I Got Caught Hunting Powerful Monsters in Secret Even Though I’m Just a Commoner, Which Led to Beautiful Girls From Noble and Royal Families to Come After Me - 66

Chapter 66: The Past

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Several days had passed. Selene-sama somehow became more reserved after I had seen her naked. 

However, while we were having breakfast together, she sent me seductive glances, just like she usually did. Indeed, letting my guard down was a big mistake. 

Today was the day for the meeting for the head of noble house to discuss what they should do with commoners and slaves alike. It seemed Keltz-sama wanted to propose a suggestion to allow commoners and slaves who could use magic to be eligible for having noble titles for more than a single generation. If the general consensus was in favor of Keltz-sama’s opinion, the spokesperson of the meeting would consolidate the opinions and give advice to the King accordingly. 

As of now, I was riding in the same carriage as Keltz-sama. Elena-sama, Luna-sama and Selene-sama were in another carriage, following us from behind. We were all donned in the uniform of the Central Magic School. 

As for Rina, Keltz-sama didn’t allow her to attend the meeting because he was afraid she might receive unwanted attention from the nobles there. It might have sounded subjective since I was her older brother, but Rina was truly beautiful. Since she was a commoner, haughty nobles like Bern would definitely try to take advantage of her. Indeed, nothing good would come out of it.

Keltz-sama must have already predicted that. He didn’t allow Rina to come out of consideration for us. However, that was not all. Keltz-sama had also prepared a maid and a carriage for Rina. He arranged for Rina to go to Mia-sama’s house. Rina should be on her way to Mia-sama’s place by now.

Mia-sama would surely watch over Rina for us. In fact, Rina often mentioned Mia-sama’s name while we were talking. Although Mia-sama could be a bit odd sometimes, but she was the little sister of Hannah-sama. Hannah-sama was highly capable; she served Keltz-sama as both his exclusive maid and secretary. Surely there would be no problem in entrusting Rina to Mia-sama. 

I sighed and Keltz-sama spoke up.

“Feeling nervous?”

Though he had a gentle expression on his face, but I could see a hint of agitation flickering in his eyes. 

“I’m fine. What about you, Keltz-sama?”

“Me?”

“Yes. You’re going to make a suggestion that could threaten the noble’s exclusive privilege in front of everyone… As a Duke, I believe you already know the risk.”

“Hahaha! You cheeky follow. You’re actually concerned about me rather than of yourself.”

“I apologize. I didn’t mean any offense.”

Keltz-sama, who had laughed heartily just now, sighed deeply. His expression turned somewhat dark as he gazed out the window. 

“Just like you said, the exclusive privileges they’ve desperately protected are on the verge of being destroyed. They are bound to resist with all their might. Having talented commoners and slaves to rise to position is a highly undesirable outcome for them.”

“…Indeed.”

“However, that kind of selfish mindset was the thing that led to the birth of an organization called Genesis. We’ve seen an example of what they could do. The Percy family is in ruin now.”

“….”

“That’s not all. This kingdom is on the decline because the kingdom won’t recognize people for their real talent. If no one doesn’t take action, it’s only a matter of time before we have a puppet government controlled solely by the nobles. I’m worried that the second Percy family will be born in the future.”

“That’s right…”

“And for that, I have to thank you, Kanato-kun.”

“Huh? Me?”

Surprised by his unexpected words, I tilted my head slightly. I asked him to continue with my eyes.

“You’ve given me courage.”

“Courage…”

“How about if I tell you something about Albert?”

Albert-sama was the father of Jeff-sama. Why did Keltz-sama suddenly bring Albert-sama up?

Seeing the curiosity on my face, Keltz-sama opened his mouth to reminisce about the past.

“In the past, Albert also advocated for granting titles to talented individuals among commoners and slaves. Because of that, Albert was completely ostracized by the upper-class noble society even though he was a count.”

“…”

I see. So that’s why…

“On the other side, Albert garnered strong support from commoners and slaves. His business continued to thrive until eventually, he became a threat to the royal family.”

“I see…”

That was how he became a nuisance in the eyes of the royal family. To be honest, he was pretty strange, like someone who had lost a couple of screws in his head. 

“The jealous noble, led by Henry from the Percy family, found fault in Albert and seized all of his property. A significant portion of Albert’s wealth ended up in the Percy family’s hands.”

“How cruel…”

“From then on, Albert became vengeful. He plotted to destroy not only the noble but the entire country itself. That’s when I met Albert. His wife was also killed by those conspiring nobles. I took Albert under my wings, along with Jeff, who was just a baby at that time.”

“….”

“Albert wanted to create a world where talented people would always be rewarded accordingly. At that time, he mobilized all of his connections for his revenge. If I hadn’t taken him under my shelter, this kingdom would have been soaked in blood already.”

Keltz-sama frowned, his face looked terribly sorrowful. But soon, he seemed to shake it off and returned to speak in his usual manner. 

“I comforted him and gave him the opportunity to rise again. I helped him gain his footing instead of destroying the country.”

“….”

“As a result, I was able to amass immense wealth thanks to Albert. Of course, Albert also acquired a fortune big enough to threaten the upper-class noble again, but he keeps everything under the rug. By the time I realized it, our dreams had become one. Both of us began to dream of a country where talented people could be properly rewarded for their achievement.”

This was my first time hearing about Keltz-sama and Albert-sama’s past. After hearing it, I felt like I could somehow understand him. 

Keltz-sama chuckled wryly before he continued on. 

“Maybe I’ve been running away from reality for  far too long. I’ve known for a long time that the nobles in this kingdom are disgusting. Just a bunch of corrupt politicians doing whatever they could to protect their own privileges. But still, when I heard Albert’s story, I was scared. I was afraid I would get caught up in it.”

“I think your reaction was justified. You were not at fault, Keltz-sama.”

“Fufu… Thank you, Kanato-kun. Anyway, the two of us have been running around all this time, accumulating power and then… I met you, Kanato-kun. I was convinced. With you, this country will change. Hence why I decided to start taking action. It’s all thanks to you.”

“No-No…. I haven’t done anything….”

“Really? Think back on everything you’ve done so far, Kanato-kun. Can you really say I exaggerated?”

“….”

“And to be able to become ally with the three most beautiful and intelligent women in this kingdom… Truly… The audacity! You’re truly audacious!”

“Huh?!”

Keltz-sama pointed his finger at me, seemingly agitated.

“Remember! There will be consequences if you make Elena sad!”

“…..”

“My daughter has to become your number one!!!”

“Wha-What are you talking about?!”

Keltz-sama’s sudden bizarre remark startled me, but then he chuckled. Caught up in the moment, I chuckled too. The mood in the carriage became peaceful again. 

Well, maybe ‘peaceful’ is not the right word.

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