Those watching the commotion in the square were not only Glenn’s group. From the terrace of a luxurious building in one direction, others observed.
A female knight clad in armor adorned with elegant patterns looked at the square and asked her superior whom she served.
“Lady Elrian, should we just leave it as it is?”
Elrian Rochfort. A young genius in her early twenties who had secured a high-ranking position within the Empire.
With shining platinum hair, tall and slender physique, and cold slate-blue eyes, she gave off an overall impression of a well-groomed and sophisticated elite woman.
The Rochfort Marquisate was already a prestigious and noble family of the Empire. Among the noble ladies of that house, Elrian was considered one of the rare prodigies. An elite among elites, excelling in politics, economics, and swordsmanship alike.
She quietly closed her eyes, crossed her legs, and responded to her adjutant’s question with a calm voice.
“Then so be it.”
“Riberton is clearly Empire territory, isn’t it? A very important one at that… Yet to allow such chaos to continue—isn’t that a sign of the Marquis’ irresponsible negligence?”
“Cecilia.”
“My name is Cecilia.”
That overly know-it-all attitude, does she never get tired?
Elrian sometimes found her fourth cousin and adjutant Cecilia to be somewhat exhausting. Looking into her narrow-minded eyes, Elrian would unconsciously feel drained. She set down her teacup and answered her adjutant’s question.
“Regardless.”
“Anyway, you’re the Marquis, right?”
“…That is not the case.”
“If we interfere, they’ll scream ‘internal affairs meddling.’ And that’s actually true.”
She spoke well. Probably just too lazy to bother otherwise.
Cecilia had watched Elrian closely since they were very young. She was certain about one thing.
Right now, Elrian was just indulging in laziness.
“So, are you just going to sit here drinking tea then?”
“Why? Or do you want to dance with me? I saw you dance once at the embassy…”
“Let’s drop that topic. Besides, I’m a knight. Dancing isn’t relevant to me…”
“Oh, I never said you couldn’t dance.”
In the end, Cecilia frowned and withdrew.
Elrian, having claimed victory, quietly lifted her teacup again. Of course, the surrounding atmosphere wasn’t that calm.
No, it was more accurate to say it was tense to the point of violence.
Elrian opened her eyes silently and fixed her gaze on the square.
“Then all of you will be dismembered alive. You’ve surely heard my nickname, haven’t you?”
The man with red hair drew a grim aura. Surprisingly, the much more numerous mercenaries froze.
Elrian’s gaze, sharp as a blade, shone fiercely as she looked at the man.
“Cecilia, that red-haired man over there. Do you know him?”
With a slightly mischievous expression, Cecilia looked at the man and replied.
“…Isn’t he a famous figure in the northern region? Ron Glenn Lepent. I’ve heard he’s been the source of all sorts of rumors lately.”
“What do you think of him?”
“…What do you mean?”
“He doesn’t look bad, and from what I see, his spirit isn’t ordinary. Judging by his deeds, he seems intelligent too. He used to serve Sir Tyrang and Sir Clemens in Niran, so his swordsmanship should be top-tier as well?”
Elrian’s icy gaze was fixed intently, though it made one wonder what she was really up to. When she worked seriously, she sometimes displayed this very demeanor.
“I suppose so. Sir Clemens was quite a renowned man even within the Empire.”
“Hmm… Doesn’t he have some weaknesses, perhaps?”
Her sharp eyes continued to focus on the red-haired man.
***
Glenn, invited by Elrian, obediently headed toward the meeting place. Instead of the Marquis’ mansion, they had rented an entire upscale inn near the estate for their meeting.
The guards following Glenn frowned with displeasure.
“Must be rolling in money.”
“Empire scum, damn it.”
When Glenn mentioned he was going to meet the Empire’s envoy, his retinue was increased from five to nine as a precaution.
From Glenn’s perspective, it was awkward to travel with so many guards, but the deputy commander in charge of his safety was firm in his opinion.
“We can’t predict what those Empire bastards might do. We can’t trust them.”
“…Well, if that’s your opinion.”
Deliberately breaking diplomatic protocol and then pointing it out becomes justification to use force. The Empire employed this tactic fairly often, and it was rather effective.
There was no stronger country than the Empire on the continent.
“Ron Glenn Lepent, here to see Lady Elrian.”
“…Sir Knight Cecilia, please let him in.”
The openly hostile female knight illuminated the entrance. She was not alone; Empire knights stationed throughout the building glared angrily.
It went without saying that relations between Lepent knights and Empire knights were poor. Worse, in fact. Even worse than between Lepent and Arian.
“Stand down.”
Sure enough, the moment Glenn tried to enter, a problem arose.
Cecilia blocked the way for the nine men following Glenn.
“Only the invited guest may enter.”
“…What did you say?”
The nine frowned and glared at her.
But Cecilia did not back down.
“The invitation was sent only to Lord Glenn Lepent. So only he may enter.”
“We’re his guards.”
“Then wait quietly outside.”
“Hah, how do you know what’ll happen to the Lord inside?”
“There won’t be any danger, as long as you don’t do anything foolish.”
“Foolish? That’s laughable. Coming from the Empire bastards who are always up to nonsense, it doesn’t suit you to say that.”
“…Are you now mocking the Empire?”
Cecilia furrowed her brow and rested her hand on her sword’s hilt.
“Do you want to try it?”
Sssshh.
The guards also drew their swords without hesitation. The atmosphere instantly turned icy. The stares of both sides met with tension so thick it seemed a fight could break out any moment.
“Enough. That’s enough from both of you.”
Glenn intervened, quietly glaring at Cecilia with calm eyes.
