Chapter 54 –“Isn’t that far more than imagined!?”
“What’s this? This big number of people&h.e.l.lip;”
It’s four days after the ma.s.s slaughter of Baron Rückner and more than 50 other people by the remaining residue of Kurt’s grudge.
We headed to the mansion of Finance Minister Rückner in the capital as there were some things we had to discuss. In front of the main gate many people were crowding.
In this time’s trip to the capital I was only accompanied by dous.h.i.+ since everyone else was busy.
We will stand out too much if we move in a group of several people. Therefore it has been decided that dous.h.i.+ will take over the guard duty, which has usually been left to Paul-nii-san’s group.
Given that Paul-nii-san was busy with inspecting and examining his new territory, there were plans to use the chance for His Majesty to bestow him the peerage of a.s.sociate Baron next time he comes to the capital.
“This child is the child of the deceased a.s.sociate Baron Blumental (T/N: >> Burumentaru <)! please="" acknowledge="">
“Finance Minister Rückner! I definitely believe to be the appropriate successor of Sir Bureau!”
“What’s this about?” (Wendelin)
“It’s likely because more than ten central n.o.ble households were almost totally destroyed.” (Armstrong)
With the Baron Rückner household, including him, his family, his retainers and his servants, having been annihilated, several folks, including even the relatives, are intruding and proclaiming 『I’m definitely suitable as next Baron Rückner』.
For the other households as well, they are aiming for family head and legal wife at the very least.
In case of brutal households, there are families where the other children and retainers were entirely annihilated by the heir.
Various people are gathering, aiming for the peerages and official positions of those.
“However, what about Minister Rückner?” (Wendelin)
“His younger brother, who was the head of a faction, has been killed, including his entire household. No matter how much he opposed him, it’s only natural for the elder brother to manage it all by himself!” (Armstrong)
In addition, that elder brother is a Marquis with the post of Finance Minister.
I think it’s more helpful to use the authority of Finance Minister, which will be the verdict of a powerful person, than having the guards draw close to protect the property against the mob directly intruding up to the mansion of the person himself.
“Well, then it’s better to leave it to His Excellency the Finance Minister after all.”
“I guess so.”
Even I don’t have spare time because I might be granted a new territory and get an order to develop it any time soon.
There was a necessity to quickly deal with the treatment of Amelie-sister-in-law-san and my nephews as I have promised.
Of course I have already finished doing a round of courtesy calls to other important n.o.bles.
Cardinal Hohenheim accepted it right away and His Majesty went along with it and promised to handle it at the end of the audience.
I have been told by Minister Edgar 『Wilma is my adopted daughter! You do understand, right?』
I immediately nodded.
In other words, I have to absolutely receive her as wife.
It was a point I personally wanted to consider a good thing as Wilma is cute, but now it will cause a change in the hierarchy of wives.
With the influence of Wilma originally being the daughter of an a.s.sociate Baron household, she should be next after Elise in the ranking order.
Although I’ve been told to not mind it, I also have to consider Luise and Ina.
I cursed at the Minister of Military and Naval Affairs, who wasn’t a simple muscle-brain albeit having the same muscled build as dous.h.i.+, in my mind.
Also, I went to greet the remaining ministers, but they didn’t tell me anything in particular.
Probably they will tell me various things after the Savage Lands have been bestowed to me.
“At any rate, we won’t meet Minister Rückner like this.”
Today he is running around to support here and there in the mansion and has gone to the actual site because he was informed by Minister Edgar. Many people are crowding in front of the Rückner mansion in order appeal for their case. Dous.h.i.+ and I address the guard being at the main gate while pus.h.i.+ng our way through the mob.
“Whose relative is it this time? Or whose children or something are you?”
I thought he was a very arrogant gatekeeper, but he likely had to always be this lot’s partner for the last few days.
Even looking at dous.h.i.+ and me, he didn’t realize our ident.i.ty at once.
“It’s the Royal Head Magician and Baron Baumeister. We came because we have business with your master, Minister Rückner.”
“Huh!? Viscount Armstrong-sama and Baron Baumeister-sama! I’m sorry for the discourtesy!”
He might have received a message that we will come here beforehand.
