Chapter 9 – Territory Lord Debut

Even receiving Randolph’s statement Deil didn’t particularly panic. Remains sullen.

“Hoh… first let me hear why you doubt my qualifications as territory lord?”

“Simple! You haven’t received proper education as a noble! Plus you’re distant from the two big countries! Further your mother is commoner and your magic power ain’t that great! Speaking of magic power alone that Armates there is way closer to territory lord!”

With Randolph’s words gazes gather on Armates. She sways her long orange hair with big ribbon while floating in air.

Armates is said to have the strongest magic power in current Grafald Autonomous Territory. Though young she’s learned several magics casually floating for movement.

Actually the magic to float in air is quite advanced. In Armates’s case only head height from floor and movement speed not much different from walking but still few can float with magic at all.

By always floating Armates probably advertises to surroundings “I’m an excellent magician.” Even at new territory lord unveiling still floating now.

“No one here accepts you as territory lord like this! A man just riding the misfortune of two brothers dying can’t handle territory lord!”

Randolph appeals his opinion as our consensus enlarging the subject. Hoping to draw agreeing opinions from us like this.

Extra stuff…! Don’t involve us arbitrarily…!

“What… basically just you don’t like it huh. Boring.”

“Wha…! Boring!? You call my claim boring!? You of all people!?”

Flowed several appeals as personal opinion huh.

But Randolph won’t be flowed easily? Come on new territory lord Deil how you gonna play…?

“I’m head of Turmakas house! My opinion represents those here and even Grafald house can’t ignore! You don’t get that!?”

“Enough I get what you wanna say. On that let me ask who you say is suitable as territory lord? That girl Armates there?”

Randolph earlier loudly demanded yield to more suitable as territory lord.

So who is that. Deil cuts into there.

“Armates is magic power only woman unsuitable for territory lord duties.”

With Randolph’s statement Armates sullenly narrows both eyes. Probably feeling considerable anger inside huh.

“Then who you envisioning?”

“Naturally me. I have Grafald house blood flowing and already handling head duties. Plus can handle diplomacy with big countries no problem. In current Grafald Autonomous Territory no one can handle territory lord better than me.”

Glances at us briefly.

Here expecting statements like “Yes Randolph-dono is suitable as territory lord!” or “We won’t support as territory lord unless Randolph-dono” but…

Naturally including me no one speaks. Wanted to see a bit further how Deil handles.

Armates just got sullen probably but me and Koltsman have some interest toward Deil still composed now.

(Randolph’s direct attack… how he gonna handle this?)

If Deil intends to continue as territory lord must堂々と collapse Randolph head-on.

But points Randolph pointed out have behind facts too.

Come on… what logic gonna jump out…?

“Huh… kuhaha… ha hahahahahahahahahahahaha!”

“!?”

Here Deil suddenly laughs loud. What… what’s this…?

“…Lost your mind?”

“Haha a-hahahaha! Nah thought you really give such grand laugh!”

We confuse at sudden smile from always sullen grumpy face.

From first impression didn’t think person who laughs like this…?

“Hoh… what about me so funny?”

“Obvious right. Guy who can’t even govern own town properly says suitable as Grafald Autonomous Territory top? If this ain’t laugh story what is? Huh?”

“Wha…”

Ah… previous Turmakas house head’s debt famous huh…

But that’s ultimately previous cause. Can’t say current Randolph related.

“Hmph… as expected don’t understand nothing huh. Our house’s debt is previous…”

“Ain’t talking about that.”

Deil roughens words points finger at Randolph.

“Got debt yet private army number fully stocked huh? Plus using Noucrates Holy Kingdom bribes for maintenance.”

“Ha…?”

“Instead of fixing previous debt with own hands let other country butt in and allow interference what are you? Noucrates Holy Kingdom ordered drag down new territory lord at this unveiling? Promised back you as territory lord?”

“…………!”

Randolph… that close with Noucrates Holy Kingdom…?

“D-don’t spout nonsense! Me connected with Noucrates Holy Kingdom…”

“You think I don’t know nothing huh aaah!? You already not Grafald Autonomous Territory noble but turned spy for Noucrates Holy Kingdom for money I grasped long ago!”

“…………!?”

Wind changed huh… other houses’ town situations didn’t pay that much attention but…

Apparently as territory lord properly eyed Turmakas house current state huh.

“If you wanna excuse dispatch investigation team and thoroughly check huh? How Turmakas house town with poor industry maintains private army. Money flow easy to trace if want? With territory lord authority plenty ways huh?”

“Wh-what…”

If Deil’s words true this big problem. Since big country interfering Grafald Autonomous Territory using Randolph.

Naturally can’t allow that. One who can allow can’t talk territory lord qualifications.

If this land tilts to one big country could connect to war between big countries… like before.

“You becoming territory lord equals becoming Noucrates Holy Kingdom vassal. Such you saying yourself suitable as territory lord sounds only like laugh story right?”

“Deil…! You bastard…!”

Randolph’s this reaction… apparently really connected with Noucrates Holy Kingdom huh…

I see… wondered why deliberately seed discord in Grafald Autonomous Territory at this timing… received such orders from Noucrates Holy Kingdom huh.

Conversely Randolph didn’t wanna accept Deil as territory lord that much huh. Well matched desire to become territory lord himself but…

“At this point strip noble status from Turmakas house. Reason head Randolph’s betrayal and inducing foreign aggression. Also those connected to Turmakas house bear head Randolph’s responsibility as indefinite labor slaves.”

Long serving Grafald house Turmakas house sudden noble status strip. Too extreme punishment we stop thinking.

But naturally Randolph won’t accept this.

“Don’t fuck with meeee! Commoner scum aaaah!”

Here Randolph’s whole body faintly glows. Advanced physical enhancement.

Intends to finish territory lord Deil here!? Bad if so big countries interference could full-scale…!

“DieeeEEEE!”

Randolph dashes straight at Deil.

But Deil stands calmly thrusts right hand forward… somehow in that hand grips splendid design white staff.

“Further head Randolph sentenced to death for that crime. …Magic Spear <Larvas>”

Magic wave bursts in venue. That wave emitted from Deil.

Before him five glowing spears appear… they shoot at Randolph with tremendous speed.

“Gahaa!?”

Five spears all pierce Randolph then poof vanish. Randolph collapses to floor spitting blood.

…No need to check already dead huh.

“Yare yare… noble house head supposed to support Grafald house like this huh… Sorry but can’t easily trust you remaining ones.”

Too instant. I have some magic recall but what activation speed… Never thought had magician talent…

Glance at Armates somehow she stopped floating. Her eyes toward Deil’s white staff.

(No matter Randolph betrayed… dispose so easily… Plus Turmakas house noble strip and remaining as slaves… I see. This new territory lord Deil’s way huh… …………Arrogant)

Venue dead silent. Amid that Deil sits back in chair showing no concern.

The white staff he held cleanly vanished.

“Oi clean up that corpse there. …Well sideshow enough here. Let’s continue. Tell me your names.”

Deil already not caring about Randolph’s uproar.

And with his statement recall we were asked names.