Volume 2 Chapter 25: Gek 【The Aristocratic Council Arc】

The carriage rocks lightly with a rattling sound.
It’s a bit better since the road is somewhat paved, but if it were a beast trail, it would have been a real nightmare.
My ass must have been dead.
Well, if it had been that kind of road, I’d definitely never go to the Noble Council.
Moreover, I had the carriage upgraded to one that minimizes vibrations.
Of course, that was funded by taxes and powered by my subjects.
The people of the Apophis territory are lucky to have their tax money spent on my transportation.

“Why did you drag me along, Master? How dare you bring me to such a dangerous place…”

Even without a change in expression, Nanashi’s deep dissatisfaction is palpable.
This one, who was all set on staying holed up, is now visibly irritated at being dragged out by me.
Who are you, anyway, to be so determined to let me charge into such a dangerous place all by myself?

“Besides, what about managing the mansion while you’re away? Without my superb housekeeping skills, everything would fall apart.”

That’s a pretty conceited comment, but surprisingly it isn’t wrong, which really gets on my nerves.
She might be as unpleasant as sludge, but her housekeeping skills are first-rate.
She’d make a fine maid anywhere.
The mansion’s management is taken care of with Ashvin staying on.
It might be a bit more relaxed than when I’m with you, but it’ll be fine for a short while.

“For starters, the other maids should be doing a proper job at housekeeping too.”

That’s true.
For once, our opinions actually match.
Since I don’t really want to waste tax money, I’ve kept the number of servants low.
And for some reason, the servants who gather around me aren’t typical servants…
They’re a bunch of maids who can’t actually handle household chores.
It’s strange…
Once the perfect parasite appears, I’ll fire them all—Nanashi included.

“C-collateral damage…”

No, that’s not really it…
At that moment, I remember something about the maids I’ve employed.
Ashvin, who is second only to Nanashi in housekeeping, is staying behind.
However, the fact that Nanashi is the only one serving as a human shield is unsettling.
I need to have a backup ready.

“It seems you only view us as decoys for emergencies, Master, and that’s pretty harsh.”

Hehe, I’m getting flustered.
Artemis, with her constant shrill racket, is a no-go.
The other “that one” probably won’t listen to me properly, so she’s out.
Thus, the maid selected by elimination was…

“Whoa, you’re so fast, Balor-dono!”

Izun, her eyes sparkling, looked out of the carriage.
She’s also one of the maids in my service.
Her bob cut barely reaches her shoulders.
Her expressions are constantly changing.
While Ashvin has a gentle demeanor, Izun is vivacious.
She’s as curious as an exuberant child.
Most striking is her pure white hair.
Not like Ashvin’s lustrous silver hair, but rather hair that is as translucent as glass.
Her skin is as pale as if it had never seen the sun.
It looks as if her veins might be visible.
And then, her bright red eyes.
They’re as red as blood.
Apparently, she’s called an albino, and like others of her kind, her unusual appearance meant she was ostracized by the typical kingdom citizens.
…Are these the only types of people around me?
No, it’s not really a problem.
As long as they’re useful to me, I don’t mind any race or appearance.
But calling me “Balor-dono”…
Normally you’d say “Balor-sama,” wouldn’t you?
I can’t let that slide!

“You really have such a small capacity, Master.”

If anything, it’s almost too big.

“It’s been ages since we’ve been out! And with Balor-dono coming along, I’m super excited!” 

“Haha. Just don’t get too excited and do something on your own, alright?”

I chuckle at Izun’s slightly quirky way of speaking.
It would be a disaster if my human shield acted on her own and ended up straying away when things go south.
Don’t go off doing your own thing.

“Isn’t the worst part your head, Master?”

To think that I possess the greatest intellect in human history…

“Yeah! Of course, I’ll never leave Balor-dono. We’re together, always.”

Uh… always is a bit much…

She comes closer and clings tightly to me.

Just like an attached little rabbit.

“Whoa, whoa…”

Izun had been nodding along to my words, but once we entered the capital, she became utterly fixated on the cityscape visible from the carriage.

As expected of the capital, its development outshines the rest of the kingdom.

It might be a novelty, but… weren’t you born in the capital?

It’s nothing extraordinary.

“…Once our business is finished, shall we take a little tour of the capital?”

Despite thinking otherwise, I proposed it to Izun.

“Sounds great!?”

“Sure.”

I smile at Izun, whose red eyes gleam with excitement.

It’s the perfect excuse to skip work.

Now that we’re this far in, I have no desire to head back.

I don’t want to work.

By giving in to Izun’s request, my selfish decision to stay in the capital is justified.

Heh, perfect.

“Thank you! I love you, Balor-dono!”

“Hahaha.”

Stop clinging to me—it’s too warm and suffocating.

Izun’s affection is quite intense.

It might have something to do with the past, but I’m not interested—just cut me some slack.

With that thought in mind, I make my way toward the Noble Council.

◆

The Noble Council is located right next to the royal castle.

They must really want to emphasize its importance to this kingdom.

Such self-aggrandizement is irritating.

“Will there be any time to spare?”

“This time, not all court nobles are required to attend—only those who wish to participate will do so, so we won’t be kept waiting. Besides, the date was set by them.”

When making a crucial decision for the nation, all court nobles are normally required to attend and vote.

But in cases like this… so to speak, if the goal is to bully the landowning nobles, attendance isn’t mandatory; only those who want to participate show up, unleashing a torrent of insults.

Well, if they try that on me, I won’t forgive them.

I’ll make them see hell.

While mulling over such thoughts and walking down the long, wide corridor…

“Ugh.”

A small sound escapes.

The problem is the one who had been walking ahead.

Kelphine.

One of the highest-ranking court nobles—the foremost among the four great nobles—was approaching.