Since the gatekeeper immediately treats us politely, we enter inside through the gate.
“Baron Baumeister-sama! This child is really a.s.sociate Baron Blumental’s child! By all means, please put in a good word for it!”
“I’m also on good terms with the capital’s Sir Baumeister! Please mention my name, Christian of the Knight Martinstein household, to Minister Rückner!”
With dous.h.i.+ and me being celebrities, the bunch, who is crowding at the gate, tries to request various troublesome matters to us, once they become aware of our social rank as we are smoothly entering the mansion.
“It will be endless, if you care about each and every single of them!” (Armstrong)
Once a n.o.ble dies, this kind of people will always come forward.
Women in the night entertainment business, who kept company to n.o.bles etc. and maids, who served at the original mansion, will come to request the recognition of the b.a.s.t.a.r.ds of that n.o.ble.
However, because there isn’t something like a DNA test in this world, they won’t be recognised in the first place if there isn’t any written proof of the deceased from the time of its birth.
Besides, for the majority of people going this far, there’s also the trap of recognising it normally from the beginning.
Also, claiming non-existent connections and relations.h.i.+ps, there are n.o.bles without any duties, who aim to become the successor of the official position.
Since they have basically free time, they come appealing frantically almost daily.
“I’m expressly sorry&h.e.l.lip;” (Rückner)
Once we enter the mansion, the owner, Minister Rückner, came to greet us in a state of having shadows underneath his eyes.
“Umm, are you alright?” (Wendelin)
“No, since day after the incident the front of the mansion has always been in this state. I’m also busy with preparing subst.i.tutes for the dead lot. Also&h.e.l.lip;” (Rückner)
Minister of Domestic Affairs Becker (T/N: >> Bekka <), who="" deals="" with="" stuff="" like="" the="" management="" of="" the="" n.o.ble’s="" family="" registers="" and="" the="" formalities="" of="" succeeding="" a="" n.o.ble’s="" household,="" and="" the="" leading="" directors="" under="" him="" had="" a="" similar="" situation="" on="" front="" of="" their="">
Yesterday a candid advice, close to sarcasm, was mentioned in the royal castle as well.
“It’s a disaster, isn’t it? We also want to entrust you with it, but is it alright?”
“You mean regarding the treatment of the children of the eldest son, who caused the attempted a.s.sa.s.sination? I will somehow handle it. But before that, there is a single problem&h.e.l.lip;” (Rückner)
The contents apologetically reported by Minister Rückner were something shocking for me.
“Hah? Roderich is the next Baron Rückner?” (Wendelin)
And in addition to that it was astonis.h.i.+ng that immediately following the case of attempted a.s.sa.s.sination caused by Kurt, Baron Rückner provided information about the magic tool handed to Kurt with a nonchalant look.
In the end, it was a surprise that he recognised Roderich and used him as way to demand a share of the concessions due to his family ties.
Moreover I was more than amazed that Minister Rückner ended up approving that.
“Why did you approve his demands!?” (Wendelin)
“He wasn’t an utter fool to be caught red-handed like Duke Hertha, whom you duelled before, Sir. If there’s no evidence to deserve an arrest&h.e.l.lip;” (Rückner)
Although he was an accomplice without doubt, he sold Kurt with an innocent look and pretended to be an information provider with good intentions.
Moreover he arbitrarily recognised Roderich and demanded concessions because of their family relations, without any kind of guilty conscience, even if he were to be looked upon coldly by his surroundings.
Never did I expect him to be a shameless person to this degree.
“And, believing it went well, he called his faction’s followers and held a party.” (Rückner)
There it led to his downfall from the peak.
Furthermore, you couldn’t even laugh at the part of the reason being Kurt, whom he used and threw away as idiot.
This might certainly be a just retribution.
“The cat cornered the mouse, but it died due to blood loss being bitten in the neck by that very mouse.”
“Didn’t he need the permission by Roderich himself for acknowledging him in the first place?” (Wendelin)
“Legally speaking, there’s no need for that.” (Rückner)
For a n.o.ble household the authority of the family’s head is absolute.
Although the family head can recognise children, there’s absolutely no need for something like the children’s permission.
