Chapter 203
Chapter 203
Vol. 2 Chapter 203
Exhaustion
Translated by Raizu
The Quordenze residence looked like it had been hit by a disaster.
Especially due to the sea of vomits.
As expected, Orshian’s strong malice must have caused considerable pain even for those who came from a knightly family.
The servants, who had been resurrected by healing magic, hurriedly cleaned up the things they had spat out.
[There must be a lot of fuss outside.]
While lying on the sofa, I spoke to the civil officer who came to report.
All the doors and windows in the hall were open for ventilation, but there was still a sour smell lingering in the air of the mansion.
Now that I’m not feeling well, if I let my guard down, I’m afraid I’ll vomit.
[The Levios army was patrolling earlier. It seems that the entire Royal Capital is affected.]
Vomiting in the Royal Capital… and so on, it seems that they are in a situation where they can’t laugh at their boring puns.
The citizens were in a state of panic, and there were even fires in some areas.
It is said that the Levios family is mobilizing the army to maintain public order during this important time before the Royal Capital’s social gatherings.
In addition, the policy of the Quordenze family is that [Princess Orshian is the one to blame for this incident!!!].
Therefore, I don’t need to worry at all. I decided to listen to the story about the chaos in the Royal Capital.
[It’s quiet for that reason.]
[It is probably due to the skills of the Levios family. Most of the commoners in this area should have fainted, so it seems that they decided that immediate protection was necessary. Currently, there are several knights in the central area. is deployed and taking command, there is no room for mobs to enter.]
Commoners who live near Noble mansions are among the wealthiest in the Royal Capital.
Even though the difference between the ruling class and the non-ruling class is like heaven and earth on the Eruo continent, gold still has its worth due to its monetary power. Neglecting this would be disadvantageous for the Levios family as well.
The Levios army had set up a simple healing facility on the outskirts of the central division, and it is said that fainted residents are being brought there one after another.
Outside of that, the army was being used to suppress the chaotic citizens. I feel like I’ve been shown the disparity in support.
[Were there any casualties?]
I unconsciously clenched my fists. All this talk reminded me of Orshian’s last magic release.
I imagined that any mere serf exposed to that wave of murderous intent would have a seizure or heart attack.
However, the civil officer denied it.
[If I didn’t hit my head when I fainted, I thought it would be life-threatening. There is also a direction for intimidation…]
[I see.]
The threat of magical power imbued with emotion affects the hearts of others, but it also strongly reflects the will of the person who issued it.
On the battlefield, it emits magical powers to spite the enemy forces or the supreme commander. Then, the enemy soldiers will somehow understand that they are the target of that malice, and they will fall into a state of panic.
At this time, the allied soldiers will not panic. That’s because they somehow sensed that the malice wasn’t meant for them.
Rather, they’d sense that the murderous intent was directed at the enemy army, thus raising their morale.
I feel like this phenomenon resembles a fight between cats.
In my previous life, my neighbor’s house had a cat named Tora. Of course, it was a semi-stray cat that usually wandered around the neighborhood.
Tora was not that great in fighting. The cat was often seen being chased by other cats.
One day, Tora and some stray cat were fighting in our garden.
In order to be on the side of my favorite Tora, I stood between the two animals who continued to growl and glared at the stray cat. Tora, sensing me on his side, became more daring as if saying [I have this human on my side, you know?].
I should have stopped there, but Tora got excited and chased the fleeing stray cat, and disappeared deep into the bush where my vision could not reach. But of course, the next time I saw the two, Tora was the one being chased.
Putting aside the unfortunate episode of Tora, if you threaten the enemy army, your allied soldiers will say, [There are such amazing Nobles here?].
Both enemies and allies are exposed to malice, but there is a big difference in how they receive it.
The intention of the caller can be said to be a very important factor in intimidation.
In this case, Orshian’s threats were mainly aimed at me, Eve, and our military officers. On the other hand, after receiving that threat, I threatened Orshian personally.
