Chapter 45 The Banquet

Bartolos child has been born.

The news is spread to the Rosyth Kingdoms various clans.

Ou! Sir Almis, Madame Tetra, thank you very much for coming! (Bartolo)

Yes, Congratulations on this day. Please accept these liquor as gift. (Almis)

I point to three barrels of liquor stacked on the horse cart.

I then order Ron and Roswald, who I took as escorts, to assist in unloading the liquor.

Oh! Liquor, huh? I look forward to drinking them, I really love liquor, you know. (Bartolo)

Theyre quite strong so please try not to drink too much. (Almis)

I warn him in advance. Youll have a very painful experience if you drink it the same as you would normally drink wine.

Honey! How about holding back on the liquor at least for today?

A woman calls out to Bartolo. Shes holding a small baby in her arms. Shes likely Bartolos wife.

What are you saying? Its a special day today thats why were drinking! (Bartolo)

The two begin quarreling.

That being said, Bartolos wife is quite young, huh. You can even say that shes still a little girl.

Shes unexpectedly younger than Tetra, you know. If I recall correctly, Bartolos in his early 30s. This Lolicon!

You must be Sir Almis, am I correct? Thank you for always taking care of my husband. (Bartolos Wife)

Please, the feeling is mutual. Sir Bartolo has always been taking care of me. (Almis)

If you think about it clearly, he hasnt really helped me that much, but Im the type who believes some things are better left unsaid.

Is this the new born child? Tetra asks about the baby Bartolos wife is holding.

Yes, thats right. Would you like to hold the baby? Shes a girl. (Bartolos Wife)

Tetra holds the baby as if its a highly precious but fragile item. She returns the baby to the mother after getting satisfied holding her for a while.

Then let us speak again later. Please enjoy yourself with the food and drinks. Bartolo speaks then heads for another clans group.

Hey, Almis. It should be a boy for the first after all, huh. (Tetra)

I dont mind either way. Its not like a girl couldnt succeed as the family head, right? (Almis)

The Adernia Peninsula observes agnatic succession. But for me, that should just be nothing but an old tradition. In this world, womens status is not that low probably because only they could become sorcerers.

Its just something persistently difficult.

At most, enatic succession would seem to cause various problems should there be a big succession crisis in the Rosyth Kingdom.

But if we have a boy then we wont have that much problems occurringwouldnt that be better? (Tetra)

Well, I dont like troublesome things too so I guess well have a boy first and then a girl? (Almis)

I dont want to be biased towards either of them. Like just boys, or just girls

Come to think of it, when you speak of a babys gender, its more likely to be a boy, huh?

That should be good for now.

Its not like Tetras showing signs of being pregnant now.

First is the banquet, huh. (Almis)

Do you know todays objectives? (Tetra)

I know, I know. We should get as much people friendly as possible. Am I right? Ive remembered the names of the people who made a good impression to me at our wedding, after all. I should be fine. (Almis)

By the way, almost all of them were in the Anti-DeBell Pro-King Rosyth Faction. It would seem that no matter what Id become hostile with the DeBell Clan.

Disputes are troublesome, huh.

Lets go with limiting hostilities with Regal DeBell as much as possible. Hes a neighbor, after all. (Almis)

Thats fine. We dont have any particular reason to fight here after all. (Tetra)

Okay, for the meantime

How about we eat and drink? (Almis)

The banquet begins. If I were to mention one impression

They really dont have manners, huh?

These gentlemen, with the high status of being powerful clansmen, are chugging down liquor. They wipe their hands on their clothes, clamor with loud voices, and speak with food in their mouths.

Well, to be fair they dont have cutlery like spoon and fork so you can say grabbing food by hand is the natural thing to do in this world.

The same cant be said for wiping your hands with your clothes though.

Well, Lets wipe our hands with our handkerchiefs.

We brought quite a lot of handkerchiefs. But in the end, its quite inconvenient without tableware, huh. I wonder if I could somehow make them popular?

