territory. Let him work hard in suppressing Marquis Eiger’s rebellion and promote him to a count based on his achievements. Let him develop the plains that have lost their lord and establish a foundation as a young noble to lead the transformation.)

Many casualties occurred during the Monster Hunt Festival, and now a rebellion has erupted.

To improve the dark and depressed mood of the country, the presence of a hero was essential.

The palace hoped that Rest would become that hero.

(As a commoner-born individual, Rest-san should be well-received by the people. And next would be Lubase-san, who comes from a lower noble family…)

Although the third prince, Rodel, was initially uplifted, and the high-ranking noble Marquis Eiger incited the rebellion.

It is precisely because of this situation that individuals from commoner and lower noble backgrounds are deliberately being utilized.

In a kingdom still steeped in the old ways of the Queen Dowagers faction, they aimed to inject a youthful and new energy.

(If Marquis Eiger can be suppressed, it will eliminate the internal unrest plaguing the Iwood Kingdom. By developing the plains and enriching the country, we can focus on external threats…)

There are several external enemies to the Iwood Kingdom.

The foremost is the barbarians in the north. And as a potential enemy, there is the Geisel Empire, an allied country to the east.

While the empire had long been ruled by a moderate emperor, in recent times, there had been a surge in influence from extremist factions advocating for external conquests.

If these extremist factions were to seize power, they might turn their sights on the Iwood Kingdom.

(…Although I truly feel sorry for everyone who became casualties in this incident, perhaps it’s actually a good thing that Marquis Eiger moved now.)

If Marquis Eiger initiates the rebellion, then it can be openly suppressed.

The only issue is that Prince Rodel is being used as a pawn in the rebel army.

If they were to defeat Rodel, a son born of the empress consort from the neighboring empire, it could worsen relations with the neighboring country.

(Geisel Empire and the confrontation with them are inevitable… but we have no choice but to prepare ourselves for that. It’s a matter that will eventually occur. It’s just the time has come to resolve the issues we’ve been putting off. The time has come to move the hands of the stopped clock.)

In the course of events, there is something called a tide.

In the Iwood Kingdom, ever since the death of the Queen Dowager, that tide has been dammed up and stagnated.

But with the birth of a young hero named Rest, it’s regained momentum and is poised to bring about various reforms.

“…First, Marquis Eiger and Prince Rodel. Losing here is not an option.”

With determination, Celestine clasps her hands together.

With the name of the foremost noble, the Crocus Duke household, at stake, she will protect and lead the Iwood  Kingdom to prosperity.

For that, she must exert all her wisdom and strength.

No matter the sacrifices. No matter the pains endured.

As one of those who will carry the future of the kingdom, Celestine solidifies her resolve to fight through.

“As we’re going to break off the engagement… perhaps I wouldn’t mind being embraced by Rest-san as well?”

Muttering with a voice that could be interpreted as either a joke or seriousness, Celestine gently turns her gaze to the scenery outside the window.

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