CH 136

"Fuhahahaha! I have arrived!"

And shortly after, "Her" voice booms high in the entrance hall.

In the study of the Earl Terrace mansion, a middle-aged guy with reddish hair, brows, and a mustache of the same hue and brown eyes sat at his desk. Though he might seem a bit stern, his dandyism was what showed through first.

It was a gloomy setting, with a high level of formality and a serene appearance, devoid of flamboyance and conveying a refined image, and he appeared to be suppressing his excitement.

His mouth twitched slightly.

Let's say it again. 

He was a nice middle-aged man with reddish hair and a look of severity, his mouth twitching with suppressed expression.

Why didn't Charlotte realize that Katherine was his daughter? They looked so much alike. If they were painted together in a portrait as father and daughter, it would have been a beautiful painting. And the better question was, why were Charlotte and Teresa his daughters?

*Knock knock.*

Someone knocked on the door.

"It's me."

"Get in."

The Earl spoke with dignity that befits the leader. And from the other person's voice and tone, it was clear that she was a woman. It was strange that she was allowed to enter without even introducing herself.

However, once she entered the room, she did not forget the beautiful courtesy.

She lifted her lowered face. Her platinum blonde hair with waves cascaded her shoulders as if it was curtains of precious metal. Her white skin, petal-like lips, and straight, elegant nose. Huge mounds lifted up her modest and sophisticated dress.

Her eyes opened.

They're like huge emerald jewels.

She was Margaret, the mother of Teresa and Charlotte.

It would not be appropriate to inquire about the lady's age. However, some might mistake her for being younger than Charlotte, and, depending on the observer, she could even be seen as a younger version of that she-devil. Based solely on appearance, she gives off a more gentle impression than Charlotte.

"How do you do, James-sama?" She spoke with her smooth voice. "It has been a while since I saw you so happy. I am also pleased that Charlotte-chan is pregnant."

Certainly, James was pleased. Although he was a nobleman, he was also a parent above all else. He feels for his daughter, Charlotte has suffered a lot in her life from not being able to conceive.

What did that "heretic" do to impregnate her?

Although her first marriage ended in disappointment, it was still a marriage that Charlotte had desired. However, this time, she was married off as a "tool". Honestly, he was concern greatly about that, but upon reading Charlotte's letter, it becomes clear that she is happy with her current situation.

"――Fufu, just as I said, didn't I? I was against the previous marriage, but this time I approve. Of course, it took this much time for the results to show. Oh? How do I know you ask? ――Fufufu, let's just say it's a mother's intuition."

When Margaret received a letter from Charlotte announcing that she was pregnant, she proudly puff out her big chest and said that. She had a peculiar personality, and James, who had learned this well through their long marriage, couldn't view Margaret as a mere "tool" despite her being a woman. 

Although the first marriage was also a political marriage, it was the marriage Charlotte had desired, and Margaret's opinion had been overruled ―― Margaret couldn't hold Charlotte back.

By the way, the person who opposed Charlotte and Desmond's marriage the most was her sister, Teresa. 

At the time, she had started to gather followers who would later become the current "Platinum Knights." and tried to storm into the Swift Marquess's house, but the entire family desperately stopped her. Charlotte also tried to stop her.

During that time, Teresa tried to evaluate whether Desmond was a suitable man for her sister and even attempted to also infiltrate the Damwead family  ―― but no one stopped her, because the target was that 《Heretic》 even if she had managed to kill him, she would have received a light punishment, and many nobles would have secretly supported her. And at that time, even Charlotte...

"The person who would become my husband in some way or another must be capable of handling my older sister to some extent."

The plotting of Desmond's murder was silently acknowledged. But among them, only the mother said.

"Hmm, it seems like the ladies-in-waiting order might change."

And

When Teresa went out with high spirits and returned with a sulky face, her clothes were tattered. Her father was greatly troubled by the immodest appearance of his noble daughter.

"Fine! If that man insists that much, then I'll let him go this time. But sister!, you tell me if you receive any unfair treatment, I will crush him with all my might!"

"Thank you, I'll count on you when the time comes."

If Desmond had treated Charlotte unfairly, a great kaiju battle and buster call would have been raging down on Aldora.

"Come to think of it, I was cold to him." 

James sighed as Margaret smiled.

