My Demons - Chapter 154



Only Krnovel

My Villains Episode 154

39. Uninvited Guest (3)

When Hepin the lion hit his butt, Doyle, who was sitting at the table watching, suddenly burst into laughter.

“haha-! “What a pity!”

He quenched his thirst with alcohol and nodded.

“Yeah, I think this was a bit too much. Even if you ignore the other person, you are still oily.

Judging from his tone of voice and facial expression, he seemed to have guessed that Hepin’s trick would not work.

… … It’s getting more and more crazy.

“Lord Killian. “Clean it up, that bastard.”

“Yes, Confucius.”

Sir Killian didn’t even look at me or Dionea. All they did was follow Doyle’s orders and drag Hepin, the half-fazed lion, out of the hall.

“Lord Esselda. “Now it’s your turn.”

The middle-aged female knight stood silently and made no reply. I just walked forward in a haphazard manner.

“It is an honor to meet you. “I am Esselda Horton, Count Tristan’s knight.”

“… … “I am also honored to meet such a renowned knight.”

“Your father was a good commander. “If I had been lucky, I would have left my mark in history.”

It was an unexpected mourning.

At first glance, Sir Esselda seemed far from a civil servant, so Dionea looked a little puzzled.

“Did you know the Baron?”

“Of course, ma’am. “We fought together seven times, so it’s safe to call us comrades.”

Dionea nodded quietly, but her face was still filled with caution.

“… … You said so. “Thank you for your words, but since something happened just recently, it will be difficult to remember the Baron with you.”

“I didn’t mean it that way either.”

The fierce-looking female knight had almost no change in her expression.

“Let me get to the point. Count Tristan is interested in the future of Longville.”

Dionea came out with a puzzled look and glanced at her vassals at the inconclusive turn.

I quietly made eye contact with her, and Dionea cleared her throat slightly and asked back with an upright posture.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. “If it’s about a contract, as you just saw,”

“It’s not a contract, it’s about an inheritance, ma’am.”

“… … “Inheritance?”

“As far as I can tell from Multingham, Mr. Mallory has no children, brothers or cousins. Is that correct?”

While Lord Esselda was speaking, I quickly approached Veldin and whispered.

“Veldin.”

“Lord Phoenix’?”

“Go and get the law book.”

“Is there a law code?”

“Bring me a law book that explains the kingdom’s inheritance laws. Right Now.”

“… … ah.”

Dionea nodded heavily as the young scribe quietly left the hall.

“As far as I know, by the way.”

“If there is no successor within the blood family, the unclaimed territory is returned to the lord who granted it. “Do you know?”

“that.”

Dionea looked at her retainers in disbelief. Then Herald Tol Rummy came out with a stern expression.

“It is true that such a clause exists. However, it is absurd to carelessly discuss inheritance when the Baron’s death has not been confirmed.”

“Hehe, the old man is using his mouth carelessly again.”

Doyle, who was laughing heartily, touched his glass and continued speaking.

“Think calmly, everyone. Baron Mallory has gone missing in the mountains, where swarms of Anupads roam. “To confirm his death, you would have to search through the feces of the mountains and fields.”

“… … “Go, how dare you-!”

Tolamy’s wrinkled face turned red. However, he ultimately failed to take action. It was the same for other vassals.

Well, Doyle is a difficult guy to deal with because he is the son of an earl and seems somehow smart. I guess you’re worried that if you argue for no reason, you’ll get caught up in his intentions.

… … Well, these are all excuses. Everyone was just scared. I could tell by the way he was glaring at Sir Esselda.

The insult of ‘your lord, you are a piece of shit’ was enough to make Kim Seung-soo angry even with his common sense. But those so-called vassals tolerate this? Don’t you all have any bells?

I glanced sideways at the training leader, Chester, who was shaking his fists, and whispered softly.

“Are you going to stay still?”

“… … What shall I do, Sir? “He is a nobleman and I am just a soldier.” “But you still have pride, that-”

“Pride protects nothing.”

