My Villains Episode 305
55. The Marquis of Eavon (4)
I don’t know what my expression was like the moment the atmosphere in the private room of the chapel turned upside down. At least he didn’t act like an idiot, turning his face pale or opening his mouth wide.
“Did you really think you would never get caught?”
But even a moment of hesitation seemed to have been enough for the Marquis. He continued to speak, biting a smile in his mouth.
“If you expected that, well. I’d like to ask if you’ve been treating the lands too stupid.”
I kept silent.
At first glance, the Marquis of Eabon did not look like Gingamin. It was a confident attitude.
In this situation, ‘I’m not that kind of person? Picking up words like ‘You misunderstood’ would be tantamount to scorning the other person.
That’s why I heard ‘billion. How did you know?’ It is also ridiculous to reveal the identity that has been hidden all along.
While I hesitated, not knowing how to answer, the Marquis of Eavon buried herself deeply into the backrest.
“…Zeot, who founded the kingdom, entrusted the important task of protecting the frontier to his younger brother, whom he trusted but was also very capable.” He told an interesting story just like he had just done, but with a slightly changed atmosphere.
“Unlike the King of Conquerors, King Oth is known for his prudence, sensitivity, and vigilant attitude. It was perfect for defending the border.”
“King Os, who became Marquis, separated and created a new family. That’s Arya’s family, and I’m the ninth head of the family following his lineage.” It’s a little out of the blue, but I had no choice but to listen. It is also because I did not know how the story would bounce in a different direction.
“After nine generations, Antrum, the family’s domain, ceased to be a frontier, and Ariaga became a marquess. So many things have changed, but there are quite a few things that haven’t changed at all.”
“…what is that?”
“There are two things that come to mind right now. The first is that the Arya family was and still is the guardian of the kingdom.”
The Marquis shrugged his shoulders with his mouth wide open.
“The second is that the head of the Arya family is still the most paranoid in the kingdom. It is a beautiful tradition that has been going on for three centuries and a terrible genetic disease.”
“Evidence of this insanity hangs over the kingdom. From Highcastle in the west to Midisle in the east, from Bygard in the north to South Harbor or Tow’s Den in the south.”
Tow’s Den.
It is the capital of Ireland and also the base of Zahakar and Baluin.
Staring at me as I kept my mouth shut, the Marquis of Eavon quenched his thirst with a glass of wine. After a little more silence, he sighed softly.
“I don’t know what the hell you’re hesitating about. Didn’t you have no intention of hiding it in the first place?”
“…what do you mean by that?”
“A swordsman with black hair, black eyes, and a great build, who can even use hematology, so don’t even joke about saying that you were planning to hide it.”
“You even wrote your name as it is. I heard that the fresh blood baek recently married an illegitimate son, and his name was Phoenix. To be honest, I was a little taken aback.”
As I was about to open my mouth, Heila, who was still sipping alcohol, stepped up first.
“I am not an illegitimate child.”
“……hmm?”
“Count Akele has officially taken Phoenix’s mother. Phoenix was also born in Tow’s Den, not anywhere else. Putting Phoenix’s name on the family register half a year ago wasn’t registering an illegitimate child, it was just a postponement.”
The Marquis stared at Heila and then turned to me.
“…I forgot that Ireland’s climate is a bit peculiar. I interpreted the information to my taste. If my mistake has offended you and your mother, I apologize.”
“No, thanks.”
I’ve also offended the Marquis, Panabel, so I’ll have to get over it in moderation.
Also, it felt a bit awkward personally for a mother I didn’t even know her face to be genuinely angry about being insulted indirectly.
“And you…
Marquis Eavon’s gaze turned back to Heila.
I honestly thought I was a little lucky. I was just worried that I would get into trouble if I talked carelessly here. Heyla would be much better off talking than me.
“I heard that Kaisis is the sister of His Highness the Duke.”
“yes.”
The Marquis waited for a moment to speak, but Heila sipped her glass as if she had nothing more to say. It was the last drink that he kept to the end even while the attendants were clearing the table.
Not only the Marquis, but I also lost my senses, so when I turned around to look at her, I was a little worried that the auricles were a little red.
“…okay. As I had heard, her beauty was extraordinary, and I could recognize her at a glance.”
“yes.”
“I don’t know what to call it. As I already said, Ireland’s climate is still unfamiliar to me.”