“Fine. I’ll meet her alone as you said. But my knights will wait inside the building. Is that acceptable?”
“No. As I said, outside—”
“Then consider today’s invitation canceled. Your hospitality is fierce. Is that an Empire thing?”
Crunch.
Cecilia openly gritted her teeth before Glenn.
“…Understood.”
Sigh.
Glenn let out a short breath.
He already felt tired, but he hadn’t even met the real opponent yet. He gave a subtle nod to his retinue and guards and moved swiftly inside.
***
Elrian Rochfort.
The noble lady of the illustrious and well-known Rochfort Marquisate.
It was Glenn’s first time meeting her in person. But he had vague memories from a past life of her being called a young genius.
Among the countless great families of the Empire, Rochfort was one of the top five elite houses. Elrian was considered a distinguished figure even within that elite circle.
“A pleasure to meet you, Sir Glenn.”
The rare platinum-haired beauty gave a slight nod.
“Ron Glenn Lepent. Pleased to meet you.”
“Hmm, are you sincere?”
A slightly biting question.
Elrian smiled faintly to the side and asked,
“…What do you mean?”
“Do you truly welcome me?”
Glenn twitched his eyes suspiciously, and seeing that, Elrian bowed her head slightly.
“Just kidding. Don’t take it too seriously.”
Her playful attitude convinced Glenn one thing.
He’d been played.
“Please, have a seat. Would you like some wine?”
Contrasting with the simple and tidy atmosphere of the room, there was an antique chair and table. On the table stood a bottle of the finest wine.
The distinctive golden emblem engraved on it was impressive.
Glenn recognized it.
“Merciell?”
The Premier Numbering, Merciell Premier.
A wine brand famously enjoyed by the Imperial royal family.
He hadn’t expected to see something so rare here.
“You know your stuff.”
Her slate-blue eyes gleamed sharply.
…He was being scrutinized.
Glenn tried to appear calm and took a seat.
“Let’s take it easy today. There’s still a lot to be done.”
Elrian gave a teasing smile while looking at the green tea calmly poured.
“That’s a shame.”
Though similar to Javel, the feeling she gave was definitely different.
An opponent he could never afford to relax around.
“What brings you here?”
“Seems you’re very busy.”
“…As I said, I have many things to attend to.”
“Oh my.”
Elrian said as she leisurely sipped her wine. Watching her naturally made Glenn feel somewhat envious.
“Aren’t you going to speak?”
“Have you met the Marquis?”
Ha.
Answering a question with another question.
“Of course. As a guest, it’s proper etiquette.”
“What do you think of him?”
Elrian asked elegantly while swirling her wine glass. Meanwhile, Glenn felt rather uncomfortable.
“That’s ridiculous. What kind of question is that?”
“The Marquis is not suitable as a negotiation partner. Isn’t that how you feel?”
Was she talking to him, or just saying whatever she wanted? Yet, her tone was not rude.
…Is that just her character?
“I somewhat agree.”
How could you negotiate with someone who doesn’t even remember what they said?
That was why after talking with the Marquis, modifications were made toward the Kyle support faction.
“But the Riberton Domain is an important place. For the Empire, Arian, and Lepent alike.”
She swirled the wine again.
As the thought ‘this is overwhelming’ crossed his mind, Glenn was certain Elrian was doing it deliberately.
“Get to the point.”
“It’s a simpler matter than you think. A place important to all three countries. But unfortunately, the current ruler is not a suitable person.”
No way.
Glenn barely restrained a frown.
“Join hands with us and divide Riberton. What do you say?”
Elrian’s sharp eyes sparkled.
“A bold proposal.”
“Lepent and the Empire don’t always have to fight, right?”
Glenn began to silently fix his gaze on her, as if asking if she was serious.
After a brief silence, Elrian showed no surprise or avoidance.
She merely raised one corner of her mouth.
“Hmm. Suspicion? Wariness? I see those. So what’s your conclusion after your consideration?”
She was probing. Yes, that was the right way to think.
In that case, maybe he’d go the same straightforward route.
“…For now, I agree with you to some extent about the relationship between the Empire and Lepent.”
As the heir to the principality, his opinions often differed from those of his current marquis father. Especially regarding relations with the Empire, there was constant disagreement.
How long must the principality and Empire continue fighting?
It was mutually harmful, inefficient both in the short and long term.
“So when I become Marquis, I plan to greatly improve relations with the Empire. This has been my intention for quite some time.”
“That’s quite an unusual stance. I didn’t expect the Lepent heir to think this way. It’s very welcome on our side. I fully agree with what you just said.”
She kept a straight face as she uttered the lie smoothly. But since she was just as involved, it didn’t matter.
Yes, if you nitpick, they were both wearing masks in this conversation.
“But not right now. My father is still firm, and I respect him. I believe you understand what that means.”
“Does that mean you have no choice but to maintain a hostile stance toward the Empire? Then my earlier proposal is rejected?”
“Even if that were true… I don’t know you well enough yet. Neither your intentions nor your abilities.”
“Ridiculous. To me, that sounds like a lame excuse. Is it really a misunderstanding?”
She smiled sympathetically.
As if she already guessed Glenn was lying.
Therefore, he decided to act even more brazenly.
“Whether you trust me or not is entirely your business. It’s not my concern. I’m just stating facts.”
Elrian met his quiet gaze, then took another sip of her wine.
Regardless, Glenn continued.
“Putting this matter aside for now, I agree with what you said earlier about the Marquis. So I have a proposal from my side.”
“…A proposal?”
“Yes. I propose a ‘heir meeting.’”
Elrian’s eyes widened slightly at Glenn’s completely unexpected suggestion.