Chapter 8

I began further investigations into the goings-on at my brother’s residence, Nayvil Castle, which was located on a level plain and was surrounded by two moats. The castle town was reasonably well-to-do. When settling here, the Nayvil family took the name of the land as their own and ruled for many years. The situation became clear sooner than I had expected. Once again, the spy disguised as a peddler gave me the details. “Here is my report, sir. Lord Geisel is said to be devising a scheme to assassinate you. Specifically, he plans to feign illness and then summon you to take his place as ruler.” “I see. So it is true, then.” “What do you mean, sir…?” The spy was confounded by my attitude. “I’ve already heard the same thing from another vassal I had at Nayvil Castle. It seems quite a few of my brother’s henchmen are saying the plan is too rushed to work. That’s how the information reached me in the first place.” Even a lackey couldn’t go on serving a lord who collapsed at the drop of a hat. It just showed how much people were starting to lose faith in my brother. There were also many servants from my father’s time who doubted my brother’s abilities. Additionally, I’d managed to hear from old vassals who wanted to give their real opinions, something that made it even easier for them to clash with my brother. Of course, my brother was indeed incompetent, whether they realized it or not. “Lord Alsrod, you were right not to go to Nayvil Castle after all,” Laviala said, relieved. “If nothing else, the thought of going to see him without bodyguards didn’t feel right.” Even before the assassination plot, I’d had my suspicions. He probably hated me more than ever for the commercial success of my market, too. Thus, I’d recently been avoiding going to Nayvil Castle. I dismissed the spy. It was time for a strategy meeting—though it was just Laviala and I talking together. We had the relationship you’d expect of milk siblings raised by the same person, and she was my confidant among confidants. I went to her first when I wanted to speak my mind about something. The room was dark, with just a lantern burning dimly. “Feigning illness and assassinating you in the castle…? Really, what a convenient turn of events for us.” Laviala laughed, undaunted. We lived in a treacherous world; even Laviala wasn’t just a sweet little girl. “Honestly, I was thinking so, too. This way, we can have him die of ‘illness’ for real.” If I killed my lord, I wouldn’t be able to escape condemnation as a usurper. But if he spread news of his illness on his own, all I had to do was see that through. “But still… As awful as he may be, it must be hard for you to have to kill your own brother…” While it was true that we were related by blood, if I had too much sympathy for him now, I might end up being murdered instead. Precisely. Siblings or not, you must defeat your enemies. Otherwise you can never be a conqueror. The voice was back. Did you slay your kin, too? I killed my younger brother—although he’d tried to kill me first. Most people were on my brother Nobukatsu’s side in the beginning. Despite my smaller numbers, I crushed him and won their confidence. Not too different from my situation, then. Except I, the younger brother, was the one doing the deed. “It’s fine, Laviala. Altia’s the only family I’ve got anyway.” “I understand. I will also do everything in my power for you.” The gallantry in Laviala’s resolve just made her ten times as beautiful as always. That moment, my eyes happened to meet hers. Before I knew what I was doing, I put my hand to her face. “Lord Alsrod…,” Laviala said bashfully. I was surprised at what I was doing, myself, but it made me clearly aware of how I felt. “You know… I intend to become the lord of Nayvil. I’m sorry, but I don’t think there’s any way I can make you my official wife. But…you’re so…” Back when I rescued Laviala at the fort, I’d realized for the first time that I thought of Laviala as my own, and I wanted to make her more so. “I want you to be mine, even more than you already are.” Laviala nodded slowly as she smiled. “I’ve always believed I was destined to serve you, ever since the moment I was born. So this must be part of that destiny, too. Besides, you saved my life once.” That day, I made love to Laviala. “Your chest is awfully flat.” “Don’t say that… I can run much faster this way, which is perfect for an elf…” “Sorry. Besides, I’m pretty much the only one who’s seen under your clothes, right?” Laviala was many things to me—my milk sister, my childhood friend, a part of my family, a vassal, a comrade in arms—but now she was also my lover. Good thing my enemy was planning to lure me out to him; that way, I didn’t have to worry so much about prepping my house for defense. Official word of my brother Geisel’s illness came from Nayvil Castle before long. Out of courtesy, I sent a messenger to offer condolences, but I never went myself. On