I Inherited a Beautiful Wife and a Territory - Chapter 49

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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 049

49. Conversation Between the Duke and the Count

Count Platice brought his two sons to the capital city.

In the process, he learned something.

‘What Baron Elimis said wasn’t a lie after all.’

Cliff’s speculation had been correct.

A chess craze was sweeping through the capital city. And this became a great opportunity for the Platice Count’s family.

Even though Count Platice himself lacked ability, his two sons had become familiar with the game by playing chess with Cliff.

This proved to be of great help.

“I heard the brothers’ skills are quite outstanding.”

“You flatter us.”

“If it’s alright, would the two of them play against me?”

“It would be an honor.”

The ultimate central noble, the Duke, summoned those two.

To be precise, he called them to play matches against his own two sons.

“Count, you have very clever sons. I’m quite envious.”

“How could they compare to Your Grace’s sons? My sons still have a long way to go. In fact, even now the situation seems to favor your young masters.”

“Haha.”

The Duke simply burst into laughter upon hearing those words.

He couldn’t tell if Count Platice was being sincere or if he simply lacked discernment.

“Then let’s leave the children and move to another place, just us.”

The Duke laughed and withdrew his attention from them.

After distancing themselves from their sons, the Duke brought up his earlier comment again.

“Count, you truly have intelligent sons. I’m genuinely envious.”

This time, instead of answering immediately, Count Platice flinched slightly.

There must be a reason why the Duke was saying such things again.

“Hmm. But how could they compare to Your Grace’s bloodline?”

In the end, this was his response.

The Duke let out a bitter smile.

“…Did you instruct your sons in that game just now, Count?”

“I’m not sure what you mean.”

It wasn’t a lie – Count Platice’s expression truly looked confused.

“Then your sons made that judgment on their own. Those two are deliberately losing to my sons right now.”

“What?”

He never expected such an answer from the Duke.

The Duke opened his mouth with a bitter smile.

“It’s truly pathetic. Those two don’t even realize they’re losing.”

After finishing those words, the Duke sighed.

“How can my sons be so foolish… Though I’ve taught them enough to use their words properly, that’s their limit. Perhaps in the next generation, the main family won’t be the same as now.”

To think Duke Aidren would say such things.

Count Platice was flustered. But what he should say now seemed predetermined.

“Even in the next generation, the Prime Minister’s family will remain this country’s greatest house.”

“I know that.”

Such a shameless answer.

“Even if the main family walks the path of decline in the next generation, there will be no house in the next generation capable of surpassing the prestige we’ve already established.”

It was tremendous confidence and pride.

But within it was also the judgment that the House of Aidren would decline in the next generation.

It’s just that what they’ve accomplished is so great that the Duke’s house will remain the greatest family even in the next generation.

“But when those children have children of their own, and those children inherit the generation, today’s game results might be reversed.”

“Hmm. Surely that won’t happen.”

“I think it’s possible. Do you know why?”

The Duke turned his head to look at Count Platice as he asked.

“Because the Platice family was able to embrace a child that the main family could not.”

“…!”

Count Platice’s pupils dilated.

Duke Aidren asked him.

“I heard you recently gained an adopted son.”

“…That’s correct.”

“Congratulations. Through him, the Platice family will fiercely pursue the main family in the next generation. While my sons remain oblivious.”

Count Platice looked at the Duke with wavering eyes.

He never expected the Duke to praise him to this extent.

‘Then why didn’t the Duke embrace that son himself?’

If he thought so highly of him, couldn’t the Duke have taken him in?

But he could understand the answer quickly. The Duke’s house was already the greatest family even without Cliff.

And rather, embracing Cliff might actually undermine that greatest family’s prestige.

‘Rather, because it’s too big and has too many entanglements…’

The Duke’s in-laws would never acknowledge Cliff’s existence.

But the Platice Count’s family had no such concerns. Unlike the Duke’s house that already possessed much and had to protect it, they were in a position where they needed to seize more.

Being in a position to seize meant the brothers could share.

“Use him well. He’ll probably be of great help to you, Count.”

And Cliff already had the Elimis family.

“I shall do so.”

Later, the Count also heard from his two sons.

The stories Cliff had told them about the Duke’s sons, and even the instruction to lose to them rather than win when competing.

“He told us to win against all other nobles, but lose to the young masters.”

Just with this, the Duke’s sons could become arrogant, thinking they had defeated those two strongest opponents.

The Duke’s sons, satisfied with this and returning to swinging their swords. And they would call the Count’s sons close whenever needed.

Growing closer to the Duke’s house was of great help to the Count’s sons. Above all, those two were also from military backgrounds.

“By training together with swords, we should be able to secure positions in the Central Knights Order.”

Count Platice nodded with satisfaction.

The young masters had connections with the Central Army too. By befriending them, the Count’s two sons could naturally enter the Central Army.

Everything was good.

While the Count and his two sons were in the capital city, Cliff spent his time in the Count’s study.

He looked at the three books in front of him.

“None of them are particularly difficult class magic…”

Cliff coveted these three books greatly.

All three were offensive magic that Cliff had lacked until now.

Specifically Magic Missile, Lightning Bolt, and Fireball – the symbol of offensive magic.