“Despite recognising them, it will turn into a story of the child becoming an incorrigible fellow if it mentions permission or such at that time.”
Going by Minister Rückner’s words, it means that it’s possible to demand concessions due to the family ties by only recognising Roderich.
Since there was already an heir, they likely planned to not hand over a single cent of the a.s.sets, not to mention the peerage, either.
In a certain way he was such a disgusting guy that it was even refres.h.i.+ng.
You can apparently also say that it equals the n.o.bles’ way.
“But, thanks to that it has become troublesome.”
The party was held at Baron Rückner’s mansion.
Consequently everyone from the family was annihilated.
“The eldest son and eldest daughter died as well. There aren’t any other surviving children from the legal wife either. Therefore&h.e.l.lip;” (Rückner)
Roderich, being the recognised second son, has become the most plausible successor prospect.
But, if that happened, it might produce a huge hindrance in the development of the Savage Lands.
“Please don’t steal our head retainer, who will also act as governor.” (Wendelin)
Since he will become my representative concerning the development of the Savage Lands, I had naturally planned to give him the salary of the head retainer and even offer a possibility of the t.i.tle becoming hereditary.
If he succeeded the Baron Rückner household, this story will become completely void.
“You are still at the start of selecting a governor though.” (Rückner)
Naturally everyone, who is angry about the delay, will turn all of their wrath towards Minister Rückner.
It will result in him earning sarcastic remarks by His Majesty and all the ministers once again.
“I know, But, although I understand&h.e.l.lip;” (Wendelin)
The Savage Lands, granted to me, will become the territory of Earl Baumeister according to plan.
Therefore, if Roderich succeeds an appointed Baron household he won’t be able to become my retainer anymore.
“I see. There will be thunderous blaming!” (Armstrong)
“Until yesterday it was the main ministers and Cardinal Hohenheim. Even His Majesty has mentioned it! That f.u.c.king b.a.s.t.a.r.d! Even in his death, he is a major annoyance!” (Rückner)
Minister Rückner, who was unusually enraged, spit out vulgar, abusive language, which was unbecoming of a n.o.ble.
“So, what will you do?”
“Nothing. I have decided to shut down and remove the Baron Rückner household. I will deal with the other cronies here. Good grief, increasing my workload with worthless stuff&h.e.l.lip;” (Rückner)
I told him my pet.i.tion regarding the treatment of my nephews. Given that the details of the measures will be announced in front of His Majesty tomorrow, I return to my mansion in the capital on that day and decide to prepare my attendance at the castle tomorrow.
The next day I travel there together with the messenger of the royal castle.
The meeting took place in an often used conference room and not the audience hall.
“First I will announce the punishment of that insolent person. It has been decided that we will use the audience hall afterwards.” (Rückner)
“Well, then right away the details of the punishment&h.e.l.lip;” (King)
Urged on by His Majesty, who was inside the room, Minister Rückner states the details of the punishment.
First there was Baron Rückner. His household will be shut down as punishment for the complicity in the attempted a.s.sa.s.sination against me. All of its a.s.sets will be confiscated.
There aren’t any family members, who will complain, anymore either. If possible, even the relatives, who were aiming for inheriting the peerage and official position, will be silenced with such a punishment at front.
“Umm, did you find any evidence?” (Wendelin)
“Margrave Breithilde is spreading a net that should catch the evidence.”
As of yet, the freelancing adventurer, who pa.s.sed the magic tool to Kurt, is in the middle of moving on the mountain trail in the mountain range heading towards Breitburg’s side. Minister Rückner seems to have sensed that and is trying to capture him.
“The whereabouts of Baron Rückner’s retainers and how many they are is unknown. Perhaps that adventurer can be considered to head towards his end. Either way, if we can secure him, we will also find proof.”
If Baron Rückner was alive, they would likely advance a bit more carefully in gathering evidence, but unfortunately he isn’t a person of this world anymore.
As that’s the case, it apparently will end with a quick punishment.
“The other n.o.bles will be deprived of their official positions.”
The 12 n.o.bles were veterans, who have been experts in their professional duties.
You can also say that it’s no good to suddenly entrust those professional duties to their children, just because of the sudden death of their family head.