Wow, it’s frustrating.

I sighed and began to look at the law book Veldin brought. The major book was ridiculously large and thick, but the bookmarks were well organized, so I was able to quickly find the section on inheritance law.

“There is no need to waste your time, Sir Phoenix. “There will be no ‘petty and low-quality fraud’ that distorts the provisions of the law.”

“… … There is nothing more frustrating than falling for the same trick twice. “I just prepare for that.”

“Ha, you’re meticulous. “Not like a knight.”

Doyle, with a sneer on his face, looked back at Dionea with his arms crossed.

“In the event of the lord’s death, his spouse or designated vassal can act on his behalf until a legitimate successor within the family is found. However, if 500 days pass in that condition, you must find a new owner. Even if they are not family members or blood relatives.”

What Doyle recited was exactly the same as the part I was just reading.

“Five hundred days are going to be hell, ma’am. An enormous amount of gold and silver will have to be spent to repay the debt, and even if it is successful, he will have to step down from power in about 500 days, no, 480 days. “How painful is this?”

“… … “A family member I don’t know may appear.”

“Of course that could happen.”

Despite how many drinks he had, Doyle’s eyes were still sharp. He put his brat-like attitude aside for a moment and imitated the face of a sincere advisor.

“But why should you have to endure such suffering?”

“As the wife of the former Baron Mallory,”

“Oh-please, ma’am.”

Doyle sighed and patted the table as if he felt sorry.

“There is no one in Marva who does not know that your husband was not a very good husband. “I have also heard several rumors that he frequently beats his wife because he is not good at running a business properly.”

Dionea had no answer. He just kept his mouth shut and grabbed the hem of his clothes.

“Are you willing to sacrifice yourself for someone like that? Answer me, madam. “Has your husband ever made you laugh?”

Dionea had even closed her eyes tightly. Doyle took a sip of alcohol, wet his lips, and spoke softly.

“If you immediately proceed with the inheritance process, we will forgive all interest and half of the principal of the debt given to your wife. “Go and find your happiness, ma’am.” I was quietly listening, but without any success, I closed the book and stepped forward.

“Go find happiness? “You may talk a lot, but in the end, doesn’t that mean you have to pay back half of that huge amount of money without any fiefdom?”

“Lord Phoenix, your focus is completely different from mine.”

Doyle shrugged his shoulders and whirled around.

“How dare you distort the merciful offer of canceling half of a huge amount of debt like that?”

“To put it bluntly, you don’t mean to show mercy.”

“… … Huh, what do you mean?”

“The idea is to use gold and silver to buy 500 days, and in addition, prevent the risk of the wrong heir appearing and taking over the territory. Isn’t it?”

Doyle smiled quietly and showed both palms.

“You might think so. I respect your opinion. However, I would like you to know that this is a proposal that takes your wife’s circumstances into consideration.”

“What do you mean, considering the circumstances?” “Your wife has a very attractive option.”

An attractive option?

Doyle spoke in a whisper to Dionea, whose eyes were still closed.

“Go back to Northernshire, ma’am.”

Northernshire? What does this mean again?

As I was quietly frowning, Scribe Veldin raised his tiptoes and spoke in my ear.

“This is where your wife’s parents’ house is.”

“•’••••Your biological family?” “The Bennet family is a powerful count family in the North.”

“This is my first time hearing about a count.

“I don’t have a very good relationship with my wife. “You came to Longville almost abandoned.”

Doyle’s persuasion continued.

“Count Jay-Lee passed away this spring. “Count Shay is the new owner of the Northern Shires.”

“It means that your cousin, who loved your wife a lot, is waiting for you in your hometown. Count Shay would be happy to repay even a small debt.” As Dionea continued her silence, Doyle, who glanced at her, licked her lower lip.

“Isn’t the Perth River so beautiful in winter? “I heard that looking at a frozen river stretching between snow-covered mountains makes the world seem insignificant.”

