Chapter : 110

When the Holy Emperor requested that she cure the madness that had broken out in the Barony of Vigneux, Azela didn’t give it much thought.

Just, ‘Ah, it’s been a while since I’ve been out. I should receive some lavish treatment from a noble.’

That was her only thought.

Such a trivial illness. There was almost nothing she couldn’t cure using her mystery.

Therefore, Azela was very confident.

“I have come to see Baron Vigneux…?”

That is, until she entered the reception room and saw Baron Vigneux.

‘Huh?’

The atmosphere was chilly.

Baron Vigneux’s face was hardened in anger, and a female attendant was kneeling and crying nearby.

But what was even more absurd was.

“?!”

Right next to him was the insufferable and unlucky Margrave of Bellua.

Azela, who had only bad memories from every encounter with the Margrave of Bellua, suddenly felt a sense of foreboding.

This… something is going wrong again, isn’t it?

“The Holy Emperor sent you to me to cure the madness?”

“Oh, ohohoho. Yes, Baron Vigneux. His Majesty the Emperor read the letter sent by Debua and, feeling pity, sent me. He specifically asked me to be sure to cure her…?”

Somehow, every time she spoke, Baron Vigneux’s face turned red and blue, which was ominous.

‘Oh, damn it? Something feels a bit off…?’

The feeling was not good.

According to her sharp intuition, honed by surviving in the Emperor’s court, this was a situation on the verge of a major problem.

Azela forced a smile and tried to acknowledge the Margrave of Bellua standing in the distance.

She hoped that in this ominous atmosphere, Baron Vigneux might take pity on her.

“Your Excellen—”

But.

“Ah? The Holy Emperor specifically asked?”

Her attempt was immediately blocked by the angry shout of Baron Vigneux.

“Well, thank you very much! Sooo very much. Guards!”

“Yes, my lord.”

“Throw that rotten wench into the dungeon at once!”

***

Life could be coincidental, but it couldn’t be this coincidental.

Why on earth did the Holy Emperor’s envoy arrive at this exact moment?

And what was even more interesting was.

“Kyaaak! No! No! My lord!”

That dimwitted magician had come here to provide a cure.

On Baron Vigneux’s command, Azela was being dragged away by the soldiers, no, she was on the verge of being dragged by her hair.

“What is the matter, my lord! Let’s talk, let’s talk this out!”

“Silence! You bewitching magician! Do you think I don’t know the Holy Emperor’s insidious schemes!”

“I-I swear on my mystery-! Ack, ack! Just a moment…!”

As the situation grew dire, Azela shouted desperately.

The oath of mystery she had used on me before.

‘Oh….’

Despite it being a dangerous oath that could cause her to lose all the mystery she had learned, it came out so naturally.

‘Hmm, is that her way of survival?’

For a moment, I wondered if she had survived the brutal imperial court with such methods.

Of course, unlike me, who was watching it with amusement and interest….

‘This is fucking-!’

Azela was utterly flabbergasted.

What kind of bolt from the blue was this? She had come to help, only to be suddenly treated like a criminal.

“B-Baron Vigneux. Calmly, let’s talk calmly. I really….”

“Hmph, silence that bewitching magician’s mouth-!”

“Mph, mph!”

It had long been said that a magician’s words had the power to bewitch people. Therefore, Baron Vigneux’s measure was, in a way, very appropriate.

But somehow, Azela managed to shake off the soldiers’ hands.

“Your Excellency! Margrave! Save me. You know me. Please explain this to him!”

“Ah, you know each other?”

Baron Vigneux asked cautiously. Although he was resentful of the Emperor’s magician, he seemed to be watching my expression because of the help I had provided.

But I coolly ignored Azela, who was looking at me pitifully, and shrugged my shoulders.

“No. I think she’s just trying her luck.”

“Ah, is that so?”

“Indeed. Why would the Emperor’s magician suddenly act like she knows me? I have Sir Agpiel with me.”

“That is true. Hmph! How dare you lie?”

Baron Vigneux was still too angry to think rationally. It seemed a conversation would only be possible after some time had passed and he had calmed down.

No, well, actually….

“Drag that evil magician to the dungeon at once and gag her! I will interrogate her myself later-!”

“No, Your Excellency! Your Excellency! Margrave! Ack, aaack. You son of a bitch-!”

It was also because I was having too much fun watching that dimwitted magician get into trouble.

‘It’s quite a spectacle to watch, isn’t it?’

***

It didn’t take long to clear up the misunderstanding.

Baron Vigneux, who had been fuming for a while, heard the full story of the situation from his wife, as befitting a devoted husband.

And after hearing it all, Baron Vigneux was both flabbergasted and, at the same time, disheartened.

“…I have no words, Margrave. I don’t know how I have lived like this.”

“Come on. Cheer up. That’s all I can say. I’m sorry.”

In fact, the root of this commotion was something that would put a soap opera to shame.

Baron Vigneux finally understood why the attendant Debua had kept saying she hadn’t meant to harm the Baroness.

The Baroness and the attendant Debua were….

“How could the two of them have been having an affair! Sob sob.”

That’s right.

The Baroness and the attendant Debua were in love with each other. And the Holy Emperor had really heard the attendant Debua’s story and had sent that dimwitted magician to help.

“What in the world is this dog-bone-like situation….”

“Shh, Agpiel. We’ll be in big trouble if he hears you.”

“Ahem. I’m just saying that as a fellow man, I feel sorry for Baron Vigneux.”