A vector of malice is not suitable for the residents of the Royal Capital. In other words, it is highly likely that the inhabitants of the Royal Capital felt that [I have nothing to do with it].
But even so, it still has that amount of magical power.
For example, it would be like being thrown into a cage where tigers stare at each other. In such a situation, I don’t think there is anyone who can take the time to say, [I’m not involved in this because the tigers are fighting with each other].
As a result, the neighbors couldn’t stand the indirect pressure and fainted. If anything, I think it’s a reaction close to self-defense.
[Besides, there are many thick walls around here, so it seems that there will be a very small part that will be attenuated.]
[Thick?]
[Yessir. The Levios military officer said…]
Not everything was going well in the Kingdom of Levios from the beginning.
It seems that in the early days, there were times when Nobles threatened each other in the Royal Capital. Inevitably, malice will fly around here and there.
Depending on the nature of the malicious clashes, third parties may feel uncomfortable.
This is similar to the frustrating feeling you get when you see old men arguing with each other on a train station platform. Basically, fighting is something that makes you feel uncomfortable when you watch it from the side.
In addition, intimidation using magic can convey subtle nuances of emotions. In short, it’s extremely unpleasant for Nobles who have no intention of tossing a serious killing intent to each other or have no intention of fighting each other’s malice.
In order to prevent such an unpleasant aura from spreading throughout the Royal Capital, the Levios family is said to have buried magic stones in every wall. In addition, in order not to create a gritty atmosphere, they are covered with bricks and cannot be seen normally.
[…But that’s the ostensible reason. I wonder if the true use is as a line of defense in case of emergency. In fact, it doesn’t have much of a dampening effect against threats that are pure magical power release.]
[That’s a nasty reason.]
Is it a desperate plan for when the Royal family invites Nobles from other families to their territory?
The Levios family has been struggling with various things so far. I’m sure it isn’t the last of Orshian-related problems either.
[By the way, when is my father planning to come back?]
The question that almost unconsciously overflowed from my mouth was something I’d heard many times before.
After speaking, I regretted saying the same thing again.
Due to my lack of mana, I feel uneasy when my father isn’t around.
[Master said it should be over soon, but the impact is bigger than everyone thought… I think it will still take some time.]
The civil officer answered politely without showing even the slightest bit of an attitude like, [I’ve already answered that earlier, didn’t I?].
My father just returned to the Quordenze mansion, but he left as soon as he poured a large amount of healing magic on me.
If you do a little research, you’ll soon find out that the Quordenze mansion was the center of this turmoil. As the top of the Quordenze faction, it won’t do if we leave the Nobles under our umbrella here be.
That’s why my father borrowed a nearby auditorium from the Levios family and was trying to get hold of the Nobles under his umbrella, like holding press conferences.
To be honest, I probably should have gone too, but… I’m so tired. The thread of tension was cut, and I didn’t feel like doing anything.
And even though I would be among the Nobles of the Quordenze faction, I don’t know if they’re trustworthy. When I told my father that I didn’t want to go, he told me that I didn’t have to come.
It’s a blessing, I say. I feel like I’m going to be a hikikomori because of my father’s kindness.
[Young Master.]
The military officer who was standing by the wall let out a small voice.
I received the signal and put my strength into the sofa.
It was just as I was correcting my posture that she appeared.
[Can I come in~?]
Plume suddenly emerged from the open door.
The reason why she came to the Quordenze residence was due to a discussion between my father and Earl Sylopea.
Earl Sylopea’s idea is simple. Now that the incomprehensible threat of Orshian is roaming the Royal Capital, she wants to keep Plume, which can be said to be the future of her family, in a safe zone. At least until we can see some degree of the current situation at the Quordenze gathering.
And my father’s judgment comes from being overprotective. I think he was worried about his son, who was unusually nervous, and thought of trying to stabilize my mind. My father knows very well that I trust Plume.
After weighing the merits of reassuring his son and the demerits of seeing him exhausted from battle with other families, the former was prioritized.
[Wil, are you alright?]
