Chapter 163

Chapter 163: The Second Son’s Choice (2)

The day after, only Edward’s decision remained.

As winter arrived, the Luton family’s golden rye fields turned to ashen gray.

Thick, warm smoke billowed from the chimneys of the grand mansion.

Just by looking at that, one could tell how many people had gathered inside the mansion today.

The reason for the gathering of the Luton family members was simple.

Today was the family’s monthly meeting.

It marked the beginning of December and, at the same time, served as the final meeting of the year to conclude everything.

――――――

All seats in the main conference hall were filled with members of the family.

They exchanged light greetings with coworkers they hadn’t seen in a while, waiting for the Grand Duke of the North.

Seated closest to the head seat were the direct descendants of the Luton family.

Eric and Freya.

Then Edward and Echina followed.

Today, even Ed—who would soon be entering his final year at the academy—had joined the gathering.

Unlike his siblings, he seemed uncomfortable and out of place in such a setting, swallowing hard.

“The Grand Duke is entering.”

The heavy wooden doors creaked open.

Right after Chief Secretary Debier, who held the door handle, entered the Duke of Luton, his white hair thick with age.

He looked like an ancient tree, with white hair and lifeless skin.

Yet, the air he exuded was anything but that of a dying old man.

Rather, as he aged, the years had only added to his presence, making his stature as one of the continent’s most powerful figures stand out even more.

――――――

The Grand Duke’s cold shoes echoed through the hall.

At that sound, all members of the Luton family rose in unison to show their respect.

「Everyone’s gathered.」

The family head’s seat was carved with twin black lion heads on either side.

The Grand Duke of the North placed his large palm upon it.

「Sit. The meeting will begin at once.」

As the man took his seat, the sounds of everyone else sitting down rippled through the hall.

「Debier, what’s the most important item on the agenda today?」

“Yes, Your Grace. It’s the proposal to improve the trade routes through the Northern mountain range.”

Improving the trade routes.

It was a vital project that would determine the future of the Luton family.

The children, fully aware of its importance, sat attentively, determined to focus on the meeting.

Especially Echina, whom I had advised must become the chief director of this project, hadn’t even taken a single sip of the tea placed before her.

「Right. We were supposed to appoint the chief director of the project during today’s meeting.」

The Grand Duke pulled a monocle from his shirt pocket and put it on.

In its clear lens, the faces of his children came into view.

「The director will be chosen between Eric and Echina, who contributed the most investment to the project. Does everyone agree?」

“Yes, Your Grace. There’s no better way to gauge sincerity toward the plan than the amount invested.”

“I agree.”

Count Dilman and Baron Obi gave their consent as well.

They exchanged light smiles as they looked at each other, then turned their heads toward the children they supported.

Count Dilman backed Archduke Eric.

Baron Obi, connected to Echina through the case of the stolen painting by Deyan, sided with her.

「Very well. Then, is there anyone who would like to recommend one of the two as the chief director?」

The most crucial moment of the meeting had arrived.

It was time for the nomination of the chief director.

This was the moment to assess how well each child had led their faction and built trust.

Depending on this, the chief director could be decided right away.

“……”

No one opened their mouth easily.

The family’s factions were clearly split into three.

First, the Eldest Faction, who supported Eric.

Second, the Traditionalists, loyal only to the Grand Duke of the North.

Third, the Emerging Faction, which supported Echina.

In the past, the Emerging Faction had been very small.

At best, it had consisted only of the former Black Knights who followed her.

However, once Baron Obi began showing her favor, the faction gradually began to grow.

And then, the event that marked the peak of that shift occurred…

“I don’t know if I’m qualified, but since everyone is so silent, I’ll dare to speak. I’d like to recommend Echina.”

It was the eldest daughter, Freya, who had formed an alliance with Echina.

「Is there no one else?」

The Grand Duke of the North cast a cold gaze toward Freya.

She, who had once nearly lost her entire company and loyal subordinates due to a single poor decision.

As expected, his view of her was not as favorable as before.

Still, that didn’t mean he regarded her alliance with Echina as foolish.

On the contrary, the fact that she hadn’t been cast out and instead unified her power with Echina helped to prevent the succession conflict from leaning too heavily in Eric’s favor.

