I was to be bestowed the rank of marquis, and my father and mother hurriedly came to the royal capital.
I had resolved myself to accept this situation. If anything, I decided to embrace my new title and use it to my advantage.
“Healing His Majesty’s illness and saving those suffering from the Poison of the Wine King earns you the rank of marquis, huh…”
Father stood there in stunned silence.
“I always knew you’d achieve great things someday, but I never expected it to happen this quickly. Thomas, you’re amazing.”
Mother hugged me tightly.
Her belly was swollen now—yes, she was pregnant.
At twenty-eight, she was truly in her prime.
“Big bro’s so cool!”
Zekevalt’s lisping words were adorable.
I couldn’t help but pick him up for a hug!
“Sir Thomas, you’ve grown into such a fine man!”
“Lara, you’ve matured quite a bit yourself in such a short time.”
“Oh, you’re teasing me!”
Ouch, that hurt. Please don’t hit my back like that.
But Lara was still the same clumsy Lara I remembered.
Afterward, Grandfather and I recounted the events leading to my new title to Father.
It was during this conversation that I learned Grandfather had spent several years gathering evidence of wrongdoing by the Lightstar family, deploying agents from the shadows around their household.
The Lightstar family was utterly vile, rotten beyond belief.
Fraud, kidnapping, imprisonment, murder, illegal drug trafficking, and even the illegal trade of slaves.
We knew they had enslaved Mother, though it was unclear whether she had already lost her memory by then.
The circumstances of her memory loss remain unknown, as we can’t ask her directly.
It’s possible that the Lightstars weren’t involved in her abduction, but the fact that they enslaved her remains indisputable.
Grandfather had already sent his agents to Rastark Island, where the Lightstar family faced an ordeal so harrowing that they might wish for death.
“It’s good that the Lightstar family has fallen, but it’s unfortunate I couldn’t take the lead in their downfall.”
“Forgive me, but I ask for your patience.”
“No, it’s better that there’s no war. This is just my selfish wish. Don’t worry about it.”
I sympathized with Father, but I agreed—war is better avoided.
Rewinding time a little, Grandfather and the King had discussed the details of my ennoblement.
I was granted the former Lightstar family’s mansion in the royal capital, and despite the year-end busyness, we moved in.
Most of the servants and soldiers were transferred from Grandfather’s Bayerlein Ducal Household, and any additional personnel were hired anew.
We sold off all the gaudy furniture, artwork, and various tasteless items from the mansion. Two-thirds of it was practically worthless. Clearly, the Lightstars thought anything flashy was good.
The mansion ended up looking bare, so we used the proceeds from selling those items to buy new furnishings.
Although it wasn’t enough, the money from selling jewelry to Tifas Bulgar, a jeweler, helped cover the costs.
For artwork, we borrowed pieces from the Bayerlein Ducal Household’s storeroom to decorate.
“Didn’t we just move, and now we’re moving again?”
Ben grumbled as he loaded luggage onto the carriage.
“It’s fine! We’re moving into a bigger mansion, after all.”
Charmy, ever the optimist, chimed in cheerfully.
The move wasn’t just for us; the temple knights stationed in the neighboring mansion were also relocating.
Fortunately, the former Lightstar mansion had multiple buildings aside from the main one, providing accommodations for servants and soldiers.
The estate was vast, with gardens and even space to exercise horses.
Grandfather would oversee the fief until I was ready to assume my responsibilities.
Although one is considered an adult at sixteen in this country, I had other duties, so my tenure as a lord remained uncertain.
▽▽▽ Side: Grand High Priest Macallan ▽▽▽
They say an Apostle has appeared in the Kingdom of Kurudia.
Hah, an Apostle? There’s no such thing. It’s merely a fantasy concocted by the Ashent faction.
The Nirgud Faith needs only us, the Catrius faction.
The Ashent faction is a counterfeit, which is why they cling to absurd superstitions like Apostles.
While ignoring them is an option, it wouldn’t be amusing for us.
“Should we really leave the so-called Apostle of Kurudia unchecked?” (Macallan)
“No, that wouldn’t do.” (Grand High Priest 2)
“Indeed, an Apostle must not exist.” (Grand High Priest 3)
The three of us Grand High Priests were in agreement. It was rare for the three leaders of the Catrius faction to align so perfectly.
While the Holy King is the figurehead of the Catrius Holy Kingdom, real authority lies with us three Grand High Priests.
Originally, there was only one Grand High Priest, but the number grew to two, then three. This triad system has been the norm for over a century.
“So, how should we act?” (Macallan)
“The Apostle must be eliminated.” (Grand High Priest 2)
Arthur, the slender one, slammed the round table. Despite his refined appearance, he was a man of action and brute force, often described as having “muscles for brains.”
“We should just abduct the Apostle.” (Grand High Priest 3)
Goliath’s effeminate tone was at odds with his hulking, rough appearance. When we first met, I found his makeup and feminine speech unsettling, but I’ve grown accustomed to it.
Still, his mismatched appearance and demeanor are occasionally amusing. Yet he is dangerous—he delights in torturing boys to hear their screams and sobs. While I admit to being harsh, Goliath’s depravity is on another level.
“Abduct, huh?” (Arthur)
“I’ll personally tear away that façade of theirs.” (Goliath)
“Should we deploy Haten, then?” (Macallan)
“Fine by me.” (Goliath)
“I have no objections.” (Arthur)
“But if we’re sending Haten, just abducting the Apostle would be dull.” (Goliath)
“True. Shall we proceed with the plan we’ve been preparing?” (Macallan)
“No problem.” (Arthur)
“I have no objections.” (Goliath)
