Chapter 19

The boar father is coming home.

Upon hearing this news, the servants gathered at the entrance.

Sora also appeared at the entrance, led by Lazette, and smiled at the servants who looked anxious.

"Father hasn't arrived yet?"

She asked in a softer tone than usual.

"He has already entered the town, so he should be arriving shortly."

Hearing the head maid's response, Sora subtly glared at the front door.

This stay would last four days. The first day would be spent entertaining him until he was drunk, the second day would be spent incapacitating him with a hangover, the third day would be filled with political duties, and the final day would be a farewell party to get him drunk again.

Sora didn't even want to let him handle the political duties on the third day, but it would look bad, and many tasks required the authority of the lord to be addressed.

—Even if he's incompetent, it's better to have him around to handle some issues, Father.

After a year of investigation, Sora discovered that among the five civil servants, the two who were ordered to stay behind were responsible for the practical aspects of politics, specifically administration. The administrative team changed every six months, so Sora hadn't fully grasped the current members.

The relationship between the administrative team and the boar father was unclear, so Sora planned to investigate their character and select the competent ones before recruiting them.

Of the four who had become administrative officers over the past year, two were competent scoundrels, one was an incompetent honest person, and one was an incompetent scoundrel.

The competent scoundrels were particularly skilled at extracting knowledge and techniques without killing them, so Sora had already obtained their knowledge and techniques through relentless questioning. He also planned to use this knowledge to manipulate them when demoting them in the future.

"Welcome back!"

The maids greeted the lord and lady as they descended from the carriage.

Sora plastered a broad smile on his face. It looked as if he was overjoyed to see his parents, but the reality was different.

—Welcome back, you boars. I'll deceive you again this time.

Sora, who was probably the most devious person in the room, thought to himself.

"Father, Mother, welcome back."

"Oh, Sora. You've grown so much."

"Indeed, in just half a year."

Their expressions of joy at their son's growth were typical of any parents.

"By the way, have you thought of anything to replace the lottery ticket?"

The boar father asked, his already ugly face twisted into a smirk.

"I'm sorry, I can't think of anything."

Sora said clearly, still smiling.

The boar father's smile vanished the moment he heard Sora's answer.

"I see. You're useless, then."

This happened every time they met, every six months.

Sora, who had never raised a child in his previous life, found this interaction frustrating.

However, he didn't let his inner irritation show.

"Please tell me about the capital."

Sora, acting like a child, began to gather information. Whether he inherited or took over the lord's position, he needed to know the Kleinzelt family's political standing to avoid future troubles. Listening to stories about the capital would be beneficial in this regard.

"The stories from the capital can wait. Let me rest a bit first."

The boar father said with a somewhat bitter tone, despite calling it a story.

Sora wondered if something had happened in the capital but decided to back off for now. Forcing the information out would only make the servants' survival rate drop.

He couldn't resort to forceful methods.

Suppressing his inner frustration, Sora saw the lord and lady off.

Just as Sora was about to retreat to his room, someone called out to the boar lord.

Sora, intrigued, stopped and listened.

"Second Bishop wishes to greet you."

The Kleinzelt territory had two bishop positions, responsible for overseeing priests in various churches.

A new bishop had been appointed last year, who had received a congratulatory gift from the boar lord.

While the method of bribery differed, church officials who approached the boar lord were generally despicable. Sora lost interest, thinking it was a waste of time to listen.

"Lazette, you're also called."

The servant, who had been talking to the boar lord, now addressed Lazette.

Sora and Lazette exchanged glances, unable to think of a reason why the bishop would want to meet Lazette.

"I'll keep an eye on Sora, so Lazette, go to the reception room."

The servant took Sora's hand without waiting for a response.

"Wait a moment. I don't know how to interact with important people."

"Don't worry. It's a church official. The doctrine says you can't let people die, so you'll be safe."

Sora frowned at the servant's words.

The doctrine that indirectly led to the deaths of people in the town last year made him feel sick.

Lazette, who knew that the church had taken the firewood from the homeless children, was speechless.

Sora and Lazette's thoughts were in sync.

—We can't trust them...

"Anyway, since you're called, you must go. It's impolite to keep an important person waiting. Go quickly."

The servant urged Lazette away as if shooing away a bug.

Lazette left for the reception room with an openly displeased expression.

The servant, now with a broad smile, turned to Sora as if the troublemakers had disappeared.

"Come, Sora. Let's get you changed. It's a long-awaited dinner with the lord and lady, so you must dress up nicely. Come, come."

Sora, at three years old, was at the age where he looked cute no matter what he wore.

Younger servants had started to enjoy dressing Sora up whenever they got the chance.

Sora originally preferred practical clothing.

Lazette, his attendant, preferred clothes that made her job easier.

As a result, Sora's usual attire was completely devoid of any decoration.

"You'll grow up to be like the lord, so this is your only chance to dress up. Come quickly."

Her words bordered on disrespect.

However, Sora, smiling, allowed the servant to lead him, thinking that if playing the role of a doll would increase his favor, it was a good deal.

December 14th, revised.