Chapter 135: Liangshan

Just before the king spoke with Zaid, the room where the honorees had returned to had become lively again.

“Everyone, great job today. It was a bit nerve-wracking at the end, but ultimately, defeating the undefeated leader of the monster mercenaries and winning is flawless victory.”

“Thank you. The Eriksen family was indeed strong…”

Felix responded to Isamu’s compliment.

“You know… their way of fighting was flexible, as if they were used to it.”

Ulysses nodded in agreement with his arms crossed.

“Yeah! Their fighting style is kind of similar to Isamu-sama. They don’t hesitate to use any means necessary. It was great practicing mock battles with Isamu-sama.”

Tiramisu, upon hearing the conversation, raised her right hand enthusiastically.

“Haha, the mercenaries’ way of fighting is different from that of knights. Maybe our way of thinking is closer than I thought.”

Isamu also nodded in agreement with what was said.

“Now that our strength has become known throughout the kingdom, there shouldn’t be any immediate threats. But since we’ve showcased our excellence, negotiations might increase.”

Despite looking pleased, Selfers seemed somewhat uneasy about the future.

Knock, knock, knock.

As they discussed preparations for their departure, there was a knock on the door.

“Who’s there?”

“It’s me, Nazario.”

“I’m here too.”

“Count Innocenti and Count Eriksen? Please, come in.”

Surprised by the unexpected arrival of the lords themselves, Selfers managed to respond somehow.

Innocenti brought his eldest son, while Eleonora brought Gascoin, as they entered the room.

“Sorry to bother you right after the event, Selfers. We happened to meet there, and since our purposes aligned, we decided to come together.”

“First, let us congratulate you on your victory as promised. It’s quite an achievement to defeat the monster mercenary leader. Impressive.”

“We offer our congratulations as well. We’ll make sure not to fall behind next year and will train harder.”

“Thank you both. Our knights worked hard alongside Isamu. I’m proud of them.”

Although Selfers felt humbled by the blessings of these influential figures, his expression was indeed proud.

“Now, about the matter at hand?”

“Yes. When you arrived in the capital and visited my estate, I promised you my protection, didn’t I? I intend to retract that.”

“…Retract it?”

Surprised by Nazario’s unexpected words, Selfers’ expression turned serious.

“Yes. You boasted about winning the tournament, but I never thought you’d actually win. I thought offering you protection would be good, but…”

“Because we won, you won’t offer us protection anymore?”

“That’s right. With that power of yours, you won’t need my protection, will you?”

“…I see. Indeed, asking for protection after winning does sound too good to be true. I understand. It’s enough for us to maintain the current relationship.”

Selfers lightly bowed his head in response to Nazario’s decision.

“It might be difficult to maintain the same relationship…”

“…What do you mean?”

Before the words “terminate our relationship” could slip out, Selfers managed to swallow them down.

“Haha, perhaps it’s best to leave it at that, Nazario. It could get complicated.”

As the atmosphere in the room suddenly grew heavy, Eleonora intervened with a smile to reprimand Nazario.

“Oh? Is that so?”

“Yes. It’ll just make things confusing.”

“Haha, well, that’s true. I’m sorry, Selfers. But I didn’t lie, you know? I wasn’t thinking of establishing a superior-inferior relationship with you; rather, I was considering forming an equal alliance.”

“An alliance?”

Still struggling to understand Nazario’s words, Selfers echoed them back.

“Yes. If you want me to use a term you dislike, think of it as creating a new faction.”

“That’s right. We came to express our intentions to form closer ties with the Klaufeldt family. If the master is forming a faction, then we’d like to join it. It would make things easier.”

“Although it’s called a faction, there are no political motives behind it. It’s just expanding relations while eliminating the hierarchical structure.”

“I see…”

“By the way, we have received formal responses from the Three Border Marquis Families, Eleonora, Viscount Bisseling, and Dafyyd’s family, indicating their participation.”

“That’s quite extraordinary…”

Although he had guessed to some extent when the term “faction” was mentioned, it was still an astonishing lineup when explicitly stated.

If you look at it as a faction, it’s nothing but a faction with considerable power that suddenly formed.