the contrary, I carried out a plan to attract his disaffected vassals to my side. By that point, I’d arguably outstripped him in terms of sheer military power. After all, his forces consisted of only what he could gather from his vassals, and a portion of those vassals were on my side. And I had old pros like Kivik, who was known for his grit. Eventually, I was notified that my brother’s illness had not improved but had turned almost critical. I was ordered to come to the castle. Naturally, after summoning me, he planned to kill me. “It’s time.” I arrived at Nayvil Castle with five hundred soldiers, including Kivik. That wouldn’t be a large number for a viscount to assemble, but for a baron underneath him it was. To tell the truth, I brought as many peasants as I could, too, even though they weren’t so good at fighting. I had a reason for making a show of numbers. My brother’s men were flummoxed. Even if they’d expected a small escort, they certainly never would’ve thought I’d come with enough numbers for a military maneuver. “Lord Alsrod, what in the world is the meaning of all these troops…?” “It would be most shameful to bring only a small escort when succeeding my brother as viscount; that would bring disgrace upon him. For dignity’s sake, I came with as many soldiers as I could muster.” “B-but…” Just then Laviala came forward. She was by my side that day, as always. I didn’t really want to involve her in the danger, but she said she was coming, and that was that. “Take a good look. These soldiers are in formal wear. They are here not for war, but to show the baron’s authority.” “U-understood… However, they must all wait outside the moat…” “No, these soldiers are the baron’s escort,” Laviala replied. “They will wait inside the moat, in front of the castle.” “Still, with this many men entering, if something were to happen—” “How disrespectful! This is the man who will succeed the family throne: Lord Alsrod!” yelled Laviala. They finally caved and opened the way. My five hundred men stopped right in front of the castle building. Surrounding myself with my most capable individuals, I proceeded into the castle. Perhaps my brother would think the assassination plan was impossible and give up; either way, as long as he relinquished control of Nayvil to me, that was all that mattered. I’d already spread news of my brother’s condition throughout the region. He’d informed me about it, so all I did was pass it on. If he handed over power without protest, with illness as reason, I had no problem letting him live in a sort of retirement. But it all depended on what turn of events would take place. What’s your move, brother? If you want to survive, abdicating and retiring someplace quiet is your only option. Carefully, carefully, as slowly as possible, we advanced down the hallway. My brother was a coward. He wouldn’t have the assassination carried out in front of his own eyes. If I were to be attacked, it’d probably happen as I walked through the castle halls. “There they are!” cried Laviala, swiftly throwing a knife toward the wall. An assassin fell out from behind a pillar, pierced through the chest. “My god—an assassin?! Could they be after my life?” I shouted theatrically. The assassins would have no choice but to come out now. My guide also tried to draw his sword, so I cut him down first. Special ability Conqueror’s Might activated. Physical ability doubled when in battle. Sorry, but I’m the better fighter! In an instant, the scene turned into a melee, though I’d come with enough men to deal with it. We’d worn armor underneath our clothes, too, giving us an overwhelming advantage. “Lord Alsrod, we’re fine here! Make your way to Lord Geisel!” yelled Laviala as she fought back against the enemy. Indeed, if my brother got away, it’d cause a lot of trouble for me. “Got it! But you come, too!” “Huh…?” “I’m stronger when I have you to protect!” That’s it. That’s the spirit of a conqueror. Now soldier on! My inner voice had my back, too, though I’d do it even without being told. If I couldn’t protect the one I loved, what was I even capable of? Laviala and I ran toward my brother’s living room. We were confronted by a few foes on the way, but they were no match for us. Additional profession bonus from advancement: He Who Seizes Power, always active. Enemies standing in your way are intimidated, reducing their abilities by twenty percent. However, confident enemies are unaffected. Oh, so I get effects like this, too. Now even a Fighter’s basic abilities will be no different from the average strong enemy’s. My opponents clearly withered when they came before me. They trembled, unable to even grip their weapons properly. “Out of my way! Don’t you know who I am?!” Each swing of my sword flew like sparks as I lashed at my foes mercilessly. I’d figured out the right way to use the Oda Nobunaga profession. The more I lived as a conqueror, the more this profession