Volume 7 Chapter 10 The Curse Of The Libra Technique
The day after our arrival, I, Roman, Ridge, and Windy, the coachman, headed towards Margrave Birk's mansion in a carriage.
"I'll declare this beforehand, Wade-kun. I won't do anything in the negotiation room."
"Huh?"
Roman said this inside the carriage, and I responded with a puzzled expression.
"What's with that?"
"This time, most of the matters we'll be dealing with will be related to politics. As someone loved by God and with a hundred battles under my belt, I have many tricks up my sleeve, but they're not something you can learn from just watching."
"...But Alex told me to learn from you, Roman."
"I was told to 'hammer politics into you.' And my politics aren't something you can learn from just watching. So, I'll leave it to Wade-kun. In the debriefing session, I'll explain it in detail."
I fell silent, and Ridge looked puzzled. Roman chuckled at our reactions.
"In other words, it's the 'get smashed and learn' education method."
"Eh..."
I glared at Roman with a sour face. Roman smiled back at me, unfazed.
"Besides, based on the information I've gathered, this political struggle itself isn't that difficult. The only challenging part is the 'Oath' battle ability."
"So, you're saying it's easy, and I should just give it a try?"
"Yes. After all, Wade-kun has a good sense of judgment. You're also good at talking and have courage. You're not at the level where you'd get smashed to pieces without knowing what's going on."
I was suddenly praised, and my mood wasn't bad.
"But, even if I say that, it's still unsettling to do it alone. That's why, if things get tough, I'll rely on God's love and accompany you."
He had immense confidence. Indeed, having someone like him, who's overflowing with confidence, by my side made me feel a bit more at ease.
"I see... And what about Ridge?"
"Ridge-chan will be the real 'learn by watching' course. The rest is up to cute Ridge-chan, and I'm sure you won't show any weaknesses, right?"
"I see, certainly."
"...Uh, Wade-sama. If you nod there, I'll get embarrassed..."
Today's mascot, Ridge, is waving her hands around in distress, appealing to our sympathy. Roman and I exchange a smile, then return to our conversation.
"But, even if I say that, there's still some necessary information. Let's share some prior knowledge first, shall we?"
In response to Roman's words, I and Ridge, sitting next to each other, urge him on with "Please do" and "Please tell us, if you would." Roman nods and begins to enumerate.
"Firstly, Margrave Birk we're meeting today is a renowned noble who opposes the Roman Empire. The Roman Emperor is someone who can't be understood, so it's only natural that they wouldn't tolerate such irrationality."
However, Roman continues.
"It's not like he's a completely ordinary person, though. He's a genius-like individual who loves money, and――."
"Loves money..."
Roman and I exchange a subtle glance. This person's image is quite difficult to grasp.
"Does he like saving money or making money, or something like that?"
"No, it's more like... he likes the concept of money. He enjoys researching how people's hearts move when it comes to money, according to his cooperators."
"Social research, huh...?"
Ridge puts a finger to her lips, as if something has clicked into place, and thinks. Roman asks, "Ridge-chan, do you have some insight?"
Ridge speaks up.
"...No, it's just that, maybe, it's a story about that..."
"It's okay, please do tell."
At Roman's urging, Ridge hesitantly opens his mouth.
"I was told by my father once. There are existences in this world that you can't go against..."
Ridge raises one finger.
"One is an overwhelmingly powerful person. If you oppose them, you'll be killed by their whim, that kind of opponent. My father mentioned the Roman's Emperor as an example."
"...Yeah, that's right. There's still no one in this world who can openly defy him."
I shudder at Roman's words, his eyes closed as if recalling something.
"There's another one, a noble who, regardless of their family status, is at the center of people's hearts, grasping and manipulating them, and doing something without moving..."
Ridge looks at Roman.
"That kind of noble is a 'curse master,' Father said. Don't go against them, he said. Curse masters wield mysterious powers that can't be understood by society or politics. If you think you can take them on, keep your distance."
"'Curse master,' you say..."
Roman folds his arms, deep in thought. I asked Ridge.
"Hey, Ridge. Is that what a curse master is like?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well, from what I've heard, they're like fixers or puppeteers. They use their mysterious powers to curse their opponents or something, right?"
"...I apologize, Wade-sama. I don't know that much about it."
I backed off, seeing Ridge shake her head. "Got it, sorry."
As we were chatting, the carriage passed through the gate and stopped in front of the mansion's entrance.
"We've arrived. Wade-sama, Romantini-sama, young lady," Windy, the coachman, said as they opened the door, and we got out one by one.
I helped Ridge down from the carriage and stood in front of the lord's mansion.
Margrave Birk. The family crest was the same as the lord of Karditsa's before they switched sides. The lord's mansion was quite large, but smaller than the Karditsa's.
Windy drove the carriage to the stables. As we watched them go, we saw an old butler-like man emerge, bowing to us.
"Welcome, esteemed guests from the Alexander Empire. I'll take you to meet Lord Birk right away."
The butler turned around and led the way. We exchanged glances and followed him.
There didn't seem to be any hidden agenda, and we were smoothly led to the guest room. As we opened the door, we saw a young man who looked like Margrave Birk, still in his youth, sitting on the sofa.
We sat down on the sofa across from him, prompted by the servants. The man bowed to us, and we returned the bow.
The man opened his mouth to speak.
"Welcome, esteemed guests from the Alexander Empire. I am the Margrave, Regit Birk. Let me cut to the chase ―― I am a curse master."
At those words, we froze, taken aback.
Now, it feels like something strange has been said. We gaze at Margrave Birk, who is being served tea by a maid.
"Huh...?"
"'How do you know about our conversation from earlier?' Well, to put it bluntly, it's due to one of my curse techniques, the 'Curse of the Libra's Balance.' It's a little technique, Marquis Württemberg."
I was taken aback for a moment, wondering what he was talking about, before I realized he was referring to my noble title.
Margrave Birk smiled calmly and continued.
"It's a simple demonstration, really. All of your local collaborators have already been influenced by me. I've investigated their backgrounds, paid them the necessary amount, and made them betray you."
As he said something truly terrifying, Margrave Birk stood up, picked up a nearby scale, and carried it over to the table between us with elegant movements.
"Money is a value that can be replaced. I've weighed the trust you placed in them against the actual amount, and tilted the scale in my favor."
As he spoke, he placed a few chess pieces on one side of the scale and several big silver coins on the other, slightly tilting the scale towards the coins.
"That's all there is to it. But, there aren't many people who can do something like this."
Ridge's face turned pale as she stared at Margrave Birk. Roman let out a troubled sigh and shook his head, saying, "I guess we lost. It's good that he's not our enemy, though."
Margrave Birk chuckled with a mischievous tone, as if he had succeeded in playing a prank on us.
"As you've seen, I really love money. This time, I've revealed one of my curse techniques as a token of friendship, instead of a self-introduction."
"Is this what you mean by a token of friendship?"
In response to my question, Margrave Birk nodded with a "Of course."
"Originally, a curse master was someone who didn't reveal their hand. I'm sorry to surprise you, but I hope you will take it as a sign of sincerity."
Again, Margrave Birk bowed before us.
"I am Margrave Regit Birk. I possess several 'golden' curse techniques, including the curse of Libra's Balance, and I am a curse master."
We were stunned, our eyes wide with amazement, and nodded slowly. Margrave Birk, with an intense gaze, said this.
"This time, will you invite me to join the Alexander Empire? I beg of you, please cooperate with me, everyone. Together, let's destroy that detestable Roman Emperor."
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