Chapter 79 - The Gap of Noble Rank
I couldn’t help but feel that this was an overly roundabout and time-wasting method, perhaps because I come from a low-ranking noble family in the frontier. The knightly family’s household was so different from this that I even asked my instructor about it. He explained that this method of communication was no different from how proposals were made in the royal palace.
“Though it may seem roundabout, this method ensures that the issue is thoroughly understood by everyone. It’s not just the family members but also the servants who are made aware of the problem, allowing the entire household to understand how the family head intends to act. This is the same method used in palace politics. Acting unilaterally or without considering others creates friction and can hinder what needs to be done. This approach, which follows established norms and ensures everyone is informed, aims to minimize such obstacles. You’ve noticed well. The process required for decision-making in the central regions and the frontiers differs significantly. Of course, there are known drawbacks to this system. That’s why the Prime Minister stays close to the King, prioritizing swift decisions... The Prime Minister is a strong-willed individual. His actions are deemed infallible by the King, which is why ‘he can act as he does.’”
It was a convincing explanation. The nobles of the capital, to varying degrees, participate in the kingdom’s governance. If they don’t learn the palace’s customs from a young age, they risk being excluded as unfit. Realizing this, I understood why noble children are rigorously educated in these customs from childhood.
And so, even My Friend’s demeanor, though somewhat unorthodox for a high-ranking noble, can be seen as adhering to these customs.
Guided by the head butler, we arrived at my father’s office. Hearing the permission to enter from within, the head butler opened the heavy door, and we stepped into my father’s office. Seeing the person I brought with me, my father’s expression shifted to one of confusion.
“I was told it would be the second son of the Minister of Magic’s family, but where is he?”
“There have been some circumstances, and he has transformed his appearance using magical potions. This is the second son of the Minister of Magic's family, Father.”
Though visibly surprised by My Friend’s appearance, my father nodded. My Friend then delivered a formal address, expressing his request. The decision rested solely on my father’s feelings as the head of the knightly family’s household. While a request from the son of a higher-ranking noble family was something a kingdom noble could hardly refuse, the peculiarity of the situation left my father visibly perplexed.
“To the head of the knightly family’s household, I, as the fifth-seat mage of the Civil Affairs Bureau in the Royal Magitech Academy’s Magitech Research Department, granted freedom to choose my research location by His Majesty, wish to establish a research facility in this land. All my research materials have already been sent here, and your son has secured them at the Fortress. Therefore, I wish to set up my research laboratory at the Fortress and, as part of my duty to the kingdom’s defense, produce results and report to the Royal Magitech Academy. Is this acceptable?”
“Your intention... is understood. However, the Fortress is close to the Demonic Forest, and there isn’t even a large town nearby. Is that acceptable?”
“There is no issue. I have no need for extravagant decorations or luxurious buildings. My role is the development of magitech tools for the people. I am tasked with exploring what the people living on this barren land, with even God’s blessings scarce, truly need. Therefore, the environment around the Fortress is ideal for this exploration. It is a place where I can gain insights about what is essential and where the absolute minimum lies, which are unattainable in more prosperous lands. I reiterate my request for your agreement and support in allowing me to conduct my research here.”
“...Your words embody the essence of a true noble. … Young Lady, you are...”
“I am not a woman. I am the second son of the Minister of Magic’s family. Please do not mistake that. At the Fortress, I have already stated that I will adapt to the customs of the frontier. I consider this a binding agreement. I have also made it clear to My Friend that I should be treated the same as I was at the Magic Academy’s Alchemy Tower. Sir, while there is friendship between My Friend and me, that is all there is. I hope you understand this clearly.”
“Understood. ...Hey, you’ve truly formed a genuine friendship with the son of a high count, haven’t you?”
My father, flustered by My Friend’s firm words, turned to me with that question. For me, the days at the Alchemy Tower were the shining days of my youth. Therefore, the promises made there are things I must uphold. I nodded firmly to my father. Seeing my serious expression, my father let out a sigh. Indeed, until my father’s generation, it was unthinkable for us to have connections with central nobles.
But now, with Second Brother set to marry the high countess and the son of a high count arriving here as the Royal Magitech Academy fifth-seat mage... My father is grappling with a situation where the common sense he knew no longer applies. Just then, my mother entered. She must have heard that I had brought My Friend to the main residence.
“Dear, what’s going on?”
“Well, the second son of a high comital family wishes to establish a research laboratory at the Fortress for the development of magitech tools for civilian use.”
“Is that so? My apologies, but is this young lady...?”
“Mother, due to certain circumstances, his gender has been transformed, but he is My Friend and the second son of a high comital family.”
“What? M-my apologies. I deeply apologize. It is an honor to meet you. I oversee the internal affairs of the knightly family’s household.”
“Madam, it’s fine. This form is the result of my own carelessness. I accept your apology for the earlier discourtesy. I will be conducting research at the Fortress from now on, so please take note. It is likely... that my current form will remain for some time, but rest assured, there is no such relationship between My Friend and me. As I am also male, I ask for your understanding in this matter.”
He really drove the point home... My Friend. Well, the moment my mother saw him, a certain spark lit up in her eyes, but it soon turned into a look of disappointment directed at me. Did she have some kind of expectation? It’s My Friend we’re talking about, Mother. The kind of person who has no interest in anything but magic and magitech tools.
Even if My Friend were truly a woman, I don’t think I would have had any interest in “that way.” Moreover, with his family being a high comital household, if he were truly a woman, the Minister of Magic would never have let him go so easily... He would likely have been a sheltered young lady. I let out a small sigh at my mother’s openly disappointed gaze.
Come to think of it, Second Brother’s marriage into the high countess’s family should be happening soon. How is that going? I’ve been so busy with the Demonic Forest investigations that I haven’t paid much attention to the knightly household affairs...
“Mother, is Second Brother’s marriage proceeding smoothly?”
“Ah, yes. The high countess’s family is handling everything well. Their retainers are teaching ‘that child’ everything he needs to know, so we don’t need to do anything.”
“Is that so? Then I can rest easy.”
“Oh, so he’s being polished under the high countess’s guidance. That’s quite something...”
My Friend was wearing a very pleasant smile. Whenever he smiles like that, it’s always because he’s thinking of something mischievous. Does that mean Second Brother is in a rather difficult position?
What could it be? I’m starting to feel a bit worried.
Thanks for the translation. :)
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