Her hair was a little disheveled from when she rushed over from the Sylopea residence. Therefore, while I was preparing tea, she was resetting in the restroom.
I smiled at her, who looked at me with a worried expression.
[I’m fine.]
[…You don’t look fine at all…]
Saying that, her expression darkened.
When she first came to the Quordenze mansion, her expression was like, [I’m here, so you’re safe now!].
[Hey, are you sure you’re okay? Hey…]
I’m sorry for Plume, but I don’t have the energy to make up for it. Perhaps because I released too much mana, I feel like I’m in trouble anyway.
Plume’s bewildered expression was refreshing.
I’ve always been conscious of showing her a cool appearance. This would be the first time she saw me looking so weak.
I don’t know what to say, but her figure of being careful with her movements as if touching something dangerous is cute and soothing.
[I’m fine. I’m relieved that Plue came. Father has gone outside, so I’m relieved just by having someone I can trust close by… Thank you.]
There’s a little bit of acting mixed in, but there’s no lie in those words.
It was more important to me that Plume, a Highlord I could trust, would come, rather than for her to see me weakened.
I feel bad for them, but no matter how much I trust my escorts, in my current condition I couldn’t get rid of the anxiety of having inadequate guardians around me.
And if I had to choose, I’d rather have a cute girl than a rugged old man of course. I really want to be spoiled.
[…..Ufufu. This is the first time I see Wil acting like this. Very well then, your very kind big sister Plume will take care of you.]
With a proud smile, she walked over and sat next to me instead of sitting on the sofa facing me.
It’s not unthinkable that a Noble Princess who is about to get married sits on the sofa with a boy from another family… but no one seems to be so upset about it. There was no change in the expression of Plume’s exclusive servant who was brought from the Sylopea mansion.
I had one thought while looking at her who was concentrating magical power on her palm to activate healing magic.
Her bra looked sweet.
Because she was lightly dressed, and because she was leaning forward a little, her underwear could be seen glimmering through the gaps in the cloth. It looks like she’s wearing underwear that looks like a bustier.
I enjoyed the wonderful sight while being careful not to stare at it too much. Girls of this age are less cautious about the breasts that have just begun to swell.
In any case, the erection power brought about by this kind of voyeurism is 80% more than usual. Thank you very much.
[Wil? Turn around.]
[Ah…yeah. Sure.]
I turned my back to Plume while feeling a sense of reluctance to part with the sight of her chest.
[Be patient, alright? I’ve heard that it didn’t turn into a fight, but there might be some residual magic left behind, just in case. Right?]
[I’m fine. But by all means.]
As soon as I replied, her hands were placed on my back.
[…]
…..it’s very warm.
A number of hearts filled with life energy are attached to my back, and I can feel the vitality and body temperature being pumped through my body by these powerful pushes. I can feel my muscles relaxing in an indescribable pleasure, as if I had condensed the pleasure I would usually get when I immersed my exhausted body in the bathtub and let it flow in your blood.
[…………haaaa…..]
A Highlord’s healing magic is really comfortable. I think I could get used to getting drowned in this pleasure.
In addition to that, Plume’s gentle voice over my back was rapturous in a sense. I felt bad for Plume, who was healing me out of kindness, when if I let my guard down, I would probably jump into her chest while screaming [Mama~!].
My cock was already erect at full force since I have yet to see release up until now. In other words, I couldn’t stand up from the sofa.
[At that time, Wil was always with me….. Let me return the favor, even just a little.]
She murmured quietly. But since I was drowning in the pleasure of her healing, I didn’t quite realize that she was talking about the time of Yersinia Calamity.
[… You don’t have to worry about favors or anything like that. We are good friends, aren’t we?]
[It’s no good since Wil always spoils me.]
I really want you to pamper me. In return, I will spoil you too.
Thinking about it this way, the demon beast Yersinia that ruined the engagement line between me and Plume is truly a nuisance. Shouldn’t it be called the Vermin Yersinia instead?
