*****
NOVELASIUS
- TL: the guild
- Discord: https://discord.gg/GBKEa55867
- Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/topasius
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The Battle for Korin as a Son-in-Law (2)
King David Joseph El Rath of the El Rath Kingdom visited the palace of the Second Princess.
Since the Mound Extermination incident, King David had frequently sought out Miruam.
The Mound Extermination had given him a reason to reflect on Miruam.
The princess of a kingdom had almost been killed by mysterious beastmen. In such a case, the royal family must exact appropriate retribution.
Though the justification was valid, he knew all too well that it was nothing more than a pretext.
His late queen’s daughter had long harbored a desire for bloody vengeance. This situation was something Miruam had long desired.
He understood his daughter’s thirst for revenge and knew the sorrow she had felt when he had ignored her for the sake of the kingdom.
“At the beginning of the new year, the execution of that wolf will be carried out.”
David mentioned the werewolf who had taken all the blame and willingly walked to the execution ground. He wanted to know if his daughter would truly be satisfied with this.
“Really?”
“Will that satisfy you?”
“What do you mean?”
His daughter stared at him with her usual cold gaze.
He uttered only one question to the daughter he had long avoided.
“Will you stop here?”
Revenge. Hatred. Miruam fully understood the meaning behind her father’s words.
“Even now… my anger hasn’t faded.”
Yes, of course. Knowing the venomous nature of his daughter, David’s nerves were on edge at her hollow sigh.
“But… if I take revenge, it seems the wrong person would be saddened.”
“…”
The king knew who she was referring to.
Even though he had not been able to justify it, there had been a hero who had stopped the Mound Extermination.
He knew that this man had used the power and reputation he had carefully built to prevent his daughter’s actions.
What surprised him the most was that there was no hatred between the two.
“I see, I understand.”
He had no right to embrace his daughter. When he had given up on avenging the late queen and chosen to check the old church, he had forfeited that right.
When he had chosen the interests of the kingdom and the lives of many over his daughter’s vengeance, David, the failed father, had lost all excuses and all rights.
“There are many who covet that friend of yours.”
“Why… why are you suddenly bringing this up?”
“What do you think of him?”
“What…?”
For the first time, there was a faint change in the expression of his usually cold and cynical daughter. That was enough for David.
“Why… are you smiling?”
“No reason, really.”
Miruam couldn’t help but be confused as she saw her father’s rare smile.
“Estelle has declared that she will marry him.”
“…”
“She said it was the Lord’s will, so it’s hard to stop her. But… I’ll find a way.”
“What?”
Mirium tilted her head at her father’s unfamiliar behavior.
“Hm… this could work. Yes, that’s a good idea.”
“What exactly are you talking about…?”
“My daughter, I want you to find your own happiness.”
“…”
“I will support you in this matter, no matter what.”
If that was the only thing a failed father could do, King David would do anything.
Unlike King David or Garrand Arden, Duke Marde Dunarev didn’t have a favorable opinion of Korin Lork.
Of course, he felt indebted.
Saving his daughter was a debt he could never repay in his lifetime.
But that and this are separate matters.
There’s a big difference between feeling indebted to someone and considering them as a potential son-in-law.
Forced by his wife’s insistence, the Duke was reluctantly on his way to the capital, but he planned to only go through the motions.
‘Of course! Whose daughter is she? Marie will live with her dad forever!’
As a doting father who adored his daughter, Marde Dunarev still saw Marie as his precious little girl.
“Dad!”
A Hresvelg with the family crest flew toward the Duke’s procession. It was Marie’s personal passenger.
“Oh! My dear daughter! What brings you here?”
Marie had recently been appointed as the head of the Guardian Association’s Southern Branch. She must have had plenty of work to do, so why was she rushing to join the procession heading for the capital?
“Dad… I saw the newspaper…”
“Ahem…”
The Duke’s expression grew solemn as he saw the anxious look on his eldest daughter’s face.
What was it about that rogue? In the past, a man embroiled in a scandal wouldn’t even be considered as a suitor for the Dunarev family.
“Dad… I trust you…”
Marie suddenly grabbed his hand. It was a hand she hadn’t reached out to him with since he had started treating Korin harshly.
“For me, Korin… you have to protect him.”
“Marie…”
What was it about that man? What was it about that rogue that made his daughter look so sad? It made the Duke resent Korin even more.