boosted my powers. My physical abilities at the moment clearly exceeded that of a simple soldier. Plus, I was trying to protect Laviala, so that special ability from before activated as well. Special ability Conqueror’s Pride activated. When attempting to protect your own property, attack power doubles. Laviala was mine through and through. I could now say that with my head held high. My foes’ weapons went flying as I struck with my sword at lightning speed. Another slash would slice their heads clean off. I won’t lose. I can’t lose. “There aren’t many foes here, since your brother was only planning to assassinate you! Let’s press on!” Laviala called. “Yeah! And I’m not letting him escape, either!” I’d already blocked off the rear exit with my troops, though he might’ve built other ways out. Or maybe he’d even disguise himself and try to leave through the front? And so after slaying the two soldiers guarding my brother’s room, I barged right in. He was trembling in bed, putting on a show of being ill. “Brother, playing games isn’t going to change anything.” “No… There’s been some mistake… I don’t know anything about this… I wasn’t planning to assassinate you…” Groveling wretch! I want to wash out my ears just listening to him! My inner voice howled indignantly. For a conqueror, a worm trying to save his neck at the gallows must have been the most unforgivable act of all. “Then is it true you are ill?” “Y-yes… I’ll give you the Nayvil family domain here and now! From this moment, you are the ruler of Nayvil!” “That is most generous of you. I humbly accept,” I replied, kneeling before him. I knew he was holding a knife. “Die, you bastard!!” he shouted as he swung the blade down. Scum to the very end. So transparent. Some surprise attack this is! I immediately ran him through the heart with my sword. “I’m viscount now! Brother or not, treason against the viscount bears the death penalty!” This was the execution of a rebel—nothing more, nothing less. My brother dropped the knife then and there. I’d snuffed out his life in a single stroke. I’d been trying to give him a chance to make it out of this alive, but he hadn’t even been capable of understanding that. It was a pity, but even if I hadn’t killed him, he’d have died in disgrace somewhere else anyway. “A beautifully executed attack, Lord Alsrod,” said Laviala. “Or should I say Viscount?” “Sounds about right. But my domain is just a county and a half; it’s still too small. Ayles Caltis of Mineria controls a whole prefecture and has the title of count.” If we didn’t expand, Nayvil couldn’t be protected. Going about squashing neighbors of our own size seemed like a good idea. Just then Kivik came in. Our enemies must have been suppressed, then. “We killed all the assassins. I don’t think there will be any more opposition.” “Got it. I’m done here, too. Tell the people we had a traitor in our midst and not to come near this room until we know it’s safe.” Afterward, news spread throughout the land that Lord Geisel of Nayvil had relinquished power to Lord Alsrod of Hardt. With the lot who supported my brother unable to say the illness was a hoax, the matter was settled. Even if they didn’t feel like obeying, I could just put them down one by one. I’d have way less guilt about that than about killing my brother. I openly took over as viscount. As celebration for the time being, I temporarily lowered taxes throughout the domain. With that, the masses would surely welcome me, too. Four days after the chaos had subsided, the cleaning of Nayvil Castle had been finished, and I returned. We explained the commotion with the assassins by saying that men from another domain had been trying to wipe out the Nayvil clan and had been out to kill both my dying brother Geisel and myself. Nobody would have the courage to say it was I who’d killed Geisel while he was trying to make a surprise attack on me. I sat on the viscount’s throne, my new vassals all lined up below me. Among them were many of those who’d been working for me. Most of their faces were lit with excitement. A new era was about to begin. “I’m not just going to keep Nayvil as is; I’m going to expand it. More precisely, I’m going to be a conqueror.” Some were taken aback, whereas others began to snicker. “Are you amused by the idea? I have all the makings of a conqueror. I began with only half a village to my name, and I’ve risen this far already. While my brother was alive, I came to be second in power only to him.” The people who’d thought I was joking looked sheepish. But I understood why they’d been snickering, so I wasn’t angry. “Take a good look. In no time, my land has grown tenfold.” Of course, a measly ten times wasn’t what I had my sights on. “I’m going to put an end to this Hundred Years’ Rebellion era. I will build an era where this kingdom is no longer rife with conflict.” With my Oda Nobunaga job, this would turn out to be more than just some fairy tale.