CHAPTER 293: THERE'S NO GOING BACK

After giving orders to the Rosicrucian Order and coming outside, Ethan immediately sought out Baron Hendan.

There was no reason to stay in the Rimu territory any longer.

“I’m counting on you, Baron Hendan.”

“Of course. I will quickly repair the damage from this incident and restore things to their original state as soon as possible! Thank you so much, Count Ethan.”

“And this is about future matters.”

Ethan talked about the plans for after being incorporated into Count Whiskers’ territory.

It was about opening a branch of Ethan’s workshop here. Baron Hendan was also very well aware of this Ethan workshop.

Once it’s established, the Rimu territory will grow much larger than it is now.

“If, if this happens, the Rimu territory will become a major territory.”

“That’s a very objective fact. I’d like many others to know this fact as well.”

Baron Hendan grinned at Ethan’s words. It was quite interesting to see him laughing after crying.

“Every lord near our Rimu territory will know about it. And soon they’ll forget. That this place was once Marquis Dren’s territory.”

Having finished his business in the Rimu territory, Ethan immediately prepared to leave. His destination was the Whiskers territory.

“Count Ethan!”

“Long live our new lord!”

Ethan received a grand send-off from the territory’s residents as he left the Rimu territory behind.

After Ethan had left.

Baron Hendan received a report from his subordinate.

“Lord Wilas has returned.”

“And?”

“The unstable situation in the marquis’ territory…”

“I’ve already made up my mind. The count came here in person, but Lord Wilas isn’t here right now. It’s clear who we should follow.”

Baron Hendan grabbed his subordinate’s shoulder.

“Later on, you’ll cheer for my choice. Don’t worry.”

***

“It’s completely Count Whiskers’ territory itself now. Who would think this place was once under Marquis Dren’s influence? As expected of the count.”

“That’s because I reached out a hand when things were toughest. People tend to remember those who helped them in difficult times.”

Ethan said with a smile.

“That’s why I still remember you carrying me on your back despite the risk of fecal poisoning, Schudlen.”

“…!”

Schudlen looked at Ethan with a moved expression.

“Please get on. I’ll carry you back!”

“If you don’t go fast enough, I’ll get off.”

“Yes!”

***

Marquis Dren’s territory.

“Everything’s already gone wrong. Grandfather will decide the successor. There’s no point in us fighting amongst ourselves.”

“No.”

Hera said.

“I’ve already found a partner to go with me to that position.”

In front of Hera was her older sister, the third child of the marquis family, Lydia Dren.

“Who is it?”

“It’s Lord Ethan Whiskers.”

“Are you crazy? Do you think that makes sense? Count Ethan Whiskers will soon die. Grandfather is already moving his followers! Do you think Count Whiskers can withstand that when Grandfather is determined to act? The Imperial Princess or even His Holiness the Pope will eventually side with Grandfather. It’s already over. Besides, have you forgotten? Ethan Whiskers is the one who killed Father!” ṛÅɴőBƐs̈

“No, I believe. Rather, this is an opportunity. Because the other brothers will give up like you, sister, due to Grandfather’s appearance. They’ll do foolish things trying to look good to Grandfather somehow.”

“…”

It was an absurd situation.

However, Hera’s expression was serious. There was not a hint of falsehood in that expression.

Seeing this, the third sister Lydia sighed loudly as if to be heard.

Hera recalled Ethan’s image.

If he dies at the hands of Wilas as her sister said, the subsequent risks would be too great to handle.

However, she believed in Ethan. No, to be precise, she believed in the impossible path he had walked.

“So now is the chance.”

“Then why don’t you seize that opportunity alone? Why come to me?”

“Because you have something the other brothers don’t. Just like me.”

“What’s that?”

“Ambition.”

“…”

Lydia fell silent at the rather direct words.

“You’re the third, I’m the youngest. We don’t have what the two older brothers have. That’s why we’re even hungrier. Because we don’t have it, even more so. Father’s death is sad, but this incident has created an opportunity for us to leap forward. You have that coldness.”

“Is that all the reason?”

“And you also have something I don’t. I know about what you’ve secretly accumulated. And… I felt like we would communicate well.”

Lydia sighed again at Hera’s honest answer.

Her head started to ache. Hera’s words were tempting. But in the current situation, even a slightly wrong choice could mean the end of everything.

In short, the risk was too great.

