Volume 2 Chapter 12 (1/2)
Editor: Grey.
Chapter 2 Episode 12
103rd day after being summoned to another world.
”I'm sorry to disturb you during your busy time like this. We sincerely appreciate Earl Bergston’s generosity. I'm Mikos.h.i.+ba Ryouma, a messenger of the princess. Pleased to meet you.”
Ryouma lowered his head toward the man who sat in front of him.
This place is two days away from the royal capital city Preaus; a territory that belongs to the neutral faction.
The sun is currently near its peak, which common sense indicates it was near a lunch time.
Such a time was an inappropriate time to visit a n.o.ble.
”No, when it comes to the princess' messenger, I cannot be crude.
Especially if Meltina-dono is also together here with you.”
Earl Bergstone offered Ryouma and Meltina to sit down while laughing heartily.
”Now then, what kind of business do you have?”
Of course, that question is just mere courtesy.
When the political situation is unstable, a messenger from princess' faction has come to Earl Bergston who belonged to a neutral faction.
Anyone who has a bit of brain will be able to pick up what's going on immediately.
”Very well, let me immediately relay the message.”
Towards Ryouma's words, Earl Bergstone frowned.
As a matter of fact, Meltina had already asked Earl Bergston to support the princess' faction back in the first month of the year.
Of course, at that time the Earl’s answer was no, however this time, a messenger from the princess' faction has come again, to be honest, the Earl feels amazed.
”Hou? A message huh?”
(What's going on? …In the first place, who is this guy? There should be no one like him in the Knight faction nor the n.o.ble faction…)
The Earl, who thought that Meltina was going to be the one who takes the initiative to talk found himself in confusion.
A man whom the Earl doesn't know began to speak.
One can say that he feels very perplexed.
”Yes. Her highness the princess feels extremely saddened.”
”Hou? Saddened about what?”
There's no change on Bergston face.
”Regarding the fate of the Bergston Earldom, who can be said to be among the most prestigious family in Rozeria Kingdom.”
Listening to Ryouma's words, Earl Bergston desperately tried to hold himself back from shouting.
Just like the time when Meltina had come, she also began telling him about how the princess feels saddened due to the strife with the n.o.ble faction.
But then they suddenly talk about the Bergston's family future.
And furthermore, if one also included the preface where the princess is saddened, it could mean this is going to be bad for the Bergston's family.
Despite them wanting to seek his a.s.sistance they said something like that, which make it no wonder if the Earl wants to raise a shouting protest.
After all, the princess' faction is the one in disadvantageous who need outside a.s.sistance.
Nevertheless, Earl Bergston keeps smiling as if nothing had happened.
”Hou? The future of my houses huh? It was an honor for us, for the princess to be worried about the future of a small house like ours despite having a lot of things that she needs to think of. Could you tell her highness the princess that this Earl feels very grateful toward her?”
Such an answer can be said as a perfect answer.
After all, while expressing his grat.i.tude as a n.o.ble superficially, he also slips some mockery against the princess.
As if saying ‘are you really in the position to worry about my house?’
(Fuhnn... First of all, I need information...)
Ryouma feels relieved in certain ways due to the Earl answer.
Ryouma had thought, what the princess needs most is someone who has brains.
Not only the military, the princess is also lacking in everything; politics, economy, diplomacy, and also culture.
Of course, all of that might be not the duty of the princess alone.
However, Princess Lupis only has the military around her.
Even Meltina, which can be said as the princess' close aide, setting aside her personal force and loyalty to the princess, her intelligence, and ability in politics cannot be relied upon at all.
It might be due to her occupation as a knight.
What a knight need is mostly only their ability and knowledge in military arts and also their loyalty to the royal family.
Of course something like that is important; however, they tend to look down and put less emphasis on being calculative and thoughtful.
Although that kind of thing is not bad in its own right.
After all, what a knight needs most are honor and pride.
However, when one views things as an organization, only having that can be said as something distorted and incomplete.
That's why Ryouma chooses Earl Bergston to bring him over to the princess' faction.
Despite being good as a political force, he was someone who has an arrogant and rude att.i.tude; thus he gets excluded and neglected by both Duke Gerhardt faction and the previous king Farst as well.
“You're being humble. Bergston Dukedom, in addition to having a vast territory, the population is also huge. And also have around 1000 armed force, am I right? Thus it cannot be said as something 'small'.”
“Messenger-dono seems to have overrated my household. Or is it not possible for you to be unable to make a normal judgment because you're in the middle of a fight against the n.o.ble faction? Hahahaha...”
”No no no. My judgment is right, you know? For the proof of that, even Lord Gerhardt will soon turn his hot gaze to the Bergston Earldom. Or do you already belong to the n.o.ble faction?”
”Wha-! Now, that worries me. Something like that is just unfounded rumors, and better not to talk about it.”
Earl Bergston then laughed, skillfully concealing his surprise that appears for a moment.
”Oh is that so? If that is the case her highness the princess will also feel relieved. Because the princess will be saddened if Earl Bergston will not gain anything and is left as someone useless until the end of times.”
”What! What does that mean?!”
Listening to Ryouma's words, Earl Bergston's face changed.
”Ara? What's wrong? I thought all of this was just unfounded rumors?”
Listening to Ryouma's words, Earl Bergston fixes his posture and heaves a big sigh.
”Fuu... Let's stop all of this farce already... You should already know that I belong to the n.o.ble faction, am I right?”
Earl Bergston said those words as if giving up on something.
”Indeed.”
Ryouma's tone was light; however, Meltina desperately tried to suppress her shocked feeling.
(I-Impossible! What's the meaning of this!? Earl Bergston had already sided with the n.o.ble faction? Since when?! No, more importantly, since when this man noticed that?!? …For now, I should just dutifully perform my duty. I cannot afford myself to become a burden for this man!)
Ryouma did not say anything at all to her.
It can be said it would be reasonable if she feels upset instead.
The purpose of Meltina being there is as proof to indicate Ryouma is a newcomer from the princess' faction.
Only that.
Ryouma continues the talk despite the slight unrest within his heart.
”I don't know where the information have leaked but, the decision won't change you know?”
Earl Bergston said those words while his gaze tries to probe Ryouma.
”I do not mind about that.”
”What?!”
”Because the one who will find themselves in disadvantage is Earl Bergston, in other words, only you will lose.”
Listening to Ryouma's words, Earl Bergston enters a deep thought for a moment.
”…What do you mean by that? What are you trying to say? You said I would be in disadvantage?”
After a long silence, Earl Bergston finally urged Ryouma to explain it to him.
”Ara? You don't realize it?... Since I feel slightly sorry, I will try to explain it then.”