“I’m sure your wife has seen that scenery when she was young, right?”

“I am,”

Dionea slowly opened her eyes. The dark green eyes became scarlet colored in the light.

“I hated snow.”

“… … Well, you did. then,”

“I am Dionea Agnig. Not everyone is Ionea Bennett.”

She was a delicate yet strong person. A sense of duty or guilt that may not have been a big deal to others was something Daionea took seriously.

“I have a duty to protect my territory and my family.”

Doyle’s mouth, which had been smiling, hardened.

“I’m sorry, Prince Doyle. “I don’t think I can accept your offer.”

At Dionea’s firm words, Doyle cursed silently.

“Hmm. I’ve often heard about your wife’s goodness, but… … . “I never imagined you would be so stubborn.”

He sighed deeply and looked back at the Nudeins who were holding their breath on one side of the hall.

“In the end, should I even use this method?”

When Doyle looked at them, the faces of the two old Nudein people brightened.

“Dell Auto.”

“Yes, Confucius. “I was waiting.”

One of the elders looked back at Atalanta and winked.

When Atalanta made no response, the elder called Del Auto frowned.

“Atilia!”

At the small shout, Atalanta glanced in my direction and gritted her teeth. Then, he flipped a gunny bag over on the table in the hall and laid out the contents.

Fighting.

It was a pair of rotting skulls. Not long ago, the head of a troll we hunted in the forest below Graduil… … .

“This?”

When Dionea frowned and questioned the terrible stench, Atalanta reluctantly opened her mouth.

“It is the result of a hunting festival.”

“… … “The hunting festival is over.”

“As you can see from the condition, these trolls were hunted two weeks ago, and this is the result obtained during the hunting festival.” Dionea remained silent for a moment as if she realized something. Then she opened her mouth with a thoughtful expression.

“… … “Do you have any proof that it wasn’t something you bought from overseas?”

“There is no evidence.”

“okay. “Then it’s a pity,”

“instead… … . “I have a witness.”

Atalanta looked back at me quietly. I looked at her and her in turns, and then I realized her situation and opened her mouth.

“Atilia, you… …

“I’m sorry, Nyx. “I didn’t mean to trick you.”

“No, why are you like this?”

A gloomy light appeared in Atalanta’s amber eyes.

“It is impossible for a Nudein to become a lord.”

“… … What about the clan’s settlement? “Was it a lie?”

“no. However, such a small and crowded territory cannot accommodate all of our clan.”

Elder Delo To shouted and cut off her continued words.

“Atilia! Qiam baelmik!”

“Feqot antizr!”

Atalanta frowned and took it, and a couple of unintelligible words were exchanged.

Del Otto, whose face soon turned red, took out a wen pendant from inside his collar. Then, when she held it and growled, Atalanta clenched her fist and closed her mouth.

“… … Atili ah?”

She gritted her teeth and then looked around and lowered her head.

“I’m sorry, ma’am. And Confucius. “I showed indecency unintentionally.”

Atalanta took a moment to catch her breath and continued speaking.

“Those trolls are the ones we found at the foot of Mt. Graduil. “If we had left it alone, it would have caused harm to Longville at some point.”

Amber eyes turned to me.

“Lord Phoenix here will attest to this. “We were together at the time.”

Following Atalanta, other people’s eyes also gathered. She whispered to me as I swallowed a laugh.

“Answer me quickly, Nyx.”

“Atilia.”

“If you answer, we get the right to buy a manor near Multingham.”

I looked straight at Atalanta. Eyes full of earnestness.

In the end, I nodded.

“… … yes. “I am a witness.”

Atalanta closed her eyes.

Looking back at the retainers who did not understand the situation, I smiled bitterly.

“Those are the ones we caught at the foot of Graduil Mountain.”

No sooner had I finished speaking than the steward Edita spoke.

“Madam, the territory no longer has the capacity to pay bounties.”

“I don’t need money.”