“I have decided to hire new people for gaining experience and to promote excellent people from below.” (Rückner)
Inexperienced people, joining that way, are usually heirs, who enter through the connections of their parents.
And, those inexperienced people will be able to rise in rank to at least the official position of their parent.
A household of appointed n.o.bles with an official position attached repeated that cycle with parent and child, but there were many children, who are still too young at their family’s head’s unexpected death, and thus it was difficult for them to join a governmental office.
Therefore, it has been decided that recruitment will be opened for the 12 official positions without n.o.bles this time.
Naturally a fierce contest will unfold, but that wasn’t anything of my concern.
“It’s better if there’s a child there as it can succeed the peerage. The problem is&h.e.l.lip;”
With one a.s.sociate Baron household and three Knight households having no children, they are currently being flooded by relatives and acquaintances.
“It can’t be helped as it is in accordance with n.o.ble’s law. However&h.e.l.lip;”
“We have decided to state the detailed account in the audience hall.”
The punishments will be handed out in the conference room and the rewards in the audience hall.
This seems to be a rule in the Helmut kingdom.
Upon His Majesty’s order, we headed towards the audience hall. Unexpected people awaited us there.
“Helmut-nii-san? Erich-nii-san?” (Wendelin)
“Wend, huh&h.e.l.lip; ? I have heard about Kurt-aniki’s case&h.e.l.lip;” (Helmut)
“By no means I expected it to take such conclusion&h.e.l.lip;” (Erich)
It was unknown why my elder brothers were summoned, but as expected, the first topic to talk about was Kurt’s tragic end and the drama of the ma.s.sacre caused by his abnormal tenacity.
But, according to those observing the priests, the undead, being an a.s.sembly of the grudges, which actually performed the ma.s.sive killing, were purified. Those undead had absolutely no resemblance to Kurt’s body.
The fiery red eyes of the black smoke shape and its s.h.i.+ning face had a diameter of around 3 metre in the shape of a sphere.
Apparently a ghastly, loud laughter continued in front of the corpse of Baron Rückner, who was devoured by zombies and changed into almost only bones.
Moreover, the priests could purify them without any resistance at all.
He failed killing me, but was he satisfied with killing Baron Rückner transformed into such a shape?
Since I’m not Kurt, I didn’t comprehend his motives.
“The official opinion is that Baron Rückner used a cursed magic tool and died to its reaction.” (Erich)
Erich-nii-san told me that the kingdom’s side treated Kurt’s deed of attempting to a.s.sa.s.sinate me and the following ma.s.sacre of Baron Rückner as result of them using a magic tool without checking its effects by themselves.
Even so, as there’s the crime of obtaining the used magic tool from the black market and handing it over to Kurt, it turned into a different punishment of discontinuing the n.o.ble household. (T/N: The difference is: Rückner bought it, handed it over and used it, Kurt only used it. <– official="" version,="" not="">
“Well then, there’s a reason why I wanted you three to listen.”
First we were told that Helmut-nii-san’s and Erich-nii-san’s peerage will rise to a.s.sociate Baron.
“Why?”
“Your Majesty, we don’t have any particular achievements or such&h.e.l.lip;” (Erich)
“It can’t be that there’s nothing. You are putting effort into your given work everyday.” (King)
“That is the same for all the other n.o.bles as well though&h.e.l.lip;” (Erich)
His Majesty answered Erich-nii-san’s doubts with a smile.
However, his facial expression also showed 『Accept it without reb.u.t.tal』. Realizing that, Erich-nii-san’s group obediently accepted the reward of raising in rank.
“Next it’s Baron Baumeister, huh?” (King)
It was neglected for a little less than a week after Kurt’s death, but I will finally be granted the Savage Lands, it seems.
“I decree the confiscation of the Savage Lands part of the Knight Baumeister territory because of the scandal revolving around the succession. You will be told about the details of the confiscated area afterwards. All of the remaining Savage Lands shall be bestowed upon Wendelin von Benno Baumeister, whose n.o.ble rank will rise to Earl.” (King)
“I shall humbly accept it.” (Wendelin)
Having been granted the Savage Lands and the peerage of Earl by His Majesty, the majority of troubles concerning my family’s home were finally settled with this.
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