My Lord Who Is Being Prudent! [EN]: Chapter 169

§ 169 – A Guest in Ruben (3)

Cyan nodded calmly.

Instantly, Conrad’s eyes lost focus.

Cyan sighed inwardly at Conrad’s reaction.

It seemed Conrad didn’t believe Cyan’s words.

Well, it would be strange if he did.

A ghost from a thousand years ago.

And that ghost is Charlotte’s younger sister.

This wasn’t just a lie; it was practically a mockery.

He could be charged with insulting the imperial family and sentenced to death without a word of protest.

But what could he do?

“I know it’s hard to believe, but… it’s true.”

A clear fact.

“······”

Conrad didn’t reply.

He just stared blankly at Cyan with unfocused eyes.

And after a moment.

“That ghost… no, that person… if she’s Empress Charlotte’s younger sister… wouldn’t that make her my distant ancestor?”

“That’s right.”

“Hmm…”

Conrad was stunned once again by Cyan’s immediate response without any hesitation.

A thousand-year-old ancestor.

Even Empress Charlotte’s younger sister.

Calling her an ancestor was practically like calling her the founder.

This was an unbelievable story.

So, it was definitely a mockery.

This was more than enough to charge him with insulting the imperial family.

Perhaps… if the person who said this wasn’t Cyan.

Conrad would have certainly done so.

Conrad stood there blankly, utterly blankly.

Cyan quietly waited for Conrad.

How much time had passed again?

Conrad, having regained his senses, slowly turned his gaze.

He saw Leah.

Leah was standing next to Cyan, pouting.

And Elena was somehow watching Leah’s expression.

Conrad stared at them quietly.

And again, how much time had passed?

“Conrad von Charlotte, the 37th descendant of Empress Charlotte.”

Conrad slowly bowed his head towards Leah as he spoke.

“I greet the founder of the branch line.”

The founder of the branch line refers to an ancestor who founded a different clan from the main lineage [a cadet branch of the family tree].

Conrad’s founder was, after all, Charlotte.

And Leah, Charlotte’s younger sister.

For Conrad, she was a founder-like figure, but strictly speaking, not the founder.

Since the founding of the empire, members of the imperial family had borrowed Charlotte’s name as their family name.

But Charlotte himself didn’t have a surname.

A thousand years ago, Charlotte was just a young man from a village.

Therefore, Leah also didn’t have a proper surname.

She didn’t use the name Charlotte.

A thousand years ago, Leah was also an ordinary village girl.

She wouldn’t use her brother’s name as her surname.

So, from Conrad’s perspective, Leah was a founder, but a slightly different kind of founder.

In other words, an ancestor who founded a different clan.

Well, it was a complex relationship, but the meaning was simple.

Conrad’s words meant that.

He acknowledged and accepted Leah as Charlotte’s younger sister.

“Do you… believe my words?”

That’s why Cyan couldn’t help but be quite surprised.

Frankly, he had vaguely thought that Conrad would understand.

He didn’t expect him to fully believe it, but he thought he would understand and move on.

That’s the kind of person Cyan had seen Conrad to be.

But he didn’t expect him to believe it so readily.

“Honestly… it’s hard to believe. It’s true that I still have some doubts.”

As expected, Conrad was saying the same thing Cyan had thought.

“But if I think about it differently, there’s no reason not to believe it.”

“You mean there’s no reason not to believe it…?”

“When you’re in the position of crown prince… you inevitably encounter a lot of lies, whether you like it or not. So, when I judge the truthfulness of someone, I have one standard.”

Conrad slowly opened his mouth.

“If the other person’s words are a lie, what does the person gain from it?”

“There are many kinds of lies. Covering up one’s mistakes, or exaggerating one’s achievements are typical examples. Sometimes, they try to deceive my eyes and ears with sweet words.”

“The types of lies are diverse, but the purpose is actually the same. By hiding the truth, do they benefit themselves?”

Conrad smiled slightly and said to Cyan.

“But none of that applies to your words.”

“······”

Cyan was momentarily speechless at Conrad’s words.

As Conrad said, Cyan had no reason to lie that ‘Leah is Charlotte’s younger sister.’

Even if it were true, there was no benefit to be gained.

It was just… that was it.

Rather, if Conrad didn’t believe it, he could be charged with insulting the imperial family.

“There’s only loss, no gain. It would be more beneficial for you to gloss over it.”

