---

302. Sibling Ep – The Clever Giant

“W-well then, I’ll take my leave. I’ll keep an eye on Count Gilbert Forte.”

Brian Zauer, a man with an unusually high number of fine lines for his age, took a few steps back and exited the Marquis’s office.

Marquis Benard Tatian simply nodded from his desk and did not move.

His interest was gradually waning.

It was quite interesting when my house, the Zauer Barony, came to him stating we were interfered with by foreign powers…

Despite providing considerable assistance, the barony ultimately fell to Brestin Zauer, while Brian Zauer, the author, became utterly useless.

He claimed to be the master of all taverns in Oberg, striving to prove his utility, yet only causing complications.

Benard soon erased Brian Zauer from his mind. This triviality wasn’t worth his time; the world he saw was far too vast.

Clink—sipping the remaining liquor, Benard Tatian took out a newly arrived folder and began to skim through it.

Recently, the situation in Jerome Holy Kingdom seemed troubling. A multitude of noteworthy events had occurred, all stemming from the Holy Woman Maryel.

The top theologian and the one holding actual power in the church, Cardinal Michael, had suddenly fallen from grace.

Rumor has it he was involved in some illegal dealings with Count Simon. Well, that’s not my concern; the issue lies with the Holy Woman bolstering the Frederick Royal Family.

It could potentially have a negative impact on ‘trade.’

Benard thought he should contact Count Oscar, whose western domain borders on his.

And another thing…

“The Maunin-Letii Tournament has successfully concluded in the Asran Kingdom, and Prince Eric de Yeriel of Conrad Kingdom still wants to marry Princess Elika, pressuring Aisel Kingdom… The rest is trivial.”

Having briefly surveyed the foreign status, Benard tossed the folder into the fireplace.

His gaze now shifted toward domestic affairs.

The King.

The previously quiet Caroman de Tatalia had recently orchestrated another amusing event.

He invited Prince Vivian de Isadora of Aisel Kingdom; what could he possibly be thinking this time?

Observing the King’s actions always elicits curiosity, unable to tear one’s gaze away.

It’s as if he’s set on ruining the country. He doesn’t seem to indulge in debauchery but neglects state affairs; last time, he even proposed expanding the prison, which prompted me to comment.

– “It seems you have quite the interest in places that accumulate ‘moss.’”

The way he glared at me was utterly comical. What on earth is he thinking? Such a peculiar man.

Benard soon shifted his thoughts.

He recalled his somewhat strange rival, Count Forte, who obsessively surrounded himself with the Prince, just like the King.

Count Hermann Forte was fervently expanding the knight order under the rule of King Arista de Klaus, who had elevated Asran Kingdom into a superpower.

Last year, he incited controversy by significantly lowering the entry standards for the knight order, claiming, “Knights can be trained!”

What’s the rush?

His attitude towards the royal family is excessively cordial for someone aiming to incite rebellion… Is he planning to attack me?

Benard chuckled lightly as he concluded his thoughts. He wandered around the spacious office, slowly moving between the fireplace and the opposite wall where the portrait of his deceased wife hung. He was thinking of a certain young man who had recently caught his interest.

The bold young lady, Ksenia, was dating a commoner.

At first, I was stunned that she had refused to marry my son, but now was dating a commoner.

Upon closer inspection, it was not that simple.

The man seemed even stranger than Ksenia. I became intrigued and decided to investigate him.

He was a beggar who had recently taken refuge with a thug group called Rauno Family and had an extraordinarily beautiful younger sister.

Up to this point, there was nothing particularly remarkable.

It was understandable that someone born with good looks might catch Ksenia’s eye.

But then I heard reports of him single-handedly beating up thugs who tried to pick a fight.

How could a skinny beggar pull that off, you might wonder. But why had he lived as a beggar until now? If he had such skills, he could easily become a thug himself; why work as a servant instead?

And how the heck did he get permission from Gustave?

That was the crux of the matter.

It’s fine to hide one’s abilities and scheme a bit.

Ambitious young men should do just that.

But gaining permission from Count Gustave Peter was nearly impossible in his view. The Gustave he knew had a severe sense of inferiority regarding his lineage.

Yet, that young man had managed to break through.

Benard was so flustered that he couldn’t even think of modifying his original plans.

When that young man, Lean, faced difficulties obtaining permission to date Ksenia, he was supposed to step in and propose a deal… but now I have no justification to intervene.

Tsk.

So what should I do?

As he pondered while glancing out the window, a smirk appeared on his face.

A rather graceful young man with a slightly limping white horse was entering the mansion. Benard muttered,

“Indeed, he’s not your average oddball.”

He tidied up his wine glass. The young man he was about to meet personally delivered his engagement invitation.

With an unbelievable self-introduction, no less.

*

“Woody. Stay still.”

– Hee-haw!

The white mare licked Lean’s head.

As expected, the mount he received as a ‘mount’ achievement was Woody. Lean felt a bit put out.

