𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐮𝐞 ④ / 𝐑𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐌𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐲
Esterize was in the Rushout Duke residence in the Kingdom of Asgard.
Only the sound of a brush writing on documents echoed in the spacious office.
Her long, dark feather-colored hair was neatly tied up, and instead of a dress, she wore the uniform of the summoning academy.
Esterize, as the first female Duke, was swamped with work.
Thanks to the long vacation at the academy, she was immersed in work every day.
ㅤ
“. . . . . .Fugil.”
“Yes, elder sister.”
“Organize these.”
“Understood.”
ㅤ
She handed the documents to Fugil.
Sorting documents, checking for typographical errors, and calculations were all unexpected talents of Fugil. Thanks to him, work progressed smoothly.
On the other hand, Rashild was completely incapable of paperwork.
Fugil and Rashild were entrusted with a territory managed by the Rushout family. Fugil wasn’t a concern, but there were concerns about Rashild.
“I need to find a competent bureaucrat. . . . . .” Esterize thought.
Fugil spoke as he reviewed the documents.
ㅤ
“Elder sister. Regarding our father and mother…”
“I entrusted them with the Rushout territory. They’ve managed it before; there shouldn’t be any problems.”
“. . . . . .Hahaha.”
ㅤ
Father Fragarach and mother Sally had already retired. However, since the Rushout family was elevated to Duke, Esterize alone couldn’t manage all the work. Hence, she entrusted one of the territories to them.
Originally, when the Rushout family was still a Baron, this territory was given to her parents. For some reason, both parents had complained, but Esterize pretended not to notice.
However, Fugil understood.
ㅤ
“Is this some kind of punishment from you?”
“Did you say something?”
“No, nothing.”
ㅤ
It was retribution for trying to use Albero as a convenient tool.
Probably, that’s what Fugil thought. How could their own parents think of leveraging the reputation of Albero, who was expelled from the family, to strengthen their foothold in the Kingdom of Asgard? It was rather thoughtless.
Esterize entrusted such a couple with the management of the remote Rushout territory. They probably won’t be able to return to the Kingdom of Asgard for several years.
ㅤ
“What did Rashild do?”
“Ah. . . . . .Well, elder brother went to the town for scouting.”
“. . . . . .What?”
“Um, he said he’s going to create an army in the territory entrusted to him and went to the summoning guild to scout skilled summoners.”
“. . . . . .”
ㅤ
She couldn’t help but hold her head in disbelief.
Creating an army could be considered treason.
After the Demon Emperor War ended, many skilled summoners remained in the country. Some might respond to Rashild’s scouting.
But before that. . . . . .Rashild hasn’t even graduated yet.
ㅤ
“. . . . . .I really am worried about entrusting a territory to him.”
“Ah, hahaha. . . . . .”
ㅤ
By the way, Fugil and Rashild were given the title of acting lords, making them quasi-Barons. Rashild was excited about the long-desired title, but when he heard that Albero was promoted from Baron to Marquis, he gritted his teeth.
Esterize cleared her throat.
ㅤ
“By the way, how is Albero?”
“He’s in Isavel territory. Considering he’ll be managing his own domain after graduation, he’s probably learning all he can right now, right?”
“Isavel territory. . . . . . The domain of the hero Albero・Isavel who, despite being a 『Joker』, saved the 『world』. I heard that many want to migrate there to benefit from its prosperity.”
“It seems there’s an increase in immigrants from other countries as well. They’re starting to develop roads, so that place might become a global distribution hub.”
“. . . . . .Hmm. Fugil, write a letter.”
“Huh?”
“Address it to Albero. As the Duke family, we should send our greetings.”
“Wait, are you going?”
“Isn’t it necessary to inspect?”
“. . . . . .(He’s so hard to read).”
“Did you say something?”
ㅤ
Esterize glared at him, but Fugil gave a wry smile.
After the Demon Emperor War, Esterize changed.
There’s a bit of a formal atmosphere around her, but now she can even crack jokes like this.
Then, the door was flung open with force.
ㅤ
“Elder sister!! Listen, Elder sister!!”
“You’re so loud. . . . . .What is it, Rashild?”
“Listen!! I scouted some powerful summoners in the town!! There are a whopping forty of them!! Hahaha!! They’re my army. We’ll head straight to the domain.”
“You fool!! Seriously. . . . . .Take all of them to the training ground. I will personally assess them.”
“Huh, assess?”
