Chapter 102

Where Father and Daughter have a heart to heart and a Hound is being chased.

This chapter is dedicated to Jon! Thank you for your continuous support!

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Episode 102. About a Year (29)

"How dare you challenge my authority! Such arrogance is testing my patience!"

"...It's not a challenge. Only your authority, Father, can restrain Jason, so I'm asking to borrow it temporarily...!"

Bang!

Father slammed his fist on the desk. I was expecting for him to show some anger, but not to this extent.

"So arrogant?! Did you learn this during your time in Durben? You say you want to borrow it, but in reality you’re threatening me. You’re really saying you can save our family and placate the Emperor's anger if I accept your terms? What is this if not blackmail? How dare you threaten the head of House Elias? Do you think your father was born yesterday?"

It seemed he thought that I was using the family crisis for my own benefit.

"Father... No. My Lord.I have been rude, but, had I been an outsider, would you still have reacted this way to my proposal?"

"You have a clever tongue. No outsider would discuss Jason's punishment. You are seeking to assuage a personal vendetta by threatening me. How could a father give one child the power to strike down another?"

My father's flushed face showed no sign of returning to its original color.

For a moment, I wondered how this situation would have unfolded had Dylan been with me, but it was pointless.

I swallowed hard. I had no intention of backing down.

Count Lloyd Elias. Head of the Elias Family. The fifth ranked family in the Empire.

The families in ranks four to ten were roughly equal. The number one family held half of the Empire's wealth, the second held half of the first’s wealth, and the third held half of the second family’s wealth. From fourth place downward, the remaining families fiercely competed for the remaining wealth.

Therefore, 5th place was a good place to be.

My father had been a very cool-headed businessman, but had been swayed by the wealth of Duke Philippe's family after the loss of his eldest son.

"I'm not just claiming that I can fix it and resolve his anger. I have the means to overcome this crisis and come out on top while freeing the Elias family of the Emperor's wrath. Normally I would just tell you how to do it. However, this time, Jason has crossed a line. What happened to him getting consequences like when he embezzled the wages of the Elias's Knights?"

"...!"

"Seven months later and he's already making another mistake. If it weren't for this incident, he would have gone back to his old self within a few years. I want to prevent similar misdeeds from happening again. I would be remiss if I said I didn't have a personal vendetta. But, more than that, for the sake of the future of our House, I'm asking to be left in charge. I apologize if this sounds like a threat, I wanted it to sound like a deal, my Lord."

"...!"

My father's eyes shifted, as if he were deep in thought.

It was no wonder he felt this way. His daughter comes back after being away for 7 months, and the first thing she asks is to borrow his power so she can save the family.

But I can't back down now. This might be my only chance to get Jason out of the way.

"...You could have asked me to take care of Jason."

"I wanted to use this opportunity, even if you criticize me for it, to prevent anyone from looking down on my mother and me ever again."

"....Who?"

"The Countess."

"...!"

"I know you can't do anything about it, since I'm well aware your hands are tied by House Philippe, so I'll do it."

"...What are your plans?"

“Our family has been caught up in Imperial Palace intrigue, and are on the verge of ruin. Jason obtained a business license without permission and proceeded to trade with the Palace without providing any reports, meetings, or agreements to the family. Furthermore, the Countess secretly signed off on it using the EliasFamily seal. This time, they really both deserve their comeuppance.”

"Let's hear what you have in mind first."

"What kind of negotiator shows their hand beforehand?"

Lloyd's eyes glistened. He studied my face carefully, then stiffened.

"So, you're telling me to hand over my power without knowing what the deal is?"

"In your situation, it's your only option. Nonetheless, since the family's future is at stake, I can tell you one thing that will ease your anxiety. I have a cure that has completed its second round of clinical trials. If you want to hear the rest of my plan, please write a statement entrusting me with Jason's punishment."

"No, how could I...?"

"That's that, Father. We're running out of time."

There was nothing else Lloyd could think of. It wasn't just about clearing the suspicions surrounding House Elias, but also creating a beneficial outcome. If temporarily relenting this authority was the solution, then it was the way to go.

"And if you abuse my authority?"

"I'm only borrowing it. You can see how it goes and withdraw your consent if you feel my actions will be detrimental to our House, but if you think they are worthy, let me carry them out. Also, my request to borrow your authority is more for show than anything else."

"...For show?"

"The Countess is weak against those who hold power."

Father nodded slowly.

Then he smirked and demanded a paper from the guard.

[I, Lloyd Elias, the head of House Elias, entrust the resolution of the Emperor's attempted murder case, and the discipline of those responsible, to my fifth daughter, Tara Eliast.

Count Lloyd Elias, Head of House Elias]

He handed the roughly scribbled deed to me without hesitation.

"Now, then, let us hear it. What is your plan?"

I leaned in close to my father's ear and began explaining, starting with the 'wolfsbane' that Josh had studied.

After a few minutes, my father slapped his knee.

"Ha! I told you to study him if you wanted to beat him, and you've followed my advice exceptionally well."

I didn't immediately understand the "him" my father was referring to, but then I realized.

"You mean I'm like the Second Prince?"

"To a certain extent. I feel as bad as when I deal with that guy. I can't say whether this is a good or a bad thing though."

I frowned.

"Ha... Why does that sound like an insult, Father?"

"Hahaha. Yes, anyway. It's good. No, it's very good. Let's do as you say."

"Yes, Father."

I bowed and turned to leave, but he pulled me back down, a thoughtful look on his face.

"If you present the deed, there may be some resistance based on your age and appearance. Hmm... I've been granted to see my lawyer this evening, so I'll let him know about this when he comes."

"Ah. That will make it easier for me, thank you, Father."

"Gather all the people in the mansion then show them the deed. Please attend the meeting with the lawyer. Since I've entrusted you with this job, make sure it's done right, Agreed?"

I nodded, my expression serious.

"I'll do my best to solve this case. Trust me, Father!"

He nodded; his eyes just as serious.

Ten minutes later, I returned to the mansion with the certificate in hand and an unexpected basket of chocolates.

... Since he's talented, I'm sure he'll catch the real culprit....

As I thought it, I chuckled. Despite our differences, I had faith in the Second Prince's abilities.

What would have happened had another Prince had been in charge instead of the Second Prince?

Just thinking about it made my head spin.

Lucky he was. And since the Second Prince was in charge, I could make my next move assuming that my father would be exonerated of all charges.

***

That night.

Baron Hound Paliport had not emerged from his room in the dilapidated cottage situated on the outskirts of the Capital for nearly a fortnight.

Two knights were stationed in front of his room. Both belonging to House Toulouse.

In total 15 knights guarded the Baron day and night, not only in front of his room, but also inside and outside the cabin.

From the outside, it looked like they were protecting him, but it was more like surveillance. The Baron's every move was reported to the Duke of Toulouse.

The Baron knew too much about First Prince Franz. It was clear that, if left alive, he would become a liability, but he couldn't be killed immediately.

Fearing for his life, the Baron had cleverly given his diary to Laura, Franz's mistress and Paliport's youngest daughter.

[... Move to the rendezvous point at the port.]

Unfolding the note handed over by the Duke of Toulouse, the knight quietly knocked on the Baron's door.

Upon opening the door, the knight grimaced at the pungent smell of tobacco that wafted out, along with the acrid odor that stung his nostrils.

No wonder, the inhabitant of this room hadn't bathed properly since his escape.

The Baron's eyes were bloodshot. His eyes were unfocused, as if he hadn't slept at all.

"Why... why?"

"Let's go, the ship is ready."

"Go... Hmph, go... Hmph."

He began to hiccup and tremble while he picked up his satchel.

As the Baron lifted it up, the knight realized that the heavy bag was probably filled with quite a few valuables...

They left the cabin and headed towards the port. About 30 minutes out, the path changed into a mountain road.

Tweet, tweet, tweet!

An ear-splitting whistle sounded and, in an instant, masked men surrounded the group.

"Who are you?"

"We're here to kill a dog!"

The man's sarcasm prompted both sides to draw their weapons and begin fighting over the Baron.

The masked men were unrelenting. The way they swung their weapons made it clear that they were aiming to kill, not capture.

While the masked men were gaining the upper hand due to their sheer numbers, another group of men was closing in. Their movements were much more agile and swift, more so than any other knight.

***

At dawn the next day.

"It was a mess. As Your Highness predicted, they were on their way to smuggle the Baron out. 50 men came out of nowhere, chasing after their target in a remote location."

“Any injuries?”

"Haha... I got a small cut on my shoulder, but who do you think I am? Aren't I the core of the Phoenix Knights? One that can compete with Your Highness and score more than 20 points? I'm fine, Your Highness!"

Nick scratched his head, embarrassed, before punching the left side of his chest in excitement.

Nick had just returned after being dispatched, and hadn’t been able to train properly in months.

"Not you, the Baron."

"Ah...."

Colin, a knight of the Order of the Phoenix who was waiting to give another report next to him, burst into laughter, but Nick did not care.

He and His Lord were so close that he considered his rebuff a sign of affection.

"He's fine except for a few cramps in his back and neck following the muscle spasms from being shaken so much. He's currently in a safe house outside the Capital."

Kyle thought for a moment. Nick, who was watching Kyle nervously from the side, sighed inwardly, thinking that a new assignment would come soon.

Sure enough, His Lord had put undercover teams on many people.

Editor's Note -

Sorry for the long wait. After having a bit of an obsession with my favorite video game which had a new huge area come out, (for those in the know I'm a Genshin Impact fan and player on PS5), I caught Covid.... In the beginning it was like the first time I caught the damn virus, asymptomatic, but then it changed.... Not in a good way... Sigh.... Anyway, I'm back and @Rina already has the next chapter ready so we should be having a good few releases coming up. We are closing that gap folks! Double time!

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