Chapter 9: The Marquis Speaks

Translator: Soafp

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“Thank you for the hard work.”

　Aisha cut me off as soon as I returned to the Oval Office and sat down.

“Yeah, it’s exhausting dealing with idiots.”

“I’m sorry for the trouble.”

　Aisha catches my venom with a soft smile.

“Giorg-sama, may I ask you something?”

“What?”

“Why were both Viscounts allowed to continue to live?”

“Well, they must have wondered. Everyone was working on the assumption that we would destroy them.”

　The manipulation here means that the money was sent to both Viscounts. Ghazel and Armada think that they have transferred the money to their own families, the Viscounts Kalmais and Edior, but the reality is different.

　At my command, I gradually led Ghazel little by little. Well, with the personalities of those two people, they would have shed their funds sooner or later.

　　Both Ghazel and Armada were the ones who failed to become the head of their families. Their sense of inferiority had been cultivated over the years. In order to get rid of it, they satisfied their sense of superiority by providing funds to their family.

　In fact, it was first an effort to get revenge on the whole family. It doesn’t matter what your status is, if you don’t have money, and suddenly have the ability to move huge amounts of money, you will be unable to stop yourself. To avoid being manipulated by money, a strong will is necessary.

“Yes. That’s why I’m still surprised that you have kept both Viscount families alive.”

　Aisha tilted her head at my answer. I know she trusts me, but there are still things she doesn’t understand.

“Right. But I never intended to destroy the two Viscounts in the first place. They’re perfect as pawns.”

“Pawns……?”

“Yeah, considering the Marquis of Zafing’s line of work, how many tails does a lizard have?”

“That’s ……you’re right……”

　Aisha seemed unhappy with my words. It must have hurt her self-esteem that I can protect myself as much as I want without using her as sacrifice.

“I have no intention of using you as pawns in any way. That’s why I wanted someone who wouldn’t mind being used as a pawn.”

“But ……”

“Aisha, self-sacrifice may seem like a beautiful thing, but it is another way of saying that it is an act of putting your own life on the other person’s shoulders.”

“Giorg-sama……”

“Don’t look so sad. As for me, I am ready to take on the lives of everyone. However, that does not mean that you’re disposable. Aisha, I am a very weak person.”

“That’s not true!!”

　Aisha’s strong tone is a denial, but I reply with a chuckle.

“No, I am weak. No matter what others may think of me, I know that I am weak. That’s why I don’t want to lose you guys.”

“Giorg-sama ……”

“When I realized that my mother had been murdered, I was so angry that I wanted to kill all of Ghazel and the others immediately. But I couldn’t. ……”

　Aisha is quietly watching my expression of less than self-mockery.

“I knew that if I killed them all in a fit of rage, one of my vassals would surely bear the guilt. I couldn’t bear the fact that I would sacrifice someone to satisfy my desire ……. That is why I was able to spend five years condemning them.”

　I looked over at Aisha and our eyes met.

“Are you disappointed?”

　Aisha smiled and opened her mouth.

“Yes. I realized how miserable we were just being protected by Giorg-sama.”

“Hoo……, so that’s what you’re going to say.”

“We, the Rubelzeis, are proud to be pawns of Giorg-sama. A pawn that is only protected by the Lord is nothing but a disgrace.”

“I see, …… I’m afraid I was wrong about your resolve.”

Aisha smiled at my words and bowed. I’ve said some really wild things.

“Well, I’m a little tired, so I said something stupid.”

“No.”

“Well, I’ll be at the castle tomorrow, so let’s do some paperwork. ……”

“Yes.”

“Aisha, do the paperwork.”

“Yes, as you wish”

“And Roy.”

“Eh?”

　At my words, Roy opened the door and came out.

“What, you knew? I made sure to cover my tracks.”

“Roy, dear.”

“No, I was careful in my own way.……uuu”

　In the midst of his snide remark, Roy flinched. He was trying to avoid the knife that was thrown at him. Of course, it was Aisha who threw it. The speed and timing were so good that only the most skilled would be able to notice.

“Oi, ……, you can’t seriously throw it at me. If it wasn’t for me, I’d be dead.”

“I figured you’d be a little more decent once you were reborn, so I thought I’d help you out.”

“Giorg-sama – Aisha is bullying me~”

“Aisha, one hit won’t kill him. Just be sure to avoid the vitals.”

“Yes♪”

“I’m really sorry. I’m sorry for getting carried away.”

　Roy apologized in a completely embarrassed manner, but he didn’t really mean it. This is the kind of exchange that happens between people who know each other well.

“…… Roy, I’ll be presenting the details of this incident to His Majesty tomorrow. You and Aisha can work on the documents.”

“I understand.”

　Roy responded immediately to my order. I watched him as he began to fill out the paperwork.