Royal Meeting.

In this meeting, attended by the city’s top nobles and military officers equivalent to generals in the modern era, policies guiding the kingdom are established.

It is, in effect, the core of noble power.

Of course, gaining entry is incredibly difficult.

That’s why the reason Countess Ragna Peprock once drew so much attention in the noble circles was precisely this.

No noble house without solid backing had ever managed to secure a seat in the royal meeting within such a short time.

Well, ultimately there was a prime minister pulling strings behind the scenes.

Anyway.

“I never thought Melves would have not a single participant in the royal meeting.”

Honestly, given that Melves consists of 32 noble houses, I assumed at least one seat would be held by them, but apparently not.

Perhaps this is also an implicit form of discrimination against demi-humans.

Ah, but for me, that was a good thing.

“.......”

“.......”

At my remark about being thirsty, the room quieted.

Everyone was unsure how to respond, when a noble in the corner spoke up.

“Could someone send out to fetch a cup of tea? Make sure it’s cold with plenty of ice.”

His words and actions admitted his subordinate status.

That settled the situation clearly.

After all, the one addressed was the chairman.

“Ah? Yes... Chairman.”

A baron beside the chairman stepped outside to give new orders to the servants and returned.

And then...

“Place it over there.”

The servants were evidently rushed so much that in the blink of an eye, a cup of iced tea was placed before me.

It was iced tea of this era.

Quite different from the sweet ones I used to drink in PC cafés.

“Not bad.”

I took a big sip, enjoying the aroma and the chill, when the chairman addressed me directly.

“Well then, shall we hear what you have to say?”

“Um... I’m not sure what I should say first all of a sudden.”

“Then start with this. Baron, is it true that you have gained the right to attend the royal meeting?”

“It is true. I was resting at the holy land, when recently a letter like this flew in.”

Taking advantage of the moment, I pulled out the stored letter and showed it to everyone; their expressions stirred once more.

Of course, none thought I was bluffing...

“Truly...”

“The royal seal is stamped on it.”

“Judging by the seat... it’s still a minor one for now.”

Still, seeing proof with one’s own eyes inevitably changes the feeling.

“So, my question is, is this the end of it?”

I rephrased the prompt in a barbarian manner, urging a quick question, and after some hesitation, the chairman carefully spoke.

“Perhaps... Baron, have you pledged allegiance to the royal family?”

“A strange question. What’s the difference whether we do or not? We are all subjects of the royal family.”

That was not what I truly thought.

But if asked like that, I had no other answer.

Noticing his mistake, the chairman quickly corrected the question.

“...Then I ask again. I know this is a rude question, but...”

“Go ahead, it’s fine.”

“After returning to the city this time, did you meet separately with the royal family and receive any promises?”

Even an oblivious barbarian could tell what the chairman worried about.

He feared a talent drain.

He was anxious I might abandon Melves and become a loyal subordinate of the royal mainstream.

I didn’t expect such concern to be voiced openly in front of everyone.

“...Why did you think that?”

“Even after participating in today’s meeting, when you said you wanted the contract payment and to hear information about the underground first floor, you kept postponing it.”

Ah, that...

‘From their point of view, it must have looked like that.’

I have no plans to abandon Melves or find a new nest.

I actually like this group’s nature.

The fact that it is a gathering of often discriminated demi-human nobles is quite advantageous for me.

Still, I kept silent about exploring the underground first floor because I wanted to keep options open for potential deals with the royal family later.

“Since there seems to be some misunderstanding, I’ll say it clearly here. I have made no promises with the royal family.”

“Then the royal meeting...?”

“I don’t know. It just came without any prior notice.”

That was true.

Before the letter arrived, I had no separate contact from the marquis or anyone else.

And did they believe me?

“I see...”

“Has your curiosity been satisfied?”

“Yes. I was worried at first, but now it seems the royal family simply acknowledges you.”

“Acknowledges what?”

“That Baron is already the spine of the city’s political situation.”

The chairman’s eyes burning as he looked at me were not adequately described as just ‘hot.’

There was a passion I had never seen before.

A will not to let me go.

‘A bit overwhelming...’

Objectively speaking, it was a very positive situation.

Thirty-one other houses under Melves supporting me strongly behind the scenes.

That was the ultimate goal achievable within Melves—

“I see.”

But at that moment, the chairman’s fiery gaze suddenly cooled down.

“That concludes the questions here. Baron Mariblack, please continue the discussion.”

“Yes? Ah, yes... understood.”

After that, the chairman handed over control to the moderator, and everyone exchanged opinions timidly while watching me and the chairman carefully.

Still, the chairman did not direct any words or glances toward me for the rest of the assembly.

‘...What’s this? Is he playing hard to get?’

Having briefly felt that intense gaze, I was somewhat uneasy.

But it didn’t take long to realize the chairman was consciously restraining his feelings.

“Then, I thank all the esteemed family heads who graced this meeting with their presence, and hereby conclude this assembly...”

The meeting was completely over, and I was about to stand when—

“Baron, could you stay a moment?”

