Evan D. Sherden’s Realization and Leap Forward (4)

When it was confirmed that the aftermath of the Great-Flood had completely subsided, the nobles’ children, who had been stranded in the shelter for those two weeks, made haste to leave the Duchy at the speed of light.

“The monsters really disappeared, for sure, right?”

“Didn’t the Duke confirm it? Let’s go!”

“Whoa, my body is killing me. I was really sick of it!”

The aristocrats moved quickly as if their tails were on fire. It was really funny to watch as they moved in unison like they had some kind of an agreement in advance. Wagons leaving the Duchy lined up on the road.

“I wanted to see the Duke before I left. How regrettable. Oh, also…”

“I wanted to see the maid one more time.”

“So, who is the great magician?”

“Huh, did you miss it? It was a meteorite that filled the sky. When Sir Evan swung his hand, a black hole opened up and from inside…”

As it was such an extraordinary series of incidents, there was no end of rumors in the social world for the time being. The rise of Anastasia, the Great Flood, and even the story of Evan D. Sherden, the Arch-mage of the Dungeon City, who showed overwhelming majesty!

However, all those who tried to visit and greet the Duke before leaving the Duchy could not achieve their goal. This was because the Duke was not allowing visitors.

“Damn, during the battle, they were hiding in a place where you couldn’t even see their faces, and now they’re saying what? Hello? Those cowards are pretending to be nobles. There is nothing to expect for the future of the Silk Line.”

“Because not everyone trains like knights. Wouldn’t it be a bigger problem if the nobles got hurt when they need to rule the people?”

There was a voice that responded to the Duke, who sat in the office and looked out of the window and spat out barbed comments as if they were pathetic. The voice belonged to none other than Evan. Originally, Evan desired to get out of the territory right away like they were, but because he didn’t participate in the war contribution ceremony, he couldn’t reject the command of the Duke to visit once before leaving.

“That’s why I say they have no balls. As a noble is a person who stands on top of the people, they should train their mind and body repeatedly to become an ideal example for others! When I was young, I rolled between soldiers and other royalties and aristocrats, but these days, the young have a nasty habit of finding a comfortable way only for themselves!”

“Yes, yes, I see.”

Evan had an ambiguous smile as he saw the Duke ranting about the same things as his late grandfather, whom he had visited occasionally in his past life. In fact, he wanted to live without training himself. The only reason he kept training was that if he didn’t increase his abilities now, it was obvious that he would face death soon enough.

“In that respect, you are really great. At that young age, there must have been a lot of things you had to do before you got that power. Since your physical abilities are also extraordinary, though, I didn’t know about the magic side. It’s possible because of what you were born with and your never-resting effort!”

“No, besides physical abilities, I can’t use magic at all, as I said. That was just a skill…”

“Yes, then, let’s move on.”

Well, it didn’t work either. This was truly not magic! But whoever heard it didn’t believe it at all! Even the company who witnessed the moment he learned Heaven Throw in the dungeon doubted it!

“Then we don’t have to waste each other’s time. I will get to the point.”

“The point…? If you have anything to say to me, I’m all ears.”

“Well.”

Evan straightened his posture while sitting down. The Duke pulled his chin up, nodded in satisfaction, and made a short declaration.

“I will give you my daughter. Inherit Leonine.”

Evan rudely checked to see if his ears were clogged in front of the Duke. Unfortunately, since Belois cleaned his ears yesterday evening, it was in a clean state without a single speck of earwax.

“Duke, I was distracted and couldn’t understand what you meant. I apologize, but can I ask for a more detailed explanation?”

“Marry my daughter, Anastasia L. Leonine, and become Evan L. Leonine. Then, I will hand over the title of Duke and the entire territory to you.”

“Is that a type of decision that’s so easy to make?”

“There is no problem because I decide everything in this estate.”

He gave the Duke a chance to make corrections, but he affirmed his statement. As Evan was sighing at the ridiculous situation, the Duke kindly explained his thoughts.

“My son is too fragile. His ambition is enormous, but he doesn’t care much about this territory. Moreover, he only thinks it’s his duty to fight monsters but never actively tries to jump into the battlefield. If we hand over the title to such a boy, our estate will be destroyed.”

Indeed, just as the Duke himself had been playing chess with people on the board for decades, his insight was correct. Indeed, he was right. Because in Yo-Ma Great War 4, the province has already been destroyed and was taken over by the enemy!

“On the other hand, look at you. Your blood is that of a pure-blooded nobleman, and your purple eyes are much clearer than my ugly son’s. Your appearance is enough to dare to be called the best treasure among the myriad of gold and silver treasures of Sherden, and your unrivaled courage talents don’t lack. Not a single one of them, ranging from combat to business. Wouldn’t you like to make you a successor if you were in my position?”

