Baron Silicans stood in front of the Duke of Valkyr’s mansion exposed to the cold wind of dawn. The servants who woke up early in the morning and started their daily routine glanced at him.
Pity or ridicule.
The look at him was one of two. Baron Silicans did not know how they looked at him.
No, he knew too well.
He is so sensible that he inherited the family as a successor even though he is the second son.
At first, he felt humiliated. Having lived as a nobleman all his life, he couldn’t believe that he had to receive such eyes from the servants. But he couldn’t blame the servants. They were the servants of the great Duke of Valkyr, and if he rebukes them, he won’t be able to keep his place here.
It was already the fourth day. Waiting in front of the Duke of Valkyr.
If I had just accepted the duke’s offer back then.
Unfortunately, the fourth disaster will be at the Silicans estate. If the same disaster comes to several territories, the kingdom will unite or the emperor will step up, but the fourth disaster was limited to the Silicans territory, like the case of Zephyros.
It only meant that he had to solve Silicans estate problem alone.
Of course, he will be helped by the imperial army, but it was difficult to deal with the demons without divine power.
Furthermore, he heard desperate news from the duke a few days ago.
I don’t think we can send our Hestine to Silicans.
What the hell is that supposed to mean! If you don’t help us, who the hell will….
The Duke of Valkyr opened his mouth with a look of regret.
I can’t help it either. My daughter’s health is not good, so as a father, I can’t put her in the middle of a disaster.
But you said you’d solve the third disaster yourself. Why is the fourth….
That’s the limit. We’re going to solve the third disaster and give Hestine a break, so don’t hang on like this anymore.
Baron Silicans immediately noticed.
He turned down an offer from Valkyr a few days ago that’s why the duke is turning a blind eye to Silicans.
Of course, he told the emperor about the unfair situation but he couldn’t do anything to the Valkyr.
After all, the excuse is about the saint’s health.
If the emperor forces the saint to do something about the situation and something bad happens to her, he needs to take full responsibility for it.
Baron Silicans’ hands trembled.
Then, the high bars of the mansion opened and a group of nobles walked slowly out. They were the lords of the estate where the third disaster happened.
They were the ones who gave the duke a great fortune after using the help of the saint. They opened their eyes wide when they found the baron.
“No, Baron Silicans. Were you still here?”
“No way. He must have gone back to his mansion and came back.”
“But that doesn’t make sense….”
Pitying eyes scanned Baron Silicans’ movements. Baron Silicans shouted in a fit of rage.
“What are you looking at? Don’t worry about others and go on your way.”
Then there was a short tongue-clapping sound.
“Baron, why don’t you stop being stubborn and accept Duke Valkyr’s offer now?”
Baron Silicans clenched his teeth.
He wanted him to hand over the ship owned by the territory to him.
But the Silicans estate was not as rich as they were. Due to the nature of the territory surrounded by rugged mountains made of rocks, the sea was the only land route.
Therefore, if the ownership of the ship is handed over to the duke, the territory will inevitably be isolated. He doesn’t have the funds to build a new ship.
“…Silicans would be isolated without ships.”
“Tsk tsk. Did he ask for the ships? Just go under the duke.”
“…give him my territory?”
“That’s the only way. We didn’t bow to Duke Valkyr because we had no pride.”
Baron Silicans’ head fell endlessly. The baron was soon alone. The cold wind drifted sharply past Baron Silicans’ cheeks.
A neat pair of shoes came into the eyes of Baron Silicans, who was bowing his head with all kinds of anguish.
He slowly raised his head.
It was the butler of the Duke of Valkyr.
“The Lord allowed the baron to come in.”
“…I’m going in.”
The cold-faced butler turned and advanced to the mansion. The baron moved his heavy feet and followed the butler. The butler guided Baron Silicans to the duke’s office, not the drawing room.
No matter how different there is in the position, it is customary for aristocrats to meet in the drawing room. It was obviously a rude act. But Baron Silicans could not say anything.
“We have Baron Silicans here.”
“Let him in.”
Tak~
The baron stepped into the office with a grim look on his face.
“You’re here? How’s the weather out there? It seems to be windy today.”
A twisted smile settled around Giorgio Valkyr’s mouth. Seeing the miserable appearance of the man who dared to refuse his proposal at once, he couldn’t help but laugh.
“It was bearable.”
Giorgio’s eyebrows flinched.
“Haha…! I guess I let the baron in too early. So, have you thought about it?”
When he heard Giorgio’s arrogant voice, Baron Silicans thought to himself.
I deny the power that the Valkyr’s hold.
