Chapter 22 – My Recommendation Is to Use All the Power of My Duke Family to Make You a First Generation Noble
—Don’t underestimate the nobility, especially when it comes to wealth.
I was painfully aware of this. Because…
“You can ask for whatever you like as a reward. Gold, precious metals, works of art, it doesn’t matter. It can be land or honor. My recommendation is to use all the power of my duke family to make you a first generation noble.”
“…What do you mean?”
“Of course, since you’re not a real aristocrat, you can’t marry into the royal family, but you can do most other things as a new aristocrat from our duke’s family. I can arrange for land and personnel, and in the future, you can marry one of my relatives—”
“W-Wait a minute!”
I had a hunch that if things went on like this, things would turn out to be outrageous, so I hurriedly started looking for compromises.
The important thing here is never to say you don’t want anything.
The Duke’s recommendation was really something.
But if I ask for money, I’m sure I’ll be given a terrible amount of money that an ordinary person like me can’t manage.
I don’t need that, too much money is bad for you.
The eldest princess of a prestigious duke family, the goddess of war, and the Killing Goddess—If money is in exchange for that, it wouldn’t be strange to be able to buy not just a castle but the entire territory of a low-ranking aristocrat.
What should I ask for here?
There must be some way of satisfying the Duke’s pride and at the same time do no harm…
“—Ah!”
“What?”
“No, nevermind that—I’ve thought of a request.”
“Say it.”
“I would like to ask for the support and guidance of the Duke’s household, both for Suzuha’s future and for myself, if possible.”
“Hoo…”
The edges of the Duke’s mouth were turned up.
Ah, this guy is definitely thinking about bad things.
“Hmph, you greedy b*****d. You’ll always be a commoner if you do that, won’t you?”
“That’s the plan.”
“Rather than short-term money, you want favor from my household.”
“With all due respect, the authority of the Duke of Sakuragi reaches every corner of our country. If my sister, Suzuha, receives the patronage of that duke family, she will have a much easier time at the Strongest Royal Female Knight Academy, which is full of aristocrats.”
“That’s for sure. If any half-hearted noble comes and speaks recklessly, using their power as a shield, we will crush them and their whole clan in return.”
“T-There’s no need to go that far…?”
Aristocrats are scary.
This is the moment when I am truly glad to have been born a commoner.
“However, excessive humility can also become insincere. If it becomes known that I have rewarded you, everyone will realize that our duke family is behind you. That would be the same as recommendation. In that case, wouldn’t it be more advantageous for you to accept money?”
“No, not at all.”
“Hoo?”
“If we receive other rewards, it will be harder to ask for help when we really need it.”
“I see, I see… Haha! You look like a good commoner, but you’re quite the wicked one!”
“…Yes?”
“I do not need temporary money. Instead, I desire the right to use your duke family as a tool. In other words, that is what you want to say, isn’t it?”
“I didn’t say that!?”
“Okay, no more probing. I like you!”
The duke, who seemed to have made a huge misunderstanding, looked at me as if he had somehow found a new partner in crime. Why?
“As compensation for the life of the eldest princess of our duke family, you seek assistance? Hmm, I see. This is compensation that Yuzuriha could never pay off in her entire life, isn’t it?”
“E-Eh…? Um…”
“Instead of being lured by short-term gains, we should grasp the best solution in the long run. I see, it means that it’s not just about being strong. Not bad, not bad at all!”
The Duke seemed to have come to a conclusion on his own and was overly confident.
However, if I were to interject at this point, things would become even more complicated. So, I had no choice but to smile politely and remain silent.
“If that’s the case, then it’s easy to talk. But let me ask you something now.”
“Y-Yes?”
“Do you want to marry Yuzuriha? Or would you prefer another girl?”
“What are you talking about all of a sudden!?”
“—M-Master! There’s a big problem!”
Just as I raised my voice in surprise, the Duke’s butler rushed in frantically.
The Duke stared at the butler with a glare,
“What is the matter with you? Right now we are having a discussion to decide the future of the dukedom?”
“I am very sorry! But Miss Yuzuriha is…!”
“Yuzuriha-san? What’s wrong!?”
“Yes, umm… The procedure to remove the scar on her skin was successful, but as soon as the young lady woke up and saw her newly scar-free body, she started to go berserk!”
“What!? I didn’t think there was a side effect of the healing magic!!”
“That’s exactly it! The young lady started screaming and crying, saying things like ‘Return my scar, the proof of my bond with Suzuha-kun’s older brother! Waaahhh!!’ and went on a rampage inside the mansion, completely naked and out of control!”
“…T-That stupid girl…!”
The Duke covered his face in a state of dejection and weakness.
…I’m not sure what’s going on, but it’s not my fault, right?
“Um, do you want me to help you?”
“…Please, if you find my daughter, hold her gently in your arms. That will probably resolve the situation.”
“Y-Yes.”
“When she comes to her senses, Yuzuriha will want to die of shame, but she deserves it. It won’t be your fault, so don’t worry about it.”
“Y-Yes…?”
In any case, I ran after the butler to seize Yuzuriha-san…
In the distance, I could hear the sound of an expensive-looking vase breaking.
I was very uneasy, thinking that if we didn’t stop her soon, things could become very serious.
So when I left the room, I couldn’t hear the Duke’s murmuring words.
“Can a man of her age see her naked? …Hmph, now I have one more reason to marry her off.”
