I Inherited a Beautiful Wife and a Territory - Chapter 107

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Inheriting a Beautiful Wife and Estate Episode 107

 

107. Conclusion

 

“Wh-what does that mean…?”

 

The moment he received the report of Mabel’s death.

 

Trembling words came from Rusten’s mouth. Until just moments ago, he thought everything was going smoothly.

 

Meanwhile, the messenger continued reporting the details to Cliff.

 

“It seems Count Olten knew about Lord Mabel’s plan in advance and set a trap.”

 

That wasn’t all.

 

“It appears… there was a spy of Count Olten among Lord Mabel’s people.”

 

This was information that even Cliff was completely unaware of.

 

There were still Dark Elves monitoring Serpal. But their numbers were inevitably few.

 

Since even the Elimis Merchant Guild had withdrawn from Serpal, there were also insufficient people to help the Dark Elves.

 

‘Did this problem arise because I withdrew everyone except the bare minimum?’

 

Cliff’s expression became complicated. On the other hand, Baron Stela nodded as if he knew something.

 

“…I knew Count Olten and Lord Mabel were plotting something together, but this must have been it.”

 

Baron Stela was the one who had dealt with those two nobles from the closest position.

 

He certainly had more information about the two than Cliff did. And Baron Stela also anticipated the Serpal Family’s response that would follow.

 

“Count Olten is fundamentally a diplomatic person. If his position has become secure anyway, he won’t try to fight with Your Grace any longer.”

 

Of course, there were exceptions.

 

Baron Stela still remained. But many had already seen that Baron Stela’s territory was seized by Cliff’s army.

 

It was only a matter of time before that news would reach Serpal as well.

 

‘Since Lord Mabel caused trouble knowing our movements in the first place… Count Olten must also know the situation here.’

 

Baron Stela frowned upon realizing this fact.

 

Before he knew it, he was angry at the two nobles of Serpal. In conclusion, it meant both of them knew about Cliff’s surprise attack on Stela territory.

 

‘And yet neither of them gave me any hint?’

 

Mabel might have done that.

 

But if Olten was planning to stab that Mabel in the back, he should have given Baron Stela a hint.

 

But the reason he didn’t do so was one thing.

 

‘He thought I would die at the Grand Duke’s hands.’

 

And he probably planned to pin all the blame on the Stela Family.

 

Baron Stela’s face hardened as he thought that far.

 

“…He’s truly a sinister person.”

 

The harsh words came out naturally.

 

And Keren, who was nearby, picked up on Baron Stela’s words.

 

“Olten is a person who’s difficult to trust. All the people of the Serpal Family are different on the outside and inside, but among them, Olten is probably the worst.”

 

Depending on how you heard it, it was a statement filled with deep-rooted distrust toward Serpal.

 

‘He’s probably actually like that.’

 

A quiet chuckle escaped.

 

Keren’s consistent attitude was amusing. It also reminded him of Count Platice from the past.

 

Befitting the Count’s closest aide, they resembled each other greatly.

 

“It’s difficult to lump everyone together like that, but you must not trust someone like Count Olten.”

 

Baron Stela argued strongly.

 

And Rusten said something similar.

 

“That’s right, Your Grace. Count Olten is someone who would betray Your Grace and the principality anytime an opportunity arose!”

 

While listening to his words, he thought.

 

In other words, wouldn’t that mean he’d be most trustworthy as long as you didn’t give him that opportunity?

 

But he didn’t voice this thought.

 

‘I’ll have to meet him and judge for myself.’

 

A person who had already gotten on the bad side of Keren, Baron Stela, and Rusten.

 

Several people hated him. That was the biggest problem.

 

Still, there was something valuable.

 

Olten, who came earlier than expected.

 

What he said was this.

 

“Everyone probably told Your Grace that you shouldn’t trust this humble person. But this is because of the duty I was assigned.”

 

“…?”

 

“I have been in charge of Serpal’s external relations all this time. Do you… know about diplomacy?”

 

A question Olten came directly to ask Cliff.

 

He first looked around to see who was around Cliff. He was also surprised to see that Baron Stela was still alive.

 

He also confirmed the faces of Rusten, Keren, and others.

 

‘The gazes directed at me aren’t kind.’

 

It was an unavoidable part.

 

Olten accepted this. He also anticipated what Cliff might have heard from them.

 

That’s why he was asking about it.

 

‘Diplomacy…’

 

Cliff muttered what he had said.

 

Diplomacy.

 

It was certainly true that he had been in charge of Serpal’s external relations. And through this, he was trying to navigate through this crisis.

 

One thing was certain for now.

 

‘He’s very good with words.’

 

He could already see why everyone around him said not to trust him.

 

“That’s what diplomacy is like. If you’re on good terms with this person, you’ll have bad relations with that person.”

 

A story he knew all too well.

 

The enemy of my enemy is my friend.

 

Cliff had grown close to Count Platice through exactly this strategy.

 

‘Of course, I just casually listened to the Count’s gossip and threw in some responses here and there.’

 

Just that alone had brought him close to Count Platice.

 

Of course, that wasn’t the entire reason. Count Platice was aiming for central advancement at the time.

 

So he originally had the intention of becoming friendly with someone like himself who came from the capital.

 

‘People who became friends because they had reasons to become friends. But…’

 

An example of what Olten was saying now was very close at hand.

 

Olten happened to mention this.

 

“Just like how it was between the main house and Your Grace.”

 

Exactly the conflict between the Elimis Family and the Serpal Family.

 

At first, it was a proxy war. And then the Serpal Family mobilized the Shadowguards to directly target Cliff.

 

“That’s why.”

 

Olten opened his mouth.

