In This Life, I Will Be The Lord - Chapter 140

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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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This Life, I Will Become the Clan Head Episode 140

Whoooosh—.

“What kind of rain is this…?”

Violet muttered while looking up at the sky that was pouring down such an enormous amount of rain that she could barely see ahead.

But even her voice was drowned out by the loud sound of rain.

The sun was blocked by pitch-black storm clouds, making the surroundings dim.

Violet stood on the balcony of a tall building with long eaves, looking down at the interior of Aivan Castle, which was modest beyond comparison to Lombardy.

People covering their heads and running around, people struggling to bring livestock that were crying in protest into their homes.

Even though the rainy season came every year, everyone looked flustered by this unprecedented torrential downpour.

‘High rainfall creates a high risk of landslides centered around the logging site.’

This was what Violet had told the Aivan patriarch yesterday morning.

Of course, she hadn’t just prophesied future events like fortune-telling.

She had also handed over research results from a geologist who had been of great help since the diamond mine, along with a letter from a mountain keeper who had watched over Aivan Estate’s logging site for decades.

In particular, the mountain keeper had already reported the urgency of the situation, saying that a small outer hill had collapsed a few days ago, even before the rainy season had begun in earnest.

“There’s nothing wrong with preparing in advance.”

Fortunately, the Aivan patriarch wasn’t a completely stubborn person.

He understood well how dangerous it was for landslides to occur in an unprepared state, and how much time and resources it would take to recover from them.

He also began making simple preparations immediately, considering that they had recently logged a considerable amount of trees.

The plan was to seal each castle gate to block traffic on mountain paths until the rain subsided, and to withdraw personnel from logging sites deep in the mountains.

“I hope nothing happens…”

Even if it meant her position of warning the Aivan patriarch of danger would become somewhat embarrassing, she hoped there would be no landslides.

But the worry didn’t fade from Violet’s eyes as she looked at the high mountains characteristic of the northern region.

“There will be a landslide, Violet. When the rainy season begins, you must inform the Aivan patriarch of that danger.”

That voice speaking to her on the day she left for the north was still clear in her ears.

‘Lady Pirenthia’s words have never been wrong.’

And paradoxically, that fact was making Violet even more anxious.

“Open the gate, I say!”

Just then, a loud voice came through the sound of rain.

It was from the direction of the castle gate guard post that had been closed a little while ago.

“I am Perdic Angenas! The patriarch of the great Angenas Family! How dare anyone block my way!”

Violet frowned and went out into the street with an umbrella.

The argument was still continuing even when she arrived in front of the guards.

“Are you the guard captain!”

Perdic Angenas asked accusingly to a man who had just come out of the building.

“What is the matter?”

“Open this castle gate immediately!”

“It was sealed by order of Lord Aivan. We cannot open the gate until there are other instructions.”

“Do you know who I am! I am the father of the Empress and the patriarch of Angenas! I must leave this castle to carry out the Empress’s orders, so open the gate!”

When the word ‘Empress’ came up, the guard captain hesitated.

And he spoke in a much softer voice.

“The gate was closed because of the high possibility of landslides due to the rain. If you go out now, it will be dangerous…”

“I’ll take care of myself! Open the gate immediately!”

The guard captain frowned and shook his head repeatedly.

He seemed to no longer want to deal with the high-handed attitude of the Angenas patriarch.

“If you insist that much…”

At this rate, the guard captain really seemed about to open the gate.

Violet, who had been watching, quickly stepped between the two men.

“It’s dangerous to go out now, Lord Angenas.”

“…Who are you.”

Perdic Angenas looked Violet up and down as he asked.

“I am Violet, the manager of Pellet Trading Company. Not only are there landslides, but it’s raining too heavily, making it dangerous to travel the rough mountain roads. So please stay safely inside the castle for now…”

“Violet? That commoner wench from Pellet Trading Company?”

Perdic Angenas muttered with contemptuous eyes at Violet, who had approached with a kind smile.

And then he burst into anger.

“How dare a mere commoner speak to me? Just because you have Pellet Trading Company backing you, you don’t know your place…! Oh ho.”

In the middle of speaking, the Angenas patriarch narrowed his eyes as if realizing something.

And he stepped forward and roughly pushed Violet’s shoulder.