The harshness with which Peter Swift demanded that James marry Charlotte off to Desmond Damwead "The Heretic of Damweed" was not only infuriating but also rendered James speechless. His actions were "correct" as a noble, but also cruel treatment to his daughter.

But now, thanks to his unhindered action, he had no obstacle to crushing him. He even considered it to be insulting to hold back.

It was reported that his son-in-law and daughter were summoned to his place.

"Our family will do everything in our power to support Desmond Damwead."

"Our family, that sounds wonderful." Margaret continued to smile.

Charlotte's letter also stated that after everything was resolved, they would be invited to their estate at Aldora. It also will be their first time visiting that place.

"Fufu, I'm looking forward to it."

When Desmond came to pick up Charlotte, he invited them to visit Aldora territory. But the area was very remote and situated at a frontier. It was protected by steep mountains that acted as a natural fortress. Due to this, other countries viewed it as too much trouble to conquer this desolate and unproductive land.

His son-in-law said he had improved it, but James couldn't believe it.  and while Margaret seemed to want to go, James disagreed, and they did not go in the end.  Charlotte occasionally returned home, but they never bothered to ask her about the place - until now.

If Desmond is the one who has made Charlotte happy and gotten her pregnant, then maybe the "Aldora" has truly improved. Even if the marriage was unwanted, James considered supporting him because it was where Charlotte became a bride. However, he couldn't do it with Swift watching him at that time. But now, he can provide assistance to the territory.

The evaluation of the son-in-law has skyrocketed, and their future expanded greatly as well.

However, he must not let his guard down.

Nothing has started yet, and he doesn't know how it will turn out. If he makes a mistake, he will regret it forever. That's why he has to carefully consider the timing of notifying his eldest daughter...

"Oh, by the way, why are you here?"

"Well, it's because-"

She was about to speak when...

"Fuhahahaha! I have arrived!"

"――eh?"

James was surprised and couldn't believe hearing the loud voice that came from the entrance.

Since he had carefully considered the timing of informing her, he hasn't sent the letter yet...

This timing....Margaret...?

James nervously looked at his young-looking wife, feeling his heart racing in his chest. At that time, in his joy and excitement, he had written that letter. And then Margaret said she had something she wanted to write as well, so he had left the letter with her and then.....

He suddenly feels a sharp pain in his stomach, like being twisted by pliers.

Why did he forget it? That's not it, whenever James tried to talk to his wife about it, she always found a way to avoid the subject!

No, no, no, no way...

In his field of vision, his bewitching wife smiled and said, "Teresa-chan is so quick,  I was just about to tell James-sama that I had sent a letter to her. I wonder if she has gotten stronger again."

*guuuuuh*...

James heard a sound that made his stomach tighten. He gritted his teeth and desperately cast 【Heal】 on himself.

James's wife appeared carefree in front of him, and although he wanted to be angry, he couldn't bring himself to do so. Because――there was something that absolutely had to be kept secret from the outside, and it was largely thanks to Margaret's skill that they were able to withstand Swift's unreasonable demands and grab for power. Of course, James was the one to take most of the hits――he was certainly an excellent head of the family――but he had relied on Margaret so much to the point he couldn't even complain about something like this, and this letter was not a letter to another household, but a letter to their daughter who was still unmarried and wandering from battlefield to battlefield like a delinquent. A letter from parents to their daughter. He had been so overjoyed that he had forgotten to tell Margaret not to send the letter right away――or so he thought. She must cleverly find a way around that.

Above all, what Margaret did was "right". If he were to complain or get angry about her actions, which sometimes seemed inexplicable, he might end up committing a mistake himself.

And so, as long as Papa could endure his stomach ache,

*Bang!*

The office door flung open forcefully.

It resonated very, very loud in Papa's stomach.

What appeared was, of course, the Platinum Knight in her formal wear.

Her tanned skin was covered firmly in white leotards, revealing a rebellious spirit. The wonderful curves of her breasts, which were as huge as her mother are perfectly curved do not lose their shape at all, and the location of the nipples could be seen if one looked attentively. Her cameltoe is fully visible due to the daringly tight fit of the crotch area, displaying the form of her mound. Her toned and supple thighs were exposed. Over it was a jacket that resembled a haori.

Platinum blonde straight hair on brown skin. Her big, emerald eyes resembled those of her mother and sister, but hers were more intense and shone brightly. The corners of her mouth were lifted up, revealing her liveliness and her canine teeth. Even though she appeared to be in her mid-twenties at most, she was actually thirty-eight years old.