“In each case, none of the families belong to any faction. It wouldn’t be a bad deal for the Klaufeldt family, or rather, for Isamu, right?”

“Certainly, these are the best companions…”

“Well, in terms of benefits, we’re the ones gaining the most…”

With a somewhat self-deprecating tone, Nazario continued.

“Isamu’s power will undoubtedly have a significant impact on the world. We’ll fight alongside those who don’t intend to misuse it. That’s the kind of relationship I hope we’ll have.”

“The king himself wasted no time spitting on us. If we leave it be, we’ll be bombarded with invitations from various factions, including the royal family, starting tomorrow. Before it comes to that, it’s easier to quickly create a faction-like facade. Apart from our own matters, we can also learn how to handle nobles from the old folks, right?”

Eleanora continued after Nazario. 

“Selfers-san, I believe it would be wise for us to accept this offer. While I don’t intend to get too involved, there are limits to what we can do on our own…I’ve been wanting to gather allies sooner rather than later, and if it’s a faction of independents, it won’t disrupt the balance between existing factions too much. Above all, I appreciate that you made it clear from the start that there would be tangible benefits, not just empty promises. A mutually beneficial relationship is much more reassuring, don’t you think?”

After thinking for a while, Isamu tells Selfhas his intention to accept.

“…Indeed. To argue against this proposal would be to invite the wrath of the goddess. Understood. I humbly accept your offer, Your Excellencies.”

After closing his eyes for a few seconds, Selfers bowed his head to Nazario and Eleonora.

“Rather, we should be the ones asking for your cooperation.”

“Kukuku, it looks like it’s going to be fun from now on.”

“Please be kind to us.”

With a somewhat tense expression, Selfers stood up, and Nazario and Eleonora also stood up, shaking hands with each other.

“Well then, see you tomorrow morning.”

“Yes. We’ll inform the inn right away.”

“Goodbye.”

After exchanging brief farewells, Nazario and Eleonora left the waiting room.

“Hehe, it’s an unexpected turn of events, but now we can finally start moving in earnest.”

In the waiting room after the guests had left, Selfers laughed happily.

“Yes, indeed. Although I don’t fully trust them yet, they are trustworthy individuals. It’s reassuring to have their cooperation.”

Isamu also smiled back and said.

The next morning. Although it was supposed to be a day of rest, the inn where Isamu and the others were staying, the “Silver Dragon Scale,” was bustling like a beehive.

This was in preparation for the gathering scheduled for “tomorrow morning” that Nazario mentioned when leaving the waiting room yesterday.

“…It’s rather unfortunate to have three marquises and two counts visiting simultaneously. I apologize to the inn for not informing them earlier.”

“If we had known from the beginning, we could have told them sooner, but it’s too late now…”

The alliance gathering centered around the Klaufeldt family was to take place here at the “Silver Dragon Scale.”

Usually, such gatherings would be held at the residence of the highest-ranking noble in the faction. In this case, it would have been one of the marquises’ mansions.

However, this time, it was an extraordinary situation where all the participants gathered under the lowest-ranking Klaufeldt family.

This demonstrates just how much importance they place on the Klaufeldt family.

“It’s a gracious offer… but Grendel-san’s smile seemed a bit forced.”

Isamu chuckled. Grendel was the owner of the “Silver Dragon Scale.”

Despite announcing the prestigious gathering, Grendel managed to maintain his composure and said it was an honor.

However, in this situation, even someone like him couldn’t hide the forced smile.

“Ah, I feel sorry for him… Maybe it’s time for us to consider having a separate residence in the capital as well.”

Selfers shrugged as he said that.

At the Silver Dragon Scale, which had hurriedly prepared for the occasion, luxurious carriages carrying high-ranking nobles began to arrive one after another.

Although one would expect to see noble carriages and the like around the entrance to the noble district, it was quite unusual for five carriages to arrive one after another, causing a commotion among the onlookers.

With five high-ranking nobles gathered, one would expect the atmosphere to be tense, but it was surprisingly relaxed and cheerful.

(What’s this feeling of déjà vu? Ah, I see… it feels just like the New Year’s gathering at the relatives’ house, where all the uncles are gathered. It was careless to bring this atmosphere into the living room.)

