Absolutely Do Not Touch ELdmia Egga – Chapter 133

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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Yuziro
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He was just endlessly tired.

Since losing Delt, there hadn’t been a single peaceful day.

It felt as if someone was intentionally sabotaging every plan.

Count Envelde da Bosha, deep in fatigue while riding in the carriage to the courthouse, was replaying the numerous issues he had to address.

He soon realized he needed to correct his own thoughts.

“…Come to think of it, it hasn’t been that way. Things have been going wrong even before then.”

It was a memory from over seven years ago, so he hadn’t felt the connection, but he had experienced even more dismal failures.

He had felt this way for a while when a large slave trading group managed by his close aide was wiped out years ago.

It was a devastating failure, akin to being swept away by a natural disaster.

Ironically, recalling the worst failure he had ever experienced in his life made him feel better.

At least this time, there was still a chance.

“I’ll overcome this too. Just like I always have.”

It was such a massive source of funds that even elf hunters could be separately managed.

The blow was immense, and he couldn’t even figure out who or what had done it.

And he still hadn’t found the culprit to this day.

Although it didn’t have the same level of usefulness as before due to the inevitable problems that arose as it grew, which caused it to shrink, the slave trading group was operational again.

It wasn’t comparable to the past, but it was still a sizable source of funds.

He had ultimately overcome that day that felt like an unreasonable natural disaster.

“There’s still… there’s still a chance. The alliance between Lagnis and the Empire isn’t set in stone.”

Margrave Levien.

A position that would grant him the justification and ability to lead the invasion of the demon territory, and to possess a significant army, if only his territory was restored.

He had the ability, funds, and talent, but what he needed most was an official title beyond that of a mere count.

That was why he secretly dispatched a survey team to Levien, which had become a ruin and fallen into the hands of demons, seeking a glimmer of opportunity.

Despite receiving an uncertain report that Lagnis might still be alive after considerable losses, he still sent people out to find a girl similar to her.

Although the crucial lead came through a spy he had planted in the Royalist faction, Envelde did not regret the time and effort he had spent.

It was worth it.

If Delt could have safely brought Lagnis back and used her as a mere puppet, everything could have been solved much more easily.

It should have been that way.

“Count, we’ve arrived.”

“…I see.”

Envelde barely managed to control his anger that flared up again at the disrupted plan and composed his expression.

This trial would be another blow, but it was better than having Lagnis become a bridgehead with the Empire, making her someone unapproachable.

Better than remaining a mere, nominal margrave.

The pawn he would use in this trial he was destined to lose was not particularly precious.

It was more like that pawn was being used much more effectively than its original value.

After controlling his emotions, Envelde knocked on the door, and a servant opened the carriage door.

The area in front of the courthouse, already crowded with people, was extremely noisy.

Some recognized him and rushed over, while others glared with disfavor, but the only thing Envelde was interested in today was Lagnis.

“What’s the Royal Family’s reaction?”

“They’ve been talking all night, but no specific details have leaked out.”

“Hmm.”

It wasn’t hard to find Lagnis while talking with his servant.

The very existence of a noble with such flaming red hair was rare.

However, there was another presence that made it easy for Envelde to find Lagnis.

“Is that the one called Eldmia Egga?”

“Yes, it is.”

The one who had defeated a hero from tales.

The one who saved the first Princess of the Empire.

Levien’s hidden sword.

And the boy who some were calling a guillotine after what happened just yesterday.

Frankly, just looking at his size, the word “boy” didn’t quite fit.

“A physique comparable to Sir Radnelbandes. How was such a conspicuous person kept hidden all this time?”

“It seems he had been living with the Ogatorf family for some reason, but considering he often took on adventurer jobs, it doesn’t seem like there was any real intention to conceal him.”

“A person who even defeats a hero… an adventurer?”

He was not expecting an answer but still uttered it.

The servant understood and remained silent.

Envelde also didn’t pay any attention to his servant.

Instead, he naturally started walking towards Lagnis.

He should have been enough to fill Delt’s place.

How such a card ended up in the hands of a brat like Lagnis was truly lamentable.

But a solution would soon come.

He had always found a way.

“It’s been a while, Lagnis.”

“…It has been a while, Uncle.”

Come to think of it, this was the first time he had seen her in person since she returned to the capital.

Even so, Lagnis maintained the same reaction from his memory of her childhood, keeping her distance.

