Chapter 89
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Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org
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Chapter 89
"Aunt, it seems my story has already spread among the people."
"Indeed it has."
Seeing that people already knew of our victory, the Emperor appeared to be quite swift in disseminating information.
"Hurrah!"
An elated Lucian waved his hand toward the processions stretching long on both sides of the carriage.
"That's right! I'm that capable one—no, rather, I'm a hero!"
Hehehehe!
Watching Lucian laugh with such vigor, I found myself smiling as well.
I stood beside Lucian, who was bouncing with excitement, and waved gently toward the people.
Thus the Subjugation Unit proceeded unimpeded toward the Imperial Capital, welcomed by the crowds.
"We shall have an audience with His Majesty. All unit members except the vice-commander, Miss Rilprey, and Lucian are to wait in the office."
"Understood."
I proceeded to the Audience Chamber with Claude, Xenon, and Lucian. It was both to pay respects to the Emperor and to report on the monster subjugation.
"We behold the radiant sun of the Empire."
"Yes. You may relax your posture now."
At the Emperor's words, we straightened the backs we had bowed respectfully.
"You have all worked hard. How much you must have suffered in such a perilous place."
"You are too kind, Your Majesty."
The Emperor smiled at Claude's humility and promptly turned to the main matter.
"Thanks to Lucian, the subjugation was completed swiftly."
"Yes."
Claude explained to the Emperor the circumstances that allowed the monster subjugation to be completed so quickly. Most of it concerned how my abilities and Lucian's awakening had made the task proceed smoothly.
Each time, Lucian's shoulders rose as though they might pierce the ceiling.
"The young prince of House Bellomen has accomplished something truly remarkable."
"Hehe."
Rather than feign modesty, Lucian chose instead to squirm about bashfully. The Emperor regarded him with evident affection.
"It would be wise to verify just how much his abilities have increased since the awakening."
"We were already planning to take him to the Temple around next week to measure those very stats."
"Excellent."
The Emperor opened his mouth with a satisfied smile.
"Thanks to you all thoroughly cleansing the forest, my people are freed from the threat of monsters and can now enjoy safe, peaceful lives. They will even be able to explore the regions beyond the forest that were previously inaccessible due to the monster threat. I am truly proud of you all."
"You are too kind."
"You must be exhausted. Return now and rest. I shall review the detailed account through the report you submit later."
"We shall submit the report by the end of this week."
With Claude's response, we departed from the Audience Chamber.
"Finally, it's over!"
Lucian, feeling a sense of liberation, raised both hands high.
"Aunt, I want to bathe as soon as we get home."
"And when did you ever refuse to wash and run away?"
"I used to feel that way, but... now I'd like to wash up."
Lucian sniffed at his own neck as he spoke. Though to be fair, all I could detect from him was that sweet, childlike scent unique to young children.
"And I've been craving some fluffy pudding for a while now."
"Right. Let's head back quickly."
After settling Lucian into the carriage first, I turned to Claude and Xenon.
"We'll be heading out now."
"Yes. Please return safely."
"You two should hurry back and rest as well. And tell the unit members to get plenty of rest too."
"Understood."
After hearing Claude's response, I gave a light bow and climbed into the carriage.
It was finally time to return home.
* * *
The Study of Rilprey Count's Residence.
Deep furrows etched themselves across Nob Rilprey's brow as he held open the newspaper.
"The monster subjugation ended safely?"
The Subjugation Unit that had departed for the Monster Forest not only completed their mission far sooner than anticipated but returned to the Capital without a single casualty. Every newspaper that unfolded seemed to lack enough paper to praise the Subjugation Unit's magnificent achievements.
Yet Nob Rilprey felt no joy whatsoever.
"So that creature managed to survive and return."
He had hoped Lucella would not return alive. If that were impossible, he had prayed she would return crippled, unable to function as a person.
But not only did she return unscathed, she received the most glorious hero's welcome!
Moreover, the Emperor, who held Lucella's achievements in high regard, had even declared he would bestow upon her a great reward.
'If that girl gains the Emperor's support... if she attempts to seize the House of Rilprey from me...'
Nob Rilprey bit down on his lower lip.
