In This Life, I Will Be The Lord - Chapter 262

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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

 

Side Story Episode 5

 

“…Me?”

 

“Yes.”

 

There wasn’t even a second of hesitation in Peres as he nodded his head.

 

He truly meant it.

 

In that face still holding traces of laughter as he stared intently at me, I could see the reflection of that young child who used to eat herbs, with grass stains around his mouth.

 

While I couldn’t easily find words to respond, Peres seemed to read something in me and smiled softly as he spoke.

 

“I know, Tia. I know what you’re thinking right now.”

 

Then, as if speaking of someone else’s story, he continued in an extremely calm voice.

 

“Even if you hadn’t come to find me that day, I would still be in this position. I would have survived and completed my revenge.”

 

Peres stated with certainty.

 

That in the end, I would have been the victor.

 

“But I wouldn’t look the same as I do now. I probably would have been broken into pieces. With nothing left, completely empty, just living without dying. Or perhaps.”

 

Peres closed his mouth for a moment, then smiled again.

 

It was that same comfortable smile as always.

 

“So Tia, you’re the one who made me.”

 

I couldn’t answer that it wasn’t true.

 

Because I had seen Peres surviving alone.

 

That appearance at the end of his bloody revenge, having burned everything away with only black soot remaining.

 

The smiling face of the guy in front of me now felt incredibly precious.

 

“Peres.”

 

“Hmm?”

 

“Isn’t it too much to keep kneading your benefactor’s hand like that? It’s going to turn red at this rate.”

 

I gestured with my eyes toward my hand being kneaded this way and that within Peres’s large hands.

 

“My hand isn’t flour dough or anything.”

 

“Hmm. Though there are several similarities.”

 

Saying that, he brought the back of my hand to his lips.

 

And then.

 

“Ugh, Peres!”

 

The white, even teeth revealed beneath his red lips bit the back of my hand without causing pain.

 

That sight looked like both a serious chef tasting his own cooking and a large wolf courting his mate.

 

To my silent gaze demanding an explanation for that strange behavior, Peres smiled as if painted and said.

 

“You looked delicious.”

 

“De, delicious….”

 

I eventually lost my words and stammered a bit.

 

“You, you have no shame!”

 

Ah, I don’t even need to look in a mirror to know what color my face is right now.

 

Otherwise, there’s no way Peres would be laughing so heartily.

 

After enjoying himself with his eyes crinkled for a while, Peres slowly approached and pulled me into a tight embrace.

 

At the end of that hug, tight enough to feel a bit suffocating, he said.

 

“Tia, if you ever need my help, tell me anytime.”

 

He’s talking about the Sersheu matter.

 

Throughout the council meeting, I recalled Peres’s cold gaze directed at Chanton Sersheu moment by moment.

 

“You just need to say one word.”

 

Just one word.

 

The voice saying that somehow sounded desperate.

 

“You know. Tia, if you want it, I can do anything.”

 

“I know.”

 

I hugged Peres back.

 

“I know very well.”

 

That’s why I don’t say it.

 

“Because you’re truly someone who would do anything for me.”

 

Instead of more words, I patted his broad back.

 

As if that meaning was conveyed, Peres kissed my head and murmured softly.

 

“I wish there was something I could do for you. Anything would be fine.”

 

* * *

 

That evening, the dining hall of the Lombardi manor’s main building was filled with people’s voices.

 

Around the long table sat several people from the Lombardi and vassal families, dining together.

 

“So you see, Lord Gallahan. There’s been a new trend in the eastern region recently….”

 

“Ah! Loril, pass me that napkin there. Merillin spilled her juice!”

 

But it wasn’t a formal atmosphere like the regularly held banquets.

 

Rather, it was a free and somewhat lively evening, as if relatives had gathered in one place.

 

I looked at the people seated around the long dining table with proud eyes.

 

This was a new culture of Lombardi that began after I became the clan head.

 

In Lombardi’s main hall dining room, only direct descendants could dine without the clan head’s invitation.

 

But now, people from vassal families also freely dine together.

 

There was no compulsion and no limit on the number of people.

 

It felt absurd that only a few Lombardi direct descendants, including myself, would use this huge dining hall.

 

Of course, there was one important rule.

 

No official meetings or decisions were to be made at this table.

 

This was to ensure no one felt pressured about attending meals.

 

After looking around at everyone, I quietly turned my gaze.

 

To my immediate right, where Grandfather sat with a book in one hand while eating, and Shannet, who was staring intently at such a grandfather.

 

“Oh my. No, this kind of development….”

 

I bit my lower lip hard to keep from laughing at Grandfather’s muttering voice.

 

I still remember it vividly.

 

Grandfather, who had just passed the clan head position to me, exclaiming with relief, ‘Now I can read books to my heart’s content!’

 

And until now, Grandfather had been enjoying his retirement life just as he said.

 

Recently, he had been so absorbed in mystery novels that he would even eat hastily in his study, but unable to resist the nagging to have dinner properly in the dining hall, he had reached the point of bringing books to the dining table.

 

“Father.”

 

Finally, Shannet, who couldn’t bear to watch anymore, quietly called to Grandfather.

