In This Life, I Will Be The Lord - Chapter 170

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

This Life, I Will Become the Clan Head Episode 170

“You’re putting up quite a fight.”

Thud.

Rulak pushed the Emperor’s letter aside dismissively and looked at Shannet sitting across from him.

“So, there’s new information from the mines?”

“Yes, Father.”

Shannet handed Rulak a small letter that had just arrived from the Lombardi mines.

“The Baraportga coal mine has resumed operations that had been halted.”

“The mine that was supposedly completely dried up of coal veins.”

“Yes, it seems this is…”

“They’ve started tapping into the iron ore beneath it.”

Rulak shook his head as he asked.

“The ownership changed too, didn’t it?”

“Application documents have been filed to transfer ownership from the Baraportga family, vassals of Angenas, to the Red Guild.”

“Of course.”

Though he learned detailed information about events in the Empire’s central-southern coal mines and the Imperial Capital’s government offices from the Lombardi Estate’s study, Rulak showed no sign of surprise.

This was precisely the power of the Lombardi Scholarship Association.

“So all this commotion was just to get that one iron mine from the Empress? Or perhaps Yobanes had some pride after all.”

Rulak chuckled and muttered.

“It seems I’ve been underestimated, Shannet.”

“His Imperial Majesty was never particularly brilliant, even from childhood.”

Shannet spoke sharply as well.

Though she didn’t know what Biejie was trusting to cause such trouble, she was furious that innocent Larane was caught in the middle of the power struggle between the Imperial Palace, Lombardi, and Angenas.

“It seems the Ruman family has formally sent a marriage proposal.”

Shannet said, looking at another letter envelope placed beside the Emperor’s letter.

It was signed in elegant handwriting as ‘Acting Lord Abinox Ruman.’

“I plan to treat the Ruman family’s proposal as never received.”

However, Rulak threw it into the fireplace as he spoke.

“Lombardi can withstand Imperial pressure, but Ruman cannot. Though they’ve gained breathing room with Chesayu’s port, they’re still far from joining the central powers without Imperial support. It seems they’re willing to risk even that situation by sending this proposal.”

The marriage proposal sent by Abinox Ruman quickly turned to ash and disappeared.

“First, we need to resolve this foolish dispute with the Imperial Palace.”

At Rulak’s words, Shannet’s expression darkened.

Though her father spoke lightly of it as a ‘foolish dispute,’ the last time Lombardi and the Imperial Palace clashed, it lasted a full 20 years.

“It will take a long time…”

Could a delicate child like Larane endure that time?

Shannet thought unconsciously.

‘If only Prince Ruman would take Larane and flee to the Eastern Region.’

If they did that, it might be easier to support them by dismissing it as youthful recklessness.

Then Shannet was startled by her own thoughts and shook her head vigorously.

At that moment, there was a knock on the study door and several people entered in a group.

“Did you summon us, Lord?”

They were vassals of the Lombardi Family – Dillard, Bilkei, Debon, and others.

“Ah, you’ve all come.”

Realizing a family council had been called, Shannet quietly bowed and left the study.

“I think you all know why we’ve gathered here today.”

At Rulak’s words, the vassals nodded.

Some frowned in displeasure at the thought of the Emperor.

“Just give us orders, Lord. We’ll do anything.”

Romasie Dillard of the Lombardi Guild spoke in a firm voice.

“Today I received a letter from the Imperial Palace. They’re giving me 3 days to agree to the marriage between Lombardi and the Imperial family. If not, they’ll issue a prohibition order.”

“Well, really.”

“We must have been too quiet lately. To threaten you like that, Lord.”

Though their opponent was the Emperor, the vassals spoke without restraint.

The vassals of Lombardi were nobles of the Empire, but they served the Lombardi Lord like an emperor rather than the Imperial family, so it was natural in a way.

“So I plan to make them deeply regret giving me those 3 days.”

Rulak first looked at Romasie Dillard and spoke.

