Chapter 73. Power and Title

"Salty winds…"

The winds are the perfect indicator that we have reached the place. Territory of Messina. This place is quite far from the capital, situated near the sea. And being near the sea, it is not surprising that this place is famous for fisheries.

"Looking at it makes me want to own a territory as well."

There are two types of nobility. One who owns territories, and the others who don't. My father is the latter. Messina is the former.

But it doesn't mean that the ones who rule territories are powerful. Because they are so far from the capital, the Messinas are farther from central politics.

Meanwhile, my father is the vice minister of the country's finances. In a way, one could say my father is more powerful than Messina, despite having the same rank of count.

The same can be said for the Claudes. Cecily's family territory is located in a remote mountainous area, but the presence of hot springs makes it a tourist destination. 

In terms of rank, Claudes are lower, but they are better off than Messinas. Why? Because they also participate in central politics, with Cecily's father being an employee at the finance department just under my father's command. He is a Viscount, a rank lower than Count, but has more influence than Countess Messina, thus having more power.

The marriage between Ritzburg, Messina, and Claude isn't just a normal love marriage but a contract to strengthen connections.

Both being business-oriented territories, it is nothing but good news for Messina and Claude to have connections with the vice minister of finance.

Well, in the end, what I meant to say was that owning a territory doesn't mean one wields more power.

Still…

"Isn't it kind of a symbol for a noble to have a territory?"

In most stories, the protagonist is given a dilapidated territory, which he develops, making it the strongest one.

Though I wasn't given one, I want to own one.

"Well then, one more goal added to my list."

So, alongside wealth and harem, territory got added to it. There is nothing wrong with dreaming big. Though it can only come true if I stay alive,.

"Territory aside, I should meet my mother-in-law and fiancée."

Without pondering much, I signaled the driver to keep on track and move towards the Messina Mansion.

…

It took a bit more time, but the carriage reached the mansion. Just in front of the gate, I could see numerous figures, some familiar—Countess Messina and Maria—alongside several butlers and maids waiting for my arrival.

At first, the respect I get from everyone for being a noble surprised me, but now I am used to it. Miria got out and opened the door from my side, and I got down.

The maids and butler bowed to welcome me. Countess Messina, the head of the territory, stepped forward and greeted me.

"Welcome to the territory of Messina, Kurt."

"Thanks for welcoming me, Countess Messina."

With my hand on my chest, I bowed slightly to show respect to her. She seemed to be happy with it and nodded with a smile.

With her appearance, one could see her being Maria's mother. She looked exactly like Maria, just a bit older and more refined. She has the aura of matureness and the grace of a lady, while Maria has a bit of wildness.

"You must have been tired because of the long journey. For now, take some rest. Tristan."

"Yes, Countess."

She called the head butler, Tristan, and the old butler came to her, bowing down and waiting for her further orders.

"Guide the guests for accommodation. And help them to carry their luggage as well."

"Yes!"

The old butler signaled for the rest of the butlers and the maids to accompany him to move the luggage before I stopped him.

"Countess Messina, there is no need to do it. Most of my luggage is in my subspace."

Why would I carry luggage when I can simply put it in storage?

"Storage? You mean subspace magic?"

While it was normal and logical for me, it was not for the rest. Countess Messina's eyes were wide, and she was astounded that I could use subspace magic.

"Yes."

I simply replied to her. But despite my words, there was still a tinge of disbelief in her eyes. And it's not like I don't know where it is coming from.

A kid using magic is surprising enough, but I am not simply using magic. I am claiming to use a subspace of high-class magic.

Don't forget that this particular magic was used as a benchmark to join the ultimate magic research society, the club created by the protagonist.

'Should I show it to her?'

The craving to show off a little bit came to mind. I snapped my fingers, and...

A hole came in front of me out of nowhere. I pushed my hand into it and took out the bag from within.

"This…"

How is it? Isn't it quite surprising?

"Here it is. My luggage."

As if it were nothing too abnormal, I acted normal and handed the bag to my personal maid, Miria.

"You… You really know subspace magic!"

"Yes. Didn't I tell you, Countess Messina?"

All that I wanted to see now was that embarrassed face of hers.

…

Countess Messina.

A bit of embarrassment came into her face. She didn't believe it, but seconds later she found herself in the wrong end.

It was not her fault. She judged according to societal norms. But the kid in front of her broke that.

While she felt the embarrassment, something else—the excitement—was bubbling inside her.

A nine-year-old kid uses subspace magic. What does it entail?

Kurt Von Ritzburg is a bonafide genius!

And her daughter, Maria, is engaged to him. Before, though she agreed to several conditions, she was still a bit hesitant about the engagement. As the head, she should think of the prosperity of her house, but in the end, she is also a mother.

She doesn't show it, but her love for her daughter is always there. And she didn't want her daughter to be married as a concubine. 

She hasn't fallen enough to trade her daughter like that! 

But out of the love her daughter spoke of, she agreed to it.

But now, that hesitance has disappeared. All that was left inside her was the praise she wanted to give herself for making the engagement.

A genius like Kurt is bound to become something extraordinary, and the fact that her daughter is engaged to him even as a concubine is a big deal.

'In exchange for embarrassment, I got such a big gift. The House of Messina is now bound to prosper.'

Meanwhile, at Kurt's end...

'What the hell is she thinking?'

And here, I was just waiting for what I wanted to witness, unaware of the plot playing in Countess Messina's head.

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