As he contemplated the worst-case scenario, his lips grew parched.
'That can never happen. The House of Rilprey is mine.'
Rilprey sprang from his chair and left the Study.
He headed toward the area behind the main building of the Mansion.
It was a place where his retainers frequently gathered after meetings concluded, and where the most candid conversations took place.
'The retainer meeting only ended recently, so they should still be gathered there.'
True to Nob Rilprey's expectation, the retainers were assembled beneath the outer wall of the building, smoking cigars.
Holding his breath, Nob Rilprey pressed his ear close to the wall. Then he could faintly hear the retainers murmuring amongst themselves.
"...and now that we've reclaimed the Territory that was lost to the monsters, His Majesty will surely move more actively going forward."
It seemed they were discussing the monster subjugation.
"Come to think of it, His Majesty promised to bestow a great reward upon Miss Lucella."
And as expected, that irritating name reached his ears.
"Just how remarkable must her abilities be? I'd like to see them myself."
"According to records, Miss Lucella's abilities are said to be unique to the House of Rilprey."
"If that's the case, then shouldn't Miss Lucella become the head of the House of Rilprey, having inherited the family's unique abilities?"
The retainer who had spoken thus far took a drag from his cigar and continued.
"Not only does she possess exceptional abilities, but she's also rendered great service to the nation, and moreover, she enjoys the trust of His Majesty the Emperor."
Nob Rilprey clenched his fists.
He'd been so obsequious to their faces, yet here he was spreading such talk behind their backs. Indignation surged through him.
But what truly ignited his fury was what came next.
"Honestly, doesn't everyone feel it? Since the head of the family changed... House of Rilprey has been crumbling."
No response came. Yet silence spoke volumes—everyone understood its meaning.
"I could overlook expelling the young ladies. They were the greatest threat to his position as head, so it was inevitable. But managing the Territory is another matter entirely."
Nob Rilprey's administrative abilities were abysmal. He'd never received proper training as an heir, lacked any business acumen, and was lazy to boot.
"He's only skilled at filling his personal coffers, showing not the slightest interest in how the Territory actually operates."
"When he ordered us to burn the wheat... I felt as though my head had been struck a thousand times."
With those words, the retainers fell silent for a long while, unable to speak as melancholy pressed down upon them.
"That's enough of this dispiriting talk. Let's head back."
The retainers, their cigars burned to ash, rose one by one and departed.
Nob Rilprey remained hidden in the shadows until they'd all left, ensuring his eavesdropping went undetected.
"So... they're thinking such things?"
Nob Rilprey ground his teeth.
It displeased him that his retainers yearned for Lucella, but what truly galled him was his own inability to stand before them with confidence.
If power were entirely his own, if there existed no rival to even hypothesize about...
Such words would never escape these foolish retainers' lips.
Nob Rilprey, who had been pacing where the cigar ash fell, suddenly stopped in his tracks.
"Then perhaps that's what must happen."
A glint of avarice flashed in his eyes.
* * *
Upon returning to the Duke's Residence, the first person I sought was Edwin.
"Edwin!"
"Sister! Brother!"
Having apparently been informed of our arrival beforehand, Edwin rushed toward us and embraced both Lucian and me.
"We haven't bathed yet—we must be filthy."
"It's fine."
"You don't smell anything?"
"Not at all!"
Edwin's joy was radiant.
Greeted so warmly, my own spirits lifted considerably.
"You've grown so much while we were away, Edwin."
"Oh! Sister, what happened to your leg?"
"Ah, I injured it slightly."
"That must hurt..."
Concern clouded Edwin's previously cheerful face.
"Don't worry about that. You should go rest inside. Both you and brother must be exhausted."
"I suppose so."
Ordinarily, I would have lingered longer to ease Edwin's mind, but today I was simply too weary.
More than anything, I wanted to wash my body in warm water first.
"I'm sorry, Edwin. Let me bathe quickly and rest for a moment before coming out."
"Understood."
After entrusting my luggage to the servants, I hoisted Lucian onto my shoulder and headed into Bellomen Mansion. Then I promptly tossed him into the Bathroom.
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Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org
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