Volume 2 Chapter 40: I Will Kill You【The Aristocratic Council Arc】

I was inside a stately building.

Unlike the Noble Council’s chamber, it wasn’t decorated with unnecessary, ostentatious trimmings; it was simple yet retained a dignified elegance.

In this royal capital, only a select few can own a building of this caliber.

Only those court nobles wielding immense power—the elite—are granted such a privilege.

…Well, that very person was sitting right in front of me.

“I appreciate you accepting my invitation. Since it was such a last-minute call, I wouldn’t have minded if you’d declined.”

Resk, one of the Four Great Nobles.

With his composed manner and measured tone, he truly embodied nobility—far beyond the explosive Kelphine.

Well, if Kelphine weren’t so prone to blowing his top, he’d probably be an ordinary noble too.

“No, since you so kindly invited me, I’d be honored to take part.”

Huh, you didn’t see it as a problem?

I gave a polite smile, though I was utterly astonished.

Izun had informed me that Resk wanted to meet with me, which is why I rushed over.

Well, you should have mentioned it earlier. He didn’t show up.

Spare me all the details next time. You really don’t hold anything back, do you?

After Kelphine, I can’t afford to make another one of the Four Great Nobles my enemy. Enough already.

“Aren’t you planning to return to your lands? Unlike us, you have a place where someone is waiting for you.”

No, I was planning to stick around a bit longer for some fun.

I just wasn’t in the mood to work.

“Now then, I know you’re busy, so I won’t waste your time with idle chatter. I invited you because I want to recruit you into my faction.”

“Recruitment…”

Nuaaahhhh!

This is an absolute pain, geez!

Factional strife is one of the things I despise most.

If they’re just bickering among themselves, I couldn’t care less.

I can only snort at it.

The irritating part about factional squabbles is that you’re forced to pick a side.

If you don’t, you end up like a neutral crow, attacked from both sides.

But if you join one, you lose the luxury of remaining an onlooker and become embroiled in the fray.

Ugh, no way—I really don’t want that.

“You might already know, but my faction is with the reformists. Meanwhile, Kelphine and Yoldak are conservatives.”

I couldn’t care less about the capital’s factional disputes!

They keep on fighting behind my back without me even knowing, so be it.

“Then does that mean you, Resk-sama, are the only one among the reformists?”

“Well, for the record, Silthia is also with the reformists—but she isn’t one in the true sense; she’s in it just because she finds change intriguing.”

Ah, that woman…

She’s the type to get her hopes up only to end up disappointed.

So, she’s with the reformists too, huh?

Although she didn’t seem particularly subdued.

“But I am different. This country, left as it is, will never improve—it’s steadily heading for ruin. Major reform is necessary.”

Yeah…

Do what you like, I suppose.

But make sure it doesn’t cause me any trouble.

“What kind of reform do you mean?”

“I’ll explain it only to you; I believe that unless you approach with sincerity, you aren’t qualified for recruitment.”

Huh? Are you going to spill something you shouldn’t if I ask?

『Is this one of those “you know too much” scenarios?』

I trembled at Nanashi’s telepathic message.

I don’t want any of that!

“I want to abolish the Noble Council.”

“The Noble Council…”

Resk, his face set in strong resolve, uttered something outrageous.

Is that something a senior member of the Noble Council would say?

In the first place, such an idea would never be tolerated by the court nobles.

If it were up to me, I’d definitely turn it down.

After all, wielding strong power makes life so much easier.

“The Noble Council, which controls every aspect of this country—sure, it might have worked in the old days. But over time, it’s degenerated into a massive, grotesque monopoly.”

“You wish.”

No, precisely because of that, I plan to reform it.

Stop it!

If you push for such radical change, the opposing forces will only grow, and it’ll turn into a huge conflict!

“Nowadays, discussions only follow the wishes of the Four Great Nobles. The idea that just four people decide the fate of the country is absurd. If incompetence prevails, the country is doomed. That’s why this system must be reformed.”

“So, why me then…?”

Now that I’ve heard this, I have to do something…

N-no! I’ll somehow manage to escape!

There’s absolutely no benefit to getting involved!

“To kill your family for the sake of the people—that’s something no half-hearted resolve or feeble spirit can manage. Unless you already harbored hatred, which doesn’t seem to be the case with you.”

He glared at me with sharply narrowed eyes.

No, I despised him.

I even felt lucky when the rebellion broke out, as it gave me the perfect pretext to crush them.

“Besides, the maid you employ—she has a 【Cursed Child】, doesn’t she?”

“Yes, well…”

“A 【Cursed Child】 brings nothing but misfortune. No normal person would ever want one close—not even I would. It’s precisely because you aren’t bound by such conventional thinking that I want you to join me.”

Huh?

