The Protagonists Of The Novel Escaped – Chapter 39

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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: TushChen
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The Hohenberc County was promoted to a Marquis Territory.

It simultaneously incorporated The Hillidar County, which was a part of the imperial family’s directly governed territory.

The territory had grown significantly.

It was a large-scale expansion nearly two or three times its original size.

How could the territory be managed efficiently?

Edanant headed to the Hillidar County, accompanied by Rue and Elizaveta to assess that.

Ludmilla and Zebeline were omitted as they were currently busier than anyone else.

“W-Welcome…! We have been waiting for you.”

Soon after, they arrived at the lord’s castle of the Hillidar County.

As they got off the carriage, the servants, led by an elderly head maid, bowed with disciplined postures.

It was quite a modest reception.

There were only about 10 servants gathered at the lord’s castle.

The end of the Hillidar County, which had boasted an excellent reputation for its wealthy resources, was genuinely miserable.

After the Hillidar family, who had participated in the Racial War, was wiped out, the servants must have left individually.

Edanant felt the transience of life as he looked at the lord’s castle of the county, filled with a gloomy atmosphere.

‘It seems renovation work is needed first….’

Although the loyal servants had meticulously managed the lord’s castle, reminiscing about their memories with their master, who had long passed away, they couldn’t stop the aftermath of the downfall.

Collapsed walls.

Bumpy roads and farmland had turned into a wasteland.

The visible traces of decline seemed to speak of the misery of this unclaimed territory.

The Hillidar County, having lost its master, was rapidly becoming desolate.

“You don’t need to be so cautious. We’re just visiting as guests.”

“Y-Yes…!”

The golden-haired Princess took graceful steps and urged the maids.

The maids bowed their heads and showed signs of nervousness.

It was as if they were treating her as the family’s heiress.

The head maid was already regarding Elizaveta as the head.

The wariness of the servants who had been afraid of outsiders eased somewhat.

It was because Elizaveta had instantly captivated the servants with her overwhelming charisma.

A scene unfolded where the maids hurriedly followed as the beautiful Princess gestured.

‘Considering the renovation of the county, the backpay of the servants, and the recruitment of guards to maintain public order, it’s going to cost quite a bit….’

Edanant folded his arms and looked beyond the walls.

The news that the beautiful Platinum Princess had arrived must have spread widely in the Hillidar County, as numerous citizens had gathered like clouds.

Massive funds were needed, and talented individuals to govern the Hohenberc Marquis Territory also needed to be recruited.

He understood why many nobles had hesitated despite eyeing the Hillidar County that had fallen into no man’s land.

If they rashly swallowed up the territory, they would end up in a situation where they only poured in funds, reversing the roles of host and guest.

‘The funds of the Hohenberc family are far from enough.

We’re already delaying the compensation we have to pay to the Valtarian Imperial Family.

Should I ask Ludmilla and Zebeline first?

If I beg them, I promise to repay them with interest later…

Poverty and destitution tend to eat away at pride first.

Damn it.

To be making such pitiful requests already.

I’m not some man who is kept, constantly holding his hand out to his wife.

Being a kept man was indeed my first choice for a future career during my school days, but I didn’t want to make such pitiful requests to Ludmilla and Zebeline out of the blue.

I should use my trademark first.

“Rue.”

“Yes? What is it?”

There was a clever idea I had been thinking about since leaving the Marquis territory.

I wonder if it will work.

I was uncertain, but there was no choice.

Rue’s help was desperately needed to break through the current murky situation head-on.

So I stared intently at Rue, who had come with a meaningful gaze.

“… There’s something I’d like you to do.”

“You said you didn’t want to make pitiful requests to the aunties…! But it’s okay to ask a child?”

“Hmm. If you refuse, I might just throw all the jelly candies in the carriage into the well.”

“Eek! A grown adult is threatening a child!”

We’re partners, aren’t we?

We can inconvenience each other a little.

It seems my sincerity got through.

Rue reluctantly nodded and accepted.

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Who should be chosen as a daughter-in-law candidate?

The head of the Hohenberc family was racking his brains over this extreme issue.

The Red Dragon of the Empire and the White Dragon of the Holy Kingdom.

The cruel dilemma of choosing one side drove Otto into an abyss.

He would turn the Holy Kingdom into an enemy if he chose the Princess.

He would turn the Empire into an enemy if he chose the Saintess.

Is this how a soldier feels when having to defuse a time bomb?

No, it’s an even more vicious situation.

A time bomb can at least be survived if it’s defused somehow.

However, the dilemma facing the Hohenberc family was a fate that would lead to tragedy no matter which side was chosen.