“Huh.”

However, throughout her life so far, she had always chosen to avoid risks that could be avoided if possible.

Even in situations where she could have gained a lot, thinking about the risks meant she had never satisfactorily gained anything.

“And you said it, didn’t you? That he’s the one who killed Father? If Lord Ethan hadn’t done it, I would have done it later. Because he was someone who turned a blind eye without even blinking when my brothers tried to kill me.”

Lydia, who had been pondering for a moment, stood up from her seat.

Is this the meaning of a failed negotiation?

Hera was about to bring out Plan B immediately.

But that was only for a moment.

“I’d like to hear about your detailed plans.”

***

“With this, we’ve gained power. If necessary, we could proceed with the work even without Count Ethan. Secretly, that is.”

“No, we shouldn’t entertain such thoughts. The reason he told me to form an alliance with you, Sister, wasn’t just to give me, who lacks a foundation, some power.”

Hera shook her head.

“Sister is insurance for Count Ethan. If I ever have any foolish ideas, you’ll be the one raised to the rank of marquis to run the Dren family in my place.”

“N-No way… No matter how great Count Ethan is, he couldn’t have thought that far…”

“No, I’m sure of it. No matter how I think about it, that’s the only reason that comes to mind. So there’s no need to go against this flow unnecessarily. It’s too risky.”

Even if she gets less.

Even if she doesn’t become the head, it’s fine.

“It’s better than losing everything. Count Ethan probably knows all of this thinking too. Since my options are limited.”

Hera sighed.

“He probably knows what choices I’ll make. Well, should I be happy that he trusts me to make smart choices, or should I be angry that my pride is hurt because I’m moving like a puppet?”

But Hera didn’t feel too bad.

“My lady, we will follow your will. Whatever choice you make.”

“Is that so? Then I guess I should be happy about being highly valued.”

Hera said.

“You chose me when I had nothing. Now you all should live with your heads held high. Especially those with children.”

It wasn’t a long life.

But it wasn’t short either, so Hera knew the fear of excessive greed.

“We’re riding the flow.”

***

Count Whiskers’ territory.

Upon returning, Ethan first encountered an unexpected visitor waiting for him in the count’s territory.

“You seem busy, Ethan Whiskers.”

“It’s an honor to meet you, Marquis Wilas Dren.”

Wilas Dren was sitting face to face with Count Whiskers, having a conversation.

Wilas, who instantly scanned Ethan from head to toe, smiled slightly.

“Could you vacate the seat for a moment, Count Whiskers?”

“My son is young and a bit hot-blooded. Please be generous.”

“Of course.”

As Count Whiskers vacated his seat, Ethan naturally sat down in that place.

“First, I deeply regret the trouble that occurred recently. I never expected Marquis Dren to end up like that. There was some commotion, but I received appropriate compensation through negotiations with your children, so I don’t wish to discuss that matter any further.”

Ethan was quite polite.

Wilas Dren realized from Ethan’s attitude that he was completely different from what he had imagined.

He is certainly young.

Moreover, given his life of continuous success, it would be normal for his shoulders to be naturally tense.

But he was very ordinary.

He spoke ordinarily and moved ordinarily.

Even Wilas’s retainer, who was present, frowned slightly at Ethan’s ordinary impression, which was completely different from what they had expected. Ethan Whiskers, as they had heard through reports, shouldn’t have such an ordinary appearance.

In other words, it meant that Marquis Dren had been defeated by this ordinary Ethan Whiskers.

Although Marquis Dren wasn’t as excellent as his father Wilas, he was nearly as good.

That’s why Wilas had judged him capable and handed over the position to retire.

While the retainer was frowning, Wilas focused on Ethan’s ordinariness.

And he realized. This is intentional ordinariness. The eyes, the movements, and even the words.

Wilas had received reports and fully understood how this incident had unfolded.

Both Ethan and Wilas know this fact.

He could have been as aggressive as he wanted. The justification is on Ethan’s side. Moreover, he has powerful shields like Imperial Princess Evangeline and the Pope.

Deep calculations.

Deep, deep calculations that seem impossible for his young age.

“Do you want to become one of the Twelve Families?”

Such a thought suddenly occurred to him.

“The Whiskers, a small noble family in the provinces. Do you think you can suppress our Dren, with its long history and power, and become one of the Twelve Families?”

