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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 53
Chapter Title: The Strategist
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Amidst the flustered faces, Dad rose with an air of complete composure.
He then pulled Joseph's pile of money toward him and placed his own on top.
“I'd like to buy some of your time with this. Please grant me that.”
* * *
Joseph was staying at an inn near the gambling den.
He led us to his room, offered a chair, and sat down across from Dad.
“As promised, you got me out of that gambling den, so I'll hear you out. Who sent you?”
“I'll tell you that later.”
“Fine, whatever. Let's hear your business first. But it'll be a waste of time. I have no intention of returning to the capital, and I have no desire to get involved again in the squabbles of nobles filling their own pockets.”
Joseph looked at Dad with a gloomy yet sharp gaze.
Joseph Luttman.
Though he held a rather insignificant position for a nobleman, his reputation was nonetheless widespread.
It was because he was smart.
He lived a life envied by many, serving as a strategist for the powerful.
“It seems there were many others besides me looking for you, Baron.”
“There were. This country has many wars, and the landscape of power shifts constantly based on military merit. In my younger days, I made a living off the paltry talent of reading those currents. Leeching off the powerful.”
Joseph said self-deprecatingly.
Though he called it a paltry talent…
Joseph's skills, as I knew them, were far more impressive.
An eye for reading the currents of power faster than anyone else.
He excelled at swaying public opinion, instigation, and even identifying the very talent Dad needed.
“But I realized it was all pointless. Back in the day, well, I was hell-bent on lining my own pockets by offering this and that advice to the high and mighty…”
He had a past where he'd lost his wife and daughter after being caught in a power struggle.
“…It was all so, so pointless.”
Joseph muttered bitterly, his eyes falling on me, sitting on Dad's lap.
‘In the original story, the reason he decided to help Dad was probably because of a similar pain. Dad had lost his daughter, too.’
When our eyes met, the smile on Joseph's face looked incredibly sad.
“I understand your position, Baron. The reason I came, I'm afraid, is exactly as you suspect. I want your help.”
“I figured as much. Go back. I'm tired now.”
“I didn't plan on staying long anyway. I'll be here for two days. During that time,”
Dad looked Joseph straight in the eye and added,
“Please hear me out.”
* * *
Their conversation continued for a long time, until the sun began to set.
I was on the first floor of the inn, drawing pictures in the dirt with a stick.
“What are you doing?”
“Huh?”
It was Joseph. His cheeks had grown hollow in just half a day, a testament to how much Dad had worn him down.
“I was drawing. Are you done talking with my dad?”
“No. There was no end in sight, so I escaped to get some fresh air.”
“Oh, I see. My dad's nice, isn't he?”
“Hmm? What are you talking about?”
Joseph chuckled and added,
“The man is out of his mind.”
I burst out laughing.
Joseph sat down next to me. He looked at the drawing of three people in the dirt and asked,
“Is that your family? The small one in the middle is you, and next to you are your dad and mom?”
“No. The one in the middle is me, the one on the left is my dad, and the one on the right is you, mister.”
“Me?”
“Yep!”
Joseph laughed in disbelief.
“Child, did your father put you up to this? To make me soften up?”
“No.”
“What do you mean, 'no'? You were acting just like your dad told you to during the poker game.”
“I was acting, that's true… but my dad didn't tell me to. It was his first time playing poker today. I taught him a few things.”
“…What?”
I giggled.
“I figured the best you could have was a flush, so I knew we had it in the bag. My dad had four of a kind from the start.”
Joseph's eyes widened as I spoke so fluently.
“…You're telling me he got such a rare hand right at the start? And neither of you showed a single trace of it on your faces?”
“Ehh, if we looked happy about getting a good hand, you would've noticed and wouldn't have gone all-in, right? A poker face is the most important part of poker, you know.”
“Huh?”
Joseph, looking dumbfounded, soon gave a bitter smile and stroked my head.
“You're a very smart child.”
“…”
“It would've been better if you were born into a proper family. What good is a commoner's intelligence? It's a shame.”
“Aren't you going back to the capital, mister?”
“No.”
“Why? Did you not like what my dad said?”
“Do you even know what your dad said to me?”
“No. I don't really know. I just… know that my dad said he wants to be friends with you.”
“Hmm, I see. This might sound unpleasant, but your father is truly out of his mind.”
Joseph shook his head in disbelief.
“It wasn't what I expected. I thought he was sent by some noble lord who wanted to use me to make a fortune.”
Let's start a rebellion!
Lend me your strength!
Well, he must have said something like that. A smart man like Joseph would naturally have been horrified.
It must have felt like talking to a crazed moth drawn to a flame.
“Child.”
“Yes.”
“I don't know who your master is, but it's a completely unrealistic story. Tell your father. Tell him not to get involved in their business anymore. You could be in danger too.”
“My dad can do it. I believe in my dad.”
“…”
For some reason, Joseph didn't answer.
I stopped drawing, looked back at him, and was startled.
Joseph's reddened eyes were welling up with tears.
“Ah, mister? Are you crying?”
“…”
“Why? Please don't cry.”
Joseph shook his head.
“I'm sorry. I was suddenly reminded of my daughter. She used to say the exact same thing.”
“…”
“Child, I… This old man… Because of my mistakes… I lost my whole family.”
“…”
“The world of the powerful is a frightening place. As punishment for helping them, I lost my wife and my daughter.”
