In This Life, I Will Be The Lord - Chapter 9

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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 9

While Pirenthia was happily gazing out the window, Cleribane was in Rulak’s study.

Besides his duties as the successor education supervisor, he also managed the manor’s finances, so he had quite a lot to report separately to the patriarch.

“…That concludes what I have to report today.”

“Good work. Sit for a moment and have some tea before you go.”

“Then, I won’t refuse.”

When Rulak pulled a small bell to ring it, a servant who had been waiting outside came in with tea.

Befitting the Lombardi Family patriarch’s study, the sweet aroma of the finest tea leaves delighted the senses.

“So, what are your thoughts?”

Though it was a statement with the beginning and end cut off, the relationship between Rulak and Cleribane was sufficient to understand its meaning.

“…I was able to understand your words, Patriarch.”

“Your evaluations are always so measured, both then and now.”

But knowing Cleribane, who was even stricter with himself than he was stingy with others, Rulak let out a chuckle.

“Until recently, I thought she was just an ordinary seven-year-old child. It’s truly remarkable.”

“I was actually going to ask you about that very point.”

Cleribane said as he set down his teacup.

“I called in the servants who have been attending to Lord Gallahan and Miss Pirenthia and questioned them, but none of them knew about the young lady’s genius.”

“As expected.”

“When I told Lord Gallahan that Miss Pirenthia was qualified to attend classes, he was also very surprised.”

“Hmm…”

Rulak stroked his well-groomed beard.

It was an unconscious habit that came out whenever he was deep in thought.

Watching him, Cleribane carefully added his words.

“Perhaps Miss Pirenthia has been hiding her abilities?”

“Hiding her… abilities?”

“It’s just one hypothesis…”

“Explain.”

Rulak’s brown eyes, which had grown much darker with the years like the color of an ancient tree, held a power that made those who met his gaze naturally bow their heads.

Following the patriarch’s expression, Cleribane’s face also became serious.

“She is a very intelligent young lady. Being such a person, she would have seen things that ordinary children could never see. For example, things like Lord Gallahan’s position within this Lombardi Family.”

“That could be possible.”

Rulak’s atmosphere became even heavier.

Though he had led the Lombardy Family more successfully than anyone, raising children had never gone according to his wishes.

No, it was undoubtedly the most difficult thing in this Rulak Lombardi’s life.

One was too excessive, one was thoughtless, and one was weak-hearted.

At least Shannet, his eldest daughter and only daughter, was most suitable as a successor, but since she had married someone from outside the family, there was a risk of assets flowing out.

Concerned about this, Rulak had opposed it, but his son-in-law Bestian Shultz had entered as a live-in son-in-law and even made his two sons take the Lombardi surname, though his ulterior motives of constantly watching for opportunities were obvious.

Even now, problems arose more than once or twice from him siphoning off Lombardy’s minor business rights to the unqualified Shultz family.

Shaking his head with a gloomy face, Rulak let out a sigh-mixed lament.

“If only Gallahan had been a little bolder…”

But it was a principle that the patriarch should not intervene in succession struggles.

He could only watch to ensure things didn’t go to extremes.

“At least it’s fortunate that Pirenthia doesn’t resemble her father.”

His chest, which had felt stuffy and blocked, opened up and felt refreshed when he thought of Pirenthia.

“However, Miss Pirenthia’s sharp mind might also be thanks to Lord Gallahan’s proper child-rearing. Environment is important, after all.”

“But it’s regrettable, so regrettable… The fact that Gallahan’s position is so humble that Pirenthia had to hide her abilities.”

“Isn’t there still plenty of time left? Don’t be too hasty.”

At Cleribane’s words, Rulak nodded heavily.

“Let’s observe for now. Report directly to me after each lesson.”

Cleribane answered by taking another sip of tea.

Knock knock.

It was then that the sound of knocking was heard.

With Rulak’s permission to enter, the one who appeared was Biejie.

“Father, people from the Durak Guild have arrived.”

“Then I’ll take my leave now.”

As soon as Biejie set foot in the study, Cleribane greeted Rulak and spoke.

Only then noticing Cleribane’s presence, Biejie openly showed his displeasure and frowned.

“You were here too.”

“It’s been a while, Lord Biejie.”

Since Cleribane was someone who would speak the truth even to Biejie’s face about him absolutely not being patriarch material, the two could never have a good relationship.

“Father needs to meet important people, so please vacate your seat quickly…”

“No. Stay seated a bit longer, Cleribane.”

“Father!”

Though Biejie expressed his dissatisfaction, Rulak didn’t budge.

Unable to disobey the patriarch’s command, Cleribane shrugged and sat back down.

“Tell the people from the Durak Guild to come in.”

“…Yes.”

Though the situation didn’t please him, Biejie glared at Cleribane but moved obediently.

Soon after, a middle-aged man in splendid clothing who had been waiting outside entered and politely greeted Rulak.

“It’s my first time meeting you. I am Croiton Angenas of the Durak Guild.”

Angenas.

Cleribane’s brow furrowed at the familiar family name.

Angenas was the current Empress’s family, and also the family of Seral, Biejie’s wife.

Cleribane quietly crossed his arms.

“I’m Rulak Lombardi. Take a seat and let’s talk.”

