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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 22
Chapter Title: Back to Azure Fortress (3)
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5.
Sabina left Azure Fortress at the crack of dawn.
There was no grand farewell ceremony.
She simply took her horse's reins, offered a brief farewell to her family, and set off for the North Sea.
"I'll be waiting for you in the North Sea. Take your time. That place is like a second home to me, so I'll find some good liquor and wait for you there."
It was a farewell befitting Sabina.
Sabina, who had been Karron's staunchest supporter for three years, was gone, but there was no cause for great concern.
Because.
"Two Young Scions of the Great Ducal Family Subjugate Bandits Defiling a Neighboring Territory... For a headline from the so-called 'best morning paper in the Empire,' it's a little weak. Don't you think, Leo?"
"...Hmm, it's still the front page. I like it."
After all, Karron had already spent those three years steadily solidifying his position in Azure Fortress.
Karron smirked as he walked down the corridor, newspaper in hand.
The front page of the morning paper was emblazoned with a special feature on yesterday's events in the Bellus Barony.
It covered everything from their subjugation of the bandits in the Bellus Barony to the Emperor summoning them to commend their achievement.
Befitting the *Imperial Daily*, known to have the strongest ties to the imperial family, the article placed special emphasis on the Emperor's summons.
"At this rate, won't our story spread all over the capital's high society?"
Leo muttered, his face slightly flushed with excitement. Karron shot him a pathetic look.
"Leo, remember the promise we made when we first met?"
"What promise? Why bring that up now?"
"We were supposed to grow up to be good, respectable young masters."
"...O-of course, I remember."
A shiver ran down Leo's spine as he recalled the memory of that day, a day stained with merciless violence.
"So why bring that up...?"
"Because I'm worried you'll cause trouble in the capital. Like getting into some scandal with a young lady from another noble house, you know? Just you dare tarnish the family's reputation. The job of dragging our family's name through the mud is mine. Got it?"
"I get it, you crazy bastard."
"Thanks for the compliment."
*I can't take my eyes off him for a single second.*
*If I don't keep him in line, he's the type to go off the rails at any moment. A real hopeless case.*
On this trip to the capital, Karron alone was enough to earn the moniker of 'scoundrel'.
The only question was how he'd go about earning it...
*...I'll figure something out.*
If worst came to worst, he could always cause a stir at the Imperial Palace.
The capital had plenty of eyes and ears, so he could give Halo a few more wrinkles anytime he pleased.
With Sabina gone, now was the perfect time to stir up some real trouble.
Just as the two cousins were dreaming their different dreams about the upcoming trip to the capital.
"Reading while walking is unbecoming of a nobleman. I trust you'll be more careful in the future, Karron."
A heavy, authoritative voice echoed, and a middle-aged man appeared before them.
It was his eldest uncle, Teils.
His perfectly tailored casual wear and immaculate appearance seemed to reflect his very character.
At Teils's appearance, Karron and Leo bowed in unison.
"Good morning, Uncle."
Teils gave a slight nod in return.
"Good morning. Are your preparations for the capital proceeding smoothly?"
Teils, Halo's firstborn son.
He was more prudent than his younger brother Raphael, Leo's father.
He was also considered the one closest to becoming the next head of the Leston Ducal Family.
*They've been far too quiet.*
For the three years Sabina had promised, his uncles had taken no action.
Her protection had been all but absolute.
Sabina was the official second-in-command of the Leston Ducal Family, a living legend in her own right. The weight of her name would have been a burden even for them.
But now, Sabina was gone.
Her influence hadn't vanished completely, but it was time for his uncles to start making their moves.
Karron smiled as he looked at Teils.
"Is there anything for us to prepare? Everyone else is taking care of it for us. The children of House Leston need only pack a single sword, isn't that right?"
"Haha, an excellent answer. The right to bear a sword anywhere in the Empire is a privilege granted only to our family. We can even carry them within the Imperial Palace—except when in the presence of His Imperial Majesty, of course."
It was a privilege that symbolized the authority of the Leston Ducal Family.
Teils spoke leisurely, observing the nephew before him.
*He's grown again.*
He had been keeping a close eye on the boy ever since Karron obtained the first patriarch's sword three years ago.
A new variable that had emerged while he was already weary of dealing with his greedy younger brother.
At first, he had been nothing more than a troublesome obstacle, but now he had grown into a presence that demanded attention.
And it wasn't just his talent with the sword.
The boy before him was also clever. Considering the negotiation skills he'd displayed in the Bellus Barony at the tender age of thirteen, he could not be dismissed as a mere child.
