Chapter 480
Yet the mood between the two specifically to Lyla was pretty good. There was nothing to be upset about when they had solved some major problems. They had learned about distorting a ruin and they also learned the exact details of the scheme surrounding the Steelwall Estate. It seemed like Glen Zenard Count Flaud or whoever couldn’t pose a threat to them at all. Lyla couldn’t imagine Zich losing even in a situation where he lacked information much less a situation where he had a grasp of everything. However Zich thought differently.
“Don’t let your guard down Lyla.”
“Hm?”
“I’m talking about the Clowon princess. Keep your guard up against her.”
“…Against her?” Lyla asked. Serpina had been one-sidedly beaten by Zich’s art of talking. She was so ruthlessly beaten that Lyla even began to feel pity for her later on. Thus Lyla was taken aback by Zich’s warning.
“She probably won’t think of many useless thoughts right now since I shook her up so much. However the effect of that won’t last forever” Zich said. Surprise or shock quelled as time passed and it could also be a mechanism for one to organize their thoughts and calmly assess the current situation.
“I mentioned time to push her to the edge but she actually has the advantage in that aspect. She only lacks experience but seeing you I know how abnormally well her head works.”
“It’s true that people can think of all sorts of things if they have a lot of time.” Lyla nodded. Then she looked at Zich drearily and said “Her resentment about what she suffered from you will build up too and she might take it out on me.”
Zich didn’t meet Lyla’s eyes. “I’m sure she won’t do anything more than nitpick about things to give herself an edge. However I should mention that I don’t think of things nearly as complicated as you do.”
After all Lyla had failed to pierce through Serpina’s iron wall-like stubbornness before Zich came.
“It will be a headache.” Lyla could clearly visualize the difficulties she would face in the near future and clutched her forehead.
“That will actually be more preferable.”
“What do you mean ‘preferable?’ Just the thought of it makes me want to vomit.”
“If she nitpicks things then that means that’s the only thing she can do at the moment. Her goal is to make the situation more advantageous for her by clutching onto any possible points. However if she starts collaborating with us without raising a fuss that’ll be more of a problem. Lyla do you think the Princess is someone who will amiably cooperate with us?” Please visit fr𝐞𝐞wn.𝒸o𝔪 website to read fastest update
“Not at all.” Lyla firmly denied it as someone who had experienced Serpina’s stubborn nature firsthand.
“I think so too. If she cooperates without any complaints it would only mean that she is scheming something.”
“No wonder you are telling me to always be on my guard.”
“The problem is that it will be a very difficult thing to uncover the Princess’ schemes.”
“Wouldn’t it be easy for you?” Lyla asked. She couldn’t help but think so after seeing how Zich treated Serpina not too long ago.
“I’ll be busy from now on so I can’t spend all my time trying to uncover her schemes. Moreover if she tries to use the ruin or the Brushel System even I wouldn’t know what she is planning since it’s not my field of expertise.” After saying that Zich stared at Lyla.
“Moreover if she is really doing something like that you are the only one who can notice it. Even if you fail to notice it and she succeeds in her attempt you are the only one who can fix things.” Then he placed both hands on Lyla’s shoulders and said “I’m trusting you to keep your eyes on her.”
Zich’s words—specifically the part about him trusting her—directly struck Lyla’s heart. Lyla balled her fists and said loudly “Yeah leave it to me! I’m going to keep a very close eye on her to make sure she doesn’t do anything weird.”
“Yeah.” Like that Zich completely erased all his worries about Serpina. It might seem like he placed too much of a burden on Lyla but there was nothing else he could do.
‘It’s because no one else but Lyla can really understand what the Princess is scheming’ Zich thought. Besides Zich also trusted her; considering her skills which he had witnessed throughout their travels and all the experiences she had endured he knew that Lyla wouldn’t be played by Serpina.
‘Even if we encounter the worst-case scenario Lyla will at least prepare a hole for us to escape out of.’ That was all he needed and he could handle the rest. While Lyla was thinking of the tense mind games she would play with Serpina starting tomorrow she looked at Zich again.
“Okay so that’s enough about me. What are you going to do outside Zich? You said you will be busy.”
“I have to prepare for war” Zich answered. They were already sure from Serpina’s attitude that a war would occur.
“I’m sure Count Flaud has already made enormous preparations for the war. However Count Steelwall isn’t in a position to get proper support from his surroundings. There would obviously be a difference in power and Count Steelwall would be at a great disadvantage. If I had my original power I would’ve been able to fill the gap by myself but unfortunately not all of my mana has been freed yet.”
“But most of it has been released right?”
“Yup that’s right.” Zich tried flowing mana throughout his body. He felt an amount of mana incomparable to the time when he had first regressed. Yet compared to the days he was called Demon Lord of Strength it was still significantly lacking. However even this problem would not last for long. Zich felt the hardened mana inside him. Since it was hardened in the innermost area of his body it was denser than all the mana he had released up until now. The amount of mana within him was also enormous.