“From the moment my prohibition order is issued in 3 days, the Lombardi Guild will withdraw from the Imperial Capital.”

Eight or nine out of ten goods flowing into the Imperial Capital belonged to the Lombardi Guild.

If the Lombardi Guild closed immediately, the Imperial Capital would obviously be paralyzed.

“Lord Debon.”

“Yes, Lord.”

Clang Debon, who operated Lombardi Transportation and delivery services, answered.

“The Debon family will do the same. Also notify the guilds that have been conducting business relying on Lombardi Transportation. Tell them we can no longer cooperate with routes passing through the Imperial Capital.”

“Yes, understood.”

It was a method to extend Lombardi’s strike-like action to affect not just the Imperial Capital but the entire continent.

“And the Bilkei family.”

At Rulak’s call, Rmabaou Bilkei of Lombardi Construction bowed his head.

“How many construction sites are currently active in the Imperial Capital?”

“Twenty-two sites.”

“Stop them all.”

“Yes, Lord.”

Since all the orders for Lombardi Construction came from nobles.

Lombardi’s pressure would begin on the central nobles who had enough power to construct buildings in the Imperial Capital.

“If they still hold out after this, I plan to have the Lombardi Bank and scholarship foundation join as well, so prepare for that.”

“Yes, understood.”

No one raised any objections.

Rather, they were happy to be able to contribute to this situation.

“Thanks to this, we’ll get a good rest for the first time in a while!”

“Exactly! Should we thank His Majesty for this? Haha!”

The younger Clang Debon and Rmabaou Bilkei even joked around.

Watching the vassals all burst into laughter at their jokes, Rulak muttered to himself.

“I wonder how far that pride will go.”

Once measures began to be taken, it would become clear.

The reason Yobanes was pushing this far and what the Empress’s next move would be.

* * *

Three days later.

Finally, a prohibition order was issued against the Lombardi Lord.

Hearing this news, nobles all clicked their tongues, saying this matter would become a prolonged battle.

Many thought it would eventually end with the marriage talks being concluded in a face-saving manner.

Most couldn’t understand how such a big incident arose over the marriage of just one daughter of Biejie Lombardi.

But as if they had been waiting, Lombardi’s counterattack began.

Immediately, the Lombardi Guild closed within the Imperial Capital, and Lombardi Construction and Lombardi Transportation also withdrew.

The massive city of the Imperial Capital, which had been running smoothly, began creaking in an instant.

Screams first erupted from the small and medium guilds that had been relying on Lombardi Transportation for their business.

In just one day, everyone came to realize.

The tremendous influence Lombardi held over the entire Empire.

Ceral had been delivering this news to Larane since early morning.

“Do you now understand how enormous what you’ve done is, Larane?”

“Mother…”

Tender-hearted Larane was greatly shaken, just as Ceral had expected.

This was different from how she had been stubbornly keeping her mouth shut, holed up in her room caring only for a few flower pots brought from the greenhouse.

Thinking this was the moment, Biejie spoke sternly.

“Do you know how humiliating a confinement order is for a noble? And do you also know how enormous a loss Lombardi is bearing with this measure?”

Larane couldn’t lift her head.

Just as her family said, it seemed like all of this was her fault.

She cautiously lifted her head to look at her younger brother Belesack, but all that returned was a cold gaze.

Did I really make such a big mistake?

I only wanted to marry the person I love.

I only wanted to live happily.

However, the firm resolve she had maintained until now was shaken in an instant.

“When the Crown Prince becomes the Crown Prince in the future, you will become the Crown Princess, Larane. And when the time comes, you’ll become the Empress of this Lambru Empire. Why do you dislike a marriage that other noble ladies would do anything to obtain?”

Ceral spoke as if frustrated.

“What exactly is so good about that Ruman Family country bumpkin? Aside from his decent face, there’s nothing better about him compared to His Highness the Crown Prince!”

Belesack shouted in a grumpy voice.

“I, well…”

Thinking of Avinox, tears quickly welled up in Larane’s eyes.

