Chapter 43 | A Mere Princess of a Fallen Kingdom Dares to Order Me Around?

My name is Gareth Hawthorne. I am 48 years old, and I am a baron.

I live in Kent Town, a border settlement in the Solaris Duchy. I am married and have two sons.

I am a man who lives by an extremely disciplined routine.

I don’t smoke. I only dabble in alcohol. I drink a cup of warm milk before bed, followed by twenty minutes of soothing exercises to warm up my body, and I usually sleep soundly until dawn. Like a baby, I never carry fatigue or stress into the next day. Even my doctor says I’m perfectly healthy.

My greatest wish in life is for someone to take over my position, restore the glory of House Hawthorne, and expand the estate and status I’ve spent half my life fighting tooth and nail to reclaim.

To that end, I want to see which of my two sons is a true lion.

After all, only the victor is worthy of inheriting the kingdom I’ve built!

...

Today is another day where the sun rises as usual.

But it is destined to be an extraordinary day.

Because my two dear sons are planning to stage a palace coup today... oh no, I mean a Lord's Manor showdown.

However, once this storm passes, I’ll be able to retire peacefully to the second line and enjoy my golden years. I’ll have done right by my ancestors!

I believe that under the leadership of the new baron, the family will surely prosper even more!

Early morning.

I woke up in my velvet bed.

I was just about to hop down for a satisfying stretch when I suddenly remembered my current persona—'the senile, bedridden, and gravely ill old man.'

That’s a real pain in the neck.

To avoid being exposed to my two dear sons by Little Lisa—the personal maid assigned to watch over me—I had no choice but to keep playing dead.

At this moment, Little Lisa was diligently bringing in water for me to wash my face.

Don’t let her pure and sweet appearance fool you; this little girl is quite the character!

Not only is she taking money from the eldest son, but she’s also taking it from the second... which is to say, she’s drawing three salaries all by herself!

As for why she’s getting three, it’s because the largest share comes from me. Hahaha!

I wonder who recruited such a talented individual... oh, it was me! Never mind then.

So, I tossed back the covers and first engaged in some morning exercise with this little vixen—who was collecting three paychecks simultaneously—for the sake of my physical and mental health.

Refreshed, I got out of bed with her assistance.

I didn't put on that heavy mithril armor; instead, I changed into a set of well-tailored noble hunting gear, convenient for combat yet elegant.

Then, I slung my old partner over my back—a steel greatsword that had been with me for years.

I looked in the mirror.

Yes, handsome. Strikingly so.

Afterward, while enjoying an exquisite breakfast, I listened to Little Lisa’s report on the movements of the eldest and second sons.

An unexpected gain.

Intelligence indicated that a young wild mage had emerged from the Thousand-Tentacle Swamp and entered my territory, bringing along a little tag-along who seemed to have no combat ability.

Interesting.

With the Akhtar Duchy in civil war, there are many 'fat sheep' nobles who have lost their homes or exiled talents roaming about. This is a once-in-a-century opportunity to strengthen my family!

As someone who has always cherished talent, I planned to see if I could recruit this young mage if I found the time.

After breakfast, relying on my status as the strongest combatant in Kent Town—a 【Glorious】 rank warrior—I conducted inspections (spying) on my two dear sons.

The second son was exceptionally disciplined. He woke up early to handle government affairs and win people over, very much in the style of my younger self.

The eldest son took after my current self more. He also started his morning with a session with a maid.

Though his stamina... tsk tsk...

Sigh, he really can’t even compare to an old man like me, nearly fifty.

With that physical condition, how can he take over for me?

Following that, I had a quiet and boring afternoon.

After briefing a few of my trusted confidants on tonight's script and arrangements, evening arrived.

Latest news came in.

That greedy eldest son of mine actually intended to move against those two outsiders?

He even deployed the Black Tail Gang?

Fine.

I might as well use the eldest’s hand to test the young mage’s depth.

And I heard that little tag-along has some background.

That’s good; people with weaknesses are easier to control.

When the time comes, if this mage is truly worth recruiting, I’ll step in to save him at his most desperate moment. Then I’ll find an excuse—like creating a common external enemy. I think Baron Rox next door would be a good choice. I’ll find a chance to secretly... snip... that tag-along, and then frame Baron Rox.

I’ll bind this young little mage completely to my war chariot!

Jie jie jie!

A perfect plan!

Before that, I had to return to bed to maintain my persona and wait for my two sons' routine 'morning greetings.'

Although it was standard procedure, today might also be a special ceremony before the two of them made their move.

Only the old mage, Ethan, who came with the eldest, looked at me with a slightly strange expression.

There’s no helping it; that’s how old workhorses in a company are.

The slightest movement and they can easily figure out what I, the big boss, want to do. After all, we’ve been in contact for so long; we know each other too well. He probably knows what kind of business I’m about to do even if I just let out a puff of air.

However, he’s a smart man.

During this segment, he played along with the script I wanted, sharing a tacit understanding with me.

Mmm, as expected of a veteran.

If he didn't have this level of skill, he wouldn't have lasted this long; he would have 'graduated' from the baron’s household at age 35.

