Chapter 16: The Next Count’s Correct Theory ②

Translator: Soafp

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The three of them were unable to speak at Ace’s words. That did not make Ace lose tone at all.

“Father, …… the value of the village of Erde lies in its position.”

“The position?”

“Yes. The Village of Erde is located approximately halfway between Erkensk and the Lanegake mines, Remember?”

“……”

　Count of Serenity was unable to reply to Ace’s question. Ace was not disappointed by his behavior. It was a sign that he had given up on his father emotionally.

“You know that Erkensk is a key distribution point for our territory, right? Our mines are the pillar of our revenue …… and represent forty percent of our territory’s revenue.”

“I know that much.”

“I see. Now that I’ve told you, don’t you understand the importance of the village of Erde?”

“……”

　The Count looked uncomfortable at Ace’s overly blatant sarcasm.

“What I’m trying to say is, what are you going to do when they put a toll on Village of Erde?”

”Ah…….”

“The price would be outrageous.”

　The three of them lost their voices at the word toll that Ace had used.

“The village of Erde is certainly not expected to generate a lot of tax revenue and is of little importance. But that’s assuming that it belongs to Serenity. But if this place becomes another territory, then the village of Erde will become a poisonous blade that can economically hunt down the Serenity.”

“……”

“The trouble is, there is only one road that connects Lanegake Mine to Erkensk, and Erde Village is on that road. To avoid this, we need to build a new road that doesn’t go through the village of Erde. …… It’s not something that can be built in a year or two. Also, by making a major detour, the cost of transportation will go up significantly.”

　Ace tells it plainly. The three of them couldn’t open their mouths because it seemed to indicate the magnitude of his anger.

“Now that you understand the importance of the village……, the proposal of 25 million Dorados is worth it, right?”

　The three of them nodded their heads in agreement to Ace’s question. There is no one who does not understand the importance of the village of Erde after being explained so far.

“Well, father, …….”

“What ……?”

“Now that you are aware of the importance of the village of Erde, please propose to Giorg-sama that you should negotiate the terms once again.”

“Negotiate …….”

“Yes, the transfer of the village of Erde on the condition that you offer 25 million Dorados instead.”

“You can’t do that!!”

　Fiona’s voice interrupted Ace’s words. He looked at Fiona uncomfortably, and it was obvious that her face was tinged with fear. The terror of Ace was ingrained in her because of the relentless beating she had taken earlier.

“Hoo …… do you understand your position?”

“IT’S NO GOOD! It is pointless to make such an offer to that man!! The conditions are definitely worse than that! Right?! Father!! Mother!!”

“Oh, ……, she is right.”

“Fiona’s right.”

“What do you mean?”

　Ace looked at the three of them suspiciously. The reactions of these three people were clearly out of the ordinary. Fiona, in particular, was quite frightened.

“What happened at the Zafing residence? Tell me!”

　Fiona’s body trembled when she heard Ace’s sharp voice. She was afraid that she would be hit again, so she started talking.

“I …… went to tell Giorg that I was breaking off our engagement because I was marrying Leon-sama.”

“……”

“When it came to the subject of Leon being the next …… Marquis of Zafing, Giorg had his servants seize me and Leon.”

“The next Marquis……?”

“Yes, …… he seized us out of the blue. Then he called us usurpers.”

“Usurper?”

“Yes. Leon’s parents have no …… Zafing blood in their veins. His father is a son-in-law and his mother is his second wife …….”

“I see. Then Leon can’t inherit the Zafing family. It makes sense that Giorg-sama would call you usurpers.”

　Fiona was a little surprised that Ace showed understanding towards Giorg.

“So, Fiona ……, you’re marrying Leon. Marrying someone who tried to usurp him in addition to committing an affair is …… the most disgusting abomination in the history of the Serenity. Why would you accept such an abomination and allow Leon to marry you?”

　When Ace glared at Count of Serenity, the Count’s throat gurgled.

“It is the order of the Marquis of Zafing.”

“Marquis of Zafing? Are you referring to Giorg-sama? I see…..He officially took over as soon as he was 16 years old huh.”

　The three of them knew that the voice that escaped from the mouth of the Ace contained a feeling of resignation. It was a voice that foreshadowed the end of the Count’s family even more than the angry voice he had used earlier.

“A lower-ranked Countess has broken off her engagement to the current Marquis, and the new marriage is to his half brother ……, and he has stated that he will be the next Marquis …….”

“……”

“The next Marquis is directly claimed by the current Marquis, who has no inheritance rights with him……I’d say he was hinting at an assassination attempt.”

　When they heard the word assassination, the three of them looked uncomfortable. Ace would not let that go unnoticed.

“Is that what Giorg-sama claimed……”

“No …… I was actually present when the former Marquis and his wife were accused of assassinating the …… former Marquis.”

“What do you mean?”

　Ace couldn’t hide his confusion at the new information that had come to light.

The assassination of a former marquis is a major event on a national level.

“The …… former marquis was poisoned, and …… Giorg has collected the evidence and condemned them.”

“… Leon’s parents assassinated the former Marquis … and tried to make Leon the Marquis of Zafing … Kuku, It just keeps adding up. So there was a continuation to the worst. Hahaha!”

“O-Onii-chan……?”

　The three of them gave an uneasy look at Ace, who burst out laughing.

“So you and Leon’s marriage has been decided. Haha, that’s the end of the Serenity family. The son of the great criminal who assassinated the former Marquis and my sister are getting married. The announcement of the marriage will probably come after the execution of Leon’s parents, right?”

　With a strangely convinced look on his face, Ace told the three of them. And what he said was exactly what Giorg had said.

“Now, I must break my engagement off with Muses.”

“Eh?”

　Fiona sounded surprised at Ace’s words. Muses is the daughter of the Countess of Crethemais, and she is Ace’s fiancée. Although it was a political arrangement, they trusted each other and had a good relationship.

“Of course. I cannot let Muses get into a muddy boat like the Serenity family.”

　Ace’s words were full of affection for Muses. It’s the kind of heart that has been nurtured by years of caring for one another, and it’s something that Fiona can’t get enough of.

“I-It can’t be.”

“How does it feel, Fiona, to have destroyed your family’s home, the House of Serenity, and ruined your brother’s marriage? It must feel very good. Father and mother both supported Fiona’s true love, and their spirit is very admirable.”

Ace said in one breath and bowed gracefully to the three of them.

“Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to figure out how I’m going to survive.”

“Wait! What do you mean, how to survive!?”

“Exactly what I said. I don’t want to spend my life just covering your asses. You will take responsibility for destroying the Serenity family.”

“You mean you’re going to abandon us?!”

“Then can you three commit suicide here?”

“Wha….Do you even know what you’re talking about?!”

　The three of them froze their faces at Ace’s inhumane proposal. Finally, the Count shouted as if he was trying to squeeze out a response, but his voice was devoid of any energy. He was clearly overwhelmed by Ace.

“If the heads of you can be used to atone to the Marquis of Zafing this time, the Serenity family may be forgiven.”

“……”

　The three of them didn’t reply, and Ace laughs sarcastically.

“You can’t do that, can you? That’s why I’m telling you that the Serenity family is finished. Since you can’t give me an immediate answer in this situation, you have no chance of surviving.”

　Ace said and walked out without looking back.

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