Magician Agpiel clicked his tongue as he spoke. He had always watched the messy family affairs of the nobles, but this case was a rare one even for Agpiel.

“Anyway, what are you going to do, Baron Vigneux? How about we track down that merchant now?”

“It’s alright, Your Excellency. What’s the point of digging it up now? The man has probably fled far away, and making a fuss to catch him will only spread rumors.”

At my question, Baron Vigneux lowered his head. He wanted to find out the mastermind behind this incident and crush them, but on the other hand, he desperately wished for this commotion not to spread.

What Baron Vigneux’s wife had done.

It was not an honorable act for a noble. She had committed both of the two things absolutely forbidden by the church.

Adultery and homosexuality.

The moment it became known to the public, the family’s honor would be dragged through the mud, and in severe cases, it was a serious matter that could even lead to excommunication from the Holy See.

“I will keep this matter an absolute secret. I promise on my honor.”

“Are you serious?”

“I am. It’s not a difficult thing. Oh, and if you ever need help with this matter in the future, I will help you anytime. Just say the word.”

“Oh…. Y-Your Excellency.”

Only then did Baron Vigneux’s face, filled with emotion, well up with tears.

“I will never forget this kindness. If you ever need military assistance, please call on me anytime. I will lend a hand.”

“Haha, this man.”

It was a statement that was practically an offer of vassalage, which was tempting, but there was no need to accept it rashly. For now, all I had to do was act the part of a benevolent and devout noble.

“It’s alright, my friend. Instead, may I ask you another favor?”

“Of course.”

“Then, could you waive the passage fee for the merchant guilds that carry the trade certificates I issue?”

The Barony of Vigneux was a small, barren domain with honey as its only specialty.

But.

In terms of transportation, it was very different.

Thanks to the well-maintained bridge built during the ancient imperial era, it was the only large stone bridge on the upper reaches of the Ram River.

“Is that all you ask?”

“What more are you trying to give me, my friend?”

This was enough.

But Baron Vigneux’s thoughts seemed to be a little different.

Something beyond my imagination.

He gave me a proposal so sweet it could rot my teeth.

“I have heard that Your Excellency is building a relay market and a canal. As it happens, my domain is a major strategic point on the Ram River. I will grant you a port near the bridge.”

“Huh, really?”

“Yes, Your Excellency. Please use it widely.”

-Tiriring!

[Baron Vigneux is moved by your devoted attitude. From now on, Baron Vigneux will repay the kindness you have shown him for protecting his honor. The honor of nobles may seem trivial, but at times, it holds a value more precious than anything else.]

[Notification: You have acquired a port in the Barony of Vigneux.]

[Notification: Baron Vigneux’s affinity reaches its maximum.]

What a windfall?

Indeed.

A person must know how to give in moderation.

***

‘Hmm, I feel like I’ve forgotten something.’

As I was leaving, a thought suddenly occurred to me. And I soon realized what I had forgotten.

“I forgot about the magician Azela who was locked in the dungeon.”

Baron Vigneux had made such good proposals that I had completely forgotten. But it was also awkward to go back and say something right now.

“Hmm…. well, she can stay in the dungeon for a little while, right? I’ll have to talk to him tomorrow.”

I thought so and walked away from Baron Vigneux’s office.

Of course, the magician Azela, who was trapped in the dungeon….

“You son of a biiiiiiiitch-!”

It seemed she didn’t think it was okay at all.

***

The next day, with Baron Vigneux’s permission, I headed to the underground dungeon.

“A-are you really sure it’s alright?”

“Yes, just open it.”

It was to rescue the imprisoned magician Azela.

-Creeeeak!

The dark underground, the prison door opened, and Azela, who was inside, was startled and looked at me.

“It’s been a while, magician. Have you been well? I’m sorry I couldn’t help you yesterday.”

“N-no, it’s alright. Thank you for rescuing me even now.”

‘You bastard! You definitely didn’t rescue me on purpose.’

Azela, stumbling out, was smiling awkwardly.

But the way her lips were pouting… I could tell what she was thinking at a glance.

It was obvious.

“Hmm, what’s with that expression? Surely you’re not still longing for the cold floor of the dungeon?”

“Heeik! N-no, Your Excellency. I am truly grateful for your help!”

“Good, now that’s a better attitude.”

I chuckled at the sight. I didn’t know why she was so consistent. That dimwitted magician was still an easy type to read.

“By the way, do you have anywhere to go now? Magician Azela.”

“Y-yes?”

“The madness the Emperor asked you to take care of has already been cured. You don’t need to be here anymore, do you?”

“Ah…. Ah?!”

Only then did that dimwitted magician’s eyes widen.

“Tsk tsk….”

It seemed she hadn’t thought about it at all until now.

Anyway.

“Well, I’m sure you’ll figure it out. It was just a pleasantry, I didn’t expect you to react like that.”

“Ahem, ahem. Ahem!”

Azela coughed, embarrassed. I shook my head at the sight and stood up from my seat.

“Then I’ll be on my way. I’ve spoken well to Baron Vigneux, so he won’t harm you.”

Well, I’ve shown this much consideration, so she should be fine on her own. Surely she wouldn’t be so shameless as to ask me to save her bag after I’ve already saved her from drowning.

So I thought.

“E-excuse me…. Your Excellency!”

“?”

“C-could…. could I come with you? Ohoho.”

This dimwitted magician was indeed exceptionally shameless.

“…….”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep