Arc-6 Ch-34

 “For now, shall we try becoming king?”

At Leon’s words, the air in the reception room relaxed for an instant, then rapidly stiffened. For the few seconds it took everyone to understand the meaning of his statement, I suppose all our thoughts aligned completely.

‘What is this man suddenly talking about?’

Moreover, everyone present in this room who heard Leon’s words, myself included, held a claim to the succession of the Holfort Kingdom. The first prince born of the current king and queen, the head of a branch of the royal family and the foremost duke among the feudal nobility and his legitimate heir, and a daughter married into another family. 

Although Prince Julius's position in the line of succession to the throne has dropped since the turmoil over my broken engagement, and my father and older brother are even lower than him.

In my case, having married Leon, my status is almost nullified; if I were to become queen, it would require killing dozens of direct royal family members. Above all, Leon is my husband, but he does not carry the blood of the Holfort royal family. At most, he could become prince consort, but there was no reason he could ever become king.

“…Take a break from joking.”

“Whether you think it’s a joke is your own business, but do you think I act without any chance of success?”

Leon smiled defiantly. People assume Leon to be a hero or an excellent tactician, but he is not. More cautious and timid than anyone, he devises strategies to survive, risking his life in unfavorable battles, and by luck alone keeps winning. To increase even the slightest chance of survival, he trains his body, devours books, suppresses his inner anxiety with forced cheerfulness, and inspires everyone to survive.

Strangely, whenever he stakes his life, Leon survives, albeit causing some damage along the way. While in the kingdom’s army, he survived wounds until the end of the war and was ennobled. In the war after becoming a viscount, he inflicted some damage but held back the duchy’s forces and earned high praise. When we were kidnapped, he personally led from the front and severed the lingering threat of the Bartfort family.

Every time he crosses the threshold of death, Leon Fou Bartfort grows stronger. Almost no one knows that his true nature is a cowardly schemer terrified of death. That is why it is utterly puzzling. It is indeed difficult to persuade my father; ultimately, relying on force is inevitable. Even if we rely on the royal family’s military to stop the Redgrave family’s scheme to usurp the throne, it would only fuel the conflict. Then the only ones conceivable are Olivia, now the saint?

Or the small soldier who secretly accompanied Leon in his party. Judging from physical traits and build, that is likely Marie. From Prince Julius’s reaction, the other four following loyally are either the royal family or the saint. Olivia is growing increasingly concerned, as the temple has remained indifferent to the dispute between the royal and duke families. After all, there is even a marriage proposal involving my brother. For a saint devoted to the people, she would want to avoid a victory by the duke’s family that would make her a ceremonial queen.

It’s understandable that the other four respect Olivia’s intentions. But it is not enough—far from enough. No matter how revered Olivia is by the kingdom’s people, No matter how heroic the four are, who cannot be harmed even slightly by ordinary people, It is far from sufficient to stop the conflict between the royal and duke families. Perhaps before the second invasion of the Fanoss Duchy, the temple’s forces could have checked both families. Olivia’s power was indeed extremely effective against the duchy’s army. But who could have imagined the duchy would employ unimaginably gigantic monsters?

The kingdom’s forces and temple forces, expecting an invasion of similar scale as last time, scattered helplessly before the massive assault. Even Olivia’s life became endangered, and many temple knights sacrificed themselves to ensure the saint’s escape. It seems they were able to reorganize enough to aid the Alzer Republic, but it fell far short of their former strength, insufficient to face the entire Redgrave army. With no royal ships, relying on the temple’s power was nothing but folly.

“Then, let me ask you all, what is the most necessary quality for a king?”

“Power. To put it bluntly, if you have the power to suppress opposing forces, you can always justify it later.”

“Prince Julius, you say power? Gilbert-sama, what do you think?”

“…Charisma. Even if it includes calculation, people serve as their lord the one they wish to dedicate themselves to.”

“Understood. Your Excellency, may I hear your opinion?”

“Broad insight and political fairness. The other two’s opinions are limited to the power needed to enforce that.”

“And that means?”

“It’s simple. No matter how eloquently one dresses it up in words, humans are merely intelligent beasts. They fight over food and water, form packs to hunt prey, create laws to govern those packs, and the most capable distribute wealth by force or reason. To do this, a backing of charisma and military power is necessary, but—”

“Am I insufficient?”

“Your intellect is overwhelmingly lacking. Starting such a commotion is itself out of the question.”