As I continued to chat, I felt my body warm to the core, so I decided to shift the topic from the old tales to the present.
[However, I’m worried that I didn’t have to attend the meeting. Father said there was no problem, but…]
After I calmed down a bit, I regretted my actions up until now.
I said this because I wanted Plume to make the decision. My thoughts are still foggy, and I feel like I can’t make a correct judgment.
As a Noble, she has solid ideas, so I wanted to refer to her opinion.
[Hmm… I think I’m glad that you didn’t go. Uncle didn’t seem worried about Wil, but maybe he honestly thought it would be better for you not to come?]
Plume hesitated for a moment, but immediately continued speaking.
[That wave of murderous intent was really intense. Some people must have felt that you are a reliable ally, but there must be many people who were terrified. If Wil suddenly appeared in front of those people, I couldn’t imagine what kind of reaction they would have. I’m sure Uncle left Wil here because he was wary of such an unexpected event. …so don’t worry. Alright?]
I can understand that she’s worried about me, thus trying to assure me. But at the same time, I can tell that she answered my questions with honesty
[Don’t give me that look. Wil isn’t doing bad at all, you know? You’ve shown Quordenze’s martial prowess, so you should be more confident about it! Let Uncle handle the faction for now]
[You’re right. I’m not at fault.]
[Yes, yes…just keep looking ahead.]
I could feel the warmth on my back left me.
I turned around and faced Plume.
…..For some reason, I feel a strange excitement as if we’re playing doctors.
Plume, who had no way of knowing what was going on in my heart, put her hand on my chest without hesitation and started healing. As a relative and a childhood friend, perhaps because of our long relationship, there is nothing particularly embarrassing about this.
I want her to blush like a Princess saying, [Well! It’s shameful to touch a gentleman’s body!].
[What?]
[Nothing.]
I tried to touch her hands on my chest with one hand, but she didn’t respond as I expected.
I can’t help it, so let’s just enjoy the sneak peek. This should heal my exhausted heart. I want to applaud the splendor of the growth period.
For a while, Plume and I continued our leisurely small talk.
[…..Um, can I ask you something?]
Halfway through, she seemed to be looking at me, and she said as if she had made up her mind.
[Sure. You want to ask about Princess Orshian, right?]
Personally, I wanted to talk about it a little to let it out of my head.
Plume’s proposal is a crossing ship because my father has said that I can tell the truth about this incident without any particular secrets to the Sylopea family.
[Ah…yes. Are you alright with it?]
I think it would be nice if you didn’t ask if you were so concerned about it, but even so, as the next head of the Sylopea family, she probably thought she had to ask. She is a really serious child.
I briefly talked about Orshian’s visit, how she consulted me about the governance of the occupied territories, how she got furious when she saw Eve, and how the Levios family intervened after intimidation and left.
But I had to lie about Eve, saying that she’s a civil officer apprentice to the Quordenze family. I don’t want to tell Plume about my lower body situation in detail.
Fortunately, there were no rude remarks about why a civil officer apprentice from the Mist Land was in the Quordenze family. Plume is also a Noble Princess, so she might have guessed it.
[…Come to think of it, did Princess Orshian go to the Royal Castle obediently? She seemed to dislike the Levios family.]
I asked the nearby civil officer.
[They were waiting for the carriage to come in front of the main gate, but since it didn’t arrive so quickly, they left on foot. We’ve confirmed that she did enter the palace.]
[I see…]
After receiving the report, I looked up at the ceiling.
…..she actually walked there.
Judging from Orshian’s attitude, I don’t think she would be willing to receive healing magic from people related to Levios. That means that even after going through that menacing battle, she actually still had some reserve magic power remaining.
On the other hand, after Orshian left the garden, I was so exhausted that I could barely stand, and my physical condition deteriorated.
I think that the cause of my poor physical condition was probably that the magical energy in my body was suddenly used in great amounts.
Even if 400ml of blood is slowly drawn out over time, such as by donating blood, you will not die, but if you lose the same amount of blood all at once in a short period of time, such as in an accident, you will fall into a state of shock.