Just as one cannot escape divine will no matter how much they struggle.

“I have prepared a modest gift for the Hohenberc family, who have remained loyal to the Valtarian Imperial Family. I hope the Marquis will accept it.”

The imperial knights were deployed to transport the goods at Ludmilla’s signal.

It was truly reminiscent of a military operation.

A grand transport convoy lined up like ants carrying food.

The servants who witnessed the scene gossiped that Princess Ludmilla had proudly sent betrothal gifts as they admired the rare treasures and clothing.

The servants who saw the brilliantly shining radiance gasped in admiration with their mouths wide open.

“Do you think young master Edan… is being sold off?”

“Hmm. If I were the head of the family, I would have sold him off dozens of times already.”

Following that, the holy knights also poured in supplies as if competing with the imperial knights.

Zebeline, not wanting to be outdone, also presented splendid treasures and clothing.

As if to prove her strong will not to lose to the old hag, even holy relics of the Holy Kingdom were included among the goods being moved.

“May the Hohenberc Marquis Territory, which possesses excellent faith, last forever with the grace of the Earth Mother. These are wedding gifts… no, rewards for devout believers, bestowed in the name of the Saintess.”

Is it really okay to accept this?

It’s scary.

Now, it was becoming frightening.

The servants who continued to watch the scene began to feel increasingly perplexed.

This was because the warehouses of the lord’s castle were reaching saturation due to the material offensive from the Empire and the Holy Kingdom.

“E-Edan…! What on earth did you do in the imperial capital!”

Otto, who had been watching the situation from the window in his office, collapsed with a pale face.

What kind of scene is this?

What did that second son do in the imperial capital and come back?

Even a perfect host with flawless reception and eloquence couldn’t handle this onslaught.

The Hohenberc family, which had produced numerous talented individuals, had finally given birth to the ultimate child.

At that, Otto pressed his brow and sincerely apologized to the family’s past heads.

‘The treasures bestowed by the Princess and the Saintess should be returned to the Empire and the Holy Kingdom. We might be cursed for using my son to make money.’

Greed beyond one’s means only leads to misfortune.

Although he was grateful, Otto sincerely wanted to decline the splendid treasures.

Otto had a clean-natured disposition and had lived half his life frugally.

Therefore, the material offensive from the Empire and the Holy Kingdom was somewhat burdensome.

Even if they were betrothal gifts presented by potential daughters-in-law to their in-laws.

“Are you there, Marquis Hohenberc?”

“I’ve brought a gift for the devout believer, may I have a moment?”

Just as the head of the Hohenberc family had made a firm decision,

Knock, knock.

There was a sound of knocking on the door.

Soon after, Ludmilla and Zebeline entered the office.

The fierce competition between the Red and White Dragons finally reached the final boss, the father-in-law.

Otto swallowed dry saliva as he looked at the potential daughters-in-law approaching with enormous strides.

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As soon as he returned from the Hillidar County, Edanant headed to the office.

3 PM.

It was just the time when Father enjoyed his tea time.

He opened the office door, intending to share some refreshments and talk.

“…F-Father?”

“……”

Father was sitting in the office chair, adorned with luxurious clothes and ornaments, as if he were the ruler of a glorious golden empire.

A crown decorated with various jewels.

A lush wig plastered with white flour.

A cloak made of rare white fox fur and a ceremonial robe made with lavish use of the finest silk.

For some reason, he was holding a golden scepter, symbolizing the authority of wealth.

Even rings with large jewels were visible on each finger.

Since his clean-handed father wouldn’t have suddenly gone mad, Edanant could guess that Ludmilla and Zebeline had visited the office.

“Oh, d-don’t misunderstand! The Princess and the Saintess pleaded, so I just put them on for a moment….”

“You needn’t explain anymore, Father.”

Isn’t the pain of shrimp inevitably caught up in the violent fight between whales their fate?

I sympathize.

I know your plight because I’ve been through it since forever.

If Ludmilla and Zebeline were to enter the Hohenberc family as daughters-in-law at once, Father would surely not last even half a day before going to a nursing home.

“Father, I have an urgent matter to discuss.”

“D-Don’t tell me! Have you finally chosen between the Princess and the Saintess?”

Father asked in great surprise.

Shaking his head at the urgent question, Edanant opened his mouth.

“I will be visiting the Fairies’ Magic Land starting tomorrow.”

I brought up my secret plan to revive the Hohenberc Marquis Territory in an earnest voice.

At that, Father smiled kindly.

“You crazy bastard.”

When his twenty-three-year-old second son started talking about a magic land that would only appear in children’s fairy tales, harsh swear words immediately flew out.

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