She was the eldest daughter, the approaching-forties berserker, Teresa.

"I'm home, Father!" Her voice was loud. And then, she burst into raucous laughter.

Again, it resounded in Papa's stomach.

In more ways than one.

The eldest daughter was wreaking havoc in the office.

"So Charlotte is pregnant! Congratulations! That damn dog won! He said to wait for ten years, but it only took eight. He really got me. Fuhahahahaha! So, when will we start fighting back? Now? Right now!?"

"Teresa, there are many things I want to do, we must wait."

As expected of the head of the family, I was able to endure the pain in my stomach and speak out.

"That's right, we need to wait, Teresa-chan. We must wait for the right time."

"Hmm. If mother says so.."

She doesn't take her father's word into account at all.

"By the way, Teresa-chan, you came back quite early - have you become stronger again?"

Father was completely neglected. But this might have been healthier for his stomach...

"No, but I got a new friend that was able to fly in the sky, so we had her carry all the knights."

New friend? 

Who can fly in the sky and carry all the knights? What kind of monster is that...?

"Her name is Schwarz and she's a dragon. Fuhaha! didn’t want to land near here and scare the people unnecessarily,  so I landed far away first.  She will come here later with the knights. ――We'll be in your care Father! Ah, that's not right, we will make sure to give you our spoils of war. It's not good to just be a burden. Besides, I have heard about our family's finances from mother."

"You're such a smart girl Teresa-chan. However, to become friends with the dragon, the dragon and all the members of the knight order... As expected of my daughter. It will certainly become lively."

James felt a taste of blood in his mouth, and it wasn't just his imagination. The 【Heal】 just couldn't keep up.

"Ah, I went underground for quite some time until I met Schwarz. However, it was worth it, as I was able to find a strong person on my level."

It's unclear whether it's surprising that she is on the same level as Teresa or that Teresa is on the same level as a dragon.  Either way, Papan, whose stomach is about to be destroyed has no time to grieve.  His only hope now was those legends like dragons would remain legends. However, given that Teresa, the infamous 《Platinum Destroyer》says it, it must be true no matter how absurd it sounds.

"Because Schwarz is a friend of mine. When I told her about my sister, she said she want to burn them all" she said happily.

them as in individual? the mansion? Or—territory?

"Oh my, how reliable she was," Margaret said casually.

"Fuhahahaha!" The eldest daughter laughed loudly. "So, when are we heading out? Now? I think right away is good. I'm warmed up and ready to go any time!"

She said as her breasts, which looked like they could burst out at any moment, bounced wildly with anticipation.

"..... wait. Give me some time."

James was struggling to squeeze out a plan. But he really needed some time.

First to accept the current situation, reconsider his plan, and take a break for his stomach.

If he didn't, his stomach might explode before he could face his enemies.

"Fumu, father is as cunning as ever. I'm impressed."

"He's Teresa-chan's proud father after all."

"Oh yes, there's no way he'll screw up this time! It's like we're riding a big ship right now! In terms of military force too! My Platinum Knights, Schwarz, and maybe even that dog from Aldora? I also taught my sister in the past but I have no idea about our brother-in-law. Fuhahaha!"

The overwhelming military power made James's determination to crush Swift falter. At this rate, there wouldn't be any remains of him left.  If possible, as a "noble", he was thinking of squeezing him without killing or keeping him alive, but did that backfire?

When it's time to strike, cut the root.

James not only had stomach pain but also had cold sweat on his forehead and felt chills down his spine.

These were his legitimate wife and eldest daughter, and they were on his side.

Earl Terrace was an experienced warrior as well. What was required was a strong stomach for endurance. And if he had an honest conversation with his son-in-law, they could potentially become good friends.

After all, his wife was his second daughter.

James still had hopes for Charlotte. His eldest daughter was already like that, so he gave his second daughter a suitable education as a "noble". Something that his lawful wife unapproved of, and his eldest daughter secretly gave her a "hands-on" experience behind his back, but that girl is cute and dreamy, and as a noble "woman." she was refined and elegant.

However, people's dreams are often short-lived.

If he knew that it was his son-in-law who awakened his daughter, James might collapse first before Swift.

"Fuhahahaha!"

"Fufufufufu."

In the office where James was attempting to heal his stomach, he watch a scene of mother and daughter who looks like sisters laughing with a distant look in his eyes