Young Master, Please Put Some Pants On! - Chapter 20

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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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Chapter 20

“…Duke Willik is looking for me?”

“Yes. It seems he would like to have lunch together tomorrow.”

Malcolm also seemed uncomfortable with this situation as he watched for his reaction. Kermanomon’s displeasure had already reached its peak due to the continuously delayed schedule and suddenly arranged meetings.

“That old man always bothers me when I’m busy.”

Kermanomon narrowed his eyes and slowly stroked his chin with his thumb and index finger. He had tried to leave immediately in case something like this happened, but that sharp-eyed old man had beaten him to it.

“If you don’t wish to, I’ll send a refusal in reply.”

However, contrary to his feelings, Kermanomon couldn’t readily give an answer. Dajes Willik was, like Kermanomon, one of the few pure-blood beastmen in the Empire and the grandfather of the current Empress Reiana de Villus.

“Tell him to do as he pleases.”

After pondering for a moment, Kermanomon slowly ran his hand through his hair. He had been avoiding contact for the past few months using various excuses, and if he refused this meeting as well, it was obvious the old man would find some way to bother him even more. That stubborn old man would surely chase him all the way to the Duchy, claiming he was being disrespected.

The timing was a bit tight, but it wasn’t entirely impossible.

* * *

“It’s been a long time, Your Grace.”

“It has been a while, Duke Willik.”

Dajes Willik, a pure-blood white tiger beastman, was a veteran who had contributed to the Empire for hundreds of years. His wrinkled skin and quieted voice showed the traces of time, but his blue eyes still represented that same spirit.

Leaning on his walking stick, he slowly moved with uncomfortable steps.

“Sit.”

House Severus and House Willik had an inseparable relationship. The two houses had exchanged many marriage ties over a long time to maintain their pure-blood status. Kermanomon’s older brother, the current Emperor Persiana von de Villus, and the current Empress Reiana de Villus also had such a relationship.

Kermanomon’s gaze briefly swept over him. Seeing that he had come all this way to meet him personally, when he had been recuperating at his manor using his health as an excuse, it seemed he was firmly resolved to tighten the noose around him.

Though he couldn’t be certain, there had probably been some kind of decision made among the Imperial Faction Nobles. That’s why Dajes, their leader, had come to find him personally.

“I hope this old man hasn’t suddenly visited and caused you to waste your time unnecessarily.”

“I’m well aware, so I won’t bother adding more words.”

Malcolm, who was standing beside the two men, showed signs of discomfort at Kermanomon’s consistently cold attitude. There was surely no one other than Kermanomon who would show such open hostility to Dajes Willik, the head of House Willik, which could be called one of the Empire’s most powerful families.

“Even when I wanted to visit the Duchy, Your Grace wouldn’t even acknowledge my correspondence, so I had no choice in the matter.”

“If the Duke hadn’t always gone on with useless nagging, I would have personally served you a cup of tea.”

“Fortunately, you’ve served tea today. This old man doesn’t know how to handle the Grand Duke’s consideration.”

Even at his sarcasm-filled words, Dajes showed a gentle eye-smile. Dajes took a sip of tea and let out a light sigh. His blue eyes darkened deeply between his gently curved eyelids.

“I understand that Your Grace finds me uncomfortable. But you can’t keep throwing tantrums like a child forever, can you?”

“You’re saying interesting things again.”

“Your Grace is no longer an immature child. In this situation where His Majesty the Emperor’s health is deteriorating day by day, how long do you plan to pursue only personal desires?”

Emperor Persiana had been unable to produce an heir even after more than ten years on the throne. Moreover, his health had been rapidly deteriorating since last year. The ministers were keeping quiet about it, but this was a major crisis facing the Aizen Empire.

And Kermanomon was also aware of this fact.

“…”

“I’m not saying you should inherit the throne immediately. I’m just saddened to see you refuse marriage while pursuing only casual relationships, and wasting precious time caring for a child who doesn’t share a drop of your blood.”