Her eyes were ridiculously similar to his dead brother.

“Your brother must have educated his child well. You still show your dislike for me.”

“You know my father’s personality.”

“Indeed. He looked at the Noble faction like they were vermin.”

His brother, who had despised the Noble faction for only pursuing their own interests.

His brother, who refused to acknowledge the Royal Family’s incompetence and swore his loyalty till the very end.

And his brother who ultimately died without being rewarded for that loyalty.

His incompetent brother who had not even properly utilized half of his position as margrave.

He hadn’t been able to prove his brother wrong while he was alive, but he soon would.

“There’s no need to bring up such things when you’re already having a hard time due to the trial. Ah yes, this must be the attendant who has been making waves recently.”

“…Yes. His name is Eldmia Egga. Eldmia, This is Count Envelde da Bosha. My uncle.”

He was surprisingly friendly.

Amidst that impression, Envelde was about to offer a greeting when he was inexplicably forced to tilt his head due to the reaction he saw.

Why… was he smiling while tilting his head like that?

“What a small world it is, wouldn’t you say, Count Bosha?”

“Hmm? Have we met before?”

That couldn’t be.

They had never been in contact.

Yet, the tall boy was smiling, showing his teeth.

“If you were to nitpick, it’s our first meeting. But we seem to be quite entangled with each other without knowing.”

That was not a smile, but more like the threat of an animal.

“Did you find Delt’s corpse?”

Envelde’s thoughts stopped.

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A middle-aged man with a trimmed beard, his long hair reaching his neck.

That was Count Bosha’s first impression.

Like with Pavaera, I couldn’t understand why the villains always looked so normal.

“I wonder if you had much trouble finding him since he fell from quite a height. Perhaps his head flew off somewhere else. Considering the height, even if it fell nearby, I doubt there would be anything left of it.”

“You… you…!”

It was amusing to see the calm, indifferent expression from just a moment ago contort.

Was that anger because his plans had been disrupted or because of the death of his subordinate Delt, whom even Duke Lesrom coveted?

Regardless, this was a very pleasant encounter.

“Why don’t you manage your expression? Even I, who am annoyed by you, am still smiling like this. Smile. They say good fortune comes with a smile.”

It was still too early to make such a face.

I was putting on an air of nonchalance and even demonstrated a bright smile, but Count Bosha couldn’t even fake a smile.

“You still have a lot to lose, so you shouldn’t let it show so much because of Delt alone.”

“How much… do you know?”

“I’m not an idiot, so why would I tell you that? Send me an estimate for everything you lost later. I’ll be sure to mark what I did.”

I wondered why I couldn’t just leave Lagnis alone, and the answer was family.

Before her coming of age, he could have tried to use Lagnis’ position to his advantage as her representative, but why was he bothering now?

Should I just ask him directly?

While he was thinking about that, Count Bosha suddenly shook his head and started laughing.

“…Heh heh heh.”

He was laughing?

They say if you laugh when things are tough you’re top class.

He couldn’t tell if this guy was top class or just not having a hard time yet.

“You have a great deal of nerve. And no doubt you have the skill to back it up.”

“You’re looking a bit loopy right now, by the way? I told you to smile but I didn’t expect you to actually smile.”

“I don’t waste talent. How about it? Why don’t you join me, even now?”

At his earnest proposal, his professional smile faded and he burst out laughing.

Was this old man also reading too many novels?

I had seen a lot of movies, so I decided to respond with a movie reference.

“Hey, how could a wolf pup go under a dog?”

Bosha’s face, which had been wearing a smile, slightly tensed.

“…Money, power, It would be more advantageous to follow me than Lagnis. Are you also the type to waste your life on honor, like the Royalist fools?”

“Even if you say it quietly with a smile, your word choices are direct. But, I’m not interested in that. What’s important is… the message.”

“Message?”

“A message that you should never mess with Eldmia Egga.”

He had messed with my temperament and was now trying to win me over now that I seemed useful?

“You’ve already made an irreversible choice, and it was the wrong one. All that remains is your downfall.”

I presented a universal gesture, number three, towards Count Bosha.

There wasn’t a better gesture among gestures that were both simple and clearly insulting.

His face contorted again as he stared at the middle finger that stood alone amidst his extended fist.

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[“Yeah I killed your bro, what about it?”]