“I would like to recommend Archduke Eric.”

“I second that. Among the children, doesn’t the young lord have the most practical experience?”

Voices of the many vassals who supported Eric.

As those voices grew louder, the Grand Duke’s mood visibly soured.

Despite being his eldest son, if their views diverged, he would respond coldly.

「If we decide the chief director based solely on practical experience, that wouldn’t be fair. Others wouldn’t even have the chance.」

And so, as the head of the family, the Grand Duke took control of the situation in his own way.

「Edward. What do you think? Is there anyone you'd like to recommend?」

Attention shifted to the second son, who had the most assets after Eric and Echina.

All the other family members turned their eyes toward him as well.

Everyone realized that the choice of Edward, currently the third most influential figure, would carry significant weight.

“I…”

Today, Edward’s voice was not his usual sly tone.

Rather, it carried a certain weight, perhaps because of its seriousness and steadiness.

“……”

Eric and Echina both stared at him intently.

Each of them fully convinced that the second son would choose their side.

The eldest son, with whom he had previously formed a cooperative alliance.

And the younger sister, who currently held a weakness over him but let it go and offered an alliance instead.

His choice was…

“I don’t feel like choosing anyone.”

Surprisingly, it was neither of them.

“……?” “……!!”

Eric, who had always kept his younger brother firmly under his thumb, had his smile freeze at this first act of defiance.

Echina, too, wore a grim expression as if witnessing someone repay kindness with betrayal.

“Because I want to participate in the nomination for chief director myself.”

It was a move typical of Edward.

The ruthless businessman who would seize any opportunity the moment it appeared.

This was a moment when the ambition inherited from his father surfaced unfiltered.

「…….」

With the second son suddenly declaring his candidacy, the atmosphere in the conference hall shifted dramatically.

The vassals looked at one another, silently asking if anyone had expected things to escalate this far.

But none of them had anticipated Edward’s move.

Who could have known that mithril—something even the man from ten years in the future didn’t foresee—would change him?

“Since everyone’s already gathered here, I have something I’d like to show you.”

With a calm voice much like Eric’s, Edward rose lightly from his seat.

Then, he pulled out a processed piece of mithril from within his coat and placed it on the table.

“That’s mithril…?”

“Don’t tell me that’s from the Nordique mine?”

There was no official information yet that large amounts of mithril had been mined.

So most of the vassals assumed he had left the mine idle for tax evasion purposes.

But now that he proudly presented the essence of his accomplishments, they had no choice but to be caught off guard.

“This is high-purity mithril. If a more stable mining yield can be secured, it will become a major force in northern trade.”

Edward began explaining the plan he had devised in a respectful tone to all present.

“Currently, through the trade agreement, the United Kingdoms of the Northern Seas have requested large imports of raw materials from the Empire. However, most mining operations are centered in the South or West.”

Everyone nodded, appearing to agree.

Then, the second son skillfully began using the spotlight that had now turned to him.

“However, none of the materials they export include mithril. The appearance of this particular high-grade ore alone will draw significant attention to the North in future trade.”

「Though it's still only a small amount of mithril, you're saying this can serve as a justification for future exports of other resources.」

The Grand Duke of the North didn’t seem displeased by his second son’s belated ambition.

Rather than having him cling helplessly to the eldest for life, this manly display was far more satisfying.

“That’s right. With the Nordique mine’s development, we’ll be able to greatly expand our existing mining operations.”

He then called over his secretary, Tir, who had been waiting quietly in the distance.

Tir, regarded as the second coming of Debier, handed over the documents he had personally compiled to the second son.

“Following the end of the war, the declining arms industry can transition flexibly into the mining sector. According to my research, existing military technology significantly aids the development of mining equipment.”

In other words, arms industry equipment could be repurposed into mining machinery.

That meant a portion of the family business, which had been slowly declining, could now be reborn.

“If I’m given the opportunity, I’d like to prove that through this project.”

This was a more significant achievement than expected.

Not only was he maintaining the well-established enterprises the Grand Duke had built, but he had also found a breakthrough for a nationally stagnant industry.

The difference between the two achievements was like heaven and earth.

If Edward’s competence could be proven through this endeavor, it might very well bring a major shift in the battle for succession.

