Arc-7 Ch-07
125
Chapter
Marital Quarrel
2025
Perhaps it was self-justification, but considering that I had been engrossed in pregnancy, childbirth, child-rearing, and official duties, it would be harsh to fault me for being too excited about a long-overdue excursion alone with my husband and failing to properly assess the situation. Until we departed, Leon kept the destination a secret. No matter how many times I asked, he would not answer, only saying, “In a sense, it is an adventure.”
On the morning of our departure, we boarded a small airship loaded with luggage, traveling alone, and reached the destination in half a day.
In contrast to my excitement, Leon remained silent throughout the journey. When I too grew tired of the endless scenery of clouds and floating islands and fell silent, a strange pillar of light appeared ahead.
It was clearly an artificial light, not a natural phenomenon, stretching vertically and connecting sky and sea. Mystical as it was, it filled me with a subtle unease.
The moment the airship entered the pillar of light, intense vibrations and a sense of floating assaulted my body.
Barely managing to remain conscious, I desperately prayed for the ordeal to pass, and eventually, the vibrations subsided.
The sunlight streaming through the window made the preceding events seem unreal. The azure sky stretched endlessly, and below us lay an even more unbelievable sight, awaiting our inspection.
White structures, eroded by plants and fallen into decay—distinct from the architectural styles we knew—shared certain similarities with dungeons scattered across the world. Yet the greatest difference lay in the moving entities around the buildings. As the airship approached, figures that appeared human, clad in armor reflecting light, revealed their otherness unmistakably. They had no legs and floated in the air, diligently repairing the facility—entities that were not human. The area corresponding to a face had no eyes, ears, or nose; only flickering lights projected there.
This was not a ruin reduced to the remnants of a prehistoric civilization. Surviving the relentless passage of time, this place was unmistakably imbued with a vitality distinct from life itself.
How had Leon discovered this place?
Even as he led me by the hand deeper into the ruins, questions welled up incessantly, yet none escaped my lips. No, to be honest, curiosity and exhilaration likely outweighed fear. For those born as nobles of the Holfort Kingdom, founded by adventurers, adventure is a familiar concept.
Rather, Leon—who has no interest whatsoever in adventure and cherishes steady farm work—is the heretic among the kingdom’s nobles.
He was adventuring with me. I had not realized that the rarity of such an outing—made difficult by pregnancy—had dulled my judgment.
Such exhilaration gradually subsided as we advanced deeper into the ruins, and a gnawing terror began to spread within me. People feel relief in the known and harbor hostility toward the unknown.
Had the structure of the ruins conformed to architectural styles or materials I recognized, I might have acted calmly. But the smooth texture of the walls—neither stone, plaster, nor glass—was unlike any building material I knew. Seeing Leon’s back, illuminated by lighting unlike torches or magical lamps, made me wonder if he was truly the husband I loved. After walking for some time, we arrived at a massive wall—no, a door even more fortified than a wall. It would likely withstand bombardment even from an airship owned by the Redgrave house. Before this impenetrable door, we could only stand frozen. Ignoring my unmistakable bewilderment, Leon muttered something, and a dull sound echoed around us. The unpleasant screech of metal against metal assaulted my eardrums.
The massive door opened, and Leon began walking again. Assaulted by the illusion that some unknowable monster would devour him, I hurried to follow his back. The sight that spread beyond the door is something I will never forget. It was a space far too alien. The place where numerous enormous airships sat enthroned was likely an airport or hangar. Yet some airships were rusted, with visible structural damage, while others were covered in vines and tree roots, overgrown with moss. A graveyard of enormous airships—this description fit the endless scene perfectly, and a mild dizziness made my footing unsteady. Even I, unversed in airships, could recognize that these were manufactured using technological systems far beyond those of the kingdom—no, the current world. There were slight similarities in design to the lost-item airship of the royal family, half-destroyed over a year earlier.
Presenting a single ship from among the half-destroyed airships to the Holfort royal family would surely have earned a title or feudal territory. The added value of this place was undeniably tremendous—a treasure sleeping in an ancient ruin incomparable even to the combined gold and silver treasures of the kingdom. Not only the kingdom, but the trends of this world would be swayed by this discovery.
“You have come, Leon Fou Bartfort.”
What I heard was a strange high-pitched sound, neither clearly male nor female, likely some kind of communication transmitted through a device, yet the voice addressed us from a distance I could perceive. Fearfully, I looked around. I felt no presence besides Leon and myself.