“Call me whatever is convenient for you.”
“is it.”
The Marquis seemed a little steamed at Heila’s unconcerned appearance.
“Even though your identity was revealed, you don’t look surprised or flustered at all.”
“Because there is no reason for that.”
“…Is there any reason for that?”
“As you said, we have very little to hide. Anyone who has even the slightest interest in Ireland will know who we are.”
“I guess I expected this moment to come someday. also. That part is out of my understanding.”
The Marquis tapped the table with his index finger and continued.
“I didn’t reveal my identity, but I didn’t hide it thoroughly either. It was just blinding the eyes of the public with the prejudice that Ireland’s blood knight couldn’t have been crowned by a prince like a thin cloak.”
“yes.”
“Why is that? I don’t know what your intentions are.”
Heila put down her glass and opened her mouth slowly.
“Do you have any obligation to tell your Excellency?”
“……duty?”
“yes.”
The Marquis crossed his arms and shook his head as he stared at the eyes shining like glass beads in the dim candle light.
“No. What obligations do you, the future masters of Ireland, have to the Marquis of Antrum?”
Suddenly, the wrinkled face of Marquis Eavon became expressionless like Heila.
Even though
he didn’t say it with great force, there was power in his words.
“It wouldn’t be such a good idea to leave my suspicions unattended.”
“What suspicions do you have?”
“…It is a suspicion that loyalty to the three princes may not belong to Lord Phoenix personally.”
“okay.”
Heila continued with slightly sleepy eyes.
“Would you believe me if I told you that I was worried for nothing?”
“Honestly, that would be difficult.”
“Why?”
“Because Lord Phoenix is a conceived child.”
Marquis Eavon’s emotionless eyes turned to me.
“You know the story of Admiral Oleg, right? You mean the ‘sword war’.”
“…Admiral Oleg?”
“Yes Admiral Oleg. The one who led the steelscale fleet in the past.”
When I made a puzzled expression, the Marquis slightly frowned. Then Heila interjected in a low voice.
“I forgot because I never met you in person. I mean your grandfather.”
Phoenix’s grandfather?
“……Ah”
There is a name in the household account book in my head. But I don’t know what the black finger war is.
What a strange thing. Because Phoenix was someone who wasn’t very interested in my surroundings.
The Marquis of Guernsey, seeing my confused expression, continued.
“It happened when I was ten years old, so it’s already fifty-five years ago.”
…What were you sixty-five? You are terribly correct.
“Your grandfather, Admiral Oleg, gained notoriety but fame by burning and plundering countless castles and villages during the war with Onguk (” 國). Thanks to that, people in the East call him by a nickname that means devil.”
Why is everyone in this family in this state?
“At the end of the war with Onguk, the admiral was designated as the conceived son and returned to the kingdom with a fleet. In the meantime, I made a call to a peaceful port in the southeastern part of the kingdom for supplies. A port by the name of Radenkey, on the Southern Shores.”
It was a story I didn’t know at all, so I just listened quietly.
“There they got into a fight with an unknown knight, and Admiral Oleg killed him in a duel. It’s not a big deal, it’s a common story. Until here.”
How far?
“Three months after that, 30 ships and 1,500 soldiers attacked the Southern Shore. To burn Radenki.”
“…yes?”
“So, it’s become a fairly uncommon story now, right?”
The Marquis smiled coldly.
“At that time, Earl Baton Earlshore of the Southern Shore, who had a dragon name, went out to protect his territory and retainers… but a
cold gaze reached Heila.
“His Highness Duke Buhale personally took the life of Earl Baton. isn’t it?”
Duke of Buhale.
I remember this person clearly. He’s the former Duke of Ireland.
“yes.”
Heila nodded her head obediently.
“I heard that my grandfather was proud all his life that he had killed such a brave man.”
Duke Buhale is Heila’s grandfather and Phoenix’s great-grandfather. Yes, he is the nobleman who is said to have enjoyed being in the dark.
“…I guess so.” Seeing that her expression was still calm, the Marquis of Eavon was silent for a moment, then looked back at me.
“The armies of Zaharkar and Baluin burned not only Overlock, the capital of the Southern Shore, but also two ports, three castles, and over twenty villages. The five noble houses of Radenki were destroyed, and countless numbers died. Do you know why such a brutal war is called the ‘Black Finger War’?”