After this incident, maybe I should give him a raise?

It feels like the last raise was five... or was it six years ago?

Sigh, I’m getting old; I can’t remember things clearly.

After two waves of performances of filial piety, night fell, and the grand play was about to begin.

My two sons began to fight just as I wished.

The treacherous second son even seemed to have secretly made contact with an informant from the Solan Empire and called for backup. Originally, I was a bit worried his strength might be insufficient since most of the power had been recruited by the eldest son, the legal heir.

But now it seems I was worrying unnecessarily.

In comparison, the eldest son is falling a bit short.

He still hasn't noticed the second son’s big move, nor does he seem to have any trump cards of his own. He’s just standing there like an idiot, clashing head-on with the second son.

Sigh, I spoiled the eldest too much in the early years; he’s useless except for his greed.

It feels like the outcome is mostly decided.

Staying at the Lord's Manor is boring anyway. Being older now, I can't stand those frightening scenes where blades draw blood.

So, I decided to slip out for a stroll and inspect the 'public sentiment' in the town’s red-light district.

Then, at the final moment, I’ll head back and save the life of whichever one loses.

After all, they are my sons; even a tiger doesn't eat its cubs.

Truly a perfect plan!

Just then, an urgent report came from my informant: the eldest’s people have moved against that mage!

Furthermore, that mage is unexpectedly strong! He can cast spells instantly! Even old Ethan was startled!

In fact, that mage and the tag-along have actually teamed up with the Solan Empire informant the second son contacted!

Now I have no choice but to go and see!

Besides, I can take the opportunity to contact the Solan Empire informant and see what they’re plotting. After all, a tiny baron like me can’t withstand the tossing and turning of a titan like the Empire...

And so.

I appeared here.

I specifically waited at the exit of the tunnel of the small courtyard where I used to hide Little Lisa as my secret mistress.

Dammit, I don’t know how the second son found out about this courtyard and the tunnel!

I clearly hid it so well!

As expected, the second son is the one who should inherit this house; the younger generation is truly to be feared...

Bang!

Just as I was envisioning the future and lamenting how the new waves surpass the old, a violent sound of a door being kicked open came from behind me.

They’re here!

I instantly retracted my expression, adjusted my stance, and struck my most practiced, most impressive pose.

1, 2, 3...

Three people. That’s right, it should be them!

So, I made a high-spec leap, appearing before them in a cool fashion.

"Yo! Young and powerful mage, it is time for this farce to end. Would you consider serving my Hawthorne fam—"

And then...

I saw the faces of those three people clearly.

According to the intelligence, that cat demi-human should be the Empire’s informant.

That young mage, with black hair and black eyes, exuding an aura that made even me feel a hint of danger, must be the talent I’m looking for. What an extraordinary appearance!

And...

The petite, silver-haired, red-eyed girl being protected behind the mage.

Silver hair... red eyes...

Isn't this the 'deceased person' whose death was officially announced by the Church in the newspapers just two days ago?

What was her name again? Oh!

Lucrezia Sylvania!

It really pays to be me!

Reading the news often and paying attention to world trends is very useful!

See? It’s come in handy!

Wait... what was her name again?!

Boom!

A bolt from the blue struck the top of my skull.

In my mind, the things I’d made an effort to learn—the Church’s crusade, the Solan Empire’s Seventh Legion’s personal expedition, and the fall of the Sylvania Kingdom...

Every scrap of intelligence and data, whether official, hearsay, or bought at a high price.

At this moment, they flashed before my eyes like a revolving lantern.

Finally, they converged into an answer sufficient to achieve the 'family-wide elimination' achievement.

The wind stopped.

But I felt like my heart was about to stop too.

Cold sweat instantly soaked through my expensive hunting gear.

Isn’t this that dead princess?!

Weren’t they in the Sylvania Kingdom’s territory at the far western end of the continent?!

How could they possibly appear here, at the far eastern end of the continent in the Solaris Duchy, in less than a week?!

Even taking the fastest magic airship wouldn’t be this quick, right?!

Should I silence them immediately?

The thought was snuffed out as soon as it emerged.

No... they’ve already made contact with the Empire’s informant...

Dammit! The Empire’s reaction was actually this fast?

Could this be a trap intentionally laid by the Empire?

If the Empire is involved... crossing the entire continent in less than a week isn’t impossible...

Which means...

This is a clash of titans between the Solan Empire and the Holy Light Church?!

Dammit!

Even though I’m far away from the central powers, with a bunch of strong nations from the Virado Federation acting as a buffer between me and the Empire...

But if they wanted to mess with me... I’m just a tiny border baron. How could I possibly block them?!

Even a single fart from them could blast me to death!

Treat them to good food and drink, then report to the Duchy?

No, the Church is the largest sect on the continent!

They’ve already issued an announcement saying the Princess of the Sylvania Kingdom is dead, and even published the autopsy report in the papers!

If you jump out now and say she’s not dead? And that you’re hosting her?

With the temperament of those bald fanatics in the Church, they’d probably just put a little pressure on the Grand Duke of Solaris, and my whole family would be sent to the stake for 'purification'...