Chapter 45

I regret not having described the dishes before.

Bartholo's child was born.

The news was brought to all the nobles of the Rosais Kingdom.

"Hey! Lord Almus! I'm glad you could make it! And Lord Tetra too!"

"Yes, congratulations today. This is a celebratory drink."

I pointed to the three barrels of alcohol loaded on the carriage.

Rong and Rozward, who came as my guards, gave instructions to the servants to unload them.

"Wow! Alcohol, huh? I like it, I really do."

"Please don't drink too much. It's quite strong."

I gave a warning just in case.

If you drink it like the wine you usually drink, you'll regret it.

"You! Why don't you try to avoid alcohol on a day like this?"

A woman called out to Bartholo, holding a small baby in her hands.

She was probably Bartholo's wife.

"What are you talking about? Today is the day to drink, isn't it?"

The two of them started arguing.

Still, the lady is young. Or rather, she's a girl.

She might even be younger than Tetra.

Bartholo is in his early thirties, right? What a lolicon bastard.

"Are you Lord Almus? My husband is always grateful to you."

"No, no, it's my pleasure. I always receive help from Lord Bartholo..."

Thinking about it calmly, I haven't really received that much help, but it's better not to say it.

"Is this the child?"

Tetra looked at the baby the woman was holding and asked.

"Yes, it is. Would you like to hold her? She's a girl."

Tetra nodded slightly in response.

Tetra held the baby as if it were a precious and fragile object.

After holding her for a while, Tetra seemed satisfied and returned the baby to the woman.

"Then let's meet later. Drink and eat as much as you like."

Bartholo said and went to another noble.

"Hey, Almus. Do you prefer a boy first?"

"Either is fine. It's not like a girl can't inherit the family name."

In the Adelnia Peninsula, inheritance is traditionally male, but there are jobs like sorcerers that only women can do, so women's status isn't that low.

It's just more difficult.

Especially in a large inheritance issue like the Rosais Kingdom, female inheritance can cause various problems.

"But a boy would cause fewer problems... Do you prefer that?"

"Well, I don't like trouble. How about a boy first, then a girl?"

I don't want to favor one gender. All boys or all girls...

By the way, the factor for gender is on the male side, right?

Well, it's fine for now.

There are no signs of pregnancy yet.

"Let's start with the banquet."

"Do you understand the purpose of today?"

"I do. To make as many friends as possible. Right? I've already memorized the names of those who seemed to have a good impression of me at the last wedding. I'm fine."

Incidentally, they were all anti-Dibel and pro-Rosais.

It seems I will inevitably have to fight the Dibel family.

Fights are troublesome...

"Let's try not to antagonize Rigar Dibel. He's our neighbor, after all."

"That's good. We don't have any reason to fight."

Well, for now...

"Shall we eat and drink?"

The banquet began.

If I had to give one impression...

There's no etiquette here.

High-ranking nobles drink their alcohol in large gulps, wipe their hands on their clothes, make a lot of noise, and talk with their mouths full.

Well, since there are no spoons or forks and eating with your hands is the norm, it's understandable.

"But wiping your hands on your clothes is not acceptable."

"We'll use handkerchiefs."

We brought a lot of handkerchiefs.

But it's really inconvenient without utensils. Can we somehow spread their use?

"I think the leader is overthinking it."

"Yeah, yeah."

Rong and Rozward... Well, if it doesn't bother them, it's fine.

The others are the same.

"Lord Almus!! Can you tell us the story of when you defeated King Ferm?"

"Sure, I don't mind."

This is the fifth time.

The nobles of the Rosais Kingdom seem to have been severely beaten by King Ferm, and everyone wants to hear about his death.

I don't mind telling the story, but... I'm getting tired of telling the same thing over and over.

Is this really how we deepen our bonds?

And there's another problem.

"Lord Almus. Actually, my daughter wants to hear your story. Could you tell her?"

"Lord Almus!!"

It seems I'm in the season of popularity.

There are three possible reasons.

One, I don't have a wife other than Tetra.

Two, Tetra hasn't given birth to a male heir yet.

Three, I don't have any noble relatives.

So now, if someone can become my relative, they can gain a significant advantage.

Especially the nobles who failed to get close to the Dibel family are desperate.

It's fine to tell them stories...

But marriage, no.

I just got married to Tetra, and I can't take a second wife right away. It's not something that can be undone.

The nobles trying to get close to me don't have much power.

Well, when young women get too close to me, Tetra glares at them and makes them leave, so it's fine...

"Be a bit more friendly."

"It's not a problem. Such a small noble, just get rid of them. Besides, I don't oppose you taking a second wife. Just make sure it's from a powerful family."

A second wife is fine...

As always, she's so indifferent.

Personally, I'd be happier if she was a bit more jealous.

As I was thinking this, the surroundings became a bit hectic.

"Huh? What's going on?"

"Oh... It seems Rigar Dibel has arrived."

The nobles who had been trying to get close to me visibly lowered their spirits.