“…I do not know.” “It’s because Admiral Oleg lost his left index finger during a duel with an unknown knight. In exchange for the finger of the conceived, the entire Southern Shore was burned down.”
A candle flickered in the eyes of the marquis, who was looking straight at me.
“Did you say you were worrying for nothing?”
“Looking at the sutra reminds me of the fire at that time. Knights in dark red armor and ruthless military ships engraved with snake scales come to mind. I am afraid that the nobles of Radenki will rise from the ashes.” The Marquis finished his speech with a sigh and raised his glass. One of the knights sitting on the couch came up with a bottle and filled it.
All the while, I sat still and kept silent.
I searched through Phoenix’s memories and thought about what would be the appropriate answer, but I couldn’t find any useful information.
…Phoenix, this bastard by the wall, did he really just eat and train?
Thinking of asking for help, I glanced back at Heila, and she was holding out her glass to the knight carrying the bottle.
Heila acted as if it were natural, so the knight refilled her glass while putting on a puzzled expression.
After taking a sip of alcohol, Heila let out a pleasant sigh and opened her mouth.
“I am well aware of Your Excellency’s suspicions and why.”
As the silence continued again, the Marquis narrowed his forehead and opened his mouth.
“Is that the end?”
“yes.”
“…anything more to say?”
” no.”
The marquis’ wrinkled face distorted a little.
“I should have already told you that it would not be a very good idea to leave my suspicions unattended.”
“Because I think differently.”
” different?”
Heila nodded calmly.
“Your Excellency’s suspicions, whichever way they go, will end with the imagination of the whole kingdom burning.”
“…roughly similar.”
“Then it would be best to leave those suspicions unattended.”
“It is a word that can be misunderstood. Can you guess what exactly that means?”
“no.”
Heila leaned back against the backrest with sleepy eyes at the Marquis, who was taken aback by the stern answer.
“If I tell you the reason, His Excellency’s suspicions will change. I can only tell you one thing.”
“…Tell me.”
“You are free to have doubts, but when you act to resolve them.”
The languid voice paused for a moment.
“To be held accountable for your actions.”
“…should I take responsibility?”
“yes.”
“Sounds like a threat.”
“dismissal.”
Heila blinked slowly and spoke in a tone as slow as the blink.
“Your Excellency already knew the identity of Poi and me. In other words, he brought all the conceived children of Zaharkar and Baluin into the heart of the cathedral guarded by dozens of knights and wizards.”
“That”
“And now, His Excellency, all your suspicions are in vain, and you want to hear a definite answer that the kingdom will never be set on fire. Just like making an oath to God.” forgot again I can hear Heila’s eyelids closing and opening in the silence of the room.
“Isn’t that like a threat?”
“How does that happen? I”
“You gave Foy advice about nicknames, so I’ll give you one too.”
Under the eyelids that flickered as if they were sleepy, the black pearl-like eyes did not waver. The Marquis hardened his face.
“Sometimes it’s better not to know anything.”
Marquis Eavon stared at Heyla with a hard face.
I tried hard to see what was in the eyes of the marquis, but it was almost impossible to read the senile nobleman’s inner thoughts with just his eyes.
and after a while
“Good.”
The Marquis smiled broadly, as if asking when his face had hardened.
“Thanks for the advice. I remember your words.”
His facial expression as well as his tone of voice suddenly brightened. It was just like the way he chatted in front of his wife and grandson.
“I would like to continue this pleasant conversation, but-”
The Marquis tapped the table lightly with the palm of her hand and pointed at Heyla.
“Unfortunately, it was late at night. The girl over there seems to be getting sleepy too.”
“yes.”
“Then there is nothing you can do. Let’s get out of here slowly.”
I couldn’t adapt to the rapid change, so I looked at him blankly, but the Marquis looked at Me and Heila with a grin.
“But it’s such a pity that we parted like this. How about committing to the next one?”
“If it’s next.”
“I really want to give Sir Phoenix, a renowned knight, and Miss Heila, a clever lady, a taste of sweet Delhi wine.”
“…Dandeli wine.”
Heila muttered that and her closed eyes twinkled. Marquis Eavon nodded excitedly.
“Oh, you seem to know about the wines of Dandeli Hill.”
“yes. I know.”
“If you go to Lianwell, you can enjoy the finest wine properly.”
