TL/Editor: raei
Status: 5/week mon-fri
Illustrations: none
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'She doesn't seem to be just visiting.'
Ian had known Maria for quite a long ti now.
They understood each other without words.
The normal Maria that Ian knew would be making cringey jokes by now, enjoying Ian's uncomfortable reactions.
That was big data based on experience, so it was certain.
But what about Maria now?
"Maria."
"Yes?"
"You're being awfully well-behaved today?"
At that, Maria turned her head with a flustered expression.
For a mont... Ian felt a strange satisfaction(?).
Seeing Maria's flustered face... sohow made him feel good!
"Well... it's just..."
"If you have sothing to say, go ahead."
Despite Ian's encouragent, Maria didn't imdiately speak.
Surprisingly, Maria was watching Kira cautiously...!
Kira, too, wasn't soone who had only known Maria for a day or two.
Kira spoke in a voice that suggested she might cut if touched.
"If you're going to be frustrating, just leave."
The words might seem a bit harsh.
But Kira had just been through a major ordeal, so she couldn't help being sensitive.
She'd probably apologize later, but for now, Ian couldn't stop her.
"Alright. I'll tell you."
Maria took a small breath, then calmly began speaking.
"Ian, I'd like to know your plans going forward."
"Plans?"
"Yes... specifically, I'd like to know the plans for the Silverwind barony."
Ah. That.
Ian thought indifferently.
He'd stopped a war, defeated black wizards, and even visited the afterlife.
But Ian hadn't given any thought to the Silverwind barony.
If he got it, he got it~ if not, whatever~
Sorry to Maria, but the Silverwind barony wasn't Ian's concern.
Ian was a wizard, not a nobleman who wanted to get into politics.
"I don't have any imdiate plans."
"I see..."
"It's not , but Count Francis... now Duke Roxlan who must have so thoughts."
The Roxlan duchy had passed to Count Francis.
Fortunately, Count Francis had survived and was handling official business while recovering.
With the dukedom changing hands, he must be incredibly busy.
Plus, he was still a patient.
Ian didn't want to bother Count Francis... or rather, Duke Roxlan unnecessarily.
"For now I'll wait, and if I'm not called, I'll set off on a journey."
"Yes... I understand."
In truth, Ian did have so expectations.
That things would proceed as planned.
Duke Roxlan had already recognized Maria as the next baroness.
After marrying Maria, Ian would return to Talian.
If things went wrong there, it would be a problem.
But that possibility was very low.
Ian had already sided with Duke Roxlan, after all.
"Then... if Duke Roxlan recognizes as the baroness..."
Maria wasn't a foolish child.
She must have anticipated the flow of events up to this point.
Ian noticed.
This was the main point Maria wanted to discuss.
"What will happen to Lisa Silverwind?"
"..."
"..."
Both Ian and Kira fell silent, as if they'd planned it.
Because...
"Hmm. I wonder? I'm not really sure."
"I don't know either."
Neither of them could be certain about this issue.
Ian, Kira, and even Maria...
All three were commoners who hadn't received noble education.
Question: If Maria becos a baroness, what happens to her older sister?
If Ian were to answer based on his 'common sense,' the answer would probably be:
"She'll be banished, I guess?"
"That's probably right?"
Lisa Silverwind's re existence could be a seed of conflict.
Hadn't Duke Fargar already used her that way?
There was a reason people of the past sang about heirs~ heirs~.
Without solidifying succession, even the most powerful dynasties couldn't last three generations.
Lisa Silverwind's existence would certainly be an obstacle for Maria.
"Let go ask around."
Ian went to seek opinions from people who resembled nobles.
Their knowledge would be far more accurate than what a farr's son had picked up secondhand.
"Sir Salvador! Belenka!"
The knights who were idling waved to Ian imdiately.
"I want to ask you sothing."
"What is it?"
Ian explained Lisa Silverwind's situation.
Both Belenka and Sir Salvador quickly understood.
Belenka ca from a wealthy family, and Sir Salvador was a knight who had made a na for himself in his pri.
"Your thinking is correct."
Belenka said.
So getting rid of Lisa Silverwind was the right answer.
"Depending on Duke Roxlan's decision... if she's lucky, a convent. If unlucky, the execution ground, I'd think."
Ian inhaled sharply.
No. These dieval people...! Even execution seems too extre?!
Of course, that was just Ian's opinion.
Executions were common in dieval tis.
There was no strong public authority here, and most law enforcent was carried out under the lord's authority.
The simplest and most powerful punishnt for criminals was execution.
If you just killed them all, you didn't need to think about complicated matters!
Therefore, imprisonnt was only for those deed worth keeping alive.
The logic was that if killing them would be inconvenient, they should be kept alive.
In this case, what advantage would Duke Roxlan gain by keeping Lisa Silverwind alive?
He might gain so support from other nobles for not executing a noble.
And if sothing unexpected happened, he could transfer the title to her instead of Maria.
But...
