I’m a Mother-in-Law, but I Dislike Conflict with My Daughter-in-Law - Chapter 17

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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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I’m a Mother-in-Law, But I Don’t Want Family Conflicts Episode 17

I wasn’t sure if beautiful appearance was their characteristic, but their way of speaking and energy were no different from humans.

“The Count recommended you. He said I could hear candid suggestions about the celebration.”

“Candid… you say?”

“Yes, he seems to highly value your honesty.”

Nata looked conflicted about whether to take it as a compliment or not.

“I want to make this celebration a success. If you give me good ideas, I’ll reward you too.”

I couldn’t give anything grand, but I could probably manage a monetary reward or vacation time.

The Margrave didn’t seem particularly uncomfortable with me, so he would probably grant such a request.

At the mention of a reward, Nata’s eyes became more favorable.

“I think the celebration needs participatory events rather than just delicious food or performances.”

“Events?”

“Yes. Events that soldiers and knights can directly participate in.”

In other words, we needed events they could enjoy together, not just watch performances.

“Dancing… probably not.”

“There are knights who learned sword dance, but no soldiers who learned dancing.”

“Then… something like an arm wrestling competition?”

Perhaps my suggestion was more unexpected than anticipated, as Nata’s eyes widened.

“They would probably like that kind of event.”

“Hmm.”

‘Events that encourage competition would be good.’

I recalled the soldiers who were wrestling at the training ground earlier. Though a bit rough, competitive events seemed more suitable for them.

‘Arm wrestling is too ordinary. Since this is a ducal house, it should have some dignity too.’

A competitive event that maintains proper formality, is spectacular, and that soldiers would enjoy.

“What about sparring? Like a martial arts tournament.”

At my question, Nata shook her head without a moment’s hesitation.

“No, that’s good. They’re actually eager for such opportunities.”

“Don’t they spar often?”

“Sparring with an audience is different. This is a place where only those most confident in their skills gather. They’ll want to show off.”

Nata assured me they would come running with swords the moment a stage was set for them.

‘A martial arts tournament, that does sound entertaining.’

Something was still lacking. Entertainment value, perhaps, or spectacle.

Since this was a celebration hosted by the ducal house, I wanted to hold an event that would be memorable for the participants.

While I was pondering what that could be, Nata muttered with a sigh.

“I wouldn’t be able to participate.”

“Huh? Why not?”

I hadn’t planned to restrict participation to just soldiers and knights. At my puzzled response, Nata trailed off with a complicated expression.

“…My face is the problem.”

“Ah.”

“They won’t fight with full strength.”

It was a short answer, but Anna and I could immediately understand the cause of the problem.

Nata possessed beauty rivaling Helene, who was called the flower of the Western Social Circle.

Being distracted by her face and unable to perform at full strength… there would probably be some who would make such pathetic-sounding excuses.

Perhaps feeling sorry for her earlier mistake, Anna asked carefully with consolation in her voice.

“Because of your appearance… are there many uncomfortable situations?”

“It’s not entirely bad. Sometimes I use honey traps on enemies.”

“H-honey traps? You actually use those?”

To Anna’s flustered reaction, Nata instead furrowed her brow as if wondering why she was so surprised.

“I can do anything to win. My allies’ victory and lives are more precious than my pride.”

It seemed that Nata’s chivalry was different from that of ordinary knights.

To her, beauty was cumbersome, but at the same time, it was also a symbol of her spirit to use anything for victory.

That aside, I never knew they actually used such classic methods as honey traps.

‘No wait, come to think of it, this is a classic world.’

Considering the era, perhaps I’m the one who’s old-fashioned.

‘…Huh? Wait, she can’t fight well because of her face?’

Come to think of it, holding a martial arts tournament among people who knew each other would create quite a few uncomfortable situations.

If one’s direct superior appeared as an opponent, or if they had to fight someone they had feelings for, wouldn’t they be unable to display their true strength?

Not just Nata, but other participants would probably have their own troubles too.

‘Then they just need to cover their faces.’

A brilliant title flashed through my mind.

A variety show where people compete in skills while hiding each other’s identities.