「So in the end, you’ve proven the value of the path you insisted on, Edward.」

The Grand Duke of the North took a sip of tea and spoke in a low voice.

Amidst the rising steam from the warm tea, the corners of the father’s lips faintly curled in satisfaction.

“……”

Only then did Eric grasp the source of Edward’s confidence and kept a stoic expression in silence.

Echina, on the other hand, felt unpleasant—as if her and Roger’s accomplishments had been stolen from under her nose.

The appearance of a new rival was unwelcome.

「Very well. Then let the chief director be decided by merit.」

A golden gleam flickered beneath heavy shadows in his eyes.

Proud of his son’s growth, he spoke in a voice more solemn than usual.

「I shall assign you a shared mission.」

The Nord mountains were tall and treacherous.

However, even in such places, there were always patches of flat, sunlit land.

In the valleys between the mountains, small villages could be found here and there.

「Currently, in the process of improving the northern trade route, we need a satellite city to serve as a midpoint.」

Debier unfurled a massive map and laid it across the table.

It detailed the population distribution throughout the Nord mountain range.

「The three of you will each select one village within this mountain range and develop it into a central hub for northern trade.」

The task the Grand Duke assigned was monumental.

And the meaning behind it was just as profound.

The reason the Duke of Luton came to be known as the Grand Duke of the North…

It was because he had once turned this barren northern region into a land wealthier than the imperial capital itself.

Now, he was handing his children the same test.

To see whether they were fit to inherit the title of Grand Duke of the North.

「Raise it into a city that can rival Nord itself.」

Eric, Edward, and finally Echina rose from their seats.

They leaned in, studying the map closely, gazing intently at the regions they deemed worthy of city-scale development.

「Take some time to decide and report separately which location each of you will take on.」

The Grand Duke of the North rose from his seat after leaving behind those words.

And before he departed...

He delivered one final, chilling line—something he rarely ever said.

「And this time, think of it as building your own nest. You must consider it with the utmost care.」

The Duke of Luton no longer looked at his children with the eyes of a father.

His gaze was cold, as though he were looking at intruders who had trespassed into his territory.

「Think of it as creating and ruling over your own nation.」

He was clearly no emperor.

Yet he had always emphasized thinking like one and reigning like one.

Because only then could they achieve even half of what he had.

He praised Edward for setting a grand goal.

But he also reminded him that ambition came with the burden of responsibility.

「The time limit is two months.」

With that, the meeting concluded, and the Grand Duke and his chief secretary were the first to leave the room.

The family’s vassals followed in a line, exiting the hall one after another.

However, the children of the Grand Duke couldn’t easily rise from their seats.

Especially Eric and Echina.

Both were visibly disturbed by Edward, who had so shamelessly stabbed them in the back and thrown himself onto the battlefield.

“……”

Yet the second son, true to his nature, showed no sign of concern.

With a completely calm expression, he simply retrieved the mithril he had placed on the table.

Freya quietly glanced at Echina sitting beside her.

Then, brushing her hand lightly, she leaned in to whisper secretly.

“This might be our chance.”

By “chance,” she meant...

The perfect moment to push Edward—whom they found too troublesome to ally with—completely out of the picture.

“Yes, you’re right.”

The second daughter instantly grasped the meaning of her elder sister’s words.

And with a piercing, determined look in her eyes, she exited the meeting hall.

Left alone in the room was the eldest son, Eric.

He lightly tapped the table as if playing a piano, lost in his own thoughts.

「――――――」

The Grand Duke of the North, having left the conference room, headed straight for his office.

He stood with his hands behind his back, silently watching the rye fields of the morning at 10 a.m.

His expression was more serene than ever.

Despite having just instigated a fierce competition, he didn’t look the slightest bit anxious—in fact, he appeared rather pleased.

「That fox is going to have a headache.」

“If you mean ‘fox’... do you mean Roger?”

Debier cautiously asked as he approached from the side.

Moments later, he couldn’t help but look surprised.

「Yes. If he wants to become part of our family, he’ll have to easily overcome at least this much of a trial.」

When the Grand Duke spoke of becoming a member of the family...

He didn’t mean merely as a vassal...

「After that, perhaps I’ll be able to let go a little.」

He had meant becoming family—for real.