Looking at it like that, Evan looked really great even from his own point of view. Of course, only if this world weren’t the world of Yo-Ma Great War.

“Because I am young, I look special for my age, and you will think differently as the years pass. In our country, there are a lot of amazing talents that are incomparable to me.”

“Don’t try to get away with such a shallow trick. What’s stopping you? From what I heard, you wanted to interfere with this estate in any way possible, so I’m going to hand over the entire estate to you without having to do such a backhanded scam. It’s much simpler and efficient.”

He was, in fact, guessing that what had happened at the party hall had reached the Duke’s newsfeed. If so, it wouldn’t have been so difficult to recognize Evan’s thoughts. Evan shrugged, he couldn’t possibly imagine that the Duke would come up with a proposal to hand over the title and territory, but he was in no position to accept his words blithely.

“I am about to be the commander of the dungeon knights. The first land that I must protect is the Dungeon City Sherden. So, I’m very grateful, but I can’t become the successor of this estate. I’m sorry, Sir.”

“Then why did I hear about you supporting Asha? Do you mean that you tried such a trick so that you would only get my daughter out?”

If so, it was unacceptable. Those were what the Duke’s wide-open eyes said. Evan shook his head firmly.

“No, from what I know, there is another one whom the princess is interested in in the first place.”

“The one she’s interested in? I haven’t heard of that… no, even so, if you are a man, you should know how to win the heart of the woman you like! Why can’t you flirt with my daughter?”

“And actually, I don’t have a thing for the princess.”

“What’s the problem with Asha?!”

Oh, he’s really annoying, this person!

Evan kept down a deep sigh as he looked at the Duke, staring at him with his eyes opened wide.

“I am embarrassed to say this, but I already have too many relationships, Sir. I don’t want to have more!”

“You’re a jackass!”

“I often hear that.”

“Then, why did you offer Asha a business proposition? Matthew was there, and you could have waited a little longer before meeting me. Why Asha, without any authority? You know she has no money. Not yet.”

If Evan was coveting Leonine’s estate, then there was no need to reject the Duke’s offer to marry the princess. Coveting Anastasia’s body and doing her a favor was also not the case. In the opinion of the Duke, there could be no motives for Evan other than those two.

“I will tell you if you don’t get mad at my honesty.”

“Whether you say it or not, I will be furious. So tell me.”

“I am afraid of Prince Matthew’s ambition.”

The Duke’s mouth, which had opened up as if he would shout loudly, was quietly shut. He must have guessed much the same. Evan, who had already spoken, had nothing more to stop him as bolder words leaped out from his mouth.

“I am a nobleman of the dungeon city, Sir. And Prince Matthew invited me to this party, along with the successors of many other influential nobles. I think you are fully aware of what this means.”

“Hmm…”

“I dare to tell you. It is unpleasant to see disputes arising around the succession of the throne of the Silk Line right now. As far as I know, there is no reason for the disqualification of His Majesty Damian, the number one successor. In this situation, if Prince Matthew intervenes in the issue of succession to the throne, it could even develop into a civil war. I do not want that.”

In the history of the game, there was actually a civil war, so there were no words that could be more convincing than this. It was based on the future that would be.

“Matthew’s greed is too much for what he has. However, as a father, it is undesirable to stop my child even before seeing my son trying…”

“No, what needs to be prevented must be prevented. At this time, when the demon’s movements are growing unusual, a war for the throne? It is crazy.”

“My god……”

The Duke also had eyes. He had seen and remembered the strangely tattooed orc that appeared on the first day of the Great Flood. In addition, he was also a warrior who stood at the forefront of the battlefield whenever the Flood occurs. He was well aware that the world was by no means peaceful. Furthermore, if he remembered the Mahwa incident that he received a report on from a while ago… The Duke, feeling a bit criticized by Evan, spoke up in opposition.

“So, if you become the Duke, won’t it all be solved? If you absorb Matthew’s support base, he will realize his position and live quietly.”

“I am.”

Evan declared with determination in front of the Duke, who wanted to take him as a son-in-law.

“I want to make Princess Anastasia the Duke.”

Not a Princess Maker, but a Duchess Maker! The Duke listened to him with a blank face for a moment, then burst into laughter.

“You mean the female Duke! Hahahahaha! You said you would make her a female duke!”

“It is more than possible. Didn’t the first King’s Majesty declare that anyone could ascend to the throne, regardless of age or sex, if one possesses the ability?”

Of course, they were only words, and there was no real case of a queen being born in this country. However, it was important to note that the first king said such words. In addition, he was confident that Anastasia could make it to the throne, considering the achievements lying ahead of her. Evan would surely make it that way.

“Why are you trying to take the bumpy road? You don’t seem to hate my daughter, or is it that the position of the Duke is too heavy for you?”