“Elder brother. . . . . .Scouting random people is too suspicious.”
“Is it? They seemed like good folks to talk to.”
“. . . . . .”
ㅤ
Fugil held his head in frustration, while Esterize, on the verge of snapping, supposedly defeated Rashild’s 『army』 single-handedly.
ㅤ
◇◇◇◇◇◇
ㅤ
That evening.
Esterize, having defeated Rashild’s army, returned to the mansion.
Fugil and Rashild were with her.
Before dinner, a visitor arrived.
Upon hearing the name, they let the person into the room.
ㅤ
“Ah, finally we meet. Esterize!!”
“. . . . . .Your Highness.”
ㅤ
It was Sanbalt.
He had renounced his claim to the throne and was now just a royal family member.
Sanbalt spoke with an unyielding face.
ㅤ
“Esterize!! Allow me by your side. I might have given up my claim to the throne, but I couldn’t give up my feelings for you!!”
“. . . . . .”
“(Hey Fugil, what does he mean by ‘giving up his feelings’?)
“(. . . . . .Who knows?).”
ㅤ
Today was indeed noisy. . . . . .Esterize thought.
Then, she came up with a plan.
ㅤ
“Your Highness. What about the academy?”
“Ah, I graduated. I heard you’d be busy as a Duke. I thought you’d need a competent assistant.”
“I see. . . . . .Would you mind if I asked you to take on a task?”
“Anything!! I’ll do anything.”
“Then, would you go to 『Heimdal territory』 as a civil official?”
“Huh.”
ㅤ
Heimdal territory.
That’s the domain given to Rashild.
It’s a rocky area rich in mineral resources with several big towns.
However, because of the numerous mines, it has a masculine feel. They thought it suitable for Rashild, hence the assignment.
ㅤ
“Your grades at the academy were excellent, Your Highness. You should have no problem serving as a civil official.”
“Uh, well. . . . . .”
“You all!! Escort His Highness immediately!!”
“””””Yes, ma’am!!”””””
ㅤ
Rashild’s 『army』, who was defeated by Esterize, appeared and took Sanbalt away.
By the way, the entire army fell in love with Esterize and became her subordinates.
ㅤ
“Esterizeeeeee!”
“Your Highness, please take care.”
ㅤ
Esterize laughed and waved goodbye to Sanbalt.
ㅤ
“Ah, elder sister. . . . . .isn’t it a bit too much against a royalty?”
“No. I have permission from Princess Yorha. 『Do as you like when Prince Sanbalt arrives』.”
“Hmm? Prince Sanbalt in my territory. . . . . .Well, alright!”
ㅤ
Later on, Sanbalt works excellently as a civil servant in the Heimdal territory. Because of his excellence, he couldn’t return to the Asgard Kingdom.
Eventually, he marries a local woman and leads a happy life. . . . . .but that’s another story.
ㅤ
◇◇◇◇◇◇
ㅤ
After dinner.
Esterize, Rashild, and Fugil were enjoying their post-dinner tea.
ㅤ
“Elder sister, do you have any plans to get married?”
“No.”
ㅤ
She stated firmly.
Fugil said nothing and sipped his tea.
ㅤ
“If it’s about an heir, there are your children. I will live my life as a noble in my own way.”
“Elder sister. . . . . .”
“Fugil, if that’s what she wants, then let it be.”
“Even you, elder brother. . . . . .”
“Well, I plan to do as I please in my own territory. She should live her life as she pleases.”
“Hah, that’s like you. . . . . .but, thank you.”
ㅤ
Esterize takes a sip of her tea.
Then, Rashild spoke.
ㅤ
“Speaking of which, Albero. . . . . .He’s become a Marquis now. But we probably won’t meet him again.”
“. . . . . .Rashild. At least invite him to the wedding. Even if you’ve disowned him, he’s still our blood relative.”
“Hmm. . . . . .True.”
“Also, elder brother, elder sister plans to inspect Albero’s territory. Don’t you think she needs a good escort?”
“Hah, in that case, here. Elder sister, if you’re going there, I’m coming too!!”
“Ah, I’ll accompany as well. Elder sister, that’s okay, right?”
“. . . . . .Oh dear.”
ㅤ
Esterize, Rashild, Fugil.
They head to Albero’s for an 『inspection』, tease and quarrel, but in the end, they have a friendly drink and receive lots of souvenirs. . . . . .but that’s another story.
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