Capítulo 172: The enemy of my enemy [1]
"As compensation for supporting Princess Penelope, I demand the annulment of your engagement to Nox von Reinhaver. As the head of the Rivalin Merchant Group."
Is there something wrong with my ear?
No matter how I thought about it. I was a bit stunned by her nonsense statements.
Why is she doing this?
I began to quickly think about what benefits she could gain from breaking off my engagement.
'Could it be… she's trying to keep me, the only potential marriage candidate (though that itself is also a problem) in check?
Didn't we just save each other's lives not long ago?
And yet, has she really gone and decided to keep the Dark family in check and fully support the princess?
'This can't be real… right?'
I screamed inside, but sadly, no answer came back.
I kept thinking.
'Maybe she wants to dismantle the Dark family from inside and grow her merchant group by taking advantage of Arkheim's prosperity…'
No matter how many times I go over it, I just can't think of a good reason.
Why she is like this? It doesn't suit her at all.
"Why? Nox von Reinhaver isn't an object"
Princess Penelope said, her face stiff. I was shocked yet again.
Sure, she might not like Eleanor, but…
The situation is so urgent. If it were me, I would've sold myself out already and gotten Eleanor's help.
…So why are these two people acting like that?
Even I, the one who is supposedly being sold, is getting dizzy from this nonsense discussion. I also want to know the reason.
"So, are you judging that the Reinhaver family is worth that much?"
Penelope asked calmly. But Eleanor shook her head, as if she wasn't a fool.
"Of course not. If I wanted the Reinhaver family, I'd approach Garen or the second son, Grain, and give them an offer"
Eleanor made it clear that what she wanted as compensation. Her demand was me.
An odd smile played on her face. Penelope's expression grew stiffer.
Penelope stated
"So what you're saying, Eleanor, is that the one you're after is Nox von Reinhaver, right?"
"That's right. And to add, who I want is someone who will become Princess Penelope's Kingmaker, Nox von Reinhaver"
Kingmaker.
Another dizzying term.
I've never declared support for the princess.
I only took a swing at Louis, and during that process, the princess reluctantly acknowledged that… Currently, I'm the only marriage candidate, which is an issue in itself.
From the outside, people must be thinking, is there really a lunatic like that from the Dark family?
But seriously, why the holy family, why Penelope?
But what can I do?
It's not like I chose this.
They're the ones who made it happen, not me.
Dammit.
Unable to voice my frustration, I kept my thoughts inside. Eleanor watched me, then narrowed her eyes in a peculiar way and asked me pointedly.
"What's the problem? It's not like you wanted the engagement. I'm just helping out a little. After all, I owe you my life. This is for your freedom."
"…That's true, but"
I reluctantly agreed, then glanced at Penelope. She shot me a brief glare, then turned back to Eleanor.
"It's ironic. You say you'll support me, but at the same time, you want to take away my kingmaker and control him?"
"With all due respect, I am not one to be controlled by anyone"
I objected. But the Princess ignored me, and continued,
"Tell me, Eleanor, what's in this deal for you? Please explain that, and maybe I'll consider it."
"Consider, huh… I need Nox von Reinhaver too. Isn't this enough?"
"It's a rule of the imperial family not to make contracts with those we can't trust. So tell me, what's the reason? Why is the Rivalin family interested in Nox von Reinhaver?"
"Hmm… actually…"
Eleanor hesitated briefly, then glanced at me with a faint smile. Soon she made an explosive declaration.
"I want this man. That's why I've decided to make him mine."
Penelope and I.
Next outside the room, I heard someone coughing awkwardly. I'm sure even Echidna. It seems we're all startled.
I repeated it in my head.
What just did I hear?
Meanwhile, Eleanor kept talking.
"Even though I don't care about Nox von Reinhaver supporting the princess. I'm interested in Nox himself. It's not about his family. I need him."
"…Is that so."
"Why do you just proceed as you like without hearing my intention?"
"Does it bother you? Isn't this your chance to step away from the image of being a royal puppet? It shouldn't be a bad offer for you."
"..."
Unfortunately, I couldn't argue back to Eleanor's words. But it was also the truth.
Up until now, though I'd become stronger, it's a fact there were still powerful demons lurking out.
From here, to become stronger, I'd have to handle things while avoiding drawing unnecessary attention. That's why I'm moving carefully.
But as expected, the title of being the princess's fiance was dangerous.
It would keep me the target of constant gossip and rumors.
'At this point, getting Eleanor's help is better. though I couldn't understand why she'd make such a massive investment in me…'
was it because I saved her life?
I hoped that was the case.