 

“How about reading after you finish your meal.”

 

“Hmm?”

 

Only then did Grandfather, noticing the strangely quiet surroundings, lift his head from the book.

 

Then, conscious of the several gazes directed at him, he gave an awkward cough.

 

“Please don’t mind us. We’re just a bit curious, that’s all.”

 

Flint Debon, Loril’s husband, said with a hearty laugh.

 

“Who would have thought the day would come when the former clan head would enjoy his hobbies so happily. It’s quite moving!”

 

At those kind words, Grandfather seemed embarrassed and finally closed the book, pushing it aside.

 

But even after that, his gaze kept sneaking toward the book several times.

 

“Grandfather, if you’re bored during mealtime, shall I tell you about what happened at today’s council meeting?”

 

“No thanks.”

 

At my words, Grandfather waved one hand dismissively, looking disgusted.

 

“I passed the clan head position to you precisely to avoid those headache-inducing matters.”

 

Perhaps thinking of finishing his meal quickly and returning to his study, Grandfather’s eating speed noticeably increased.

 

“I heard that the council meeting’s results went according to your wishes.”

 

Shannet elegantly wiped her mouth with a napkin and spoke to me.

 

“Just how long does the Sersheu Marquis intend to keep this up?”

 

Shannet’s usually composed brow furrowed in a rare display of displeasure.

 

Since Shannet cares for Lombardy and its people just as much as I do.

 

She finds Chanton Seosseou extremely disagreeable.

 

“Exactly. He keeps nitpicking about Chesayu. How irritating.”

 

“Still, he did pay the compensation obediently.”

 

Though I don’t know the exact reason, Cleribane, who dislikes Chanton Seosseou as much as Shannet and I do, or perhaps even more, spoke up.

 

Though he mentioned receiving the compensation, his expression didn’t look pleased at all.

 

Just as we had briefly discussed after the council meeting, there was something unsettling about it.

 

“When we first opened the port, the Sersheu Marquis came to the clothing store’s office.”

 

Father rested his chin on his hand as he recalled the memory.

 

“Even then, he was already speaking quite brazenly. Complaining that Sersheu Mountain grain was being sold at dirt cheap prices.”

 

At that, Cleribane picked up his napkin as if he had completely lost his appetite and spoke in a cold voice.

 

“He visited Gallahan without any prior appointment, tried to intimidate him to get a port location for free. In the end, he failed at directly bringing grain to sell in the eastern region.”

 

“Trading business isn’t something just anyone can do because they want to. Do they think it’s really easy just because I make it look easy?”

 

When I grumbled, Father shook his head.

 

“I wonder why he keeps targeting Chesayu. It’s not like he’s protesting that it’s originally Sersheu land and should be returned.”

 

“He’s targeting Lombardy.”

 

Into the ongoing conversation, Grandfather’s calm remark was casually added as he had quietly returned to reading his book.

 

“Targeting Lombardy?”

 

Father asked in surprise, his eyes widening.

 

However, Grandfather’s response remained leisurely as he didn’t lift his eyes from his book.

 

“That’s what politics is like. Sometimes a single word that seems like nothing can change everything, and sometimes just destroying symbolism can break an opponent’s momentum and start a flow that overturns the game.”

 

“A flow that overturns the game…”

 

When I muttered quietly, Grandfather finally looked at me instead of his book.

 

Those calm brown eyes held the color of a great old tree.

 

“Eastern trade is Tia’s achievement created by the intertwining of Lombardy, Chesayu, and Pellet Trading Company. In other words, it’s a symbol of the new Lombardi family head. And just by interfering with that.”

 

The weight of the book Grandfather set down was transmitted through the table.

 

“The unity of the pro-Sersheu faction will increase. That’s what the Sersheu Marquis is aiming for. He needs to claim the position opposite Lombardy that became vacant after the Angenas family disappeared.”

 

I slowly nodded my head.

 

Grandfather’s words were correct.

 

Chanton Seosseou was gaining various benefits by becoming the center of the pro-Sersheu faction simply by opposing me, that is, Lombardy.

 

“Tia.”

 

Father gently patted the back of my hand.

 

I shrugged my shoulders toward Father and said.

 

“Don’t worry. That blockhead, I mean, the Sersheu Marquis is no match for me.”

 

“What worry.”

 

Grandfather smiled at me as he opened his book again.

 

“Lombardy has always had hostile forces. If you’re the head of Lombardy, this is something you must naturally overcome.”

 

“Of course, Grandfather.”

 

I also nodded while facing Grandfather.

 

While it’s true that Chanton Seosseou is a troublesome person to deal with, that doesn’t mean there are no methods.

 

‘In a way, it’s all thanks to Grandfather.’

 

I thought as I slowly drank my wine.

 

‘Because this is the period I know best.’

 

Coincidentally, this is the period when I directly witnessed the most events in my previous life while helping Grandfather with his duties as family head.

 

Of course, that includes matters involving Sersheu.

 

“Master.”

 

Just then, Butler Johan quietly but hurriedly approached and informed me.

 

“Beit from Caramel Avenue urgently requests an audience with you, Master.”

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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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