The Sleeping Devil

In the mansion after seeing off the guests, the employees were moving back and forth in the corridors like graceful waterfowl. Their swift movements, yet sophisticated demeanor that didn't betray their busyness, were taught by Dior's maids.

Feeling apologetic for halting the employees' steps each time we passed by, I made my way up to the top floor of the mansion with Dior.

Since the preparations for the banquet were complete, this was for the final meeting combined with rest.

Ascending the stairs to the top-floor office in one go left me breathless. I thought maybe we should install an elevator at some point.

"Ugh... this is why I dislike aristocratic mansions."

Dior, looking tired, sank into a chair in the office.

"Mother, what was the last part about? Disaster or surpassing the capital?"

"Well, it'll stir up excitement if I say something like that, won't it?"

Just casually stirring things up? But it seemed like everyone understood...

Feeling unsettled, I took a sip of tea, not sure which cup it was by now, when Didier, who had been waiting in another room, arrived.

"Hey there, Sheriel, it was quite a splendid debut. You've become quite adept at socializing."

"Brother, were you listening?"

"Yeah, more or less."

Apparently, Dior had used a communication magic tool to let Didier listen in on the conversation. It seemed there was something going on after all.

"Was the last part something you're involved in after all?"

"Haha, you caught on? Sheriel, are you interested in politics?"

"What? Out of the blue. I'd rather avoid troublesome matters, but if it's related to the business, I'd like to know."

Didier waved his hand dismissively, crossed his legs lightly, and intertwined his fingers on his knee.

"At the briefing the other day, Father and Mother didn't seem to fully grasp it, but from now on, Beriard will be under scrutiny from various quarters. Of course, even from the center."

By the center, he meant the Senate and the wise men centered around the royal family. It seemed they were concerned not just about scrutiny, but interference.

"Do they think Beriard will become too wealthy and stop cooperating with exterminations?"

"Exactly. Sheriel catches on fast. They're obliged to participate, but do you think they trust our conscience and pride? Personally, if we can sustain ourselves, I don't think there's a need to go out and exterminate monsters from other territories."

Even though the Beriard family isn't part of the kingdom's knights, they are obligated to join extermination squads upon request. In return, they receive benefits such as exemption from tariffs and economic support from neighboring territories and the capital. Exemption from collective punishment is one of those benefits.

It could be said that this mutual relationship, which depended on the attachment of the head of the family and lacked multi-generational businesses, was due to the economic instability within the territory.

"Isn't that a bit of a leap? If bathing and such become ingrained as a habit, won't wealth concentrate in Beriard, and won't it just be a one-generation business as before?"

"It's not such a simple matter. From the perspective of others, this facility is packed with gifts like magic tools capable of altering magic. Soon, they'll start suspecting whether we possess magic that can alter magic or something similar. There aren't many who would be optimistic about it being a one-generation thing."

Though I wanted to dismiss it as overly dramatic, I instantly understood its influence.

Even if we limit membership to within the territory, the beauty enjoyed solely by Beriard nobles in the midst of aristocratic interactions would become a target of envy. There's also the risk of pushback from other territories, and the possibility of being unable to procure raw materials.

And if we were to accept nobles from other territories, as Didier said, Beriard's talent would be viewed with suspicion.

"Why didn't you stop using magic tools, Brother? If it was just bathing, there wouldn't have been this much danger, right?"

"Expanding the business too much and earning small change is one approach. It would've been fine originally, but the problem is that idiot prince. He doesn't understand how to treat Beriard, judging from his attitude towards Sheriel. Actually, if Sheriel were his biological child and Father had doted on him, the prince's head would've rolled after that tea party. Then I would inherit the title, close off the territory, and declare independence. And if the allied forces invade this land and the Beriard family is destroyed, the monsters and beasts we've held back will fill the kingdom with pollution along with our grudges. And I don't know how much longer I can tolerate if Sheriel is harmed in any way."

Well, I'm truly glad I'm an adopted child. It's the first time I've felt grateful for Sergio's heartlessness.

Or rather, killing royalty just for cutting your hair makes you nothing but a lunatic. I shivered at the thought that Didier was half-serious about pursuing Alphonse's head.

"So, what's your plan?"

"Let's just go as far as we can. Push through until we can smash anyone with violence and wealth. After all, Sheriel seems to be enjoying her research. I can't stop her."

Huh? Something seems off? Where did the political talk go?

"Um, if Beriard becomes too powerful, wouldn't it disrupt the mutual relationship? Other territories are wary of that, right?"

"Yeah, so it'd be great if it actually happened. I understand the agony of having your obsession taken away. It's painful not being able to display your talent openly, right? So, to let Sheriel do whatever she wants without thinking, I'll do everything to silence everyone around. Our territory will surely prosper even more from now on. Then, even the royal family will have to bow down to us for cooperation, isn't it great?"

His eyes filled with ecstasy and the corners of his mouth filled with happiness fully expressed Didier's satisfaction.

Ah, so this is how villains in stories are born. Despite regretting pulling the troublesome trigger, I racked my brain at full speed to figure out how to correct the course.

"By the way, keep Julius in check. If he turns against us, we won't have the luxury of military strength."

"Well, I also feel confident facing Professor Julius... Wait, that's wrong! Are you seriously considering going to war?! Please spare me."

"It's not unusual for territories to go to war with each other, right? Besides, Father will participate in the upcoming war soon, too."

Huh, this is news to me...

I knew he occasionally went out for monster exterminations, but I hadn't heard about going to war.

"Has Father been to war before?"

"Well, it's the first time since Sheriel came, but there were minor skirmishes when I was little. Oh, are you worried Father will die in the war? But Mother is still alive, so it's okay, right?"