My father’s words are merciless, but that is understandable. There is no way Leon, who has committed such foolish deeds, could become king. Even as the duke’s son-in-law, it would have been impossible. It is true that Leon excels in tactics. He has some trust from nobles whose lives he saved during wartime, from young heirs, and from newly rising nobles. Even so, he lacks far too many qualities to sit on the throne. Intellect, of course, but even his military prowess is insufficient. His ability as a lord relies heavily on me; although personally skilled in combat, the military strength of the viscount Bartfort family is limited. Many viscount-level families possess greater forces than Bartfort.

Even if Leon claimed the throne, he would be laughed at and dismissed. Yes, this applies only to the Holfort Kingdom. Why did I, the duke’s daughter, marry Leon Fou Baltfort, who was raised almost like a commoner?

It is true that after breaking off my engagement with Prince Julius, there were no suitable marriage prospects. However, the difference in rank, court position, domain size, and economic scale between the duke’s family and a viscount’s family was too great. At the time, I thought my father’s plan to bring Leon, who had been ennobled for his merits in the war against the Fanoss Duchy to supplement the faction’s reduced numbers from his dispute with Marquis Frampton, was strategic.

By welcoming Leon as a son-in-law of the duke’s family, they could gain support from young nobles and newly rising nobles, and incorporate those who would lead the kingdom’s next generation, aiding the Redgrave family’s revival. Most nobles in the kingdom would have thought the same. Indeed, I thought so too. Only a few, aware of my father’s intentions, knew the truth of the Holfort royal family buried in the darkness of history.

Those present here now either already know or are highly likely to know. In an era when the Holfort Kingdom did not yet exist on this floating continent, five adventurers and one saint laid the foundations of the country. Leah Bartfort, the true king, whose existence was buried behind the nation’s founding. And Leon, Leah’s descendant, now declared, “I will become king.”

For those who know the truth, his words take on an entirely different meaning. Especially for my father, Leon’s statement is of great significance. He was obsessed with incorporating Leon, the blood of the Bartfort family. Using Leon, a descendant of Leah, and Olivia, a descendant of the first saint Anne, as a pretext to critique the Holfort royal family.

If he argues that “the true king’s descendant should rule the country,” the Redgrave family, related to the Holfort royal family, would also be subject to criticism. My father might have intended to be entrusted with the throne by the Bartfort family, unaware of the truth, while asserting legitimacy for establishing the Redgrave dynasty—but the situation had changed.

Leon declared he would become king; there is no room for the Redgrave family to intervene. The Redgrave family may need the Bartforts to claim kingship, but the Bartforts do not necessarily need the Redgraves to become royalty.

Do not need?

Even if Leon became king, wouldn’t I be the one beside him?

Such thoughts raced through my mind, sinking my spirits. For me, Leon is irreplaceable, but for Leon, am I just a replaceable woman?

“Then it’s all right. I have Angie with me.”

“You plan to leave governance to Angie?”

“Why would that be a problem? She was trained as a princess-to-be as the prince’s fiancée, and even now the Bartfort territory runs smoothly thanks to her. I’m a ceremonial king, and Angie can be the actual ruler—I have no problem with that.”

“Is that the character of a man who declared he wants to become king?”

“I am not so arrogant as to think I can do anything alone.”

“Then you are no different from King Roland.”

“What makes you think we are different?”

“I love Angie.”

“Wha—!?”

Why the hell—!!

You shamelessly flaunt your love in public!?

Leon pulls me close with one hand while never taking the gun off my father. I want to break free from his hand, but the force is stronger than I imagined, and I tremble slightly. This meeting is probably a gamble for Leon too. Beneath his brazen behavior, a certain unease is conveyed. I seriously have begun to not understand the mental makeup of my own husband. In the first place, he has not consulted me at all regarding the current use of force. No matter how many times Leon says he loves me, if his actions do not follow, distrust accumulates. Is this scoundrel merely luring me with sweet words?

“For those who do not understand Angie’s greatness, no amount of talking will work. Beautiful, kind, intelligent, and capable at work. If a man has such a wife, wanting to place her as queen is a sign of his capacity as a husband.”

“Bartfort, did you commit such deeds for Angelica’s sake?”

“Your Highness also took reckless actions to make Olivia become a saint. What is wrong with giving Angie a position she deserves?”

“Stop it, Leon! I do not seek the position of queen!”