Thinking about it, that final threat of super magic was truly unreasonable and dangerous. Maybe I should have calmly aimed for victory without getting frustrated.
I managed to maintain my composure through the healing of the military officers and the intense healing of my father who returned shortly after that, but I feel like I would have collapsed in the garden if it hadn’t been for that.
The way I see it, Orshian got away a lot easier than I did.
Well, I can walk to the Royal castle too, right? While appealing to Plume for the leeway of lying, I decided to just let the story flow.
I will try not to break the formula that Wilk Quordenze had won over Orshian Milendorva.
[By the way, what did Plue think about Princess Orshian’s magic power? I’d like to hear your honest opinion.]
Plume made a peace sign and showed it to me.
[Then, I’ll give you two answers.]
[2 answers?]
The phrase was a little worrisome, but for the time being I decided to ask.
[I could immediately tell that it was Wil who was facing her off. The malice was from the direction of the Quordenze residence, and that amount of magic power? Ah, it’s got to be Wil…]
Plume is well aware of the amount of my magical power. She has actually experienced it when I healed her from the strange disease caused by the Demon Beast Yersinia.
[I was really surprised. Maybe it was because we were so close? The surge of magic power was so intense that I couldn’t tell who was on top. I think they were evenly matched, but I didn’t think there was another Noble with that much magic power other than Wil. I was relieved when the magic power of the stranger disappeared first. I’m really glad Wil won.]
[I see.]
As expected, it seems that the amount of mana that was used to intimidate is considered to be about the same.
I was in the midst of a storm of malice and could not make an accurate observation, so I am very grateful for Plume’s comment.
[…So, what I just said is the opinion of Plume Sylopea, who is familiar with Wilk Quordenze. This next answer will be my opinion as a Noble.]
Plume’s expression turned serious…..changing to that of the next Head of a Noble family.
She folded her middle finger, then touch my chest with her index finger.
[Impossible. That’s the only word I can say.]
I’m at a loss for words as to how to react.
I suddenly also wanted to poke Plume in the chest. I wonder if she could still maintain her complexion if I do that.
It’s a bit rude to say this, but she continues after prefaced by this.
[Most Noble’s single combat ability is about the same as a mature demon beast that ranks third in the threat class…of course Wil is also aware of this, right?]
[I know that… Well, even comparing it to the third rank is a bit of a stretch.]
There are demon beasts that specialize in polluting abilities, and there are demon beasts that focus on combat power. It’s hard to say that mature demon beasts are on the same level as Highlords.
However, mankind is learning from the history of fighting demonic beasts. If a Highlord faces a demon beast of the third threat class alone, it will often be a 50/50 battle.
Then, Plume made up her mind and let out a small sigh before staring at me.
[It’s like Demon Beast Bariora and Demon Beast Measles are fighting… I think more than a few Nobles would think so.]
Those are the names of demon beasts that became the greatest threat in human history. Basically the great demon beast that made up the first rank in the threat class.
Only two cases have been confirmed in the history of the Eruo continent, and they are the strongest and worst of the mature demon beasts.
[…..It might be rude to compare it to demon beasts. Forgive me.]
She bowed her head apologetically. But, she’s not finished yet.
[But, I want Wil to know. I felt an instinctive fear from the amount of magical power that surpassed me by far and the murderous intent contained within. That fear and the baleful aura emitted by a mature demon beast. I think it’s a very plausible story to tie them together.]
It would be an insult to compare the magical power of a Noble to the aura of a demon beast.
However, Plume understood that and still uttered the analogy. I think she decided that I was taking this situation lightly, thus she went with some radical remarks.
The current Quordenze family might invite unnecessary vigilance from other families, and the situation could take a turn for the worst if we make a mistake…that’s what she’s trying to say.
I noticed that the servant that accompanied Plume turned pale.
I decided to make a follow up so that it wouldn’t become a problem between the Sylopea and Quordenze families.
Because I believed that Plume was just being sincere.