At Dajes’s direct words, Kermanomon’s face grew coldly rigid.

“I’m sure I told you before not to say anything more about the child. That was the condition for my personal participation in the Duke’s subjugation last time.”

“….”

“Your Majesty, yes. I know well about His Majesty’s health condition. But His Majesty hasn’t designated me as his successor, so what gives you the right to keep interfering? Anyone watching would think the duke was the emperor.”

“Now that His Majesty has no heir, if not Your Grace, then who would inherit the throne? This is a fact known not only to me but to all the ministers.”

At Dajes’s unwavering words, Kermanomon slowly closed his eyes. How many times would they repeat the same conversation? No matter how much he expressed his own will, the answer that came back was always the same.

Enter the Imperial Palace, inherit the throne, fulfill your duty as a pureblooded… The tiresome words of the ministers had bound him like shackles. The Aizen Empire’s ability to become the great nation it is today was largely due to the influence of the pureblooded beastmen who had held imperial power until now.

The Physis Continent had repeated large and small wars for a long time, stealing each other’s territories. In wartime situations that threatened life and death, the activities of pureblooded beastmen, especially predators, were truly tremendous. And when the empire was founded after the long wars, predators naturally took control of that government.

‘But that’s all ancient history.’

After a long time had passed, so much blood had mixed into the Imperial Family that distinguishing purebloods had become meaningless. However, the elderly ministers still placed great importance on pureblooded lineage.

Kermanomon’s older brother Persiana’s sudden ascension to the emperor’s throne was also because their great uncle, the previous emperor, had died early without leaving pureblooded children. How much Persiana, who was forced into the throne overnight, had to lose and sacrifice after leaving the duchy. Kermanomon remembered it clearly.

‘In short, since my brother has served his purpose, I’m next.’

He who had briefly reminisced about the past unconsciously let out a short bitter laugh.

“Please reconsider and for the empire…”

“What more do you want me to do for the empire?”

In a situation no different from talking to a wall, Kermanomon crookedly pulled up the corner of his mouth and leaned back on the sofa.

“The only reason you’re determined to put me in that position is because I’m pureblooded. How long will you cling to such outdated thinking? Besides, rolling around battlefields with my whole body for decades was work for the empire. I believe I’ve properly fulfilled my responsibility with that.”

“….”

“So instead of wasting time on me, why don’t you go find Duke Ferzen who’s desperate to inherit the throne.”

Dajes quietly clenched his fist. To Dajes, who had devoted his entire life to the empire, Kermanomon’s behavior was extremely irritating. Such an arrogant attitude of enjoying all the advantages of being born a pureblooded beastman while refusing to take responsibility for the throne.

However, he couldn’t let go of Kermanomon. If Kermanomon truly didn’t inherit the throne, pureblooded royalty would no longer exist. Knowing Kermanomon’s stubbornness well, he quietly let out a deep sigh.

“Then I’ll ask just one thing. Please attend this New Year’s festival. As I’ve repeatedly mentioned, it’s an extremely important occasion.”

At his words, Kermanomon’s eyebrows twitched slightly.

‘So this was what he really wanted to say.’

Narrowing his eyes, he silently tapped his thigh. Probably Dajes and the Imperial Faction nobles intended to use that opportunity to pressure him. But he had his own thoughts too.

“Fine. I’ll promise that much.”

“Understood. Your Grace seems to be in poor spirits, so I’ll take my leave for today.”

“Doesn’t it occur to you that you ruined what was originally a good mood?”

Just as Dajes, unable to hide his complicated feelings, pressed his lips tightly shut, urgent knocking sounds came and Dajes’s aide appeared.

“This is terrible! Right now His Majesty the Emperor is…”

At the news of the emperor mentioned from his mouth, a startled Kermanomon slowly rose from his seat.

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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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