While sitting happily in the kotatsu brought into the inn’s living room, Isamu pondered vaguely, watching the contented veteran noble family heads.

“This kotatsu is a fantastic magic tool. My territory is in the north… Could you please ask Anne-chan and your son-in-law to make one for me?”

While sinking into the sofa and being enveloped by it, the well-built elderly head of the family made this request to Anne Marie.

“Of course, Uncle Zval. Currently, Maraine-san and Dafyyd-san have reservations, so I’ll prepare them in order, if you don’t mind.”

With a smile, Anne Marie accepted the request. From the conversation, it seemed that the elderly man was Margrave Zval Zabadak.

(Anne is amazing… It’s only been about an hour since they met, but she’s already firmly established herself as the cute granddaughter position…)

Watching Anne Marie chatting affectionately with the margrave while sitting comfortably in the kotatsu, Isamu marveled.

Glancing at Selfers, he noticed a similar expression.

“Could you lend me Orihime-chan’s divine object? This cuteness is unfair.”

“Naaaaa~”

“Of course, Uncle Lubinda. Once we return to the territory, I’ll arrange it immediately. Maraine-san, let’s discuss the production of the divine object later.”

Another elderly man, sitting shallowly in the kotatsu while gently stroking Orihime’s head on his lap, said.

This man was the third margrave, Lubinda Balsham.

(Orihime is amazing too… Just looking at this scene, it’s like a simple old man who loves cats is doting on his granddaughter. It’s a shame there are no tangerines.)

Just like with Anne Marie, Isamu was in awe of Orihime, who had quickly won over the margraves.

While maintaining a relaxed atmosphere, they discussed the true effects of Isamu’s ability skills, except for some parts, and seriously discussed foreseeable situations and confirmed what to do next.

When the conversation turned to security measures, Isamu decided to bring up something he had been curious about.

“Nazario-sama, when I visited His Excellency Chartreuse the other day, he set up something like this…”

Saying so, Isamu placed a small box-shaped object on the table.

“Hmm. Is this a magic eavesdropping device?… Oh, Auguste is the same as always.”

As soon as Nazario saw it, his face twisted in disgust.

“Is it true that this magic tool will self-destruct if you try to open it?”

“Yes, that’s right. The moment you try to open it, the inside burns out. The magic circle disappears completely. I tried various things, like dissolving it in water, but none of them worked.”

“Indeed, I thought so… I thought I could replicate it with my ability skills I mentioned earlier, but it seems it’s not that simple. But then, it’s a mystery how they’re mass-producing it…”

“I only have fragmentary information from captured enemy spies… It seems there’s a magic tool to make this magic tool. If that’s true, no one knows what’s inside.”

“I understand… That does seem like a plausible story. In the world I come from, it’s common to use magic tools to automatically manufacture magic tools.”

On Earth, it was common for robots to be involved in the manufacturing process. Even if a magic circle capable of drawing programs and algorithms was used in a magic tool, it wasn’t strange at all.

“However, it seems difficult to replicate it. You’ll have to capture the magic tool that makes this magic tool, or excavate something similar from the ruins in the rocky desert…”

“That’s right. Or perhaps if we find something similar in the ruins near the rocky desert. It’s just a rumor, but it seems that magic tool was also found in the ruins near the rocky desert.”

“I see… Thank you very much. I may visit the ruins again soon. I’ll count on you then.”

“Sure, you can come anytime. Isamu and Anne are practically like my grandchildren already.”

With that, Nazario laughed heartily.

“I’d like you to come to my territory too.”

“Yes, please come to my place soon.”

“And mine too.”

Both Margrave Lubinda Balsham and Count Eleonora Eriksen said with a laugh.

“Goodness. Aren’t you all just grandpas eagerly awaiting the arrival of your grandchildren?”

The only one who had already invited Isamu to his territory, Count Maraine Bisseling, said with a wry smile.

Thus, amidst the relaxed atmosphere, a new faction-like group centered around Isamu was born.

And among most of the nobles who were unaware of the discussions, only the fact that some of the kingdom’s most powerful nobles had sided with the Klaufeldt family spread with astonishment and awe.

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