‘Are you going to help convince Alan?’
Duke Leon Rothstein doubted his ears.
The 2nd Prince was the one who adversely affected Alan, who had the most talent in the history of his family.
But to say that he will help himself… … .
‘What’s your intention?’
2 I had already heard rumors that the prince’s behavior had changed.
Rumor has it that he reached 2 stars in just 10 days and solved the problem in the island forest.
I thought it might have changed a bit… … Isn’t this too absurd?
‘I didn’t really believe it at first.’
It was a short conversation after arriving here, but I felt that it was completely different from before.
To think that the 2nd prince, who always played dissolutely with Alan, would come and help his son reform.
The duke was not the only one surprised by these two princes.
‘What bullsh*t is this??’
No, it would be more correct to say that it was Alan who surprised me the most.
He said he would solve the problem he was having, so what kind of nonsense was this?
In my heart, I wanted to raise my voice, but I couldn’t bear it because I was in front of my father.
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Leaving the confused Alan behind, the Duke of Rothstein asked.
“Did you say you would go directly into Hasla and help Alan convince you?”
“exactly.”
The duke shook his head and replied.
“It is impossible.”
“Why?”
“It is because you do not have the qualifications to enter Hasla.”
It was not difficult for me to understand what the duke was saying.
The minimum requirement to enter Hasla was 3 stars.
“I know that you rose to 2 stars a while ago. However, the minimum entry requirement for Hasla is 3 stars.”
“I know.”
“Do you think you can reach 3 stars within the remaining period? There is not much time left until the application deadline.”
There was only a week left until Hasla’s application deadline.
Considering the handling of this and that office work, I only had about four days of free time.
In other words, it was said that it was impossible to enter the school unless it reached 3 stars within the next four days.
If I hadn’t used the elixir, it would have been impossible for me, so this reaction was natural.
‘It would be quicker to show it.’
I didn’t respond any further, and I let my mana blow into the air.
Since I didn’t use any magic formula, the magic didn’t manifest.
It was possible to prove my level just by showing how to use magical power.
“… … !”
The peacock’s eyes widened.
It’s because I realized that my realm was 3 stars through the magic operation I just had.
“Duke, I want to talk alone.”
The duke thought for a moment at my calm suggestion, then issued a congratulatory order to Alan.
This left the office with just the duke and me.
“Thank you for accepting my request.”
“… … No, I’m interested too.”
“exactly?”
“yes. I’ll ask straight forward. How did you get to 3 stars in such a short period of time?”
To the duke’s question, I told the truth.
He received a grade A pill from the queen, took it, and succeeded in absorbing it properly.
“… … Huh.”
The duke stroked his beard with a look of disbelief.
He was also a wizard, so he could immediately guess what this meant.
‘Was the 2 prince’s talent this much?’
There seemed to be no lies in what he said.
A wizard who has just reached 2 stars needs an A-class or higher elixir to reach 3 stars right away.
but… … Anything that is theoretically possible.
It was possible only when conditions close to impossible and talent overlapped.
‘I can’t believe there’s a human who can control this level of magical power… … .’
It is possible that many talents overlap.
The duke saw that the biggest reason for this was the ability to control magical power.
In order to handle an A-class elixir with only two-star bodies, it would require a truly divine control ability.
Since this was a part of being born with a lot of innate elements, it would have been possible even though the realm was low.
And this ability to control magical power was one of the most important abilities in magic technology.
If he had this much talent, he would be able to succeed as a magic engineer with a little effort.
‘I’ll have to change my evaluation.’
I was trying to determine if the public rumors about the change were true.
The Duke was convinced that the rumor was true.
‘If it wasn’t for the status of a prince, I would have made any offer to recruit him… … .’
Given my position, I couldn’t do that.
Building a close relationship with the second prince in the current situation is like stepping into a limb with your own feet.
After thinking, the duke smiled slightly and said.
“I wouldn’t have believed it if I had only heard about it, but seeing it in person, I can’t help but believe it.”
“Duke, I will become the crown prince.”
“… … yes?”
At my direct words, the duke showed a puzzled expression.
But I didn’t care and continued.
“First of all, listen to me to the end. I’m not asking for an answer right now.”
After being imprisoned by the queen and experiencing a life crisis, there were many psychological changes.
Stepping on the threshold of death and realizing the need and responsibility.
Well, along with these things in moderation, he calmly explained what had happened since I possessed it.
“So, my current goal is to surpass my older brother and rise to the throne.”
“… … Can you say that the reason you said that to me is to appease me?”
“exactly.”
The duke’s eyes deepened even more at my calm reply.
Then, as if determined to do something, he opened his mouth.
“If it had been said by a lowly person in the past, I would have immediately rejected it here and pretended not to hear it. Of course, they would have laughed at me behind my back.”
“It’s good to be honest.”
“However, seeing the demeanor today, I can’t bear to do that. I also felt that the rumor that the lowering had changed was true. … … However.”
The duke shook his head and continued.
“Now it is impossible for me to take the side of the poor.”
The Duke’s words were natural.
Even if you showed amazing change and talent, you can’t tell how long this will last when others see it.
Besides, I currently have no political foundation.
However, as the next crown prince, he is openly opposed to the most influential prince?
It was a foolish decision, close to suicide.
“You’re misunderstanding something, Duke.”
So I laughed and denied his words.
“I don’t want a declaration of support for me right now. I just want you to watch with interest.”
“… … .”
“If that’s all, there’s no problem, right? As a duke, you have nothing to lose.”
“Did you use Alan for that?”
There was no anger in the duke’s tone.
It just seemed like an action to confirm the facts.
I replied with a smile.
“Half it is. I just thought it was a waste of talent to rot.”