He had no intention of making a move the moment Sabina left Azure Fortress. He wasn't his foolish younger brother; he, at least, was not so stupid.
"Karron. May I ask one thing of you?"
"Yes, Uncle."
"Try to behave yourself in the capital. I say this because I am well aware of the various troubles, big and small, that you've caused here."
He was subtly letting him know he'd been watching his every move.
And.
"The capital is filled with enemies eager to tear our family down. If you give them any reason to do so... I will personally punish you severely, as a representative of the family."
The first son, the most likely heir to the dukedom, versus the youngest grandson, who was still little more than a child.
He was engraving that difference into the boy's mind.
At a glance, it might have seemed like a simple admonishment from an adult to a child, but a boy as sharp as Karron would understand the full meaning behind his words.
Besides, there was no need for him to act directly.
His subordinates had reported that his younger brother's wife was plotting something in the capital.
All he had to do was watch.
"Thank you for your wise words, Uncle."
"Good. I'm pleased you've taken my words to heart."
"I'll be sure to live up to your expectations."
Karron beamed at Teils.
*Now things are getting interesting.*
He was grateful to Sabina for allowing him to grow up in comfort, but frankly, it had been boring.
The thought of seeing that smug face of his twist in despair was quite amusing.
A new source of entertainment had just been added to Karron's life.
6.
After their meeting with Teils, Karron and Leo were summoned by Peil to the reception room.
A familiar figure was seated in the reception room.
It was Rohan, the heir to the Bellus Barony.
Rohan had brought a gift for the young heroes who had saved his domain.
The problem was.
"Of the shares in the mana stone mine that the Bellus Barony is to receive, we would like to grant five percent to the two young wolves."
that the gift was so large it left even Karron speechless.
The negotiated share ratio for the joint venture had been decided at eighty to twenty.
Eighty percent for the Bellus Barony and twenty for the Leston Ducal Family, naturally.
The exact value wouldn't be known until the reserves were surveyed, but even twenty percent was enough to secure an enormous fortune.
That was why Peil, the Leston family's negotiator, had been about to conclude the deal with satisfaction. But then, Rohan added an entirely unexpected clause.
Peil carefully concealed his surprise and asked Rohan.
"...Young Lord Bellus, did the Baron approve of this?"
"Of course. It was a decision made after thorough discussion with my father."
"Hah."
Peil let out a short, dry laugh before looking at Karron, who was seated before him.
It had been a long time since he'd seen such a surprised look on his son's face.
It seemed even his brilliant son hadn't anticipated this.
Five percent.
It sounded small, but it would surely generate profits that could easily surpass the annual budget of a provincial territory.
And that was estimating the mine's reserves at their absolute minimum.
What if the reserves were vast?
The profits would be astronomical, far more than any one individual could possibly spend.
"We also intend to cover any taxes on the profits granted to the two of them."
"Heh."
Peil let out another dry laugh.
The man before him was not so ignorant as to be unaware of the value of a mana stone mine.
He'd had dealings with the Bellus family before. Rohan was a talented man who had graduated from the Imperial Academy with honors.
Could such a man truly be ignorant of the value of his own assets?
*Impossible.*
This was an unnecessary gesture of goodwill. The twenty percent share was already more than enough payment for the mission.
Peil paused, gazing at Rohan. Then, in a low voice, he spoke.
"Young Lord Bellus."
Peil's voice echoed in the room, and Rohan replied with a polite bow of his head.
"Yes, Lord Peil."
"I am not one to accept unsolicited favors, you see. Such things often lead to trouble. In my opinion, a twenty percent share is already more than generous. Why single out the boys and offer them an additional share?"
The weight of his question hung in the air.
But Rohan simply smiled gently as he replied.
"The twenty percent share for the Leston Ducal Family is simply payment for services rendered. It would be a misnomer to call it a gift."
"A gift?"
"Should we not show our gratitude to the two heroes who saved our domain?"
As he spoke, Rohan glanced at Karron.
A mere boy of thirteen.
However, Rohan had heard the full story of what had transpired in the mountain fortress from the villagers who had returned alive.
How the young boy had single-handedly broken through elite soldiers to take their leader hostage.
After hearing the entire account, Baron Bellus and Rohan had decided on the gift without much hesitation.
And it wasn't merely a token of their gratitude.
"It is far too extravagant for a simple gift. You must have another motive. Am I wrong?"
"I won't deny it."