At Wilas’s words, Wilas’s guards flinched. It was because a powerful aura was emanating from Wilas.

Wilas was quietly angry.

He could understand that Ethan’s capacity was large.

But he couldn’t help but feel deeply humiliated by that behavior which seemed to look down on the great Twelve Families, the Dren family.

It was beyond humiliation, it was an insult.

“You seem to have underestimated us.”

“I’m not sure what you mean.”

Ethan said with an embarrassed expression.

“How could our family dare to reach the Twelve Families? Our territory is still small, and our history isn’t that long yet.”

“…”

Wilas sighed deeply.

“Let’s stop with the trivial talk. I heard that Yusta made a big mistake with you, so I came to sort it out. I heard my grandson gave away part of the territory as compensation because of that?”

“Yes, I received compensation, so I have no intention of making an issue of it anymore. Especially since you’ve suffered an unfortunate incident.”

“I’ll need to take back that compensation.”

“I received it legitimately. As compensation. I could return it, but then we’d have to talk again. About how Marquis Dren tried to kill me.”

“We’ve already settled our accounts. Rather, the calculation has changed. You took too much. I intend to take it back. No, rather.”

Wilas said.

“We should be the ones receiving compensation. I don’t need Whiskers’ land.”

Wilas slowly stood up from his seat.

“He was an incompetent son, but still my son. I’m not someone who just sits still after being wronged. Whoever the culprit is, whoever is behind it, I intend to deal with it decisively.”

“Of course, you should. You absolutely should.”

Ethan nodded, looking at him.

“Revenge should be certain. Especially if it’s related to family, absolutely. If my father or grandfather had been wronged like that, I wouldn’t have stayed still either.”

***

After finishing his private meeting with Ethan, Wilas immediately left the Whiskers’ castle.

“He was an ordinary man. Completely different from the content we received in the report. There’s a possibility that it wasn’t a proper report.”

“No, it’s certain. It’s exactly as we received in the report. His calculations are deep and nasty. He prepared and struck in advance. He must have seen right through Yusta’s psychology. Considering that he took such a big risk and acted when he’s not the type to act recklessly.”

Wilas frowned.

“He must have been afraid. He might not have known it himself, but still.”

“Are you saying he’s that great of a man?”

“Ritten.”

“Yes, sir.”

Ritten, Wilas Dren’s retainer and personal guard, was still skeptical about Ethan. Therefore, he found it very strange that Wilas was evaluating him so highly.

If he had seen him directly, he would have judged everything about him to be false.

“How were the great people you’ve seen so far?”

“There were those who lived up to expectations, but also those who didn’t.”

“Then was there anyone among them who was ordinary?”

“…”

At Wilas’s words, Ritten slowly opened his mouth.

“…There were those who fell short of expectations, but not a single one who was ordinary.”

“That’s it. Those who have reached their orbit can never be ordinary. Because there’s something that naturally flows out. But Ethan Whiskers was ordinary. He seemed ordinary.”

He meant it was intentional ordinariness. Instantly, goosebumps spread across Ritten’s back.

“It means he’s reached a level where he can control how he appears to others. It would be very helpful if you thought like that. What easier prey is there than someone who can’t properly judge their opponent?”

“I apologize, sir.”

Ritten turned around for a moment. He could see the lord’s castle where they had just been.

To control the situation and thoughts as he wishes.

“I can understand Yusta’s decision to some extent. Someone like that would have come prepared to meet him.”

Wilas sighed deeply. At the same time, someone appeared in the empty space where no one had been before.

“Sir, I report. As you said, Hecate’s granddaughter is definitely under Ethan Whiskers. This incident doesn’t seem to be simply about the Count Whiskers family trying to expand.”

Wilas had ordered a separate investigation after hearing from his grandchildren that there was revenge involved in this incident.

“Hecate.”

Wilas recalled that stubborn magician.

The continent’s divinity that Yusta had wanted to possess.

In the end, things went wrong and they made Hecate a continental criminal along with other Twelve Families.

Wilas had also used a lot of power in that process.

“So that’s how things have turned out.”

Wilas summoned all his retainers.

“We have a place to go. To deal with the backing that’s protecting that young man, we need to pay a visit after a long time.”

“Yes, I’ll prepare right away! Where are we going?”

“Felix, Ramsdale, Yellowd.”

These were Twelve Families houses belonging to the Holy Empire.

“Let’s go there.”

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