Do they hate him that much?

Rigar Dibel pushed his way through the crowd.

He was a head taller than me and muscular.

He was in his late thirties.

He was followed by a long line of people, probably the nobles under his influence.

"Lord Almus As, it's been a while. Since the wedding. Lady Tetra is as beautiful as ever."

"Yes, it's good to see you, Lord Rigar."

The surrounding eyes focused on Rigar Dibel and me.

"Let's support this country together."

"Of course, I rely on you in times of need."

Rigar Dibel extended his hand.

I took it and shook it firmly.

As soon as the handshake was over, he quickly left.

I'm glad he didn't mention the crystal decoration...

"He's so annoying, bringing all those followers..."

"Ha ha ha."

I brushed it off.

"Hey, Leader. Did you notice they were sending us killing intent?"

"Of course. I noticed that much. And I noticed that you guys were sending back killing intent, scaring them off."

"Because they seem to be hostile towards you..."

I don't want to compete with them.

Fights are troublesome. I'd rather have a peaceful relationship.

As I was lecturing Rong and Rozward, the venue became noisy again.

That's...

"The royal family of Rosais...?"

Yuria and the royal family of Rosais arrived.

Bartholo may not be a major noble, but... Well, given his achievements, it's natural for them to come.

First, Yuria called out to Bartholo.

Even though Bartholo was drunk on brandy, he straightened his back when Yuria arrived.

He can do it when he tries.

After finishing talking with Bartholo, Yuria walked straight to me.

"Good evening, Lord Almus As."

"Yes, good evening. Princess Yuria."

As I replied, Yuria extended her hand.

I took it and shook it.

"Please continue to take care of me."

Yuria left my side and walked to Rigar Dibel.

"Hmm."

A letter was left in my hand.

"Has Rigar been glaring at me since just now? Maybe the crystal incident has been exposed..."

"No. He's angry because Yuria greeted you first."

Tetra shook her head in denial.

I see.

Of course, the host Bartholo should be greeted first, but who to greet second is important.

"Hello. Are you Lord Almus?"

A large man called out to me.

Uh... This person is...

"Raimond Rosais. Yuria's uncle."

Tetra whispered in my ear.

Right, Raimond. I remember.

He was at the wedding.

"Yes, that's me. It's been a while."

I shook hands with him.

Raimond was smiling.

Good, it seems he didn't notice that I didn't recognize him. Phew, phew.

"Would you like to talk a bit over there?"

"Sure, I don't mind."

The two of us moved away from the banquet hall.

"This alcohol is very strong. The usual alcohol is not satisfying... Could you sell it to me?"

"Sure. Payment can be in wheat, salt, or Kirisia currency."

"Yes, I understand. My territory has a large salt mine. The salt produced here is of high quality..."

We started making small talk.

Specifically, about the specialties of our territories and responses to trials.

It's appreciated, but... Did they call me here just to talk about this?

As I was thinking this, Raimond suddenly spoke.

"Lord Almus, you know that King Rosais' life is almost over, right?"

"Yes, I've heard he's ill..."

Honestly, I can't believe that fox is going to die...

"Three years at most. He might even pass away this year."

Raimond said while drinking.

What do you want me to do with this information...

"What do you think should be done about the next king?"

"Well, I think you should just become the king. I don't see the need for Princess Yuria to take a husband."

Isn't it more natural for the king's brother to become the next king rather than a husband?

"We've discussed this a lot. But if I become king, there's a risk of succession disputes among the royal family. I have three brothers, and all of us have children. If I become king, the other brothers will complain. I don't want the royal family to hate and distrust each other. The best solution is for Princess Yuria to take a husband and for us to support her. Then everyone will be satisfied."

Indeed, if a brother inherits, the other brothers will start targeting the throne.

Being a royal family is tough.

"Who do you think would be a suitable husband?"

"Considering the usual, wouldn't it be Lord Rigar Dibel? He's the most powerful noble now, right?"

As I answered, Raimond shrugged.

"True, he is the most powerful. But... His land management is terrible. Many people from his territory flee to other territories, causing problems. He was also defeated by King Ferm multiple times. Most importantly..."

Raimond looked at me straight in the eye.

"He has married three women, but now he only has one wife. He says they died in accidents, but who knows if it's true. He's also said to be violent towards beautiful women in his territory. Can I entrust my dear niece to such a man?"

As I didn't respond, Raimond took another drink.

After finishing his glass, he looked at me again.

"The problem is Rigar Dibel's followers, vassals, and relatives. They are all from good bloodlines. There's a risk they will neglect us royals after he becomes king."

Raimond patted my shoulder and said as he left.

"Is there anyone who can oppose Rigar Dibel, has enough territory to rule the country, has the ability to take on the responsibility, is kind enough to take care of Princess Yuria, and has few relatives so that we royals won't be neglected? If you find such an ideal husband, let me know."

Raimond left alone.

Raimond: "Let me know" (staring)

Almus: (This guy is so obvious...)