Leader, I think youre taking it too seriously. (Roswald)

Yes. Yes. (Almis)

Roswald isWellif he doesnt mind, then its fine. It seems to be the same for the others anyway.

Sir Almus!! Wont you please tell me the story of your victory over King Ferrum? (Random Noble)

Sure, I dont mind. (Almis)

This is actually the fifth time Ive been asked. It seems each of the powerful clans of the Rosyth Kingdom were each quite severely harmed by King Ferrum that they wanted to hear about his death and defeat.

Its not like I dont want to tell the story but Ive been telling the same story for who knows how many times already that Ive lost interest.

By the way, you can also call this as a deepening of friendships, right?

But theres just one problem.

Sir Almis. Actually, our daughter wants to know about your tales. Would you please let her hear it from you? (Random Noble)

Sir Almis!!! (Another Random Noble)

Somehow, it would seem my popular period has come.

I can only think of three reasons.

First, I dont have any other wife than Tetra.

Second, Tetra still hasnt given birth to a male heir.

And Third, I dont have any other relative.

Thats why theyll get huge returns should they become relatives with me. Its become particularly worse with those who failed on currying favor with the DeBell clan.

Im fine telling them the story but

Marriage is

I just got married to Tetra so theres no way I can look for a second wife immediately. Withdrawal is out of the question.

In the end, those trying to curry favor with me are those with little leeway from the very beginning so they dont have considerable power.

Well, Tetra would just scowl at a young woman who gets too close and make her go away anyway.

Be a bit more amiable for me. (Almis)

I dont have any particular problem. Its just that you should just chase away all those little clanswomen. Besides, Im not that against you marrying a second wife. Its just that you might as well marry from a powerful clan if youre going to marry again anyway. (Tetra)

Its fine for me to take a second wife, huh

Frank as usual, this girl.

Personally speaking, Id be happier if you showed even just a bit of jealousy.

Suddenly, the surroundings become a little busy.

N? Whats happening? (Almis)

AhIt seems Sir Regal DeBell has come. (Tetra)

The people snuggling up to me blantantly lost their excitement. Do you really hate him that much?

Regal DeBell comes toward us, pushing away the crowd on his way. Hes muscular and a size taller than me. Hes in his late thirties. He came accompanied by an endless stream of people behind him. Theyre probably the clansmen under his influence.

Sir Almis Ars, it has been a while. We met last time at your wedding. And Madame Tetra is beautiful as usual. (Regal)

Yes. Sir Regal. Im happy to see you in good health. (Almis)

Everyone gazes gather towards the me and Regal.

Likewise, Let us support this country together. (Regal)

Yes, Ill be counting on you in emergencies. (Almis)

Regal DeBell holds out his hand for a handshake and I oblige.

He leaves just like that after the handshake. It was good that he didnt mention anything about the crystal ornament.

Its really unpleasant seeing him take along those followers like that (Roswald)

Ahaha (Almis) I laugh it off.

Hey, Leader. Have you noticed theyre giving off bloodlust against us? (Roswald)

Of course, I know that much. I also noticed how you made them lose their nerves when you countered with your own. (Almis)

Thats because they were looking at older brother badly (Ron)

Nevertheless, I dont want you to compete. Disputes are troublesome. If possible, I want amicable relations.

The hall begins to stir anew as I lectured Ron and Roswald.

Its the Rosyth Royal Family, huh

King Rosyths relatives headed by Julia has come. Theyre here even though Bartolo is not from one of the great clans. Well, this much is natural because of Bartolos achievements.

Julia greets Bartolo first.

Bartolo manages to scrape a proper response even though hes gotten dead drunk from brandy. This guy, he can do it if he tries, huh.

Julia walks straight towards me as soon as their conversation ended.

Good evening, Sir Almis. (Julia)

Yes, good evening Princess Julia. (Julia)

As I greet her, she extends her hand for a handshake so I oblige.

Please take care of me from here on out, yes? (Julia)

Julia leaves and then heads to Regal DeBells group.

Yes

She sneaks a letter on my hand.