‘If only I could learn them, I could finally go around confidently calling myself a mage, but acquisition is slower than I thought.’

Cliff had quickly mastered message magic.

But he still hadn’t fully acquired these three spells. At best, he had become somewhat capable of using Magic Missile.

‘Even so, I’m still far from calling it mastery.’

Magic Missile was the most basic offensive magic.

But even mastering this one took more time than expected. To be precise, activation wasn’t difficult, but hitting the intended target was challenging.

“Baron Elimis.”

The Count’s butler called to Cliff, who was in the Count’s library.

“The Count has returned. He said he wishes to meet with you immediately.”

Cliff stood up upon hearing those words.

He should go meet the Count first.

Count Platice’s face was full of goodwill when they met after a long time.

“Baron Elimis, no, I’ll call you Cliff now. You should call me foster father as well.”

“Thank you. Foster father.”

Count Platice treated Cliff more warmly than expected.

He told him about what happened at the Duke’s mansion.

‘Once again… I’ve received help from our Lord.’

The conversation between Count Platice and the Duke.

Even though he couldn’t hear everything clearly, he understood. The current situation was orchestrated by the Duke. Because of that conversation, Count Platice had come to evaluate him quite highly.

‘Above all, this gentleman and the Platice family’s ambitions lie not here, but in the Central.’

A position in the Central that might even surpass the Duke’s house in the future.

Wouldn’t they be more interested in that than throwing their weight around on this Yusta Peninsula? Unlike them, his own advancement to the Central was blocked because of the Duke’s house.

‘The meaning behind saying the Duke’s house will remain supreme even in the next generation.’

Even in his own generation, he would never go to the Central.

So he wasn’t a competitor to Count Platice or his sons. Rather, the competitors had become the Duke’s sons.

The Duke had subtly instilled in the Count that his existence would be significant in winning that competition.

He really didn’t need to do that.

‘Through this matter, foster father will think that His Grace considers me that deeply.’

Because of such thoughts, he could hold his shoulders high at Count Platice’s house.

Soon he might truly become the Count’s son.

It was an absurd situation. He couldn’t become a son at the Duke’s house, yet Count Platice, with whom he had no connection, regarded him as a son.

“Though it’s late, I should provide somewhat for a son who’s already grown.”

But it was indeed a welcome situation.

Count Platice spoke with a smile.

“You already have an estate, but I’ll separate part of my territory to give you as your manor.”

“If you would give it, I would gladly accept.”

“Well. I’m not sure if you’ll be able to feel joy after receiving that territory.”

Count Platice made a meaningful remark.

As much as he was struggling, he probably thought Cliff would struggle too. He spread a map before Cliff.

“Rule over Edel Village that you visited from now on. Also, from here to here… all these mountains will become your land.”

He pointed to an area wider than expected with his hand.

Of course, within that area, Edel Village was the only actual village.

“But the garrison stationed here will withdraw. As for Edel Village, if anyone wants to leave, we’ll have them accepted into other villages.”

Vast land. But its defense became entirely Cliff’s responsibility.

“We’re currently judging that there are at least two goblin lairs around this area. So… can you handle it?”

Then he asked Cliff as if testing him. Cliff’s answer was predetermined.

“I’ll try.”

“Then from this moment, that place is your manor. You won’t need to pay taxes to the main house separately, and everything that comes from there will be yours.”

The Count’s house treatment was more generous than expected.

Of course, there was a high possibility this was because they thought Cliff would ultimately fail to protect the manor.

‘After the goblins and I fight each other, the Count might be planning to deploy full force to subjugate the weakened goblin lairs afterward.’

Naturally, in that process, he might have to return the manor again.

“And… I heard you looked at magic books while staying at the Count’s house?”

“Yes.”

“Hmm. Have you learned magic?”

Cliff gave a wry smile.

“I’m studying as much as possible. But it’s not going well.”

“I’ll lend it to you if you want. Take it.”

“Thank you.”

It was another unexpected reward.

Though he said he was lending it, even that made him happy.

“So what will you do now?”

“I’ve been away from my estate for too long. When winter comes, the path to my first estate will be blocked, so I’m thinking of returning to my estate before then.”

“Hmm. Then receiving the manor might be delayed a bit.”

“If possible, I’d appreciate it if foster father could take care of it until next spring.”

“Very well. I shall do so.”

Nearly another year had already passed.

It was gradually becoming harvest time everywhere. And Cliff, who returned to his estate at this time, devised a strategy to claim the new places he had gained.

Since Kyuung might have to go, he should first eliminate all threats around his estate.

Kyuaaaang!

Kraaaak!

The last remaining threat he had heard when he first came to his estate.

Giant, Cyclops.

From afar, it seemed like he could hear the sound of Kyuung starting to fight that giant (though he couldn’t really hear it). And while Kyuung fought the giant, he himself.

Awooool!

Came to the mountain where Shadow Wolves lived.

Hades, who came with him, let out a long howling sound.

Awooooool!

Those who responded to that sound from afar revealed themselves.

It was a pack of Shadow Wolves living around this area.

Indeed, to protect the mountain from goblins, he needed even more Shadow Wolf packs than now.

“You guys need to become my doggies too.”

-Skill Domain Declaration

-Skill Intimidation

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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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