Chapter 21: The next Count is coming up ②

Translator: Soafp

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“Wha, Ace!! Do you have any idea what you’re talking about!!”

“THAT’S RIGHT!!”

“What do you mean I’m being expelled!!”

　The reaction of the three of them to Ace’s words was, of course, resentment. They had thought they had been saved earlier, but now they were reminded that this was not the case at all.

“There’s nothing to be done about it. Didn’t I tell you earlier that the terms were not burdensome at all for the Serenity family?”

The three of them were rendered speechless by Ace’s words without any inflection. His words were tantamount to saying to the Serenity family, ” I don’t need you.”

“In negotiations with the Marquis of Zafing, I offered to transfer the Lanegake mine.”

“W…..WHAT DID YOU SAY!!”

　It is natural for Count of Serenity to be angry, the Lanegake mine is the pillar of income for the Serenity family. It was insane to think of transferring it.

“The only way to make amends for Fiona’s rudeness in breaking off the engagement was to give up the Lanegake Mine.”

“You!! How could you!!”

“But the Marquis of Zafing has decided to cancel the transfer of the Lanegake Mine.”

“THEN!!”

“Therefore, there are three conditions for this.”

　The three of them gulped at Ace’s words. It was probably because Ace’s voice was inhuman.

“If you accept two of the conditions I set out earlier, that will be the only solution to this matter. It’s for the sake of the Serenity family. Please accept them meekly.”

“D-Don’t be ridiculous! You’re not the head of the Serenity family! You have no right!!”

“T-That’s right! WHAT ARE YOU EVEN TALKING ABOUT!!”

“Onii-chan’s a monster! Why don’t you protect your family, what are you thinking!”

　Ace continued to speak to the three repulsive people without losing his temper at all.

“I’m afraid this is the final decision. Father, mother, you have always said that a nobleman should put his family first. As a nobleman, I’m supposed to put my family first.” (TL: He talking about his family name not the people)

“Shut up! Stop talking like that!!”

“Father, I said that the decision has been made”

　Ace’s voice was completely unaffected. The three of them were extremely annoyed by this.

“Lydis! Seize this fool!!”

　Lydis, the head butler, who had received the order directly from the Count, did not seem to move at all.

“What are you doing!!”

　In response to the Count’s outrage, Lydis bowed gracefully and said quietly.

“I will only listen to orders from Count of Serenity.”

“W-What are you talking about?”

“The Grand Master is no longer the Count of Serenity. The current Count of Serenity is Ace-sama”

　The three of them looked aghast at Lydis’ words.

“Don’t be ridiculous!! I am the Count of Serenity! Not this guy!!”

　Ace did not change his expression at all as the former count screamed.

“Father, don’t you understand? You are no longer Count of Serenity.”

“What are you talking about!!”

“You have already transferred the title of Count of Serenity, the headship of the Serenity family, and the authority that comes with it.”

“That’s bullshit! When did I hand over the title to you!!”

“The paperwork was prepared and submitted five days ago.”

“Y-You did what……!?”

　The former count looked shocked. Ace had forged the documents and illegally inherited the title.

“Ace, do you even know what you’ve done!”

”Of course I do. I inherited the Count of Serenity at the request of father. Is there a problem with that?”

“I never said anything about giving it to you!”

“Yes, you certainly did not. But what’s wrong with that?”

“What the hell ……?”

　The three of them looked dumbfounded at Ace’s reply.

“Father, who exactly is responsible for Serenity’s office?”

“…….”

“Of course, it’s me. That’s why father entrusted to me, right?”

“T-That’s….”

“For the past year, you’ve been putting me in charge of everything, right? [“You’re in charge.”] Therefore, I decided that I had inherited the title and went through the formalities, that’s all. It was because father entrusted me with everything that I was able to inherit the title without delay. Thank you very much.”

　When Ace finished, he bowed to his father. The former Count and Countess moved their mouths but did not speak, because the tone of Ace was so plain.

“W-Wait, Onii-chan.”

　Fiona, her face turning pale, called out to Ace, shaking.