“My dear… there are plenty of men out there. Even without that guy, the best suitors will line up at our door just for the name Dunarev.”
If she wanted, she could have any man. So why…
“Dad, just as you’re the only one for me, Korin is the only one for me. Korin… he’s irreplaceable.”
“Huff…”
The Duke tried to deny his daughter’s deep love, but the more he did, the tighter Marie clung to his hand.
“Promise me, Dad. Don’t let anyone take Korin from me.”
“…”
To be honest, he wanted to just let it go. But he knew how selfish that would be.
If his daughter’s first love were taken away by someone else… that would be the worst. The Dunarev family does not get taken advantage of.
Separating that guy from his daughter was his job alone.
“Alright, I promise. Trust your father.”
“Really?”
“I swear by the golden potato blossom crest.”
“You’re the best, Dad!”
Marie beamed and hugged Duke Marde, even giving him three kisses on the lips—a gesture she hadn’t done since she was thirteen.
“M-Marie…”
The Duke was so touched that tears welled up in his eyes.
“Do your best, Dad! I have to go back to work on something Korin asked me to do, so I can’t follow you. I’m counting on you!”
“Yes…! You can count on me!”
The Duke now had a reason to fight.
Only he and the potatoes knew just how big a storm this would cause.
In the central political arena of the kingdom, the influence of Dunarev, the ruler of the South, was not insignificant.
The absolute wealth accumulated from the vast southern plains, known as the kingdom’s breadbasket, its rich mines, and the trade routes of the archipelago extending eastward made the South a prosperous land.
Based on that wealth, the South nurtured powerful figures who could represent their interests.
This group was known as the “Voice of the South.”
The Voice of the South was a powerful political faction within the central government, consisting of those who either hailed from the South or were supported by it.
Surprisingly, despite being a formidable political force, the members of this faction often acted independently.
Their political goals were limited, focusing on issues directly related to the South’s interests.
These interests typically included the appointment of the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, laws governing grain distribution networks, tariffs on imported foodstuffs, and related matters.
Whenever these issues arose, the Voice of the South, regardless of party affiliation, would unite to defend the South’s position.
In a luxurious hotel in the heart of the capital, within a private room of the Dunarev Five-Star Hotel, prominent figures began to gather one by one.
When all the expected participants had arrived, Wolf Schacht, the Minister of Justice, known for his sharply pointed beard, spoke.
“Everyone, please take your seats.”
At the minister’s command, the members of the faction, all highly distinguished, took their seats around the round table.
Undersecretary Gorgol was overwhelmed with emotion at being included in this gathering.
He had been on the elite track to becoming the next Minister of Administration, but that wasn’t something that could be achieved solely on merit.
He needed connections, and he needed a faction.
He had been striving to establish those connections, but the bigwigs had never granted him an audience.
But now, where was he? And who were the people before him?
Minister of Justice, Wolf Schacht.
Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, Tocqueville.
Director Lamar of the Foreign Affairs Department.
Director Darland of the External Affairs Department.
And the list went on. There were prominent figures from every field. Though the Undersecretary was not in a low-ranking position, compared to the people gathered here, he was but a small fry.
These were the powerful figures who moved the kingdom—the “Voice of the South.”
Gorgol was grateful for the luck that had brought him here, a member of this club simply because he had passed the resident registration list during the Mound Extermination incident.
As they exchanged small talk and became acquainted, someone approached Minister Schacht and whispered in his ear.
“Hm… I see. Understood.”
Minister Schacht turned to the group and, with a voice that belied his age, announced the news.
“The leader will be joining us for this meeting. Everyone, take your seats.”
“The leader?”
“You mean he’s coming himself?”
Soon, the door to the private room opened, and in walked a man with hair the color of the sea.
This man was the guardian of 7.6 million hectares of farmland, the owner of 25 cities, 47 mines, and 67 ranches.
He was, without a doubt, the wealthiest man on the continent, the Emperor of the Southern Empire.
Marde Dunarev, the head of the Dunarev family, who had ruled over the Voice of the South for generations.
“…”
Duke Marde Dunarev surveyed the room, noting the presence of every member of the faction before taking his seat at the head of the table.
“Everyone, be seated.”
The members of the faction, clearly tense at the rare appearance of their leader, took their seats.