Even at this moment, Larane missed Avinox.

His gentle smile, his considerate touch.

By Avinox’s side, nothing was frightening and it felt as if she could breathe freely.

‘But perhaps it was happiness too good for me.’

Larane smiled bitterly.

And as if reading her thoughts, Biejie said.

“Prince Ruman seems quite troubled too. I hear he no longer shows himself at social gatherings and doesn’t come out of his manor. That must all be because he can’t hold his head up.”

“I would do the same. If the entire Empire was turned upside down just because of my romantic games, I’d be too ashamed and embarrassed and might return to the Eastern Region.”

Belesack clicked his tongue.

Finally, tears fell drop by drop from Larane’s eyes.

Ceral gently stroked Larane’s head and said.

“How many nobles get to marry their romantic partners, Larane? Still, rather than somewhere far from Lombardy Territory, if it’s the Imperial Palace where family can come and go anytime, wouldn’t you be a little less lonely?”

“That may be true, but…”

“Moreover, since the Empress is my cousin sister, she promised several times to treat you like her own daughter. Through this marriage, we’ll all truly become one family.”

At those sweet words, Larane’s heart ached once again.

Mother is really worried about me.

Then if I tell her how well Lord Avinox treats me, wouldn’t she understand my feelings even a little?

Such hope also welled up within her.

Larane spoke up in a very small voice.

“Mother, but I like Lord Avinox…”

“Aaah, really!”

Belesack jumped up from his seat and shouted.

And he reproached Larane.

“How long are you going to keep this up, sister?”

“Belesack…”

“Can’t you see the situation? Right now, if just you sacrifice yourself, everyone can be happy!”

“…What?”

Larane’s voice trembled as she doubted her own ears.

Belesack had been mean to others but still showed affection to his sister Larane.

But.

“Even if you’re blinded by that Ruman country bumpkin, there’s a limit! If sister marries His Highness the Crown Prince, Father, Mother, and I can all achieve what we want!”

“…What you want?”

“Yes! But sister, can’t you make even that much sacrifice for your family? That damn Avinox, Avinox! Even if you’re blinded by love over blood ties, there’s a limit! Come to your senses!”

Larane’s mind went blank.

It felt like someone had struck her head hard with a very large stone.

She slowly looked around.

Father too, Mother too.

As if agreeing with Belesack’s opinion, they kept their mouths tightly shut and looked at her.

It seemed like everyone was saying ‘only you need to sacrifice yourself.’

And then, she remembered what Tia had said.

“Larane’s family members aren’t people who would be grateful just because you endure and sacrifice.”

She had hoped those words were wrong.

But as always, Tia was right.

“So you don’t need to endure and sacrifice for your family anymore, Larane.”

Along with the words hidden in the back of her memory, Larane took in the sight of the flower pot with red blooms.

And she nodded.

“I’ll do that.”

A surprisingly calm voice flowed out.

“Mother, I’ll follow Father’s words.”

“Ah, Larane!”

“You thought well!”

Seeing Ceral and Biejie more delighted than ever before, Larane became more and more certain in her heart.

It was the certainty that the choice she had made was right.

“But please give me time to sort out my feelings for Lord Avinox.”

“Ti, time?”

Biejie asked anxiously.

“Yes, it won’t take long. Just a few days will do. Please give me time to think quietly alone in my room for just a few days, Father.”

Biejie glanced at Ceral.

When Ceral nodded, Biejie spoke as if he had no choice.

“Alright, if that’s what you think, we won’t disturb you as much as possible for a few days. You really changed your mind, right, Larane?”

Looking into Biejie’s eyes that couldn’t hide his joy despite his anxiety, Larane slowly nodded.

“Yes. You don’t need to worry, Father.”

* * *

Today and tomorrow were practically the last chance for Larane to escape safely.

Pretending to take a walk, I passed by Larane’s room window and let out a sigh of relief.

“Ah, thank goodness.”

There were red flowers blooming in Larane’s room window.

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