“…”
“I regret it so much now. Why on earth did I live like that…? My poor daughter… I should have spent just one more day looking at her face. I should have been there with her… Like a fool, I didn't even know what was important…”
“Mister…”
A sob escaped him.
Joseph wept sorrowfully.
I didn't know what to do, so I just held his hand tightly.
“Because I wasn't a powerful father… Because I made her be born into an insignificant family… So, to ensure my daughter wouldn't have to envy anyone later in life, to do that… I thought the path I was taking was the right one…”
“…”
“It wasn't. It wasn't right… That wasn't what my daughter, what my wife, wanted… A husband who was always by their side, a loving father… Yes, that's what they would have wanted, that's what they must have wanted…”
Joseph cried like a small child for a long time, his shoulders shaking.
He seemed to see his daughter in me; whenever our eyes met, his subsiding sobs grew louder.
When he finally calmed down, I carefully took his hand and comforted him.
“You know… your family… they're probably in heaven, praying for you to be happy.”
Joseph gazed at me blankly.
“Playing cards and smoking all the time… Your daughter wouldn't like that.”
“Yes, you're probably right.”
Joseph let out a small laugh.
“If I were your daughter, I'd pray every single day. For my dad to do whatever he wants, to not get sick, and to be happy.”
“…”
“And for him to live a long, healthy life, so when he comes to heaven later, I can go meet him!”
I smiled and threw my arms up in the air.
“…Just like that.”
Joseph stared at me, dazed.
I stood up and gently hugged his shoulders, which seemed so much smaller now.
“I know it's true. Because I always want my dad to be happy. So I think your daughter wants you to be happy too.”
“…”
“Stay healthy and be happy, mister. And you should cut back on the cigarettes.”
Joseph slowly closed his eyes.
Soon, after forcing back his tears, he smiled and hugged me back.
“…Yes. Thank you, little one.”
* * *
Two days passed.
It was the day the father and daughter were to return to the capital.
As Joseph escorted the two to the Valterac Temple where the warp gate was located, James asked,
“Have you changed your mind?”
“No, I haven't.”
Joseph felt like he was losing his mind after listening to the nonsense about starting a rebellion all this time.
After walking a few more steps, James asked again.
“Have you changed your mind now?”
“Man, it hasn't even been a minute since you last asked!”
The only reason he had listened to this madman for two whole days was because of his daughter, Lilis.
The time spent chatting nonsense with Lilis, eating with her, and playing with her had been quite enjoyable.
“Mister, this is for you.”
“What is it?”
Lilis had given him a small rabbit doll.
“It's my favorite… You should keep it and give it to Ella when you see her later!”
“Heh, honestly.”
He almost teared up again.
Joseph took the doll and stroked Lilis's head.
“You still won't change your mind, even after seeing my cute daughter?”
“Just be quiet.”
Joseph shot James an annoyed glare.
“By the way, only a family of considerable status can use a warp gate. Your master must hold quite a high position, eh?”
James just chuckled.
‘He's not a stupid man, so why doesn't he know how to live an easy life? The nail that sticks out gets hammered down.’
Joseph inwardly clicked his tongue as he looked at the perpetually cheerful man.
And he thought.
‘If one were to prepare a rebellion, they'd have to win over the provincial lords first. Unlike those in the capital, many of them hold grudges against the imperial family, so persuading them wouldn't be difficult. If you have the time and money.’
He thought again.
‘The problem is those high-and-mighty bastards in the capital. You'd have to skip the top tier and win over the key figures in the middle ranks. You'd also need to make contact with the neutral Magic Tower. And…’
The thought process made Joseph let out a hollow laugh of disbelief.
Is this an occupational hazard?
Or have I finally lost my mind after listening to James's nonsense?
Why am I even sketching out this ridiculous picture?
‘Without the backing of a family powerful enough to check the imperial family, it's a picture that's not even worth trying to paint.’
And yet, perhaps due to that occupational hazard, he kept thinking.
‘But, well, if I were to dream for a moment…’
Who would there be?
‘The first that comes to mind is the Rubinsteins, maybe? But would that old man be crazy enough to start a dogfight at his age? Not a chance. Then what about his son? …That's right, he deserted, didn't he? Another madman.’
Joseph smiled brightly and drew a large X in his mind.
Probability of a successful rebellion: 0%
Absolutely impossible. XX.
“Are you really not going to change your…”
“Farewell.”
At the firm reply, James, standing before the warp gate, scratched his head.
He looked somewhat pitiful, so Joseph sighed and said,
“There's no chance it'll happen, but, well, if I go a little crazy someday and change my mind, I'll come find you.”
“That's very kind of you to say.”
“At least tell me where to go. Just who is this master of yours, who's full of hot air and nothing else?”
James gave an awkward smile and lifted Lilis into his arms.
At the same time, his appearance changed.
“…?”
Dazzling silver hair.
Brightly shining blue eyes.
Joseph's jaw dropped.
‘What, he was an ability user? No, then he's not a subordinate, but the crazy, hot-air-filled noble himself?’
Enoch spoke to the stunned Joseph.
“I will be waiting for you to change your mind. Please come find me at the Ducal House of Rubinstein.”
“Mister, bye-bye!”
And before Joseph could stop him, he stepped through the warp gate.
“W-wait…”
What was that?
Joseph's mouth slowly fell open as he processed the situation.
“What in the world…?”