Hey, Isnt Regal-san somehow glaring at me? I think he found out about the crystal ornament you disassembled (Almis)

Tetra shakes her head to disagree.

Youre wrong. Hes angry because Julia greeted you before him. (Tetra)

I see.

Its natural to greet Bartolo first because hes the host, but next greetingIs that even important?

Hello. Is it fine for me to call you Sir Almis? A male with large build greets me.

UhmThis person is

Raymond Rosyth. Hes Julias uncle. Tetra whispers to let me know.

Ah right, Hes Raymond-san. I remember. He was there at the wedding.

Yes, that is fine. Its been a while. (Almis)

We shake hands for the mean time. He smiles with a grin.

Alright, he seems to not have noticed that I forgot his name. Safe!

Can we have a little talk over there? (Raymond)

Yes, I dont mind. (Almis)

The two of us move away a little from the banquet hall.

This liquor is quite strong yes? I wont be satisfied with normal liquor anymoreso if possible, could you sell me some? (Raymond)

Yes, no problem. Can you please pay by salt, wheat, or Cretian currency? (Almis)

Yes, I understand. My territory has quite a big salt mine from which you can get high quality salt (Raymond)

We begin to chat, specifically regarding our territories respective specialty products and judicial correspondence. While Im grateful for the thought, did he call me out here just for this kind of talk?

As I thought that, Raymond-san suddenly begins to talk.

Sir Almis. Im sure you know that King Rosyth has very little time left to live, yes? (Raymond)

Yes, I heard it was due to illness but (Almis)

Honestly, I dont think that racoon would kick the bucket.

He would live for three years more, at most. Perhaps, he might even meet his demise by the end of this year. Raymond drinks some liquor as he declared.

What should I do if you tell me that

What do you think the next king should do? (Raymond)

Ive been thinkingNormally, wouldnt it be fine for you to succeed as king? I dont understand why we expressly need to find a groom for Julia and make him king. (Almis)

Rather than Julias groom, wouldnt it be more natural for the Kings younger brother to become king?

That is often argued. However, it is feared that hostilities would spring forth with that system as all royalty could then claim a right to succeed the throne. King Rosyth has three other brothers apart from me after all. If you include me, then well have four contenders to the throne. If I become king, the other three would surely voice out their dissatisfaction. You would hate being detested and doubted by family, right? The most amicable settlement we had established would be for Julia to receive a groom. That way, everyone would have no complaints. (Raymond)

Certainly, if you set the precedent that a sibling could inherit then the others would certainly want in. Royalty also have their problems, huh.

Then, who do you think would be a suitable groom? (Raymond)

Normally, wouldnt Regal DeBell be suitable? He heads the strongest clan now right? (Almis)

Raymond shrugs as he heard my answer.

Certainly, in terms of strength, Regal DeBell should be ahead. However, I heard his territory suffers from horrible mismanagement. It seems his citizens have even resorted to flee to other territories. He also got severely beaten countless times in battle against King Ferrum. But most importantly (Raymond)

Raymond looks straight at me.

That person has only one wife right now even though he had married up to three women. He said they died in accidents butI wonder about that. Furthermore, I hear that he commits violence against good-looking women within his territory. How could I entrust my beloved niece to that kind of man? (Raymond)

Raymond continued to drink more liquor. I couldnt answer anything back.

He fixes his gaze at me a second time after he emptied his cup.

Whats troublesome are Regal DeBells followers, vassals, and relatives. They are people with good lineage after all. Theres a possibility they would begin to disrespect our royal family should Regal become king.

Raymond declares as he leaves while tapping my shoulder.

Is there someonewho holds a territory that can oppose Regal DeBell, who has the ability upon which a country could rely, who is kind and gentle that I could entrust Princess Julia to him, and who has few relatives and would not make light of and disrespect our royal family? If you can find someone like that, then please tell me about him. (Raymond)

Authors Note

Raymond Tell me about him. *Sparkles*

Almis (Damn, this guy is frank.)