139 -name-2

“Hey, what are you doing! Move quickly!”

Perhaps it was a construction site, stone powder flew here and there, creating thick smoke.

Contrary to what he said, the person who appeared to be the overseer was urging them with a beautiful voice.

“We’re almost there. From here, it’s the domain of the Leodrin family.”

After that day, Eleanor couldn’t look me in the eye. Maybe, it might have been like that before.

“It’s a peaceful place. Staying here would be fine. The Empire always supports you… but if you’re here, you’ll have no choice but to welcome you.”

“Why? I thought it would be good if I wasn’t hated.”

The lady of the Leodrin family called me directly. As a result of further questioning, it is said that he was the actual owner of this territory.

“He’s just someone who came in for no reason. You can’t like it.”

“Despite the rumors going around, you are the Enerel of House Leodrin, officially recognized by His Majesty the Emperor and the survivors of House Leodrin. There’s no way you can formally resist it now.”

“indeed…”

“It’s a benefit to them too. The young lady of the Leodrin family is getting married, and her mother hasn’t lost her beauty yet.”

“Then why don’t you carry on the family line?”

“Leodrin is an honorable family. Most of the men died fighting for the emperor, and even the last ones died from illness or assassination. are the ones.”

“And the Emperor betrayed them.”

The territory of the Leodrin family, as seen on the map, was not small. It was unclear how many territories they actually ruled over, but they must have been a huge family in their own way.

Could it be that even such a family could be easily abandoned for the sake of the Emperor?

“At that time, he would have thought you were more important. And, your being here after so much time… wouldn’t have been in his reckoning.”

The return, which was expected to happen, failed miserably as bad news piled on top of bad news. On the contrary, what started vaguely without confidence was progressing faster than expected.

In the end, everything would go in vain if he didn’t find the dragon’s heart.

“Anyway, this is your territory. Those who are ruling this territory now are only temporary agents of authority until a legitimate successor appears.”

If so, my presence could be a threat to their power. Can I go in like this?

“Don’t worry. They are loyal.”

I don’t get a good feel for it. Sometimes, Eleanor would use a word like loyalty or honor simply as a synonym for ‘good’.

I wondered in what sense she used the word loyal, but I didn’t feel like asking.

“There are a lot of nobles out there who are trying to make a connection with you. They may later try to adopt you formally. You’re doing them no harm.”

“Then I’m a bit glad.”

It was a peaceful place. I didn’t want to harm this place.

“Come to think of it, those aristocrats. It seems strange that they haven’t been in touch…”

We’ve been hiding moderately, but I don’t expect that a high-ranking aristocrat wouldn’t have been able to figure out our whereabouts.

“You mean Creon? I’ve blocked his access. Anytime you want…”

Because of Eleanor’s nonchalant tone, I thought it was no big deal for a moment. Although the reason he regained quickly made him glare at her.

“You’ll have to explain well. So that I can understand.”

Eleanor bowed her head as if embarrassed.

“I’m sorry. I was going to tell you in advance… There have been minor contact attempts before, but the only time they openly asked for contact was when we joined House Weather.”

“therefore?”

“They said they would erase all the soldiers of Weather and Aldguild blocking your way if you showed your willingness to cooperate. It didn’t seem like what you wanted.”

I frowned and pondered her words.

“For you, who were working so hard to save even one more person, this kind of offer wouldn’t have been pleasant.”

“…probably.”

It was also very difficult mentally at the time. All my plans turned out to be futile, and in the end I couldn’t help but think that I hadn’t done anything.

If the giant fool, the eldest son of the Weather family, hadn’t forced his troops to attack William, the peace would have been shattered in the end.

“I’m glad. I thought you might be angry. Anyway, it didn’t change that it was done without your permission.”

Actually, what I was worried about was a bit different. All I could hear now was her words, and it is not known whether those aristocratic people actually said those words.

However, rather than trusting aristocratic people she hadn’t even met properly on a few occasions, it was easier to trust Eleanor, who could be assured that she had seen her bottom for several years.

I didn’t believe that he wouldn’t betray me, that he would do me good. However, Eleanor was consistent in both good and bad ways.

At least, it didn’t look like she was going to hold me back in a cunning, cowardly way.

“They didn’t seem to know you.”

“I don’t know…”

The vacancy of Ceres was large. At that time, I was angry at Erinis’ attitude of trying to move me arbitrarily, and I didn’t like the fact that he handed me the fallen warrior party members without saying anything.

However, I couldn’t say that everything she said was wrong. I myself didn’t know what I wanted to do.

In such a situation, it was only natural that the aristocrats would misunderstand me and make false suggestions.

“But, it might be good to meet them soon.”

This was not like Eleanor.

“Wasn’t that something you were reluctant to do?”

I don’t understand where I am, but I do know what it is.

No matter how much I thought about it, I thought it was strange, but I was told that I was a worthy being who could threaten the imperial authority.

For me to join hands with the aristocratic faction, it would not be a pleasant thing for her.

“At least for this moment back at this party, I’ve been trying to say something for you. They can give you a lot, maybe… something that neither me nor His Majesty the Emperor could give you.”

“What?”

“We are, after all, a body with the Empire on its back, and there are limits to what we can give you… but they are not.”

Creon’s hospitality was so luxurious that even I, who was staying at the imperial palace, felt an impressive feeling.

The emperor and Eleanor, who were responsible for the empire, had to be limited in their movements compared to the nobles, who were relatively free from such responsibility.

“It doesn’t matter. If you are in a position of responsibility for the country, there are things you have to give up.”

“It’s not because of that. The problem is me.”

There was the sound of the wagon rattling. Eleanor looked me straight in the eyes and continued speaking calmly.

“As long as I’m here, you can’t be happy. If you’ve traveled this long, there are times when you feel it. Just because I’m not among them, the nobles have an advantage that I can’t match.”

Her voice, as if resigned to something, sounded anxious. Fortunately, Nerwen’s voice that the carriage had arrived cut off our conversation.

/////

Upon entering the castle, the maids and butlers saw me and moved busily.

“I have been called by Lady Leodrin.”

The maids moved busily. It was a castle with a strange feeling.

It is well maintained, but it looks clumsy, and although it has an antique vibe, it looks weak somewhere.

“Come inside, headmistress.”

Am I telling you to go? I didn’t know that it would be accepted so easily and quickly.

Or, it could be some kind of test or simply the maid’s negligence. It was because they were trying to see if I had a desire for power, or the thoughts of the members of the Leodrin family and the gaze of the maid could not have matched.

When I entered the place guided by the maid, a familiar-looking woman was waiting for me. It was Lady Leodrin.

He was a double person. The gorgeous yet practical dress, which seemed to be made of fine fabric, was beautiful enough to catch the eye, but the state of preservation was not necessarily good. It was a bit surprising, considering that there was nothing to do with a dress and do strenuous outdoor activities.

Her face and attitude were also strange. She seemed to be a mixture of a young girl running around like a wild horse, and a noble, cool-headed, and friendly young lady.

And as much as I was judging her, or more than that, she was looking at me.

Her emotions were complicated. I felt like I was seeing someone else through me. I thought if I spoke to her first, her imagination would end, so I waited quietly.

“Nice to meet you, brother.”

Lady Leodrin opened her mouth as if she had finished organizing her mind.