It didn't sound like the words of a Beriard who would go mad from family deaths. What was that talk about slicing off Sergio's head for just cutting hair? Or maybe it's the calmness born from truly believing in Sergio?

"We've strayed from the topic. That's why, Sheriel, you should research magic or magic tools without any worries. It's more troublesome to do it halfway. Rather, use your knowledge from your previous life or Julius's knowledge, anything that seems beneficial to the territory, actively research it."

"Sigh... Indeed, I need the power to withstand interference from other territories. It'll be troublesome if we're restricted in trading materials, and depending on the self-sufficiency rate of wheat and sugar, it could become a problem. Why do we have to deal with such troublesome things?"

"Hehe, you're still my best understanding partner, Sheriel."

Smiling with satisfaction, Didier, and elegantly, apparently napping, Dior, stared at me, causing me to worry about how to handle the Beriard family.

Or rather, is it about how to handle myself...?

Unlike during the day, the largest tea salon was filled with male nobles who attended last night's birthday party, such as Claira and Hermes, as well as businessmen like Rainer.

Tonight, the banquet was a celebration of completion and encouragement, including lower-ranking nobles who were also employees.

As usual, this was an informal gathering where guests were free to enjoy food and drinks in a standing buffet style.

"Sheriel, you look quite tired. Did Didier burden you with some headache-inducing talk?"

"Grandfather, you see through everything. I was just briefed on how this business will affect things moving forward."

Sipping lightly carbonated grape water from a small glass, I discreetly vented to Hermes.

"Brother claims it's for my sake, but he's definitely enjoying this situation. While it's good that the territory is prospering, I'm worried Brother's goal seems to be stirring up other territories as a game."

"Well, that's also a part of Beriard's nature. I'm glad Didier's talent isn't suited to Sergio. Without Sheriel, there would have been sparks of conflict everywhere with Sergio trying to get involved."

Those words sent a shiver down my spine involuntarily. While Sergio had only been drawn into battles he didn't like because of the situation, if Didier's curiosity were added to the mix, he might start wars himself.

Over the past few years, the land had become more polluted, keeping us busy with hunting monsters and beasts. And apparently, Didier finding joy around me was preventing the troublesome coordination between those parents and child.

"I must fully pique Brother's interest. It seems that soon the slaves bought at the black market auctions will be moved to protection. Grandfather, may I ask for your help with their treatment again?"

For a moment, Hermes showed the same delighted smile as Didier did earlier. It quickly changed to his usual calm smile, but he seemed to have had enough of Beriard's curse. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I just..."

He gently stroked my head as I let out a small sigh.

"Sheriel-sama, may I have a moment?"

"Of course, Viscount Claira. How was the meeting during the day? Was there any issue, perhaps?"

During the day, while Dior and I were having a tea party, Sergio and Hermes had been discussing matters with the nobles of Klayla.

I had heard about Mia and Leo yesterday, so it must be related to the meeting.

"No, no issues at all. I just wanted to express my gratitude again for the overwhelming happiness."

"It seems everything went smoothly then."

Viscount Claira nodded firmly and reported on what had been decided this time.

"The clay excavation is going well, and we've arranged for the poor people in the town who don't have jobs to be sent here. While Klayla doesn't produce wheat or vegetables, we have plenty of land. We've also been treated well by the new Earl of Gernika, who has inherited the title smoothly, and the construction of the town is progressing smoothly."

"When you say the new Earl of Gernika, you mean the nephew of the former Earl, right? What's his personality like?"

"He made himself personally responsible for all the misdeeds of the former Earl, and he even went to each house of the daughters who had been victims to apologize. Even though it wasn't his fault..."

The nephew, Baron Alon Gernika, should still be underage. As there were many victims of the former Earl of Gernika among the town's girls, it must have meant he had bowed to the commoners.

If he's that kind of person, he'll surely get along well with Klayla. That's what the eyes full of power of Viscount Claira conveyed.

"I'm glad a good lord has taken over. Please support him until he reaches adulthood, everyone in Klayla."

"Of course. By the way, it seems that Alon-sama has visited here several times, and he lamented that he had never met Sheriel-sama."

"I haven't actually met him beyond hearing reports. Please tell him I'm looking forward to meeting him as well."

The subsequent reports were all delightful. They included plans for Wyvern flight training in the northern forest, contracting with magical beasts, building a new orphanage for Mia and the others who had been using vacant houses, and approving the proposal I made to process clay in Klayla, resulting in the construction of a new factory.

"We've arranged for three civil officials to be dispatched, and we've already had a meeting at noon. There's not a single downtrodden soul in Klayla anymore. The elderly are bustling about, children are running around, and when you open a window, you can hear people's voices. Thanks to your kindness, our town has been saved. Thank you so much."

Viscount Claira's eyes were red, but unlike the bitter struggle she had been through before, she now exuded hope.

"I haven't done anything out of mercy or charity. I merely offered a few words for the sake of my interests and business, so please don't exaggerate. It's all thanks to the viscount's excellent management."

"What a modest thing to say... Once the town is in order, let's build a statue of Sheriel. Our faith is not in gods or dragons, but in Sheriel alone. We will continue to strive for the development of the town."

Wait, why? I had thought Viscount Klayla was one of the few sensible people around, but now she seemed to have lost it. And somehow, Didier chose this moment to join in.

"That's a great idea! Since the people of Klayla never get to see Sheriel, why not build a statue of seven-year-old Sheriel when she visited Klayla?"

"Brother, are you drunk? What if the viscount takes it seriously?"

"Huh? I'm serious! Right, Viscount?"

"Yes, of course. As a symbol of the people's hope... No, perhaps we should prioritize the construction of the statue as a symbol of the people's hope."

I could only send them a cold gaze as Viscount Claira and Didier began earnestly discussing the matter.

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