Volume 1 Chapter 17: Let the Rebellion Die!

“Zzz…”

Leaning my cheek against the study desk, I indulged in a lazy nap.

Napping in the study feels so much better than sleeping in the bedroom.

After all, perhaps it’s because this is meant to be a place for work?

The bliss of sleeping in a place where one is not meant to sleep is irresistible.

Mmm, it’s irresistible.

At that moment, there came a “knock-knock” at the door.

“Balor-sama, Ashvin here”

“Ah, come in.”

“Quick on the switch, aren’t you, master?”

Nanashi, who was also dozing (“Zzz…”), suddenly interjected. She had drool marks on her.

Although I was somewhat irritated by the disturbance of my lazy nap, I never expected Ashvin to catch me napping.

In an instant, I picked up a pen and glanced over some documents.

“Oh, you were in the middle of work. I apologize for the disturbance.”

“Don’t worry about it. You need a little break every now and then.”

“You were slacking off and sleeping just a moment ago, weren’t you?”

Unbeknownst to Ashvin, my words turned out to be the truth… Ashvin and I exchanged a smile.

“So, what’s the matter?”

“Yes, it’s about the one who came the other day…”

“Ah, Marcel’s…”

I was reminded of the man who had come to this mansion the other day and made a ruckus.

Really… a guy who can’t even follow the rules, arrogantly forcing his own opinions…!

Even though I am diligently performing my duties as lord and searching for someone capable of managing the domain with just the right amount of leniency, Ashvin informed me that he wasn’t an ordinary subject at all; he was backed by Marcel.

If that were the case, I wouldn’t need to trouble myself with politeness. Anyway, Marcel’s side would oppose me no matter what I did.

I don’t have a single moment to spare for such people. Sleeping is far more productive.

“But they must have gone back satisfied, right?”

I heard that, even without my intervention, Ashvin managed it well… In fact, the commotion died down almost immediately.

…Well, I wasn’t entirely sure since I was still napping.

When I woke up, I found Nanashi snoring (“Zzz…”) alarmingly close, and it freaked me out.

You got drool on you, you bastard.

“Yes. But it appears that they’ve gone missing…”

Why?

I widened my eyes in shock at such a report.

Why, after coming to my mansion, would they suddenly vanish?

“Because of that, Marcel-sama claimed it was Balor-sama’s doing and started an uprising.”

“Why!?”

This time, I couldn’t hold back any longer and blurted it out. I mean, of course I’m freaked out!

This is total chaos! It’s one thing for someone to vanish on their own, but for Marcel to immediately blame it on me and incite a rebellion—that’s just typical Marcel.

“You…!

You’re taking the rebellion way too lightly…!

Without a doubt, the mastermind behind the rebellion should be executed! ……Well, whatever.

It wasn’t me anyway.

“But we are already addressing the matter immediately. Artemis and her team are commanding our private troops, and the number of rebels is not that high.” “Y-yes…”

…Isn’t that response a bit too swift? Ashvin, aren’t you exceptionally competent?

Well, I am grateful. It’s an enormous help.

…But, somehow… hmm. I have this vague, unsettled feeling. It’s as if they had anticipated this outcome and responded with such speed. ……Well, Marcel and I were on shockingly bad terms, so I suppose it was predictable.

But let the rebellion die.

“In the first place, nearly all of the subjects in the Apophis territory support Balor-sama. If we can round up those siding with Marcel here, Balor-sama’s position will be rock solid.” “Y-yes…”

It’s frightening how they care about me more than I do. But since I ingratiate myself with the subjects to an extreme degree, it’s only natural that I’m more popular than Marcel, who bullies them.

I puff out my chest.

“…Sigh.”
“Oh, Nanashi, is something wrong?”
“No, nothing.”

Nanashi sighed. While telling Ashvin that nothing was amiss, she gave me a look as if to say, “This guy doesn’t understand a thing.”

Stop it. I am a wise sage who knows everything.

“There is not the slightest chance that we will be defeated, but as Balor-sama’s guard, one of the maids will be assigned to him at all times. I apologize if it feels confining.”
“Understood.”

A maid as a guard? That’s kind of odd. I mean, are you all really that strong as to protect me?

A human shield when push comes to shove? If that’s the case, I’ll gratefully accept it.

Well, rest assured. Nanashi will be the first to act as a shield.

“‘Afterwards, using the master as a shield, all the remaining assets will be mine…’”

Will you refrain from planning my slaughter? And anyway, stop having the shield use the master as a shield.

A cursed piece of equipment, I suppose.

“But for Marcel to take such a short-sighted action… it’s disappointing.”

I made a melancholy face and sighed. Of course, I didn’t really mean that at all.

That idiot is short-sighted, and it’s not disappointing in the least. If I were to show that I don’t wish to fight my younger brother, I’d become a tragic lord.

It’s far worse for a lord to gleefully plot the murder of his younger brother.

“Balor-sama, but…”
“Ah, I understand. I cannot entrust the territory… or the subjects to him.”

In short, I cannot let him have my assets. Even if I were to step down as lord, the property would remain mine.

“Let’s win this battle.”
“Yes!”

When I said that, Ashvin nodded vigorously. After all, Marcel had been a thorn in my side.

When there is someone who carries the blood of the previous lord—even if he does not desire it—others might rally against Balor. In that case, completely severing ties here wouldn’t be a bad idea.

I won’t be the one to start it, though. War is terrifying.

“‘Hmm, this master of mine…’”

And so, with everything in motion, the war for the lordship of the Apophis territory began.