[I know how hard it can be to tell one’s own feelings regarding another person. But, I really appreciate the frankness and simplicity.]
[If you say so, I will be happy too.]
I told her that I was aware that the current parable was not the Sylopea family’s intention, and Plume confirmed it. Now everything is fine.
But even if it’s just to tell me, she’s a Princess crossing a rather dangerous bridge. When I think that she trusts me that much, even my crotch becomes energetic.
Because the servants were nervous, the air in the room seemed to have become a little heavy, so Plume intervened with a light small talk before moving on to the next topic.
[The social gathering will probably be more complicated than it should originally be.]
[I guess so. I don’t want to think about it too much…]
My mind is still fatigued.
However, Plume grinned playfully.
[Princess Orshian, who had been having trouble with the Levios family, made a surprise visit, and a battle suddenly started on the spot, and Wilk Quordenze won the battle of threats involving the entire capital, right? Ufufu, how scandalous ?]
Seeing her cheerful tone makes me feel like I’ve been saved a little bit, which is strange.
Well, thinking Plume, who will spend most of her time outside with me, will also have a hard time, I laughed in turn.
[I guess the Levios family will also move.]
[There’s no way they’re going to do nothing…but I’m sure all the schedules and plans they’ve prepared up to today are all gone down the drain.]
[It’s troublesome alright.]
[Uncle must be fuming right now, having to deal with all the aftermath.]
[This is serious…]
My father told me not to let others underestimate Quordenze, but referring to Plume’s opinion, I ended up releasing my magical power at a slightly excessive level.
In addition to causing unnecessary vigilance, it wouldn’t be funny to go beyond licking a cornered mouse and even get bitten by it.
[What do you think, Wil? What will the Levios family do?]
[…Well, shouldn’t it be the friendly route? Princess Orshian hated the Levios family, and now that they know that there is a Noble who is on par or even stronger than her, they’d want to avoid going so far as to be hostile to them, right?]
[Believing that the relationship between Wil and Princess Orsian has worsened due to this incident, wouldn’t they try to pit Quordenze against Milendorva instead? Provoking the two to get rid of each other.]
I guess she’s deliberately saying the opposite in order to work my train of thoughts. What should we do if the Levios family takes such actions?
[Then, it can’t be helped. I would just reconcile with Lucia and return the Royal Capital to how it looked 80 years ago.]
[You sure you can reconcile with her?]
[I do have the materials for negotiation.]
It’s an option I definitely don’t want to choose, but at worst, if I hand over Eve, I think Orshian will become an ally. The cause of the confrontation is the existence of Eve, and without it, all that remains is the dislike of the Levios family.
Of course, that would be the last option to consider when the Quordenze family’s life and death is at stake.
[That’s right… Then, it’s probably a reconciliation route after all? I don’t think the Levios family wants to allow the Quordenze family to become any stronger. I’m sure that this social gathering is meant to force an end to the war against Spierzeig. It’s a quick fix, but in the end it’s in the direction of suppressing expansion…]
I feel bad for Plume, who seemed to have a lot of thoughts, for I couldn’t keep up with her right now.
Due to the healing from a number of Highlords, I could feel my body recovering already. But my mind is still exhausted.
[I hope they don’t interfere too much in internal affairs. Where did the independence of the Nobles go, this is the Kingdom of Levios…]
For a moment I wondered if the war of aggression was really a domestic affair, but well, it wouldn’t be a mistake to include the war as one of the domestic affairs at the current level of civilization on the Eruo continent, regardless of the global era.
[Are you still tired?]
I’m tired, but I’d rather continue the conversation.
When I frankly told her, Plume started to talk about her thoughts. I guess it’s fine for me to devote myself to mostly listening now.
She may also have wanted someone to listen to her thoughts.
[…In Operation Serpent’s Fang, the Nobles of the Kingdom should have known that the next generation of Quordenze would be strong in war. I think there were a lot of people who recognized it in that sense. Because there are few people who know of Wil’s true amount of m