The person who interrupted Edita was Del Otto, a Nudean elder.

“Just give me the points.”

“… … Uh, uh.”

As Veldin looked around to take notice, Del Auto looked up at Dionea and spoke emphatically.

“We are not asking for a favor, we are making a fair request, ma’am.”

“… … “A fair request?”

“yes. To keep the peace in Longville, our Al Qadari clan has lost countless warriors. “It is a natural right to ask for compensation.”

Dionea looked my way, but I couldn’t say anything.

Atalanta and I made a deal, and I helped her win the hunting festival. I never imagined that things would turn out this way, but their demands were legitimate anyway.

While I and the retainers were silent, Del Auto turned to Doyle and bowed his head.

“Confucius. Those who are Count Tristan’s subjects are speaking nonsense and trying to commit injustice. Would you like to just watch?”

Doyle made a sad expression in response to Dell Auto’s question.

“That can’t be possible. If injustice is committed within your domain, your father will gladly roll up his sleeves and step forward.

“I assure you.”

“Thank you, Confucius. “I will definitely repay this favor someday.”

Dionea, noticing the clear implications of the obvious play, turned to Veldin.

“… … “What happens if that Nudein warrior gets points, Veldin?”

“Just a moment, just a moment, ma’am.”

Scribe Veldin took out the scorecard from his pocket and then sighed.

“That’s 867 points.”

“What is the ranking?”

“… … “It’s a win.”

” ah.”

When Dionea touched her forehead, Elder Del Auto smiled.

“Atilia.”

“Qiam tha.”

Atalanta, who had been standing still earlier, slowly opened her eyes and pointed at Doyle.

“… … As the winner of the Hunting Festival, I nominate Prince Doyle Mullen as the adopted son of Baron Mallory.”

Only then did Master Tollami, who realized the situation, shout loudly.

“What nonsense!”

As the other retainers also raised their voices, Elder Del Auto sneered.

“under! “What are you complaining about when they appointed a young and handsome nobleman instead of the Nu Dane people whom you despise?”

“It’s absurd that the earl’s son became the baron’s adopted son!”

“Hmph, there was no mention of it in the conditions Baron Mallory put forth during his lifetime. “You’re going to say something else later!”

“Prince Doyle becoming the Baron’s adopted son also means becoming the Baroness’s adopted son. Does this make sense?”

“Why not?”

“Prince Doyle turns 25 this year! “You’re two years older than your wife!”

“Why is that? “It doesn’t happen every now and then among Milan’s noble families!”

In the midst of the loud argument, Doyle burst into laughter.

“ha ha ha-!” When the hall became quiet due to laughter that continued for a long time, he suddenly stood up.

“Not only is a new last name not enough, but I also get a young and beautiful mother.”

Hehe, somehow the sad laughter that continued disappeared in an instant.

“That’s fun. “It’s fun.”

Doyle looked at Ionea with a cold, frozen face.

“I think this is enough.”

“Either go to Northshire, or take me as your son. “That is the end of the options given to you.”

Doyle’s cold gaze scanned the retainers.

“No, no. “There is a third option.”

“… … Third option?”

Doyle’s eyes fell on Veldin, who mumbled without realizing it.

“You will be trampled miserably by the army that will arrive in 15 days.”

“The military, what is that?”

“Twenty knights will lead over a thousand soldiers. “The cruel saboteurs are a bonus.”

Leaving the frozen people behind, Doyle turned around, the hem of his coat flapping.

“Let’s go, Lord Esselda. “We need to give them time to think things out among themselves.”

As Doyle and Lord Esselda left the hall, the Nudein elders followed them.

“Nix… …

“Atilia.” Atalanta smiled bitterly at my complicated expression. For a moment, she bit her lower lip and walked away, shuffling her feet.

Immediately after the uninvited guests left, the troll’s heads tumbled down to the table. The terrible silence that follows.

I sighed quietly.

… … It’s so fucked up, really.