Chapter 55

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 55

Chapter Title: Duvered Independence

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The next day, the steward came to find me.

"You had a nightmare, they say. I heard the castle was in an uproar."

"Yeah."

"Was it because of me?"

The steward's eyes grew a little cloudy.

I blew on my cocoa, took a sip, and answered.

"Not my fault. Little bit steward's fault too."

"......"

"Shoulda said it softer?"

At my words, the steward cleared his throat with a cough and muttered, "Well......" as he averted his gaze.

"Steward, got one thing for you to do."

"How does that connect to this? Last time, saying you were carrying out Little One's orders, I nearly overworked myself at my age."

He said it like it was absurd, so I smiled as cutely as I could. The steward paused, then sighed.

"......Just tell me what it is."

"Get a doll and make fake identity."

"A doll...... You don't mean a ball-jointed doll, do you?"

A ball-jointed doll was a type of magic tool.

A doll that looked exactly like a real human; infuse it with mana or divine power, and it could serve as a body double.

"Commoner, late twenties, lead Hof Merchant Company and integrate various businesses. Oh, run mercenary corps too, so knightly."

"That'll cost a fortune. There's only one doll artisan in the empire, and even Duvered's intelligence network would struggle to find them."

"Use spinel sale money. Exile funds I gave for buying land, some left too."

"If you use that, how will you exile?"

"Won't."

I stood up from my seat and looked at the steward.

"I'm gonna live here now."

"There'll be dangers."

"Was gonna exile though?"

"What do you......"

I grinned and said,

"Gonna make Duvered independent from empire. Free country, no temple or imperial meddling. That be my exile."

I'm too clever to just rely on Duvered protecting me.

I need a sure way to be safe.

"......!"

The steward's face stiffened.

"Impossible. From first family head to current Your Grace, all aimed for it but none succeeded. Just a dream."

"Callin' it dream, why lips tremblin'?"

He let out a wry chuckle.

"At my age, getting excited over independence talk—ridiculous."

"Too honest, ain'tcha?"

As I spoke, holding my cocoa cup with both hands, the steward's eyes sharpened.

"Those who hold enmity toward Duvered are all honest about their desires. Empire's hypocrites call us villains for it."

"Doll be my double till I grow up. Get it."

"Looks like Louis's birthday gift wasn't the spinel—it was you, Little One."

The steward and I looked at each other and smiled like villains.

A lot had to be done for my new goal. Luckily, preparations for exile had already checked off a few things.

Hof Merchant Company for funding.

Influential allies.

'What's left is troops.'

Duvered's military was excellent, but still short against the imperial family or temple in a pinch.

So I summoned Andy to the castle.

The moment he entered the room, his jaw dropped in awe.

"What kind of room is......"

I held out a basket of cookies to the overwhelmed, mumbling boy.

"Eat."

Andy grabbed a cookie and glanced at me.

"So, why'd you call me? ......Miss."

"No maids here. No need formal."

"Comes natural. ......Miss."

"Andy, wanna live valuable here?"

At my question, Andy's eyes widened like saucers, and he dropped his cookie.

Palm out, he gulped repeatedly.

"W-W-Wait."

"Yeah?"

"Since when?"

I tilted my head, wondering what he meant, and Andy's face flushed as he asked,

"Since when you like me? From that bread moment? Thought it weird bein' so nice to strangers......"

"Huh?"

"T-Trouble. You're cute, but you're four and I'm thirteen. Age gap too big. I ain't trash who sees kid as girl."

"......"

"You really cute, first time seein' someone so cute, but I ain't pervert—"

......What imagining?

"Wanna be my knight."

I looked at him with clouded eyes, and flushed Andy went, "Huh?"

I wasn't canceling the plan to find Zachary. But I needed an immediate backup.

'Even if find Zachary, might not be my person.'

But Andy clearly liked me.

Weaker than Zachary maybe, but his skills were plenty good.

Leading ragtag kids aged four or five to push adult men.

The strategy used then.

Boldness.

Courage to lead.

I gave him very high marks overall.

"I got no money for horse or weapon? Who'd take me as squire?"

Being knight ain't just strong.

Warhorse cost more than ox, huge burden for commoner. Plus decent weapon, years as squire under knight.

Tough dream for Andy.

"I got money!"

I showed gems like pumpkin and diamonds Ishak gave last time, cupped in both hands.

"......Really make me your knight?"

"Yeah. Be my knight, make your orphanage Duvered vassal. Can change director too."

"My liege."

He switched attitudes quick.

'Good survival skills. Fits Duvered slyness.'

I nodded satisfied, and Andy said with resolute face.

"This when swear loyalty, right? I know all."

Third time, loyalty oaths felt routine.

I watched Andy jump up with 'hurry and finish' face.

"Andy greets his liege—"

Mid-sentence, he frowned. Then muttered, "Too plain for knight." and nodded.

"Fine, change name knightly from today."

He knelt on floor, looked up at me.

"Knight Zachary greets his liege."

"......Huh?"

I froze stiff, staring at Andy.

"What just say?"

"Zachary. Knightly, right?"

I gawked at Andy—no, Zachary.

'For real?'

Really?

Andy really Zachary?

But Andy super weak!

If Andy real Zachary, why no fight maids?

"Last time, why no stand against my maids?"

"Can't hit girls."

"You cried."

"To get hit less."

Strategy, huh.

Truly mind-blowing.

Regretted not finding Zachary so much, and Andy was him!

Not his fault though, so I pressed brow, calming injustice.

I tugged bell cord, summoning Lea.

"Lea teach Zachary sword."

"That boy's Zachary?"

"......Changed."

"I see."

Lea nodded, eyed Zachary.

"Follow. Little One's order, so specially teach sword."

Zachary looked puzzled maid teaching sword, but followed fairly obediently.

And that day, Zachary really cried.

"Better teach Zachary spear than sword. Got talent. Soon as learned breathing, sensed presence keenly."

"I see......"

"Hee hee, fun kid. Big knight illusion, acts proper in front others."

Lea, who taught Zachary past week, laughed saying daily shocks.

I eyed Zachary outside my room, thrusting spear with "Hup, hup!" commands, cloudy-eyed.

Somehow annoyed, but thought positive.

'My house got two of four knights.'

Ishak and Zachary.

Gossips joked if those four gather, half empire helpless.

'Raise Zachary hard, use well.'

I clenched fist lightly, resolved.

Meant for caravan guard, but proper training need years.

So told Seria deal with mercenaries first. Past life beggar errand mercenaries, leader trustworthy.

'Grow company first.'

Money better more, need funds untraceable.

'Till grow some, much time outside company, so get along family too.'

Decided no walls with Duvered folk, saw them normal dad, brothers.

Want time with daughter, sister; normal family trying care.

'Got family not hate me.'

Thinking so, chest thumped happy.

Cheeks cupped, knock sounded.

"Young Lord calls."

Daddy?

I nodded yes, followed servant.

Reached parlor, saw Ishak lounging sofa, Henri reading book.

Henri saw me, smiled softly.

"Good morning."

Ishak waved.

"Sleep well?"

I said "Morning." sat between Henri, Ishak.

"Duke call you too?"

Ishak asked, I nodded.

"Yeah."

Then Daddy entered parlor with Nos.

Nos held three small boxes.

Daddy sat, Nos lined boxes on table.

"Open them."

We three opened curiously.