The heir would be produced(?) by Maria with Ian's help anyway.
The current Duke Roxlan, having inherited his father's suspicious nature, wasn't the type to like unnecessary variables.
He didn't seem likely to be swayed by sentint either.
"Given Duke Roxlan's personality, I think he'd send her to the executioner rather than a convent."
"Oh my..."
It was certainly a bitter conclusion.
To be born as the legitimate daughter, only to have her position taken by an illegitimate one.
But well... if she felt wronged, she should have won the fight.
The cold dieval world operated on the logic of power.
Though what world doesn't operate on the logic of power?
"But why are you asking?"
"Maria brought it up."
Sir Salvador and Belenka briefly exchanged glances.
"Seems Maria is concerned about her sister."
"She's surprisingly kindhearted."
Sur-pris-ing-ly, Maria was considered kindhearted.
Since Belenka acknowledged it, it must be true.
"What do you think, Ian?"
"I want to do what Maria wants."
Ian felt nothing for Lisa Silverwind.
They only knew each other's faces and backgrounds.
Wasn't it a bit absurd to discuss whether she should live or die?
When he honestly said this, his companions had similar thoughts.
"Putting her in a convent would be best... but if Maria wants a different outco."
"I'm a bit worried, but Maria is a clever child, so she'll manage."
After finishing the conversation, Ian returned to Maria.
And he shared his companions' opinions with her.
"Maria. What do you think?"
"I..."
Maria spoke in a low, weak voice, like soone who had committed a cri.
"I want... to keep my sister as my family."
But that was selfish.
A fact acknowledged by both Sir Salvador and Belenka.
As Belenka said, Maria was a kindhearted child.
"But I won't insist on it."
Maria obediently lowered her eyes, waiting for Ian's decision.
As if she would accept whatever conclusion he reached.
'Maybe I should at least try.'
Ian didn't want to refuse outright either.
Lisa Silverwind had no connection to Ian whatsoever, but if Maria wanted to keep her alive and close, couldn't he use his influence a bit?
He could do this much for his future wife.
"I'll talk to Duke Roxlan."
"...! Ian!"
Maria hugged Ian tightly.
It was truly a hug filled with pure joy.
Ian felt slightly unfamiliar.
Without that creepy? feeling from Maria, she could be this cute!
Maria really is younger than Lucy after all!
#
Not long after, Duke Roxlan summoned Ian.
After handling his backlog of work, the Duke's attention had turned to Ian.
Ian headed toward the Duke's castle with light steps.
"Welco."
"How is your health, Your Grace?"
"Thank you for your concern. I'm managing well enough."
Ian was slightly surprised upon seeing Duke Roxlan's face.
Surprisingly... he didn't look particularly ill.
He was already pale like a vampire, and his gloomy expression made him look sick.
It's as if he's found his natural face... but that would be a rude thing to say, wouldn't it?
"Your complexion looks poor, so I think you shouldn't overexert yourself."
When Ian said this, the Duke's attendant made an incredulous expression.
Are you blind?
His face looks exactly the sa as usual, so what part looks worse...?
But Ian's words were a perfect 100-point answer...!
"Despite my telling you not to worry... heh heh."
"..."
The Duke, seemingly pleased, chuckled with a gloomy laugh.
He must have never heard such concern (or flattery) before.
Ian kept rembering the previous Duke Roxlan, which made him feel uncomfortable...
This person looks more and more like his father.
"I hear you have sothing to ask of ."
"I rely hope for Your Grace's rciful decision."
"Ian. Is there any favor of yours I could refuse?"
The attendant nearby glared at Ian.
His eyes said sothing like: Cunning wizard with a silver tongue, bewitching the Duke!
But Ian was confident.
Honestly, Ian had done a lot for the Duke.
Fought hard in the war, captured the previous Duke Roxlan when he caused trouble, and thoroughly defeated the black wizards who were a thorn in the south's side.
He'd really done it all, hadn't he?
"I have sothing to say regarding the disposition of Lisa Silverwind."
"..."
Feudal contracts were the exclusive domain of nobles.
Unless one was the Emperor, no one could interfere in such matters.
Generally speaking, Ian's words were indeed quite presumptuous.
How dare a wandering wizard of common birth involve himself in noble politics?
But... Ian was the central figure in [normalizing Roxlan].
One couldn't speak harshly to soone who had genuinely done so much.
The Duke was slightly surprised, but soon returned to a gentle expression.
Since it was Ian speaking, it was worth listening to!
"Speak."
"I would like Lisa Silverwind to be allowed to stay in Silverwind territory."
The Duke looked down at Ian with interest.
"A curious request. May I hear your reason?"
"My fiancée wishes it."
The Duke's face filled with a smile.
So that's it. It was Maria Silverwind's wish.
The Duke thought Ian was a consistently transparent person.
He fought on the battlefield for his fiancée.
Now he makes an unreasonable request to the Duke?
Ian... truly, truly loves his fiancée!
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