[Chapter 97] Maindulrant speaks with skill

"Isn't it a bit unfair?"

The beautifully decorated reception room of the mansion.

Maindulrant's lords, even when working late into the night in the castle, did not use the dining hall even when it was time to eat. Not only because they had a poor relationship with the castle staff, but also because they thought that food meant for everyone, not specially made for themselves, was beneath their status.

Therefore, the lords socialized with the lords who had mansions near the castle and enjoyed a more 'noble' meal than the simple meals of three or five people.

Even the lords under the Grand Duke of Maindulrant boasted a pride comparable to the kings of small kingdoms.

Today, a meeting was convened at the White Swan Castle due to the Fenelon incident, and many nobles gathered. Usually, only a few gathered to avoid burdening the mansion owner, but today, there was something to discuss centered around Hilbrin.

Hilbrin raised his eyebrows at the noble's words of 'unfair.'

"What are you talking about?"

"No, it's Fenelon's words. It's unfortunate that there was damage, but it's still a considerable piece of land. The work is already done. If we handle it properly, it should be fine. It's not something that should be directed by a mere advisor, right?"

"That's right. Honestly, it's a fair point. I get the feeling that they're a bit biased over there."

Other nobles agreed.

Their words were not true. Fenelon was not such a small place, and there was still a lot of land flooded, so someone with authority needed to properly coordinate the relief efforts.

And if other lands within Maindulrant had similar issues as this time, they would have received enough help.

However, the truth was of little interest to those already upset. Above all, the atmosphere in the hall was very tense because Hilbrin, who was popular among the lords, had publicly embarrassed himself today.

In the uniquely small and low-ceilinged reception room of Maindulrant, the ten nobles present wore gloomy expressions. Hilbrin, who sat at the highest seat, didn't say a word.

As the alcohol circulated a few more times, the nobles cursed the Lord of Fenelon. They cursed the staff of the White Swan Castle. And if there was anything else to curse, they cursed it.

The Grand Duke was not cursed. While there were those who feared the Grand Duke, there was no one present who was dissatisfied with the fact that he was their lord.

At least not here.

"An advisor, honestly, how ridiculous. What can a mere little girl know!"

"What's with that veil again? Is there something so important to hide? Isn't it that only sinners hide under veils? If it's not a face we know, why hide it?"

Finally, the dissatisfaction turned towards the new advisor, Neris Trude.

She could not help but be alien here, even if she spoke kindly. The people of Maindulrant had lived among themselves for a long time, and there was a strong internal order.

To them, the greatest in the world was the esteemed Grand Duke, and the presence of the Emperor was ambiguous. Like the parents of a character in a book, they knew he existed vaguely, but it was not something they thought about in their daily lives.

- "Even the clergy here could only expect treatment one step lower than elsewhere. The presence of the Pope was as ambiguous as the Emperor's.

In front of such people, a Southern woman appeared, an external noble. Moreover, she always wore a suspicious veil on her face, even though she was young. It was said that no one had seen her face under the veil for several days.

"I heard she's the daughter of Lady Trude who lives in the Western Palace. Wasn't she suspicious from the beginning? Bringing a woman with no blood ties to the Western Palace."

A few years ago, when people moved into the empty Western Palace and rumors spread that she was a woman without a husband, the entire Maindulrant was in an uproar.

The Grand Duke's family was already prestigious. When Cladwin would marry was a matter of keen interest to the people of Maindulrant.

But like someone who had only work and marriage on their mind all day, and when they wanted to stay in the castle, they went around looking for remnants of rebel factions. Moreover, with rumors of monsters spreading, which external noble family would marry off their daughter?

So, the people of Maindulrant, who were secretly worried or hoping for an opportunity for their daughters, were faced with a woman who, although slightly older to fall in love with the lord, currently had no partner.

Various theories circulated until it was revealed that Cladwin was behaving politely towards Lady Trude and didn't meet her often. But now that her daughter had appeared, controversy was reignited.

Thud.

The sound of a glass being roughly set down was heard among the nobles exchanging suspicious glances. All eyes turned to Hilbrin, the owner of that glass.

"It's getting a bit uncomfortable to keep listening."

Isn't it? Are you also feeling uncomfortable? The nobles were about to say so with a hint of agreement.

If it weren't for Hilbrin's next words, with a twisted face.

"People from noble families, who are supposed to be the heirs of prestigious lineage, are scrutinizing and gossiping about ladies with unfounded suspicions. Is this a market square where irresponsible talk is allowed?"

The air turned cold.

Those who were loudly criticizing the Trude mother and daughter just a moment ago stood frozen like statues, and those who sympathized with them tensed up. What's going on?

Hilbrin set down the glass, clenched his fist with the now empty hand, and held it up for everyone to see clearly.

"Maindulrant speaks with skill. Since Lady Trude caught an assassin targeting His Grace, her merit cannot be underestimated. Or perhaps, in your eyes, it's nothing special?"