“You knew I was going to the logging site and blocked my way?”

“That’s not it. It’s really dangerous outside…”

Violet staggered but tried to explain properly, but Perdic Angenas wouldn’t listen.

“Do you think I’ll let you monopolize Triva timber like this?”

The Angenas patriarch who said this glared at the guard captain again.

“What are you waiting for instead of opening it!”

“…Open it for him.”

The Captain of Aivan’s Guards spoke to his subordinate with annoyed eyes.

Having seen with his own eyes how brutally he spoke ill of those trying to stop him, there was no longer any reason to prevent him.

Although it was a gate closure order from the Aivan patriarch, since this side was invoking the ‘Empress,’ the guard captain no longer wanted to get involved.

Eventually the closed gate slowly opened, and Perdic Angenas, after giving Violet one last venomous glare, got back into his carriage.

“Let’s go!”

When he shouted loudly, the coachman with a reluctant face struck the horse’s back.

Clatter, clatter.

Watching the back of the Angenas carriage disappearing through the gray curtain of rain, Violet once again recalled that voice that had spoken to her.

“There will be a landslide, Violet.”

* * *

“A landslide. How serious must it be to send an urgent letter?”

Yobanes asked, half-rising from his seat.

“That, that is… According to the letter sent by the Aivan patriarch, many major trade routes have been cut off, and small mountain villages around the logging site have collapsed. Even part of Aivan Castle’s walls have crumbled…”

“My word!”

“This is terrible!”

The nobles who had been listening exclaimed in dismay.

Yobanes was no different.

He brought his wine cup to his lips repeatedly while clicking his tongue several times.

Then Rulak, who was sitting in the front row of the left faction listening to the report, asked the Emperor.

“Your Majesty, how many casualties were there?”

“Casualties? Ah… right. What did the Aivan patriarch say?”

Yobanes, finally realizing his duty as emperor, asked the aide who had come to report.

“The letter from the Aivan family didn’t mention casualties…”

The flustered aide handed the red paper in his hand to Yobanes.

The Emperor who received it also skimmed through the contents, but there really was no mention of casualties.

“Other families are also sending communications, so I’ll compile them and report to you soon, Your Majesty.”

“Yes, hurry.”

The aide hurriedly left the meeting room, and the murmuring of the remaining nobles grew even louder.

“Deputy Lord Aivan, come this way.”

The Deputy Lord Aivan, who had been standing with a stern expression, walked toward Yobanes.

“You may read it.”

Though it was just a small piece of paper, the urgent letter was also an official document that Lord Aivan had sent to the Emperor.

Allowing him to read it was the Emperor’s consideration for the Deputy Lord Aivan.

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

The hands of the Deputy Lord Aivan receiving the paper were trembling slightly.

“I heard that the damage to the Aivan family wasn’t too severe. Why does your expression look so dark?”

Yobanes asked with curiosity.

“Pardon? Ah, that is…”

The Deputy Lord Aivan hesitated for a moment, then shook his head.

“No. Even though it’s the rainy season, I was just a bit surprised that a landslide occurred when there hasn’t been much rainfall, Your Majesty.”

“Hmm? Now that you mention it, that’s true. Even though the northern region is mountainous, I understand that landslides don’t occur often there.”

“…”

Even at the Emperor’s question, the Deputy Lord Aivan only averted his gaze slightly and didn’t give any proper answer.

“First, we need to establish countermeasures for the situation in the north. What do you lords think?”

Yobanes asked the nobles remaining in the council chamber.

“Ahem.”

However, this time too, no proper answer came back.

They were reluctant to speak carelessly, fearing they might end up having to pay large sums for relief efforts.

“Let us hold the council meeting once more.”

Rulak Lombardi stood up from his seat and spoke.

“If you give us a few days’ grace, won’t everyone come up with countermeasures?”

Rulak’s cold gaze swept across the interior of the meeting room once.

Yobanes also agreed and said,

“Then I’ll hold another council meeting in two days. Come prepared with countermeasures for the northern landslide.”

The Emperor who said this turned around to look at Peres and Astana and said,

“The same goes for the princes. Well then, let’s meet in two days.”

Yobanes and Rulak Lombardi left the meeting room together, and the remaining nobles also gathered in small groups, grumbling as they left the meeting room.