“Stay quiet until I call you.”
“In this place, the visitors are you two. It is not proper for me to adjust to your schedule, but for you to adjust to mine.”
“You cheeky bastard.”
“I have no gender.”
Where—exactly where—was the voice coming from?
In the suddenness of the situation, my hands trembled, and I desperately gripped Leon’s sleeve. The sheer unreality made my mind and body regress to childhood.
I wanted to evacuate this place as soon as possible. This secret was far too enormous for a single individual to bear. Only then did I understand why Leon had brought me here.
I raised my face and looked toward Leon—no, my gaze was not on Leon. The owner of the voice, indistinguishable in the darkness of this place, was a mysterious entity thought to govern the remnants of an ancient civilization.
My eyes, finally accustomed to the darkness, caught the form of a being neither human nor alive. What existed there was not a person.
The steel sphere floating in the air resembled the eye of a death god risen from a mausoleum to lead mortals to death.
That bizarre pupil, by some twist, was the same color as my own—a crimson orb gleaming like congealed human blood.
“Pleased to meet you, Angelica Fou Bartfort.”
The voice spoke my name. At that moment, my skin pricked, and fighting spirit surged within me as though my blood were boiling. Instinct—fate—was telling me. This is an enemy, an existence that shakes the world and threatens me. An existence that toys with and could harm the Leon I love. If so, there is only one path I must take.
Saintess Olivia, the Holfort royal family, the Redgrave ducal house.
All had been formidable opponents in my life, but now the adversary before me was one against whom I must resist with my entire body and soul.
Thus, I encountered my final and greatest adversary and took the first step on the path of confrontation with it.
※ ※ ※ ※ ※
『Leon Fou Bartfort has a mission that must be fulfilled before the vacation.』
The most undesirable situations always arise at the most critical moments. Life is a strange thing. Events that should rarely occur suddenly erupt all at once, precisely when failure would be catastrophic. No matter how thoroughly one prepares in advance or how many possibilities are eliminated, unpleasant developments somehow worsen the situation with uncanny precision, as though deliberately aimed.
If something like a god of fate truly exists, then I am convinced that being possesses an irredeemably twisted and malicious personality.
In the life I have lived so far, the accumulation of unfortunate circumstances has already reached the level of an art form.
Even so, the reason I have avoided truly fatal outcomes is because I have always adhered to an iron rule: prepare multiple plans at once, and always account for the possibility that any given strategy may fail.
My cowardice and excessive caution have kept me alive. The secret to survival lies in constant preparation and never neglecting readiness for the unexpected. And yet, did I foresee this situation, where I am now cornered like this?
Of course not. To begin with, this scenario lay completely outside the scope of my predictions.
It seems the damn god of misfortune found my overcautious nature dull and deliberately skipped all prior arrangements just to throw this disaster at me. Could you not read the atmosphere a little? Is it really that entertaining to watch me being helplessly toyed with, unable to do anything?
“......What the hell did you come here for?”
『I have intervened in your schedule management. I deemed it more efficient to report unavoidable plans first rather than adjusting them through indirect conversation.』
“Do not decide my schedule on your own. Are you trying to play my mother?”
『I am compensating for your tendency to postpone problems. If you dislike this, you should convey your honest opinion directly to Angelica.』
“I am not postponing anything. I am in the middle of confirming necessary matters with Angie.”
『From my observation, it appears you are deliberately being vague.』
Despite claiming to be insensitive to human emotions, your powers of observation are remarkably sharp. Because of that, persuading Angie is only becoming more difficult. Ever since the ball appeared, Angie has remained silent, and on top of that, she has been directing cold glances even toward me. I first encountered this thing shortly before Leah was born. That makes our association roughly thirteen years long. Even if I claim to have defeated the large mechanical doll in the ruins, this thing’s true body is that massive airship. Destroying a single large escort vessel would not even leave a scratch.
It was far beyond the capabilities of an ordinary person like me to deal with something that even the entire military might of the Holfort Kingdom could not defeat. In my desperation, I secretly guided Angie to the floating island where the airship was sealed and revealed everything I knew. Whether that decision was correct or a mistake is something I still cannot determine, even now. The only thing my simple mind can grasp is that the relationship between Angie and the ball is abysmal.
“......Leon is in the middle of discussing our future with me. There is no room for your interference.”