Heyla blinked and the Marquis pulled up a chair and looked back at me.
“Did you hear from Marcel that you are planning to leave soon?”
“…Uh yes. you’re right.”
“Where is your destination? no, it’s obvious Are you going to High Castle, where Prince Ulkar lives?”
Seeing the Marquis suddenly raise the tension and ask a question, I nodded my head with a trembling face.
“yes. you’re right.”
“Very well! Then stop by Lianwell.”
“……yes?”
I opened a map of the surroundings in my head.
From Seteniora Monastery, if you pass the highlands to the northwest along the forests and mountains, High Castle with Ulkar is located, and if you pass the plains to the north along the river, you will arrive at Lianwell, the palace of the Marquis of Eavon and the capital of Antrum.
“I’m sorry, but if you go to Lianwell, you have to go back almost twice.”
“In terms of distance, it is. But see.”
When the Marquis snapped his fingers, one of the knights laid out a real map on the table. It was a proper map centered on Antrum.
“The road to the northwest here is very rough, so it will take more than ten days to get to High Castle. On the other hand, if you take a boat along the river and drive along the well-paved road, it will take you six days to reach Lianwell. From Lianwell to High Castle, take the highway and arrive in eight days.”
…After all, it’s ten days to go northwest and two weeks to go through Lianwell, right?
“I know what you are thinking. I’ll give my lord a gift that’s more than enough to make up for the difference of a few days.”
“Are you talking about a gift?”
“okay.”
The Marquis tapped one side of the map as if knocking. West of High Castle, so it was the Mittergerland Empire.
“The two Elector Counts, Abillambus and Burcard, are showing unusual movements. As the greatest aristocrat in the west, it is natural to help Prince Ulkar, your lord and devotee of yourselves to defending the border, but in the meantime, I couldn’t move my troops because I was holding the undead and fish-man army in check. But it’s different now.”
He waved at me with a smile.
“Since the king performed a heroic feat and defeated the king of death, I can now send my troops with a sense of relief and resentment.”
Are you shy?”
“okay. He said he would send reinforcements to the West.”
…reinforcements? suddenly?
“I ordered preparations for dispatch before coming here, but since the scale is large, it will take a little more time.”
“On a certain scale.”
“One thousand conscripts and five hundred privates.”
“…one thousand five hundred.”
“Yes, one thousand five hundred.”
The Marquis tapped the hill south of Lianwell on the map with a smile on her face.
“We are gathering at Dandeli Hill, which is famous for its delicious grapes.”
It is said that the number of troops currently under Ulkar’s command is a little over 2,000, so 1,500 is a considerable army.
“Let’s see, the day after tomorrow is my grandson’s second baptism, so let’s leave around noon. After three days’ rest in Lianwell, preparations for the campaign will be complete, and it will be just right for us to leave for the west at that time. We can get to High Castle before February.”
Marquis Eabon asked for my consent with a smile on my face, unable to come to my senses at the sudden story.
“What are your thoughts, sir? Are you okay?”
Uh……Uh ”
……Three five three
I quickly shook my head.
The Marquis of Eavon, who had raised suspicions about our identities, instantly turned the atmosphere and topic around at Haila’s words with a nuance of intimidation.
And now, out of the blue, he is telling Prince Ulkar that he will send reinforcements and go to his own territory together.
I don’t think it’s a trap for now.
It was unlikely that the Marquis, who clearly remembered the war that had occurred decades ago, would kidnap or harm the conceived children of Ireland.
Then, should we accept this as a gesture of friendship or reconciliation?
I glanced back at Heila, worried, and she nodded as soon as our eyes met.
…That guy isn’t doing that because of the sweet wine, right?
I scratched my eyebrows to hide my anxiety, then nodded.
“All right. I will do as your Excellency said.”
“Excellent!”
After hitting the table and clapping in succession, the marquis held out his hand.
When we first met, I held out my hand like that and showed the back of my hand. But this time it didn’t.
“Sir? Are you trying to embarrass my hands?”
“Oh no.”
Upon receiving a quick handshake, the Marquis smiled and waved.
“I look forward to the journey ahead.”
” yes?”
“Please take good care of me, Lord Phoynix, Guardian of the Holy Land.”
He met eyes with the Marquis of Eavon.
Deep brown eyes flashed with an unknown color under the wrinkled eyelids of a smile.