A competition program that brings laughter with flashy masks and costumes that dress up the body to an uncomfortable degree, along with ridiculous nicknames.

“How about a masked… I mean, a masked martial arts tournament?”

To Anna and Nata who asked what that was, I slowly explained about the masked martial arts tournament.

By the time my explanation was finished, Nata grasped my hands with the brightest face I’d ever seen from her. Perhaps because she was a fairy, I could feel strange magic power from her fingertips.

“P-please! You must hold it! I want to prove my skills too!”

Seeing her reaction, I had a gut feeling that the celebration would be interesting.

After that, the Margrave, having finished his business, joined the conversation.

I explained the masked… no, masked martial arts tournament plan to the Margrave in detail.

Though he was initially flustered, he soon felt it was a fresh approach and readily agreed.

“That sounds interesting. Fighting while wearing masks and stage costumes would be uncomfortable, but it’s part of the event anyway… at least it won’t look as barbaric as what we did at the training ground.”

Such tournaments are more fun when they’re a bit barbaric and sweaty, but I didn’t bother adding that comment.

The Margrave already thought of me as a strange person, so I figured I should watch my words.

While making detailed plans, we received training weapons and first aid kits from the Duke’s Garden, and borrowed several soldiers to prepare the tournament venue.

“Then Nata, go gather some free hands to help with the work.”

“Yes!”

Nata answered energetically, saluted the Margrave, bowed to me, and left the dining hall. Perhaps quite excited, her steps were quick and light, different from when she had entered.

“I didn’t know she would be so happy about it.”

“Hmm, as soon as I heard about the masked martial arts tournament, I thought it was a perfect event for Nata. I was impressed by the Madam’s insight.”

‘Rather than my insight, it’s more like Korean variety show writers have amazing planning skills.’

Since he wouldn’t understand if I explained, I simply smiled softly in response.

“After all, Nata is of a different race, and her outstanding appearance has made it difficult for her to cooperate with other knights. I hope this opportunity will help her open up a bit.”

“Was it that much of a problem?”

Seeing even the Commander mention cooperation, it seemed Nata’s life as a knight wasn’t going smoothly.

“Yes, the army is somewhat… a rigid organization. It’s tough for someone with individuality to survive. But if you try to change that, it creates problems with unity.”

If I had been living in modern times, I would have found it hard to agree, but considering the era, it was something I had to accept. There’s no way equality and freedom would work in a class-based society.

“With her discharge date approaching, she’ll need to find a lord to serve… I’m worried.”

“Discharge? Do knights get discharged too?”

I’d heard of soldiers being discharged, but weren’t knights career positions? As if familiar with such questions, he explained the knight system step by step.

“Usually knights swear lifelong loyalty to their master, but Nata’s case is different. Their position was granted by a master, but when someone like Nata rises to knighthood through military honor, they become free knights after discharge.”

In this era, knights without masters were called free knights, but despite the name, they were essentially wanderers. A knight’s position only had effect when they had a master.

“So they either find a lord to serve, or continue their service…”

“You hope Sir Nata will go out to find a lord.”

“Yes.”

The Margrave nodded with a bitter expression. It wasn’t that he disliked Nata. Rather, he was probably thinking of her future.

“How is Sir Nata’s skill?”

“Excellent. In terms of personal combat alone, she’s among the top fighters.”

The Margrave’s army was rumored to be the most powerful force in the Western Region.

If she had outstanding skills there but still couldn’t gain recognition from her comrades, it was understandably frustrating.

“Anyway, understood. I’ll tell my subordinates to look forward to the celebration. The schedule is next weekend, correct?”

“Yes. Please also select the participants.”

Preparing food wouldn’t be difficult, and I already had ideas for the costumes.

With the conversation ending smoothly, Anna and I left the dining hall and headed toward the entrance of the military camp.

“Anna, could you call for a carriage again?”

“Yes!”

“Hmm? Don’t you have a carriage?”

The Margrave, who had said he was returning to work, tilted his head after hearing Anna and my conversation.

Since it would be bothersome to explain the complicated situation, I glossed over it vaguely.

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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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