This is obviously a lie. Leon accurately assesses his own strength and devises countermeasures. Except for sudden incidents like my abduction along with my sisters-in-law or Dorothea, he does not provoke my father or the prince without planning. He would not think of making me queen, nor would he scheme to usurp the throne. This man, who even complains about being granted a title and lands, could never wish to become king. Most likely, all of Leon’s statements up to now were provocations, diversions meant to attract my father and the prince. Rather than reconciliation, he is trying to resolve the situation by forming an alliance with the Holfort royal family and the Redgrave duke family against a threat.

This is nothing unusual; the circumstances of Prince Julius’s birth were also triggered by the alliance between the Holfort Kingdom and the Lepart United Kingdom against the Rachel Holy Kingdom. It is not unusual in nations or noble society for different forces to cooperate against a potential threat. The problem is what that potential threat is. A potential threat arises from fear of a power capable of endangering a nation, family, property, or life. Leon, being a descendant of Leah Bartfort, could indeed shake the legitimacy of the Holfort royal family. But that is as far as it goes.

No matter how much the Bartforts assert their ancestor’s legitimacy, most nobles will not listen. Even if the Holfort royal family expelled Leah maliciously, their governance achievements up to the present remain, and the royal family still has the power to suppress the truth. It would be ignored as nonsense from low-ranking nobles or upwardly mobile nobles wanting to enhance their lineage. The chancellor perceives Leah’s or Anne’s descendants as a threat only because those who would use them are the Redgrave family or the temple forces.

In a sense, Prince Julius’s earlier statement is correct. In the world, correctness is not affirmed by truth but by the strength of those who assert it. The weak may speak loudly the truth and be ignored, while the convenient, glorified lies for the strong are affirmed. The world’s cruelty recognizes strength over righteousness. In the end, even if Leon knew the truth, he would only be exploited by the Redgrave family.

Unfortunately, the Bartfort family is prolific; there are substitutes suitable to inherit the family. If Leon dislikes it, the family could be passed to my brother-in-law, Colin, or our children. The Bartforts cannot become a substantial threat to either the Holfort royal family or the Redgrave duke family. That fact is frustrating.

“Angie.”

“…What is it, Leon?”

“There’s something I want you to take out from my bag.”

“…Why don’t you do it yourself?”

“My hands are full right now, so I can’t.”

“Why not first stop pointing the gun?”

“If I stop, my life will be in danger.”

“This foolish act is your own doing.”

“…Are you angry?”

“Are you so foolish that I cannot tell unless you answer?”

“…I’m sorry.”

“Really.”

I step away from Leon and lift the bag from the floor. He hasn’t brought any other dangerous items, right?

I do not fully know everything about Leon either: strange items of unknown origin, knowledge one would not gain by living an ordinary life. The months when young Leon ran away and joined the kingdom’s army, or when he undertook secret missions during wartime and was separated from me. Even after becoming a couple, we cannot always act together, and often I receive reports of his whereabouts afterward. Perhaps this is a good opportunity to thoroughly investigate Leon’s past. My husband engages in far more extreme actions than expected; from now on, I must control him under strict surveillance.

“There should be a black envelope inside, right?”

“This one?”

“Yes, that one. Take out its contents.”

“It’s not a dangerous item, right?”

“…In a sense, it is dangerous.”

“Specifically, what kind of damage are we talking about?”

“If misused, it could destroy this country.”

I cannot tell if he is joking or serious. Worse, he is the kind of man the royal family would deem capable of actually destroying an entire nation. Even without considering his lineage as a descendant of Leah Bartfort, Leon Fou Bartfort is a perilous man. Carefully, I extract several sheets of paper from the envelope. The thickness feels slightly unusual, as if coated with some chemical. It is so-called photographic paper, specially processed for photos. I place the slightly large photographic papers carefully, one by one, on the table. Through my gradually adjusting eyes, I slowly examine the enormous amount of information reaching my brain.

I cannot recognize what it is. No, I can recognize it but refuse to understand. What is depicted in the photos?

It is indeed something like a bomb, a dangerous object. We know well what happens to those who possess it. That is why the descendants of the Holfort bloodline, who were merely adventurers, could reign as royalty. Because they lost it, my father began seriously pursuing the throne. The origin of it all, the remaining fragrance of a lost miracle, a remnant of ancient civilization. Therefore, people call it the Lost Item. Depicted is clearly a metallic mass created with technology different from the airships we know. Its shape is biological, reminiscent of a bird or fish, yet it exudes a cold lifelessness. It is an airship, though I cannot be sure if it is the same as the airships we know. But clearly, it is a supernatural entity, deviating from our known technology, as the grainy photo conveys. The lost item airship, and there are several of them in the photo. Everyone except Leon tries to speak the words that come to mind, but only breath sounds emerge. Seeing our clumsy reaction, Leon shakes his shoulders, amused.