『That assessment is premature. Leon Fou Bartfort’s achievements in the Alzer Republic were the result of cooperation with me, and I judge them to be effective in securing a stable position within the Holfort Kingdom.』
“Are you suggesting I should tolerate Leon becoming your lackey in exchange for status? Say that after you have gone to sleep.”
『I have no need for sleep.』
“It is a figure of speech. Ah, were you too impoverished in vocabulary to understand sarcasm? That was my mistake.”
『That was an obvious provocation. If you believe such remarks can unsettle me, you are gravely underestimating me. If your comprehension of lost relics is this poor, one can easily infer the intellectual level of the Holfort Kingdom’s ruling class.』
“I make a point of treating others with a minimum level of respect, though many do not deserve it. That courtesy is reserved for humans. I have not fallen so low as to bow to objects.”
『It is pitiable that you cannot perceive the overwhelming disparity in combat power between us. You, who cannot comprehend my performance, are without question a barbaric new human.』
“My apologies. As a barbaric new human, I am incapable of appreciating the refined wit of old humans who perished long ago. Jokes from tens of thousands of years in the past are somewhat outdated, you see.”
Having acknowledged each other’s existence, Angie and the ball begin trading insults without pause. Angie’s courage is remarkable. Despite the overwhelming difference in military power, she does not yield an inch, countering with sharp words steeped in aristocratic wit.
I would like to stand beside Angie as well, but my wife, when blood rushes to her head, is extremely dangerous. I cannot approach her carelessly. If I make a single mistake, she might bite even her ally, namely me. Meanwhile, the ball responds calmly, without anger. To this thing, we are insignificant beings, no different from ants. If it wished, it could annihilate us at any time.
Watching Angie’s recklessness and the ball’s unknown triggers, I cannot help but fear that a single misstep could lead to the destruction of the world. It feels as though several massive holes are opening in my stomach.
“You two, please stop.”
“............”
『Will you disregard my advice?』
“Please shut up.”
I understand Angie’s anger toward me for involving myself with the ball, exposing myself to danger, and neglecting my responsibilities as a lord. I understand that very well. At the same time, it is also an undeniable fact that numerous problems were resolved in advance thanks to this thing’s involvement. Ideally, maintaining an appropriate distance while cooperating only when necessary would be best. If I were capable of such delicate maneuvering, I would not be struggling like this.
『Leon Fou Bartfort has accepted a new request from Saintess Olivia and the others. He is also scheming to distance himself from the kingdom’s intelligence agency after that matter.』
“How the hell do you know that?”
『Do not underestimate my investigative capabilities. Even if you construct a sealed space using contemporary technology, it would be meaningless before me.』
“Is there anything you cannot do......”
I have no idea what methods it employs, but this thing’s technology far exceeds our expectations and routinely produces results that defy belief.
If I were the type to celebrate that power and claim it as my own accomplishment, perhaps things would be simpler. However, I know the truth. This thing’s main body lies dormant deep within those ruins. It is a concentration of power so vast that not only the current Holfort Kingdom, but all of humanity, would be incapable of controlling it.
If wielded by a virtuous person, it could bring peace to the world. If mishandled by someone malicious, the destruction of several nations would be a mild outcome. Compared to using it to seize the throne, it would be far easier to annihilate the entire world along with everyone you despise. Neither Angie nor I harbor any desire to destroy the world. If possible, we would prefer never to become this thing’s master, or even its collaborator. The simplest solution would be to locate a legitimate survivor of the old humans and have them reseal it properly.
Getting involved only invites trouble, yet leaving such a god of misfortune unattended is far too dangerous.
“I get it, I get it, so please stop glaring at me. They somehow dumped their request on me.”
“Then why did you take on a new request? And the client is Olivia, you say? Shall I have you explain yourself in a way I can accept, right now?”
As expected, things have become complicated. Damn it. This is exactly why I hate getting involved with that ball. The time I have spent married to Angie now amounts to nearly half of my life. I was promoted to Earl, six children were born, and as a husband, a father, and a lord, there are mountains of responsibilities I should be shouldering. Ordinarily, for a first-generation noble, life would be complete simply by developing one’s own territory and passing it on to one’s son. Yet I foolishly gained the favor of the royal family, married a woman from a ducal house, and became acquainted with a major lost item. As a result, most administrative duties and successor training have been pushed onto Angie, while I find myself handling a wide range of unrelated tasks.