If not, who knew what else she might want from me?
'Haa'.
After I finish this episode, there are just two episodes left in the first part… I'd soon be entering completely unknown territory.
If there is a fortunate thing, it's that I'm not alone, and.
As Nox von Reinhaver, I could finally start building my own life and story.
That alone would be a significant help.
At least that's what I think.
"I'll accept the terms, But… Only if you promise at the end of it all, Nox von Reinhaver himself has the final say on everything."
The princess ultimately accepted the proposal.
Her words were loaded with meaning. Most likely, she meant that I would decide what faction to join and whom to support.
I probably don't have to worry too much.
For now, my main priority was completing the main events and dealing with the villains of the third chapter. Eleanor offered Penelope a formal bow with a calm smile.
"Then, I take it we have a deal, Princess Penelope."
—————————————————
[Unhand me! Do you know who I am, you bug?!]
Heading to the underground prison where Professor Aleph, just awakened from the ice spell, is confined, it really made me realize again that this place is definitely medieval.
The academy had countless prisons at the underground layer, but what struck me most was the iron bars, designed to completely suppress any magic.
… The proof is the bloodstains on those iron bars.
It was dangerous.
As I thought that, I approached Professor Aleph, and greeted him.
"Filthy demonic human"
[You… Nox von Reinhaver? How on earth did you survive?! You should have died there!]
"That's none of your concern."
I clenched my fist and punched him square in the face once.
Knocking a tooth onto the cell floor. I couldn't help but feel a new satisfaction.
Now, with a single punch, I had gained enough physical strength to knock out a professor's teeth—though he can't wield magic at the moment. For the weak and frail Nox, this was truly remarkable progress.
"Answer my questions. I already know you serve the demons called Grand Dukes, so don't waste your breath with excuses."
[How laughable. How can a mere academy student, can do anything against..mee?]
The reason for his strange last sentence was that I'd raised my fist again.
I knew his weak point.
I admit that he's a powerful mage, but his talent as a knight is hopeless. Simply put, his physical strength is trash.
And now his mana is sealed, can he really face me?
Of course not.
He already couldn't use magic, and he must have given Astrid most of the important information by now.
So, why did I even bother coming here?
Of course, it's because there's still one last piece of information I need to dig out, and I'll ask about that later.
But one of the biggest reasons I'm here is none other than..
"Refuse to talk, and you'll just get more of this."
[This trash…! So you really are ruffian as the rumor says!]
Crunch!
Thanks to him, I ended up barely scraping by, nearly dying in the process.
'is that all?'
Because of him, Eleanor also found out that I was actually Shane, and this time, I really almost died.
My heart literally stopped, and if I'd made even the slightest mistake, I would've died forever.
Eleanor, too, is a character who shouldn't have to go through that kind of sacrifice. Her trauma is something that shouldn't be triggered.
Do you have any idea how much pain that must have caused her?
So yeah, here's the bottom line.
To put it simply…
Aleph. This guy nearly ruined everything.
Crunch!
The sound of his face breaking echoed as his cheekbone cracked.
Looking down at his face, right, he could still endure it, right?
"Brace yourself."
[… weren't you a knight? What kind of knight punches people without honor… Ack!]
Why?
Would you prefer I cut you with my sword?
"I shouldn't use a sword"
[…..?]
Aleph looked at me with a puzzled expression, as if he couldn't understand what I meant. I simply smiled, ignoring his confusion.
and added lightly.
"It's not fun to end this too quickly"
[….You are a demon, huh!]
"Have you decided to serve me?"
As I said that, I realized that we weren't exactly on friendly terms where we could joke with each other, I tightened my fist again, and delivered another blow to him
Die!
With such a feeling.
Of course, there's a thing I have to ask him right before I beat him to death.
After about two hours.
With a lighthearted expression, I rolled my shoulders. My body was still weak, but was it became good training? It seemed I'd built up some strength. even the satisfying sound of a system notification chimed in.
[Physical strength stat increased by 0.1!]
Maybe I should hit him a bit more…
But with limited time, I decided to save that for later.
I stepped closer to him and asked.
"You. You must already know about the village where Amdusias and Rick plan to stay, don't you?"
[…What!]
How could you?
He looked at me with such an expression. It can't be helped since I know the future to a certain extent.
Smiling with a hint of menace, I drew the black blade and pointed it directly at his neck.
"Pandemonium."
Gasp—
He looked at me, even more stunned.
But naturally, I had no reason to make things easy for Aleph. With a refreshing smile, I continued.
"If you reveal that location now, I'll consider sparing you a bit of pain."
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