“What is this?”

“What do you mean, don’t you see?”

“I asked for details! Why do you have something like this!?”

“Why? Because I found it, of course.”

Found it? When? Where? How?

I desperately retrace my memory, but there should have been almost no time for Leon to discover such a thing. Before becoming a noble, during his military career, after being ennobled and struggling with mental illness while developing his territory, after marrying me and having children, during the duchy’s second invasion…

It does not make sense. If he had something like this, his life should have been smoother. Like he said earlier, becoming king should have been easy. Or… is that why?

Did he decide to become king because he found this?

No, my thoughts cannot keep up. I do not understand how this situation has come about. I should know Leon the longest among those present here. I cannot understand what he is thinking, nor why it has come to this. I could not even be sure that the Leon Fou Bartfort before me is truly my husband, Leon.

“The Bartfort Viscount Family has discovered several Lost Item airships. Currently, we are secretly proceeding with repairs on the airships. Once preparations are complete, we will declare independence from the Holfort Kingdom and proclaim the Bartfort Kingdom.”

“Are you serious, Bartfort!?”

“Ridiculous!? That’s impossible!”

“There’s no way that would be recognized!!”

The three voices were close to screams. It was natural. A new kingdom would be born within the Holfort Kingdom. The founder of the new kingdom is a lower-ranking noble and the owner of Lost Items. It was like a childish fantasy dreamed up by a child imagining thrilling adventures. Yet that fantasy now existed before their eyes as reality. The more reasonable someone is, the harder it would be to accept this fact.

“…It’s a composite photo, nothing more than a scheme by Viscount Bartfort to confuse us.”

“If you do not want to believe it, be my guest. Do you really think it is possible to prepare a Lost Item airship with all that trouble?”

“The kingdom has not received any report of you discovering Lost Items, Bartfort! If you found them, why have you kept quiet until now!?”

“I only found them recently.”

Although my elder brother and the prince pressed him, Leon did not seem particularly concerned and maintained a nonchalant attitude. His curt reply made it seem as if he was brushing them off casually, or perhaps patching things up as the situation demanded. Calm down. Think rationally. If I were in Leon’s position, what measures would I take?

If I possessed a Lost Item airship, I would likely avoid actively intervening in the conflict between the royal faction and the duke faction. If human lives were prioritized, active intervention might be considered, but for a ruler, the lives of the people are not necessarily crucial. It is impossible for a ruler to govern alone. Even if you suppress with force, bureaucrats who grant convenience or officials in charge of the field do not necessarily obey. Most of the current officials handling national administration are court nobles ranked higher than the Bartfort family. Even considering the truth that he is a descendant of Leah Baltfort, they would not swear loyalty to Leon.

The same applies to the Feudal nobles. Long-standing lord nobles would refuse to serve an upstart noble who grew up almost as a commoner and received title and lands less than ten years ago. Then it would be wise to provoke disputes between both sides and carry out some selective thinning. This would reduce the number of nobles opposing the Bartfort family and allow intervention at the threshold that still maintains national administration. Afterwards, the difference in strength would be demonstrated to crush rebellion. In short, the Bartfort family would simply be doing what the Holfort royal family would normally do. However, Leon would never take the lead in such actions. Even if branded a villainous knight, Leon is the type who despises acts that harm or take lives. If we trust the bond we’ve built as a couple, this is a form of intimidation.

To suppress the Bartfort family, which has emerged as a third force, the Holfort royal family and the Redgrave duke family must join hands. By narrowing their options, taking the role of villain himselves, and resolving the conflict between the royal faction and the duke faction, that is Leon’s goal.

…It is infuriating. The Holfort royal family, continuously covering up their shady past. The Redgrave duke family, needlessly stirring unrest domestically and plotting to usurp the throne. My former fiancé, indulging in romance and abandoning me, provoking conflict between the royal family and the duke family. And above all, my husband, planning and executing things secretly without consulting me. All of you, I will knock you all down!! No matter how many words of love are whispered in my ear, this anger will not be suppressed. For now, I will let Leon get punched thoroughly later.

“Your acting is still poor, Lord Bartfort.”

While my elder brother and the prince were arguing with Leon, our father, who had been silent, lifted his face. Unlike the other two, he had regained his composure and glared at Leon with a twisted mouth.

“I see. Indeed, you may have conquered an undiscovered dungeon. You may have deceived my excellent daughter, attempting to repair the airship. But at present, it is difficult, or one must conclude repair is impossible.”

