Chapter 95

"Let's go into the mansion for a detailed explanation. Please, this way."

Leidol was welcomed into the mansion where the Calcifer family once lived, guided by Blood. He entered the mansion accompanied by Darren and a few soldiers as guards and was led to the parlor.

"Please, have a seat."

"……"

Blood entered the room without any guards and offered Leidol a sofa. Leidol, with a slightly wary look, sat down as suggested.

"Now… where shall I begin?"

As Leidol took his seat, Blood also sat on the opposite sofa and began to speak.

"First, let me explain the current state of this town. As you may already know, the Calcifer family, which ruled this town, has perished with the death of its head, Burtos Calcifer. Similarly, the Kilgus family and the Kubertos family have also perished."

"… Is there a way to verify this? I would like to see the body of my father."

Darren, standing guard behind Leidol, asked. In response to this reasonable request, Blood covered his face with his hand, looking troubled.

"Of course, that's necessary… but their bodies are in a rather gruesome state. I'm not sure if they can be properly identified…"

"… That's not a satisfactory answer. Could you be faking their deaths?"

"That would be out of the question! The bodies of the heads of the three families are all stored. You are welcome to inspect them. My father's body is relatively intact, so it should be possible to confirm."

"… Very well."

Darren, who has a serious personality, frowned at Blood's somewhat clownish tone. However, he did not voice his dissatisfaction, only narrowing his eyes in a glare.

After confirming that their conversation had ended, Leidol asked about something that had been bothering him.

"So? I understand that the three families have perished, but what is your position? You were using the name of the Ilkas family…?"

The Ilkas family, like the Arbeil family, was a noble family that fought until the end without surrendering to the empire and was eventually destroyed. How could Blood, who was supposed to be the heir of the Calcifer family, be using the name of the Ilkas family?

"It's a simple story. I married the daughter of the Ilkas family and became a son-in-law."

"Son-in-law?"

Leidol's question was answered by Blood in a casual tone.

"My wife is Angelica Ilkas, the daughter of the Ilkas family. She was originally my fiancée, so it's not strange that we got married, right?"

"Even so, for the next head of the family to become a son-in-law? It seems like there's more to it than that."

"Not at all. Marrying into a family that has already perished or taking over a family that is about to perish isn't much different. Angelica is determined to revive the Ilkas family, so becoming a son-in-law was the only way to be with her."

"Hmph…"

Leidol snorted at Blood's explanation. No matter how many lies he told, the intentions of this clownish man were clear.

(In other words, he's saying that since he's part of the Ilkas family, he had nothing to do with the betrayal of the Calcifer family.)

It's a clever move—Leidol sighed, feeling exasperated. Considering the reputation of the Ilkas family, which resisted the empire until the end, it would be difficult to dismiss Blood. He might be claiming that he is no longer involved with the Calcifer family, which he himself destroyed.

(If he has also defeated the Kilgus and Kubertos families, he will likely be praised rather than blamed. He's quite a schemer.)

If asked whether Blood Ilkas could be trusted, the answer would clearly be no. However, he is undeniably a valuable resource.

"… Blood Ilkas. Are you on my side?"

"Of course, the Ilkas family is a loyal vassal of the Zain royal family."

"……"

Leidol almost said that wasn't what he meant but stopped himself. He couldn't be sure how much of Blood's words were trustworthy. Even if he pledged his loyalty here, there was a risk that he would easily break it when the time came.

"… Fine. I'll accept that answer for now. Do you intend to hand over the territories of the three families?"

"Yes, the noble territories originally belong to the royal family. If the family line is broken, it is only right to return them to the royal family. However… it would be greatly appreciated if the royal family could support the revival of the Ilkas family and grant us new territories."

"I'll speak to my brother. Considering the loyalty of the Ilkas family, it should be accepted without issue… By the way, can I speak to your wife, Angelica Ilkas?"

Angelica Ilkas—Leidol had heard of the legendary female knight, the 'Massacre Princess.' He wanted to confirm her feelings towards the royal family and towards himself.

"Of course, my wife also wishes to meet you. In fact, the head of the Ilkas family is my wife. It would be proper to greet her."

"Hmm? Then why didn't you bring her here? Is she injured?"

Considering the circumstances of the Ilkas family's downfall, it was unlikely that Angelica was unharmed. She might be injured and unable to move. As Leidol thought this and asked, Blood shrugged with a crescent-shaped smile.

"No, no, my wife said she would go greet an old friend first…"

Just as Blood said this, a loud noise echoed from outside the mansion. The sound of destruction, clearly indicating a battle, made Leidol stand up immediately.

"… What's happening!"

"My wife has a rather aggressive personality. I hope nothing serious happens…"

Blood shook his head with a serious expression, but his eyes betrayed a hint of amusement. Leidol cursed and rushed out of the room with Darren.

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