Chapter 142

Chapter 142: Returning Home for a Short Time

Prime minister-dono.At such an important time, a very interesting rumor is spreading.

Yes, that is.

Men love, huh?Being too concerned about this rumor, nobles dont come visiting anymore, right?.Our plan will precede unhindered, right?

..Yes, but, urm.

As a counter-measure against this rumor, would it be a little better if I become a lustful and lewd archduke? The focus might more or less stray from you.

Ar-archduke Zest, thank you very much, truly..

Hahaha, I never thought that my friends will end up dragging me down.How comes it is always me?

Im really sorry!!

A few days passed since that okama corps incident.

I finally returned to my senses

Such beautiful women were in fact men the shock was just too big.

So, dont tell me, prime minister-dono, .that you actually believe that I truly desire women and that was in fact the reason I asked for those girls?

Of course I dont believe that! I am being saved by archduke Zests consideration after all!

Prime minister Heinz visited my private quarters and he was very apologetic.

At first, he wanted to let the people know thatThe archduke has a lewd heart, so I summoned the reception girls for him again..

However, unexpectedly, the elves had a keen interest in thePrime minister loves menrumor.

I see. So you do get that. Then, again, why didnt you prepare your subordinates to act against this rumorWhats the meaning of this?

I cant even give you a proper answer.

Heinz lowered his head, cold sweat pouring down his face.

That book was much more offensive than I thought, so we have to decentralize this rumor by spreading another one about Archduke Zest, loving women too much!.

..Otherwise, Heinz fall would be too quick.

Sh-shall we call this an unexpected issue.?

The only ones to make use of this unexpected issue thing are the nobles. It is precisely the leader of the country who must cope with unexpected issues..If you were a noble of the empire, all that would be left of you by now would be your head, you know?

Its as you said, my foresight was a bit too optimistic.

You dont get a second change. For the time being, Ill be playing around with those girls, so Ill leave the wedding ceremony arrangements to you, all right? If I am to make a move, youre the one whos gonna fall.

I am truly extremely sorry!!

The blue-faced prime minister Heinz, bowed many times before leaving the room.

Suu entered afterwards, like she just changed places with him, and informed me while grinning.

You got yourself caught in his trap, and now you absorbed yourself in sarcasm..As expected from my master. This Suu admires you greatly.

Actually, that was only a play..

Moreover, you can now welcome those girls with your arms wide open.Master, you cant exploit them, all right?

As I said, it was only a play.

If it was only a play, then I will report this to the madam.

Please dont.

Im sorry, all right.I just wanted to vent a littleBut, its not like I want women or something!

I was a bit distracted, but those girls are different. I simply want them as my citizens, as my subordinates, nothing more.

Fufufu, I understand, master. However, the girls are definitely a reason for concern. You should return home for now and talk to the madam.

Yeah..its true that Im free now and theres still time until the wedding ceremony..Ill go back for a little while then.

I also want to see Wis!

Youre right, Ill do just that! Will you be able to handle everything if I go home for two days?

We dont have any matters that must be dealt with urgently, so you can take your time.

Suu, you truly are excellent

You do break occasionally, but I cant believe youre actually related to Albert.

Lord Media is here as well, so the mongrelI mean, Albert, you can take him with you. Of course, you can take Toto-sama with you as well!

Call him brother, all rightAre you two still fighting?

Because of that okama corps incident, Suu got extremely mad at Albert.

Still, the reason she got angry was very Suu-like..

You brought master to such a shop.Hes an archduke, so you shouldve brought the entire shop here!!

Its all right to drink with women, and its also all right if theyre okamas, since shes used to Media.

Occasionally, it is also all right to fool around with the guys.

However, going out is prohibited! Summon everyone here!! Or so was the argument.

Because of my noble status, I cant go out as freely as before.

I feel like crying when I think that Albert is my brother. I can only call him a mongrel. Anyway, leaving this aside, Ill go prepare your departure.

Suu made a beautiful bow and left the room.

She probably went to prepare my stuff which were in the neighboring room.

Well, Ill try consoling her later.Shes a little too pitiful.

For the time being, dont look outside the window. If Suu sees you, shell flip, all right?

Ooorrrrhhhh!