"A gift is a means of currying favor. Are you and your father attempting to buy the goodwill of my son and my nephew?"
To Peil's direct question, Rohan gave an equally direct answer.
"Yes, that is correct."
"Even so, it is a very expensive gift."
"Viewed solely as a gift, perhaps... but it seems Your Grace has already anticipated our intentions."
Listening to Rohan, Peil's expression softened. He asked,
"Was this your plan?"
"My father added his experience to a plan of my own devising."
"Baron Bellus has raised a fine son."
"He cannot compare to you, Lord Peil. Wouldn't you agree?"
At that, Peil laughed heartily.
"Haha! Flattery will get you far. Very well, I understand. You wish to make an early investment."
He briefly shifted his gaze to Karron.
Their willingness to part with a share of the mine to curry favor was undoubtedly because of his exceptional son.
No, on the contrary, he was pleased.
Did it not mean that his son's talent was so outstanding that they were willing to invest five percent of their shares in him?
What father wouldn't be pleased to have his son's talent praised so highly?
"The owner of the mine is exercising his rights. I can hardly stop him. In that case, we should hear from the parties involved. Leo, Karron. What are your thoughts?"
With that, the right to speak finally passed to Leo and Karron.
Karron noticed that Peil had handed them the choice. He wouldn't say another word about the decision made here.
"Um... Karron."
Leo, who hadn't said a word since entering the room, spoke in a small voice.
"What is it?"
"I know mana stone mines are incredibly valuable, but... I honestly don't know the exact worth. How much is five percent, really?"
Leo, who had always kept his distance from books and studying, would naturally find it difficult to calculate such a value.
Karron sighed before answering in terms Leo could easily understand.
"You know those society parties you're so interested in lately?"
"Yeah."
"You could probably host one every month."
"Gasp."
*So simple-minded.*
Karron shook his head and turned his gaze back to Rohan.
This was no simple, well-intentioned gift.
*If this were a gesture of pure goodwill, he would have offered jewels or gold coins.*
Offering a share was a request to become long-term partners. Jewels and gold were a one-time transaction, but as long as they held a stake, their connection to the Bellus Barony would endure.
In short, it was a roundabout way of saying they wanted to cast their lot in with them.
*A man like him wouldn't miss this opportunity.*
From his judgment in deciding to invest in him to his initiative in coming straight to Azure Fortress.
Karron was sure a man like Rohan could use that money to completely transform his domain.
Karron made his decision quickly and offered a polite bow.
"We gratefully accept your gift."
This was the first outsider to offer him patronage.
Therefore, Karron gladly accepted his offer.
At Karron's ready acceptance, Rohan beamed.
"I hope we can continue this good relationship moving forward."
"We look forward to it."
With that, the final clause was added, and the negotiations were concluded.
"This will be a mutually beneficial opportunity, Young Lord Bellus. I look forward to our continued partnership."
"We are the ones who are pleased to continue this good relationship with your great family."
Amidst the adults exchanging pleasantries and wrapping things up, Leo quietly asked Karron.
"The shares... we're splitting them fifty-fifty, right?"
"Seventy-thirty."
"...Sixty-forty."
"Eighty-twenty."
"...Fine, eighty-twenty..."
Karron had no intention of sharing much of this windfall with Leo.
In his past life as a slave, he could never have dreamed of private property, but this life was different.
Karron beamed, glaring at Leo.
"Alright. Ninety-ten. And honestly, I'm being generous giving you even ten percent."
The answer had already been decided.
"Hey, how is that fa—"
"If you've got a problem with it, we can settle this in the training yard."
"...irly reasonable. Fine."
Leo saw the glint in Karron's eyes and shut his mouth.
No amount of money was worth more than his life.
Having concluded the negotiations between cousins, Karron turned to Peil with a sweet smile.
"Father, we're done talking."
"Well done. It's important to be clear about finances, even within the family. So, what did you decide on for the split? A fair fifty-fifty, I assume..."
"I get ninety percent, Leo gets ten. That's how it'll be!"
At his son's declaration, Peil replied, his voice laced with bewilderment.
"...Ninety-ten. Is that correct?"
"Yes! Right, Leo?"
"Yes... Uncle. Ninety-ten... is cor...rect."
Peil was momentarily speechless. Karron then spoke to him in a deceptively innocent voice.
"It's a good thing Grandfather and my uncles aren't here right now. Isn't it, Father?"
And so, the youngest grandson of the ducal family, who dreamed of being a scoundrel, secured a hefty personal fortune.
A Mad Dog Lives in the Duke's House