Reincarnation of a Hunter Chapter 46.1 - The Ducal Succession War
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After finishing my private audience with the Duke of Veneto, I returned to Count Kioja’s private residence.
I wasn’t able to meet Count Kioja until I entered the guest room. He was probably summoned by the Duke of Veneto and was being persuaded.
After finishing my bath, I was heading to the dining room with my secretaries to eat.
A servant approached us.
“Viscount Marseille, the wife of Count Kioja requests your presence.”
“I heard she was at the territory. She’s already here?”
“Yes. She is waiting in the drawing room.”
“I will see her together with my secretaries.”
The servant had an awkward expression.
It seems she asked for only me to be brought. But at this point, a little inconvenience is better than causing unnecessary misunderstandings.
‘It would be troublesome if they mistakenly think we are colluding.’
I headed to the drawing room with Diego and Martin in tow. There, a rather good-looking woman around 20 years old was standing alone.
However, she also seemed unsure of what to do, looking embarrassed.
‘There’s no way she’d meet me alone. She should have considered that.’
I clicked my tongue and appraised her.
Merle Kioja (20 years old)
➺Third daughter of the Margrave of Saxony.
➺Wife of the Lord of Kioja.
➺Serves Helios.
As expected of a noble from the Germania Empire’s Saxon territory, she was a follower of the sun god Helios.
No particularly special information appeared, so I greeted her leisurely.
“You possess a beauty worthy of Count Kioja’s pride. I am Eric Marseille.”
Although I offered a compliment, the woman with a stiff expression simply guided me to my seat and offered tea without saying much else.
“Count Marseille, this is black tea imported from Ceylon. Its aroma is quite excellent, so please try it.”
This is abrupt.
No matter how flustered she might be, to chatters about tea without even observing basic courtesy.
Did she put poison in the tea or something?
‘Appraisal.’
Ceylon black tea
➺Contains picrotoxin, a central nervous system stimulant.
➺Drinking too much can cause convulsions and respiratory paralysis.
➺Combined by Merle Kioja.
I had heard that there are cases where nobles put stimulants in tea during negotiations.
It’s to induce mistakes.
Does this woman want me to make a mistake?
Even if I make a mistake, it shouldn’t be beneficial to her.
Am I not still on the same side as Count Kioja?
“Diego, Martin, wait outside the door for a moment.”
“Yes, my lord.”
Worried that Diego and Martin might be exposed to the stimulant, I sent them out.
And then I downed the black tea in one shot.
Since I have〈Status Ailment Immunity〉anyway, the stimulant won’t work on me.
“Haha! This is truly delicious tea.”
Only then did Countess Kioja’s face relax. She’s probably waiting for the drug to take effect, so I’ll make a mistake.
“I heard that thanks to Count Marseille, my husband has won two consecutive victories.”
“It’s a minor skill, but I’m glad I could be of help to Count Kioja.”
“…I’m not glad at all.”
Aha!
The Countess of Kioja wants her husband to lose the succession war. So, she put drugs in the tea, hoping I would make a mistake, and use that as an excuse to drive me out.
I suddenly felt sorry for Count Kioja.
Not only his father, but even his wife wants Vincent to become the Duke.
“Why do you want Vincent to succeed the dukedom?”
“Because my husband is only suited to farming wheat here in the Kioja territory.”
She emphasized her husband’s incompetence.
She probably doesn’t truly mean it.
If Count Kioja becomes the Duke of Veneto, putting aside how incredibly busy he would be, he would likely take many concubines and enter into multiple marriages. Her own position would be threatened, and she could easily get caught in power struggles where losing her life wouldn’t be surprising.
In the end, the Countess of Kioja tried to drive me out for her own benefit.
‘This leaves a bad taste. I can’t just let it slide. I need to create a debt with the Countess and make her pay the price.’
Even though I’ve already been compensated by the Duke of Veneto, it looks like I’ll be gaining an unexpected benefit from another source.
I stared at the Countess of Kioja and said, “Please give me another cup of tea.”
“…”
By now, she must have realized the stimulant isn’t working. Her pupils shook.
“To resort to such cheap tricks. Aren’t you ashamed as a noble?”
“…”
Not being a merchant, but a noble who has lived like a flower in a greenhouse, she didn’t offer any particular excuse.
I leaned back in the chair and crossed my legs. Then I spoke leisurely.
“I am a person who wants many things. If I were to give up the ducal succession war, what kind of promise can you make to me?”
“…Please tell me what you desire.”
I had already investigated the assets of the Veneto territory in detail together with Pascal. I recalled one of those assets that was substantial enough for me to demand and obtain.
“When Saxony and Veneto formed a marriage alliance, as proof of it, didn’t they invest in each other’s territories? Please transfer one of those to me. If you prepare the transfer contract, I will obediently withdraw from the title succession war.”
“If you mean investment.”
“I want shares in the Rosso Bank.”
Rosso Bank is a global commercial bank headquartered in the Veneto territory.
It has branches extending into the Germania Empire, the France Kingdom, and the Iberia Kingdom. It is not just a simple bank earning interest rate margins—it also has the characteristics of an investment bank, making significant investments in trade, shipping, and real estate.
In this world, where the financial industry is still largely underdeveloped, it can be considered the most advanced financial institution.
Naturally, unless you are a member of the Veneto territory’s ruling family or a specially related party, you cannot acquire its shares.
Wanting shares in Rosso Bank means wanting to participate in a money game that affects the entire northern continent.
“Rosso Bank? I’m not sure if I have that kind of power, but I promise.”
It seems she doesn’t even know what she has.
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