Therefore, Cyan didn’t need to say that fact.

Yet, Cyan had bothered to mention it.

That was because it was true, and.

Now that Conrad and Elena had decided to stay in Ruben for a while.

It was an issue that needed to be addressed at least once.

But since he didn’t have a proper way to persuade him, he had brought it up with a ‘what the heck’ attitude.

“Besides, Elena seems to know something too.”

Conrad glanced at Elena, who was subtly watching Leah’s expression.

Then, he looked back at Cyan and said.

“Above all, you’re not the kind of person who would lie.”

Combining these reasons, Conrad believed Cyan’s words.

-Hmph…

Leah looked at Conrad with a strange expression.

-Oh my, you say the same thing as my brother.

Conrad was slightly surprised and asked Leah.

“Did Empress Charlotte say something similar to me?”

-It’s not just similar. He said the exact same thing. When judging someone’s words, he said something about… I thought you resembled my brother too much, but…

“I am overwhelmed by your praise, Founder of the Branch Line.”

Conrad bowed his head once more at Leah’s words.

And Leah hadn’t exactly praised Conrad.

She had just said that Charlotte and Conrad were alike.

But from Conrad’s perspective, it wasn’t.

Charlotte was a mythical figure and the first emperor of the Charlotte Empire.

Being told that he resembled Charlotte was the greatest compliment in the world for Conrad.

Leah slightly glared at Conrad’s reaction.

Then, she subtly approached Cyan and whispered.

-He’s a little annoying.

“Yes? Why?”

Cyan couldn’t help but tilt his head at Leah’s words.

It wasn’t as if Conrad didn’t believe Cyan’s words.

That is, it wasn’t as if Conrad was treating Leah disrespectfully because he didn’t believe she was Charlotte’s younger sister.

Conrad was treating Leah as Charlotte’s younger sister.

He was showing her the respect befitting the Founder of the Branch Line.

It was completely different from how he treated Elena.

There was no reason for Conrad to be annoying.

-He resembles my brother too much.

“Ah.”

But at Leah’s next words, Cyan could understand immediately.

Siblings are originally said to be enemies connected by blood [a common saying about sibling rivalry].

This is an instinct ingrained in living beings.

Cyan also detested Nathan and Roswell.

‘Is that a different case?’

Well, anyway.

The relationship between siblings is rarely ideal.

Well, that’s just an ideal case.

That’s just a joke.

The basic bond remains unchanged.

‘Come to think of it, His Highness and the Princess seem to have a very close relationship.’

In some ways, it could be seen as an ideal sibling relationship.

But listening to Leah’s words now… he had a slightly different thought.

That’s because, after checking Kyle’s memoirs the other day, Charlotte cherished Leah dearly.

But Leah didn’t seem to like Charlotte very much.

Of course, she wouldn’t really hate him.

It wasn’t an ideal sibling relationship.

In short, Charlotte’s one-sided affection.

Perhaps Conrad and Elena were the same…? He suddenly thought.

Charlotte and Leah.

Conrad and Elena.

The reason why Leah was particularly picking on Elena might be because she resembled herself too much.

‘Geez… it hasn’t changed even after a thousand years.’

Cyan just chuckled once.

#

While a meeting between ancestors and descendants was taking place in Ruben.

The empire was currently buzzing with one rumor.

It was the rumor that Cyan had been granted the title of Count.

And Elan Dure, upon hearing the news, didn’t stay still as expected.

As expected, Elan Dure sent a protest to the imperial family.

-Granting the title of Count to a member of the family without any prior consultation is unprecedented in history. Elan Dure cannot recognize the title of Count granted to Cyan. Therefore, we strongly request the withdrawal of the title of Count granted to Cyan.

That’s because the title of Count was different in status.

A feudal lord who had achieved hegemony in a region.

It meant that he was given the qualification to build a force.

In short, it was the qualification to become independent from the family he belonged to.

So, unless one’s status was raised from commoner to noble.

Usually, the family was notified in advance.

Therefore, Elan Dure’s request was a valid request and protest.

But the imperial family replied to this.

-It is merely giving due compensation to someone who has made contributions.

Customs are just customs.

Notifying the family in advance was customary, but it was just that, a custom.

It was not a problem at all under imperial law.

-Furthermore, granting titles is solely the authority of the imperial family. The title of Count granted to Cyan will take effect in accordance with imperial law, and Elan Dure’s opinion on this matter will be disregarded.