“You know why I’m here, don’t you?”
“Is it about that issue?”
At Minister Schacht’s response, the Duke nodded.
“Let’s be honest. My wife wants him. So does my daughter. And so do my vassals.”
“I see…”
Though his name had been rising in prominence recently, it was no secret in social circles that he was being considered as a son-in-law by the Dunarev family.
Korin Lork.
It was well-known that Marie, the eldest daughter and heir to the Dunarev title, was fond of him.
If he were an ordinary man, he might have been dismissed as a “male Cinderella,” but Korin Lork was far from ordinary.
He was a Special-Grade Knight, a warrior who represented this era, following in the footsteps of Garrand Arden.
Of course, Marie Dunarev and Hua Ran had also been recognized as Special-Grade, but Korin Lork had demonstrated feats that set him apart.
The Mound Extermination incident. There wasn’t a citizen in the kingdom who didn’t know about that legendary battle.
But that wasn’t all.
Many had gathered around him.
Josephine Clara, the Grand Witch and Head of Merkabah Academy.
Marie Dunarev and Hua Ran, both Special-Grade, who were members of the Guardians, led by him.
The famous Arden sisters from the East, with whom he had long been comrades.
Recently, he had even been recognized by the Holy Church as the rightful owner of the Sun Relic, Clau Solas, and had taken the position of Head of the Guardian Association.
Though his title was merely that of a baron, he was a hero of the era, one who wouldn’t be out of place being granted a dukedom.
And he had achieved all this at an age not yet twenty. Even Garrand Arden had not risen to prominence this quickly.
“Sir Korin would make a perfect husband for Lady Marie.”
“I had a drink with him in social circles, and he’s a solid and upright young man.”
“His reputation at the Academy is also stellar. If he has a flaw, it’s that he’s too good-natured.”
Duke Marde Dunarev frowned at the favorable opinions being expressed about Korin Lork, but there was little he could do.
Both his wife and daughter desired him so much. As much as he wanted to keep his daughter close forever, he couldn’t deny that Korin Lork was an exceptional suitor.
“Though I’m not quite sure about that…”
It hurt his pride as a father to admit it, but there was no denying the truth.
“Anyway… The royal family and the Arden family have both proposed marriage.”
“Yes, the capital is abuzz with that news right now.”
“This is unacceptable. The royal family is trying to stab Dunarev in the back!”
“It’s no secret that Sir Korin is Lady Marie’s intended partner.”
“…”
As much as Duke Marde wanted to criticize that scoundrel who was receiving such high praise, he couldn’t. His daughter had asked him to protect Korin.
And he couldn’t let Korin Lork fall into the hands of the royal family.
“What options do we have?”
At Duke Marde’s question, the members of the round table began offering their suggestions.
“There are trading companies operated by the royal family. They mainly handle the export of specialty goods along the trade routes leading to the East. How about putting pressure on those companies?”
“We could restrict the trade routes for Eastern specialty goods, like warhorses. That’s one of Arden’s few key exports, so blocking it would deal a significant economic blow.”
“Perhaps we could expel some of Arden’s dojos located in the South?”
Several options were proposed, each of them involving significant financial outlay befitting Dunarev’s scale.
Tens of thousands of gold coins were the norm, and economic sanctions costing over a million gold were not uncommon.
Of course, this would also cause some financial losses for the Dunarev family. Economic sanctions meant forgoing the profits that would have been generated.
“That’s not enough.”
“Excuse me?”
The Duke’s response surprised everyone. Even a single one of the options mentioned would inflict a significant blow on the East and the royal family.
Those who had suggested them were already trembling at the scale of the plans, but Dunarev’s wealth made such proposals feasible. But to call this “not enough”?
“Implement all of the options you just mentioned. And use everything else at our disposal. The budget… use the last quarter’s net profit.”
The last quarter’s net profit? How much was that?
Those who quickly did the math were officials from the Ministry of Economic Affairs, the Ministry of Mining, and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries.
-The last quarter’s Southstone mining output, what was it?
-Does that include the trade route revenue?
-Crop production was…
About 1.4 billion gold.
Equivalent to 140 trillion won.
One of the ministers, having finished his calculations, found himself struggling to breathe.
*****
NOVELASIUS
- TL: the guild
- Discord: https://discord.gg/GBKEa55867
- Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/topasius
*****
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