“Fiona, you’ve been expelled. This is the decision made by the Count of Serenity.”

“ONII-CHAN! Forgive me! Please!!!”

　Fiona appealed while clinging to Ace’s feet, but Ace did not seem to be moved at all.

“Fiona, now that you have been expelled, you are no longer my sister. You are now a commoner. From now on, you shall call me Count of Serenity.”

“Why!! ONII-CHAN!!”

“Didn’t you hear a word I said?”

“HII”

　Fiona cried out in horror as Ace’s tone of voice clearly changed to a stern one. At this stage, Fiona realized that she had already been cut off.

“Fiona, what caused you to be expelled?”

“T-That’s …….”

“I assume you think it’s because you betrayed Giorg-sama?”

“T-That’s right!! Brother, please ask Giorg-sama to revoke the Expulsion!”

“Fiona, you are a fool to no end. The Marquis of Zafing’s retaliation for the dissolution of your engagement is of no importance to him.”

“Eh?”

“It’s because of your attitude towards others ……, or even those of a lower rank.”

“…… What do you mean?”

“As a nobleman, you have to draw a line between the upper and lower ranks. But that does not mean that it is acceptable to trample on the dignity of those of a lower status. That is a completely different and disgusting act. If you think such ugly acts are deserved, then you must be willing to accept the trampling of your dignity by those above you. I would never be able to live in such a shameless manner.”

“……”

　Fiona couldn’t argue with Ace’s words at all. The word “shameless” pierced Fiona’s heart. It was the first time that she had ever heard a complain from him, but now she knew that there was definitely a family feeling there. There was nothing like that in his voice now.

“Unlike you, I’m proud, and I won’t take it personally to have my dignity trampled upon.”

“Me too!!”

“No, you have no dignity. That is why you do not understand how ugly it is to trample on the dignity of others. All you have is pretense to hide behind, to distract from your own stupidity.”

“…… How terrible.”

“You do not have the capacity or intelligence to accept my advice, and you will not understand my concern for you. Then I will have no choice but to use this method of communication.”

　Ace’s voice was cold as it could be.

“Well, that’s the end of the story. The former Count and Countess Serenity will now be under house arrest at Serenity’s residence in Gausbal. They will not be allowed to leave the mansion without my permission.”

“……”

“Gausbal!? You’re going to lock us up in the middle of nowhere!”

“Fiona, after your expulsion you will live as a commoner. You can live anywhere in Serenity’s domain after you marry Leon-sama. I will take care of you until you find a job.”

“I-It can’t be…..”

“If you refuse to obey my decision, I will show no mercy whatsoever. If you want to turn into a murderer, you can always rebel against me.”

　The chill in Ace’s words was now colder and harder than the permafrost. The three of them had to realize that it was pointless to appeal to them with family sentiments.

“Then I ask you to leave. We see each other never again, but good luck …….Oi”

“What are you doing!! LET ME GO!!”

“What are you doing? Ace!! Ace!! Make them stop!!”

“Let me go!! Onii-chan! Please forgive me! ONII-CHAAAAN!!”

　The butlers, who had received Ace’s orders, grabbed the three by the arms and led them out of the parlor. They were still screaming when they were taken out of the parlor, but Ace’s expression did not change at all.

“Good work, Master.”

　Lydis says to Ace in a caring manner.

“No, the tiring part has just begun. You’re doing a great job in the royal capital, so there was no chaos, but we’re just starting to get control of the territory.”

“Yes.”

“However, the contract with the Marquis of Zafing is now complete. We’re still halfway there, but it looks like we’ll survive.”

“Yes, thank you very much.”

　Lydis replied quietly to Ace’s words.

(Ace-sama abandoned his family for us. …… Do nobles have to make such harsh decisions?)

　As Lydis thought about Ace’s heartache in his mind, he couldn’t help but think about the weight of being a nobleman. There is no doubt that those who can only see the surface of things will never be able to understand the ruthless decisions that must be made from time to time.

　When he thought about how Ace had been forced to abandon his family for the sake of his vassals, it was only natural that he would want to support Ace.

　Lydis bowed quietly and began to move for his new master.

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