Youre no pigeon! You big idiot!!

Albert, whose temple was dented by the paperweight I threw at him, dropped to the ground.

Well, hes sturdy, so he wont die or anything

Oh my, as expected from your excellency. You immediately sensed my presence.and that attack! If I didnt have this armor, I wouldve died instantly.

I see. If youre saying this, it might be true.

(Dad! The mongrel is all red! Hes covered in blood!)

Albert laughed heartily, even though blood still poured out of his head.

.Was that a joke? I dont really get thekemonobitopeoples jokes.

We were now on top of a dragon, on our way back to my dominion, and we relaxed as we fooled around.

We werent worried at all since no one could hear us up in the sky.

We could talk serious matters and we could also talk about our nostalgic time spent together in the Frontier Counts household.

Say, Albert. Weve known each other for a very long time now.

Youre right.Time sure flies.

Dont you have any wish?

I am happy with being able to stay by your excellencys side. You are my master after all.

I seeI will make you a marquis and leave the border with the Holy Country of Lilac in your care. Become my shield, all right?

Wha!? A marquis?

Still covered in blood, Albert turned his head with unrestrained vigor.

Hey, are you all right? When you turned your head, blood oozed out again.

Truth be told, Id like to make you a duke, but, since were not blood related, the marquis title is your limit.Im sorry.

Its not that. The marquis status is just too high! If you make akemonobitolike me into a marquis, the nobles in the imperial capital will..

I wont let them complain about it. This is about my life after allIf the empire attacks me, youll be my reinforcement, and if the Holy Country attacks me, youll be my wall. Who else can I entrust with such an important duty? Youre the only one. Im counting on you, all right?

This Albert, no..my entire family will become your excellencys shield. I will definitely meet your expectations!

Good. Ill feel relieved if Albert, whom Ive known for a long time, will protect my border.

Even if I die, he will definitely help my children.

Among the kemonobito folkthe dog kemonobito are particularly loyal.

Yeah, I leave it to you. .By the way, you

Yes, your excellency.

That blood is dangerous, you know? Should I heal you?

Hahaha, such a good joke. For a knight, a wound of this level should heal just by fighting spirit alone!

With unclear eyes, Albert answered me, his eyes looking in the wrong direction.

You.You cant see anything, can you.?

He laughed once again, then the mongrel lost his sensesMaybe I shouldve told him that blood loss is a dangerous thing.

(Dad, as I thought, you should perhaps choose a more capable person for this job.)

Dad also thinks so.

As I brushed Totos hair, I really thought that from the bottom of my heart.

We finally had an interesting conversation, but the mongrels personality traits were hard to beat.

When Im together with him, something will definitely happen.Or so I feel.

We arrived at my dominion and descended in my courtyard.

We left the country of elves first thing in the afternoon and arrived here in the evening.

This way I can take my time and show my affection to Wis, and I can also make out with Bea.

With such thoughts in mind, I opened the door to my office.

There, I saw Katalina and Bea doing paperwork together.

Aah, they are still working.Does Bea feel better now?

I was about to sayIm home!, but Bea was faster, and told me, not moving from her chair.

Oh my? You came back? It wouldve been much better to stay there in the country of elves. Besides, you came home without sending us a notice beforehandAnd you call yourself a noble?

There she was, with that nostalgic cold look, her frowned face and that dark magical power surrounding herThe witch was here again.

.Eh? Whats this?? Whats with this reaction?

We-welcome back-nya, your excellency the archduke! Madam was waiting for you as well-nya!

Katalina, I didnt really wait for him. Shut up and continue working. I will be leaving my seat for a bitZest-sama came back after all. Good grief, my entire schedule is going amiss!

Katalina nodded right away, feeling pressured by Beas full use of dark magic power.

Theres no way she could go against that thing..I was once subdued by it too.

Bea threw the documents in her hand on top of the desk quite violently, she walked towards me with determined steps and took out her iron fan.

Zest-sama, we should have a little talk. I am busy so I dont need your reply. Follow me quietly.

Yes maam!

(Ah, Toto wants to eat some snacks! I must hurry!)

And so, I was taken captive by Bea, who returned to her dark state from during our engagement period.

Will I.be coming alive out of this?