It’s not that he disliked Woody, but why did he have to get a mare?

Often indulging in tantrums yet endearing, the brown stallion, Bante, was given to Reb, while the muscular male black horse, Kus, was given to Ray…

This ‘mount’ achievement had a particularly terrible bias. A bizarre notion that a female was more suited for him.

Lean clicked his tongue in annoyance.

– Hee-haw?

“…Stop licking. I need to concentrate now.”

He fixed his messy hair that was mussed by the tongue. He seized the reins, pulling hard to stop Woody from licking again and called out to the guard.

“What is it?”

“I come from the House of Count Peter. I have a letter for the Marquis personally.”

Showing Count Peter’s seal, Lean passed through the main gate with ease.

But the real challenge was just beginning.

After meeting Marquis Tatian, there would be no turning back. In fact, since the moment he met Ksenia, meeting with the Marquis was already preordained, Lean decided to make the first move.

Doing so could leave a deeper impression on the Marquis, and it was also due to Astroth’s changed behavior.

‘Perhaps he’s unbound by constraints.’

Capturing Malhas had altered the history of Asran Kingdom.

But the event labeled as {EVENT} was bound to happen, hence Astroth calling for the Prince from another kingdom was an exceedingly strange action.

This would mean that the largest event in the engagement scenario, {WAR}, would be eliminated, yet Astroth quietly made decisions favorable to himself according to the revised history.

Determining that going to war against the Asran Kingdom was too great a risk, he likely hoped the Kingdom of Belita, which he needed to supply his powers, would become suitably chaotic without being utterly ruined.

This meant Astroth would continue to act this way. Lean’s objective was to observe how the changed circumstances would unfold from afar.

And if possible, he wanted to secure at least one achievement…

He thought he would have to wait briefly in the reception room, but the attendant directly led him to the office.

On the way, Brian Zauer brushed past them with a grim expression. Lean stared at him for a moment.

‘Why is he here again? He’s not even a baron anymore.’

Wondering why the Marquis kept someone like him around, Lean stepped into the office. He felt the cold air settle heavily.

Blue eyes frozen solid.

A massive desk crowded with folders, neatly arranged bottles of liquor, and the window reflecting a cloudy sky perfectly suited the Marquis.

Marquis Benard Tatian awaited him, unchanged from his previous demeanor. In the past, Lean would have nervously swallowed dry saliva, but his attitude was no longer the same.

“…”

“…”

Neither of them initiated a greeting.

Lean merely stood awkwardly in the center of the office, while the Marquis seemed to have guessed the reason for his silence. Clearly indicating he wanted Lean to stand and greet him, the Marquis wore a pretentiously displeased expression.

“If you have a letter to convey, you may leave it.”

An intended slight.

It was a good response to an impolite guest.

However, Lean also had something to say.

“This is an invitation card. I have personally brought news of my engagement to Lady Ksenia.”

I am not merely a delivery boy.

─ that was the implication, but the Marquis retorted.

“Congratulations, and thank you for your efforts. But why should I stand? Even Count Gustave doesn’t make me stand.”

I am a ‘Marquis,’ the noblest of nobles, with royal blood, making me higher ranked than any other noble in this country aside from the somewhat peculiar Duke.

Furthermore, there are no duke houses in the Kingdom of Belita, so no nobility higher than him exists here.

However, this was the flow Lean had intended. He spoke firmly.

“Since you have spoken of qualifications, do not be embarrassed. Breaking from long-standing etiquette, I will introduce myself first. I am Lean de Yeriel. Heir of the Yeriel royal family. Now, would you kindly introduce yourself to me?”

The Marquis froze slightly. Lean de Yeriel? Didn’t he die? That was ages ago.

Yet, as the information clicked together in his mind, Marquis Tatian grasped the implications.

The past beggar roaming the streets and his beautiful younger sister. The reason Gustave granted permission and this blue-tinged blonde with golden eyes…

I failed to consider that.

Marquis Benard Tatian rose from his seat and lightly bowed his head. He spoke with undeniable respect.

“I am Benard Tatian. I did not recognize the legitimate heir of the Yeriel royal family. However…”

Without status, you have nothing to boast of, right? The starving royal family asked the ruler of the western Kingdom of Belita.

“I am honored that the former prince personally delivered the invitation, but aside from an invitation, I presume there is another reason for your visit?”

Now he had to be extremely cautious with his words.

One misstep could lead to an indelicate confinement, but Lean de Yeriel merely snorted dismissively.

“Despite your desire for something from me, you sought me out only to ask why I have come. What should I say?”

“…”

“First, please receive the invitation. In three weeks, Ksenia and I will be engaged.”

“In three weeks? Prince Vivian de Isadora will arrive next week, so you seem to have miscalculated the date.”

Lean shook his head.

“No, the prince will likely return around the week after next. That is also your king’s reason for inviting him…”

“…?”

Ask away. You definitely will.

Nothing to showcase aside from status, he thought, and Lean lingered on the clever giant’s crown.