 

“As the person responsible for the main house’s external relations, I can neither become friends with anyone, nor can I become enemies.”

 

Such words came to mind.

 

‘No eternal enemies, no eternal allies?’

 

Olten opened his mouth with a benevolent expression.

 

At this moment, he looked very much like a good person.

 

“I hope you can understand my circumstances. This got distorted and everyone says about me… that I’m the most sinister and untrustworthy person in Serpal.”

 

If that were really true, could he have been put in charge of overall diplomacy?

 

Wouldn’t the head of the Shadowguards have been more fitting?

 

‘He might have actually been the head of the Shadowguards.’

 

That’s why he had noticed Mabel’s thoughts.

 

Of course, right now this was all speculation happening in Cliff’s head. No truth had been confirmed yet.

 

Cliff smiled.

 

“That must have been difficult.”

 

Cliff’s casual remark.

 

It was a tone that thoroughly treated him as a subordinate. Old Olton should have frowned at this, but there wasn’t even a hint of such reaction.

 

‘There’s no change in the aura he gives off either.’

 

A person with ability.

 

And the person currently controlling Serpal.

 

From that perspective, he was quite remarkable indeed.

 

‘He came out on his own and sought me out directly.’

 

Olton hadn’t remained in Serpal waiting for him.

 

He had come directly to the Stella Family where Cliff was. In fact, this was exactly what Baron Stella and others had predicted.

 

But he hadn’t really expected it to happen.

 

‘He must have clearly known this place was dangerous.’

 

Cliff looked at Olton with curious eyes.

 

He seemed to be quite the capable person.

 

Anyone else might have been deceived. Cliff opened his mouth.

 

“Serpal has been experiencing chaos for a long time without its lord being decided?”

 

“Heh heh heh. It’s shameful.”

 

Olton spoke with just a good-natured laugh.

 

However, separate from this, Olton’s emotions became most serious now.

 

‘This is the important part.’

 

He felt relieved.

 

That was Olton’s thought.

 

What this statement meant was obvious. It meant Cliff would directly appoint his own person to Serpal.

 

Olton’s gaze lightly touched on Rusten before falling away.

 

‘It’ll probably be that boy.’

 

If Cliff made this decision, the long succession struggle of Serpal would also come to an end.

 

Cliff was already the lord and conqueror of Serpal.

 

His decision took precedence over all the struggles thus far. But that was fine.

 

After all, he was someone who would leave Serpal and return to Elimis.

 

‘I can’t eliminate his influence, but I already control all of Serpal.’

 

He needed to send Cliff away quickly.

 

After that, he would make Rusten into a puppet and control Serpal. Unlike Mabel, Olton was confident he could handle young Rusten easily enough.

 

That thought didn’t disappear even during the following conversation.

 

“Rusten Serphal.”

 

“Yes, Your Grace.”

 

At Cliff’s call, Rusten, who had been glaring at Olton nearby, also came closer.

 

A face complicated in various ways.

 

Cliff had him stand and said.

 

“I’m thinking of installing Count Rusten as the next lord of Serpal, and I’d like to hear the thoughts of Count Olten, an elder of Serpal.”

 

On the surface, he was asking. But the answer was already decided.

 

Olton smiled.

 

“How could I raise objections to Your Grace’s judgment in this duchy’s land? I, as well as all nobles of Serpal, will serve and follow the lord Your Grace appoints.”

 

That wasn’t all he had to say.

 

Then Olton rose from his seat.

 

And immediately bowed his head toward Rusten right there.

 

“I greet the lord of Serpal. This old man will assist with all sincerity if my lord can govern Serpal righteously.”

 

“…!”

 

Just these words shook Rusten’s expression.

 

‘Easy.’

 

Olton noticed this and smiled triumphantly to himself.

 

Just moments ago, Rusten had been glaring at Olton with hostile eyes. But when Olton actually bowed his head to him, that hostility subsided.

 

Instead, he helped Olton up with a flustered expression.

 

“H-how can an elder of the family bow his head like this? Please raise your head.”

 

“How could I do otherwise? This seat is no longer my position either. From now on, Your Grace should speak to my lord about matters concerning Serpal. I will merely assist the lord and follow his commands.”

 

A perfect declaration of surrender.

 

Cliff slightly closed his eyes.

 

‘It’s over.’

 

The nerve war between Serpal and himself had lasted quite a long time.

 

First, the attacks on his estate through neighboring territories and mercenary companies, sending spies, and even sending Shadowguards to attempt assassination.

 

‘Everything was Serpal’s doing.’

 

These people were always behind it.

 

Back then, the Serphal Family was a big shot that Cliff couldn’t easily touch.

 

But now it was different.

 

“…Then shall we settle it like this?”

 

Cliff smiled as he wrapped up the conversation.

 

It was really all over.

 

‘The judgment that he couldn’t be trusted was right after all.’

 

That judgment about him.

 

Olton thought everything had gone well.

 

Even if it wasn’t the best scenario, he had at least preserved his life. And his influence would remain as well.

 

‘Since I’ve dealt with the troublesome ones this time, even if there’s a separate lord, this Serpal will….’

 

That’s what he was thinking to himself.

 

“Gah. Cough. Wh-who…?”

 

He was startled by the feeling of something wrapping around his neck.

 

It was a shadow.

 

A shadow was strangling his neck. He couldn’t even see the beast. But he could realize.

 

‘He deceived me!’

 

Cliff had no intention of letting him live.

 

However, he couldn’t feel wronged about being deceived. He too had no real intention of truly following Cliff.

 

After his breath was cut off like that.

 

-Quest has been completed

 

Only then did the quest completion notification appear before Cliff’s eyes.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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