Because I’m special?

Yeah, yeah—I get it, this old man.

“…I can’t answer that so easily.”

That said, if you’re asking whether I’d side with Resk, my answer is a resounding no.

In the first place, I don’t take anyone’s side.

I stand only with myself.

“Of course. Time is limited, but there’s no rush. Think it over.”

I wasn’t about to give it another thought.

I got up with a wry smile and left Resk’s mansion.

“I hold you in high regard. If you decide to join the Resk faction, you will be welcomed with open arms.”

◆

After my meeting with Resk, I went straight to see another one of the Four Great Nobles.

It was Silthia, who, like Resk, belongs to the reformists.

…Why must you always torment me like this?

“Hey, isn’t something really interesting happening right now?”

“What?”

Without warning, Silthia grinned mischievously as she asked. There’s nothing interesting happening.

My mood is always in the dumps.

“You don’t have to play dumb. I make sure I don’t miss a thing,” she declared, winking at me. It was totally her style, but all I could do was scrunch up my face.

“That means you’re scattering spies all over the place, right? Phew—I’m glad I didn’t let any badmouthing slip out.”

In my heart, I was tearing her to pieces, but since I kept it to myself, I’m safe.

“I heard you almost got killed?”

“Yeah, sort of.”

She casually asks things that anyone would find awkward. That’s just her style.

“Do you know who the mastermind is? If not, shall I tell you?”

“No, it’s Kelphine-sama, isn’t it?”

“Oh, you knew? I’m disappointed I won’t get to see you look surprised or desperate.”

She pouted slightly.

Izun might pull that off, but you really should stop, Silthia-san—given your age…

“But you know Kelphine set it all up, yet you act so nonchalant. What’s that about?”

She fixed her gaze on me, as if scrutinizing me. “Hmm? Do you have a problem?”

“The Four Great Nobles—well, I shouldn’t even say it, but they wield immense power in this country. Even Kelphine alone could easily bring a provincial noble like you to his knees.”

I know that all too well. That’s why, to avoid being further despised by the Four Great Nobles, I came to see Silthia after Resk.

Really, Izun… always dragging in unnecessary extras. Maybe I should just get rid of them.

“And it’s not just you. All the people in the Apophis territory will suffer—heavy taxes, conscription… and maybe even dissolution.”

But I won’t suffer. If I don’t, then what’s the big deal?

“So, why are you so nonchalant about all this?”

She stared at me as if trying to size me up. So calm, so collected…

“Maybe because you might get some help?”

“Huh?”

Silthia frowned, looking puzzled—or perhaps even a bit displeased.

“You think I’d help you? Sure, I might have a modicum of interest, but I owe you nothing. Do you even understand what it means for the Four Great Nobles to be at odds with each other?”

“But you don’t let convention hold you back when it’s fun, do you?”

“…Can I really offer you something that thrilling?”

Silthia is probably bored—so bored, in fact, that she craves excitement.

She longs for it, just like a starving person.

When food is dangled in front of her, she pounces immediately.

Silthia is simply holding back.

So if you present her with the finest bait, she’s bound to take the offer. You despicable bastard. Shame on you.

I’ll offer you the ultimate bait that you, Silthia, crave so desperately.

“I’m going to kill Kelphine.”

“……Huh?”

Her mouth fell open—a look so devoid of dignity that you’d never expect from one of the Four Great Nobles.

There was a long silence. Then, at last, Silthia finally spoke to confirm.

“You, a mere provincial noble?”

“I’m going to kill him.”

“—One of the Four Great Nobles who run this kingdom?”

“I’m going to kill him.”

I answered briefly. Well, it won’t be me doing the killing, though.

I definitely don’t want to do it myself—it’s dangerous, and I don’t fancy being a murderer.

I might be okay with him dying, but I’m not the type to actually kill someone.

“Do you have any idea what kind of repercussions that will bring? You’ll be hated and hunted for life by everyone in Kelphine’s pocket!”

“I’m going to kill him.”

Besides, I never let anyone who targets my life live. If I let someone off once, they’ll surely do it again.

Just wait until they come back for revenge when you least expect it—and that would be the worst.

That’s why I’ll cut it off completely this time—by someone else!

“Hah… ahahahahahahahaha!”

Silthia burst into genuine laughter, clutching her stomach.

What the hell are you laughing at? I’m gonna kick your ass!

“Ahaha, haha! My, my stomach hurts…! There’s no way someone like you could ever pull off something so monumental!”

…………

She’s added to my list of people I’ll get back at. I won’t forgive anyone who dares underestimate me.

Even as I fumed inside, Silthia—who’d been laughing until tears welled in her eyes—suddenly lifted her face and gave a smile that wasn’t a sneer.

“But it’s fascinating.”