"Well..."

Who could say such a thing?

Looking around at the dazed audience, Hilbrin smirked. Now, it was clear to everyone that a favor was being extended on his face.

"Instead of wasting time on idle talk, quickly appoint someone responsible and get to work. Very efficient. And how much courage at such a young age. Southerners are all said to be cowards, but indeed, they seem to be descendants of heroes. Yes, one must have that much courage to come this far and make a name for themselves!"

Is that so?"

- The nobles were perplexed.

They didn't dislike Neris personally. They were just upset because they thought the 'management' had ignored Hilbrin, an important member among them...

The dark atmosphere quickly turned around.

"Ahem. His Grace has never misjudged a person."

"If you're so outstanding, were you scouted from the academy?"

Everyone except a few offered some praise and shifted the topic.

However, not everyone agreed. Those who didn't praise, a few who murmured their praise, sipped their drinks sullenly.

One noble among those who became sullen thought he wanted to get some fresh air. He quietly left the room and went out to the mansion's garden.

The night was quiet, with summer stars twinkling in the sky. Looking up at the sky with a grim expression, he spat on the ground.

"I'm quite something, indeed. To publicly embarrass myself in front of these lowly managers and still act so boldly."

Hilbrin was popular among the nobles not only because of his family but also because of his uncompromising character. So, he couldn't speak openly in that situation.

But he was dissatisfied. With Neris, with Hilbrin, with the current system.

His territory was adjacent to Fenelon. To reach Fenelon from the White Swan Castle, one had to pass through his land.

But even if there were similar issues on his land, could he receive the same help? He was skeptical.

There was no empirical evidence. But unlike those who frequented Fenwick, he rarely came here, so his trust in the Grand Duke was limited.

Didn't someone just say 'unfair'? People who knew the Grand Duke well said so.

It was frightening. The terrifying new lord who killed all the elders, the drastically changed atmosphere... the declining status of the lords.

Shouldn't something be done here? Should they live with their positions gradually diminishing helplessly? What if they had to beg for mercy from the lowly managers?

That's when it happened.

"Lord, are you alright for a moment?"

A young man's voice was heard. He turned around.

It was a familiar face. He couldn't remember the name exactly, but he was definitely the aide to the new advisor.

The young man asked coolly, "Is there anything I can help with?"

A few days later, an emergency meeting was convened at the White Swan Castle.

Neris, who had been busy in the study all those days except for sleeping at night, looked calmly at the subordinate lords and castle staff who had dared to 'summon' her, with a displeased expression. One lord, excited as if he had seized an opportunity, spoke up.

"What are you going to do! What is this situation? What are you going to say to those waiting for a helping hand right now!"

"What do you mean?"

Neris replied kindly as if she had no idea about the situation.

The atmosphere at the meeting was similar to a few days ago, but this time, it felt more ominous.

The openly angry gazes of the subordinate lords were sharply directed at Neris. The managers didn't like this fact, their faces turning red, but the other side's momentum was too strong.

However, she seemed completely unconcerned about the situation. That alone irritated the lords, causing their voices to grow louder.

"It's gone, isn't it! At such a critical time, everything, including relief supplies!"

That's right.

During the past few days, Neris, Karl, Hugin, and even Dora and the messengers from Fenelon had been purchasing and acquiring relief supplies through meetings, approvals, and document submissions.

But now, those supplies had disappeared on the way to their destination.

There was no confirmation that the items had arrived properly after coordinating with nearby territories and superiors to ensure they arrived as quickly as possible.

If Fenelon hadn't inquired about the situation while waiting for the supplies from Maindulrant, they wouldn't have known.

Because the drivers of the relief supply wagons dispatched from Neris's study had reported that they had handed over the items properly.

It was glaringly obvious that someone had interfered in the middle. But from the Grand Duke's domain to far-west Fenelon, where was the issue in between? There was endless doubt.

And those who found out blamed Neris, the 'responsible party,' for everything.

"It seems you lack experience."

"Please don't rush things. How can someone from the South understand how such a large territory operates?"

The managers remained silent, and with Hilbrin quiet, many of the subordinate lords were cautious with their words. However, a few couldn't resist mocking the situation.

Neris knew without deep analysis that they were the ones behind all this.

Foreigners. Youngsters. Even though they wanted to express more vividly, they packaged it in a more dignified manner for greater political effect.

If things continued like this, the title of advisor would become merely formal, not just in front of the lords but even in front of the managers.

At the same time, the trust in Cladwin, who had made unreasonable decisions from the start, would also plummet endlessly.

They were the ones who dismissed the entire Empire as the South, those who referred to Fenwick Grand Duchy simply as the center without any other epithets. To them, it was like holding the power of the whole world in their hands.

Neris remained silent for a few beats. Yes, finally... and when a few called for a resolution in their minds.

She gracefully tilted her head.

"Why do you think that way?"

The meeting room fell silent.