The reason Angie tries to leave decisions to me is out of consideration, so that subordinates and subjects will not regard me as nothing more than a decorative lord. I truly cannot hold my head high before Angie. In return, within our marital relationship, I must be extremely careful not to damage Angie’s mood. It is not as though Angie is attempting to force me into retirement so that our son can become lord, nor is she extravagant or excessively indulgent. She manages the entrusted territory without cutting corners and even serves as a bridge with neighboring lands. She is a highly capable wife. However, marriages between nobles inevitably involve domestic politics and international relations.
If a simple marital dispute were to arise between Angie and me, observers would interpret it as a deterioration in relations between the Bartfort Earl house and the Redgrave ducal house, or as a political struggle between lord and wife, with repercussions spreading far and wide. When one rises in status, even relationships between husband and wife or parent and child feel constantly scrutinized. I truly love Angie from the bottom of my heart, yet I sometimes find myself unsure whether I am behaving naturally.
Even so, I must engage sincerely with Angie and our children. So why does that ball have to interfere in a way that only pours oil on the fire?
“I told you, didn’t I? To decline court duties so you could fulfill your responsibilities as lord. You are already a military advisor, a director in financial conferences, supervising agriculture, and even collaborating with the intelligence agency. With all this, will you not have any time left to govern the territory? You were supposed to insist on focusing on territorial management for now, and only involve yourself in capital politics after passing authority to your son. That was our agreement.”
“You did, you did say that. Calm down.”
“Then why did you accept a new mission? And the client is Olivia? Are you planning to choose that woman over me?”
“That is not it. Angie is number one. The person I love most is Angie.”
“Hah, I wonder about that. I hear you were quite favored by the Priestess of the sacred tree for your achievements in the Alzer Republic. You are even looked upon favorably by Her Majesty Mylene among the royalty. Have you no restraint at all? Are you planning to spread your affection among multiple women and keep concubines?”
“Please, please listen to me, Angie.”
“I was a fool to continue waiting for your return. That is why I do not want to let you go to the capital.”
One thing I learned after marriage is that Angie possesses a remarkably strong sense of possessiveness. Perhaps due to the influence of her broken engagement, she constantly watches for women approaching me at soirées and noble gatherings, never neglecting to drive them away.
For some reason, capable women seem to gather around me with alarming frequency, which only heightens Angie’s vigilance. Her Majesty the Queen, the Saintess, the Sacred tree’s Priestess, and possibly even the Saintess’s guard.
All of them wield greater social influence than Angie, who became a countess, so she is likely anxious that I might be taken from her. I make sure to tell her that Angie is number one, but leaving territorial duties to her while I head to the capital must look, from the outside, like infidelity.
“I am displeased. Let us end this for tonight.”
“Wait, Angie. We still need to discuss the schedule starting tomorrow.”
“Leave it to me. Leon, you can simply stand beside me.”
“That is not fair.”
“I will sleep with Dylan tonight, so Leon can use the bedroom.”
“Wait, listen to me.”
“Then good night. Sweet dreams.”
My pleas were in vain as Angie left the room. I tried to stop her retreating figure as she passed through the doorway, but no words emerged.
Why does it always turn out like this?
Tonight was the night I returned, after all. We were supposed to spend time together, flirting as husband and wife.
“......You said something unnecessary.”
『It is your fault for failing to move the conversation forward.』
“There is an order to these things.”
Angie is intelligent, but highly emotional.
That is why, through years of experience, I have learned that the most reliable approach is to first explain matters properly, establish points she can accept, and only then appeal to her emotions.
After persuading her with reason, I should persistently bow my head and beg her to rely on me. With her pride stimulated, Angie will work hard to accommodate my requests. Lowering my head is cheap. If it makes Angie accept, I would even prostrate myself. The worst approach is forcing one’s own logic through, as the ball does. I should have firmly placed myself between them instead of merely watching.
“What should I do now?”
With nothing else to do, I turn my attention to the documents left on the desk in an attempt to distract myself. No matter how much I read, the contents refuse to sink in. With no alternative, I lie alone on the bed and curse the ball, which has disappeared at some point.
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Author’s Note
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Is it greed to want to be number one to the person you love?
In the original work, Angie competed with Olivia and Marie, and at times felt jealousy toward Mylene and Noelle, so I portrayed her as slightly jealous here. This chapter is the final post of 2024. The next update will be from next year onward. Addendum: At the commissioner’s request, I had Sasa-sama draw an illustration.
Thank you very much.
Sasa-sama: Pixiv
I would greatly appreciate your opinions and impressions as encouragement for future work.
~~~End~~~