A self-help smile formed around Baron Silicans’ mouth. Giorgio’s eyes became fiercer when he saw this.
“Baron Silicans. Don’t tell me you haven’t figured out the situation?”
“I’m not going to accept any support from the Valkyr family.”
“Are you serious?”
Giorgio’s face was horribly distorted. For some reason, the baron looked a little cheerful when he saw that face.
“I think I should find out other ways on how to live on my estate. I believe holding hands with the Duke of Valkyr would only ruin my territory even more, so I won’t take any help.”
Giorgio’s eyes were filled with anger.
“Ha! Take care of yourself! You refused, so I hope you don’t blow the arrow of resentment at Valkyr after Silicans is destroyed like Rohen!”
Baron Silicans turned his back to Giorgio Valkyr, who laughed helplessly and shouted. He came out of the mansion as if he had been kicked out. He fought against the Valkyr family coolly, but the future was still a problem.
“Even if I accept his proposal, another problem will arise.”
Baron Silicans looked up at the sky. Contrary to his situation, he looked at the clear sky and laughed.
Yeah, there’s no such thing as death. For now, let’s find an alternative solution.
***
“How’s father?”
Hestine asked cautiously, in an uneasy voice. Lizzie, Hestine’s maid, replied, patting her shoulder as if not to worry.
“The duke had a little chat with the young man and went to bed. Don’t worry too much.”
“That’s a relief… But why was my father so angry?”
Hestine went to his office to hand the duke a simple dinner. However, when he heard a loud sound coming through the door, she had no choice but to retreat.
a very angry voice….
It was one of Hestine’s fears and reluctance.
Lizzie let out a deep sigh as she looked at her exasperated face.
“Oh, don’t even ask. Do you know Baron Silicans who came to see you recently?”
“Yes…”
“Well, the baron turned down the duke’s offer?”
“He turned down father’s offer?”
Hestine opened her eyes wide and expressed wonder.
“Isn’t it foolish of him to throw away his territory just because he didn’t want to give a few ships?”
Lizzie sarcastically commented on Baron Silicans. Hestine just smiled awkwardly and nodded.
“Why did the baron do that…?”
“Well, he just wanted help without a price. He was only going to take advantage of you.”
“…. I guess they felt pressured Honestly, even if I don’t get that….”
For a moment Lizzie’s face hardened horribly. Seeing her face, Hestine shut up in surprise.
“What are you talking about?”
“Huh…? I’m just….”
“Ha… Saint. I know how tender and soft hearted you are.”
Lizzie held Hestine firmly by the shoulder. She looked down at Hestine and spoke in a caring voice.
“A miracle without a price is not a miracle, Saint. It’s just going to be volunteer work. It’s only going to lower the value of the saint.”
A clear fear came into Hestine’s eyes. Lizzie’s words sounded as if she would no longer be a saint respected by people. Hestine knew implicitly that she would not be a member of the duchy if she were not a saint.
So, I’m just going back to Hestine on the street…?’
She didn’t like it. She couldn’t go back to such a miserable life.
Once you tasted the sweetness of power, you can’t help but want more.
Lizzie, who saw Hestine’s fear, continued with a deeper smile.
“If the saint had not entered the duchy, your strength would have been poisonous. People would not know you were precious and throw you in the middle of a disaster without any protection.”
Hestine’s face grew pale.
Lizzie drew Hestine into her arms with a sad face. She said, gently sweeping Hestine’s back in her arms like a child.
“But the Duke and the prince will protect you. So, you have to do well. I will do my best to help you.”
“…Yes. Thank you, Lizzy.”
“Oh my. It’s already been this long. Hurry up and go to bed. That’s how you recover your strength.”
Hestine wasn’t very tired and didn’t want to sleep. But, as Lizzie had wished for, she nodded her head and went up to her bed.
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In a sense, Hestine’s life is quite sad.
This is why I dont agree with the Adeline hiding herself and plotting revenge instead. She is playing with people’s lives. She should about the people in her village that the fake saint didnt save and make sure it never happens again. Instead she watches operas and politicks with nobles for a ‘grand plan’.
I am starting to feel worse and worse for Hestine. Yes, she’s a fake saint, but she doesn’t know that her power comes from this ritual, and she is willing to help those in need. Hestine has a good heart, but is incredibly naive and weak-willed. It reminds me of how Adelia was in the beginning – before Adelia decided she’s had enough and was DONE with this bullsh*t. Hestine wants to be loved and adored, and so she’s suppressing her natural inclinations and letting herself be led into being selfish and greedy like the Valkyr family. I’m wondering if Hestine is going to lose her divine power because she’s not acting like a saint and helping people.