Even in the brief moment Croiton was settling into his seat, Biejie couldn’t hide his flushed face and fidgeted restlessly.

“I heard the story from my eldest son, but would the guild master explain the plan again?”

At Rulak’s words, Croiton cleared his throat.

The explanation was lengthy.

After the long story ended, Cleribane asked to confirm the main points.

“So you want to bring textiles from the eastern regions to process and sell, but currently the Durak Guild doesn’t have the capacity for such long-distance commerce, so you want to ask the Lombardi Guild for transportation?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“And the payment for those textiles would need to be borrowed from Lombardi Bank to proceed.”

“Yes, we would be grateful if you would do that.”

“Ha…”

What kind of nonsense was this supposed to be?

Cleribane rubbed his throbbing forehead and glared at Biejie sitting across from him.

“Ahem…”

Rulak also seemed uncomfortable, constantly stroking his beard.

“Isn’t this a very good method, Father?”

At stupid Biejie’s words, Cleribane felt like he might explode.

He clearly didn’t even know what the problem was.

“Please make it a large amount while you’re at it.”

Moreover, the Angenas scoundrel, who might be the Empress’s cousin or whoever, was as confident as if he were collecting money he had deposited himself.

Well, from their perspective, they might think it’s all the same.

Since Angenas was the maternal family of Crown Prince Astana.

This was a matter involving a guild backed by the Imperial Family, and probably the Empress.

Though it was only nominally the Durak Guild’s business, ultimately this venture running on Lombardy’s money meant, in other words, that Lombardy would have to bear all the failures as well.

Unless they planned to completely antagonize the Imperial Family, they couldn’t pursue the Angenas family like debt collectors, and knowing this, they had come knocking on Lombardy’s door.

Every single word could come back as some kind of backlash later on.

The only person in this room who didn’t understand this fact was Biejie, who was grinning cheerfully right now.

Rulak surely wasn’t unaware of how absurd this ‘business proposal’ was either.

Cleribane tried to calm his anger.

He believed the family head would reject it appropriately.

“…I’ll leave this matter to you, Biejie. Push it forward carefully without any mistakes.”

“Family Head!”

Cleribane cried out in shock, but Rulak didn’t open his tightly closed mouth again.

“Yes! Please trust me, Father!”

Biejie looked ready to quickly grab the Durak Guild master and flee before the decision could change.

Cleribane, who had been alternately watching Rulak maintaining his silence and Biejie, decided this wouldn’t do and stood up abruptly, speaking firmly.

“Let’s see the goods first before we talk.”

It was Biejie who was flustered by the sudden intervention.

What kind of bolt from the blue was this when everything had been going so well?

This Durak Guild business proposal was the golden rope that would allow Biejie to get even closer to central power.

The Angenass family was currently experiencing some financial difficulties, and if he could solve that with this textile business, the imperial family would owe him a great debt.

But when he urgently checked his father’s expression, not understanding his feelings, he was nodding along with Cleribane’s opinion.

Biejie shouted angrily at Cleribane, who was throwing ash on cooked rice.

“Where does someone who just cleans up after kids get off butting in!”

But Cleribane ignored Biejie and only looked at Rulak.

“…That’s not an unreasonable request. What do you say, Guild Master?”

Croyton, who seemed momentarily flustered as his eyes darted around, reluctantly nodded.

“Let’s do that. I already have a pile of textiles brought over, so I’ll visit again with those.”

Biejie’s face reddened at his dignity being crushed in front of the Durak Guild master.

And he couldn’t lift his head as if he had done something wrong.

“I’m sorry, Guild Master. I’m ashamed.”

That idiot!

Cleribane’s stomach burned from holding back his desire to shout that.

To grovel so submissively before a guest who had come to borrow Lombardy’s hands and money.

Even the stupidest dog knew who to show its belly to.

Was that person really Rulak’s son? He wanted to ask the deceased lady about it.

Cleribane watched Rulak, who was looking at his eldest son with unreadable eyes, and finally shook his head in dismay.

* * *

“Is this the right place?”

I was standing in front of a large door.

Even though I had lived in the Lombardi Family for over twenty years, this was a room I had never entered before.

When I took lessons, I didn’t use a place this close to the family head’s study, but rather the education officer’s research room in the North Wing.

“This must be right, I guess.”

I shrugged my shoulders and pushed the large door with force.

The door opened smoothly without any noise, revealing the interior.

“Huh?”

I had imagined a typical classroom with desks and chairs.

That’s what the environment was like when I took lessons, after all.

However, what I encountered upon entering was completely different from such expectations.

The large space was filled with warm sunlight, and the carpet under my feet was soft enough to lie down on immediately.

Large and small sofas that looked comfortable at first glance were scattered freely here and there, and musical instruments and cute dolls were placed in between.

The only things that looked classroom-like were a large chalkboard and books that densely filled one wall.

And there were small figures naturally occupying this space as if it were their own.

Whether they heard me coming in, everyone was looking at me, but their appearances were all different.

Belesack, lying sprawled on the largest sofa with his mouth hanging open in shock.

Near him, Belesack’s sister Larane, who had been reading a book with a large doll placed beside her.

And sitting by the sunny window with sullen faces looking at me were Aunt Shannet’s twin sons, Giliou and Meylon.

They were Lombardy blood, my cousins.

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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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