Elan Dure couldn’t say anything about this.

Customs were just customs, and therefore there was no proper justification.

As they said, the imperial family had granted the title of Count to Cyan for his contributions.

To argue with that decision was, literally, a serious crime of infringing on the authority of the imperial family.

But that didn’t mean that Elan Dure had nothing to say.

-It is problematic to grant Elan Dure’s territory as the governing county. Taking away the family’s territory and granting it is not only unprecedented but also severely violates imperial law.

It was the granting of Ruben as the county.

Ruben was, after all, a territory under Elan Dure’s jurisdiction.

Granting Ruben as Cyan’s county was no different from the imperial family taking away Elan Dure’s territory.

This case was not only against custom but also had significant problems under imperial law.

But.

-Having granted Ruben to Cyan, Elan Dure has been compensated accordingly.

Strictly speaking, it wasn’t taken away.

When granting Ruben to Cyan.

The imperial family had given Elan Dure an enormous benefit of 15 villages, 2 territories, and a tax exemption for the next 6 months.

Honestly, it was an excessive and unprecedented compensation for giving up Ruben.

Of course, it could be considered as compensation for the contribution to the Northern Incident.

-Elan Dure made no contribution to the Northern Incident.

However, Elan Dure’s contribution to the Northern Incident was non-existent.

That’s because only Cyan and the Knights of Ruben moved in the Northern Incident.

Originally, Cyan and the White Wolf Knights and Cyan were going to move.

However, Cyan offered Durak a groundbreaking condition, and it was changed to the Knights of Ruben.

In the end, Elan Dure had not contributed to the Northern Incident.

It was as if Cyan’s gamble at the time had paid off.

Therefore, Elan Dure was purely compensated for giving up Ruben.

By giving up a useless territory located in the Dark Forest.

Also.

-Elan Dure has not fulfilled his obligations to the Ruben territory.

Granting Ruben to Cyan was, strictly speaking, not a problem at all under imperial law.

Under imperial law, all territories in the empire are owned by the imperial family.

And the feudal lords govern the territories granted by the imperial family.

In simple terms, it was the concept of the imperial family dividing land to the nobles.

This was the basic feudal system of the Charlotte Empire.

Therefore, each noble has the ‘obligation’ to manage and enrich the land granted by the imperial family.

That was the duty that a noble should have.

However, Elan Dure had only neglected Ruben for the past hundreds of years.

Rights arise when due obligations are fulfilled.

Even if the imperial family were to reclaim it, Elan Dure could not exercise his authority over Ruben.

-······

Elan Dure couldn’t say anything about this either.

But Elan Dure wasn’t going to back down like this.

-Cyan is currently a prime suspect in an embezzlement case. Elan Dure has the authority to detain Cyan for investigation.

It was the embezzlement case of 82 million gold.

Although nothing has been clearly revealed yet, Cyan is currently a prime suspect in the embezzlement case.

Therefore, regardless of the title of Count, justification, or anything else.

Elan Dure had the authority to detain Cyan.

And this was a matter within the Elan Dure family.

This was something that even the imperial family couldn’t interfere with.

The emperor didn’t even have the authority to interfere in family matters.

Especially if that family was Elan Dure.

Therefore, the emperor replied to this.

“So what.”

“Yes? Yes?”

The hand of the imperial secretary, who was writing the document, froze.

The emperor, Valois, frowned and continued to speak.

“So. What do you want me to do about it?”

“That, that is…”

The secretary couldn’t say anything to Valois’s words.

“It’s a matter of the Elan Dure family. The imperial family has no business interfering in family matters.”

Valois looked at the petition sent by Elan Dure.

Words densely written.

Valois frowned and opened his mouth.

“So what. What do you want me to do?”

“······”

The secretary really couldn’t say anything to Valois’s words.

That’s because… honestly, the question ‘so what’ came out naturally.

It was unknown whether Cyan had committed embezzlement.

And judging from Elan Dure’s strong attitude… it seemed that he had embezzled.

But.

“Why are you coming to me and making a fuss?”

Why are you arguing with the imperial family about that?

It’s something to argue with Cyan about.

“If there’s a problem, tell them to start a territory war.”

Now that Cyan has become independent.

Elan Dure and Cyan were different families.

Therefore, disputes between families are usually resolved through territory wars, which is the legal procedure under imperial law.

“Are you perhaps requesting my mediation because you’re not confident in winning?”

