14. School Festival – 03

The Countess of Crutier was one of the most prestigious families among the aristocratic families, making a name for themselves in the central part of the Empire at this point.

A fairly decent count who has been famous for his swordsmanship since a very long time ago – although of course less than the Dukes of Pendragon or the Counts of Serias – and whose count can never be ignored not only in the central region, which is their home base, but also throughout the entire continent. Should I go

In fact, just by knowing the name, anyone would be able to guess that the power of the count family was at a level that could never be ignored.

Because in 10 years, if the end came, nobles, commoners, and slaves would all die equally.

Just because they are nobles, they don’t kill them lightly without hurting them, and because they’re commoners, they don’t kill them painfully enough to make their eyes go round.

A fair death for all living beings, and an empty rest.

In the face of the end of fair treatment of all living beings on earth, regardless of status, there is nothing more ridiculous than arguing about how nobles and commoners are.

Jong-eon was not an easy opponent to the extent that they leisurely divided into aristocrats and commoners, saying that they were good at each other, and the situation was also not so relaxed.

As much as that, the world was about to end, and at that time, everyone treated each other quite fairly, regardless of the status of the other person.

And since they treated each other fairly, the gossip about the nobles that existed before the end of the world naturally emerged as a topic of conversation.

The world was on the brink of collapse anyway, so what if we uncovered the secrets of nobles, and what if we made them snacks?

Actually, since I’m not from this world, I didn’t pay much attention to how debauched and lewd the nobles were before the end, but when I was with other people, I couldn’t help but listen to such stories even if I didn’t want to hear them. it was the law

– … So, what about Pierre van Crutier?

‘So, that bastard has two fathers and three mothers.’

When I explained in a nonchalant tone, Erekaya responded with a really absurd tone.

– … How is that even possible? How on earth can such a genealogy be formed in a person?

Hmm, it seemed that Little Princess Pendragon, who had lived so cleanly and with integrity all her life, had no immunity to this kind of talk.

Well, it’s not Hong Gil-dong, and there are few people who wouldn’t be surprised to hear that he has two fathers, no, three mothers beyond him.

If so, what can I do? I have no choice but to accept that my mouth gets a little dirty and kindly explain.

‘Count Crutier was a very horny person, so one wife wasn’t enough, so he took two more women. Still, he is the son of the concubine, not the concubine. Well, it’s only a superficial story.’

– On the surface?

‘The count’s wife… So their mother cheated on her because she didn’t like the count’s neglect of her. So with the younger brother of the count.’

Of course, in the aristocratic family, all other blood relatives are treated as collateral, unless they are the direct lineage that inherited the title.

Of course, even collaterals are treated as nobles at first, but it is very difficult to call yourself a noble as you go down the lineage.

To use an analogy, should we say that it is a situation similar to the one in the Joseon Dynasty when it was difficult for a concubine’s son to call himself a nobleman’s son?

In other words, that guy named Pierre is stiff-necked, claiming that he is the rightful descendant of Count Crutier, but considering his original lineage, he is nothing more than an illegitimate child of an aristocratic family.

Not to mention Pierre himself, the boy’s real mother and even the count know about it, but that doesn’t mean they can’t talk about the fact that an illegitimate child came out of the royal family, so the count treats him as his ‘son’ while crying and eating mustard. Did you say it was acknowledged?

– … So the words that came out are a cheap story about the mother being odd?

‘I don’t want to talk about that too much, but that bastard pisses people off.’

Well, just because I am, it’s definitely not something I enjoy talking about the secrets of other people’s homes all over the place.

However, if you look at it closely, it’s not enough for a bastard who doesn’t have anything proud to look at others with a look of disdain, and it feels really disgusting to see him subtly asserting his authority and pressuring people.

So what should I do? The other side hit the saver first, so this side has no choice but to counterattack correspondingly.

Also, by killing those guys who are trembling at the low price, you can increase Kaya’s liking.

“… uh, how do you do that?”

Pierre’s eyes trembled as if an earthquake had occurred in his pupils at my words.

“It’s nothing. It’s just that my ears are a little better. There are also sources who can tell stories that are not well known to others.”

As soon as I spoke in a really relaxed tone, I got up and walked behind Pierre.

In the momentarily quiet student council room, the only sounds I could hear were my footsteps and Pierre breathing heavily.

“you you… ”

“Uh huh. Don’t look back, old man. Now, when the president is in front of the seniors, is it rude to turn your head the other way?”

As I stood behind him, Pierre reflexively tried to look back, so I whispered carefully in his ear.

“Besides, I’m so scared. If the senpai looked at my face with authority like before, wouldn’t it be possible for me to inadvertently spit out strange nonsense in fear?”