“Duke Angenas? Why do you look so unwell?”

Someone who was moving with Duiji Angenas asked.

“I was thinking of Father, who happened to go north on business.”

“What could happen to him? He’ll be staying safely at the Aivan family’s castle.”

“The Aivan family is practically allied with the Angenas family, so they probably took care of Lord Perdic first.”

“That’s right. If anything had happened, it would have been mentioned in the urgent letter long ago. Isn’t he the Empress’s father?”

“That’s… probably right?”

Duiji Angenas nodded hard at the words around him and left the meeting room.

* * *

Today is the third day of the week.

In other words, it’s the day for Grandfather’s small meeting with the second generation.

Grandfather started working early in the morning, but the meeting didn’t begin until almost noon.

I was waiting in front of the study with sandwiches and fruit for busy Grandfather.

Click.

Just as the meeting seemed to have ended, the door opened and Biejie came out.

And behind him was Lorels with a sleepy face too.

Those two were the end.

“Hello, uncles!”

I smiled as brightly as the green grapes I was holding and greeted Biejie and Lorels.

“Oh, yes.”

Unlike Lorels who gave an awkward but polite response, Biejie glared at me with displeasure, then approached and spoke provocatively.

“Yes, this kind of work suits you much better. Carrying food as you’re told, preparing tea water. Do work that befits your station.”

This bastard, really.

I can laugh off other nasty remarks, but words like this that dig into my past make me a bit angry too.

I smiled as brightly as my lid had blown off and said,

“I’m good at business and also good at this kind of work. Oh my, I suppose Uncle must be very angry since there’s been big trouble with the construction business. With all that chaos…”

“What? Chaos?”

As expected, he didn’t know.

Well, I could tell from how he was peacefully attending Grandfather’s meeting today.

Shannet, who works closely with the northern mines, seems to have already heard the news and gone to work.

I covered my mouth with one hand and widened my eyes as I spoke.

“My goodness, you haven’t heard yet?”

“Heard what?”

“Oh dear. Nobody has told you yet…”

“Stop beating around the bush and speak properly!”

Why should I? For whose benefit?

I stepped around Biejie, slipped into the study, and closed the door while saying,

“Good luck, Uncle!”

Click.

Beyond the closed door, I could hear Biejie cursing under his breath, then running away with urgent footsteps.

Hmph, he’ll be sweating bullets.

The real nightmare will begin once he arrives at the construction company.

I hummed softly as I approached Grandfather.

“Grandfather!”

“Oh, Tia’s here!”

“I brought something for Grandfather to eat!”

“Oh my, the only one who thinks of this old man is our Tia!”

Grandfather was delighted by my visit.

As we sat facing each other having a pleasant meal, I casually asked,

“I heard there’s been big trouble in the north, Grandfather?”

“Hmm? How do you know about that?”

“I stopped by Pellet Trading Company early this morning and heard about it. I’ve been going to the trading company more often lately because of the delivery business.”

“That’s right. Hmm. It seems there will be damage to businesses based in the north.”

“Lombardy will be affected too. Especially the mines, trading companies, and construction…”

When I brought it up, Grandfather widened his eyes in slight surprise.

“Tia, for you to think that far ahead. You rascal, when did you grow up so much.”

Grandfather’s slightly rough hand gently stroked my head.

It was a touch like he was still treating his eight-year-old granddaughter, but I also giggled and acted spoiled in the same way.

“I’m the smartest one in Lombardy these days. Only Grandfather doesn’t know.”

“Hehehe! Yes, you’re right. You successfully made the delivery business work.”

“Then does Grandfather acknowledge my abilities now? Everyone else says I did well, but I still haven’t heard praise from Grandfather alone.”

At my endearing words, Grandfather’s smile became a full grin.

“Is this old man’s praise that important?”

“Of course! Who do you think Grandfather is!”

“Hehehe, actually this old man went to briefings with the clan heads! I was so proud of our granddaughter!”

Grandfather laughed heartily.

Hmm, the atmosphere seems good enough now.

“Then does Grandfather acknowledge me now too?”

“Of course!”

Grandfather nodded his head heartily.

“Grandfather, I have something to tell you.”

Then, prepare yourself.

“About the landslide that occurred in the Northern Region. I have a good idea, would you like to hear it?”

Fire away!

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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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