Valois muttered and got up from his seat.

Then, he pressed his temples, as if his head was throbbing.

“The Crown Prince, is he leaving me with the work and running away?”

Valois left the room after saying that.

The secretary was left alone.

“······”

The secretary really, really couldn’t say anything.

Soon, the secretary turned his gaze to the quill he was using to write the reply.

And he stared blankly at the word ‘so what’ that he had unknowingly written.

After much deliberation, the secretary crossed out the word with two lines.

-If there is a problem, apply for a territory war in accordance with the procedures of imperial law.

He wrote down a relatively softened expression.

#

Lord’s Castle Lv.3 located in Ruben

After confirming Leah’s existence, Cyan had various conversations with Conrad about the current situation and future events.

“So, we can’t stop the justification for the territory war. So, we need to prepare for it.”

Cyan nodded.

He had managed to stop Kai and the White Wolf Knights earlier, but this was not the end.

From now on, the full-scale war with Elan Dure could be said to have begun.

“Of course, with me and Elena here, Elan Dure won’t be able to move rashly right now.”

To be exact, it could be said to start from the moment Conrad and Elena leave Ruben.

“He’s probably making a lot of protests to the imperial family right now. Of course, His Majesty will take care of it all.”

Conrad showed a sly smile.

Cyan let out a hollow laugh at Conrad’s reaction.

“There was a reason why you suddenly went on vacation, wasn’t there?

I thought it was strange that you were suddenly making long-winded remarks about vacation and stuff.”

As expected, Conrad showed an awkward smile.

And Cyan was slightly surprised at Conrad’s words.

Conrad said that he was wary of Elan Dure… that is, Durak.

He knew that Elan Dure’s position in the empire was great.

But he couldn’t help but be a little surprised to hear Conrad say that he was wary.

“Anyway, me and Elena will stall as much as possible to buy you time, so be fully prepared. Well… it doesn’t seem like there’s a big problem right now.”

“Thank you, Your Highness. And Princess.”

Cyan bowed his head slightly to Conrad and Elena.

Conrad and Elena smiled slightly at Cyan’s reaction.

Soon, Conrad looked at Leah, who was next to Cyan.

Was she bored with the story about the political situation?

Leah was yawning at length.

Conrad looked at Leah and asked.

“By the way… how did the Founder of the Branch Line come to be here in Ruben?”

But Leah only yawned and didn’t answer.

It seemed that she didn’t realize that the words Founder of the Branch Line referred to her.

But perhaps she felt Conrad’s gaze.

Knowing that the Founder of the Branch Line soon referred to her, Leah frowned.

-Hey, stop calling me Founder of the Branch Line. It makes me look old.

“But, to call the Founder of the Branch Line…”

-That’s enough. Just call me Lady Leah.

“But…”

-Shh! Just do as I say.

Conrad hesitated for a moment but soon nodded.

“If the Founder of the Branch Line wishes so…”

-Lady Leah!!

Only after Leah shouted did Conrad correct his title.

Then, Leah told Conrad about the situation that had happened so far.

From the events that took place in the Hall of Arnise to the circumstances that led her to come here to Ruben.

And this was something that Elena was hearing for the first time.

So, Elena was also listening to Leah’s words, pretending not to be.

However, Cyan was listening to the content with one ear and letting it out with the other.

What would he do by listening to the content of what he had experienced again?

So, Cyan listened to Leah’s words with one ear and let it out with the other, and fell into other thoughts.

It was the all-out war with Elan Dure.

Preparations for the upcoming full-scale territory war.

It was true that he had stopped Kai and the White Wolf Knights, but that didn’t mean that he had stopped Elan Dure.

The offensive that would follow would be more intense than now, not weaker.

Therefore, it was necessary to further strengthen the walls of Ruben.

It was also necessary to further improve the level of the knights and soldiers.

Above all.

‘I can’t just stand still either.’

Cyan also needed to further hone his own skills.

Even right now, it was like that.

If Cyan had subdued Kai… the situation would have been quite different now.

But Cyan couldn’t subdue Kai.

Far from subduing him, he was barely able to block Kai.

So, as it is─.

Right then.

Ding!

Suddenly, a cheerful smartphone notification sound came from his pocket.

‘What is it?’

Cyan tilted his head and took out his smartphone.

He checked the smartphone screen.

《King Mobile Lord is here!!!》

There was a notification window for Mobile Lord that had finished maintenance.