Chapter 48

Although I had put on a brave face for my father and said I could handle it, I couldn’t come up with anything in the past week.

It’s not easy to come up with a strategy to counter the prime minister, but my head refuses to work as if it’s rejecting the idea of thinking.

In the end, I ended up coming to fish with Vine as a way to escape reality.

“Is something wrong?”

“Do I look like something’s wrong?”

“You do, it’s the same atmosphere as Iris.”

Ah, that’s a serious injury.

Iris and I both had a terrible summer vacation.

The thought of the prime minister coming to our territory made my stomach hurt.

On a day like this, the fish are biting well.

“There they are again.”

“Again? This is the fifth one.”

Why is that? I don’t remember my fishing skills improving this much.

Maybe my head is so full of worries that the fish can see my lack of intention?

I don’t have the slightest desire to catch these fish!

Maybe they think they can get food for free! “Alright, let’s eat!” and they let their guard down.

“There they are again.”

“Again?”

I overwhelmed the wild boy Vine.

What’s going on? Lately, I’ve been beating strong opponents one after another.

I must be lucky!

Still, I can’t get excited and shout “Woo-hoo!”

I don’t usually shout “Woo-hoo” anyway.

I came fishing to escape reality, but in the end, my mood didn’t improve.

I caught ten fish.

Then, the day that would decide our fate arrived.

My father and I both felt terrible, with stomachaches from the morning.

I didn’t want to trouble Vine and Iris, so I had them go to town, away from the mansion.

“They’ve arrived.”

The words from the servant sounded like a death sentence to us.

Then, they finally appeared in the parlor of the mansion.

First to appear was a man I had never seen before, but I assumed it was the prime minister, Eyan Doville.

He had a slender build and neatly styled black hair.

His eyes were sharp, very similar to Eliza’s. They must be father and daughter.

His beard was well-groomed, and his long, slender hands and legs made him a charming, dapper gentleman.

Following him, Calek Maal entered, completely different from the last time.

Unlike his arrogant attitude from before, today he was cheerful, rubbing his hands together.

He’s brown-nosing, brown-nosing! The atmosphere has changed, but his face hasn’t. He’s still as ugly as ever.

“Welcome, please take a seat.”

Before my father finished speaking, both of them had already plopped down on the sofa.

Eliza’s father, though he had a grand attitude, had graceful gestures and didn’t give off an unpleasant vibe.

On the other hand, Calek, being cheerful today, didn’t seem unpleasant either.

“Terral Heran, we’ve met a few times over the years, but this is the first time we’ve spoken since your time at the academy, isn’t it?”

“Yes, since my time at the academy. Apart from that, I’ve only had brief encounters with you in the capital.”

My father was completely overwhelmed by the atmosphere.

He had completely given up control.

I, too, was overwhelmed and couldn’t even speak. The outcome might already be decided.

If this continues, we’ll just be at their mercy.

“Still, the recent development of the Heran territory is impressive. Terral, you’re an excellent lord. You’re a model lord. I’d like to show all the lords in the country your work.”

“No, I haven’t done anything. If anything, it’s my son’s efforts that have led to the development. If you want to praise someone, it should be my son.”

“Ah? Is the one next to you your son, Kurri?”

“Yes, I’m Kurri Heran.”

Caught off guard by being called out, I hastily introduced myself.

Then, the gaze fell upon me.

It seems I’m being evaluated by Eyan Doville.

If this changes anything, feel free to look as much as you want.

But if it doesn’t, stop! My stomach really hurts!

“Kurri, a classmate of our Eliza... Yes, I’ve heard a lot about you.”

Heard a lot... Ah, this means I’m dead.

Heard from Eliza.

I see. You’ve heard about this and that, too?

Yes, it’s over. The Heran family is doomed to fall today!!

“Senior, let’s get to the main topic.”

Calek interjected from the side.

Damn, I’ll take this guy down with me.

That’s how I felt.