“… … .”
“I was also lazy in the past, so don’t you believe me? I can guarantee you that it will be better than just sending Alan to Hasla.”
The duke had no answer for a while.
He seemed to be thinking deeply about how to respond.
Then, as if he had made up his mind to do something, he opened his mouth with a respectful example that had never been seen before.
“If you help Alan, I will never forget that grace.”
“There is no such thing as grace.”
“But it’s difficult if you think that I’m going to side with you with just this.”
“I think so too, this is just the first step towards dissolving the distrust that has accumulated over the years.”
To this, the duke shook his head resolutely and replied.
“I am drawing a line like this now to respect degradation. Don’t be angry… … .”
“You know the duke, right? That there is not much time left to remain neutral.”
“… … !”
At my words, the peacock’s eyes fluttered for the first time.
But I didn’t pay attention, and continued to speak calmly.
“I am not asking you to decide right away. Just watch me from afar and judge. For now, that is enough.”
* * *
After the private meeting with the duke, I went to Alan’s room.
When I opened the door and entered, he was sitting in a chair with a confused look on his face.
Alan did not spare his sharp voice.
“I never doubted that you were my comrade. Have you forgotten the past days when you said you would lose if you worked hard?”
… … Did you even go so far as to say that?
“But how can you fool me?”
“First of all, I want to correct one thing, but I never cheated on you. I said I would solve it, I never said I would take your side.”
“… … .”
Alan looked at me with snake eyes, as if asking where such sophistry came from.
I smiled kindly and continued.
“Do you know why the Duke has been trying to send you to Hasla lately?”
“recent… … What?”
“Do you know the age at which you can enter Hasla Academy?”
“From the age of 13.”
“Yes, but you are 16 now. Didn’t the three stars reach it once upon a time?”
“… … you’re right.”
“I just wait and see if you know why it’s been like this lately.”
At my words, Alan was troubled for a moment.
It wasn’t until about 14 that Alan became lazy.
2 I started dating the prince when I was 15 years old.
In other words, the duke had plenty of time to send Alan to Hasla, but he was asking if he knew why it had been like this lately.
“… … I do not know.”
“What do you think is the reason why the Rothstein family is able to maintain their prestige and influence as dukes?”
“It is magic technology.”
“That’s right, thanks to technology related to transportation.”
Alan tilted his head at my words, which began somewhat out of the blue.
I didn’t care and continued talking.
“It is thanks to the technology of the Rothstein family that each region has been able to develop evenly.”
“… … yes?”
“I think it is truly worthy of respect to use this for the sake of the kingdom, rather than monopolizing it.”
Alan seemed a bit embarrassed at the praise for his family.
Even so, he cleared his throat proudly.
“But over time, the speciality of this technique has diminished. Because the overall standard, including the level of education, has risen.”
“… … What are you talking about?”
“It means that Rothstein’s technology, which was in the limelight in the past, is losing its prestige now.”
“… … !”
Alan’s expression turned to bewilderment.
“The family members were desperately clinging to solving this problem, but… … Well, it probably didn’t make much of a difference.”
“hmm… … .”
I quietly opened my mouth to Alan, who had no idea at all.
“It’s safe to say that two of the three ducal houses in the central region, Olsen and Ainware, are the handiwork of them.”
Still, Alan tilted his head, as if he didn’t know what he was talking about.
“Olsen and Ainware are saying these two are moving in the shadows to bring Rothstein down from the dukedom.”
“… … !”
“That’s how they increase their influence.”
Alan’s lips trembled, unable to hide his agitation and anger.
“Uh, why… … .”
“Originally, human greed has no end.”
“… … .”
“Let me add one thing.”
I got up and looked out the window.
The night sky seen through the window was very nice.
“Olsen is currently the 1st Prince… … You know I’m supporting you, right?”
“… … yes.”
“Ainware is still looking at her liver, but as time goes on, she will support her older brother. There are few reasons not to.”
“Is there any reason?”
“The interests align. The two ducal families who want the downfall of Rothstein, my brother who wants a solid foundation.”
A lot of emotion could be seen passing through Alan’s face.
He was naive and hated discipline, not stupid.
That’s why there must have been things that I didn’t understand within the family.
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Listening to what I have to say now, I realized that the pieces of the puzzle that had been scattered over the years came together.
“That’s why even the Duke can’t support his brother. Because I can’t do that.”
“… … It’s more certain to get the support of Olsen and Ainwehr, so I don’t get lower than the 1st prince, that’s what I mean.”
“okay.”
Alan, as if in great shock, put on a dazed expression for a while.
It was nothing strange.
Conflicts and checks between these three families have yet to be revealed.
There are signs of that, and it’s going on behind the scenes.
‘Because I just inferred from the contents of the mansion.’
I was not sure, so there were times when I made a peacock.
Considering the duke’s reaction to this, it must have been my guess.
“The reason the Duke wants to send you to Hasla is that he can’t afford to let you go.”
Regardless of the field, the only condition to enter Hasla was talent.
Of course, the percentage of nobles is higher, but… … .
In any case, it was safe to say that everyone in Hasla was talented enough to lead the kingdom in the future.
So, the connections he made there always had to work well.
“… … He said it was because Hasla was the best option for my growth and political foundation.”
“Okay, I’m going back tomorrow morning, so think about it.”
“… … All right.”
At the moment when I was about to finish talking like that and leave.
Alan spoke.
“… … By the way, why do you want to go to Hasla?”
After thinking about Alan’s question for a while, I answered with a smile.
“In terms of growth and building a political foundation, I am in a similar position to you.”
“yes?”
“My current goal is to defeat my older brother and become the crown prince.”
“… … !”