“Hmm, why do you think so?”

“Look at the photos. Every airship has cracks in the hull, or moss and rust. They are clearly relics worn by age. Even if operated, it is correct to judge the possibility of them becoming effective immediately as low.”

“Your insight is remarkable, Your Excellency.”

“Moreover, you answered the prince that ‘I found it recently.’ Repairing a Lost Item airship of this scale takes decades. Even if the duke faction and royal faction fight, the Bartfort family cannot become a significant threat.”

“That may indeed be true.”

After my father’s words, I re-examine the photos. Indeed, almost all the airships show some damage. Rust, moss, cracks, holes—various defects are visible even through the grainy photos. To make all these airships operational would require immense time, cost, and manpower. Currently, the Bartfort family lacks all three.

This is not Leon’s fault. It is the victory snatched by my father, who made a calm decision under the threat of a gun. leon’s full-bodied lie was thoroughly seen through by my father. If only I could have helped. An irrepressible frustration washes over me.

“I see, indeed, the airships I discovered may be unusable.”

“Do not harbor the presumptuous thought of fooling me with the shallow wisdom of youth.”

“However, I do not recall saying there were no Lost Items other than the airships.”

“…What?”

In response to my father’s bewilderment, Leon takes several items from his pocket and places them on the table. A small communication device, a recorder, something button-shaped. All are large and high-performance, difficult to produce with current technology. These are likely another type of Lost Item. Is it possible to prepare multiple Lost Items for today’s meeting?

The coincidence is far too convenient.

If Leon possesses some Lost Item and can use it skillfully, it evokes a fear different from being threatened with a cannon—closer to having a blade at the back of your neck.

“Duke, you realized the identities of the four people cooperating with me, right?”

“The mischievous brats with close ties to the prince.”

“They are the ones who aided in breaking Angie’s engagement and could no longer inherit the family. Why did such people cooperate with me? Not with the prince, but with me. A wise man such as Your Excellency should understand the meaning, right?”

“…………”

Among the five heroes, four excluding Prince Julius cooperate with Leon. That is, those four have also given up on the Holfort royal family?

Did they abandon their friend and become Leon’s tools after finding his sure-win strategy?

Such doubt arose within me. There is no way my father could not think of what I could consider. Once in a favorable position, my father is again cornered by Leon.

“…What is your demand?”

My father’s words succinctly indicated that Leon had forced the matter through.

“Respond to the royal family’s negotiations head-on. If you cannot forgive the royal family, fine. But it is better to speak frankly than to let resentment fester—it eases one’s mind.”

“What if we refuse?”

“Then there will be two corpses in this room.”

“Stop, Bartfort!”

Prince Julius intervenes between Leon and my father. The muzzle of the gun is just at the level of the prince’s forehead.

“Step back, Your Highness, you will be hit if you stay there.”

“I will not. You know I accompanied you ready to risk my life.”

“If you step back, the duke faction’s trouble can be solved with just two lives.”

“That only forces obedience by strength; the hatred generated will burn and destroy the country!”

The prince, instead, fixes the gun at his own forehead as if urging him. With that resolve, Leon’s arm wavers slightly.

“My mistake caused chaos in the kingdom. Some have died because of it. That is why I must not step back.”

“Do you intend to protect a political enemy?”

“There are no enemies, only a man who worries for this country.”

Those eyes held the same sparkle I saw when Julius and I were engaged as children. Time seemed to flow slowly, as if frozen. I trembled, feeling as if a single blink could change the fate of this country.

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Authors Note

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In the original work, the Holfort royal family was able to implement a matriarchal policy and suppress the feudal nobles because they had the royal airship, Weiss. In a situation where someone possesses several Lost Item airships without Weiss, confusion is inevitable. In this work, Luxion does not recognize Leon as his master, so Luxion cannot be used. Therefore, the only option is to cover up with the decommissioned airships, the photos, and the small Lost Items provided by Luxion. There was a possibility of a plot where Vince flips sides, but even in the original work, the duke knew of the existence of Weiss, which was secret to the royal family, so it might be caught and would look foolish—thus it was discarded.

From the next chapter, the story will gradually become lighter in tone. Incidentally, there will be a marital crisis between the couple.

Addendum: At the request of the client, illustrations were provided by Mata Aoune and Sumi Sou. Thank you very much.

Mata Aoune: Pixiv (Adult content warning)

Sumi Sou: Pixiv (Adult content warning)

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