“I’ve finished honing my physical body. If I just release this guy I will be able to recover my strength from my demon lord days. If that happens we can basically say that no one can fight me head-to-head.” Zich exuded confidence but it was completely comprehensible if one considered the feats he had accomplished in his demon lord days. He was the one who had clashed with a party of heroes including Glen Zenard and it would be no exaggeration to say that he was one of the strongest among the people in his time. It was no wonder why he was able to fight the whole world with only a few underlings.
“I haven’t recovered all my former strength though so I should think of a suitable plan.”
“Yeah that’s true.”
“First of all I should tell Father that war is coming.”
“He must be having a hard time. So many incidents are happening in his estate and now he has to prepare for war.” Moreover he had to start a war during a disadvantageous situation. Regardless of how strong the Steelwall’s military might was it was clear that they would suffer tremendously and this was extremely good news to Zich.
“That annoying old fart should suffer a bit more.” Zich cackled as he imagined the expression on Count Steelwall when he relayed the news.
* * *
As Zich expected Count Steelwall’s expression twisted into a deep scowl. “…So you’re saying that the reason why the estate is in this mess is because of those pieces of trash in Flaud?”
“Yes probably so” Zich replied and looked at the desk that the Count was sitting on. The Count had to get a new desk because he slammed and threw it too much in anger but unfortunately it seemed as if his new desk would not last too long either. The area that the Count had his hand on was already getting chipped and it made a cracking sound.
If the Count continued to apply his strength in the same area the whole desk would split into two and collapse. Even now it seemed as if the desk would not be able to continue its function for long. This desk would also soon be replaced but Zich didn’t think the next desk would last long either. It might be a better idea to not place a desk in front of the Count until the current situation dies down. While Zich was thinking pointless thoughts the Count’s mind was spinning.
Zich’s claims first sounded persuasive. Currently the Steelwall Estate was in chaos because of the Bellids and those who would be the happiest and delighted in their situation would be the Flaud family. However there was a reason why the Steelwalls hadn’t pointed at the Flauds as the main culprit.
“Do you seriously think those bastards joined hands with the Bellids?”
The reason was that they hadn’t thought that a high-ranking noble would hold hands with the Bellids and Count Steelwall still had a hard time believing this.
However Count Steelwall and his officials couldn’t help but nod at Zich’s next words. “They’re bastards who sent the Count’s daughter to get married for the sake of peace and stabbed the Steelwalls’ backs. To cause Steelwall’s fall it makes sense that they would also join forces with the Bellids.”
“…Yeah. Those guys are definitely capable of that.” The Count humbly admitted that he was prejudiced that a high-ranking noble would not join forces with the Bellids. “However if they get caught it won’t end easily for them.”
“It won’t matter as long as we don’t get caught. People like them all have the same mindset.”
“Yeah that’s true.” Count Steelwall agreed with Zich’s thoughts again. “And you’re saying that the Pinne Estate would be the one first declare war.”
“If the plan that I’ve looked into is correct.”
“If what the young master says is right this matter is extremely serious.” Trell was next to the Count as always and he spoke with a serious expression.
Zich replied “Yes it’s a serious matter. Most of all the Flaud Estate’s final goal is probably the extermination of Steelwall. Even if they think that they won’t get caught they joined hands with those infamous Bellids—it’s clear that they have no intentions to end things lightly.”
The Count and Trell’s faces stiffened. Zich didn’t use the word fall but extermination; it meant that everyone related to Count Steelwall would be killed. Seeing how the situation was going Zich’s words were not merely an exaggeration.
“…If it’s Count Flaud that blasted old fart he might really do that.” Even though Count Flaud was technically Count Steelwall’s father-in-law their relationship was so strained that such a friendly title wasn’t suitable to describe their relationship.
“Trell.”
“Yes sir.”
“Immediately make preparations for war. Make sure to do it discreetly for now. Since we haven’t received a declaration for war yet people will look at us suspiciously if we prepare for war now.” People were still suspicious of Count Steelwall and his connections with the Bellids. If he began to prepare for war during this time getting accused of starting a war would be the least of their problems.
“Yes sir. Since our soldiers have already been sent out to remediate the damage if we align our preparations with their movements we will be able to trick the eyes of outsiders.”
The Count nodded; he trusted that Trell would do a good job.
Zich said “Sir it won’t be enough with just that. The Flaud Estate have fought with the Steelwalls for a long time so they are very familiar with the extent of Steelwall’s strength. The Flaud Estate probably joined hands with another force as well. Do you have a counterplan?”
“…I will be requesting help from the surrounding and center estates.” However there wasn’t much confidence in his voice.
“I will sincerely hope that there are those who you have built a strong trust and relationship with to help you out even in a situation like this.”
The Count couldn’t refute Zich’s mockery.
Soon after a harsh protest came from the Pinne Estate. Their protest was so outrightly hostile that anyone could see that they were clearly considering war. The Flaud Estate thoroughly backed up the Pinne Estate with the reason that they were also victims like the Pinne Estate. While Count Steelwall dealt with the Pinne and Flaud Estates he requested help from other estates as planned. However not a single estate accepted Steelwall’s request for help.