“No, certainly not. It’s just that the position of dungeon knight commander is so heavy that I can’t carry anything else on my back.”

“Dungeon knight commander… The position that protects Sherden. Based on what you’re capable of, that doesn’t look too heavy. You are a guy who says silly things.”

The Duke stared into Evan’s eyes and tried to dig into him, but of course, nothing could be found.

“Shit, It’s the first time I’ve seen such a complicated and twisted boy like you.”

“I’m

sorry, sir.”

“Whooooo…….”

He finally leaned back in the chair and stretched out.

“Asha…How was it Asha you met? Does she seem capable?”

“Her talent is overflowing. Had it not been for the status of a princess, I would have invited her to join my knights.”

“Is that so……”

The Duke responded with a weak voice because of his mood. A deep feeling of fatigue appeared in his eyes. There was a creak, the sound of the chair tilting.

“That’s her blood, so there is probably enough for what she needs……”

The Duke muttered with a somewhat drowsy depression. He wasn’t exactly speaking to Evan, but it was clearly heard by his ears. Her. Upon hearing that, Evan recalled that Anastasia was born to a different mother than Matthew. Anastasia’s mother was probably a witch, and now she wasn’t with the Duke. He didn’t know anything more, but he couldn’t question the Duke when he was in that mood.

“But that’s all. She doesn’t want to stand up and walk on her own. It’s her 15th birthday soon, and I have a lot of thoughts on what to do. Can you make her stand up and walk?”

For 15 years, he had tried to condemn Anastasia, sometimes he had watched, and sometimes he had tried to teach, trying to guess what she wanted to bring into the world. The results were never very good. However, Evan nodded as if he understood the Duke’s thoughts and insisted on the next moment

“If that’s the problem, you don’t have to worry. This is not because I first suggested this to the princess, but because the princess asked me first.”

“… What? Asha did?”

“Yes.”

Evan responded strongly.

“The princess just lacked the courage a little, but now she is ready to stand up, and I intend to help the princess in any way possible… Until she finally becomes the Duke. It is certainly the best way forward for Leonine’s future.”

“Asha…is that so….”

The Duke muttered blankly. It was honestly unbelievable. He thought that she was just a newborn baby sitting still in the place where she was, but Asha had also been preparing to stand up on her own. Maybe time passed naturally, or…there may have been some other motive. It was quite natural to look at Evan for that.

“If you want to have her, I’ll give her to you, so don’t pull off any schemes without me knowing and tell me. If you don’t know what hits you when you get hit, it feels dirty.”

“Oh, well, she has someone she’s into.”

“Hmm, then who is it?”

Evan smiled bitterly as he saw the Duke trying to investigate the emotional exchange between him and Anastasia. However, since he couldn’t honestly mention Shine’s existence, he deliberately made change the topic.

“Sir, please do not discriminate against the princess and support her in the same way as Prince Matthew. I assure you, the princess has the ability to stabilize and develop this estate.”

“Oh, even if you don’t say that, I have no intention of discriminating. If Asha’s abilities are better, I’ll make her the Duke instead of Matthew. Even if you don’t say it.”

When the Duke had finished speaking, he shook his hand and expressed his intention to step back to Evan. It seemed that he had failed to turn Evan into a son-in-law, and he was firmly defeated. But Evan did not forget to say one last thing.

“And, Sir, would it be okay to use my own troops to explore the undeveloped western areas sooner or later? Of course, we will contact you in advance when that time comes.”

“Undeveloped areas? In other words, the monster’s den. But if you’re going to wipe them out, I can’t say no. However, if you find a dungeon, give me 40% of the income you earn there.”

“I’ll give you up to 20%.”

“30%.”

Evan leaned against the chair with a crooked smile as he watched the fingerwiggling Duke with his own fingers steeped.

“Sir, you may have seen a variant called Devil Rune. You need to know more about them. And I already have a small clue. The exploration will help me verify.”

“This boy.”

“I’ll share any information I get about them. When the time comes, it would be better for the Duke to explore with the available troops.”

“…Okay, wouldn’t it be okay if I set it at 20%?”

“Thank you.”

A faint smile played on Evan’s lips. Seeing it, the Duke sniffed and grumbled.

Only

“I was suspicious that you weren’t really that chimpanzee-like guy’s son, but you are. When you’re done talking, get the hell out.”

“Then stay healthy, sir.”

“Do not leave forever just because I said get the hell out, and occasionally visit, alright?”

“Sure. See you soon.”

Evan responded politely for the last time and left the office. Soon, the Duke was left alone, staring at the empty teacup he left behind, muttering blankly.

“He does… he does look similar.”

The Duke stayed in the afterglow that Evan had left behind for a while, and then let out a sigh and stood up.

The same went for him. He would be a lot busier from now on