“Right, I’m not exactly free either. I’d like to soak in a hot spring, but I still have work to do in the capital. Let’s get this over with quickly.”

“Quickly?”

My father and I swallowed hard.

It’s okay, if we lose our lordship, I’ll support my family as a blacksmith.

I tried to maintain my composure by thinking about that.

“You seem to have laid hands on my dear junior, Calek, the other day.”

“Yes, I deeply regret that. I’m very sorry!”

Without a pause, my father answered and bowed.

I followed suit and bowed.

“Violence is not acceptable. We’re grown men, and it’s more mature to resolve things through conversation. We can’t stay in a student mindset forever.”

“Yes, that’s true.”

“Student days were good. We could settle things with our fists, but now we’re both in positions of status. It’s a complicated situation. If we resort to violence, it might not just be a personal matter. If you understand my point, apologize to Calek and pay for his medical expenses.”

“Yes. Calek, I’m very sorry for what happened the other day. My son and I both deeply regret it. We will pay for your medical expenses, so please forgive us.”

“Ha, it’s fine. It was just a minor punch. I didn’t expect you to react that way.”

Calek, with the lion at his side, was shamelessly bold.

He’s a really unpleasant person, but for now, I have to bow my head.

Reluctantly, I bowed and apologized.

I don’t think this will change anything, but there’s nothing else I can do.

It’s what the prime minister ordered.

“Terral has apologized, so Calek, is that enough?”

“Yes, of course. You’re always reliable, Senior.”

Calek rubbed his hands together.

At this rate, his fingerprints will disappear.

“Alright! That’s it. Let’s go, Calek!” The prime minister clapped his hands and stood up energetically.

He seemed as light on his feet as he looked.

Wait a minute...

“““What!?”””

All three of us—Calek, Terral, and Kurri—spoke in unison.

The shock was the same for all of us. Each of us shouted out loud.

And the question was the same.

For me, the question was, why is it over already!?

The other two probably felt the same.

As evidence, Calek started to protest first.

“Senior! What do you mean it’s over? Is the meeting over?”

“Yes, it’s over. Let’s go.”

“Why! The discussion is just beginning! If you leave now, what was the point of calling you here?”

“I’ve already received an apology from Terral. That’s enough, isn’t it?”

“No, it’s not enough! I don’t care about apologies. I have no interest in honor or such things. What I’m interested in is...”

Calek stopped speaking.

Eyan Doville’s aura had clearly changed.

The anger he emitted enveloped the room.

As expected of someone who has risen to the position of prime minister, he had a presence that could instantly control the atmosphere.

None of us could move.

“Consider my position as well.”

Eyan Doville said this as he was leaving.

In response, Calek said:

“Your position! Who in this country can tell you what to do? The king?”

“No, someone higher.”

He turned and pointed with his index finger.

Eyan Doville had the most serious expression of the day, and Calek stopped resisting upon seeing it.

The prime minister, with his long, elegant legs, left the parlor, escorted by a servant.

Calek also left the parlor, following behind.

As he passed the door, he glanced back and clicked his tongue.

The storm had passed, and my father and I stood in the room.

We looked at each other, and a laugh bubbled up.

We couldn’t quite process what had happened.

But the storm had definitely passed.

“Shall we go see them off?”

I agreed with my father’s suggestion and left the mansion.

When we stepped outside, the prime minister’s and Calek’s carriage had already driven away, barely visible in the distance.

It seems we had stood there longer than we thought.

“They’re gone.”

“Yes.”

“Is the Heran territory safe?”

“I think so.”

“Kurri, can your father go to the hot springs? I feel sore all over.”

“Of course, you can.”

After seeing off my father’s carriage, my heart finally settled.

As I was about to return to the mansion, I saw a familiar figure appear from the garden.

Her long, elegant hair.

Her eyes, usually strict but cute when she smiles.

The usually calm girl was waving at me, which was rare.

“Eliza.”

“It’s been a while.”