“…..”

At those words, Pierre’s entire body froze as he faced forward.

Hmm, now it seems that the environment has been created for ‘persuasion’ in earnest.

“The swordsmanship club. I heard that it is one of the most prestigious clubs in Nineveh. Is that true?”

“Yeah, yes.”

“And I heard a lot that it is a club with a long history and tradition, which includes a large number of talented seniors from prestigious families. To be able to take on the role of president in such a club, it must be that you also have great talent in swordsmanship.”

When I said that in a really kind tone, Pierre’s breathing seemed more calm than before.

“Oh, thank you. For praising me.”

“By the way, if you want to take on the role of president of such a club, why do you think that simply having excellent swordsmanship skills is not enough?”

“… Wealth, tribe?”

“Hmm. For example, wouldn’t it be possible for only a person with a noble lineage as the Count’s Youngshik, like you, to become the president of such a club?”

“It’s just a chance, but if rumors spread that you’re not qualified for something, wouldn’t it cause a lot of trouble for you to take on the role of club president?”

tall.

And at that moment, Pierre stopped moving in place as if he had been petrified.

Next, I moved slowly to the back of the dungeon that was beside Pierre, looking at him with a genuinely bewildered expression.

‘… Um, what’s this bastard’s name?’

– Didn’t you just say that Celica von Ballenstein is the president of Entique del Tuan, the magic research club?

The head is also good. How could you memorize that name after only hearing it once?

– Are you aware of Entique del Touan’s personal weaknesses, like Pierre Van Crutier?

‘Oh, what a weakness. I’ve only brought out persuasion materials to negotiate peacefully with others.’

Unfortunately, I had only come across the happy family life of Pierre van Crutier by chance, and I had only recently learned that Entique del Touan existed in this world.

But even if you don’t know anything about Entike, you know a few stories about the Marquis of Tuan.

“I heard that the Marquis of Tuan was an incredibly wealthy family located on the coast of the southern part of the empire. Is that true, senpai?”

“… that, yes It is true.”

Still, it seems that there is something called learning ability in form, but unlike Pierre, Entike calmly looks straight ahead and answers obediently.

“Certainly, it must be an environment where you have no choice but to be rich. Because the Marquis of Tuan accounts for more than half of the salt production in the entire empire.”

As I said that, I whispered something in Entique’s ear in a very small voice, just as I had done to Pierre earlier.

“By the way, I’ve heard rumors that recently, the empire’s black market has sold a lot of salt, albeit in very small quantities, without permission from the imperial family. This is the salt smuggling. It must be a terrible thing.”

After shaking my body once in genuine disgust, I placed my finger on Entike’s carotid artery and tapped it.

“If the imperial family finds out about this, I don’t think they will ever sit still. After all, isn’t salt a daily necessity that goes into the mouths of all the people of the empire? Not only was it not enough to play with such salt, but to steal it somewhere is truly a heinous act.”

In fact, it is safe to say that there is no possibility that the imperial family will move. Because the Tuan Marquis family is raising their own budget by smuggling salt under the tacit permission of the imperial family.

However, it is unlikely that the child in front of him, who is not yet the official successor, would be aware of such secret political dynamics.

Even if you knew, it doesn’t matter. Because there’s nothing good about this kind of talk leaking out.

“…..”

Just like Pierre did, Entique hardens her body like a stone.

“So seniors. It’s just an extension of the previous story.”

After leisurely observing their hardened backs, I opened my mouth with a relaxed attitude.

“Because I don’t have a very good memory. What did you say the budget for the festival is? I had a lot of fun talking with the seniors, so I forgot everything before I knew it.”

“… The swordsmanship club is very satisfied with the student council budget. No, if other clubs want it, we are willing to share our budget.”

“Eh, the same goes for the magic research club.”

Pierre and Entique spoke with a stammering look, their faces as if they were white.

“Hmm. But what is the strange memory left in my head that the seniors insisted that the budget of other clubs be driven to their side? Is this my delusion?”

“Tea, must be an illusion!”

“That, yes. We were trying to appeal to the president that we didn’t need an extra budget. That, no way!”

“As expected, these are proud seniors who are serving as presidents of prestigious clubs representing Nineveh. As a member of the student council, the fact that I have such people as my seniors makes me very happy.”

hahahaha, while looking at me laughing loudly with the two of them, Celica and Erekaya silently lowered their heads and let out a deep sigh.

“… ha.”

– Whoops. Anyway, it’s like a lamb.

Well, there were exceptions though.

“As expected, Mr. West… .”

Only one person was looking at him admiringly.