“......?”

“A compliment to the Mariblack family’s tea is well deserved.”

A noble’s way of politely suggesting a private talk.

“Well, alright then.”

I agreed and waited as the nobles attending the assembly discreetly skipped farewells and left.

And then...

“We will bring tea again as soon as it is ready. Please make yourselves comfortable.”

The moment the marquis hosting today’s meeting left the hall, a private room was arranged.

“Baron Yandel.”

The chairman’s gaze returned to its usual self.

Not the look of an old man, but one filled with fierce desire.

Yet, despite revealing such feelings openly, his voice remained calm.

“Baron Yandel, what do you think about Melves?”

Hmm, the start was probing.

“I just think it’s a good place. The people are decent.”

“Even after the conflict with Count Goldbeard?”

“How can people meet without some clashes? That’s just how things go. I don’t dislike the count just because of that.”

“Then that is truly fortunate.”

After probing from the chairman’s side, it was my turn to test the waters.

“Chairman, what about you?”

“......?”

“I meant what you think about Melves.”

The chairman looked as if surprised by the unexpected question.

“Heh, what I think about Melves...”

He seemed to consider how to answer, then gave such a frank reply that even the barbarian listening was taken aback.

“I think it’s a ragtag bunch.”

“......What?”

An unthinkably blunt phrase to come from the chairman of Melves.

“Did you expect the usual positive talk like, ‘We can do it, we’re strong if united’?”

“No, but I didn’t expect such honesty.”

“Actually, you’re the first to hear my true thoughts. I can neither say this to anyone nor should I.”

For the first time, a shadow crossed the chairman’s usually cheerful face.

Apparently, the stress was greater than he let on.

“So, what exactly do you mean by ‘ragtag bunch’?”

“Just as it sounds. After thousands of years, demi-human noble houses have not increased, while the orthodox houses grow stronger. We banded together because there was nowhere else to go, but we are not truly united.”

The chairman quickly poured out suppressed emotions and words like a confession.

“Do you know what our biggest difference from other factions is? We have no central rallying point.”

“If that’s the case, the one you are now—”

“Do you really think so?”

Hmm, well...

He is respected and all, but if this old man tried to present a vision and lead forward, I doubt all 31 houses would follow it like their own business.

“.......”

Remaining silent, the chairman chuckled softly.

“No matter how much the houses grow closer and stronger, they will remain a ragtag bunch.”

“Because of the lack of a central rallying point you mentioned earlier?”

“Exactly.”

No matter how many kernels of ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) corn there are, without heat, they can never pop.

I was starting to understand what the chairman wanted to say.

“Actually, Melves is probably too small a nest to hold Baron Yandel.”

“...Well, I think you’re the only one who thinks that.”

“Heh, everyone knows it secretly. They just haven’t acknowledged it out of selfishness.”

“Even so, I don’t yet own a family estate.”

“But you have more retainers than anyone else in this city. From what I’ve seen, Baron Yandel is not a bird looking for a nest. You are a bird that builds nests.”

The chairman continued to praise me without stopping.

“Baron Yandel is a tribal chief of one race and a baron by title. Also one of the city’s most famous explorers, rumored to be skilled enough to rival the strongest in this world.”

Uh... nothing he said was untrue...

“But you seem to underestimate yourself too much. Without your title, who among the 31 houses would have what you have?”

“...Enough gilding; say what you want to say.”

“I know it’s funny to say this to a baron who joined Melves recently. But if you miss this chance, you’ll spend another thousand years waiting meaninglessly.”

Then, the chairman’s eyes burned with passion as he looked at me and continued.

“Baron, become the central rallying point of Melves.”

It was sooner than I expected, but it was my ultimate goal.

Better to be the head of the serpent growing into a dragon’s tail.

That was why I ignored other offers and settled in Melves from the start.

But first, I had to ask this.

“So, chairman, what is your wish? What do you want to do by growing Melves?”

A crucial question to ask when dealing with someone.

The chairman laughed heartily at my question, then without hesitation answered.

“My wish is that one day I can look at those insolent human-born nobles and say, if you are a weak human, behave like one.”

“.......”

“Don’t mess around.”

This old man was more extreme than I thought.

The chairman grandfather, openly sharing his radical and extreme nature, offered me several proposals.

“If you accept my offer, Melves and our Welbait marquisate will fully support and back Baron Yandel.”

“I want specifics rather than just full support.”

“Of course, you will be entrusted with this contract, and we will assist you in purchasing a family estate and building a mansion.”

“And?”

“When it comes to voting, all 31 houses will cast their votes where Baron Yandel directs, and if anything obstructs your plans, all will unite to remove those obstacles.”

Oh, that’s quite reassuring—

“However, there is one condition.”

Ah, no wonder they were going all in.

I tried to hide my disappointment and asked about the condition.

“And... what is that condition? Tell me.”

“Whoever the partner may be...”

The next words made my head go blank for a moment.

“Marry quickly and produce heirs.”

...That condition was unexpected.